Tips for Writing a Resume That Will Help You Get Hired

Image shows a woman sitting at her computer with a cup of coffee beside her and a few different resumes. On her computer screen is her resume. Text reads: "Resume writing tips: review successful examples; use a template; choose a basic font; write a custom resume for every job; include contact information." — Photo:
Brianna Gilmartin / The Balance

A resume is more than just a list of job roles, qualifications, and skills. It’s a sales document, highlighting your achievements in a way that recruiters, hiring managers, and future mentors can appreciate. It’s also a tool for getting past the applicant tracking systems, the software programs that 99% of the biggest companies use to evaluate resumes.

Whether you’re writing your first resume or polishing your mid-career one, these tips will help you create a document that persuades employers to get to know you better.

Here’s how to create a resume that will help you land an interview.

Include the Right Information

woman holding pen over resume application with smart phone and using computer laptop to job search on online internet. applying for a job concept. — Jirapong Manustrong / Getty Images

Every resume should include some basic information, including your contact details, work experience, job skills, and education and training. Depending on the job, industry, and your qualifications, you may also choose to include optional sections such as an objective, a resume profile, volunteer work or hobbies, GPA and honors, etc.

Pick a Resume Format

indian man with laptop working at home office — dolgachov / Getty Images

Depending on your personal and professional circumstances, you'll probably want to choose a chronological, functional, or combination resume.

Decide which type best fits your work experience, educational background, and skill set.

Review Templates and Samples

Using a resume template can help you organize your experience and qualifications. Look for resume samples for your specific industry, job title, or interest.

Note

Be sure to customize your document for your experience and for each position. If you stick too closely to these samples, you’ll wind up with a generic resume that will do nothing to highlight your skills.

Match Your Qualifications to the Job

Close up of gold and silver puzzle pieces — Eekhoff Picture Lab / Getty Images

A good resume highlights the skills and qualifications you have that will be most appealing to the hiring manager. It’s not a complete work history or professional biography. To figure out what to include—and what to cut—analyze the job listing. Pay careful attention to how the employer describes the skills, experience, and responsibilities required for the role.

Include Important Keywords

Your resume should include the same keywords that appear in job descriptions. That way, you will increase the chances of your resume matching open positions and of your being selected for an interview.

Also include keywords in your cover letter because that correspondence will be screened, too. Keywords change with the times, so stay up-to-date with your industry.

Highlight Hot Skills

He's got the right tools and skills to get ahead — PeopleImages / Getty Images

Remember that employers are hiring workers to solve a problem for them. Which of your skills will help you maximize their profits, minimize their losses, and improve their products and services? Highlight those skills on your resume, and watch your candidate profile zoom to the top of their interview list.

Optimize Job Descriptions

Job descriptions are your chance to appeal to both screening software and human readers. Be sure to include keywords from the job description, but otherwise focus on telling a story that will resonate with hiring managers. What did you accomplish in this job, and how did it make you an ideal candidate for your next position?

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Master the Details

Midsection Of Woman Using Laptop At Office Desk — Nitchakul Sangpetch / EyeEm / Getty Images

Choose a basic font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Verdana, leave one-inch margins on each side of your resume, and format your text consistently. Small details make a big impact on hiring managers, recruiters, and other decision-makers.

The Best Font Size and Style for Resumes
Standard Formatting Guideline for Resume Margins
How Many Pages Should a Resume Be?

Note

Always follow directions when submitting your resume, cover letter, and other application materials. For example, if a job listing asks that candidates send their resumes in PDF format, don’t send your document in Word. Ignoring instructions can get your application booted from the process.

Email Your Resume the Right Way

Woman working on laptop — Hero Images / Getty Images

Again, always follow the employer’s instructions about how to send your resume. Use the document type specified, e.g., PDF or Microsoft Word, send as an attachment or cut and paste as requested, and include a cover letter.

Key Takeaways

A good resume should contain keywords that appeal to applicant tracking systems and stories that resonate with human hiring teams.
Choose a resume format that highlights your skills, qualifications, and work experience; a functional or combination resume format may be best if you want to emphasize your abilities over your experience.
Adhere to the employer’s instructions when applying for a position; always include a cover letter if asked, and send your resume in the document format requested.

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Sources

The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Jobscan.co. "99% of Fortune 500 Companies Use Applicant Tracking Systems."

Include the Right Information

Pick a Resume Format

Review Templates and Samples

Note

Match Your Qualifications to the Job

Include Important Keywords

Highlight Hot Skills

Optimize Job Descriptions

Master the Details

Note

Email Your Resume the Right Way

Key Takeaways

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