A resume has one job: get you an interview. Here is how to write one that does that effectively.
The 6-second rule
Recruiters spend 6–10 seconds on a first scan. Everything about your resume should be optimized for that initial scan — the most important information must be immediately visible.
Format: clean and ATS-friendly
Use a simple format with no tables, columns, or graphics — these confuse ATS parsers. Standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills). Standard fonts. Save as PDF unless specified otherwise.
Work experience: lead with results
Every bullet: [Action verb] + [what you did] + [result with numbers]. Weak: “Responsible for managing social media.” Strong: “Grew Instagram following from 2,000 to 18,000 in 8 months, increasing website traffic from social by 340%.” Numbers are everything.
Mirror the job description
Read the job description and identify key skills repeated. Include those exact words in your resume where honest and accurate. This passes ATS filters and signals you understand the role.
One page (usually)
Under 10 years of experience: one page. Include only the most relevant experience. A tight one-page resume reads better than a sprawling two-page document with padding.
Replace the objective with a summary
A 2–3 sentence professional summary highlighting your most relevant experience beats any objective statement. This is the first thing a human reads — make them want to keep going.