How to Write the Perfect Resume

Ask any professional who has headed a job search about their experience reviewing applications, and they will likely communicate their surprise at how many applicants send bad resumes. It is incredibly common for job seekers to have resumes riddled with obvious mistakes that they could have easily avoided. The good news here is that crafting a strong resume really does put you ahead of your competition in most cases.

By taking the time and effort to plan, draft, and revise your resume, you increase your chances of landing an interview. The first step is to learn what makes a great resume, well, great. If you’re reading this article, then you’re already on the right track.

To create the perfect resume, make sure it is…

Clean & Clear. Most hiring managers spend one minute or less reviewing your resume for the first time. Make it easy for them by prioritizing clarity and consistency when it comes to formatting.

• Use a highly legible font, such as Times New Roman or Calibri, in a 12-point size with 1-inch margins.
• Emphasize dates, job titles, and places of employment using boldface, italics, or underlining, and describe each job with a bulleted list of responsibilities and skills.
• Incorporate enough white space on the page to make it easy to scan, and avoid dense blocks of text.
• Begin each line describing your experience and skills with a strong action verb, such as “Implemented,” “Achieved,” “Led,” “Developed,” “Communicated,” “Accomplished,” etc.
• Check your formatting for consistency across all sections of your resume. For example, you may underline each job title and place of employment and use the same type of bullet in every section. When in doubt, try using an online resume builder (https://www.consumersadvocate.org/resume-builder/best-resume-builder).

Short & Relevant. Again, time is of the essence when employers are quickly scanning your resume to decide if it will make it past the first round of reviews, so be concise and stay on point.

• Keep the length to 1-2 pages at most, depending on the amount of work experience you have.
• Limit yourself to 4-5 bullet points for each section, or use less if you can manage it.
• Order sections appropriately for your experience level and job type. If you’re a seasoned salesperson looking to move into upper management, then put your work experience before your education. Straight out of college? Education goes first. And if you’re a physicist applying for a research job, then put that Ph.D. front and center.
• Include only experience that is relevant to the job for which you are applying and cut the rest. Maybe you used to manage a Radio Shack but you’ve been working as a school psychologist for the past 6 years—no need to include the former on your resume.

Targeted & Tailored. The best resumes are uniquely designed for the job at hand. Yes, this means you should tweak your resume each time you apply for a new position but you certainly don’t have to rewrite the whole thing.

• Determine what type of resume makes the most sense for the job. Chronological, functional, or combination? Revise accordingly.
• Use a template or example that is specifically designed for your industry. You can find one online (https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/resumes) or ask a mentor for one. Then, customize it with your own style as hiring managers can easily spot generic wording that is not original.
• Use a career summary at the top of your resume that briefly communicates what you do and the top three things you have to offer as a prospective employee of the company to which you are applying.
• Target your skills, achievements, and experience for the job at hand. A marketing agency in southern California may care a great deal about your proficiency in Spanish. If you’re making a career transition from events specialist at a PR firm to program coordinator at an educational non-profit, then highlight your volunteer experience with the Nature & Science Museum.

Revised & Polished. Mistakes, no matter how small, can send the message that your attention to detail is poor, you lack communication skills, you have low professional standards, or you just don’t care. So, you can see why mistakes are a giant red flag for prospective employers.

• Edit your resume for correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and spacing.
• Triple check names, dates, and locations for correctness.
• Have a friend or family member proofread for you, too, because it is often difficult to spot mistakes in your own writing.
• Seek professional help! Resume writing is notoriously difficult, and even the most experienced jobseekers benefit from assistance. If you’re a student or alumnus, consider visiting your college career center. You can also pay for professional resume services online or visit a state-run job center for free (https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/local-help.aspx). Either way, working with a professional who is familiar with your industry is key.