15 Professional Resume Tips
Proven strategies from hiring experts.
Recruiters spend 6-7 seconds scanning each resume.
These tips will help you create a document that gets noticed.
15 Professional Resume Tips
Tailor Your Resume to Each Job
A generic resume produces generic results.
Put Your Strongest Achievements First
Your most impressive accomplishments should appear first.
Use Numbers Whenever Possible
Numbers make claims credible and memorable.
Keep It to One or Two Pages
One page is ideal unless you have 15+ years of experience.
Start Bullet Points with Action Verbs
Use powerful verbs like "developed," "led," "created."
Include Relevant Keywords Naturally
ATS software scans resumes for keywords.
Write a Compelling Summary Instead of an Objective
Objectives are outdated. Use a 2-3 sentence summary.
List Skills in a Dedicated Section
Make it easy for recruiters to see what you bring.
Proofread Multiple Times
Typos and grammar errors can instantly disqualify you.
Use a Clean, Professional Format
Stick to clean layouts with consistent fonts.
Include Your LinkedIn Profile
Most recruiters will search for you anyway.
Focus on Recent Experience
The last 10-15 years are most relevant.
Show Career Progression
Recruiters want to see growth.
Remove Outdated Information
"References available," photos, and high school details should be removed.
Save and Send as a PDF
PDFs preserve formatting exactly as intended.
What Recruiters Actually Look For
Here's what experienced recruiters look for in those first seconds:
- •Clear Job Titles At recognizable companies with roles matching the position
- •Quantifiable Results Numbers that show impact, not just responsibilities
- •Relevant Skills Appearing in the top third of the resume
- •Stable Work History Not too many short stints (unless a contractor)
- •Attention to Detail Demonstrated through error-free presentation
How to Stand Out From the Competition
Strategies to help you rise above other candidates:
Match the Company Culture
Research the company and adjust your tone accordingly.
Highlight Transferable Skills
Focus on skills that apply across industries.
Include Relevant Projects
Create a dedicated section for impressive projects.
Show Continuous Learning
Certifications demonstrate commitment to growth.
Quick Checklist Before Submitting
Run through this checklist every time you send a resume:
- Contact information is current and professional
- Resume is tailored to this specific job
- No spelling or grammar errors
- All dates and company names are accurate
- File is saved as PDF with a professional name
- LinkedIn profile matches resume content
- At least one other person has reviewed it
Ready to Create Your Resume?
A great resume is your ticket to more interviews and better job opportunities.
With CVFREE, you can choose from professional templates and download a polished PDF in minutes.