1. Keep It Simple

Unless you’re applying for a design role, a clean, simple layout is best.

  • Use clear section headings and make them stand out with bold type, capital letters, and/or a different color.
  • Make sure there’s plenty of white space—an overstuffed resume is hard to read.
  • Skip the fancy graphics, pie charts, and illustrations, which don’t play well with resume-scanning software.

 

2. Use a Summary Statement Instead of an Objective

A resume objective (“Seeking a senior-level product management role in the fintech space”) tells the recruiter what you want. A summary statement, on the other hand, explains what value you can bring to them.

 

3. Spotlight Key Skills

Whether you put your skills section at the top of your resume (like the example here) or at the bottom, after your work experience, make sure the skills you list match the requirements for the job you’re applying to. Not sure what those are? Read the job description carefully to see which skills, programs, and keywords are mentioned. If there’s a requirement or responsibility listed in the job description that you’ve performed in a current or previous role, it should be on your resume.

 

4. Put Your Latest Experience First

Recruiters still prefer the traditional reverse chronological format, where you list your current or most recent job first.

 

5. Break It Down

For each job, list out your responsibilities and accomplishments in easy-to-skim bullets, not in paragraphs, which look denser and harder to read. Make sure you start each of these bullets with a strong action verb.

 

6. Consider Adding Volunteer or Other Experience

Listing volunteer work or other interests can add personality to your resume and help you seem more three-dimensional. These experiences can also help you highlight transferable skills you’ve gained outside of the workplace.