What should a resume look like in 2025? While a resume is still a professional document, and it’s best to avoid chasing every trend, it should reflect modern standards. Here’s a look at the current resume trends for 2025 you may want to incorporate.
Why Staying Current With Resume Trends in 2025 Matters
Keeping your resume updated with the 2025 resume trends shows hiring managers that you know what’s happening in the industry and can update your professional presence accordingly. Creating a resume with current trends in mind can also ensure you have the latest formatting and keyword tips to help you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS).
7 Key 2025 Resume Trends
What should a resume look like in 2025? Here are seven key trends to incorporate.
1. Clean and minimalistic layouts
One of the current trends in resumes for 2025 is the minimalistic look. Clean, organized layouts are easier for ATS to read and for hiring managers to skim. Use descriptive headings and bullet points, and ensure enough white space for a professional look. Check out these resume examples for 2025 formatting.
2. Strategic use of keywords and applicant tracking system-friendly phrasing
ATS scan resumes for keywords to determine how well the candidate’s profile matches the job description. The 2025 resume trend emphasizes keyword optimization and relevant skills while integrating industry-specific terms naturally to appeal to human reviewers.
3. Personal branding with strong resume summaries
Another of the current trends in resumes for 2025 is to make your resume reflect your brand with a strong summary. Employers are increasingly hiring for culture fit as much as a match regarding skills. Using the profile summary to convey your top qualifications, goals, and industry experience gives them a better idea of who you are. In resumes for 2025, however, it is best to keep this section brief. You can provide more details in the cover letter or interview if necessary.
4. Focus on results with quantifiable achievements
If you’re asking, “What should a resume look like in 2025?” The answer is data-driven. Highlighting your accomplishments by showing measurable results helps you convey the impact of your achievements. Metrics like “increased sales by 30%” or “reduced onboarding time by 20%” are more tangible for hiring managers as they determine if you can meet their needs.
5. Soft skills and emotional intelligence in a professional context
Hiring managers are no longer evaluating candidates on work experience and technical skills alone. They also want to ensure the right candidate has the soft skills to work as part of a team and contribute to the company culture. Include examples of soft skills like adaptability, communication, and emotional intelligence in your achievements.
6. Emphasis on technical proficiency and digital skills
The rise in artificial intelligence (AI) tools has made it more important than ever for strong candidates to have experience with digital tools and platforms. Some templates and resume examples for 2025 have a separate list of technical skills for greater emphasis.
7. Including LinkedIn and online portfolio links
Another trend in resumes for 2025 is adding LinkedIn and online portfolio links. Directly linking to these sites lets the hiring manager get a fuller picture of your qualifications and skills without taking up much room on your resume. Look for resume examples in 2025 that have dedicated spots for links, such as in the header or a contact info sidebar.
Format and Design 2025 Resume Trends
Current resume trends in 2025 extend to the format and design of your document, including the font you choose and the amount of white space present. Here are some tips on what a resume should look like in 2025.
Artificial intelligence and applicant tracking system-compatible templates
Using an ATS-compatible template can increase the chances that the ATS software identifies your resume as a good fit and passes it on to the hiring manager for a human review. Resume examples in 2025 use plain-text layouts with clear, descriptive headers that are easier for ATS to read. Candidates can also use AI tools to create resumes, tailor them to specific positions, or scan them to see if they are optimized for ATS.
Fonts, spacing, and design elements
While a traditional, easy-to-read format is always important, in 2025, more resumes will include sans-serif fonts like Calibri or Arial. These fonts have a modern look and can be easier to read.
Trend-Setting Resume Examples
Marketing Manager
Clean, Minimalistic Layout with Quantifiable Achievements
[Full Name]
[City, State] | [Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn Profile] | [Portfolio Link]
Professional Summary
Results-driven marketing professional with over eight years of experience driving brand growth through innovative campaigns. Proven track record in increasing return on investment (ROI) by leveraging digital tools and strategic partnerships. Passionate about crafting compelling narratives and fostering team collaboration to achieve measurable success.
Key Skills
- Digital marketing strategies such as Google Ads, search engine optimization (SEO), and search engine marketing (SEM)
- Campaign management
- Data analytics and reporting (Tableau, Google Analytics)
- Emotional intelligence and team leadership
Professional Experience
Marketing Manager
XYZ Agency, New York, NY | 2018 – Present
- Boosted website traffic by 45% through targeted SEO initiatives and content marketing campaigns
- Developed and executed a $500,000 cross-platform ad campaign, increasing brand awareness by 60%
- Mentored a team of six, leading to a 30% improvement in project completion rates
Digital Marketing Specialist
ABC Corporation, Boston, MA | 2015 – 2018
- Spearheaded a social media strategy that increased engagement rates by 75%
- Implemented email marketing automation, reducing campaign production time by 25%
Education
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
University of California, Los Angeles | 2015
Why This Resume Reflects 2025 Trends: This resume features a clean, minimalistic design that ensures both ATS and human readers can quickly scan key information. The strong use of measurable achievements (e.g., “boosted website traffic by 45%”) reflects the 2025 trend of focusing on data-driven results. Including links to LinkedIn and a portfolio highlights the candidate’s professional brand while leaving space for the document to remain uncluttered.
Software Engineer
ATS-Friendly Design with Emphasis on Technical Skills and LinkedIn Link
[Full Name]
[City, State] | [Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn Profile] | [GitHub Portfolio]
Professional Summary
Innovative software engineer with over six years of experience developing scalable applications. Skilled in Java, Python, and cloud-based solutions, committed to delivering high-quality, user-centered products. Known for collaborating across teams to drive technical excellence and creative solution-seeking.
Technical Skills
- Programming Languages: Java, Python, JavaScript
- Frameworks: React, Node.js, Django
- Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure
- DevOps Tools: Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes
Professional Experience
Senior Software Engineer
Tech Innovations Inc., Austin, TX | 2020 – Present
- Designed and deployed a serverless cloud architecture reducing application downtime by 40%
- Led a cross-functional team to build an e-commerce platform serving over 1 million users monthly
Software Developer
Bright Solutions, Houston, TX | 2017–2020
- Improved application performance by 30% through code optimization and load-balancing strategies
- Automated CI/CD pipelines, cutting deployment time by 50%
Education
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Texas A&M University | 2017
Why This Resume Reflects 2025 Trends: This resume aligns with 2025 trends by combining a clean design with ATS-friendly phrasing, ensuring that the technical skills and job-related keywords stand out for automated systems. Including measurable achievements and links to online profiles, like LinkedIn and GitHub, underscores the candidate’s technical proficiency and branding, offering hiring managers a comprehensive view of their qualifications.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2025 Resume Trends
What should a resume look like in 2025?-
Current resume trends for 2025 dictate minimalist resumes focusing on presenting skills and experience with measurable results. Look for modern templates that use white space to avoid a cluttered appearance and include descriptive headers targeted at ATS. Applicants may also include more about their personal values or goals in the profile summary to attract employers who share these principles.
How often should I update my resume?+
While many of the current trends in resumes for 2025 have been a part of the job search process for a few years, industry standards often change. It's best to update your resume quarterly if you're actively looking for a new position or at least biannually. This ensures your resume is also a current reflection of your personal and career growth.
Can I use colors or unique fonts in my resume?+
Minimalism is a key trend in resumes for 2025, so most resumes use a simple format and black-and-white design. However, creative elements like colors, graphics, and special fonts may be appropriate when used sparingly on resumes for creative positions.
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