Simple Solutions to Make Your Resume Stand Out
Crafting the perfect resume is challenging, even for experienced professionals. Minor errors or outdated information might determine whether you land an interview. Luckily, you don’t need a major overhaul to get your resume in top shape. Here are some quick fixes for common resume mistakes that can help you make a strong impression on potential employers.
Eliminate Typos and Grammatical Errors
Checking Spelling and Grammar in Microsoft Word
Spelling mistakes and poor grammar can dilute the impact of your message. Run a spell check, but don’t rely on it alone. Read through your resume carefully or ask a friend to review it for you. Fresh eyes can often catch mistakes you might have missed.
If you use Microsoft Word, you can use the built-in Editor to check for grammar and spelling mistakes. Be sure that spell-check is checking your headings. Microsoft Word’s default setting is to skip words in ALL CAPITALS. To change this setting, go to: Word>Preferences>Spelling & Grammar and uncheck the option “Ignore words in UPPERCASE.” Changing this setting will help you prevent spelling errors in your headings if you use ALL CAPITALS.
Grammarly
Another great tool is Grammarly. I have been using it for years, and it helps me catch spelling and grammar mistakes, awkward wording, and errors in syntax, verb tense, and punctuation. It can also check your document for potential plagiarism and AI-text patterns. If you have a premium account, it can help you detect the tone of your writing and suggest changes that convey your meaning better. There are new AI features that will help you write and rewrite sentences, use more inclusive language, and adjust your writing for different audiences.
Use a Clean, Consistent Format
A cluttered or inconsistent format can make your resume difficult to read. Stick to a simple, professional font (like Arial, Calibri, Times, Georgia, or Palatino), use clear section headings, and keep your margins uniform. Avoid using too many different text sizes or colors. Consistency helps recruiters find the information they need quickly. I recommend using Headings between 16-24 points, regular text between 10-11 points (I use 10.5 most often), and a 9-point font for skills lists. (The recommended font sizes will vary from font to font.) I keep color choices minimal. For example, one color for Heading text, a complementary color for spot shading the headings and lines, and black for regular text.
Tailor Your Resume for Each Job
Sending out the same generic resume for every application is a common mistake. Having a “one size fits all” resume has always been a bad idea. This is even truer today, because Applicant Tracking Systems – software that scans your resume to determine your potential match to the position’s requirements – is likely the first “reader” of your resume. These platforms essentially work the same way search engines do. They scan the content for keyword match (the exact words mentioned in both the resume and the job description), keyword density (the number of relevant words in the resume compared to the job description), and reputational factors (for example: Do you have an applicable degree or certification? Have you received honors or awards? Did you attend a top college or university, or work for a top employer in your field?)
Customize your skills, experience, and summary statement to align with each specific job description. Highlight the qualifications that match the employer’s needs to increase your chances of getting noticed.
- Use the exact title of the job you are applying for as a “headline.”
- Consider using a branding statement – a brief sentence or sentence fragment highlighting your top skills.
- Write a summary that tells the reader who you are professionally, what relevant knowledge and skills you possess, and your impact – what you have achieved in your past roles, or what you will do for the company if hired. These are the same components included in a good elevator speech, or in a well-planned and well-structured answer to the common interview question “Tell me about yourself.”
- Include a section highlighting your top skills and expertise. Scan the job posting to identify essential skills and include those you possess, using the exact wording for the skills or experiences mentioned in the job description.
- You can use online tools like SkillSyncer and Jobscan to analyze your resume and identify missing keywords in comparison to the target job. I used Jobscan for several years, but have found that SkillSyncer is a more affordable option and includes the features I need most. It will take you a while to learn how to use these tools effectively, but having more targeted wording will likely pay off in an increase in responses you get to your applications.
Quantify What You Can, Qualify What You Can’t
Vague statements like “supervised the marketing team” or “responsible for sales” don’t tell employers much. Whenever possible, use numbers to explain your scope of responsibility and the impact of your work. For example, saying “Supervised a six-person marketing team, including a photographer, videographer, advertising coordinator, two copywriters, and an editor” gives a clearer picture of your scope of responsibility. Saying “Increased sales by 25% in six months” is compelling because it shows how you improved sales and how quickly you had an impact on the sales operation. Quantifying your results gives concrete evidence of your contributions.
If you don’t have precise numbers related to some of your achievements, qualify them –basically, describe the general nature of the achievement. For example: “Recognized by CEO for creating a new process for tracking orders,” or “Onboarded all new employees at the plant,” or “Managed the company’s relationship with ServiceNow and acted as the go-to expert and troubleshooter for the system.”
Remove Irrelevant or Outdated Information
Focus on the past 10-15 years and the experiences that relate directly to the job you’re seeking. Don’t clutter up your resume by including every job you’ve ever had or skills that are no longer relevant. If your older positions are directly applicable to the target job, consider listing the basic details (title, company, dates) for relevant positions under an “Additional Relevant Experience” section. This section gives the reader context about what you have to offer, without taking up “real estate” where you could include more recent and relevant experience and skills. Remove outdated certifications or skills that aren’t in demand anymore.
Add Action Words
Start your bullet points with strong action verbs like “managed,” “developed,” “led,” or “designed.” Resumes filled with passive phrases can sound dull. Action words grab attention and highlight your proactive approach. The best places to identify the action words to include are the job description and the company website. Use the exact wording whenever possible, since many ATS don’t recognize different tenses or singular word forms versus plural word forms.
Include Up-to-Date Contact Information
Double-check to make sure your contact details are current and professional. It’s easy to overlook old phone numbers or email addresses, but the employer needs a current method for contacting you. Use a simple email address that includes your name, and consider adding your LinkedIn profile if it’s up to date.
Customize your LinkedIn URL so it’s easier to remember than the “name and numbers” default URL. See the screenshot for where you can edit the profile. The box pictured is at the upper right on your profile page. Don’t worry if someone has your old URL. It is your LinkedIn userID, and the old URL will still point to your profile.
Keep It Concise
While you want to showcase your skills and achievements, aim to keep your resume to one or two pages. While the ATS analyzes your documents instantaneously and machines don’t get bored, a human reader will make a swift decision about whether to keep reading. In an eye-tracking study, the Ladders found that recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds scanning each resume on the first pass. Prioritize the most critical information. The top third of page one is your most valuable real estate. Make sure the content in that area is compelling and use formatting that makes scanning easier.
In the study, recruiters spent the most time identifying job titles. Use bold text for them. Other important information they noted in the first review included your education, current job, previous job, and your skills. Make sure this information stands out. Have clear headings for your education, experience, and skills. Put your degrees in bold. Arrange information in its order of importance. If your content and formatting help the reader quickly identify your top skills and experience, it may increase the odds that your materials get a second, longer look.
Final Thoughts
Your resume is the first opportunity to make a good impression on the employer. A tightly worded, targeted, and easy-to-read document can help you shine. These quick fixes should increase your chances of catching a recruiter’s eye and landing that all-important interview. Good luck!
Sean Cook is a Certified Advanced Resume Writer (CARW) and Certified Career Coach, offering Personalized Career Solutions for Everyday People — especially mid-to-late career professionals who are ready to compete (and win) in today’s tech-driven job market. Whether you’re navigating a career change, returning to the job market, or just need a fresh perspective, Sean offers strategic support that’s practical, honest, and tailored to your needs.
