Creating a Resume

Your resume is the most important element of your job search. An excellent one displays your best and is the main factor that gets you in that all-important room for an interview.

How Does a Resume Benefit You?

Your resume speaks to the quality of your work

When you offer a well-written resume, you send a message that you care about the fine details. Also, you present yourself as someone who handles communications well, something that’s valuable in jobs as varied as sales and tech support.

Your resume makes you look up-to-date

If the last time you wrote a resume was 10 years ago, you need to do more than just add your most recent employment information. Did you know that, in many cases, the first one to read your resume will be a computer? Resume writing services stay on top of the most recent hiring trends, making sure your resume leans into the latest expectations of hiring managers and job recruiters.

A professionally written resume will be properly structured and formatted

Hiring managers spend an average of less than 10 seconds looking at each resume. Avoid providing that speed-reading HR person any reason to set your resume aside — an unprofessional format can be one of the key reasons you are overlooked. Writing a professional resume will help you get through applicant tracking systems and busy HR departments.

How To Customize Your Resume for Every Job Application

A great resume isn’t just about listing your past jobs and skills. It’s about showing the hiring manager that you’re the perfect match for their job opening. By tweaking your resume for each position, you show employers that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role. Let’s explore a few easy steps you can take to make your resume stand out and get noticed.

Tailor your resume to fit the job description

When applying for different jobs, don’t just send the same resume everywhere. Instead, take a few minutes to customize it for each specific position. Start by looking closely at the job posting. What skills and qualifications are they looking for? Highlight those on your resume, using similar words and phrases that the employer uses. This not only helps human recruiters see that you’re a good match, but it also increases your chances of getting through applicant tracking systems (ATS) — the software many companies use to screen resumes before they even reach a person.

Showcase your accomplishments

Employers want to know what you’ve achieved, not just what your duties were. Did you improve efficiency at your last job? Boost sales? Lead a successful project? Make sure to include these key accomplishments on your resume. Quantify them if possible — for example, saying “Increased sales by 20%” is much more powerful than just saying you worked in sales. These specific achievements can help you stand out from other candidates who may only list their job responsibilities.

Use action verbs and relevant keywords

To make your resume more engaging, use strong action verbs like “designed,” “managed,” “led,” or “implemented.” These words convey leadership and initiative, and they help bring your experience to life. Also, include industry-specific keywords that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re applying for a marketing role, include terms like “SEO,” “content strategy,” or “digital marketing.” This shows that you’re familiar with the field and helps your resume pass through the ATS filters.

Keep it clear and concise

While you want to include enough detail to highlight your qualifications, be mindful of keeping your resume concise. A one-page resume is often the best choice for those with less than 10 years of experience. If you have more experience, a two-page resume may be acceptable, but keep it tightly focused on your most relevant skills and achievements. Hiring managers spend only a few seconds reviewing each resume, so making it easy to read with clear headers, bullet points, and consistent formatting will help yours stand out.

Add a strong profile or summary section

At the very top of your resume, include a brief profile or summary that highlights your most important skills and experience. Think of it as your elevator pitch — it should quickly show the employer why you’re a great fit for the job. Focus on your key strengths and career goals, and avoid generic phrases like “hard worker” or “team player.” This section sets the tone for the rest of your resume, so make it count.

Don’t forget to proofread

A resume with typos or formatting issues can easily turn off a hiring manager. After writing your resume, take the time to proofread it carefully. Reading it out loud can help you catch awkward phrasing or errors. It’s also a good idea to ask a friend or colleague to review it for you. Fresh eyes can often spot mistakes you might have missed. A well-polished resume shows attention to detail, a trait that employers value highly.

Building the Perfect Resume With Our Resume Builder

Our resume builder app will help you create the best document. Be sure to check out our resume examples as well as our resume resources. Our resume examples are designed to land the job that you want. To do this, we:

• Aggregate thousands of job postings every day across all experience levels and industries
• Match these job postings with winning resumes and LinkedIn profiles of all experience levels
• Use our robust machine learning algorithm to determine exactly what you should be putting on your resume
• Triple-check the resumes — this is done by our team of experts and hiring managers

Combining these resources with our resume builder will ensure your resume has everything you need to land the job and stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions About Building a Resume

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).