How to Write a Resume for a Job that Gets Interviews: Your resume is the first impression you’ll be making on your employer. In a crowded job market, your resume is going to be your most powerful tool — after all, that is what will contain all of your skills, work history, and personal information for the hiring managers to make their first choice.
We’re going to explore what winning resumes look like, take in the habits of the pros, and find out what you can do to get the results that give you the greatest chances of getting interview calls stacked in your favor.
1. Know Why You Are Writing a Resume
Your resume isn’t your life story; it’s a marketing document designed to accomplish the following:
- Show off your skills and accomplishments.
- Demonstrate that you’re a strong match for the job.
- Persuade the hiring manager to bring you in for an interview.
Golden Rule: Personalize your resume for every job application to match the job description.
2. Opt for the Correct Resume Type
Three primary types of resume format:
A. Chronological Resume (Best for Most Job Seekers)
- Work Experience: Experience should be listed in reverse chronological order.
- Great for people who just keep on truckin.
B. Functional (or Skills-based)
Resume Format: You can also create a modern-looking resume by using a format that places a great deal of your expertise and skills at the top of the page.
- Focuses on skills instead of work history.
- Ideal for career changers, gaps in employment, or freelancers.
C. Prospecting (Combination) Type of Resume
- Combines chronological and functional designs.
- Pros: Good fit for strong-skilled, experienced professionals.
Pro Tip: Unless you have large gaps, use the reverse-chronological format for your Warehouse resume—it’s what recruiters are after.
3. Critical Parts of an Above-the-Fold Resume
A. Contact Information
- Full name
- Work email address (first.last@gmail.com)
- Phone number
- LinkedIn profile (optional but note recommended)
- Portfolio/website (if any)
- Don’t: Unprofessional email (coolguy123@yahoo.com).
B. Summary Statement (or Objective)
Summary (for experienced professionals):
- A 2-3 line “elevator pitch” for your level of skill.
- Example: *”Results-oriented marketing manager with 5+ years experience in digital campaigns, organic search, and lead generation. Proven ability to grow brand engagement by 40%.” *
Objective (Entry Level/Fresh Graduates):
- Focus on career goals.
- Sample 1: “I am a recent graduate of Business Administration, looking to work as a marketing trainee to leverage my passion and analytical skills for consumer behavior.”
C. Professional Experience (The Most Important Section)
- If you have held several jobs, list them in reverse order.
- Express in bullet points, not paragraphs.
- Begin with an action verb. (For instance, Managed, Led, Increased, Developed).
- Use the CAR (Challenge-Action-Result)
- Challenge: What was the challenge?
- Action: What did you do?
- Result: What was the outcome? (Use numbers!)
Example: “Improved sales by 30% through introduction of a new CRM system and training of the sales team on best practice.”
Avoid:
- Such bland language as “Responsible for the oversight of projects.”
- Don’t just catalogue every item on your to-do list; highlight accomplishments.
D. Skills Section
- Hard Skills: Technical know-how (e.g., Python, Google Analytics, Photoshop).
- Soft Skills: The interpersonal characteristics(eg , Leadership, Communication).
- Skill your prestige to the job spec.
Pro Tip: Combine general skills (applicable to most jobs) with a few specialized skills (specific to the position).
E. Education
- Degree University Graduation Year.
- List GPA if >3.5 (optional).
- Relevant course (for fresh graduates)
F. Other Sections (If necessary)
- Certifications (PMP, Google Analytics, etc.).
- Projects (Good for students or those in tech).
- Extracurricular activities add even more sparkle to the CV (Shows initiative).
- Languages (If multilingual).
4. Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
ATS software is often used by companies to screen resumes before a human does. To pass:
- Use the words in the job description.
- Use boilerplate section headings (for example, “Work Experience”, not “Professional Journey”).
- Do not include images, tables, or fonts other than a standard one (ATS can’t read them).
- Save as a PDF (unless Word is requested).
5. Design & Readability Tips
- Keep it neat and professional (1 page for <10 years of experience, 2 pages max).
- The typeface should be Arial or Calibri, or Times New Roman, font size 10-12.
- Use bullets so that they can be easily read.
- White space is your friend — don’t clutter.
- Avoid: Colors/graphics (unless you’re in a creative field).
6. Proofread & Get Feedback
- Typos murder prospects — use Grammarly or Hemingway Editor.
- Read out loud to hear awkward phrasing.
- Have a friend or mentor read over it.
7. Customize for Each Job
- Tailor keywords, skills, and summary to the job listing.
- Emphasize Relevant Accomplishments for the Role.
Last Check Before You Send It Out!
Written for the specific job description
Clear and concise, and free from mistakes
ATS-friendly format
Professional contact info
The right length (1-2 pages)
A good resume doesn’t just summarize your past — it tells potential employers why you will be valuable in their future, because only you can do these things. And after following those steps,
you’ll have a resume that actually gets you interviews, stands out for the right reasons, and looks good to both applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers.
