How to Write a Great Resume: Essential Tips for Success

A resume is often the first impression a hiring manager gets of you. It’s more than just a list of experiences; it’s a marketing document that showcases your value, skills, and fit for the job. Crafting a well-organized, impactful resume can be the difference between landing an interview and having your application overlooked. Here are essential tips to help you write a compelling resume that highlights your strengths and gets noticed.

1. Start with a Strong Layout and Format

Choose the Right Resume Format

Your resume format should depend on your experience and career goals:

• Chronological Format: Lists work history in reverse order, best for those with a steady career path.
• Functional Format: Focuses on skills rather than dates, suitable for career changers or those with gaps.
• Combination Format: A mix of chronological and functional, ideal for showcasing both skills and experience.

Keep it Clean and Professional

A resume should be visually appealing, clean, and easy to read. Use a simple font like Arial or Calibri in a 10-12 point size, and ensure your text is aligned. Avoid excessive styling, and use bullet points for readability.

Stick to a One- or Two-Page Limit

For most job seekers, a one-page resume is recommended. If you have extensive experience, two pages are acceptable. Keep content concise and relevant, and remove any outdated or unnecessary information.

2. Include Key Contact Information

Make it easy for hiring managers to reach you by providing essential contact details at the top of the resume:

• Full Name: Your name should be prominent and at the top.
• Phone Number: Use a number that you can answer professionally.
• Professional Email Address: Avoid casual email addresses and stick with a professional one, preferably with your name.
• LinkedIn Profile or Personal Website: Including these can showcase a more complete view of your professional background.

3. Write a Powerful Summary Statement

A summary statement at the top of your resume highlights your most relevant skills and experiences. This is your chance to capture the hiring manager’s attention in a few sentences:

• Keep it Brief and Focused: Aim for 3-4 sentences summarizing your key strengths.
• Tailor it to the Job: Match your summary to the job description, mentioning relevant skills or achievements.
• Emphasize Value: Highlight what you can bring to the role, such as a strong track record or specialized skills.

Example:

“Results-driven marketing professional with over 5 years of experience in digital advertising and campaign optimization. Skilled in data analysis, content strategy, and social media management, with a proven record of boosting engagement by 30%. Eager to leverage expertise in content creation to support ABC Company’s marketing initiatives.”

4. Emphasize Your Work Experience with Achievements

Highlight Key Accomplishments

Rather than simply listing job duties, emphasize achievements and quantify them where possible. This demonstrates your impact in previous roles.

• Use Action Words: Start each bullet point with strong action verbs like “led,” “achieved,” “improved,” or “optimized.”
• Quantify Results: Where possible, include metrics (e.g., “increased sales by 20%” or “reduced costs by 15%”).
• Focus on Relevant Experience: Tailor each job entry to highlight experience most relevant to the position.

Example:

Digital Marketing Specialist
XYZ Company, January 2020 – Present

• Developed a social media strategy that increased engagement by 35% within six months.
• Managed a $50,000 ad budget, optimizing campaigns to achieve a 20% increase in ROI.

List Experience in Reverse Chronological Order

For each position, include your job title, company name, location, and employment dates. List your most recent experience first.

5. Showcase Relevant Skills

Include a Skills section that highlights both hard and soft skills relevant to the job. Make sure to:

• Use Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description to make it through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Prioritize Relevant Skills: Highlight skills directly related to the role, like technical proficiencies, languages, or industry-specific knowledge.
• Balance Hard and Soft Skills: Hard skills could include “Microsoft Excel” or “Project Management,” while soft skills might include “Leadership” or “Communication.”

Example:

Skills

• SEO Optimization | Data Analysis | Social Media Management | Content Strategy | Team Collaboration

6. Include Education and Certifications

Your Education section should include your degree, school name, and graduation date (if recent). You can place this section either at the top or bottom of your resume, depending on its relevance:

• Highlight Relevant Coursework (if applicable): If you’re a recent graduate, mention specific coursework that aligns with the job.
• Include Certifications: Any certifications, like Google Analytics, PMP, or industry-specific qualifications, should be highlighted in this section or a dedicated Certifications section.

Example:

Education
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
XYZ University, Graduated May 2020

Certifications
Google Analytics Certified
Project Management Professional (PMP)

7. Tailor Each Resume to the Job

Research the Company and Role

Before submitting your resume, research the company and analyze the job description to identify key qualifications. Tailor each resume to emphasize skills and experiences that match the specific job requirements.

Use Keywords from the Job Description

Incorporating job-specific keywords can help you pass ATS scans, which look for terms directly related to the role.

Focus on Relevant Skills and Experiences

For each position, highlight the experiences that best align with the job you’re applying for. Remove any unrelated or outdated roles that don’t add value to your application.

8. Proofread and Get Feedback

Check for Errors

Proofread carefully to eliminate any typos, grammar issues, or inconsistencies. A resume with mistakes may suggest to hiring managers that you lack attention to detail.

Seek Feedback from Others

Have a trusted friend, mentor, or career counselor review your resume. They can offer feedback on layout, wording, and relevance.

9. Use Optional Sections to Stand Out

Volunteer Experience

If you have relevant volunteer work, include it to demonstrate commitment and initiative.

Languages

Mention any additional languages you speak and your proficiency level.

Professional Affiliations

Listing memberships in industry-related associations can show your engagement in your field.

Projects

Include a Projects section if you’ve worked on impressive projects relevant to the job.

Example:

Projects
Lead Marketing Campaign for XYZ Event

• Developed a marketing strategy that attracted over 1,000 attendees and increased event engagement by 40%.

10. Format for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Avoid Complex Formatting

ATS software may struggle with tables, graphics, or unusual fonts. Stick with a simple, text-based format to ensure your resume is readable by ATS systems.

Use Standard Headings

Use familiar headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills,” and “Certifications.” This helps ATS systems categorize information accurately.

Submit in the Correct File Format

Many ATS systems work best with PDF or DOCX formats. Follow the employer’s instructions on file type to ensure readability.

Conclusion

Writing a great resume involves more than just listing your work history. By focusing on a clean layout, relevant experiences, quantifiable achievements, and job-specific keywords, you’ll create a resume that stands out. Take the time to customize each resume for the role, highlight your strengths, and showcase your unique value.