Your resume is often the first introduction an employer has to you. It should make it easy for a hiring manager to understand what you do, what you have accomplished, and how your experience relates to the position you want.
A strong resume does not need to include every job, task, or responsibility you have ever held. Instead, it should present the skills and experience that best show why you are a good fit for the role.
Start With the Job Description
Before updating your resume, carefully read the job posting. Look for the qualifications, responsibilities, and skills the employer emphasizes.
For example, if a posting mentions client communication, case management, organization, and attention to detail, identify examples from your background that demonstrate those strengths. Then, use similar language in your resume when it accurately reflects your experience.
This helps employers quickly see the connection between your qualifications and their needs.
Use a Clear, Easy-to-Read Format
Employers may review many resumes in a short amount of time, so clarity matters. Use a clean layout with consistent headings, readable fonts, and enough white space to keep the document from feeling crowded.
Most resumes include these sections:
- Contact information, including your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile if applicable
- A brief professional summary
- Relevant skills
- Work experience
- Education, certifications, licenses, or professional training
- Volunteer experience or professional affiliations, when relevant
Keep your resume focused. In most cases, one or two pages is appropriate.
Write a Strong Professional Summary
A professional summary is a short introduction near the top of your resume. It should identify your background, strengths, and the value you bring to an employer.
Rather than using a generic statement such as “Seeking a challenging position,” describe your experience and capabilities.
Example: Detail-oriented administrative professional with five years of experience supporting client services, managing records, and coordinating schedules. Known for strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills in fast-paced environments.
Tailor this section to the kind of position you are pursuing.
Focus on Accomplishments, Not Just Duties
Job titles and responsibilities matter, but accomplishments give employers a clearer picture of your impact. Instead of simply listing what you were assigned to do, explain what you achieved, improved, supported, or helped accomplish.
Basic duty: Answered phones and scheduled appointments.
Stronger accomplishment-focused version: Managed appointment scheduling and client communications for a high-volume office, helping maintain timely service and accurate records.
Whenever possible, use specific details. You may be able to include the number of clients served, projects completed, events coordinated, team members supported, or processes improved.
Highlight Transferable Skills
Transferable skills are abilities that apply across different jobs and industries. They are especially helpful if you are changing careers, returning to the workforce, or applying for a role that differs from your previous positions.
Common transferable skills include:
- Written and verbal communication
- Customer or client service
- Time management and organization
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Data entry and recordkeeping
- Project coordination
- Leadership and training
- Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or other workplace technology
- Attention to detail
Think broadly about your experience. Volunteer roles, caregiving responsibilities, internships, school projects, military service, and community involvement may all demonstrate valuable professional skills.
Use Keywords Naturally
Many employers use applicant tracking systems to organize and review applications. These systems may scan resumes for skills, job titles, and other terms connected to the job posting.
Use relevant keywords from the posting throughout your resume, especially in your skills and work experience sections. However, only include terms that genuinely reflect your abilities and experience.
Avoid copying an entire job description or adding skills you do not have. An effective resume is both tailored and truthful.
Tailor Your Resume for Each Opportunity
You do not necessarily need to rewrite your entire resume for every application. However, you should adjust the summary, skills, and bullet points so the most relevant qualifications appear first.
If you are applying for a customer service role, emphasize communication, relationship-building, conflict resolution, and service experience. If you are applying for a project coordination role, focus on planning, organization, deadlines, documentation, and collaboration.
A targeted resume is more likely to stand out than one general document sent to every employer.
Proofread Before You Apply
Small errors can distract from an otherwise strong resume. Before submitting it, review the document carefully for spelling, grammar, formatting, and date errors.
It can also help to ask a trusted colleague, mentor, friend, or career professional to review it. A second set of eyes may catch unclear wording or identify strengths you did not fully emphasize.
Keep Your Resume Current
Update your resume regularly, even when you are not actively applying for a job. Add new responsibilities, accomplishments, certifications, volunteer work, and skills as they happen.
Keeping an updated version makes it easier to respond quickly when a new opportunity becomes available.
A well-written resume gives employers a clear, confident picture of your experience and potential. By focusing on relevant skills, measurable accomplishments, and the needs of each position, you can create a document that helps move your job search forward.