How to Make Your Resume Recruiter-Friendly

I've reviewed 2,000+ resumes this year. Avoid these mistakes that 90% make. 1. Generic Summaries ❌ "Motivated professional seeking opportunities to leverage my skills..." ✅ "Marketing Director who increased e-commerce revenue 47% through data-driven campaigns and strategic partnerships." 2. Missing Numbers ❌ "Led large team and improved sales." ✅ "Led 15-person sales team to deliver $3.2M in new business, exceeding targets by 28%." 3. Cluttered Formatting ❌ Tiny margins, dense paragraphs, and multiple fonts. ✅ Clean headers, consistent bullet points, and enough white space for easy scanning. 4. Outdated Information ❌ Listing your high school achievements and every job since college. ✅ Your most relevant accomplishments from the past 10-15 years that showcase your career progression. 5. RESPONSIBILITY LISTS ❌ "Responsible for managing client relationships and handling complaints." ✅ "Retained 98% of key accounts and turned 3 dissatisfied clients into top referral sources." 6. ATS-UNFRIENDLY DESIGN ❌ Creative formats with graphics, text boxes, and unique fonts. ✅ Clean, standard formatting with relevant keywords that match the job description. Your resume has 7 seconds to make an impression.  Use these tips to make them count. Share this to help others level up their resume! 📈 And follow me for more advice like this.

You’ve been getting the wrong advice: YOUR RESUME SHOULD NOT STAND OUT. If you think making your resume "pop" with unique elements will improve it. Just stop! Flashy colors and fancy designs might catch the eye, but they won't necessarily land you the job. Here’s how to ensure your resume makes the impact you need: 1. Focus on clarity and readability: -  Your resume should clearly communicate your skills and experience, so avoid jargon. - Make sure key details like your experience and qualifications are easy to find. - Use bullet points and headers to organize information logically. 2. Stick to a clean, professional layout -  Use a classic font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in a readable size (10-12 points). - Your resume should be consistent throughout. - Use bold and italics sparingly to emphasize key points. 3. Tell a compelling story - Instead of listing duties, focus on accomplishments. - Quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 30%"). - Customize your resume for each job application; don't just send it to every interviewer. 4. Include relevant keywords - Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. - Include keywords from the job description to increase your chances of clearing the ATS filters. 5. Keep it concise - Limit your resume to one or two pages. - Include only relevant information that showcases your qualifications for the role. Most interviewers take a few seconds to read your resume, so it should be skimmable, and provide all necessary details. ----------------------------------------- Hi, I'm Shreya - a recruiter and a professional career coach. Follow along as I share insights on building an impactful resume and cracking your next interview.

⚡ Your résumé has about six seconds to grab a recruiter’s attention—so why not give it superpowers? Here’s a quick playbook for turning AI into your personal résumé architect: 1. Start with a “master brag doc.” Dump every win—metrics, projects, promotions—into a single Notion or Google Sheet. The richer your raw material, the smarter your AI output. 2. Feed the machine the right prompt. Paste the job description + highlights from your brag doc into ChatGPT (or Claude) and ask: “Craft a one-page résumé that mirrors this JD’s keywords but keeps an authentic, human tone. Prioritize measurable results.” Iterate until it sounds like you on your best day. 3. Pressure-test with an ATS lens. Run the draft through AI scanners like Resume Worded or Jobscan. Tweak anything that scores low on keyword match or readability. 4. Polish the language. Tools like Grammarly or Wordtune catch sneaky tense shifts and passive voice. One click = instant executive tone. 5. Design like a pro—without being one. Canva’s AI layout suggestions or Rezi’s auto-formatting keep white space, headings, and font hierarchy recruiter-friendly. 6. Keep a “résumé remix” bank. Save each tailored version to a folder named after the company. Next time a similar role pops up, you’re 80 % done. 💡 Pro tip: Combine AI speed with human nuance. After polishing, read it aloud; if it doesn’t sound like something you’d say in conversation, tweak until it does. Ready to let algorithms handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on nailing the interview? Drop your favorite AI résumé hack—or your biggest struggle—in the comments. Let’s trade secrets! 🔄💬 #ResumeTips #AI #CareerGrowth #JobSearch

Your resume does not speak for itself. Hiring managers are busy. And recruiters are skimming. If it’s not on your resume, they won’t know it happened. You might be the one people count on to clean up a mess, Catch mistakes, or handle complex work without fanfare. But if your resume doesn’t show how you contributed, They won’t connect the dots. Here’s 6 ways to show your value clearly and credibly: 1️⃣ Lead with outcomes ↳ Begin each bullet with the result you drove, whether it was increased revenue, improved processes, or reduced risk. ↳ Then show what you did to get there. 2️⃣ Add business context ↳ Frame your contributions within the bigger picture. ↳ Were you fixing a broken workflow, supporting a major launch, or helping scale operations? 3️⃣ Quantify where you can ↳ Use numbers to give your work weight (dollar impact, time saved, adoption rates, or campaign reach). ↳ If you don’t have exact data, estimate based on available context. 4️⃣ Highlight collaboration ↳ Mention who you partnered with (Sales, Product, Ops) and how that alignment made the work stronger. ↳ Collaboration shows trust and influence beyond your direct lane. 5️⃣ Name the tools + systems ↳ Include key platforms, CRMs, analytics tools, or workflows you used. ↳ This shows technical fluency and helps you match keywords in applicant tracking systems. 6️⃣ Cut the fluff ↳ Replace vague phrases like "strong communicator" with specific examples of how you influenced decisions. ↳ Avoid filler words and keep your language tight, direct, and measurable. If it’s not on your resume, they don’t know it happened. Don’t make them guess what you’re great at. Make it easy for them to say yes to you.

Yesterday I reviewed around 600 applications. 600. Here’s the truth: when the volume is that high, small details make a big difference. If you want to stand out, here’s what actually catches a recruiter’s eye in the middle of a sea of resumes: 🔹 Tell me what the company does. You worked at "X Corp"? Cool — but I don’t know every company on Earth. A single line like “SaaS company focused on AI-powered logistics” helps me immediately understand the context of your role. 🔹 Stick to the classic format. There’s a reason the traditional resume layout still dominates. Don’t get “creative” with colors, shapes, or 3-column designs. I’m not hiring a graphic designer (unless I am). Keep it simple, clean, and scannable. 🔹 Give me numbers. “Improved efficiency” sounds fine, but “Reduced processing time by 28%” gives me a reason to believe you’re effective. Quantifiables always beat adjectives. 🔹 Tailor your resume to the job. Generic resumes get generic results. A brief, targeted summary at the top — aligned to the role — sets the tone. 🔹 Make your LinkedIn match. If your resume catches my eye, your profile is the next stop. Make sure it’s updated, aligned, and includes a headline that reflects what you actually do. Most of all? 🔸 Help me help you. The clearer your story, the easier it is to advocate for you. And that’s all most recruiters really want — a reason to move you forward.

I’ve revamped 216 resumes over the past 365 days. Most of the clients I worked with landed jobs in 4 months or less. Here’s what I’ve learned about what makes an executive resume WORK: 1) Keep it short. Even at the executive level, your resume should never be more than 2 pages. Anything longer, and you’ll lose the recruiter’s attention. 2) Clean design. Forget fancy designs, graphs, or color schemes. Nobody cares about that and it is super DISTRACTING for Recruiters. What matters is what you’ve done and the results you’ve delivered. 3) Tell a story. For each role, start with one bullet about your general scope (team size, portfolio, industries, etc.) and follow it up with 4–6 bullets that explain: ➜ What you did ➜ How you did it ➜ The results you achieved 4) Show your leadership. So many resumes focus only on tasks, and they forget to include leadership impact, talent development, or team management. If you’ve led people, OWN it. Recruiters want to see this! 5) Your resume is only the START. What you do after you apply (networking, reaching out to hiring managers, getting referrals) matters just as much as hitting “submit.” Here’s an example from one of my clients who just got hired at a Big 4 firm. She's worked in the data space for 20+ years, and her resume tells the story of her leadership AND results vs just listing out responsibilities and duties. SELL YOURSELF, SELL YOURSELF, SELL YOURSELF!! :) If you've got questions about your resume and job search feel free to book a call with me at csgexecutivecoaching.com #ResumeTips #ExecutiveCareers #JobSearch #Leadership #GetHired

Have you been applying for jobs lately? This post is for you. Yesterday, I attended a resume prep session organized by the AWS Skills Center in Arlington, VA. I gained some valuable insights that I believe can help anyone looking to enhance their resume and stand out in the job market. ----- Here are some key takeaways ----- 1️⃣ Tailor your resume to each job Carefully read the job description and align your skills and experiences to the requirements. Use keywords from the posting to get past applicant tracking systems (ATS). -> Whatever you put on your resume, be ready to discuss it. 2️⃣ Quantify your achievements Include strong metrics that will show the amount of impact, the number of people, etc. For example, Instead of saying "Improved customer satisfaction," say "Increased customer satisfaction scores by 20% through process improvements." -> Numbers speak louder than words. 3️⃣ Keep it concise and relevant Recruiters typically spend just a few seconds scanning your resume. So, ensure your most relevant experiences and achievements are easy to find. A well-structured one-page resume (or two for more experience) is ideal. -> Everything you put in your resume should be relevant to the job you are applying for. 4️⃣ Highlight transferable skills Even if you’re transitioning into a new role or industry, focus on the skills that apply across domains such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability. -> You can include an experience that is not directly related to the role you are applying only if it demonstrates leadership skills. 5️⃣ Professional formatting matters A clean, professional layout with consistent fonts, spacing, and bullet points makes your resume easier to read and leaves a good impression. -> Using fancy fonts will distract recruiters from important information on your resume. 6️⃣ You need more than one resume Keep a primary CV that includes everything you have ever done (DO NOT SHARE THIS WITH ANYONE). Then, create multiple resumes from it when applying.  -> This will save you a lot of time. 7️⃣ Hyperlink wherever possible If you have a chance to hyperlink something on your resume, do it. It will be helpful to the recruiter. -> Keep it simple and avoid long links. For example, for your LinkedIn profile, write it like “in/your_name” and hyperlink it. 8️⃣ Proofread your resume Get someone to proofread your resume. A second eye to your document will always spot something you missed. Besides, anything you see as negligible, could be a big deal to the recruiter. I would like to thank the AWS Skills Center for hosting us. A big shout to the organizers of that resume prep session for their dedicated time and input. It was an invaluable moment for me and I am sure for everyone present. Have you recently updated your resume? What are some tips you would like to add to this list? Let’s discuss this in the comments section. Found this helpful? Please like ❤️, comment 💬, or repost ♻️ to help others.

𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟰𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁: 👉 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 Customize your resume to the job, focusing on the most relevant skills and experience. 👉 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 Stop making your resume look like a list of duties and responsibilities. You need to demonstrate your value by quantifying your impact. 👉 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 Get straight to the point—no fluff or filler. 👉 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 A clear header with your contact info, plus a brief summary that highlights your key strengths. 👉 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 Highlight the skills that match what the job posting is asking for. 👉 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 Keep it visually appealing and easy to read—no bright colors or distractions 👉 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 Error-free resumes show you’re detail-oriented and professional. These tips can help your resume stand out and get you one step closer to landing that interview. Follow me and let me help you make your resume shine and get noticed by recruiters! ✅