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Resume Writing Guide
Learn how to create a professional resume that gets noticed by recruiters and passes through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Resume Essentials
- Keep it concise - Aim for 1-2 pages, depending on experience level.
- Use action verbs - Begin bullet points with strong action verbs like "achieved," "managed," or "developed."
- Quantify achievements - Include numbers and percentages to demonstrate your impact.
- Customize for each job - Tailor your resume to match each job description.
- Use a clean, professional design - Choose a readable font, consistent formatting, and clear section headings.
Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid
- Including an objective statement - Replace with a professional summary that highlights your value proposition.
- Using generic descriptions - Avoid vague statements like "team player" or "hard worker" without backing them up.
- Including irrelevant experience - Focus on experiences that relate to the position you're applying for.
- Having typos or grammatical errors - Always proofread carefully and ask someone else to review.
- Using an unprofessional email address - Create a simple email with your name for job applications.
Section-by-Section Guide
Optimize Your Resume for ATS
Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before human eyes ever see them. Here's how to ensure your resume passes through:
- Use Microsoft Word (DOCX) - Always export as DOCX, never PDF, for job applications unless specifically requested otherwise.
- Contact information first - Place all contact details at the very top of your resume.
- Use common section headers - Use standard headers like "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills" - don't combine sections or use creative alternatives.
- Company abbreviations - End company names with common abbreviations like Ltd, Inc., LLC, Corp, or CC.
- Include skills in job descriptions - Mention specific technologies, tools, and skills within your work experience descriptions.
- Consistent job structure - List each position in this order: Job title → Company name → Location (city/province) → Dates of employment.
- Use "Current" or "Present"- For ongoing positions, use these words for the end date instead of leaving it blank.
- Spell out dates - Use full month names (e.g., "January 2024") instead of MM/YY format.
- Keep formatting simple - Avoid columns, tables, templates, headers, footers, fields, images, and special fonts like Wingdings.
- One bullet point per line - Format job descriptions with clear, separate bullet points (not paragraphs).
Our Resume Builder follows all ATS best practices!
Use the ATS-Optimized layout and export as DOCX for maximum compatibility with applicant tracking systems. File size limit is typically 5MB.
Industry-Specific Tips