Resume Writing Guide

How to write a resume that actually works

Most resumes don't get rejected because candidates aren't qualified — they get rejected because the resume doesn't communicate it. Here's how to fix that.

The essentials

Start here: 7 rules for a strong resume

Before diving into the details, these are the fundamentals that separate resumes that get interviews from resumes that get ignored.

1

Tailor it for every application

Read the job description. Mirror the language they use. Reorder your bullet points to lead with what matters most for that role. A generic resume is a forgettable resume.

2

Lead with results, not duties

"Managed a team of 5" is a duty. "Led a 5-person team that shipped a product generating $2M in first-year revenue" is a result. Quantify wherever possible — percentages, dollar amounts, time saved.

3

Start bullets with action verbs

"Responsible for" is passive and weak. Start every bullet point with a strong verb: built, launched, reduced, designed, negotiated, automated. It makes your experience sound active and intentional.

4

Keep formatting simple

Single column. Standard fonts. Clear section headings. No tables, text boxes, or multi-column layouts. This isn't just about ATS — clean formatting makes your resume easier for humans to scan too.

5

Put the most important information first

Recruiters scan top-to-bottom, left-to-right. Your name, title, and strongest experience should be near the top. Don't bury your best qualifications below the fold.

6

Cut the filler

Remove "References available upon request," generic skills like "Microsoft Office," and vague phrases like "team player" or "hard worker." Every line should provide specific, verifiable evidence of your capabilities.

7

Proofread ruthlessly

A single typo can disqualify you. Read it aloud, read it backwards, and have someone else review it. Spell-check won't catch "manger" when you meant "manager."

Writing bullet points that get noticed

Bullet points are the core of your resume. Each one should follow a simple formula: what you did, how you did it, and what happened as a result.

The formula

Action verb + what you did + measurable result

Before and after

Weak

Responsible for managing social media accounts and increasing engagement.

Strong

Grew Instagram following from 5K to 48K in 8 months by launching a weekly content series, increasing engagement rate by 340%.

Strong action verbs by category

Leadership

Led, directed, managed, coordinated, mentored, supervised, spearheaded

Achievement

Delivered, exceeded, improved, increased, reduced, achieved, surpassed

Technical

Built, designed, engineered, automated, deployed, migrated, optimized

Communication

Presented, authored, negotiated, persuaded, advised, collaborated, facilitated

Mistakes that cost you interviews

Even strong candidates lose out because of avoidable resume mistakes. Here are the most common ones — and how to fix them.

Sending the same resume everywhere

Every job has different priorities. A one-size-fits-all resume signals that you didn't read the job description. Take 15 minutes to adjust your bullet points and skills for each application. With a tool like CraftCV, you can keep one master set of career data and build tailored versions in seconds.

Listing responsibilities instead of accomplishments

"Managed client accounts" tells the recruiter what your job was — they already know that from your title. "Retained 94% of a $3.2M client portfolio during a market downturn" tells them you're good at it.

Using a complex or creative layout

Multi-column layouts, infographics, and heavily designed resumes often fail ATS parsing. They can also be hard for recruiters to scan. A clean, single-column layout with clear hierarchy works better in nearly every situation.

Including irrelevant information

Hobbies, photos, date of birth, marital status — none of these belong on a resume unless the job specifically calls for them. Every line that doesn't support your candidacy dilutes the lines that do.

Ignoring keywords from the job posting

ATS systems and recruiters both search for specific terms. If the posting says "project management" and you only say "PM," you might not show up. Use the exact language from the job description where it honestly applies to your experience.

What to include on your resume

Every resume needs a core set of sections. Beyond that, what you include depends on your experience level and industry.

Always include

  • Contact information. Full name, email, phone number, city and state (full address isn't necessary), LinkedIn URL.
  • Work experience. Company, title, dates, and 3–5 bullet points per role focused on results.
  • Education. Degree, institution, graduation year. Include GPA only if it's above 3.5 and you graduated recently.
  • Skills. A concise list of hard skills relevant to the role — tools, technologies, methodologies, languages.

Include when relevant

  • Projects. Especially valuable for early-career candidates or career changers. Include a brief description and your specific contribution.
  • Certifications. Industry certifications (PMP, AWS, CPA) add credibility and are searchable by recruiters.
  • Volunteer work. Shows initiative and can fill gaps. Treat it like work experience — focus on what you accomplished.
  • Publications or awards. Only if they're relevant to the target role or demonstrate expertise in your field.

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Common resume questions

How long should my resume be?

One page if you have less than 10 years of experience. Two pages if you have more. Recruiters spend 6–8 seconds on an initial scan — every line needs to earn its place.

Should I include an objective statement?

No. Objective statements are outdated and waste space. If you want to open with context, use a 2–3 line professional summary that highlights your most relevant qualifications for the role.

How far back should my work history go?

Generally 10–15 years. Older roles can be listed briefly without bullet points, or omitted entirely if they aren't relevant. Focus on the experience that matters for the job you're applying to.

Should I use a template or build from scratch?

Use a template for structure, but customize the content for every application. A clean, single-column layout with standard sections is more effective than a visually complex design that confuses ATS parsers.

Do I need a different resume for every job?

Yes — or at least a tailored version. The job description tells you exactly what the employer values. Reorder your bullet points, adjust your skills section, and mirror their language. A targeted resume dramatically outperforms a generic one.

What file format should I use when submitting?

PDF unless the job posting specifically asks for Word. PDFs preserve formatting across devices and are reliably parsed by modern ATS systems.

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