Creating a resume is one of the most crucial steps in any job search. Your resume is your first impression on a potential employer, so it needs to be polished, relevant, and tailored to highlight your strengths. Whether you’re a fresher or an experienced professional, knowing what to include and how to format it properly can make the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked.

In this blog, we’ll cover 25 essential tips for crafting a standout resume, including important considerations like formatting, keyword optimization, highlighting achievements, and more.

1. Contact Information

Always include your full name, phone number, and email address at the top of your resume. Make sure your contact information is accurate and up-to-date so employers can easily reach you.

2. Professional Summary or Objective

Start your resume with a professional summary or objective statement that highlights your skills, experience, and career goals. This gives employers a quick overview of your qualifications and sets the tone for the rest of your resume.

3. Font Selection

Choose a professional and easy-to-read font such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri. The font size should be between 10 and 12 points for the main text, with slightly larger font for section headings.

4. Use Keywords from the Job Description

Scan the job description and incorporate relevant keywords into your resume. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes, so including keywords from the job description will improve your chances of getting noticed.

5. Focus on Key Achievements

Instead of listing job duties, focus on important achievements in each role. Quantify your accomplishments where possible, such as “Increased sales by 30%” or “Reduced project delivery time by 20%.”

6. Include Relevant Education Information

List your education details in a clear format, including the degree, institution, and graduation date. If you’re a recent graduate, you can also include your GPA (if it’s impressive) or relevant coursework.

7. Only Include Relevant Information

Make sure that every piece of information on your resume is relevant to the job you’re applying for. Cut out any unrelated work experience or skills that don’t add value to your application.

8. Write a Strong Summary or Objective

Use the summary or objective to briefly describe your career goals and what you bring to the table. Tailor this to the specific role and company to make it more compelling.

9. Highlight Your Professional Experience

List your professional experience in reverse chronological order (most recent job first). Include your job title, company, location, and dates of employment, along with bullet points detailing your achievements and contributions.

10. Use Appropriate Margins

Ensure your resume has sufficient white space by applying appropriate margins. Standard margins are around 1 inch on all sides. This helps keep your resume looking clean and readable.

11. Customize Your Resume for Each Job

Each job is different, so it’s essential to create a customized resume for each application. Tailor your resume to the specific role by emphasizing relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description.

12. Choose the Right Resume Format

There are different resume formats (chronological, functional, and hybrid). Choose a format that best highlights your strengths. A chronological format works well for those with steady work history, while a functional format may benefit those with limited experience.

13. Organize Your Resume into Clear Sections

Organize your resume into clear, easy-to-navigate sections, such as Contact Information, Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, and Certifications. This helps employers quickly locate key information.

14. Highlight Your Skills

Include a dedicated Skills section that highlights both hard and soft skills relevant to the role. Be specific (e.g., “Proficient in Adobe Photoshop” rather than “Good at design”).

15. Tailor Skills to the Job

List skills that are directly related to the job you’re applying for. Review the job description to identify the required skills and make sure your resume reflects them.

16. Emphasize Past Contributions

When listing past roles, emphasize how you contributed to the success of the team or company. Highlight measurable contributions like “Led a project that increased efficiency by 25%.”

17. Proofread Thoroughly

Spelling and grammar mistakes can create a negative impression. Carefully proofread your resume for typos, grammar mistakes, and inconsistencies. Consider asking a friend or professional to review it as well.

18. Review Before Submission

Review your resume one last time before submitting it. Check the formatting, alignment, and consistency in fonts, headings, and bullet points.

19. Use Action-Oriented Language

Begin each bullet point with an action verb to add energy and clarity to your achievements. Use words like “led,” “created,” “implemented,” and “optimized.”

20. Include Certifications

If you have relevant certifications or courses, create a Certifications section. Include the name of the certification, the issuing organization, and the date it was awarded.

21. Limit Resume Length

For most job seekers, a one-page resume is sufficient. However, experienced professionals with extensive experience may need two pages. Keep the resume concise, removing any unnecessary information.

22. Avoid Personal Details

There’s no need to include personal details such as age, marital status, or nationality. These details are typically not relevant to your qualifications and may distract from your professional attributes.

23. Use Bulleted Lists for Readability

Use bulleted lists rather than paragraphs to describe your roles and achievements. Bullet points make it easier for hiring managers to scan your resume and quickly understand your contributions.

24. Maintain Consistent Formatting

Make sure that all headings, fonts, and bullet points are consistent throughout the resume. Consistency gives your resume a polished, professional appearance.

25. Finalize and Save in PDF Format

Before sending your resume, save it as a PDF file to preserve the formatting. PDFs are universally compatible, ensuring that your resume looks the same on any device.

Conclusion

Creating a well-crafted resume takes time and attention to detail. By following these 25 tips, you’ll be able to present yourself in a polished, professional way that highlights your skills and achievements effectively. Remember to customize your resume for each job application, keep it error-free, and focus on showcasing your strengths. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to landing interviews and moving closer to your career goals.