14 Tips For Writing An Awesome Resume

If you’ve recently graduated or are considering a new direction in your career, you’ve likely dedicated significant time to your resume, possibly starting from scratch. Crafting a resume can be challenging and often frustrating.

Here’s the silver lining:

Writing a resume doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Understanding how to format your resume and what information to include is essential to help you stand out among candidates – and we have everything you need to create the best resume possible.

Key Takeaways:

• Key tips include keeping your resume to one page, using past tense verbs, and quantifying achievements when possible.

• Ensure your resume is well-organized and easy to read.

• The most critical components include contact information, professional experience, skills, and educational background.

• Include only information that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

14 Tips for Crafting an Outstanding Resume

1. Keep It to One Page

   This tip is crucial. Hiring managers typically spend around six seconds reviewing a resume before deciding its fate — so if yours is two pages or longer, they may not get past the first page.

   If you’re an entry-level candidate, have less than ten years of experience, or are a recent graduate, keep your resume to one page. Those applying for executive positions or with extensive industry experience may use two pages, but one page is generally optimal.

   In addition to page count, aim for conciseness. Eliminate unnecessary words and strive to keep each bullet point to a single line.

   A resume is about making a powerful statement efficiently — it should demonstrate your written communication skills and job readiness simultaneously.

2. Proofread

   To avoid appearing careless about the job, thoroughly check your resume for spelling and grammatical errors. Some employers will immediately discard resumes with typos — you don’t want to be remembered as the candidate who misspelled their own name.

   Utilize editing software like Grammarly or Hemingway to identify obvious mistakes. For a more nuanced review, ask a friend or trusted coworker to look over your resume. They may catch errors that you’ve overlooked after multiple readings.

   If you can’t find a second pair of eyes, try reading your resume backward. Reviewing the content in a different order can help you spot errors you might miss otherwise.

3. Use Past Tense Verbs

   Using present tense to describe past jobs is a common mistake that could cost you an interview. Always use past tense verbs for experiences in the past (e.g., “organized,” “developed,” “supervised”). If you are currently employed in a position listed on your resume, use present tense (e.g., “organize,” “develop,” “supervise”).

4. Avoid First-Person Pronouns

   Using words like “I,” “me,” or “my” is unnecessary. Instead of saying “I met and exceeded company goals 100 percent of the time,” phrase it as “Met and exceeded company goals 100 percent of the time.” This sounds more professional.

   Using first-person pronouns can seem immature and takes up precious space. The reader will assume that all the information pertains to you, so there’s no need to reiterate that fact.

5. Send Your Resume as a PDF and Label the File Professionally

   Sending your resume as a document file risks having your formatting altered on the employer’s computer. To ensure it appears as intended, save it as a PDF file. Otherwise, all that effort in formatting may be wasted.

   When saving your resume as a PDF, label it professionally. Employers will see the filename, so avoid something embarrassing like “pleasegivemethisjob.pdf.” Instead, use your first and last name along with the word “resume.”

   The only exception to using a PDF is if the employer specifically requests a different format (usually .doc or .docx). Always prioritize the instructions in the job posting or on the company’s website over general advice.

6. Organize Your Resume for Readability

   Success in your job search relies on employers being able to quickly navigate your resume. Maximize the six seconds they spend looking at your document by keeping it clean and straightforward.

   Bold the titles of each section and ensure your text is legible. While it may be tempting to shrink your font to fit more content, never go below ten-point font.

   If space is a concern, adjust the margins or remove irrelevant job experiences.

   When listing your work history, how you organize it depends on your career path and the position you’re targeting. While chronological order is typical, you may want to prioritize your most relevant jobs first.

   Your resume should include these sections:

   • Contact information

   • Resume summary statement

   • Work history

   • Education

   • Skills

   Optional sections may include:

   • Accomplishments/honors/awards

   • Publications

   • Volunteering

   • Certifications

   • Interests/hobbies

7. Cover the Basics

   The ultimate goal of your resume is to showcase why you’re the ideal candidate through your experience and skills. To achieve this, include:

   • Relevant degrees or certifications

   • Relevant work and volunteer experience

   • Achievements and responsibilities from previous positions

   • Skills essential for the role and your proficiency with them

   Additionally, your resume header should include basic information about yourself:

   • Your full name

   • The city and state where you reside

   • Your email address

   • Your phone number

   • Links to any online portfolios

8. Quantify Achievements Whenever Possible

   It’s easy to claim you were “good” at your last job, but providing quantifiable results gives you a competitive edge.

   Use numbers, percentages, and supporting facts to illustrate your success in previous roles.

   For instance, instead of stating “Exceeded fundraising goals,” say “Exceeded fundraising goals by 50%.” This approach captures employers’ attention and increases your chances of securing an interview.

   Ways to quantify your experiences include:

   • Scale: Reflect on the money or time you saved in previous roles. For example, “reduced costs by 13%” or “managed accounts worth $212,000.”

   • Frequency: Consider how often you performed certain tasks, such as “answered 20+ customer queries daily” or “conducted weekly check-ins with 3 department heads.”

   • Range: Use a range if your responsibilities varied over time. You might say, “managed a team of 8-14 salespeople” or “optimized 30-50 webpages weekly.”

   • Increase: Highlight measurable increases in productivity, such as “boosted engagement by 34%” or “increased sales by an average of $13,500 each quarter.”

   These facts provide tangible results that hiring managers can use to gauge your potential impact.

   Pro tip: non-rounded numbers (those not ending in 0 or 5) are often perceived as more credible. For example, using 17% instead of rounding to 20% can leave a stronger impression.

9. Avoid Listing Every Job You’ve Ever Had

   When applying for a specific position, it’s unnecessary to include every job you’ve held — especially if they are irrelevant. If you’re applying for an accounting role, for example, no one cares about your part-time job as a mascot for a minor league baseball team.

   Only include work and volunteer experiences that enhance your candidacy. If certain experiences seem irrelevant, feel free to omit them.

   If you have a lengthy history of semi-relevant jobs, consider consolidating them into an “additional experience” section. In this section, list the company name, your job title, and the dates you worked there, omitting bullet points to save space. If a recruiter is curious about these roles, they can ask for more details during the interview.

10. Incorporate Job-Specific Keywords

    Utilizing keywords from the job description can help your resume stand out. Analyze the job description and incorporate relevant keywords into your resume.

    This demonstrates to hiring managers that you are not only a strong candidate for the role but also familiar with industry terminology. Additionally, if you’re submitting your resume online, applicant tracking systems (ATS) will favor this approach.

    A pro tip for selecting keywords is to closely examine the job description. Highlight action verbs in one color, adjectives in another, and skills in a third. Then, integrate these words naturally into your resume for an optimized document.

11. Highlight Name Drops and Titles

    Your resume is your platform to showcase your achievements. If you’ve received a promotion or worked with notable individuals, include that information. Mentioning influential names can demonstrate your success and professional network.

    Just ensure that everything you include is accurate to avoid any embarrassing situations with potential employers.

12. Omit Your References

    There’s no need to include a list of references or a statement like “references available upon request” on your resume. If an employer wants to contact your references, they will ask. Including them only occupies valuable space.

13. Replace the Objective with a Resume Summary Statement

    Objective statements are becoming less relevant. They merely state your desire for a job.

    In contrast, a resume summary statement acts as an elevator pitch, showcasing your most impressive and pertinent achievements. It serves as a trailer for the rest of your resume, capturing the attention of hiring managers and recruiters.

    Furthermore, a summary statement provides an additional opportunity to seamlessly weave in important keywords.

14. Include Hyperlinks

    Limited to one page, job seekers often struggle to convey all relevant information. Consider including hyperlinks to additional materials and documentation.

    For instance, it’s increasingly common to add your LinkedIn profile to your resume, allowing readers to explore your professional background and personality further.

    Ensure your LinkedIn profile is polished and features a professional photo before linking to it. Additionally, if you have an online portfolio showcasing your work, consider including that link as well. If you have a personal website, definitely include that too — it reflects your commitment to professionalism and personal branding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Tips

1. What should you not include on a resume?

Avoid irrelevant information or unprofessional aesthetics. Your resume should be tailored to the specific job, meaning skills, experiences, or extracurricular activities that do not relate to the position will only waste space.

Furthermore, avoid making your resume visually “flashy” with images or unconventional fonts. Keep the design clean and straightforward.

2. How far back should your resume go?

Include only current and relevant information. If you have extensive relevant experience, limit your resume to the last 10-15 years, unless it’s all from the same company.

Organize your resume in reverse chronological order, listing your most recent experience at the top.

3. What are the most crucial parts of a resume?

The essential elements of a resume are contact information, experience, skills, and education. Optionally, if space allows, you can add a profile or summary statement.

Contact information is vital for employers to reach you. Experience and skills demonstrate your qualifications, while education is often necessary to meet minimum requirements for many positions.

Final Thoughts

Writing a resume can be daunting, especially considering the competitive job market. However, with the right approach, you can create a resume that effectively highlights your qualifications and makes a strong impression on employers.

Now that you’re equipped with valuable insights for writing a standout resume, it’s time to craft yours and take the next step toward landing that interview.

Author

Maddie Lloyd

Maddie Lloyd was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog focused on researching tips for interview, resume, and cover letter preparation. She's currently a graduate student at North Carolina State University's department of English concentrating in Film and Media Studies.