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Jun 15,2025
If you want to land that interview call (and ultimately your dream job), your resume needs to stand out—fast. Studies show hiring managers spend just 7–10 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to keep reading.
Use this resume checklist to make sure your application is clear, targeted, and designed to get noticed—by both people and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Keep this section clean and professional. You don’t need to list your home or postal address. Just include:
Tip: Double-check that your voicemail greeting and email signature are professional too.
Your headline is your one-line pitch. Think of it like your elevator intro—short, sharp, and specific to your strengths. It should sit right below your name and contact info.
Examples:
Tailor this for every application. It shows you understand the role and what they’re looking for.
Your profile summary gives recruiters a high-level overview of your background and what you bring to the table. Keep it to 3–4 bullet points and focus on achievements and core skills.
Example:
Digital Marketing Specialist with 6+ Years Experience in B2B Campaigns
List your roles in reverse chronological order (most recent first), focusing on the last 10–15 years. Each entry should include:
Start each bullet with a strong verb: led, managed, developed, launched, improved.
Remember: Duties tell, accomplishments sell. Quantify your impact where possible.
Include relevant education and training in reverse chronological order. List:
Tip: If you’re a recent graduate, consider placing your education above your work history.
Your skills section should include both technical (hard) skills and interpersonal (soft) skills—especially those highlighted in the job ad.
Why? Recruiters and ATS tools scan for keywords that match role requirements.
Example structure:
Don’t underestimate the power of soft skills—employers increasingly value them, especially in client-facing and leadership roles. Read more on why soft skills matter.
It’s assumed. Save the space for more value-adding content.
Use a tool like Grammarly and get someone else to review your resume for typos, awkward phrases, or formatting errors.
Make your resume easy to scan. Use a professional font (e.g. Arial, Calibri), consistent formatting, and clear section headings. If you need help, try one of our free resume templates.
Great resumes don’t just list responsibilities—they tell a story, show value, and align with what hiring managers are looking for. With this checklist, you can build a resume that’s strategic, polished, and tailored for success.
Need help writing your resume from scratch? Start with our guide on How to Write a Resume or consider working with a professional resume writer.
Elesha is a passionate writer at Career FAQs, sharing knowledge on career building, job search techniques, and workplace success.