How to Make Your Resume Stand Out and Get Noticed

To maximize your chances of landing interviews, your resume must be tailored to each specific job application. A generic resume often gets overlooked, especially by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and time-strapped recruiters. Here’s how to make your resume stand out:

We know that seems like a lot of work, changing your key words to match each new job posting. Trust us it is worth it to get your resume noticed.

1. Use Keywords from the Job Description

• Why it matters: Most companies use ATS to filter resumes based on specific keywords.
• What to do: Carefully read the job posting and identify key terms related to skills, tools, certifications, or responsibilities. Naturally, incorporate these into your resume, especially in the summary, skills, and work experience sections.

2. Highlight Relevant Experience

• Why it matters: Recruiters often spend only 6–8 seconds on an initial resume scan.
• What to do: Put your most relevant experience first. Even if a past job wasn’t recent, emphasize it if it aligns well with the job you’re applying for. Remove or downplay unrelated experience that doesn’t support your application.

3. Quantify Your Achievements

• Why it matters: Numbers provide proof of impact and help you stand out.
• What to do: Instead of vague duties, show measurable results. For example:
  •  “Increased sales by 25% in Q2 by implementing a new email marketing strategy.”
  • “Responsible for sales and marketing efforts.”

4. Keep Language Clear and Concise

• Why it matters: Clarity is key when time is short.
• What to do: Use action verbs (e.g., “led,” “developed,” “improved”) and avoid buzzwords or jargon. Write in bullet points, not long paragraphs.
• Role specific: Make sure that -at a glance- anybody glancing will know what role you seek

5. Focus on Visual Appeal

• Why it matters: A visually clean resume is easier to scan and more professional.
• What to do:
  • Use a clean, modern layout with plenty of white space.
  • Stick to readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica.
  • Avoid excessive colors or graphics unless you’re in a creative field.

Bonus Tips:

• Customize your summary or objective statement for each role
• If you are transferring to a new role or new industry for you – one in which you have not worked- make a skills summary near the top that allows you to highlight relevant transferrable skills.
• If you have zigged and zagged ; use your summary to absolutely clarify what you intend to work at for the future
• Find a referral to the company and role by conducting informational interviews or networking to get to know people at your target companies of choice- Does not need to be a senior person- if someone there agrees to refer you into the role, you potentially stand out more
• Use a consistent format (dates, job titles, bullet points).
• Save and send as a PDF unless otherwise requested.