How to Write a Resume That Gets You Hired

Your resume has about 6 seconds to impress a recruiter. Here’s how to make those seconds count.

The Golden Rule

Don’t list responsibilities. List achievements.

Resume Structure

1. Header

Your Name
Phone | Email | LinkedIn | Portfolio/Website
Location (City, State)

2. Professional Summary (Optional)

2-3 sentences. Only include if you have relevant experience to summarize.

“Full-stack developer with 5 years of experience building React and Node.js applications. Reduced page load times by 60% and led 3 major product launches.”

3. Skills

List only skills relevant to the job. Group by category:

Languages: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, SQL
Frameworks: React, Node.js, Django
Tools: Docker, AWS, Git, CI/CD

4. Experience

Reverse chronological order. For each role:

Company Name | Location
Job Title | Month Year - Month Year
- Achievement with measurable result (use bullet points)
- Another achievement
- One more achievement

5. Education

Degree | University Name | Year
Relevant coursework (optional, for entry-level)

6. Certifications / Projects (Optional)

AWS Certified Solutions Architect | 2024
Personal project: Built an e-commerce site with 1K+ monthly visitors

ATS Tips (Applicant Tracking Systems)

Most companies use ATS software to filter resumes. Here’s how to pass:

1. Use standard section headings — “Experience,” not “My Journey”
2. No tables or columns — ATS reads left to right, top to bottom
3. No images or icons — ATS can’t read them
4. Save as .docx or PDF — Check the job posting for preference
5. Include keywords from the job description — If they want “Python,” write “Python,” not “programming language”

Formatting Rules

• One page for less than 10 years of experience
• Two pages maximum for senior roles
• 10-12pt font (no smaller)
• Consistent formatting — same bullet style, same date format
• Save as PDF unless asked otherwise

Action Verbs

Use these at the start of bullet points:

Common Mistakes

• Typos and grammatical errors — Proofread three times. Have a friend review.
• Generic resumes — Customize for each application. At minimum, adjust the Skills section.
• Including a photo — Not standard in the US, UK, Canada. Required in some European countries.
• Including references — “References available upon request” is outdated and takes up space.
• Exaggerating — Hiring managers verify claims. Honesty is always better.

Resume Templates

Use these proven templates:

• Harvard CV Guide — https://careerservices.fas.harvard.edu/resources/
• Google Docs Resume Templates — File → New → From template → Resume
• FlowCV — Free resume builder with ATS-friendly templates

Related: Check our productivity guide and home office setup for career success.