Start with the job requirements
Read the job description and identify the skills, responsibilities, and evidence the employer asks for. Choose examples from your experience that demonstrate those requirements. Avoid adding skills or achievements you cannot explain in an interview.
- Put the most relevant experience near the top.
- Use concise bullet points that describe your contribution and outcome.
- Use consistent dates, job titles, and tense.
- Check spelling, contact details, and links before exporting.
Keep the layout readable
Use a clear hierarchy for your name, contact details, section headings, roles, and dates. Keep font sizes consistent and avoid decorative elements that compete with the content. A simple layout is often easier to read on mobile screens and easier for recruiting software to parse, although no template can guarantee ATS compatibility.
Export and inspect the PDF
After drafting, export a PDF and open it in a separate viewer. Check that no text is clipped, headings are separated from their content, dates line up, and page breaks do not split important details. If you edit the PDF afterwards, inspect the exported file again rather than relying only on the on-screen preview.
Prepare a small set of application files
Use a clear filename such as Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf. Follow the employer's requested file format and naming rules. If a cover letter is requested, tailor it to the role and company rather than sending a generic message. Keep a master copy so you can adapt it for future applications.
Turn responsibilities into evidence
A strong bullet explains what you did, the context, and the result when you can substantiate it. For example, replace a vague line such as ‘helped with reports’ with a specific, truthful description of the reports you prepared, the audience, and the improvement you contributed. Do not invent metrics just to make a bullet sound impressive.
- Use action verbs that match your actual contribution.
- Explain acronyms that may be unfamiliar outside your field.
- Keep dates, job titles, and tense consistent.
Final application review
Read the exported document at normal zoom and as a recruiter might skim it. Confirm the contact information is current, links work, and the most relevant experience is easy to find. Follow the employer's instructions for file type, naming, and any required supporting documents.
- Check the final filename and attachment before sending.
- Remove comments, tracked changes, and draft notes.
- Keep a master version separate from role-specific copies.
Before you finish: checklist
Use this quick review to catch common mistakes before you rely on or share the result.
- Content tailored honestly to the role
- Spelling, dates, contact details and links checked
- Readable layout and sensible page breaks
- PDF reopened after export
- Employer's submission instructions followed
Frequently asked questions
How long should a résumé be?
Use the length needed to present relevant experience clearly. Follow any employer or local convention, and prioritize useful evidence over filler.
Can a résumé builder guarantee ATS compatibility?
No. Recruiting systems vary, and no template can guarantee parsing or selection. Follow the employer's instructions and keep the layout readable and straightforward.
Should I send the same résumé to every job?
Keep a master résumé, then tailor emphasis and wording to each role while keeping every claim accurate.