Tips for Resume Optimization

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 Outdated Information ❌ Listing your high school achievements and every job since college.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.

Most Resumes Are Worth $70K, Not $200K (Here’s how to upgrade yours in 7 days.) Let me break down exactly how I transformed flat, task-heavy resumes into career-launching assets that get recruiters to say: “We need to talk.” 1. Focus on Impact, Not Tasks I stopped writing bullet points that sounded like a job description. Instead, I asked: “What changed because I was there?” Removed vague duties like “managed projects” Rewrote them to show results: “Cut delivery time by 35%” Added real metrics: revenue, cost savings, speed Lesson: Numbers speak louder than adjectives. 2. Rewrite the Top ⅓ First impressions matter—even on paper. I turned the top 5 lines of my resume into a highlight reel, not an introduction. Crafted a sharp headline with my value prop Replaced “Objectives” with an Impact Summary Put my best wins front and center Lesson: Grab attention before the scroll. 3. Quantify Everything Hiring managers don’t scan resumes. They scan numbers. “Increased sales by 42%” beats “helped improve sales” If numbers weren’t available, I used words like “large-scale” or “enterprise-wide” Lesson: Metrics = trust. Trust = interviews. 4. Optimize for Keywords I started thinking like a recruiter and a robot. Analyzed job descriptions for target roles Sprinkled in keywords naturally Skipped buzzword stuffing—it needs to sound human too Lesson: No keywords = no visibility. 5. Cut the Fluff Fluff kills clarity. And hiring managers don’t have time. Replaced “responsible for…” with strong verbs like “led,” “created,” “launched” Cut the resume to 1 page if under 10 years’ experience 2 pages max for senior leaders Lesson: Say more with less. 6. Format for Modern Readers Design matters—even in black and white. Used clean fonts like Calibri or Helvetica Kept font size 11–12pt Avoided photos, borders, or fancy graphics Lesson: If it’s hard to read, it won’t get read. 7. Polish Like a Pro Final impressions matter as much as first ones. Proofread 3x Had someone else review it Saved as a PDF unless otherwise specified Lesson: Small mistakes = big judgment. 8. Bonus Moves That Make a Difference Synced my LinkedIn headline to match my resume Added a “Selected Achievements” section Highlighted promotions and internal growth Posted value-driven content to attract recruiters before applying Lesson: The best resumes don’t just tell your story. They sell it. When you shift from listing responsibilities to demonstrating results, your resume goes from “nice to have” to “must call.” You don’t need a new degree. You need a new narrative. ▶ Want more $200K+ job search strategies? Follow me for real, actionable career upgrades — no fluff. And follow Prashha Dutra for more.

Lately, I’ve been receiving more requests to review resumes—from friends who've been impacted by layoffs to job seekers eager to land their next role to students prepping for summer internships or jobs after graduation. I'm fortunate to come across a lot of resumes and enjoy reviewing them, so if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: your resume is your first impression. I know it's an extremely competitive job market, so I hope these quick tips support anyone looking to stand out: ✅ Lead with impact—Start each bullet point with a strong action verb and highlight results, ideally with a % impact - could be improvement in satisfaction scores, time saved, money saved, etc. And if you're leading a lot with "Managed" or "Coordinated," there are likelier stronger verbs to choose. ✅ Keep it clean & brief—Recruiters and hiring managers often skim, so make sure your resume is easy to read, well-structured, and free of fluff. My rule of thumb is if you have less than 8-10 years of work experience, it should fit on one page. And keep the format simple and ensure your personal data is safe: I only need to see your name, phone, email, and LinkedIn profile. Sharing home or mailing addresses isn't necessary and may signal an unwillingness to relocate. ✅ Grammar & consistency matter—A simple typo can cost you credibility! Ensure your formatting, punctuation, and verb tenses are consistent throughout. ✅ Tailor, tailor, tailor—One-size-fits-all resumes? Nope. Customize your resume for each role or company by mirroring keywords from the job description. Here's where AI can help... ✅ Leverage AI tools—Think of Copilot or AI-driven writing tools as your personal editors. They can catch grammar mistakes, improve clarity, and optimize your resume for keyword searches. You can also ask them for suggested learning courses or articles to improve upon skills that may be helpful in jobs you're looking for. ✅ Showcase YOU—Your resume isn’t just about what you’ve done—it’s about what you can bring. Highlight unique skills, projects, or volunteer experiences that set you apart. I often find that the most interesting and insightful interview questions can come from someone reviewing your resume and asking you something at the very bottom of it. For me, I was often asked about teaching dance fitness classes and why that was a passion of mine. If it's on your resume, ensure YOU want to talk about it! And while this post was all around resume/CV tips, I hope you prioritize networking and finding warm introductions through people in companies or with career paths that inspire you. Those connections can help and be an extension of your professional brand! Comment below any other tips or what resonates most ⬇️ #ResumeTips #JobSeekers

Looking to make your resume shine and grab attention? With over a decade of recruitment experience and having reviewed nearly 250,000 resumes while working for industry giants like Amazon, Accenture (Avanade), Cognizant, and various startups through my agency, Proven Patterns, I’ve seen what truly makes a resume stand out. Here are some top tips to help you create a powerful resume that will leave a lasting impression: ☑ Keep It Concise: Aim for 2-3 page resume when possible. Focus on your most relevant experiences and achievements without overwhelming the reader. ☑ Tailor for Each Job: Customize your resume for every position you apply for. Incorporate keywords from the job description and highlight skills and experiences that match the role. If you don't have enough time at least match the resume summary section with the job description. ☑ Showcase Achievements: Use specific numbers and examples to quantify your accomplishments. Instead of saying "improved sales," say "boosted sales by 20% within six months." ☑ Professional Format: Opt for a clean, professional layout with consistent fonts and spacing. Save the flashy graphics for creative fields. ☑ Include a Strong Summary: Start with a compelling summary that highlights your key qualifications and career goals. Make it engaging and tailored to the job you're targeting. ☑ Highlight Skills: Clearly list your core skills and competencies. Be honest and focus on those that are directly relevant to the position. ☑ Proofread Carefully: Ensure your resume is free from typos and grammatical errors. A polished resume reflects attention to detail and professionalism. ☑ Add a Personal Touch: Include a brief section on your interests or volunteer work. This can help convey your personality and values beyond your professional skills. Your resume is your first impression; make it count! 🚀 If you found these tips useful, please repost ♻ and follow me, Kumud Deepali R. for more insights and advice on jobs and career!

I reviewed 4,000+ resumes last year. Avoid these mistakes that 90% make: 1. FOCUS ON ATS OPTIMIZATION ❌ Candidates pack their resumes with keywords to beat ATS systems but forget to make them readable and user-friendly. ✅ Remember there’s always a real person reviewing your resume (!) 2. GENERIC SUMMARIES ❌ "Experienced professional seeking to contribute my skills in a dynamic company." ✅ "Product Manager who launched 3 successful SaaS tools, driving $2.5M in revenue within the first year.” 3. NO COMPANY DESCRIPTIONS ❌ Listing company names without context. ✅ "XYZ Inc. | SaaS startup in data security, serving 100k+ enterprise clients.” 4. FOCUS ON RESPONSIBILITIES ❌ "Managed projects and oversaw deadlines." ✅ "Led 3+ cross-functional teams, delivering 7 projects on time with a 98% client satisfaction rate.” 5. TOO MUCH FOCUS ON EARLY JOBS ❌ Detailed descriptions of high school internships or your first retail job. ✅ Highlight key accomplishments from the last 10 years that showcase your growth. 6. NO METRICS OR DATA ❌ "Improved performance and reduced costs." ✅ "Increased team efficiency by 20% and cut operational costs by $50K annually.” 7. TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE TEXT ❌ Dense paragraphs or single-sentence descriptions. ✅ Concise bullet points that provide enough detail to convey impact. 8. IRRELEVANT INFORMATION ❌ Listing outdated or irrelevant skills (using Slack, Outlook) ✅ Focus on skills and experiences that match the job you want. 9. TYPOS ✅ Double-check for spelling errors, or use tools like Grammarly or ChatGPT to catch mistakes. Which of those mistakes you’ve seen? Or you’ve made?  I'm Kris Holysheva 👋 Follow me for more hiring tips.

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.

As a recruiter, I’ve reviewed countless resumes, and one thing is clear: the most successful candidates know how to sell their skills effectively. A well-crafted resume isn’t just a list of jobs; it’s a story of your accomplishments and capabilities. Here are some key words and phrases that can make your resume shine: 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀: Words like led, managed, optimized, and spearheaded show that you take initiative and get results. 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 & 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲: Whether it’s project management, data analysis, or sales strategy, highlight what you’re great at—be specific! 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆-𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀: Use relevant jargon that speaks to your field. Agile, SEO, or UX/UI Design can make your resume more relevant to the role. 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 & 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀: Numbers matter! Use words like increased, boosted, or generated to show your impact—especially when you can back it up with data. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Whether you mentored, directed, or coordinated teams, showcasing these experiences highlights your ability to lead and collaborate effectively. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺-𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴: Employers love candidates who can innovate, resolve, and streamline processes—demonstrating your value in solving complex challenges is key. 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: Things like adaptability, communication, and emotional intelligence can make all the difference in the workplace. Be sure to showcase them where appropriate! 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀: Take a look at the job description before you submit your resume. Tailoring your resume to the specific role with the right keywords can make all the difference—especially for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)! Don’t underestimate the power of a well-written resume. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀! #Recruiting #JobSearch #ResumeTips #CareerAdvice #Hiring #JobSeeker #CareerGrowth #JobTips

After reading hundreds of resumes for the first time in what seems like ages, I thought I'd offer some tips to jobseekers after seeing some trends: 1. Do not try to make your resume 1 or 2 pages by reducing the font size to 6. Clarity is key and I want to be able to read it! 2. No resume should be 8 pages long. Keep it short, sweet and to the point. Maybe counterintuitive, but it's not impressive, rather it causes a sigh before I've even read the content. 3. Have a non-technical friend review your resume. We have technical requirements, but I still need to understand your resume. Let's assume that if I work in HR/Recruiting, that I am not an engineer by trade. I'm looking for key words, but it has to be understandable. 4. No pictures, really. Fun fact- pictures on resumes became a thing in the mid- 1950/60s when some companies were trying to bypass racial discrimination laws. What you look like should have no decision on whether or not you can do the job. 5. Please no bold red, bold pink, or bold neon green. It hurts to read. Yes, it stands out and is different, but not in a good way. As far as format, etc., you do you. There is no correct one, and as a reviewer it's nice to have some variety. With all the scuttle about AI and ATS, when a person is actually reading a resume, make sure your resume help us.... read it. #ResumeTips #JobSearch #Recruitment #hottake

#DearPhDs, recruiters spend only 1-2 minutes on your resume.  (some research suggests they spend a mere 6 seconds!) 👉 When you have 10 minutes worth of content in there, recruiters will grab some 1-2 minutes from it. These may not be your best 1-2 minutes. 👉 When you have 1-2 minutes worth of content in there, recruiters will grab those EXACT 1-2 minutes. So give them your best 1-2 minutes! When it comes to industry resumes, LESS is MORE! I tried this with my own job search. Resume on the left: 598 words. 54 applications. 0 interviews. Resume on the right: 243 words. 10 applications. 4 interviews. (and got my current role) 👇 Here are 9 ways to embrace 'LESS is MORE' in your resume: 1. Start with a strong non-generic summary to set the tone for the rest of your resume. 2. Avoid overly technical jargon and complex language to make your accomplishments easily understandable. 3. Eliminate information that doesn't directly contribute to your qualifications for the job. 4. Keep your contact information minimal: your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile. 5. Limit personal information such as your full address, hobbies, marital status, and headshot. 6. Tailor your resume for each job by including keywords directly from the job posting. 7. Use concise bullet points to help recruiters scan and digest information quickly. 8. Focus on achievements instead of duties and use quantifiable metrics to showcase your impact. 9. Use action verbs to convey a sense of proactivity and accomplishment as well as save space. P.S. Which one of these would you like to learn more about? #resumetips #phdtoindustry #phdcareers #altac

Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds looking at a resume before making a decision. As a Recruiter, I’ve never actually counted the seconds, but I definitely do make a decision pretty quickly when reading a resume. SO when I am coaching my candidates and job seekers, one of my biggest pieces of advice is to KISS (Keep It Simple, Silly!) your resume. When I am reading a candidates resume, I don’t want to spend time figuring out where to find the information. I appreciate that you spent a lot of time making your resume look pretty, but honestly, I just need the facts. Here are a few things you can to do help make your resume more readable: 🤍 White space, white space, white space. Give my eyes a break so that the important information really pops 🖍️ Feel free to use bold, italics, and even colors (within reason) to help draw my attention and guide my focus 🗻 Only share relevant information (I love that you climbed Kilimanjaro but maybe share that on your LinkedIn instead and save the precious space on your resume) 💁🏼♀️ Remove the headshot, I don’t care what you look like, I only care if you can do the job (not to mention, headshots can make it more difficult to be certain of removing biases when recruiting) 📑 Keep the formatting straightforward and simple - I see so many resumes that are trying to be eye-catching and unique but end up overwhelming my brain when it’s the 57th resume I’ve looked at in the past hour, I promise you’ll stand out more by helping make my job easier I hope this helps! Go land that dream job of yours 💪🏻 #jobseekersupport #resumetips #recruiter #careercoaching #jobsearchtips