10 Best Resume Tips To Help You Get Hired

Writing a resume can feel overwhelming. Between choosing the right format, knowing what to include, and making sure your document passes Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), job seekers often wonder where to start. Our guide to resume tips provides actionable strategies and a step-by-step checklist for resumes to help you:

• Write a resume that attracts attention
• Format your resume so it’s easy to read and ATS-friendly
• Avoid common mistakes and boost your chances of getting interviews

Our list of the best tips for a resume will help you with formatting, design, and content. 

Tip 1: Target your resume to each job posting

Step one involves making sure your resume is tailored to the job you are pursuing. Recruiters can spot a generic application instantly; if yours isn’t customized, it will get lost in the shuffle compared to documents that use these resume builder tips. When customizing your document, make sure that you:

• Study the job description and identify keywords
• Mirror the employer’s language for required skills
• Include exact job titles and technical terms to pass ATS scans 

These tips for resume writing apply to any field or specialty. You’ve got to make sure you stand out and let the hiring team know you’ve done your homework. 

Tip 2: Use the right resume format

Before you can apply tips for resume writing, you need to nail the document format. Here are three common options that will help you put our resume checklist to work:

1. Reverse Chronological: List jobs from most recent to oldest 
2. Functional: Focuses on skills, best for applying resume tips for career transitions
3. Combination: Mixes both approaches, making it ideal for mid-career professionals 

Resume templates are a great time-saving tool to help you apply these resume builder tips. Just make sure to choose a complementary cover letter template so your documents match. Using complementary documents is one of the most important tips for writing a resume and cover letter that resonates with your audience. 

Tip 3: Optimize for ATS

No list would be complete without ATS resume tips, as many employers use these platforms to screen candidates and expedite the hiring process. Let’s get into some ATS-friendly resume tips:

• Avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and images
• Stick to standard fonts like Arial or Calibri
• Save as PDF or Word, depending on the job requirements 

Using a template that already applies these ATS-friendly resume tips will help you cut down on guesswork.

Tip 4: Keep it short & relevant

One of the most important resume tips for college students is to keep it short. Creating a concise document is also among the must-follow resume tips for career transitions. Here’s how to apply this concept:

• Only include jobs from the past 10-15 years
• Remove outdated details like references or irrelevant coursework
• Focus on achievements tied to the job description

As you apply these tips for writing a resume, try not to get too attached to a particular achievement or reference. For instance, listing a rigorous course that you aced a decade ago may sound tempting, but it adds little value to your application if the content does not relate back to the position you are applying for. 

As you’ll see in our resume checklist template, giving your resume a final pass-through for relevance and accuracy is one of the most important steps you need to complete before hitting that “Submit” button.  

Tip 5: Quantify achievements

When applying resume-building tips, remember that numbers speak louder than vague statements. For instance, you shouldn’t just say that you managed a team. Instead, list how many people you supervised and quantify any gains you facilitated, such as increasing productivity by 25% in six months or reducing absenteeism by 75%. 

You can use these ATS resume tips regardless of your age or career history. Here are some achievement-centric resume tips for college students:

• Highlight internships, including hours logged
• List volunteer work, including the organization and the impact of your efforts
• Showcase academic projects, as well as your grade and hours involved 

When putting the finishing touches on your resume, make sure to compare it to your cover letter. You can use your resume to quantify achievements and use your cover letter to elaborate on your involvement, responsibilities, and personal growth. 

Tip 6: Use active language & power verbs

While resume design tips are incredibly valuable, they are only part of the puzzle. You also need to be purposeful with the language you choose. Strong resumes use action-driven language. Put yourself in the middle of what’s happening and take ownership of your achievements. 

Use verbs like “achieved,” “implemented,” and “delivered” to make your resume sound proactive and confident. 

Want to see these resume-building tips in action? Look over our resume and cover letter examples.

Tip 7: Organize with headings & bullet points

Hiring managers often scan resumes in just a few seconds. Choosing the right structure helps them quickly find key details. With that in mind, let’s get into some resume design tips, such as the following:

• Use clear section headings
• Keep bullet points concise
• Highlight job titles and company names for clarity

These resume formatting tips make your document easier to read. In turn, managers are more likely to pick up on the details that make you stand out. 

Tip 8: Perfect your contact information

Don’t let small details cost you an interview. Here’s how to make sure your contact information is as close to perfect as you can get it:

• Use a professional email
• Include your city and state (not your full address)
• Add a LinkedIn or portfolio link when relevant

That last step isn’t essential for all roles. Consider your profession and the type of position you are applying for. If you need to showcase your past work, a LinkedIn or digital portfolio link is essential. Otherwise, you may be able to skip that tip. 

Tip 9: Proofread & edit carefully

Typos are a deal-breaker in just about every industry. To help you avoid them, use these tips: read your resume out loud to catch mistakes, and run it through spellcheck.

You can also compare your document to resume examples to make sure you’ve thoroughly edited and refined your document before submission. If anything seems out of place, polish it up a little more before sending it to the hiring manager. 

Remember, there is always room to grow and get better. Take advantage of these opportunities every time you apply for a job or build your experience. 

Tip 10: Final resume submission checklist

Let’s review some last-minute steps to ensure you are using these resume formatting tips and design strategies for maximum impact. You should confirm that:

• All sections are complete and tailored to the role
• The file name is professional
• Formatting is consistent throughout 
• Keywords match the job posting

Use a resume builder to run a final check and instantly apply with confidence. You can get your documents ready sooner, save time, and increase your odds of getting noticed by hiring managers. 

Resume checklist 

Here’s our checklist for resumes: 

Use our resume checklist template to save time and ensure you are hitting all of these criteria. 

Leverage these resume writing tips with Jobseeker

Ready to put these resume building tips to work during your job search? Check out Jobseeker and our resources. Our resume tips and templates make it easy to run through the resume checklist and optimize your documents.