10 Resume Tips to Help You Land the Job – The Ultimate Listicle of Resume Tips

Did you know that the average recruiter spends only 6 to 8 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to keep it or toss it? In that fleeting moment, your document needs to make a powerful first impression.

A good resume isn’t just a list of your previous jobs; it is a strategic marketing tool designed to sell your skills and potential to a future employer. Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, the rules of resume writing have evolved. Today, you are writing for two audiences: the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) robots that filter applications, and the busy human recruiters who make the final call.

At CVtoWork.com, we help job seekers navigate this complex landscape every day. To help you build a strong resume that stands out in the pile, we have compiled the ultimate guide. Here are 10 tips structured to transform your application from average to exceptional.

Before diving into the details, here is the high-level roadmap to success. These best resume tips are designed to cover every angle of your application strategy. What are the best resume tips? In short: be clear about your target role, pick the right format, tailor each application, quantify achievements, and optimize for ATS and skim reading. Below, you’ll find our definitive list of 10 tips to help you land interviews.

1. 🎯 Clarify Your Goal: Know exactly what job you want before you type a word.
2. 📄 Choose the Right Format: Select a structure that highlights your strengths.
3. 🎨 Clean Layout: Use white space and consistent fonts for readability.
4. ✂️ Tailor to the Job: Customize every application to match the specific role.
5. 📊 Quantify Achievements: Use numbers to prove your value.
6. 🤖 Optimize for ATS: Ensure your file is readable by screening software.
7. 🤹 Showcase Skills: Balance hard technical skills with soft skills.
8. 💼 Perfect Work Experience: Use the STAR method to describe your history.
9. ✨ Finishing Touches: Proofread, check contact info, and add a cover letter.
10. 🔄 Get Feedback: Use mentors or pros to refine your document continuously.

Below, we detail exactly how to apply these resume tips to help you secure interviews.

Building a new resume can feel overwhelming. By breaking it down into these initial steps, you create a solid foundation for your job search.

Tip 1 – Clarify Your Goal

You cannot hit a target you haven't defined. Before writing, identify the specific position you are targeting. This focus helps you select the right keywords found in job postings. If you try to write a generic document that appeals to everyone, it will likely appeal to no one.

Analyzing the job description allows you to understand exactly what the employer needs. This clarity ensures your resume passes the ATS filters and speaks directly to the hiring manager's pain points.

Tip 2 – Choose the Right Resume Format

The layout of your information changes how a recruiter perceives your career path. Choosing the correct format is critical. For detailed comparisons, check out our guide on best resume formats.

Tip 3 – Use a Clean, Consistent Layout

Your resume must be easy on the eyes. Stick to professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. For more insights, read our article on resume fonts. Maintain a font size between 10 and 12 points for body text.

Most importantly, ensure your formatting is consistent throughout. If you bold a job title in one section, do it for all. Use ample white space to prevent the document from looking cluttered. A cluttered page suggests a cluttered mind.

One of the most effective resume tips to help you land an interview is to stop sending generic applications. You must tailor your resume for every single position.

Decode the Job Description

Start by highlighting the keywords and phrases in the job description. Look for the section that lists responsibilities and required qualifications. If they ask for "Project Management" and "Agile Methodology," those exact terms need to appear on your resume.

Mirror the Language Without Buzzwords

Once you have identified the keywords, mirror them in your profile and experience sections. This is the essence of customizing your resume. However, be careful not to stuff your text with empty buzzwords like "hard worker" or "guru."

Instead of saying you are a "hard worker," explain how you "delivered a project two weeks ahead of schedule." When you align your resume to the job, you signal to the employer that you are the specific solution to their problem.

Recruiters love data. To write a strong resume, you must move beyond listing duties and start highlighting results. You need to quantify your success. Avoid making the common resume mistakes that weaken your impact.

From Duty to Achievement

Compare these two bullet points. The first focuses on duties; the second highlights key achievements.

Use Action Verbs

Start every bullet point with a powerful action verb. This makes your writing dynamic and persuasive. Here are 10 verbs to replace "Responsible for":

• Spearheaded
• Orchestrated
• Executed
• Optimized
• Accelerated
• Reduced
• Negotiated
• Developed
• Transformerd
• Generated

Always aim to highlight your strongest accomplishments with concrete numbers that prove your relevant experience.

Your resume has two tough critics: the bot and the human. Here is how to satisfy both.

Beat the Bots (ATS)

The Application Tracking System (ATS) scans for relevance. To pass:

• Use standard section headings (e.g., "Experience," not "Professional Journey").
• Avoid graphics, columns, or tables that ATS creates cannot read.
• Stick to standard file types. A .docx or a text-based .pdf is usually safest.
• incorporate keywords from the job description naturally to ensure accurate density.

Help the Hiring Manager to Skim

Once you pass the ATS, a human recruiter will glance at your document. Make it easy for the hiring manager to skim:

• Keep paragraphs short as possible.
• Use bullet points rather than dense blocks of text.
• Stick to the "F-pattern" of reading (important info on the left).
• Be concise. If a word doesn’t add value, delete it.

Don't force the recruiter to guess what you can do. Create a dedicated section for your skills. Learn which resume skills are most valuable in 2026 to stay competitive.

Hard Skills & Technical Stack

List your technical skills clearly. This includes software proficiency, languages, certifications, or machine operation. Mention your education level and any specific coursework if you are a recent graduate. You can also include volunteer work/positions here if they required specific technical abilities.

Soft Skills That Set You Apart

While hard skills get you the interview, soft skills get you the job. However, simply listing "Communication" is not enough. You must prove it.

• Teamwork: "Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch Product X."
• Leadership: "Mentored 3 junior developers..."

Focus on transferable skills that apply to the position you’re applying for, ensuring they truly set you apart from other candidates.

This is the core of your document. Your work experience section should tell the story of your professional growth.

Use the STAR Method

For each entry, context works best. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your job responsibilities:

• Situation/Task: What was the challenge?
• Action: What did you do?
• Result: What was the outcome (quantified)?

Depth and Relevance

How far back should you go? Generally, focus on the last 10-15 years. Briefly list older roles or omit short term jobs that aren't relevant. Prioritize the relevant job history that proves you can handle the role you are targeting. Limit yourself to 3-5 bullet points per role to keep the career history readable.

You are almost there. To ensure you have a good resume that is ready for submission, check these final details. Use our perfect resume checklist for a comprehensive review:

• Contact Information: Ensure your phone number is correct and use a professional email address (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com, not partyboy123@email.com).
• Consistent Tense: Use past tense for past jobs and present tense for your current role.
• Review Your Resume Aloud: This works wonders for catching awkward phrasing or typos that spellcheck misses. Read your resume slowly.
• Strong Cover Letter: Unless stated otherwise, always include a cover letter. It is your chance to show personality.

Take the time to read your resume one last time and compare it to the job description before hitting send.

Writing is subjective. What looks clear to you might be confusing to a stranger.

Peer Review & Professional Services

Ask a mentor or friend to review your draft. Ask them: "Does this clearly show my value?" For a competitive edge, consider professional help. As our career coach Jane Doe at CVtoWork says: "Candidates who invest in professional review don't just fix typos; they uncover the value proposition they didn't know they had."

Continuous Professional Development

Your resume is a living document. Update it every time you complete a project, gain a certification, or finish volunteer work. Committing to professional development ensures you are always ready to boost your chances when a dream opportunity arises.

Writing a resume doesn't have to be a nightmare. By following these 10 tips, explicitly tailoring your content, and focusing on readable, ATS-friendly formatting, you significantly increase your chances of success. A good resume opens doors—it is up to you to walk through them.

Ready to land a job? Don't leave your career to chance. [Download our Free ATS-Friendly Resume Template here] or book a session with CVtoWork for a professional review today.