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7 tips to make your resume stand out and get that job

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The importance of an outstanding resume

How to write a resume, fine-tuning your resume, make your resume stand out, it all starts with your resume.

Looking for a job is like a rollercoaster. 

There are high and low points throughout the process. The unknown of new opportunities excites you, but you feel vulnerable and anxious at the same time. Everyone experiences that turbulence at some point in their job search . 

Need resume help?

Writing a resume is one of the first steps in that journey, and it’s one of the most overwhelming. You want to make a good first impression — which might leave you second-guessing every last action verb and skill you choose to include. Tools like resume builders and ChatGPT can help you brainstorm a first draft, but it’s up to you to perfect it.

Learning how to make your resume stand out may feel like a science, but there are rules and guidelines you can follow to convince a hiring manager that you're the best choice for the role. 

Within a single sheet of paper is the story of your career. Your work history, accomplishments, and skill set weave together an account of your potential as an employee. And on a job application, your resume should grab a hiring manager’s attention based on the story you tell . 

On average, potential employers spend just 7.4 seconds reviewing a resume. While that may sound like an impossibly short amount of time to judge a candidate, it's often necessary. Some positions draw hundreds of applicants pining for their next job. Hiring managers have to quickly go down a new hire checklist to ensure you have the technical skills or experience necessary to perform the job. 

During this time, hiring managers and recruiters also need to filter out mismatched candidates before reaching out for interviews. They’re looking for someone genuinely interested in the new job — someone motivated enough to show how passionate and qualified they are. And if a hiring manager uses an applicant tracking system, they’ll also filter resumes based on keywords and specific skills. You need to survive both the algorithm and their keen eye. 

Aligning your most relevant qualifications and tuning your language to fit a company's vernacular is a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Effective resume writing targets the job description, and a one-size-fits-all resume can’t do that. The extra effort you spend personalizing every application could put you one step closer to landing your dream position and ending the job search. 

The blank page is daunting to look at. But great resumes start with headings and sections, and starting with an outline helps you fill the page faster. 

Here are the sections you should include:

1. Work experience

Arguably the most crucial section, clearly label your work experience with separate points for every job entry. If you can, only include jobs that highlight your suitability for the role. 

But don't be afraid to include experience that isn’t obviously relevant. While a career change from product engineer to project manager may seem unrelated in technical skills, you can show off the value of transferable soft skills . The key is to include a description or bullet points that make the connection clear.

Each entry should include the following:

Your job title

Name of the organization

Dates of employment

A short description of your accomplishments

Many job seekers opt to organize this section in chronological order from most to least recent. This is likely the best option if your career and skill learning has a clear linear trajectory. 

But sometimes, it makes more sense to put your most relevant experience at the top, even if it's not your most recent job. This is sometimes known as a functional resume . You want your reader to see your best work first. A new parent who quit a full-time job for a part-time job with less hours may want to focus on career highlights rather than recent positions. 

It also might make sense to split your resume into sections for different skills. If you're applying for a management position at a software development company, you might want to have subsections that emphasize management experience and development experience separately. This helps a hiring manager quickly gauge your full potential. 

2. Unpaid work or volunteering 

This section is similar to your work experience but only covers unpaid positions. Follow the same format, instead with volunteer or personal projects relevant to the role or that helped sharpen your skills. This could also include internships. Remember to also include descriptions here so hiring managers clearly see why you chose to include every point.

3. Education

This section will likely be the smallest. List any relevant degrees — associate, bachelor’s, master’s , and even PhDs — in order from most to least recent. Here's what to write:

Name of educational institution

Name of your program or degree

Date of graduation (if you feel comfortable putting this information)

Extra details like Latin honors or GPA (if relevant)

4. Certifications

You may have professional certifications relevant to your role. List them here with the date you acquired them. This is an especially important section if the job you’re applying for requires certification or licensure, legally or otherwise.

If you’re applying for a role that requires something like a driver’s license or certification in a programming language, be sure to highlight it. But non-required certifications fit here as well, like those from online courses. These demonstrate essential soft skills such as self-motivation and initiative .

A summary statement typically goes at the top of your resume, though it usually isn’t recommended. A vague summary or objective statement wastes space. Employers likely don’t want to hear that you’re a “Motivated employee looking to learn new skills” because that doesn’t say much about you. 

If you decide to include a summary, be specific. And if everything you’re saying appears later in your resume, it might be best to omit it entirely. Save this statement for your LinkedIn summary .

List soft skills and technical skills that are relevant to the role. Reinforce each one with practical work experience, metrics, or engaging action verbs that tell a more complete story. The less guesswork a hiring manager has to do, the easier it is to identify the strength of your candidacy. 

This is your space to be as specific as possible. Instead of writing that you have “good communication skills ,” write “thoughtful communicator who uses active listening and empathy to construct strong interpersonal relationships ." And instead of writing “coding,” specify what languages you know and how you’ve used them. You can also emphasize self-directed learning experiences to show your initiative.

7. Link to portfolio

If possible, link to some of your representative work, or at least have a sample 

If relevant, link to some of your representative work or have a portfolio with sample projects ready in case the hiring manager asks for them. In some fields, especially creative, a digital portfolio is standard, so include a link to yours if possible. 

Recruiters and hiring managers may also check your LinkedIn profile and domain-specific profiles, like GitHub, for concrete examples of successful projects. Ensure your resume is consistent with your body of work across all professional platforms.

An effective resume leads a hiring manager's eye to all the right places. Here are three tips for submitting an accurate and concise document: 

1. Include only relevant information

Whether you're a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, including every single piece of professional experience is unnecessary. All of the metrics, skills, and certifications should reflect the specific job you're applying to. Unessential information confuses and distracts potential employers from your value to the role. 

Recent graduates with little practical experience can find ways to highlight relevant transferable skills without filling the page with unnecessary jobs. If you're a recent economics graduate , your job sorting books at the university library shouldn't eclipse valuable internships or coursework — unless that job taught you something about economics. 

2. Highlights accomplishments, not responsibilities 

Managers want to know you can perform. Listing your personal achievements rather than roles and responsibilities shows not only what duties previous positions included, but that you thrived while completing them. Use action verbs or list employee reco gnitions to place the focus on your performance. 

Imagine you previously worked at a public relations firm. Compare these two descriptions:

“I was responsible for the execution of clients’ national media campaigns.” 

“I spearheaded successful national digital media campaigns for clients of varied industries, improving organic engagement by 50%.”

The former tells the recruiter about your job, but the latter tells them about you. The specificity helps readers immediately understand why you were an asset.

3. Keep it short

Like any professional communication, your resume should be short and to the point. It should have clear formatting that guides the eye from one section to another. 

Ideally, you'll fit everything you need on one page. The document may stretch to two pages if you're further along in your career or need to submit a CV instead of a resume . Just make sure everything on those two pages is relevant. Extraneous work history might distract rather than impress. 

Now that you know the basics, here’s how to write the best version of your resume:

1. Consider the hiring manager’s needs

Read the job description closely and explore the company website. Get a sense of company culture by reading its mission statement or company core values . Then, include those elements on your resume to catch a hiring manager's attention and tell them you fit the culture . 

Remember, you aren’t just applying for a job. You’re applying to become part of a team. Show exactly how you’ll add to company culture and collaborate with existing employees. If a company's job ad mentions seeking team players , make sure your resume highlights your history of successful collaboration. 

2. Make sure it looks good

Hiring managers review countless resumes each day. You have some freedom to play with your resume format, but you should follow some general guidelines so it’s easy to read:

Use an appropriate font: Cursive fonts and Wingdings have no place on a professional resume. Consider professional-looking typefaces like Helvetica, Arial, or Times New Roman.

Be consistent: When you pick a design format, you commit to a set of "rules" for your resume. Make sure your bullet points follow the same style, the sizing of your  headers is consistent, and your lines have equal spacing. 

Don't overcrowd it: Leave enough room in the margins so your resume doesn’t fill the entire page. White space helps your reader find necessary information quickly. 

Use a resume builder : There are many free resume builders and templates available online . Your word processor might even have some built-in. Consider using one so you don't start from scratch.

Consider color when appropriate: Adding some colored text or icons helps your resume stand out. Just make sure it’s appropriate for the industry you work in. Illustrators can use a creative resume to show off their artistic skills, whereas a colorful document for a public policy analyst could demonstrate a lack of sincerity. 

3. Proofread for errors

Hiring managers might decide not to hire you from as few as five writing errors . Typos and grammar mistakes show carelessness and poor attention to detail , and they’re an easy way to get a job rejection . 

Make sure to check your writing closely. Apps like Grammarly ensure every comma and apostrophe is in the right place. And reading your resume out loud, to yourself or to a friend, helps you catch errors, improve flow, and check for repetitive language.

4. Demonstrate industry knowledge

Always be learning . Intellectual curiosity and commitment to growth are personality traits many hiring managers look for, whether you're new to the workforce or a seasoned employee. It shows employers that you're proactive, engaged, and open to new experiences. 

Now make sure that growth mindset comes through in your resume. It isn't about saying “I love to learn,” but showing it.

Stay on top of current trends in your field and work them into your cover letter and resume. If there's a new programming tool in high demand, share your know-how in the skills section. Describe how you used it to improve your performance at a previous job.

5. Get an objective eye

Ask someone else to look over your resume and give you honest feedback . Seek out people who you trust to give constructive criticism rather than tell you what you want to hear. Coworkers, colleagues, or anyone you feel comfortable turning to for career advice will likely offer the perspective you need to write your best resume . 

Also consider hiring a professional resume writer or career coach . Both offer valuable insights about industry expectations and effective techniques for leveraging your best skills and experiences. 

Now that you know how to make your resume stand out, you can emphasize the right details and grab hiring managers’ attention. 

Writing the perfect resume takes time, thoroughness, and careful editing. And while it may feel daunting, following common resume rules and paying close attention to the job description puts you one step closer to your dream job. 

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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20 Top Resume Tips for Making Your Resume Stand Out in 2024

In today’s competitive job market, a well-crafted resume can make all the difference. Your resume is your first impression to potential employers, and it’s crucial to make it stand out from the rest. With technology evolving and resume screening systems becoming increasingly popular, it’s more important than ever to have a resume that catches the attention of both human recruiters and automated systems.

This article presents 20 top resume tips to help you create an outstanding resume that will set you apart from the competition. The tips provided in this article are based on years of experience from subject matter experts in the field of recruiting and hiring.

The tips are organized into several categories:

• Formatting your resume
• Crafting your content
• Showcasing your achievements
• Leveraging LinkedIn to support your resume
• Avoiding common resume mistakes

Each section provides practical and actionable advice to help you achieve your goal of capturing hiring managers’ attention and landing your dream job.

The following sections will provide more detail on each of the 20 tips and provide real-world examples of how to put these best practices into action. By the end of this article, you will have the tools and knowledge necessary to create an impressive resume that showcases your skills, successes, and potential.

Customize Your Resume for Each Job

When it comes to job applications, one size does not fit all. It’s essential to tailor your resume to the specific job posting you’re applying for. Not only does it show potential employers that you took the time to research their company and requirements, but it can also help your resume stand out.

To customize your resume effectively, start by studying the job posting carefully. Look for keywords and phrases that the employer emphasizes, such as specific skills, qualifications, and experiences. Incorporate these keywords into your resume, so that it matches the posting as closely as possible.

Don’t make the mistake of blindly copying and pasting the job description into your resume. Instead, use it as a guide to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. If you don’t have a particular skill or experience mentioned in the job posting, don’t add it to your resume just to match the posting. This can look dishonest, and you may end up in a job that doesn’t suit your actual qualifications.

When highlighting your skills and experiences, ensure that they align with the job description. For example, if the job posting emphasizes teamwork skills, use concrete examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you have successfully worked in a team.

Customizing your resume for each job posting can make a significant difference in catching the attention of potential employers. By tailoring your resume to match the requirements and utilizing relevant keywords, you demonstrate that you are an ideal fit for the job. Remember to focus on showcasing the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position, and always be truthful about your qualifications.

Use a Professional and Clean Design

When it comes to designing your resume, the overall look of your document can actually play a big role in catching the attention of potential employers. To ensure your resume looks professional and clean, follow these tips:

• Choose an appropriate font and font size: It’s best to stick with a standard font like Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri, and keep the size between 10 and 12 points. Avoid using overly stylized or decorative fonts, as this can be distracting and difficult to read.
• Use consistent formatting: Consistency is key when it comes to formatting your resume. Be sure to use the same font, font size, and formatting style throughout your entire document. This will help your resume look polished and professional.
• Use bullet points to present information: Bullet points are a great way to present information clearly and concisely. They allow you to highlight your skills, accomplishments, and experience in an easy-to-read format. Just be sure to use bullet points sparingly, and avoid using too many symbols or fancy formatting.

By following these design tips, you can create a professional and clean-looking resume that will help you stand out from the crowd. Remember, a well-designed resume can be just as important as the content itself, so take the time to make sure your document looks its best.

Start with a Strong Objective Statement or Summary

A strong objective statement or summary is a crucial part of crafting a standout resume. It’s a brief paragraph that appears at the top of your document and serves as an introduction to who you are as a professional.

Explain your goals and objectives

Your objective statement or summary should clearly outline what you want to achieve in your career. This could relate to the position you’re applying for, or your long-term career aspirations. By doing so, you demonstrate to potential employers that you are serious about your goals and committed to your profession.

Demonstrate your value proposition

Your objective statement or summary is also an excellent opportunity to showcase your value proposition to potential employers. This is where you can highlight your unique skills and experiences that make you the ideal candidate for the job. Use this section to explain what you can bring to the table and how you stand out from the crowd.

Summarize your experience and achievements

Lastly, your objective statement or summary should summarize your experience and achievements. Use this section to highlight why you are the best candidate for the job, and how you have achieved success in your previous roles. Be sure to include any relevant achievements or accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise in your field.

A strong objective statement or summary is critical to making your resume stand out. It should explain your goals and objectives, demonstrate your value proposition, and summarize your experience and achievements. With these elements in place, you can create a powerful introduction to your professional abilities and set the tone for the rest of your resume.

Highlight Your Achievements and Results

When it comes to crafting a winning resume, simply listing your job responsibilities or tasks is not enough. What truly sets you apart from other candidates is your ability to deliver results and achieve success in your role. Here are some key tips for highlighting your achievements and results in your resume:

Use Quantifiable Metrics

Employers want to see concrete evidence of your success, and the best way to provide that is with specific numbers and metrics. For example, instead of saying “increased sales,” you could say “increased sales by 25% in Q4 2020.” Other examples of quantifiable metrics include:

• Reduced costs by X%
• Improving customer satisfaction ratings by X points
• Generated X number of leads or conversions

By using quantifiable metrics, you demonstrate that you understand the importance of tracking results and are able to deliver measurable outcomes.

Use Action Verbs

To make your achievements stand out, use action verbs that show you took initiative in achieving those results. Some examples include:

• Implemented
• Spearheaded

Using strong action verbs shows that you are a proactive and results-oriented employee who takes ownership of your work.

Use Specific Examples

When highlighting your achievements and results, be specific and provide detailed examples. Avoid generic statements or buzzwords that could apply to anyone. A strong example might be:

“Developed and implemented a new marketing campaign that resulted in a 50% increase in website traffic and a 20% increase in lead generation within the first month.”

This statement is specific, quantifiable, and demonstrates both initiative and measurable results. Another example might be:

“Led a team of 10 professionals in developing and launching a new product line, resulting in over $1 million in revenue in the first quarter.”

Again, this statement shows specific results, strong leadership skills, and quantifiable metrics.

Make sure to showcase your accomplishments and measurable results using quantifiable metrics, strong action verbs, and specific examples. By emphasizing your success, you will stand out as a candidate who can deliver real value to potential employers.

Include Relevant Education and Certifications

A successful resume highlights both academic qualifications and relevant certifications. Hiring managers often use these indicators to determine whether a candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the role. Below are tips on how to showcase your educational background and certifications in your resume:

List your academic qualifications

Start by creating a section on your resume to list your academic qualifications. This may include your degree(s), major(s), minor(s), honors, and any relevant coursework. If you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience, your education section may appear higher up on your resume.

For example, your education section may look like this:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, XYZ University, May 2020
• Relevant coursework: Research Methods, Statistics, Social Psychology

Highlight relevant certifications

In addition to your academic qualifications, highlighting relevant certifications can demonstrate to the hiring manager that you have sought out additional training and have specific skills related to the job. Certifications can be listed either within your Education section or in a separate section devoted to Certifications and Professional Development.

For example, a marketing manager may include the following certifications:

Certifications

• Google Ads Certified
• HubSpot Inbound Certified
• Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certified

Provide details about any relevant training

It’s also important to provide details about any relevant training you have received, even if it didn’t result in a formal certification. Details about training can be included in bullet points within your work experience section or in a separate section devoted to Professional Development.

For example, a software engineer may include the following training details:

Professional Development

• Developed expertise in Java programming language
• Worked on various projects with a team of developers, using Agile methodology
• Learned advanced SQL querying techniques
• Gained familiarity with database administration tasks

Including relevant education and certifications in your resume is crucial for demonstrating your qualifications and setting yourself apart from other candidates. By highlighting your academic background, certifications, and professional development, you can provide valuable information to hiring managers and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Emphasize Your Skills

When it comes to crafting a standout resume, highlighting your skills is crucial. This section should include both hard and soft skills and provide specific examples of each. To make your skills section relevant to the job, carefully review the job description and tailor your skills to fit their requirements.

Hard Skills

Hard skills refer to specific technical abilities that you have acquired through education, training, or experience. These skills are often job-specific and can be measured or quantified. Some examples of hard skills that you might include are:

Proficient in InDesign and Photoshop : As a graphic designer, I have extensive experience creating high-quality designs using InDesign and Photoshop. I am comfortable using these tools to create brochures, logos, and various other marketing materials.

Data Analysis : As a business analyst, I have a proven track record of using data analysis to understand business performance and inform strategic decision-making. I have experience with tools like Excel, Power BI, and Tableau.

Fluent in Spanish : As a customer service representative, I have experience working with Spanish-speaking clients. My fluency in Spanish has allowed me to communicate effectively and build strong relationships with these clients.

Soft Skills

Soft skills refer to personal qualities or attributes that relate to how you interact with others. These skills are often transferable and can be applied to a variety of jobs or industries. Some examples of soft skills that you might include are:

Problem-Solving : As a project manager, I have a demonstrated ability to identify issues and develop creative solutions to complex problems. For example, when our team encountered a major obstacle during a software project, I worked collaboratively with team members to identify a workaround that kept the project on track.

Communication : As a sales representative, I have developed excellent communication skills that allow me to effectively connect with prospects and clients. I can adapt my communication style to fit the needs of different audiences and have been recognized for my ability to generate high-quality leads through targeted messaging.

Teamwork : As an event coordinator, I have a proven track record of leading successful events by leveraging the strengths of each team member. For example, during a recent fundraising event, I assigned each team member a specific role that played to their strengths, resulting in a successful event that exceeded our fundraising goals.

By highlighting both your hard and soft skills and providing specific examples of each, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the skills and experience necessary to succeed in the job. Remember to tailor your skills section to the job description to make it as relevant as possible.

Show Your Personality

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make in their resumes is trying to sound robotic and impersonal. Your resume should showcase not only your professional experience, but also your unique personality. Here are some tips to inject your personality and interests into your resume:

Include interests and hobbies

Including your interests and hobbies on your resume gives hiring managers a glimpse into your personality and tells them what you enjoy doing outside of work. This can make you stand out from other applicants who only include their work experience. Don’t be afraid to show your quirky side – if you love bungee jumping or collecting vintage vinyl albums, include it!

Write in a conversational tone

Too often, resumes sound like they were written by a robot, with repetitive and dry language. Instead, try writing your resume as if you were having a conversation with the hiring manager. Use contractions, be less formal, and add a touch of humor if it fits your personality.

Use language that reflects your personality

If you’re a bubbly and outgoing person, use language that reflects that. If you’re more reserved and analytical, use language that showcases those traits. The idea is to let your personality shine through, so don’t be afraid to inject some of your authenticity into your resume.

Here’s an example of how you could include your personality and interests on your resume:

“Interests: In my free time, I can usually be found baking up a storm in my kitchen or hiking the local trails with my dog, Max. I’m also an avid reader, with a special interest in non-fiction books. My book club meets once a month to discuss the latest reads and exchange recommendations.”

By adding this section, you’ve given the hiring manager a better idea of who you are outside of work. Remember, your resume is not just a laundry list of your work experience – it’s an opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and make yourself stand out from the crowd.

Address Career Gaps or Problems

To make your resume stand out, it is essential to address any career gaps or problems effectively. Consider the following tips to explain these gaps in a positive light.

Provide an explanation for any gaps in your employment:  Do not leave any career gaps unexplained, as it can raise red flags for recruiters. Instead, provide a valid reason for each gap, such as higher education, raising a family, or a personal sabbatical. It shows that you were not just sitting idle during this period.

Explain any past problems or challenges:  Do not try to hide any past problems or challenges that you have faced in your career. Whether it was a difficult job or a health issue, it is best to divulge such information upfront rather than leaving it for the recruiters to discover later. It will earn you the recruiter’s trust and provide a glimpse of your character and values.

Show how you overcame these challenges:  Do not just explain your problems or challenges; showcase how you tackled them effectively. For instance, if you overcame a language barrier, explain how you took classes and practiced conversing with native speakers. If you had a long job hunt, mention any networking events and volunteering activities you participated in during that time. This demonstrates your resilience, adaptability, and the ability to learn from failures.

Addressing career gaps or problems shows that you take an honest and transparent approach towards your resume. It demonstrates your accountability, shows that you don’t shy away from challenges and motivates you to seek new opportunities to grow. With these tips, you can make your resume stand out from the rest and land your dream job.

Put Your Most Relevant Experience First

When it comes to putting together an effective resume, it’s crucial to include your most relevant experiences first. This will capture the recruiter’s attention and give them a quick glimpse of what you bring to the table. Follow these tips to make sure your most relevant experience stands out:

Include your most relevant and recent experience

Make sure to feature your most applicable experience, which will vary depending on the job you’re applying for. It’s okay to omit less relevant experience, especially if it’s not recent. Focus on the skills, knowledge, and accomplishments that align with the job opening.

Highlight your achievements in each previous role

When describing your prior roles, make sure to focus on your accomplishments, not just your responsibilities. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you contributed to a previous employer’s success. This will help recruiters see how you could potentially benefit their organization.

Emphasize your experiences that relate to the job

Make sure to emphasize experiences that are most relevant to the job you’re pursuing. If you’re applying for a data analysis position, for example, you’ll want to highlight any experiences you’ve had working with data sets, building models, or analyzing trends. By showcasing experiences that align with the job opening, you’ll increase your chances of landing an interview and ultimately, the job.

Putting your most relevant experience first can make a significant difference in how recruiters view your resume. Be sure to highlight your achievements, include recent experience, and emphasize experiences that relate to the job. By doing this, you’ll increase your chances of getting noticed and landing the job you’ve been dreaming of.

Proofread and Edit Your Resume Carefully

Your resume is the first impression you make on a potential employer, and it’s critical that it’s perfect. Even a minor spelling or grammatical error can be enough to make you lose out on the job you want. That’s why it’s important to proofread and edit your resume carefully before you submit it.

Here are some tips to help you ensure that your resume is perfect:

Check for any spelling or grammatical errors

One of the most important things you can do when proofreading your resume is to check for any spelling or grammatical errors. This includes checking for proper punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure. To do this effectively, you should read your resume several times, starting from the beginning and working your way to the end.

Use a tool to help find errors

To make the proofreading process easier, you can use a grammar checking tool like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor. These tools help you identify errors in your writing, including grammar mistakes, spelling errors, and sentence structure issues.

Get a second opinion

Another way to ensure that your resume is perfect is to get a second opinion. This can be from a friend, family member, or even a professional. They can help you identify any areas where you may have missed something, and provide suggestions for improvement.

Proofreading and editing your resume is essential to making it stand out. By checking for spelling and grammatical errors, using tools to help find errors, and getting a second opinion, you can ensure that your resume is perfect and ready to impress potential employers.

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How To Make Your Resume Stand Out (With Examples)

• Resume Tips
• Best Resume Writing Services
• Things To Avoid On A Resume
• Resume Paper To Use
• What To Include In A Resume
• How To Write A Bio
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Resumes are more than just words; they are also about style. The keywords you utilize to highlight your accomplishments and qualifications are what will help get your resume securely through the resume reader . How you present those keywords stylistically and structurally is what will grab the reader’s attention.

Keep reading for ten tips on how to make your resume rise above the competition.

Key Takeaways:

Tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying to.

When writing you resume, use industry-specific keywords and buzzwords.

Make sure you resume is well organized and easy to read.

Have someone proofread your resume to catch any mistakes that you may have missed.

10 Tips To Make Your Resume Stand Out

Why it’s important for your resume to stand out, final thoughts, expert opinions.

• Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs

Let’s start with a gentle reminder that you don’t have to add all of these tips to get your resume picked out from the rest. Pick the tips that resonate most with you and add a touch of your style.

Ensuring your resume reflects the true you versus a computer is often accomplished by not forgetting your personal touch. With that in mind, here are ten tips on how to make your resume stand out from the rest, both stylistically and structurally:

Use resume buzzwords. The first hurdle you have to overcome when writing a resume is making sure your resume makes it through the resume readers and answers the main question: do you have the qualifications necessary for the job ?

Organize your resume well. Once you’ve completed your resume buzzword brainstorm, you’ll need to use them in the correct format. You’ll want to make your resume well organized and specific to your situation.

Are you a recent graduate or an experienced worker back in the job search ? What about a Veteran? Are you applying for a federal job ? These types of situations require specific resume organizations.

Show evidence. Now that you’ve picked out which buzzwords to use and how you’ll organize your resume, you’ll need to fill in each section. When you do, make sure you show evidence for the skills and accomplishments you claim on your resume.

To best show evidence for your accomplishments and deliverables, put numbers to them. If you managed a team, how many people were on your team? If you improved site traffic, by what percent did you improve it over time?

Keep it short. Most resumes should only be about a page long. If you need to make it two pages, you can but try to make it short. Only include information that can help you stand out from the other candidates.

Make your resume a compelling story. While a daunting sheet of paper, a resume is just a formal story of your work experience . Read over it with that lens and make sure the story makes sense.

Are there any major gaps in it? Does each chapter of your work history make sense and flow into the next?

Add a cover letter. If a resume summary doesn’t explain the transitions or your qualifications enough for the job, definitely don’t forget to write a cover letter .

However, no matter what your current job situation is, adding a cover letter will help you appear more dedicated to the job application. It also gives your resume a more personal voice.

Tailor it to make it job specific. Another way you can make your resume stand out is to make your resume specific to the job application . One of the last things hiring managers want to see is a resume that is so generic, you likely used the same one for every single job application.

Make your resume easy on the eyes. An easy way for your resume to find its way to the bottom of the pile, even if it did make it through the resume scanner , is by having your resume so cramped and difficult to read. You should avoid:

Small fonts

Multiple colors

Too many differing fonts

Removing all your margins .

Remember that your resume readers may not have 20/20 vision and may just chuck your resume away because they don’t want to squint to read it. Consider a few graphics and different ways of organizing and consolidating your information to make it fit better.

Be careful about the graphics you use. With graphics in mind, take special care with how many graphics you use . Unless you are applying for a design position, using too many graphics can sometimes hurt your resume because resume scanners cannot read those resumes as easily.

Proofread. Finally, when you have finished writing your resume, and you think it’s perfect, take a look at it again. You can also have someone else look at it. View it as a practice run for the hiring manager . You should also run the resume through programs like Grammarly to clear it of basic mistakes.

Writing resumes is a tricky business — you want your resume to have the right keywords and phrases so that it can make it through electronic resume readers , but you also want it different enough to catch the hiring manager’s eye.

Your resume is a document that showcases your qualifications for a job. You will want to include your education, experience, skills and other achievements that you have made.

Having a resume that stands out will make a hiring manager stop and take a second look and will see what sets you apart from other candidates. Having a resume that is not visually appealing, has mistakes, or is too long can be the difference from you being considered for a job or not.

Making your resume stand out can be difficult if you’re new to the job application game or if your industry is saturated with candidates. Our guide can help you stand out from the rest.

At the end of this article, just remember that you know yourself best. Use that knowledge and the tips above to deliver a stellar resume.

How do you get your resume noticed?

Murray Schulman Independent Business Owner

Recruiters receive stacks of online resumes. My advice is to keep your resume short and concise. Be bold and powerful from the start. Catch the recruiter’s attention in the first few lines of your resume. Don’t get passed over.

How do you make a resume stand out?

Kolby Goodman Career Coach The Job Huntr

When writing your resume, always remember your audience: your next manager. Too often I see resumes written to remind the candidate of what they can do in a job. Tell your next company not just what you can do, but how you can impact them.

You are presenting yourself as an asset to your new company. Businesses tend to measure the impact of a potential asset in one of 4 ways: making money, saving money, saving time, and reducing risk. If you can align experience and expertise to showcase how they move the needle in one of these areas, you will be leapfrogging your competition.

If you have a hard time taking credit for your work, get proactive in soliciting feedback. Go to the people you’ve worked with ( boss , co-workers, clients/customers) and ask them this simple question “How have I been able to help you?” The responses to this question will help you get some perspective about how your contributions and impact are being felt by others.

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Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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How to Make Your Resume Stand Out, According to 24 Experts

Most hiring managers and HR personnel have ways of weeding out candidates as quickly as possible.

That is why we asked experts to provide practical advice on how to make your resume stand out from the crowd.

Table of Contents

Don’t include an objective

Be sure to add a career summary, add a skills section, don’t include dates with your education, include only relevant and more recent jobs, stop trying to make the resume look like a work of art, stop believing a resume should only be two pages, identify what you really need, avoid long paragraphs as your ‘objective’, keep the font simple, make sure your formatting is professional and appropriate for what you’re seeking, make sure your resume is error and mistake-free, realize that the most important piece of information on there is your name, make sure your resume is tailored for what you’re seeking, ensure your resume is ats fully-compliant, use the right mix of quantitative and qualitative information, consider page length, the key to a standout resume is the focus, focus on what you can do for the position you’re applying for, create a visually appealing format, provide a branding statement, include keywords from the job description, add a cover letter, the resume should be tailored very specifically for a select audience, keep resume content heavily results-focused and not task-focused, watch the length and avoid drowning the reader in long narratives, make sure that you give priority to relevant experience and skills, create a targeted resumé, show the employer your unique value, use a modern, professional format, but keep your formatting clean and consistent, tailor your resumé to the job, keep it to one page, highlight proficiencies, consider adding your hobbies, don’t go wild with your resume format, use a big headline, put things where they belong, if possible, pass your resume along internally, include measurable achievements, show achievements, include facts and figures to quantify your achievements, avoid jargons and have someone proofread it for you, use a reverse-chronological resume rather than a functional resume, focus on accomplishments, always list your education on the resume even if you feel it is not relevant, add some colors to the top corner(s) of your resume, vary the overall design of your resume depending on the job you’re applying for, submit a different resume for each different role you’re applying for, easy-to-skim, job-winning content is the key to standing out when applying for jobs online, get creative, provide clear, concise bullet points of roles/responsibilities, keep it organized, clean, and clear, highlight your experience for the position you’re applying for, use industry, and job-specific keywords and common industry phrases within your resume, check your format, ensure your resume is tailor-made for this particular role you are applying for, utilize headers, format professionally, add a professional headshot, frequently asked questions.

Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish

Owner, Feather Communications | Author, Getting Back in the Game: How to Build Your Resume After Taking a Break

No one cares about your objective. The company cares about what you can do for them. How are you going to make their job easier? Stating that you are looking to “ …grow your leadership abilities while enhancing their organization… ” isn’t helping your cause.

Provide the company with a high-overview of you as a job candidate. It only needs to be a three to five-line summary that gives several skill-sets and aligns with keywords in the job search. Please know that this is the first part of the resume.

If you don’t have a qualifications/skills/core competencies/areas of expertise section, you are missing out. And, more importantly, companies are missing out on you. This is the place to utilize those keywords used in the job posting.

Unless you graduated from college last Saturday, the year you graduated no longer matters. In fact, at some point, that information could start to hurt you and could potentially bring about age discrimination. And, if you are yet to graduate from college, put your estimated date of month and year of graduation on your resume.

While I loved my job as a bank teller in high school, that was more than 20+ years ago and is no longer relevant. You don’t need to include very single job that you have ever had on your resume. Think relevance over quantity of past job experiences.

Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D.

CEO, D. Boyer Consulting | Author, Human Resource Professionals in Government Contracting Guidebook

No one sees the original resumes once they are uploaded in the Automatic Tracking Systems (ATS) – those original resumes get parsed over to Boolean searchable SQL databases and converted to text files – recruiters may never see the ‘pretty.’

It’s perfectly ok to go to a third page if your experience and history are rich and diverse. Use the third page for certifications, training, awards, and recognition. You can always print a double-side first and second page to take to job fairs.

Know the difference between a bio (one-page intro), a resume (2-4 page job history for 10-15 years), and a Curriculum Vitae (Latin for life-story) which can run 20-30 pages long (academic institution job search).

When you are writing the ‘ Objective ’ at the top of the resume, all you need is the job title for which you are applying. Avoid the long boring subjective paragraph that recruiters roll their eyes at and skip over.

Summarize your ‘general’ type of jobs in years of experience list at the top of the resume, e.g., 5 years, Supervisory Management, 10 years, Technical Analyst (military, federal government), etc.

It can either be Arial or Times New Roman between 10 and 12 points tall; do not make larger fonts for your name or locations or objective lines – this doesn’t help and makes the resume look amateurish.

Ron Auerbach, MBA

Career Coach | Consultant | Author, Think Like an Interviewer: Your Job Hunting Guide to Success

So the first impression they will get is the overall visual look. And if that doesn’t impress them, they won’t look at the content, no matter how great it is. FYI, this is why a lot, if not most resume templates you find on the Internet fail so miserably.

Free of typos, grammatical issues, and other mistakes. Why is this so important? The reason is very simple. You are being judged by your actions and inaction. So having mistakes or errors on your resume equate to your either being this way on the job, which isn’t good! Or it means you missed it, which isn’t good either!

Worst of all is you did notice the problem(s) and did nothing about it! On the job, do we want people to notice but leave problems alone? No way!

When there’s a stack of resumes on someone’s pile, making sure that yours stands out from others is important. So you want your name to be the biggest thing on there. That way, it screams out, “This is my resume!”

So while you can create an excellent generic resume, it may not work in every case. So you do need to tweak and/or make major revisions accordingly. The same with a resume you’ve used lots of other times for that kind of work of that specific job.

The requirements and/or specific role you’ll play can vary company-to-company. Thus, you must revise things as needed in order to successfully get through the screening.

The last thing you can afford when you’re job hunting is your resume automatically being rejected or not being accurately read. So making sure you have your resume in an ATS-compliant fashion is key to getting it noticed.

Something else you should do to stand out is incorporate keywords they’ll be looking for. And inserting those keywords into various sections of your resume so, no matter where they’re looking, you will have the kinds of things they’ll want and will be impressed by.

FYI, despite what some advocate, you do not always need to include numbers of some type to impress. Qualitative data, when presented in the right way, can work equally well. Sometimes, even better! For example:

• “Increased revenues by 35%” 

Notice how I used numbers here. Now, this may really impress. Then again, it’s a matter of how they’ll react to 35%. Is this really a big enough increase to be considered “impressive?” That is the unknown question! So you might actually stand out better with being qualitative rather than quantitative here. For example:

• “Dramatically increased revenues”
• “Significantly increased revenues”

Notice how I’m leaving numbers out here and using a qualifier in the description to showcase the increase. And with “dramatically” and “significant” being subjective whereby each reader has their own range of what numbers it could be, you’re playing into this as a way to impress.

So it’s an excellent way to get around numbers that you may think are impressive but they do not. Thus, do not underestimate the power of being qualitative!

A resume, no matter what level of responsibility and/or experiences you have, should be above two pages. First of all, going beyond two pages is too much for them to be reading when they have lots of applications to go through and other tasks on their platter. So help them out by reducing not increasing their workload!

Secondly, two pages are more than enough space to convince them you’re qualified and worth considering for employment. If you cannot do so with this many pages, you never will!

So you do not need to go overboard in your background and qualifications, which is where a lot of job seekers going for C-level positions make a mistake.

You only need to give them enough to show you’re worth bringing in for an interview. Then you can fill in the rest with your full background!

Krystal Yates

Certified HR Expert | Founder, EBR Consulting, LLC

Creating a resume that stands out is much easier than most people think. A good resume must include three components:

• It must get you past the applicant tracking software (ATS)
• It must tell the reader why you are a good fit for their job
• It must be visually appealing

Too often, we overcomplicate the resume but forget these three basics.

That means that first, you must decide what your next position looks like. Spend some time to figure out exactly what you want from your next job, then ensure your resume tells that story. While that advice feels counterintuitive to many, it works very well.

In the past, a resume was a job history, now it is your brochure. Instead of broadly telling the reader everything you’ve done in the past, focus on how you solve the problem of the reader (the hiring manager). This should be easy to do since you know exactly what types of positions you will be applying for.

Review two or three similar job postings and pull out the terminology you see used over and over. These are the keywords you want to include in the resume to get you past the ATS.

The good news is, there is no one right way to do this. Decide what appeals to you. After all, this reflects you. Make sure the document is easy to skim and that you’ve used a font that is easy to read. If using color, ensure it still looks good printed in black and white.

Ebony Joyce

Chief Resume Writer | Founder, Next Level Career Services, LLC

No one else has the same brand as you. Your branding statement isn’t simply a list of accomplishments, but a three-to-five-line statement that tells who you are and sums up your value proposition. What sets you apart from others? What added value will you bring to the organization?

So, dig deep to formulating the qualities that differentiate you from others. The best way to land your next opportunity is to do a great job writing this section and make your resume stand out.

Using the job description as a guide is one best way to make your resume stand out. Job descriptions are written with certain keywords and when recruiters and hiring manager see keywords those are the resumes that get attention.

While it may be time-consuming, take the time to make a minor tweak to customize your resume for each individual job is a way to stand out since many applicants won’t take this time to do so.

If a job application says to submit a resume most people will do just that, submit a resume. So just the mere fact that not everyone includes cover letters with their resume is reason enough for you to submit one.

The cover letter is your opportunity to express your personality and provide a supplement to your resume that briefly expands upon your skills. Recruiters are going to appreciate the extra time you took in crafting a cover letter and set yourself apart from the applicants.

Related: How Long Should a Cover Letter Be , How to End a Cover Letter  

Adrienne Tom

Interview Coach | Executive Resume Writer, Career Impressions

General, one-size-fits-all resumes rarely work. Make it easy for each employer to see how you would provide value to their open position by aligning all resume content with job requirements. If a detail or point is not related to the target job – remove it or replace it!

Employers are not interested in all of the basic job duties you performed in each past position. Instead, they want to know “ what’s in it for me if I hire you?” .

To create interest and support your candidacy for the open position you must provide proof of the skills and capabilities you claim to possess. The proof is best shared through results.

In addition, quantify achievements to boost the quality of your resume content and provide more depth and breadth to expertise. For example, instead of just saying “created cost-savings” , take content one step further and provide quantified details such as “saved $16K in annual operating costs by introducing new streamlined inventory management procedure.”

Employers are often short on time and what to know ‘what’s in it for me?” – fast – when they scan a resume. Keep content in check by aiming for an average of 2 pages, focusing on the quality of content and not quantity.

Mix up content delivery by sharing details in both short paragraphs and bulleted statements and aim to keep the information as succinct as possible for easier readability.

Finally, eliminate unnecessary filler words like “a, to, by, and the” to sharpen content focus.

Related: How Long Should Your Resume Be

Rob Morgenroth

Executive Vice President, Mason Frank International

Despite the limited space you have on a resume anyway, you’d be surprised how much detail on it goes unread. Most hiring managers or recruiters will be skim-reading a huge pile of applications, looking for skills, experience, and qualifications that match exactly what they’re looking for.

It’ll then be narrowed down to decide who to invite to interview, but it’s vital you make an impression to survive that first cut.

A potential employer isn’t interested in clichés about you being a team player or great communicator at this stage. Those are just basic things everyone in the world of work is expected to have, so if you’re listing those, you may as well list other non-factors such as ‘punctual’ or ‘hard-working.’

Your personality, ambition, and general cultural fit will be determined during the face-to-face or phone interview itself, so at this stage, it’s about making sure you’ve got the right role-specific buzzwords on your resume.

Keep anything else as brief as possible. Highlight the qualities that match what the employer is looking for and remember to cover soft skills sparingly. Using bullet points can be a good way to avoid the temptation of providing too much unnecessary information, but be wary of how you format this.

One of the most common mistakes I see is giving the same amount of prominence to a job with zero transferable skills.

Standing out can be difficult if the vacancy attracts a high caliber of the applicant, but starting your resume with your most relevant strengths will give you the best chance possible of making it to the next round.

Holly Leyva

ACRW-Certified Professional Resumé and Cover Letter Writer | Customer and Career Services Division Manager, Virtual Vocations

Many job seekers create a general resumé and send that out to every employer, but not only will this not score well on an ATS system, but it makes it difficult for the hiring manager to easily see why you’re a good fit for the job. I recently posted for a customer service position and received over 100 resumés.

Many had professional titles completely unrelated to the job I had posted, so I didn’t even give those a second look. They immediately went into the discard pile because it was not clear that they had applied to the job I had posted.

For best results, create a targeted professional headline on your resumé that reflects the position for which you are applying, and make sure your summary is targeted, as well.

Instead of talking about skills and tasks that everyone is going to have, show the employer what you have done and the impact you’ve made in your prior roles on your resumé.

This will prove what you can do and why you’re better than the other applicants. This should be done in both the summary section and in the professional experience section—and be sure to use metrics and data whenever possible!

For a professional, easy-to-scan resumé, use plenty of white space and limit your sections of text to two or three lines maximum. Long, dense sections of text are too hard to read, making it difficult for employers to easily see your value.

Look through the job description and pull out specific keywords and skills that employer has mentioned, and incorporate these keywords into your resumé. Be sure to use them in context, rather than just in a list of skills, however, so the employer can see what you’ve accomplished and how you’ve made an impact using the skills they require.

Sean Sessel

Director, The Oculus Institute

In today’s age, far too many people submit resumes that are 2, 3, or even 4 or more pages long. Not only does nobody want to wade through that, but it demonstrates an inability to be concise.

Instead, show your ability to extract the core important information by keeping only things that are relevant and limiting your resume to one page.

Nowadays, many resumes are scanned for keywords and key phrases by computers before an actual human being ever sees them. That’s why I have my clients include a section called “ Proficiencies ” that includes languages, software, certifications, and any defined skill set that would come up as a keyword or key phrase.

Related: How to Include Language Skills (Proficiencies) on Your Resume

Resumes can be extremely dry, so it’s a good idea to humanize yourself by including a one-line section at the end called “Hobbies” where you share some of your interests.

When your resume actually does get to a human being, this section will allow them to relate to you and imagine themselves working with you, which is what really matters at the end of the day.

Debbie Winkelbauer

CEO, SurfSearch

You won’t stand a chance if your resume is never seen! We get hundreds of resumes sent to us every week and most are loaded directly into our applicant tracking system .

Resumes that have text boxes, photos, side columns, and fancy fonts don’t always load into the applicant tracking system correctly.

I imagine that is true with company websites as well. We do not have the time to contact these candidates about this so candidates might not realize their resume was never considered because it did not get into the system.

Eli Howayeck

Career Coach | Founder and CEO, Crafted Career Concepts

Avoid the fluffy paragraph or key word stuffing at the top of your resume. Use a headline instead that is short and concise. The rule of 3’s applies. What three themes do you want the reader to take away from your headline?

Resume readers read rapidly. Don’t annoy the reader (and the decider of your destiny) by making them search for the things they need to know. Chronological is best, name at the top, education towards the end (unless you’ve recently graduated).

Find someone well respected within the organization to pass your resume along internally. If your resume gets passed to the hiring manager (or HR) from multiple sources, it’s more likely to make an impact.

Jeri Walker

Career and Job Search Strategist | Founder, Your Best Designed Career  

Outside of using simplified formatting and keywords to get your resume past the ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), one of the most important components in getting your resume noticed is including measurable achievements on the top fold of your resume.

Because when a hiring manager is looking for their ideal candidate, they want to know what problems you can solve and how you can make their lives easier.

What results can you deliver? How have you impacted the bottom line of your past employers? Hiring managers know that if you have driven results in the past, then you will do the same for them.

Achievements can be difficult for people to come up with because they feel like they are bragging about themselves and they’re not comfortable with it, but it’s really important for your reader to know how you can solve problems.

And achievements can be measured in many ways, it’s not just about increasing sales. It can be how you’ve decreased costs, increased efficiencies, improved processes, surpassed deadlines or saved a client account.

Get creative and put some thought into the various achievements you have made that are relevant to this position and list 3 or 4 of them in bullet form at the top of your resume.

Also, once you’ve come up with the most important achievements and have placed them at the top of your resume, you should sprinkle all the rest of them throughout your job experience section as well. Seeing achievements on a resume is much more compelling and meaningful than just bullet points of your job duties.

Always remember, it’s about that hiring manager and what they need so be sure to demonstrate how you will help them on your resume so that you will be their ideal candidate.

James Burroughes

Managing Consultant, Traverse Success Coaching

Cutting and pasting your job description or a list of responsibilities only tells the hiring manager that you can recite what you should be doing and could apply to anyone doing that job. Not how well you did it.

Your CV must be different. It needs to demonstrate specific instances and examples of accomplishments that show the difference you have made in your work and therefore the likely difference you will make in a new role.

With a little thought, you find most achievements can be boiled down to a number in some form. These could be reducing the time taken for a task, cutting costs, or driving sales. Make sure they show a black and white result that can’t be refuted. Managers love this.

Too many resumes have jargon, abbreviations, and company-specific language which means nothing to a reader outside your business. If someone you know can’t understand what your Golden Gift Award is, or your PDB increase by 12% is, it’s too “ jargony “. This will mean you stand out for the wrong reasons. Keep it simple and explain things accordingly.

Frank Grossman

Founder, Resumes That Shine

Resumes are scanned with automated systems called ATS systems that cannot digest functional resumes. If your resume does reach a hiring manager, you still will not be considered because managers feel you are hiding something when you use a functional resume.

Most resumes people send me list job titles and the job candidate’s job description. Hiring managers either know your job description or they can look it up online. They cannot look up your accomplishments in the job.

Employers may require a college degree to consider you, for example, even if you have experience. Your major may not matter.

One of my job candidates at an employment program was denied an interview because her resume did not list her college degree, even though the employer knew her!

Additional resume tips I give job candidates that want to stand out include:

• Do not show your street address and zip code on your resume. We are naturally curious and will look up the address to see where you live. Then, we may make incorrect assumptions about your salary needs, ethnicity, criminal past, etc.
• Use a personal brand statement instead of the words “profile” or “summary” under your contact information so employers know what folder to put your resume in right away.
• Add a summary under the branding statement  including a sentence about your job title and industry, a few hard skill highlights and two or three accomplishment highlights.
• Include a core competency matrix of 9, 12, or 15 hard skills in three columns to help ATS systems find your resume.

HR Manager, Tree AMS

When it comes to resumes, HR professionals often have endless piles to go through. Thus, knowing how to make your resume stand out from the rest is key.

Of course, it shouldn’t come off as tacky; instead, you can use professional colors such as blue or maroon. Seeing your resume stick out from the corner might capture the attention of the employer. This demonstrates your wit and that you have put some thought into your resume.

For example, if you’re going for a graphic designer role, you should definitely showcase your design skills by personalizing your resume design. Alternatively, you can also pick a professional theme that suits your industry.

Refer to the job description and state relevant skills and experiences in your resume accordingly. This indicates to the employer that you’ve meticulously reviewed what’s expected of you.

Steph Cartwright

Certified Professional Resume Writer, Off The Clock Resumes, LLC

How you look and apply for jobs matters. A graphic resume with flashy colors, charts, icons, and other graphic elements will certainly stand out when networking and physically handing your resume to a hiring manager; however, these resumes won’t get through employer software if you’re applying for jobs online.

If you’re targeting your resume to demonstrate the skills listed on the job posting in action throughout your work history and using bullet lists to draw attention to major contributions toward organizational goals, your resume will get through the Applicant Tracking software and stand out the right way when seen by a decision-maker.

Joe Flanagan

Senior Career Advisor, MintResume

If you’re in a creative career, such as graphic design or video production, your resume can be much more creative and unique than someone applying for a job in accounting.

Research the prospective employer’s website to see just how out of the box they’re comfortable with. Using that as a guideline, get creative with color, image, layout or verbiage that’s in keeping with the potential employer’s style and approach.

Resumes for jobs in the arts or creative work can differentiate you by using approaches that are much more out of the box.

Talent Acquisition Manager, PrimePay

You want to make sure you’re not providing too much or not enough information – a good balance is key! I also really enjoy when candidates list out their specific achievements/accomplishments in each role, to really showcase what they’re most proud of themselves for!

I recruit mostly sales representatives, and really enjoy reading when candidates exceed quota, win awards/trips, or place at the top of their teams!

Erin Murphree

You can make your resume stand out in different ways- positively or negatively. When it comes to standing out in a positive manner, take these tips into account!

• Provide complete basic information such as your contact information, education, and work experience. If you just graduated from school, list the projects you did while in school. Were you a part of any clubs on campus? What type of leadership roles have you held?
• Tailor your resume towards the job you are applying to.
• Begin each bullet point with power verbs like initiated, improved, demonstrated, etc.
• Add quantitative results especially when it comes to a metrics-driven position.
• Highlight awards, accomplishments and recognition.
• Utilize keywords that are relevant to the job opportunity and company.
• Make sure all information is accurate and matches your LinkedIn information.
• Be concise and use bullet points.

Jason Patel

Founder, Transizion

Think of aesthetics and readability first. Why? Hiring managers, small business owners, and department heads don’t have time to waste, which is why they’ll initially review resumes for seven to nine seconds.

If your resume doesn’t pass this quick test, it’ll be discarded. The best way to pass this test, or, at least, not fail quickly,

Specifically, keep your bullet points aligned, keep your grammar and formatting even, and make sure your spacing is neat.

To do this, break up your resume into discernible sections so that you can review it for mistakes and the hiring manager likes its aesthetic. A neat and clean resume signifies the applicant is someone who takes the time to clean up her work and pays attention to detail .

CEO & Founder, UpKeep | Awardee, Forbes 30 Under 30 for Manufacturing

Almost every hiring manager knows hiring is tough. With hundreds of applicants and resumes, it’s no longer simply about having the skills and background listed in a job description, but being able to stand out from the crowd.

Hiring managers read hundreds of resumes a day. At the end of the day, the longer a resume is, the better, right? Wrong! You can read a job description and know exactly what our hiring managers are looking for by looking at the required skills.

If you have experience with any of the skills or requirements listed in the job description, don’t be afraid to add the company’s language to your resume directly.

This highlights your resume to show companies that you’ve got the skills and experience for what they might be looking for and that you’ve read the job description thoroughly!

If you don’t have the skills, requirements, and experience yet, don’t hide it. Share with your potential employer as to why now is the time to learn? How have your past experiences prepared you to take on this new challenge?

Related: How to Get an Entry Level Job with No Qualifications or Experience

Business Development Consultant, My Trading Skills

Don’t overdo it, and make sure that these terms are well-distributed throughout the resume and fit naturally into sentences.

Use the most modern, appropriate, appealing and most preferred resume format for your industry.

This entails demonstrating the specific set of skills and knowledge that will help you succeed in the role if hired.

Have a header below your name and contact information that succinctly captures who you are bearing in mind the position you are applying for.

Bottom Line: To ensure that your resume stands out, have a succinct and definitive header, use the most appropriate resume format, make the resume specific to the role you are applying for, and use industry keywords naturally throughout the resume.

Nate Masterson

CMO, Maple Holistics

You want your resume to physically stand out from the rest of the applications that hiring managers are sifting through. That being said, you want to ensure that it displays your professionalism.

Your layout is as much as part of your ‘brand’ as the actual information on your resume.

Employ different sized fonts to help titles and relevant roles catch the eye and use paragraphs to your advantage to make things clear.

One of the biggest mistakes that potential applicants make when applying for multiple jobs, is sending the same resume to each application.

Make sure that you tailor your resume for the specific position that you’re applying to.

There will be nuanced differences in roles and an easy way to recognize this is by using keywords from the original job posting in your resume. While all the jobs you’re applying for might be the same, companies look for different things to ensure that you’ve acknowledged this in your resume to help you stand out.

Garrett Mynatt, M.A.

Professional Photographer

Including a quality headshot will do a couple of things that not only help you stand out but also reinforce you are the right person for the job.

You want to have a headshot that you are proud of and one that represents you authentically within your field, so an outdoor guide on white background may not be authentic to them, much like an accountant’s headshot probably doesn’t need to be on top of a mountain.

By including a headshot it shows you are in fact a real person but more important than that it represents you as the confident expert you are, which creates a connection with the person on the other side. You have now gone from being another number in the pile to a familiar face.

As an added bonus, create consistency by using the same headshot across all public platforms, the more consistent you are the more trust is formed, and don’t we all want to work with someone like that?

Should I Hire a Professional Resume Writer?

A professional resume writer can be a good option if you’re struggling to create a resume that effectively showcases your skills and qualifications. Here are a few things to consider if you decide to hire a professional resume writer:

• A professional resume writer can help you create a resume tailored to your specific industry and career goals. • A professional resume writer can provide valuable feedback and advice on your resume’s content, format, and design. • A professional resume writer can save you time and help you avoid common mistakes that could hurt your chances of getting an interview.

However, using a professional writer can be expensive, and you must do your research to find a reputable and qualified professional.

Should I Include a List of References on My Resume?

It’s not necessary to include a list of references on your resume, but it’s a good idea to have a list ready in case you’re asked for it during the interview. Here are some tips for creating a strong list of references:

• Choose people who know your work well and can speak about your skills and qualifications. • Ensure you have their current contact information, phone number, and email address. • Let your references know that you’re applying for jobs, and give them a copy of your resume and a description of the jobs you’re applying for. • Thank your references for their time, and keep them updated on your job search.

Should I Include My GPA on My Resume?

Including your grade point average on your resume is usually only necessary if you are a recent college graduate or your GPA is particularly high (over 3.5). However, if your GPA is below 3.0, it may be better to leave it off your resume.

Here are some tips on how to decide if you should include your GPA on your resume:

• If you’re a recent graduate, including your grade point average can show your academic achievements and potential. • If you already have work experience in your field, your work experience may be more important than your GPA, and you may not need to include it. • Suppose you don’t have a strong GPA. In that case, it may be best to omit it and focus on other areas of your experience and qualifications.

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