When you’re looking for a new job, everyone has resume writing advice. But which strategies are the most important and make a difference? Learn the best tips for writing a resume and what you can do to help your application stand out.
Why Resume-Making Tips Matter for Job Seekers
When you apply for a job, the hiring manager often has limited information to decide whether to call you for an interview. Your resume is your best tool for highlighting your strengths and qualifications and improving your overall job prospects.
Common resume advice states that recruiters only spend about 10 seconds on the first resume review, which means your document needs to make a strong positive impression quickly. The best resume tips include optimizing your resume with keywords and quantifying your achievements to boost your chances, especially when you’re applying to competitive positions.
10 Best Resume Tips to Land a Job
1. Tailor your resume to each job
The most important piece of resume advice is customizing your resume for every position. This doesn’t mean creating an entirely new document from scratch every time. But it does equate to changing your wording or moving around sections to align it with what’s listed as most important in the job description.
2. Use a clean layout with proper margins
If a hiring manager can’t clearly read your resume due to poor formatting, they may automatically put it in the “no” pile. Ensure your document is easily readable by using consistent formatting. One of the resume margin tips is to ensure you have at least half-inch margins, but one inch is preferred if possible.
3. Include quantifiable achievements
A common tip for writing a resume is highlighting your accomplishments with data. This means attaching numbers and metrics to your achievements. For example, instead of just writing that you “increased revenue,” use data to make a more powerful statement like, “Secured $1 million in new business, surpassing the annual target by 20%.”
4. Incorporate relevant keywords
Another resume-making tip is to ensure you use keywords and phrases from the job description itself. This helps you optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS) and makes it easy for the hiring manager to skim.
5. Limit your resume to 1 to 2 pages
Our advice for resume writing is to keep your resume to one page for entry-level positions and two pages for senior-level roles. Executives with a long career history may need to add additional length to cover their experience adequately.
6. Choose the right format
Depending on your experience, a chronological, functional, or combination resume format may work best. A tip for a good resume is to use the chronological format unless you are an entry-level candidate or changing careers.
7. Highlight soft and hard skills
When creating your skills list, one resume-making tip is to include technical expertise and soft skills. This ensures the hiring manager sees that you have the specific experience the job requires and the ability to be a good coworker and team member.
8. Avoid overused buzzwords
While resume advice says to include industry terms, avoid buzzwords that don’t carry any real weight. Instead, use specific words to describe your achievements and their impact on the organization.
9. Proofread and get feedback
One of the best resume-writing tips is triple-checking your work. Always proofread to eliminate errors and ensure your resume is as polished as possible. Get feedback from a mentor or trusted friend for another perspective.
10. Keep contact information updated
Regularly review your contact information to ensure it’s accurate and professional. One tip for a good resume is to open up a free email account with some variation of your name for a professional contact.
Resume Writing Advice for Specific Job Seekers
Entry-Level Candidates
If you’re just starting your career and lack formal work experience, a functional resume is your best friend. This format emphasizes your skills and potential over your job history. Start with a compelling summary that highlights your enthusiasm, education, and any relevant coursework, internships, or volunteer experiences. Follow this with a skills section that lists specific capabilities, such as technical expertise, teamwork, or problem-solving.
When adding experience, focus on transferable skills gained through part-time jobs, academic projects, or extracurricular activities. For instance, if you worked as a team leader for a school project, highlight your leadership and organizational abilities. Even unrelated jobs can showcase qualities like reliability or customer service. Pair these with quantifiable achievements, such as improving efficiency by a specific percentage or leading a team to meet a goal.
Pro Tip: Review this guide to craft a strong resume objective that underscores your potential and career aspirations.
Mid-Level Professionals
As a mid-level professional, your resume should demonstrate career progression and mastery of your field. Start with a concise summary that highlights key achievements and your expertise. Use a reverse-chronological format to emphasize your work experience and show a clear trajectory of growth. Focus on roles that exhibit increased responsibilities, leadership, or specialization.
Highlight key accomplishments in each position by using quantifiable metrics wherever possible. For example, mention that you “led a team of 10 to increase departmental efficiency by 15%” or “implemented a new client retention strategy that boosted sales by 20%.” Ensure your skills section includes both technical and transferable skills relevant to your industry.
Include certifications, professional development courses, or advanced training to show your commitment to continuous learning. Employers at this stage are looking for professionals who bring expertise and value to the table.
Pro Tip: Check out this guide for advice on selecting and presenting the skills that resonate with hiring managers.
Career Changers
Switching careers? Structure your resume to focus on transferable skills and how your past experience aligns with your new career path. Begin with a summary that ties together your background and your enthusiasm for the new field. For example, “Experienced marketing professional transitioning to data analysis, bringing strong problem-solving and analytical skills to the table.”
Use a combination or functional format to emphasize relevant skills, accomplishments, and experiences. Highlight any courses, certifications, or volunteer work related to the new career. If you lack direct experience, focus on how your past roles required similar qualities, such as adaptability, project management, or customer relations.
Tailor your resume to the job description, using keywords to demonstrate alignment with the role. Address any potential concerns with a strong cover letter explaining why you’re making the switch and how your background equips you for success.
Pro Tip: Learn how to align your experience with a new career path in this guide.
FAQs About Best Resume Tips and Resume Advice
What are the best resume tips for someone with no experience?-
The best tip for a good resume if you don’t have any work experience is to focus on the transferable skills you’ve learned from unpaid opportunities, such as school, internships, or volunteer positions.
How can I tailor my resume for different jobs?+
Implement this resume advice by reviewing the job description and including as many keywords and phrases as possible. Focus on the qualifications or responsibilities that are most important or listed as “must-haves.”
What is the best resume format to use?+
The best choice for most job seekers is a traditional reverse chronological resume. A functional or hybrid resume can better show transferable skills and relevant experience for career changes or entry-level candidates.
How important is keyword optimization for my resume?+
Optimizing your resume for job-specific keywords is critical to ensuring it passes the ATS and gets seen by recruiters, which is why it’s a top tip for writing a resume.
Should I use a professional resume template?+
One common resume-making tip is to use a template, and for good reason. A professional template provides the base structure for your resume and ensures you include all the important sections.
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