How to Write a Resume That Gets You Hired: Practical Tips for Jobseekers
A strong resume may not guarantee a job offer, but it can greatly improve your chances of being noticed, securing interviews and standing out in a competitive job market. Your resume is often the first impression an employer has of you and is sometimes the deciding factor in whether you move forward in the hiring process.
This guide walks you through clear, practical resume-writing tips to help you present your skills confidently and professionally.
1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job
Sending the same resume to every role is one of the most common mistakes jobseekers make. Employers want to see how your experience fits their needs — not a generic list of skills.
How to tailor your resume effectively:
Use keywords from the job posting – naturally, not repeatedly.
Highlight responsibilities and achievements that match what the employer is looking for.
Adjust your personal summary to reflect the specific role.
The more closely your resume reflects the job description, the stronger your chances of being shortlisted.
2. Highlight Relevant Experience First
Employers often scan resumes quickly. Make it easy for them to see why you’re the right fit.
To make your experience stand out:
List your most relevant experience at the top of your work history.
Use bullet points for clarity.
Focus on achievements, not just tasks.
Use action verbs like led, improved, created, coordinated or managed.
Example: Instead of: “Handled customer enquiries.” Try: “Resolved 50+ customer enquiries per day, improving satisfaction scores by 15%.”
This communicates both skill and impact.
3. Be Honest — Accuracy Builds Trust
Honesty is essential when writing a resume. Employers may check:
Job titles
Employment dates
Qualifications
Portfolio samples
Skill claims
A truthful resume protects your integrity, prevents issues during reference checks and builds trust from the start.
4. Research the Company and Job Role
A resume that matches the employer’s needs shows that you’ve done your research and that you’re genuinely interested.
Before updating your resume, make sure to:
Read the job description carefully.
Visit the company website.
Understand the skills and traits they value.
Note recurring keywords or responsibilities.
You can then reflect these insights in:
Your personal profile
Your skills section
Your work experience bullet points
This helps your resume align naturally with employer expectations.
5. Be Concise but Provide Enough Detail
A strong resume is clear, easy to scan and straight to the point. Employers don’t want long paragraphs but they do want meaningful information.
Aim for:
Clear bullet points
Short, direct sentences
Enough detail to show your achievements and responsibilities
Consistent, clean formatting throughout
Keep your resume to 1–2 pages, unless the role or industry requires more (such as academia or senior leadership).
6. Write a Strong Personal Profile
Your personal profile sits at the top of your resume and should briefly describe:
Who you are professionally
Your main strengths
The value you bring
The type of role you’re seeking
Keep it to 3–4 sentences and avoid meaningless buzzwords like “hardworking,” “motivated,” or “enthusiastic.”
Example:
“Detail-oriented professional with experience in customer support and conflict resolution. Skilled in communication, problem-solving and building strong client relationships. Looking to contribute these strengths to a fast-paced, customer-focused team.”
7. Keep the Design Simple and Professional
Your resume should be visually clean, easy to read and well-structured.
Good resume design includes:
Professional fonts (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, etc.)
Clear section headings
Consistent spacing
A simple, uncluttered layout
No unnecessary graphics, colours or photos
Employers care most about your experience — not decorative elements.
8. Avoid Common Resume Mistakes
Small errors can leave a negative impression. Try to avoid:
Spelling and grammar mistakes
Overly long descriptions
Listing irrelevant jobs or outdated skills
Including unnecessary personal details
Using unprofessional email addresses
Always proofread before submitting your resume.
Conclusion: Make Your Resume a Tool That Works for You
These tips can significantly improve your chances of being shortlisted, but no resume can guarantee a job offer. Hiring decisions depend on many factors, including interviews and employer requirements. Your resume’s job is to help you get noticed — and these strategies make that far more likely.
A well-written resume is one of the most important tools in your job search. By tailoring your application, highlighting relevant experience, being honest, researching the company and keeping your writing concise yet detailed, you create a resume that showcases your strengths and helps you stand out from the competition.