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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 standard section headings - "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills" - not creative alternatives.
- Include keywords from the job description - Match your skills and experiences to the job requirements.
- Use a simple, clean layout - Avoid tables, headers/footers, images, and text boxes.
- Use standard fonts - Stick with Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or similar readable fonts.
- Save in the right format - Unless specified otherwise, PDF format is usually best for preserving formatting.
Our Resume Builder creates ATS-friendly resumes by default, with clean layouts and proper formatting.
Industry-Specific Tips