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A resume is often the first source of information a prospective employer receives from a job seeker. As first impressions go, a well-crafted resume is essential for anyone aiming to secure their ideal position. Recruiters spend an average of only 6 seconds reviewing a resume before deciding whether to reject or advance a candidate, so it’s crucial to create a resume that grabs attention quickly. This requires time, effort, and strategic thinking. The job market is as competitive as ever, and it will take a strong resume to propel you into the round of interviews. As specialists in the world of hiring, we’ve put together key lessons you can use to help make your resume shine and increase your chances of landing the job.
A resume is a formal document used by an individual seeking employment to secure a new job. It provides a summary of the job seeker’s personal information, education background, and professional experience. It will also include relevant training, qualifications, and achievements that the job seeker may have. A well-written resume can greatly increase the chances of securing an interview, the critical next step in the hiring process. The average job posting attracts around 250 resumes, so making an impactful first impression on a potential employer is vital. A carefully crafted resume not only highlights relevant skills and experience but also showcases the writer’s attention to detail and professionalism, improving their chances of being noticed.
Though the overall look of a resume may change over time, it usually remains consistent in style. The key differences lie in the specific details of experience, education, and achievements, which are tailored to each role. The position you are applying for should determine much of the content of your resume as well as specific qualifications related to this job. However, there are certain must-have sections that recruiters and HR professionals consistently look for when evaluating resumes. By including these key elements, you’ll guarantee your resume meets industry standards and contains the vital information a resume screener needs.
The contact information section of your resume provides employers with the necessary details to reach you and access additional information about you. At minimum your name, phone number, and email address should be clearly listed at the top of your resume. If your resume catches the attention of a prospective employer, they will need to be able to verify your identity and professional background.
For certain roles, including a LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio link can be beneficial. These additions provide recruiters with a deeper view of your professional background and capabilities. However, for individuals applying for entry-level positions, these extra pieces are typically not necessary.
Full Name
Phone Number
Email Address
LinkedIn Profile (Optional)
Physical Address (Optional)
Website or Portfolio (Optional)
Keep it Simple and Clear: Place the contact information at the top of the resume. It should be easy to find and read. Use a clear, readable font. The font size for your name can be slightly larger than the rest of the text to make it stand out.
Use Your Full Name: Use your full legal name as it appears on professional documents. Ensure consistency across all application materials.
Phone Number: Provide the best number to reach you, typically your mobile phone. Make sure your voicemail greeting is professional and brief.
Email Address: Use a professional email address that includes your name. Avoid unprofessional addresses. Ensure this email account is one you check frequently.
LinkedIn Profile: If you include a LinkedIn profile, customize the URL to your name for a professional appearance (e.g., linkedin.com/in/johndoe). Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and matches the information on your resume.
Physical Address: Providing your city and state is usually sufficient. Full addresses are often unnecessary and can be omitted for privacy reasons. If you’re open to relocation, you can mention it (e.g., “Willing to relocate” or “Relocating to Kansas City in August 2024”).
Website or Portfolio: Include links to a professional website, portfolio, or blog if they are relevant to the job. Ensure these sites are professional and highlight your best work.
Accuracy of Information: Ensure all contact information is accurate and up-to-date. A typo in your email address or phone number can prevent potential employers from contacting you.
Hyperlinks: Link to email addresses, LinkedIn profiles, and website URLs as hyperlinks for easy access by hiring managers.
The most important component of your resume is your work experience. This section needs to highlight relevant experiences that align with the job you are applying for. You should list each relevant position you’ve held, including the duration of your employment, the name of the company, and 2-3 bullet points detailing your responsibilities and achievements in each role. Aim for clarity and conciseness. These bullet points should be concise yet detailed enough to demonstrate that your listed experience matches the open position. Making sure this section is well-crafted is key to demonstrating your capabilities, application of skills and experience, and making it through the initial screening process.
Each job entry should include the following components:
Job Title: This should be prominently displayed as it immediately tells the employer what role you held.
Company Name and Location: Name of the organization you worked for, along with the city and state (or country) where the company is located.
Dates of Employment: Specify the month and year you started and ended the position (e.g., January 2020 – March 2023). If you are currently employed, you can write “Present” for the end date.
Job Responsibilities and Duties: Provide a brief description of your primary responsibilities and duties. This gives context to your role. Use bullet points to list specific tasks and responsibilities. Start each bullet point with a strong action verb (e.g., managed, developed, led).
Achievements and Contributions: Highlight your key achievements and contributions in each role. Quantify these accomplishments with numbers, percentages, or other metrics if possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%”). Focus on how your contributions benefited the company, such as improving efficiency, increasing revenue, or enhancing customer satisfaction.
Be Concise: Keep descriptions brief and focused. Aim for clarity and brevity.
Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to make your responsibilities and achievements stand out.
Quantify Achievements: Where possible, use numbers and metrics to quantify your accomplishments.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Focus on the experience that is most relevant to the job you are applying for.
Your education demonstrates that you possess the core competencies for the position you are applying for. For specialized positions, post-high school education is often a prerequisite, with the required qualifications being outlined in the job description. Ensure you meet these educational requirements before applying. This section is particularly important for recent graduates and those applying for positions where specific educational credentials are required.
For entry-level positions, employers will value seeing a high school diploma or equivalent listed on your resume. This indicates reliability and trustworthiness—key qualities for most entry-level roles before advancing to more specialized positions. Including your educational background, whether it’s a high school diploma or a higher degree, is a must for showcasing your qualifications and readiness for the role.
Degree(s) Earned: Specify the type of degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science). Include your major or primary field of study.
Institution Name: Use the full name of the institution (e.g., University of Kansas).
Graduation Date: Include the month and year of graduation. If you have not yet graduated, you can mention your expected graduation date (e.g., “Expected May 2025”).
Additional Details (if relevant)
Include any relevant certifications or licenses.
If applicable, mention any significant projects or thesis work.
Relevance: Highlight aspects of your education most relevant to the job you are applying for. This can include specific courses, projects, or areas of study. Include any additional training or certifications that enhance your qualifications.
Order and Clarity: List your most recent degree first and work backward. Use a consistent and easy-to-read format. Each entry should be clear and logically organized.
Include Accomplishments: Mention any notable academic achievements, such as honors, scholarships, or awards. Highlight significant projects, research, or thesis work that demonstrate your expertise and skills.
Be Honest: Check that all information is accurate and truthful. Misrepresenting your educational background can have serious consequences.
Use Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description into your education section. This can help with applicant tracking systems (ATS).
The skills and certifications section is where you showcase your specific abilities and qualifications that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. This section helps employers quickly assess whether you have the necessary skills and certifications to succeed in the role. Many positions require specific skills that candidates must demonstrate they possess. By listing your relevant skills and certifications, you can better prove your qualifications and increase your chances of catching the employer’s attention. This section serves as a quick reference for recruiters to assess if you are the right fit for the role, enhancing the likelihood of receiving an interview invitation.
Hard Skills: These are job-specific skills that are usually measurable and acquired through education or training (e.g., programming languages, technical proficiency, data analysis).
Soft Skills: These are personal attributes that enhance your interactions and job performance (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving).
Certifications: Include the full name of the certification (e.g., Project Management Professional (PMP)). Specify the organization that issued the certification (e.g., PMI, Microsoft). Include the month and year you received the certification. If applicable, include the expiration date or renewal date.
Relevance: Tailor your skills and certifications to match the requirements listed in the job description. Highlight those most relevant to the position. List the most important skills and certifications first.
Clarity and Organization: Group similar skills together under clear subheadings (e.g., Technical Skills, Soft Skills). Use bullet points for easy readability and quick scanning by employers.
Detail and Specificity: Be specific about your skills. Instead of listing “programming,” specify the languages you know (e.g., Java, Python). Provide complete information about each certification, including the issuing organization and the date obtained.
Validate Your Skills: If possible, validate your skills with examples of how you’ve used them in your previous roles. This can be included in the work experience section but referenced here.
At Staffing By Starboard, our team has seen thousands of resumes. We have some tips that can help improve your resume and improve your chances of advancing to an interview.
Customize your resume for each job application by highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job description. Use keywords from the job posting to ensure your resume gets past any technology used to assist the screening process, such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
It’s important to remember that your resume is just one of many that recruiters will review. With most job postings receiving hundreds of applications, employers often scan resumes quickly before deciding whether to move forward with a candidate. Make sure your resume stands out by keeping it concise and easy-to-read—ideally to one-two pages, depending on your experience. Use a plain font and a simple color scheme, and avoid complex layouts that might confuse the reviewer. Use bullet points, consistent formatting, and clear headings. A clean and scannable resume increases your chances of making a positive impression quickly.
Many job seekers mistakenly list too many previous jobs thinking it will improve their chances, but often the opposite is true. Providing too much information can make it difficult for the relevant details to shine through. Instead, focus on including only the experience and skills that are directly related to the job you’re applying for. Employers aren’t interested in part-time jobs that you had in high school (unless those roles are still relevant due to limited work experience or demonstrating continuity in employment) ; they want to see recent experience that demonstrates your ability to perform in the specific role and showcases your fitness for their team. Keeping your resume concise and targeted will make a stronger impact.
Present job responsibilities with more detail. Focus on specific achievements and contributions you made in each role. Use quantifiable metrics where possible (e.g., “Generated 130% year-over-year sales” ,” “Managed a team of 8”).
Given that employers often scan resumes for just a few seconds, using the right language and terms used for that position and listing relevant skills is essential to standing out. Employers look for specific terms and abilities that indicate you understand the position and have the expertise they are looking for. While you’ll need to prove these claims during the interview process, including your relevant skills in your resume is crucial for making it to that stage. Carefully review the job listing and incorporate any necessary terminology and skills. This approach increases the likelihood that your resume will pass the initial screening and help you secure an interview.
One of the biggest disqualifiers for employers is finding simple grammatical errors in resumes. These mistakes can signal a lack of attention to detail and raise doubts about your seriousness in applying for the position. To avoid this, take advantage of the numerous free tools available to check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Additionally, having another person proofread your resume can help ensure it is clear, error-free, and presents you in the best light. Taking these steps demonstrates professionalism and increases your chances of making a positive impression.
A cover letter is a great addition to your job application, complementing your resume by providing a deeper look into your experience and credentials. Its primary purpose is to explain your interest in the position and highlight why you are the best candidate for the role. While not always required, a well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from candidates who do not include one. Like your resume, the cover letter should be concise, ideally one page, and easily readable. Here’s a general outline for a cover letter:
Heading: Include your contact information and the employer’s details.
Greeting: Address the reader personally, if possible.
Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself, express your interest in the role, and mention how you discovered the position.
Body: In 1-2 paragraphs, explain why you are a good fit for the role, highlighting relevant experience and skills. End with a call to action, indicating your availability for an interview.
Closing: Thank the reader for their time and consideration.
Creating the perfect resume can be challenging, and finding the right job can be even harder. At Staffing By Starboard, we are dedicated to matching job seekers with their ideal positions in a timely manner. We provide support throughout the entire job search process, from helping create resumes and cover letters to improving interview skills and offering post-placement resources. Our commitment to working with you every step of the way ensures that you find a job that truly fits your needs and goals.
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