Professional Resume Writing Tips

Keep It Concise

Recruiters typically spend only 6-7 seconds scanning a resume. Make every word count.

• Ideal length: 1 page for less than 10 years experience, 2 pages for more
• Use bullet points instead of paragraphs
• Remove irrelevant information

Use Strong Action Verbs

Begin each bullet point with a powerful action verb to demonstrate your accomplishments.

Quantify Your Achievements

Numbers help employers understand the scope of your impact.

Use Standard Section Headings

ATS systems look for common section titles to parse your information.

• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications

Include Relevant Keywords

Carefully review the job description and incorporate key terms naturally.

Avoid Complex Formatting

Some ATS systems struggle with:

• Tables and text boxes
• Headers and footers
• Images and icons
• Columns (for some systems)

Reverse Chronological Order

List your experience starting with the most recent position first.

Tailor Your Resume

Customize your resume for each job application by:

• Prioritizing relevant experience
• Including keywords from the job description
• Highlighting transferable skills

Include Only Relevant Information

Focus on what matters for the specific job:

• Remove outdated or irrelevant jobs
• Omit personal information like age or marital status
• Only include hobbies if they're relevant