Why Your Resume Matters

Your resume is often your first impression—and sometimes your only shot—at landing an interview. With hiring managers spending just 6–8 seconds scanning a resume, it needs to be clear, focused, and tailored to the role.
Here are our expert resume writing tips to help you stand out from the crowd.

✅ 1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Don’t send the same resume to every job. Instead:
Customize the summary to reflect the job title
Use keywords from the job description
Emphasize relevant achievements, not just responsibilities
Pro tip: Use the exact language from the job posting (where it makes sense) to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

✅ 2. Start with a Strong Summary

Your professional summary should be a 2–3 sentence snapshot of who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and what you’re looking for.
📝 Example: Results-driven digital marketing specialist with 5+ years’ experience managing paid ad campaigns and SEO strategy. Proven ability to grow traffic and ROI in competitive markets. Currently seeking a role in a fast-paced, data-driven environment.

✅ 3. Highlight Achievements, Not Just Duties

Hiring managers want to know what you’ve done, not just what you were responsible for.
Use action verbs + results. For example:
❌ “Managed social media accounts”
✅ “Increased Instagram engagement by 150% in 6 months through content optimization”
Use numbers, metrics, and impact whenever possible.

✅ 4. Keep It Clean and Professional

Design matters. Make your resume easy to read:
Use a modern, professional font like Calibri, Lato, or Open Sans (10.5–12pt)
Keep formatting consistent

Avoid graphics, photos, or unusual layouts that confuse ATS systems Use bullet points instead of paragraphs for readability

✅ 5. Limit to 1–2 Pages

Unless you have 10+ years of experience or are in an academic/technical field, your resume should be no longer than 2 pages.
Include only relevant and recent experience (usually the last 10 years).

✅ 6. Include Keywords for ATS

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human sees them.
To get past the ATS:
Include the exact job title
Use industry-specific terms and skills from the job ad
Avoid images, tables, or fancy formatting (ATS can’t read them properly)

✅ 7. Don’t Forget Soft Skills (But Show, Don’t Tell)

Skills like communication, leadership, or adaptability are important—but don’t just list them.
Instead, give examples:
“Led cross-functional team of 8 during system implementation project, resulting in 25% faster deployment.”

✅ 8. Include a Skills Section

Create a separate section to list key technical and soft skills (especially those found in the job posting). Use bullet points or a simple list.
🧠 Examples: Project Management
CRM Systems (Salesforce, HubSpot)
B2B Sales
Python, SQL
Conflict Resolution

✅ 9. Proofread Carefully

Typos can ruin a great first impression. Always:
Use spell check
Read your resume out loud
Ask someone else to review it
Even one small error can suggest a lack of attention to detail.

✅ 10. Include Relevant Certifications & Training

If you’ve completed relevant training or hold certifications (even online courses), list them clearly.
🧾 Examples: Google Ads Certification
PMP (Project Management Professional)
AWS Certified Solutions Architect
LinkedIn Learning courses
✨ Bonus: Get Professional Help
Struggling to get interviews? Our team at Sapphire Manpower Inc offers free resume reviews and career coaching for candidates looking to level up their job search.
👉 Mail your resume info@sapphiremanpowerinc.com or contact us for personalized feedback.