Struggling to write that perfect resume? We get you! We live in a highly competitive world, and our resume is not only a summary of our experiences, but it’s also a source for future employers to learn more about us. It is your first impression, a quick pitch, and your only chance to make a lasting impression before landing the interview.
A well-written resume can be a game-changer, serving as a pathway to secure top interviews at leading companies.
Alternatively, if your resume lacks spark, relevance, clarity, or fails to make an impact, then you will find yourself on the negative side of the job search. It might be weeks or months before they even notice you.
So, the burning question is “How to write a resume that gets you where you want to be in 2025?”
Not to worry, we will cover every aspect of what you need to know to create a resume that stands out! Beginning with formatting, keywords, and must-have sections that recruiters are looking for.
Read on to learn more about how to write a resume that works as a highly impactful career tool.
Choose a Resume Format and Layout that Works for You
Before diving into your resume content, it is essential to choose a resume format and layout that works effectively. Hiring managers do not initially notice the content; instead, they pay special attention to the appearance of your resume. So choose a clean and professional design that makes a lasting impression and captures the recruiter’s attention. On the other hand, a cluttered layout would be dismissed within minutes.
Here are three commonly used formats:
- Reverse-Chronological Format: One of the most popular and widely accepted resume formats among working professionals with steady employment in the same field. The uniqueness of the format lies in its listing of work experience from the most recent to the oldest.
- Functional Format: This format focuses more on the skills aspect and highlights abilities, even if there is limited or no experience. The format is perfect for freshers, career changers, or those with employment gaps.
- Hybrid (combination format): Best suited for experienced individuals and those with diverse skill sets. It combines both skills and work experience, showcasing a varied background across multiple areas.
Now that you have chosen the format that best suits your needs, it is time to design the layout. Ensure that it remains clean and legible. Furthermore, you can follow the one-page rule or consider a two-pager, provided your experience exceeds 10 years. Section headings must be clear, ensuring you use the available space effectively. Always ensure to use bullet points and avoid unnecessary graphics.
Remember, the right format and layout will ensure your resume gets the attention that it deserves!
Don’t Miss Out on that Interview Mail – Add Contact Details Accurately
Wow! Your layout and formatting are done. It is now time to fill in the correct and accurate information. First, there is the section about your contact information. The contents in this section seem straightforward. However, they are the most critical to your resume. This is where hiring managers look for details to reach you. Therefore, you must make it easy for them to get in touch with you quickly and easily.
It is no use having a perfect resume with a misspelled email address or an incorrect contact number.
Here is how your contact details should be given:
- Full Name
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Address
Additionally, optional information can include:
Job Title, LinkedIn Profile, Social Media Profile, social media (personal accounts), and specialist profiles (such as developers and graphic designers) can include personal IDs on GitHub, Behance, or Driblle.
Avoid these:
Your Date of birth: Hiring managers do not need to know your age, as it may lead to discrimination.
Quirky or Childish Emails: Include a professional email address, preferably one from Gmail or another official domain. Email IDs that resemble superstarninja@yahoo.com must be avoided.
Say Who You Are With an Impactful Resume Headline
No doubt, recruiters spend an average of six seconds on every resume. No blaming them there; when hundreds of resumes are received for a particular role, it’s humanly impossible to spend more than six to seven seconds. The best way to grab their attention would be to say who you are, followed by the “headline” of your resume, and then a summary.
The summary must include the job title with the total number of years of experience in the role. Please mention your top achievement and essential responsibilities, along with the skills required for the role.
Here is an example:
Role – Front-End Developer
Headline
Creative Front End Developer /UI Focused /HTML, React, JavaScript
Summary
UI/UX-focused front-end developer with over 3 years of experience, possessing a keen eye for clean interfaces and interactive experiences. Led agile teams to deliver high-impact products.
Highlight Work Experience – Present a Competitive Edge
You have reached the most crucial phase of your resume, “work experience”. Showcasing your work experience is a unique strategy that requires finesse and has a significant impact. It’s the ability to sell yourself by highlighting the critical work done, as well as the value you delivered.
Here’s a list of details to include for each of your work experiences:
- Job Title
- Company Name
- Timeframe of employment
- Key Achievements and Responsibilities
Remember, start from your latest job role first and follow it with the earlier job roles.
Also, highlight, or rather “blow your trumpet” on all your achievements. It showcases your competitiveness and makes you stand out from the rest.
For example,
Instead of a general statement such as “Reached out to our client, resulting in consistent leads.”
Say
“Exceeded sales target by more than 50% within the first half of the financial year”.
A few tips for you:
- Tweak your resume and tailor it for each job application. Include only the most relevant one.
- Avoid lengthy content on work experience. For example, a senior-level experience should span 12 to 15 years.
- Job seekers applying for their first job must list internships, extracurricular activities, and volunteering, among other relevant experiences.
Make it ATS-Compatible
Nearly 60-70% of resumes never reach the employer. It is not that your resume is not good enough, but it is not built to bypass ATS. An Applicant Tracking System is an automated software that filters resumes that do not meet the job criteria. You do fit the profile, but because you haven’t used the keywords that the ATS software is looking for, it will automatically be rejected.
Here are some ways to work around it:
Make it a one-pager. Most resumes are rejected because they are too long. Unless it is necessary, let your resume be a one-pager.
Keywords: Use the keywords used in the job description. For example, understand the type of skills, tools, and experience required and incorporate them naturally into the resume.
Use action verbs and keep the tone in the active voice: Keep the tone of your resume in the active voice and use action words “created”, “optimized”, “led”, etc.
Follow the above tips, and your resume will breeze past the ATS software like a charm. Above all, you will make the best impression, and what’s more, you will get the interview call from your dream company!
List your Academic Qualifications in the Right Order
Your educational qualifications form the basis of your academic aspirations and background. It is very critical data that gives a quick snapshot of your education to your future employers.
Here’s what it should include:
What did you major in
Mention the degree and the area of study.
Example”Bachelor of Science(B.Sc) in Computer Science
State the full name of the institution
Example “Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi”
When did you attend
Use a single format like MM/YYYY- MM/YYYY
Example: “06/2020 – 06.2025”
You may include the location details if they are globally recognized. Further mention academic excellence, such as first class with distinction, etc. Relevant projects that will play a role in the job you are applying for can be mentioned, along with applicable minor subjects.
Highlight Technical and soft skills.
After reviewing your work experience, the hiring manager typically looks for a specific skill set. Your work experience and skill sets, combined, account for approximately 90% of hiring decisions. Therefore, you must mention the right skills as required in the job description.
This section offers you an opportunity to prove that you have the qualifications, work experience, and necessary skills to perform the job.
Skills include your hard skills, which are job-specific, teachable, and measurable, and soft skills, which represent your personal attributes and people skills.
Examples:
Hard Skills – Programming languages such as Python, Java, or SQL; CRM tools like Salesforce or HubSpot; financial forecasting; SEO optimization, etc.
Soft Skills – Communication, Problem-solving techniques, Leadership capabilities, Time management, adaptability, etc
Finally, it is critical to understand that your resume is more than just a list of past jobs, but a “highlight reel” that offers you that one chance to make a good impression before you land the interview. Beginning from beating the ATS software to letting your resume stand out from others, every section must offer value, capability and impact, So write yours with a purpose, meaning you are someone that can be counted on to solve problems, ignite the right ideas, and drive the desired results.
