Top 5 Resume Writing Tips (2024)

1. Be strategic

Your resume isn’t a list of everything you’ve ever done. Carefully curate the experiences that best capture your skills and problem-solving abilities. Rather than using generic headers like “work” and “volunteering,” use tailored headings that are more descriptive of your experiences to group similar positions together, such as “research,” “international experience,” “teaching experience” and “leadership experience.”

2. Keep it consistent

No matter what formatting choice you make, maintain editorial consistency by using that format throughout the document. For example, if one header is in a bold font, make sure all headers are bolded. Each position on your resume should include a title, place of employment, location and date range or year. Resumes that are free of errors with consistent formatting convey attention to detail and professionalism.

3. Include a variety of experiences

Paid employment isn’t the only thing that matters to employers. Leadership positions, student organizations, volunteering, internships, service-learning, philanthropy, projects, freelancing, study abroad and part-time positions can all be great examples of your skills and personality. In professional documents, how you write about your experiences often matters more than the experiences themselves.

4. Think like an employer

Employers spend an average of six seconds per resume (at least at first glance!). Take the time to scan your document with fresh eyes and to make sure everything on the page is relevant for the specific job for which you’re applying. You want employers to clearly see the connection between your experience and their open position.

5. Keep it visually balanced

The form and function of a resume is for an employer to quickly scan and get an overview of your professional experience. Strong resumes have a balance of black and white space, meaning you want to avoid an overwhelming amount of text or an overwhelming amount of empty space. Pick a legible font and avoid using text smaller than 10 points. Don’t include any photos and keep graphics to a minimum. If you choose to use color text, make sure everything is legible when the document is printed in black and white.

Top 5 Resume Writing Tips (2024)

FAQs

What were the five tips on resume writing? ›

Here are some helpful tips from Texas Career Engagement to get your resume ready and in tiptop shape:
  • Be strategic. Your resume isn't a list of everything you've ever done. ...
  • Keep it consistent. ...
  • Include a variety of experiences. ...
  • Think like an employer. ...
  • Keep it visually balanced.
Jan 27, 2021

What are the 3 important elements of a well written resume? ›

The five basic but important elements to include in your resume should be: a heading, your objective, skills and experience, education, certifications and awards, interests and finally, references.

What are the main 3 tips when writing your experience in a resume CV? ›

Only list work experience on a resume that is relevant to the job you're applying to. Speak in the past tense when the job is complete, present when you're still doing the work. Cut out unnecessary filler words or adjectives. Align your job history bullet points to match the job description.

What are the 7 basic steps to write the perfect resume? ›

How to write a perfect resume
  • Choose a format. The first step in writing the perfect resume is choosing the best format for you. ...
  • Start with your contact information. ...
  • Include a professional summary. ...
  • Summarize your work experience. ...
  • Highlight your skills. ...
  • Add your education. ...
  • Include your certifications. ...
  • Showcase your personality.
Jun 16, 2023

What are the 5 P's of a resume? ›

The 5 P's of a resume emphasize its important aspects: Purpose, Presentation, Precision, Proofreading, and Personalization. These elements focus on the resume's goal, its visual layout, accuracy in details, error-free content, and tailoring for the job applied for.

What are the 4 C's of resume writing? ›

Proofread Your Resume Using the “4 Cs”
  • Copyedits. Copyediting includes looking for and fixing spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. ...
  • Clarity. When editing for clarity, you should make sure that your sentences convey exactly what you intend. ...
  • Consistency. ...
  • Colleagues.
Feb 10, 2022

What are the 5 main things your CV should include? ›

Every CV should include the following sections: Contact Information, CV Profile, Work Experience, Education, Skills. Good additional sections to put on a CV are: Certifications, Associations, Languages, Extra Training and Courses, Conferences, Publications, or Awards.

What is the rule of three on a resume? ›

Resume Tips and the Rule of Three R's. To ensure your resume leaves a great impression on everyone who reads it, be sure to follow the three R's of resume writing: Relevance, Results and Realism. These three categories will help you craft a marketing document that leaves employers with a great first impression.

How do I make my resume stand out? ›

Quick Resume Tips:
  1. Use the position description to decide what to include.
  2. Pick a standard and consistent format.
  3. Describe your experiences with specificity and strong action verbs.
  4. Record accomplishments and contributions, not just responsibilities.
  5. Revise carefully!

Do and don'ts on resume? ›

Making it Look Amazing
  • Do Keep it to One Page. ...
  • Don't Squish it All In. ...
  • Do Consider a Creative or Digital Resume. ...
  • Don't Spend All Your Time on the Design. ...
  • Do Start From a Template. ...
  • Don't Use More Than 2 Fonts. ...
  • Do Make Sure Your Job Titles or Companies Stand Out. ...
  • Don't Go Overboard With Text Effects.

How to write a strong resume? ›

Resume Writing Do's
  1. Keep your resume clear and concise. ...
  2. Proofread your resume numerous times. ...
  3. Limit your resume to two pages. ...
  4. Tailor your resume to suit the position you are applying for. ...
  5. Highlight what you have accomplished. ...
  6. Be honest. ...
  7. Quantify your achievements. ...
  8. Use simple words and action verbs.

What not to remember for a resume? ›

11 things not to put on your resume
  • Too much information. ...
  • A solid wall of text. ...
  • Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. ...
  • Inaccuracies about your qualifications or experience. ...
  • Unnecessary personal information. ...
  • Your age. ...
  • Negative comments about a former employer. ...
  • Too many details about your hobbies and interests.
Feb 3, 2023

What are the three 3 essential elements in a strongly written resume? ›

When it comes to making a job winning resume, most candidates miss out on the 3 most essential elements. These elements are: a strong storyline, tailored to the job, and a professional writing style. Each one of these is extremely essential.

What are 7 main crucial contents in a resume? ›

Key Elements of a Resume
  • Personal Information. Name Current and Permanent address (may be omitted from a resume posted on the web) ...
  • Objective. In one short sentence summarize your goal for your job search. ...
  • Education. ...
  • Work and Related Experience. ...
  • Awards and Honors. ...
  • Activities/Hobbies. ...
  • Skills. ...
  • References (3-5 people)

What are the 5 tips to writing a cover letter? ›

How to write a cover letter for a job: 5 essential tips
  • Customize your letter. ...
  • Supplement your resume, don't repeat it. ...
  • Include keywords and supporting details. ...
  • Address any missing pieces. ...
  • Proofread and ask for feedback.

What are five format tips for a resume on Quizlet? ›

  • List your education first if a recent graduate.
  • Record & describe all practicum assignments. ...
  • Write accomplishments in terms of developing a career. ...
  • Note any special distinctions or honors.
  • Make sure that all information is correct.
  • Check for spelling mistakes & typographical errors.
  • Do not use undefined abbreviations.

What are the five main categories of information that must be on a resume? ›

How many sections should be on a resume? At a minimum, include five sections: contact information, professional summary, work experience, skills and education. You can include additional sections as long as they're relevant to the job and can fit on one page.

What are 3 stylistic do's and don'ts for writing your resume? ›

Do's & Don'ts of Resume Writing
  • Determine your job search objective prior to writing the resume and tailor your resume for the position.
  • Customize your resume to match a specific job description. ...
  • Focus on positive results and accomplishments.
  • Keep a consistent, easily-readable format.

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