Tips for Writing a Stand-Out Resume

1. Use Standard Headings

Recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) expect to see specific headings on resumes. Stick to standard headings like:

• Work Experience: Detail your professional history, starting with your most recent job.

• Education: Highlight your academic background and relevant certifications.

• Skills: Showcase abilities relevant to the job.

Using these common headings ensures clarity and helps ATS software parse your resume correctly.

2. Keep Formatting Simple

Simplicity is key when it comes to formatting. Avoid using overly complex layouts, tables or graphics. Here are some formatting tips to follow:

• Use bullet points to organize information.

• Stick to consistent margins, line spacing and section alignment.

• Avoid colors, images or icons that might confuse ATS software.

Clean and straightforward formatting ensures your resume is both professional and easy to read.

3. Incorporate Job-Specific Keywords

Tailoring your resume to each job application involves more than just tweaking a few sentences. Study the job description and identify keywords related to:

• Required skills

• Certifications

• Tools or technologies

For example, if the job posting mentions “project management” and “Microsoft Excel,” make sure these terms appear in your resume (if they genuinely apply to your experience). ATS software scans for these keywords to determine if your resume is a match.

4. Choose a Professional Font

The font you use can impact the readability of your resume. Stick to classic, professional fonts such as:

• Arial

• Times New Roman

• Calibri

These fonts are clean, easy to read and ATS-friendly. Additionally, use a font size between 10 and 12 points for the main text and slightly larger for headings.

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5. Tailor Each Resume to the Job

Generic resumes rarely stand out. Instead, customize your resume for each job application by:

• Highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences.

• Aligning your qualifications with the job’s requirements.

• Writing a tailored summary or objective that reflects the specific role.

Customizing your resume shows that you’ve put in the effort to align your qualifications with the company’s needs.

6. Focus on Achievements, Not Duties

Employers want to see the impact you’ve made in your previous roles, not just a list of responsibilities. Use quantifiable results to demonstrate your achievements. For example:

• Instead of “Managed a team,” write “Led a team of 10 employees to achieve a 20% increase in sales.”

• Instead of “Handled customer complaints,” write “Resolved customer complaints, achieving a 95% satisfaction rating.”

By focusing on achievements, you can highlight the value you bring to an organization.

7. Keep It Concise

Your resume should ideally be one page long, especially if you’re early in your career. For those with extensive experience, two pages are acceptable, but every detail should add value. Avoid including unnecessary information, such as:

• High school education (if you’ve completed college or higher education).

• Outdated skills or irrelevant work experience.

Streamlining your resume ensures that only the most important and relevant details are highlighted.

8. Proofread Thoroughly

Typos and grammatical errors can leave a poor impression. Before submitting your resume:

• Read it out loud to catch awkward phrasing.

• Use tools like Grammarly to identify potential errors.

• Ask a trusted friend or mentor to review it for you.

A polished, error free resume demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism.

9. Include Contact Information

Make it easy for employers to contact you by including:

• Your full name

• A professional email address (e.g., [email protected])

• A phone number

• A LinkedIn profile (if relevant and up-to-date)

Ensure this information is prominently displayed at the top of your resume.

10. Avoid Common Mistakes

To make a strong impression, steer clear of these common pitfalls:

• Overloading with information: Stick to relevant details.

• Using jargon or acronyms: Write in clear, plain language.

• Including photos: In most cases, photos are unnecessary and can lead to bias.

• Submitting without tailoring: A generic resume often fails to resonate with employers.

Bonus Tip: Save in the Right Format

Imagine spending hours creating the perfect resume only for it to look completely different when opened on another device. That’s frustrating, right? To avoid this, always save your resume as a PDF unless the job application asks for a different format.

Why? PDFs lock in your formatting, meaning your resume will look the same whether it’s viewed on a laptop, tablet or phone. If you save it as a Word document, there’s a risk that different versions of Word could mess up your layout. That’s the last thing you want when applying for a job

Final Thoughts

A resume isn’t just a piece of paper it’s your first impression on a recruiter. You want them to look at it and think, “Wow! We need this person on our team.”

So, how do you create a resume that stands out from the competition?

• Pay attention to the details – Even small mistakes like a typo or inconsistent formatting can make recruiters lose interest. Before sending it out, double check everything.
• Customize it for each job – No two job descriptions are exactly the same, so why should your resume be? Adjust your resume to highlight the skills and experience most relevant to the role.
• Showcase your achievements, not just tasks – Instead of saying, “Managed a team,” say, “Led a team of 10 and increased productivity by 30% in six months.” Numbers and results make your impact clear.
• Make it easy to read – Recruiters scan resumes in seconds, so keep it simple. Use clear headings, bullet points and a clean layout to make your key points stand out.
• Pass the ATS test – Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes.

To improve your chances, include keywords from the job description naturally in your resume.