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As a recruiter and career coach, I review countless resumes, and one thing is clear that most us create unprofesional resume. In this article, I will share resume writing tips that will ensure your resume doesn’t suck and help you stand out to land more job interviews. These ideas come from my experience as a recruiter and feedback from hiring managers. Let’s dive into how you can create an ATS-friendly resume that grabs attention and gets results.
Why Your Resume Needs to Stand Out
There’s no one right way to write a resume, but the acid test is simple: is it getting the results you want? If your resume isn’t getting you job interviews, it’s time to rethink your approach. Recruiters typically look at resumes for five seconds, so you have a short window to make an impression. My tips, taken from my Rocket Fuel Resume course, focus on how to create a resume that resonates with hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
1. Avoid outdated and flashy templates
Stop using resume templates designed by graphic designers, like those from Canva or industry resume hubs. These often include graphics, flashy colors, and elements that distract from your qualifications. They’re not optimized for ATSs, which can misread your information. Instead, use a simple, one-column Microsoft Word template with clean fonts and basic colors like blue, black, or dark green.
For most professions, your resume should be straightforward. The exception? Graphic designers or creative roles where a unique design is expected, but even then, avoid using someone else’s template.
2. Make Your Contact Information ATS-Friendly
Stop formatting your contact information horizontally. ATS systems have a hard time reading horizontal layouts, leading to errors when capturing your name, phone number, or address. Instead, list your contact information vertically to ensure the system reads it correctly. If you’re entering this information manually over and over again when applying, your resume probably isn’t ATS-friendly. A vertical layout is a simple trick to make your applications easier.
3. Don’t Summarize Everything
Stop writing your resume as a summary of all your professional accomplishments. Instead, focus on specifically profiling the role you’re applying for. Tailor your resume to highlight exactly what the employer is looking for, rather than hoping they’ll find something they like. This targeted approach is much more effective in today’s competitive job market, especially for coveted remote roles.
4. Customize Your Resume for Each Job
Customization is critical, but many candidates skip this step. Don’t be lazy: tailoring your resume sets you apart, especially in a saturated market. With the high demand for remote roles, customization is your competitive advantage. Stop treating your job search like it’s 2018.
The market has now changed, and a generic resume won’t work. Highlight skills and experiences that match the job opening to increase your chances of getting a call or email
5. Be Concise and Avoid Long Blocks of Text
Stop overwhelming recruiters with long, dense blocks of text. When I see resumes like this, my eyes glaze over, and most recruiters will skip them. Think about how you react to a large block of text on a forum or social media post hard to read, right?
Make your resume scannable by being concise and selective with your words. Use short, clear sentences to effectively convey your qualifications.
6. Eliminate proprietary and vague language
Avoid using proprietary terms or vague such as internal project names, division titles, or product types—that only your current employer understands. These often confuse recruiters and waste space.
Summarize your accomplishments in clear, industry-standard language that anyone in your field can understand. Similarly, avoid generic phrases like “teamwork” or “great organizational skills.” These are best assessed in interviews. Focus on practical terms that demonstrate your suitability for the position.
7. Revise Resume if it’s not working
If your resume isn’t getting results, stop being stubborn and do it again. As the saying goes, doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results is insanity.
If you’re facing repeated rejections at the application stage, your résumé likely isn’t conveying your fit for the job. Double-check the job posting to ensure you’re a strong match, then revise your résumé to clearly highlight relevant skills and experiences.
Conclusion:
If your resume isn’t getting results, stop being stubborn and do it again. As the saying goes, doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results is insanity.
If you’re facing repeated rejections at the application stage, your resume likely isn’t conveying your fit for the job. Double-check the job posting to ensure you’re a strong match, then revise your résumé to clearly highlight relevant skills and experiences.
For a proven, ATS-friendly resume template, check out the free one I offer
Get ATS Friendly Template Here
