When applying for a job, your resume is one of the most important tools you have to make a great first impression. It’s a summary of your skills, experience, and qualifications that shows potential employers why you are the right candidate for the job.

If you want to land the job of your dreams, it’s crucial to have a standout resume that catches the attention of hiring managers.

In this guide, we will discuss some essential resume tips that will help you create a strong and impressive resume.

Strong resume basics

Before we get into specific resume tips, let’s talk about what makes for a generally strong resume.

  • Clarity
    First and foremost, your resume should be clear. Every element, from your work history to your education to your certifications should be easy to read and understand. Use bullet points, bold text, and headings to break up long blocks of text and make it easier for hiring managers to scan your resume.

  • Relevance
    Your resume should also be relevant to the job you’re applying for. Tailor your work experience, skills, and achievements to match the specific requirements of the job description. This will show that you have taken the time to understand what the employer is looking for and are a good fit for the role.

  • Professionalism
    Make sure your resume presents you in a professional light. Utilize a clean layout with consistent formatting throughout, avoid using slang or informal language, and proofread carefully for any typos or errors.

  • Structure
    Your resume needs to be structured in a way that makes sense. We’ll get into the specifics of how to best structure your resume, but in short, there needs to be a logical flow to your resume.  Your most recent and relevant experience should be at the top, with older or less relevant information towards the bottom.

10 Essential Resume Tips for Creating an Impactful Resume

Now that you know the basics of creating a strong resume, here are some effective resume tips to help you create a resume that pops.

Choose the Right Resume Format

When creating a resume, choosing the right format is essential to showcase your experiences and skills effectively. Below are the three primary resume formats, with their benefits and when to use them:

  • Chronological Format
    The chronological format is the most traditional and widely used. It organizes your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backward. This format is ideal for professionals with a strong, consistent work history and a clear career progression. It’s also favored by employers because it provides a clear timeline and highlights stability.

  • Functional Format
    The functional format focuses on skills and achievements rather than work history. This format is suitable for individuals who are changing careers, have gaps in their employment history, or want to emphasize transferable skills. Instead of listing jobs in order, the functional format organizes your resume by categories such as leadership, problem-solving, or technical expertise.

  • Hybrid Format
    The hybrid format is a combination of the chronological and functional formats. It allows you to showcase your skills and achievements while also including a brief, reverse-chronological work history section. This format works well for candidates who want to emphasize both their qualifications and their career timeline, especially when they have a diverse range of experiences or are transitioning between industries.

Start with a great resume headline

A resume headline is a short, compelling sentence that describes who you are and what you do. Think of it as your personal brand statement or elevator pitch. It should grab the reader’s attention and entice them to keep reading your resume.

Here are a few examples of strong resume headlines:

  • Sales Executive with a proven track record of driving revenue and exceeding targets

  • Graphic Designer specializing in branding and digital media with 5 years of experience

  • Customer Service Representative known for providing exceptional support and building strong client relationships.

When a hiring manager is sorting through hundreds of resumes, a strong resume headline can be the thing that makes your resume stand out from the crowd.

Craft a strong resume summary

A resume summary is a brief summary of your skills, experience, and achievements. It’s typically placed at the top of your resume, below your headline and contact information. This section should highlight your most relevant qualifications and give the reader an overview of who you are as a candidate.

A strong resume summary should:

  • Be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for
  • Highlight your key accomplishments and skills
  • Showcase how you can add value to the company
  • Be concise, typically no more than 2-3 sentences in length

Keep in mind that a resume summary is not the same as an objective statement. While an objective statement focuses on what you want from the job, a summary highlights what you bring to the table as a potential employee.

Here’s an example of a resume summary:

“Experienced Marketing Manager with a proven track record of developing and implementing successful campaigns that increase brand awareness and drive sales. Skilled in project management, data analysis, and team leadership.”

Remember to update your resume summary for each job you apply for. Tailoring it to the specific role shows the hiring manager that you’ve taken the time to understand their needs and how you can fulfill them.

Highlight relevant work experience

Another resume tip is to draw attention to your relevant work experience when making your resume.

To make your relevant work experience stand out, it’s crucial to structure it in a clear and organized way that highlights your achievements and responsibilities. Start by listing your work experience in reverse chronological order, with the most recent or relevant position first. For each role, include the job title, company name, location, and employment dates.

Beneath each role, use bullet points to detail your key responsibilities and achievements. Focus on quantifiable accomplishments where possible, such as “increased sales by 25% through targeted marketing strategies” or “led a team of five to successfully deliver projects ahead of schedule.” Use action verbs like “managed,” “developed,” or “implemented” to convey a sense of initiative and impact.

Tailor this section to the job you’re applying for by emphasizing experiences that align closely with the job description. Avoid including irrelevant or outdated roles that don’t add value to your candidacy.

Showcase your skills and certifications

If you have any special skills or certifications, it’s important to showcase those in your resume. This could include technical skills, language proficiencies, or industry-specific certifications.

Create a separate section for your skills and certifications, and list them in bullet points. If possible, quantify your skills by mentioning how you have used them in previous roles or projects. For example, “fluent in Spanish – provided translation services for international clients” or “proficient in Adobe Photoshop – created marketing materials for company campaigns.”

Additionally, consider including any relevant soft skills that are valued in the industry or job you’re applying for. These could include strong communication abilities, leadership experience, adaptability to change, or attention to detail.

Customize your resume for each job posting

Another important resume tip is to tailor your resume for each job that you apply for. Review the job posting and highlight specific skills or experiences that are required or desired for the position.

One way to do this is by using keywords from the job description in your resume, as many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter through resumes based on these keywords. Additionally, you can rearrange or rephrase your bullet points to better match the job requirements.

It’s also important to research the company and understand their values and goals. This will help you tailor your resume even further by demonstrating how your skills and experiences align with the company’s culture and objectives.

Use ready-made templates for efficiency

Rather than designing your resume from scratch every time you apply for a job, use resume templates to make you much more efficient. Picsart has dozens of professionally-designed resume templates that you can use as a starting point for your resume. These templates can save you time and effort, allowing you to focus on creating strong content rather than worrying about layout and design.

Just be sure to choose a template that is appropriate for the industry and job you’re applying for, as some industries may prefer more traditional or creative designs.

Make your resume ATS-friendly

Most hiring managers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help them sort through resumes and identify top candidates. These systems use algorithms to scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases that match the job posting.

To ensure your resume is ATS-friendly, be sure to include relevant keywords from the job posting in your resume. You may also want to consider formatting your resume using simple fonts and standard section headings to make it easier for the ATS to read.

Just remember, while it’s important to tailor your resume for each job, you should still stay true to yourself and accurately represent your skills and experiences. Don’t try to deceive or mislead hiring managers just to match keywords. This can ultimately hurt your chances of getting the job in the long run.

Use AI resume checkers before submitting

Here’s a helpful resume tip: use AI resume checkers before submitting your resume to potential employers. These tools use artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to scan the CV you’ve made and provide feedback on areas for improvement.

Not only can these checkers help catch spelling and grammar errors, but they can also give insight into the overall clarity and effectiveness of your resume. They may even suggest ways to optimize keywords or restructure sections for better readability.

Some of the best resume checkers include:

  • Grammarly: for catching spelling and grammar errors

  • Rezi: for optimizing keywords and formatting

  • Jobscan: for comparing your resume to the job posting and suggesting improvements

  • Enhancv: for evaluating your resume with AI to determine how likely it is to be accepted by ATS systems

Choose the right font and design for readability

While you may be tempted to use a creative font or design to make your resume stand out, it’s important to prioritize readability. Remember, the ATS is looking for specific keywords and phrases, so using an overly stylized font could potentially hinder its ability to read your resume.

Stick with simple and clean resume fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in sizes 10-12. Use standard section headings like “Experience” or “Skills” instead of unique titles that may not be recognized by the ATS.

If you do want to add some visual appeal to your resume, consider using bold or italicized text sparingly and strategically for emphasis. Avoid overloading your resume with graphics or images as they may not be supported by the ATS and could cause your resume to appear cluttered.

Conclusion

Hopefully, these resume tips have inspired you to create the perfect resume. Your resume is the primary thing that will separate you from all the other people applying for the job. Put in the necessary time and effort to create a resume that truly represents who you are and all that you can do. With a well-crafted resume, you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job.