Keep it simple. A simple format is easier for text programs to screen and easier for recruiters to read.
Use a basic font. The best font to use is Times New Roman or Calibri. Use 10 to 11 point. Use bold to highlight job titles and employers.
Use bullets. Less is more when it comes to words on a resume. Use brief action-oriented sentences that describe your role at each employer. I did this and the result was that.
Employers like to see quantifiable achievements on resumes. Include numbers wherever possible and use numbers not words when you’re listing them.
Make sure you meet the qualifications. If you don’t, consider applying for another job.
Don’t send the same generic resume in for every job. Include the qualifications and skills the company is looking for.
The employer wants to know what you accomplished, not just what you did. Focus your resume on what you achieved in each job.
Make sure your resume matches the job posting. The closer a match your resume is to the job qualifications, the better your chance of getting selected for an interview.
Get rid of very old jobs. You don’t need to include all your work experience on your resume. If you have a lengthy work history, ten to 15 years is plenty.
Get rid of non-essential information. Your resume is professional, not personal. You should not include information about your personal life, family or hobbies or anything else not related to work.
Check for typos. Don’t think a spelling or grammatical error won’t get picked up. The mistake will jump right off the page and get noticed.
Save the resume as a PDF and you won’t have to worry about funky formatting or the recruiter seeing a garbled mess.