Looking for a job can be stressful, and your resume has a big job to do: help someone quickly see what you’re good at and why you might be right for the role. You can’t control every hiring decision, but you can make it easier for employers to quickly understand your experience and get in touch with you.

1. Think of your resume as an introduction

Your resume is meant to help you get an interview. It doesn’t have to tell the whole story of your career. It should give an employer a clear, honest picture of your experience and make them want to learn more.

2. Make sure employers can reach you

Use the name you go by professionally, a phone number you check, and an email address you’re comfortable sharing with an employer. City and state are usually enough to show where you’re located; you don’t need to include your full street address. If you include a LinkedIn profile, take a few minutes to make sure it’s current and supports the same story as your resume.

3. Adjust your resume for the job you want

It’s tempting to send the same resume everywhere, but a few thoughtful changes can help an employer see why you’re a good match. Bring the most relevant skills and experience forward. For a management role, for example, highlight how you’ve led people, made decisions, and helped a team succeed. For an individual-contributor role, focus on the expertise and results that relate directly to the work.

4. Put the important information where it’s easy to find

Think about what the employer needs to see first. If a particular degree, license, or certification is essential for the role, place it near the top. If it’s less central, it can go in your education or certifications section.

 A short summary at the beginning can also help readers understand what you do and what you bring to the table.

5. Show what you accomplished, not just what your job required

A job description tells people what the role involved. Your resume can show how you made a difference in it. Describe the work you did, the tools or methods you used, and what came of it. Numbers can help—for example, the size of a team you led, a budget you managed, or a process you improved. Use details you can stand behind, and give yourself credit without overstating your role.

6. Keep it clear and easy to read

You don’t have to use fancy language to sound professional. Short, straightforward statements are often more effective than long explanations.

  • Many resumes are one or two pages, but there’s no magic page count.

  • Focus on what matters to the job you want and make sure the reader can find it quickly.

  • Familiar headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills,” along with a simple layout, can help both people and applicant-tracking systems read your resume.

7. Don’t forget the technology you know

A skills section can help employers quickly spot the tools and systems you’ve used. That’s useful in more fields than you might expect, not just information technology.

Include the tools that matter for the work you’re pursuing. When you can, explain how you used them in your work examples. You don’t need to list every application you’ve ever opened—keep it relevant.

8. Give your resume a careful proofread

A small typo can distract a reader from the strengths you want them to notice. Check spelling, grammar, phone number, email address, job titles, employer names, and dates. It’s also helpful to compare your resume with your LinkedIn profile to make sure key details match. Then ask someone else to read it. A fresh pair of eyes often catches something you’ve seen too many times to notice.

9. Take care with the small details

Use an email address that feels professional and check it regularly. Make sure your voicemail greeting is appropriate, and give your resume file a clear name, such as “Jordan_Smith_Resume.pdf.”

When you apply, follow the instructions about file type and any other materials the employer requests. These small steps help you make a polished first impression.

10. Let someone else take a look

Once you have a draft you feel good about, ask someone who understands hiring or managing people to review it. Ask them what stands out, what’s unclear, and whether your experience comes through. You don’t have to accept every suggestion. Consider the feedback, try the ideas that make sense for your goals, and keep the final version accurate and true to you.

Would a little help be useful?

If you’d like an experienced set of eyes on your resume, The Talmadge Group now offers resume review service for candidates seeking impartial feedback on the quality and content of their resume. A seasoned hiring consultant will review your resume in advance and spend up to 30 minutes discussing improvements that you can immediately implement.

Supercharge Your Resume