The Hard Truth About Resumes

Most resumes are skimmed for less than 10 seconds before a recruiter decides to keep reading or move on. And before they even reach human eyes, many are filtered out by applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan for keywords and formatting before a person ever sees them.

The good news: a well-crafted resume cuts through both filters. Here's how to build one that works.

Start With a Strong Professional Summary

Skip the objective statement. Instead, open with a 2–3 sentence professional summary that immediately answers: "Who are you and what value do you bring?"

A strong summary example:

"Results-driven marketing manager with 7 years of experience leading multi-channel campaigns for B2B SaaS companies. Proven track record of increasing pipeline by driving demand generation strategy and cross-functional alignment. Skilled in content strategy, paid media, and marketing analytics."

Notice what this does: it's specific, it mentions relevant skills, and it communicates value immediately.

Structure Your Work Experience With Impact

Every bullet point under a job role should follow a simple formula:

[Action verb] + [what you did] + [measurable result]

  • Weak: "Responsible for managing social media accounts."
  • Strong: "Grew LinkedIn following by 40% in 6 months by implementing a consistent content calendar and engagement strategy."

Don't just describe your job description — describe your impact. Wherever possible, quantify results with numbers, percentages, or timeframes.

Optimize for ATS Without Keyword Stuffing

Most companies use ATS software to filter applications. To pass this filter:

  1. Mirror the job posting's language. If the job description says "project management," use that phrase — not "project oversight."
  2. Use a clean, simple format. Avoid tables, text boxes, graphics, and unusual fonts that ATS systems can't parse.
  3. Include a Skills section. A dedicated skills list helps ATS systems find your relevant keywords quickly.
  4. Avoid headers and footers for important content. Some ATS systems skip content placed there.

Formatting Fundamentals

  • Length: One page for under 10 years of experience; two pages for senior roles. Never more than two.
  • Font: Clean, professional fonts like Calibri, Garamond, or Arial at 10–12pt.
  • White space: Don't cram. A readable layout signals good judgment.
  • File format: Submit as a PDF unless the application specifically requests Word.
  • Contact info: Name, city/state (not full address), phone, professional email, LinkedIn URL.

Tailor Every Application

A generic resume is a mediocre resume. Before submitting any application, spend 15 minutes customizing your resume for that specific role. Adjust your summary, reorder bullet points to highlight the most relevant experience, and incorporate keywords from the job description.

Yes, this takes more time. It also dramatically increases your interview rate.

Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using an unprofessional email address
  • Including a photo (in most Western countries, this can invite bias)
  • Listing outdated or irrelevant jobs from 15+ years ago
  • Using passive language ("was responsible for") instead of active verbs
  • Forgetting to proofread — typos signal carelessness

Final Check Before You Send

Before hitting submit, run through this checklist:

  1. Does my summary reflect this specific role?
  2. Are all bullet points result-oriented with measurable impact?
  3. Does the formatting look clean on both screen and print?
  4. Have I proofread at least twice?
  5. Is this saved as a properly named PDF (e.g., Jane-Smith-Resume.pdf)?

A great resume won't get you the job — but it will get you the interview. That's its entire job. Make it count.