Top 12 Resume Writing Tips For 2023 (With Samples)

Having a good and effective resume is crucial in today’s job market. Your resume is often the first impression that an employer has of you, and it can be the deciding factor in whether or not you get called for an interview. Here are some of the reasons why having a good and effective resume is important:

First impressions: As I mentioned earlier, your resume is often the first impression that an employer has of you. A well-crafted resume can make you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of being called for an interview.
Showcasing your skills and experience: Your resume should effectively showcase your skills, qualifications, and experience. It should highlight your relevant achievements and provide specific examples of how you have contributed to previous organizations.
Getting past the ATS: Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they are seen by a human. A good and effective resume should be optimized for ATS, meaning that it should include relevant keywords and be formatted in a way that can be easily read by the software.
Demonstrating professionalism: A well-written and error-free resume demonstrates your professionalism and attention to detail. It shows that you take your job search seriously and are committed to presenting yourself in the best possible light.

Your resume is your marketing tool that speaks about your experiences, qualifications, and skills. So, it is very important that your resume should be well-written and represent you as a strong candidate. Here are the top 12 resume writing tips and samples for resume writing.

1. Select the Correct resume format

Selecting the right resume format is the very first and most important step. It is very important for you to highlight those sections which are most required for the job.

Different resume formats highlight different aspects. The resume format with their brief introduction is as :

1. Reverse-Chronological– It is the most common and best format to lay out your work experience. This format highlights your work experiences in reverse order, which means the most recent or current experience comes first after the object or introduction.

If you have relevant work experience to the job you are applying for, Reverse-Chronological is best for you.

Example:

June 2016 – Present
Maintenance Manager
Reliance Industries Limited

Providing mechanical maintenance support, which led to a 10% decrease in equipment downtime.
Proposed a job planning and manpower management model that helped plan the daily jobs with 92% compliance.
Introduced an innovative scheduling system that slashed repair times by 30%

June 2015 – December 2015
Industrial Intern
Eaton Technology

Successfully reduced the installation time by 40% using the recommended design, was appraised by the US counterparts, and got a PPO from the company.
Generated new strategies and plans for improving the quality of the processes

2. Functional – It mainly highlights skills and is recommended for those who are seeking a career change. In case you don’t have relevant work experience to the job you are applying for but have some skills that recruiters want. A functional format is recommended for you.

3. Hybrid (mixed) – It is the combination of the chronological and functional format and is recommended for those who have mixed relevant skills and similar work experience.

2. Highlight the Main Sections

Recruiters spend an average of six seconds reviewing an individual resume, it is very important that all your important sections like an introduction(objective), experience, skills, education, and contact details are mentioned in a proper way.

Introduction(objective): Your introduction or objective should clearly speak about your career goals. Create your introduction or objective according to the job post, and add top relevant skills, achievements, and goals that full fill the job requirements and represent you as a strong candidate.

Example:

For Team Leader

Focused and quick learner with over 5 years of experience in team leading. Proficient in developing and maintaining customer relationships. Seeking to build a stable position in a renowned organization where I can utilize my skills and experience in enhancing the company’s productivity and reputation.

Work Experience: This is the most important section for which recruiters are main concerned. So one should be very careful while writing work experience.

Describe your every experience in 2-5 points with job title, company name, and working period. Your work experience should clearly outline achievements, responsibilities, and Skills.

Example:

Scrum Master and Agile Coach
Ajax Media Tech Pvt Ltd
May 2016- Present

Accelerated average turn-around time by transforming the 30-member delivery Team from Traditional Project Techniques to Agile Practice which was a major milestone for both, Me and Organization.
Met team members and clients weekly for planning processes and created standards and policies.
Increased customer satisfaction by 20% by coaching a newly formed Agile Team.
Helped the current organization in the Agile Transformation journey and trained the delivery team in Agile Practices.

Skills: List your skills which is relevant to the job you are going to apply for. Adding numbers of skills does not make any sense.

Suppose you are applying for civil engineering and you add IT skills or Writing skills it will not add any value to your resume. Better to divide your skills into categories: soft skills and hard skills.

Soft Skills: include your personality trait like communication skills, interpersonal skills

Hard skills include specific technical knowledge and abilities like C++, java, and python.

Contact Details: No matter which resume format are you using, put your contact details on the top of your resume.

Your contact detail section includes your contact number, e-mail address, and postal address. You can also add your LinkedIn id under this section.

Education: Mention your graduation degree with your college name and passing year.

Example:

B.E. in Mechanical Engineering, 2016
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani

3. Work Experience Should be Relevant and Recent

Your most relevant experience should be from the past 15 years. If you have 25 years of work experience and you add all of them, it makes your resume very lengthy.

Put only the most recent and relevant experience that comfortably fits in the total length of two pages of the resume. Ultimately, the key is to showcase your most relevant and recent work experience in a way that demonstrates your qualifications for the job.

Your work experience should be relevant and recent in your resume for several reasons:

Demonstrates your qualifications: Relevant work experience shows that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform well in the job you are applying for. Employers want to know that you have the experience and expertise to handle the responsibilities of the position.
Highlights your accomplishments: Recent work experience is important because it showcases your most recent accomplishments and achievements. Employers are interested in what you have done recently, as it demonstrates your current skills and abilities.
Demonstrates your adaptability: Relevant work experience demonstrates your adaptability to new situations and your ability to learn and apply new skills. Employers want to know that you can adapt to the job requirements and perform well in a new environment.
Demonstrates your industry knowledge: Relevant work experience shows that you have knowledge of the industry and understand the current trends and best practices. This is important because employers want to hire someone who is up-to-date and knowledgeable about their industry.
Increases your chances of being selected: Having relevant and recent work experience makes you a more attractive candidate to employers. They are more likely to select you for an interview and consider you for the job if your work experience aligns with the position requirements.

Overall, having relevant and recent work experience in your resume is essential for demonstrating your qualifications, accomplishments, adaptability, and industry knowledge, and increasing your chances of being selected for the job.

4. Use Professional Templates

You might have good skills and countable work experience but if you don’t represent properly it may get ignored by the recruiter. So always do care that your template represents all important aspects in a professional manner. By using a professional template, you can create a strong first impression with potential employers and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Using professional templates for your resume is important for several reasons:

Attractive and visually appealing: Professional templates are designed to be visually appealing and attractive to potential employers. A visually appealing resume is more likely to capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
Consistency and uniformity: Professional templates provide consistency and uniformity throughout the resume, which is important for presenting a professional image to potential employers. A consistent format makes it easier for employers to scan your resume and find the information they need.
Saves time and effort: Professional templates can save you time and effort in designing and formatting your resume. They are pre-designed with standard sections and formatting, so you can focus on the content of your resume rather than spending time on design.
Customizable: Professional templates are often customizable, allowing you to tailor your resume to your specific needs and the requirements of the job you are applying for. You can customize the font, colors, and layout to match your personal preferences.
Reflects your professionalism: Using a professional template for your resume reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. It demonstrates that you take your job search seriously and have put effort into creating a well-designed and organized resume.

In summary, using professional templates for your resume is important because they are visually appealing, provide consistency and uniformity, save time and effort, are customizable, and reflect your professionalism

5. Don’t Write Personal Stuff

There is no need to write personal information like your age, birthday, height, weight, marital status, religious preference, children, etc., except for certain specific circumstances. Personal information that is not relevant to the job may distract from your qualifications and accomplishments, and may even lead to bias or discrimination by potential employers.

Here are some types of personal information that you should avoid including in your resume:

Personal details: Avoid including personal details such as your age, gender, race, religion, or marital status. This information is not relevant to your qualifications or ability to do the job.
Hobbies and interests: Unless your hobbies or interests are directly related to the job or demonstrate relevant skills or qualities, it is best to leave them off your resume.
Social media profiles: Do not include links to your social media profiles on your resume, unless they are professional profiles such as LinkedIn.

However, there are some exceptions when it is appropriate to include personal information in your resume. For example, if you are applying for a job in a foreign country, it may be necessary to include information about your citizenship or visa status. Similarly, if you have experience volunteering or participating in community organizations, you may want to include that information if it demonstrates relevant skills or qualities for the job.

Overall, it is best to keep your resume focused on your qualifications and relevant work experience and to avoid including personal information that is not relevant to the job.

6. Professional E-mail

People generally don’t care about email IDs but this is also one of the reasons for the rejection of resumes. Your email address represents your professional identity. Including a professional email address in your resume is important as it is a key element of your professional identity.

A professional email address helps to create a positive first impression and shows that you take your job search seriously. Here are some tips for creating a professional email address:

Don’t use any funny or obscene words in your email address
Your e-mail id should not contain your pet’s names
Always use a short and professional email id on a resume.
From the below examples, it will be more clear for you to create your professional e-mail id.

Example:

[email protected] ✘ wrong

[email protected] ✘wrong

[email protected] ✘ wrong

[email protected] ✓ Right

7. Font Style and Size

The font style and size you choose for your resume is important as it can affect the readability and overall appearance of your document. Here are some tips on choosing the right font style and size for your resume:

Font style: It is recommended to use a clean, easy-to-read font style such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. These fonts are widely recognized and are easy to read both on screen and in print.
Font size: The recommended font size for the body of your resume is 10-12 points. However, you may use a slightly larger font size for headings or your name to make them stand out.
Consistency: It is important to use a consistent font style and size throughout your resume. This helps to create a cohesive and professional look.
White space: Use white space to your advantage to make your resume easy to read. A well-spaced resume can make the document more visually appealing and help to draw the reader’s eye to key points.
Formatting: Use bold, italics, or underlining to highlight key points or headings. However, be careful not to overuse these formatting options as they can make the document difficult to read.

Overall, choosing the right font style and size for your resume is important for creating a professional and visually appealing document. It is recommended to stick to a clean and simple font, use consistent formatting, and make good use of white space to create a readable document.

8. Tailor a Single Page Resume for a Specific Job

While having a single, well-crafted resume is important, it is also recommended to tailor your resume for each job you apply for. This is because different jobs and industries may require different skills and experience, and tailoring your resume can help to highlight your relevant qualifications and make you stand out as a candidate.

Here are some reasons why you should consider creating multiple versions of your resume:

Target specific jobs: By tailoring your resume to a specific job, you can highlight your relevant skills and experience that match the job requirements. This can increase your chances of getting noticed by the employer and ultimately getting hired.
Stand out from other candidates: A customized resume that highlights your specific skills and experience can help you to stand out from other candidates who are using a generic resume. It can also show that you are serious about the job and have taken the time to tailor your application.
Demonstrate your flexibility: By tailoring your resume to different jobs, you can show that you are flexible and able to adapt to different roles and industries.
Meet employer expectations: Some employers may have specific requirements or preferences for resumes, such as including certain information or formatting. By tailoring your resume to the job, you can ensure that you meet these expectations.

Overall, creating multiple versions of your resume can help you to target specific jobs, stand out from other candidates, demonstrate your flexibility, and meet employer expectations. It is important to carefully review the job description and requirements and tailor your resume accordingly to increase your chances of success.

Single page resume which conveys the required details professionally is highly recommended. Try to limit your resume to a single page but in case your experience doesn’t comfortably fit on a single page then make it two-page. A two-page resume is OK for more experienced (10 + years exp) candidates. For an entry-level candidate, it is recommended to have a single-page resume.

9. Mention your Training and Certification

It is important to mention your training and certifications in your resume as they can demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and dedication to your field. Be sure to focus on those that are most relevant to the job, order them by relevance, and keep your resume concise and focused.

Adding your certification may help you to stand out. Because if a candidate has the same qualification and experience in comparison to you but you have a certification and training relevant to the job profile then you definitely have an advantage over him or her.

10. Don’t lie

In order to impress the recruiter never write anything which is not true, is an overstatement, or anything which you can’t offer. Lying or exaggerating your qualifications or experience can have serious consequences and can harm your chances of getting the job, even if you are initially successful in getting an interview.

It is important, to be honest, and transparent in your resume. Focus on your genuine qualifications and experience, and highlight your strengths and achievements. This will help you to present yourself in the best possible light while maintaining your professional integrity.

11. Include Your LinkedIn Profile and Personal Website URLs

It is always recommended to add your LinkedIn profile URL under your contact details. Including LinkedIn URL is a good way to attract recruiters’ attention and offer extra details. If you have your own blog or personal website which may be found relevant to the job, also mention it in your resume.

Including your LinkedIn profile and personal website URLs in your resume can be beneficial as it can provide the employer with additional information about your qualifications and experience. Here are some tips for including these URLs in your resume:

Create a separate section: Consider creating a separate section on your resume for your LinkedIn profile and personal website URLs. This can help to make them stand out and ensure that the employer sees them.
Use appropriate titles: When including your LinkedIn profile and personal website URLs, use appropriate titles such as “LinkedIn Profile” and “Personal Website”. This can help to ensure that the employer knows what they are clicking on and what to expect.
Check your privacy settings: Before including your LinkedIn profile and personal website URLs, be sure to check your privacy settings to ensure that the employer can see the information you want them to see. If you have any sensitive or private information on your profiles or websites, consider removing it or making it private.
Ensure that the URLs are active: Be sure to check that the URLs for your LinkedIn profile and personal website are active and working. If they are not, it may be better to leave them off your resume.
Focus on relevance: When including your LinkedIn profile and personal website URLs, focus on those that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. This can help to demonstrate your expertise in the specific areas required for the position.

Overall, including your LinkedIn profile and personal website URLs in your resume can be beneficial, as it can provide the employer with additional information about your qualifications and experience. Be sure to use appropriate titles, check your privacy settings, ensure that the URLs are active, and focus on relevance to increase your chances of success.

12. Consult a Professional

80% of professionally written resumes get an immediate response, so don’t feel ashamed to take help from professionals, it is very important that your resume should be attention seeking to get a chance for an interview. There are many career portals that provide Affordable and Professional Resume Writing Services in India.

Also Read :

Overall, a good and effective resume is essential in today’s job market. It can help you get noticed by potential employers and increase your chances of landing the job you want. Below find some resume samples to better understand how to create an effective resume.