The 10 Golden Rules

Read once, win always

Craft a winning resume with these expert tips and best practices.

1

Keep it simple

Use a clean and professional layout. Avoid clutter and unnecessary graphics.

2

Optimize for ATS (Applicant Tracking System)

Use standard section headings like "Work Experience" and "Education." Avoid images or tables, and use bullet points to organize information clearly and make your resume easier to scan.

3

Use action words

Start bullet points with strong action verbs like "Designed" "Implemented", "Automated", "Optimized" or "Led". More examples below:

More examples of action words by category

  • 🔧 Technical / Problem-Solving: Developed, Engineered, Debugged, Refactored, Built, Programmed, Deployed, Resolved, Configured, Integrated
  • 🎯 Leadership / Initiative: Led, Directed, Managed, Coordinated, Supervised, Mentored, Facilitated, Delegated, Oversaw, Spearheaded
  • 🤝 Communication / Collaboration: Presented, Advised, Collaborated, Communicated, Negotiated, Advocated, Documented, Consulted, Reported, Promoted
  • 📈 Results / Impact: Achieved, Improved, Increased, Enhanced, Boosted, Maximized
4

Quantify achievements

Include numbers to showcase your impact.

Examples of quantifying achievements

  • Increased sales by 20%.
  • Increased website traffic by 50% in 3 months.
  • Reduced customer support response time by 30%.
  • Managed a team of 5 developers to deliver a project 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
  • Automated a manual process, saving 10 hours per week.
  • Improved application performance by 40% through code optimization.
  • Led a project that resulted in a 25% increase in user engagement.
  • Implemented a new feature that increased user retention by 15%.
  • Designed a system that reduced downtime by 99%.
  • Conducted a training program that improved team productivity by 20%.
  • Created a marketing campaign that generated $50,000 in revenue.
  • Developed a tool that reduced data entry errors by 80%.
5

Structure your projects (PAR method)

Use the PAR method (Problem, Action, Result) to structure your work experience or Projects. That is, Problem: What was the problem/project/task? Action: What did you do? Result: What was the result/outcome/impact?

PAR Example

  • Problem: The team was spending too much time on manual reporting.
  • Action: Built an internal reporting dashboard using React and Node.js.
  • Result: Reduced manual reporting time by 90% and saved 40+ hours/month for the team.
6

Use reverse chronological order

List your most recent work experience and education first. This helps recruiters see your latest and most relevant accomplishments quickly.

7

Tailor for each job

Customize your resume to match the job description. Highlight relevant skills such as tools, technologies, soft skills and experiences.

8

Include a professional summary

Start your resume with a brief 2–3 sentence summary that highlights your career focus, key strengths, and what you bring to the role. It helps recruiters quickly understand your value.

9

Showcase relevant awards, achievements, certifications and training

Include certifications, training, or courses that are relevant to the job. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends.

10

Proofread carefully

Check for spelling and grammar errors. A polished resume makes a great impression.

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