34 Best Resume Tips to land job interviews
Updated: May 17
If your resume hasn't been updated recently or you're unsure about ideas or formats, don't worry. We've gathered 34 best resume tips to help you secure job interviews.
1. Customize Your Resume
Consider your resume as a marketing tool showcasing you as an ideal candidate. Customize each resume you send by emphasizing the achievements and skills most pertinent to the job. Avoid using the same resume for every application.
2. Remove the Objective Statement
An objective section is only useful when you're changing careers and need to explain why your experience doesn't align with the position you're applying for.
3. Prioritize Relevant Information
Ensure your most relevant qualifications are at the top third of your resume. This section is what the hiring manager will see first and encourages further reading.
4. Be Concise
Keep your resume as brief as possible, ideally one or two pages, to prioritize important information. Focus on what you do or have done without explaining the details.
5. Add Important Links
Include essential details in your resume, then add links to your personal website, online portfolio, and work examples. Avoid hyperlinking keywords as it may disrupt employer systems.
6. Ensure ATS Compatibility
Most employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to organize resumes. Make sure your resume is compatible with ATS.
7. Use a Simple Format
Ensure your resume is easy to read by using a standard font size and leaving ample white space. Focus on readability for both hiring managers and ATS.
8. Avoid ATS-Unfriendly Design Elements
Avoid design elements that confuse ATS, such as:
Tables
Text boxes
Logos and icons
Images and photos
Graphics, graphs, or other visuals
Headers and footers
Uncommon fonts
Columns read top to bottom
9. Highlight Contact Information
While you don't need to include your address, ensure your phone number, professional email, and LinkedIn profile are prominent.
10. Design for Quick Scanning
Hiring managers spend little time on each resume. Make yours easy to skim to convey maximum information quickly.
11. Keep Work Experience Recent and Relevant
Display only the last 10 years of your career and relevant experiences. Employers focus on your most recent roles.
12. Focus on Transferable Skills
If lacking direct experience, highlight relevant and transferable skills or projects. Support with a strong cover letter explaining your suitability.
13. Write Achievement-Focused Bullet Points
Start each bullet point with a strong action verb and demonstrate how your work benefited your company, showing potential value to the employer.
14. Curate Bullet Points and Experiences
Limit bullet points to 10-12 for your most recent and relevant job, and generally 8 for earlier roles.
15. Use Numbers
Incorporate facts, figures, and numbers in your bullet points. Quantifying achievements helps hiring managers visualize your level of work or responsibility.
16. Incorporate Keywords
Review the job description for frequently used words and include them in your bullet points. Ensure your resume aligns with the job's terminology.
17. List Experience Before Education
Unless recently graduated, place education after experience, as recent jobs are usually more relevant.
18. Use Reverse Chronological Order
List your educational background starting with the most recent or advanced degree. If older coursework is more relevant, list it first.
19. Highlight Honors, Not GPA
Note any high honors from college. You don't need to list your GPA unless it's impressive, but highlight any awards received.
20. Include Continuing Education
Include continuing education, professional development, or online courses if they add relevant experience to your resume.
21. Emphasize a Key Skills Section
Include a section listing relevant skills for the position, especially those mentioned in the job description, such as technical skills or task-specific knowledge.
22. Demonstrate Soft Skills
While soft skills can sound like buzzwords, characteristics like being a “strong leader” or “effective communicator” are important to convey.
23. Include Relevant Certifications
List certifications or licenses that demonstrate your ability to perform aspects of the job you're applying for.
24. Add Relevant Awards
Include awards and accolades, even if company-specific, and explain what you earned them for. Consider including personal achievements that demonstrate drive and competitiveness.
25. Remove Short-Term Jobs
Exclude short-term (non-temporary) jobs to avoid appearing as a job hopper, unless the job is highly relevant to your application.
26. List Dates Strategically
For small gaps in work history, list only years or the duration of employment instead of specific months and years.
27. Explain Frequent Job Changes
If you've changed jobs often, include reasons for leaving, such as “company closed” or “relocated,” to clarify frequent job changes.
28. Address Long Employment Gaps
If returning after a long break, use a summary statement to highlight skills and accomplishments, and include part-time or volunteer work.
29. Frame Career Gaps Intentionally
While career gaps are common, present them in a way that highlights skills gained or professional endeavors undertaken during that time.
30. Omit “References Available Upon Request”
If interested, hiring managers will ask for references.
31. Thoroughly Proofread Your Resume
Ensure your resume is free of typos. Don't rely solely on spell check; have family or friends review it.
32. Save as PDF or Word Document
Unless specified otherwise, submit your resume as a PDF or Word document (.docx, not .doc) for easy opening and ATS parsing. PDFs maintain formatting, while .docx is more ATS-friendly.
33. Name Your File Clearly
When saving your resume, use a clear name like “Jane Smith Marketing Analyst Resume” for easy identification by hiring managers.
34. Regularly Update Your Resume
Review and update your resume quarterly. Add new responsibilities or skills to ensure readiness for new opportunities.
Best of luck with your next career move and job search.
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