Your Resume is Your First Impression – Make it Count

A strong resume can make a powerful first impression, especially in today’s competitive job market. Your resume can serve as a key tool that helps you get noticed, communicate your value, and open the door to new opportunities.

Keep It Clear and Concise

A hiring manager may only review your resume in a few seconds before deciding whether to keep reading. Make those moments count by using a clear, organized structure that effectively and efficiently communicates your experience and accomplishments. Use a clear professional format with consistent headings and layout, with intentional placement of the most relevant information.

Showcase Your Accomplishments, Not Just Your Responsibilities

Showcase how you added value in each role, instead of just listing your experiences. Reflect your contributions clearly by focusing on results, improvements, and measurable outcomes. For example, start with action verbs and show your added value, (i.e., increased client value by __%, led a team to deliver ahead of schedule, developed training resources that helped…).

Your Resume Should be Tailored to the Opportunity

Instead of using a one-size-fits-all resume, align your content with the role you’re targeting. This can be accomplished by highlighting the experience, skills, and achievements most relevant to the role. Help your resume grab attention and pass-through screening software by using key words in the job description.

Keep It Professional and Polished

Attention to detail matters. Take the time to review your resume to ensure it is error-free and professional in tone. Typos and grammatical errors undermine credibility. Remove outdated information and use a professional email address.

Consider a Brief Summary Statement

A short, clear summary at the top can help frame your resume and give hiring managers immediate context regarding your goals and accomplishments.

Example: “Marketing professional with 6+ years of experience leading digital strategy, content development, and brand growth initiatives across various sectors.”

Final Thoughts

Your resume should tell a story that reflects the best version of you and your accomplishments— one that’s focused, impactful, and aligned with your goals. With clear formatting, results-driven content, and thoughtful customization, you’ll present yourself as a standout candidate from the first glance of your resume and get noticed.