A resume has a few seconds to make its first impression — both with the automated software that screens it and with the human recruiter who skims it afterward. These ten tips focus on the details that actually move the needle, rather than generic advice you've probably already heard.
1. Format for the ATS First, the Human Second
Most mid-size and large companies run resumes through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before a person ever sees them. These systems parse text to extract your name, work history, and skills — and they frequently fail on resumes with multi-column layouts, text embedded in images, tables, or unusual fonts. A clean, single-column layout with standard section headings ("Experience," "Education," "Skills") parses far more reliably than a heavily designed template.
2. Match Keywords From the Job Description
ATS software and human recruiters both scan for specific keywords related to the role — tools, certifications, job titles, and skills mentioned in the posting. If a job description repeatedly mentions "project management" or a specific software name, and that's genuinely part of your experience, make sure that exact phrasing appears somewhere in your resume rather than only a close synonym.
3. Keep It to One Page (Usually)
For most early- to mid-career applicants, one page is the right length. Hiring managers spend very little time on an initial resume scan, and a second page often gets skipped entirely or dilutes your strongest points. Two pages become reasonable once you have a decade or more of relevant experience — but padding a thin one-page resume into two rarely helps.
4. Lead With Achievements, Not Duties
"Responsible for managing a team" describes a duty. "Managed a team of 8 and reduced project turnaround time by 20%" describes an achievement with a measurable result. Wherever possible, rewrite duty-based bullet points into achievement-based ones with a number, percentage, or concrete outcome attached.
5. Use a Simple, Professional Font
Stick to a widely-supported font like Arial, Calibri, or a similar clean sans-serif at 10-12pt body size. Decorative or script fonts can look unprofessional and sometimes fail to render correctly when a resume is converted to PDF or opened on a different system.
6. Tailor the Resume for Each Application
A resume written to apply broadly to many roles tends to read as generic to all of them. Spend ten minutes adjusting your summary and reordering your most relevant bullet points for each specific application — this single habit often has more impact than any formatting change.
7. Proofread for More Than Spelling
Spell-check catches typos but not inconsistent verb tenses (mixing "managed" and "manage" for the same past role), inconsistent date formats, or misaligned bullet points. Read your resume once specifically looking for these consistency issues, separately from a spelling pass.
8. Include a Skills Section That's Actually Specific
"Good communication skills" and "team player" are so common they carry almost no signal. A specific skills section — naming actual tools, languages, or certifications relevant to the role — is both more useful to a human reader and more likely to match ATS keyword searches.
9. Use a Professional Email Address
An old, casual email address from years ago can undercut an otherwise strong resume. If needed, create a new email using some combination of your name specifically for job applications.
10. Export as PDF Unless Told Otherwise
A PDF preserves your formatting exactly as designed across any device or system. Only use a Word document format if the application portal specifically requests it — some older ATS systems parse Word files more reliably than PDFs, so always follow the posting's stated preference if one is given.
Common Mistakes That Undo Good Content
- Using a photo on the resume when applying in regions or industries where this isn't customary — this can actually work against you depending on local hiring norms.
- Listing responsibilities instead of outcomes for every single bullet point.
- Including irrelevant early jobs that dilute space better spent on recent, relevant experience.
- Inconsistent formatting — mismatched date formats, bullet styles, or spacing between sections.
What to Leave Off Your Resume
Just as important as what you include is what you deliberately leave out. Full home address, marital status, and date of birth are no longer standard on most resumes and can introduce unconscious bias before you even get an interview — a city and state is usually enough for location. References don't need to be listed either; "references available on request" is understood by default, and listing them upfront takes up space better used for your actual experience.
How Many Bullet Points Per Role?
For your most recent and most relevant role, three to five focused bullet points work well. For older or less relevant roles, one or two lines is usually enough — the goal is to spend your limited page space proportionally to how relevant each role is to the job you're applying for now, not to document everything you've ever done in equal detail.
Building Your Resume
Use the Resume Maker to put these principles into practice with a clean, ATS-friendly structure already built in. Fill in your details, keep bullet points achievement-focused using the tips above, and export as PDF when you're ready to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a resume be?
One page for most early to mid-career applicants. Two pages are acceptable with a decade or more of relevant experience.
What is an ATS and why does it matter?
An Applicant Tracking System automatically scans and filters resumes before a human sees them. Unusual formatting or missing keywords can get a resume filtered out regardless of actual qualification.
Should I use a creative or simple resume template?
A clean, simple format works better for ATS screening in most roles. Creative templates are better reserved for design or portfolio-based positions.