How to Write the Best Resume?

Mastering the Art and Science of Resume Writing

In today’s competitive job market, your resume is more than just a document — it’s your personal marketing tool, your foot in the door, and often your first impression on potential employers. As a lead resume specialist at JobzMall, I’ve seen thousands of resumes, and successfully helped my clients land roles in the world’s most competitive companies, and I’m here to share the insider secrets that will make your resume stand out from the crowd.

What is a resume?

Before anything, let’s understand what a resume is. A resume’s primary goal is to secure you an interview. It’s not meant to tell your entire life story, but to pique an employer’s interest and make them want to learn more about you. Resumes, don’t land roles, they land interviews.

Think Like an Employer: Why You?

Now, let’s shift gears and consider the employer’s perspective. This is crucial in crafting a resume that truly stands out.

Imagine you’re the employer. You have an opening — a missing puzzle piece in your organization. You receive hundreds of applications for this role. The big question on your mind is: WHY YOU?

Here’s what’s going through the employer’s mind:

1. Time is Precious: Employers often spend mere seconds scanning each resume. Your resume needs to grab attention instantly.
2. Problem Solver Wanted: Every job opening represents a problem or need. How can you position yourself as the solution?
3. Relevance is Key: Out of hundreds of applicants, which ones have directly relevant experience and skills?
4. Proof of Performance: Anyone can claim to be great. Employers are looking for concrete evidence of your capabilities and achievements.
5. Culture Fit: Beyond skills, employers want to know if you’ll mesh well with their team and company culture.
6. Future Potential: Many employers aren’t just hiring for the current role, but also considering your potential for growth within the company.
7. Unique Value Proposition: What makes you stand out? What can you offer that others can’t?

Your resume needs to answer the “Why You?” question quickly and convincingly. It should demonstrate not just that you can do the job, but that you’re the best person for it.

In the following sections, we’ll dive into how to craft a resume that addresses these employer concerns and positions you as the ideal candidate. We’ll cover everything from structure and content to tailoring strategies and ATS optimization, all with the goal of making your resume impossible to ignore.

The Foundation: Structure and Format

1. Keep it Concise: Aim for 1–2 pages max. Remember, recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds scanning a resume.

2. Choose the Right Format:
— Chronological: Best for those with a steady career progression.
— Functional: Ideal for career changers or those with gaps in employment.
— Combination: Perfect for highlighting both skills and experience.

3. Use a Clean, Professional Design: Stick to readable fonts like Arial or Calibri, 10–12 point size. Use consistent formatting for headers and body text.

Make It Skim-Friendly: Design for the 6-Second Scan

In today’s fast-paced hiring world, your resume often gets just a quick glance — sometimes as little as 6 seconds — before a recruiter decides whether to read more or move on. That’s why it’s crucial to make your resume skim-friendly. Here’s how to design your resume for maximum impact in minimum time:

Leverage White Space: Don’t cram your pages full of text. Use margins (at least 0.5 inch on all sides) and spacing between sections. This makes your resume less overwhelming and easier to navigate

Use Bullet Points: Break up dense paragraphs into concise bullet points. Start each bullet with a strong action verb. Aim for 3–5 bullet points per job role.

Content is King: What to Include

1. Contact Information: Full name, phone, email, city/state, and LinkedIn profile (if professional).

2. Professional Summary: 3–4 powerful sentences summarizing your professional identity and top qualifications.

3. Core Competencies: List 6–8 key skills relevant to your target role.

4. Professional Experience:
— Company name, your title, dates of employment
— 3–5 bullet points per role, focusing on achievements
— Use action verbs: “Spearheaded,” “Implemented,” “Developed”

5. Education: Degree, major, institution, graduation year (leave out if it’s been more than 10 years).

6. Additional Sections: Certifications, volunteer work, or relevant projects as needed.

The Power of Specificity: Quantify Your Achievements

Transform vague statements into powerful proof of your capabilities:

- Weak: “Improved company sales”
- Strong: “Increased regional sales by 27% in Q4 2023, exceeding targets by $1.2M”

Tailoring: The Secret Weapon

Customize your resume for each application:

1. Analyze the job description for key requirements and skills.
2. Reflect these in your summary, skills section, and work experience.
3. Use similar language and keywords found in the job posting.

ATS Optimization: Beat the Bots

75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human sees them. Here’s how to beat the system:

1. Use standard section headings: “Work Experience,” “Education,” etc.
2. Avoid tables, graphics, or unusual formatting. ( I see this quite commonly, and it is bad! Please avoid )
3. Submit in .docx or .pdf format, unless otherwise specified. My pro tip, always use PDF for the best results. Avoid using .doc
4. Include keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume.

The Final Touch: Polishing Your Masterpiece

1. Proofread Relentlessly: Use tools like Grammarly, but also print and read aloud.
2. Seek Feedback: Have a trusted colleague or mentor review your resume. Shameless plug, we offer free resume reviews at JobzMall.com
3. Update Regularly: Keep your resume current, even when you’re not actively job searching.

Conclusion: Your Resume, Your Story

Your resume is more than a list of jobs — it’s the story of your professional journey. Make every word count, showcase your unique value, and open doors to exciting opportunities.

Remember, crafting an outstanding resume is an investment in your future. Take the time to do it right, and you’ll see the returns in more interviews and better job offers.

Ready to take your resume to the next level? JobzMall is here to help. Let’s turn your career aspirations into reality, one powerful resume at a time.