The Harsh Truth About Most Resumes
The majority of resumes submitted for a job posting are filtered out before a human ever reads them. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) — software that screens resumes before they reach a recruiter — discard applications that don't match specific keywords or formatting rules. Then, for the resumes that do make it through, the average recruiter spends fewer than ten seconds on an initial scan. Your resume needs to survive both of these hurdles.
Here's how to write one that does.
Start With the Right Format
Unless you're a designer applying to a creative role, stick to a clean, simple layout. Avoid:
- Tables and columns (ATS systems often can't parse them correctly)
- Headers and footers (ATS may skip content placed there)
- Graphics, icons, or photos
- Unusual fonts or heavy use of colour
Use a single-column layout, standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Georgia, and clear section headings. Save and submit as a PDF unless the job posting specifically requests a Word document.
Tailor Every Application
A generic resume sent to 50 employers will perform worse than a tailored resume sent to 10. For each application:
- Read the job description carefully and highlight the key skills and requirements.
- Mirror the exact language used in the posting (this helps with ATS keyword matching).
- Adjust your summary/objective and the order of your bullet points to foreground what's most relevant.
This doesn't mean rewriting from scratch each time. Build a "master resume" with everything you've ever done, then copy and trim it for each specific application.
Write Results-Driven Bullet Points
The most common resume mistake is describing responsibilities instead of achievements. Recruiters already know what a project manager or sales rep does. What they want to know is what you specifically accomplished.
Compare these two versions of the same bullet point:
- Weak: "Responsible for managing social media accounts."
- Strong: "Grew Instagram following from 4,000 to 22,000 over 18 months by developing a consistent content calendar and engaging with the community daily."
Use the formula: Action verb + what you did + the result or scale. Even if you don't have exact numbers, you can use relative language: "significantly reduced", "streamlined the process", "led a team of five".
Craft a Strong Summary Section
Replace the dated "Objective" statement with a two-to-three sentence professional summary. It should answer: who are you professionally, what do you bring, and what kind of role are you targeting?
Example: "Marketing professional with five years of experience in B2B content strategy and demand generation. Specializes in building SEO-driven content programs that reduce customer acquisition costs. Seeking a senior content role in a growth-stage SaaS company."
Education and Certifications
List your highest qualification. If you graduated more than five years ago, you don't need to include your grade unless it was exceptional. Do include:
- Relevant certifications (Google Analytics, PMP, AWS, etc.)
- Any courses or training directly relevant to the role
- Professional memberships or accreditations
What to Leave Out
A one-to-two page resume is standard for most industries. To stay within that, cut:
- Jobs held more than 10–15 years ago (unless directly relevant)
- "References available upon request" — it's assumed and wastes space
- Hobbies and interests unless they're genuinely relevant or distinctive
- A headshot (standard in some countries, but not the UK or US)
Proofread Ruthlessly
A single typo can disqualify you. After proofreading yourself, use a tool like Grammarly, then read the whole document aloud, then ask someone else to read it. Errors hide from eyes that have read the same text too many times.
Final Checklist
- Clean, ATS-friendly format
- Tailored to the specific job description
- Results-driven bullet points with action verbs
- Strong professional summary
- No typos or formatting inconsistencies
- Saved as PDF (unless instructed otherwise)