Resume writing can be overwhelming — how do you stand out from hundreds of other applicants for that dream job? What do you share? What’s the balance of professionalism and approachability? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.

These tips will make sure your resume stands out and is actually read, snagging you the face-to-face meeting you deserve. In this post, we walk you through technical dos and don’ts, and also some layout tricks that increase readability and keep the hiring manager engaged in what you have to say. Let’s write a resume that gets you hired.

*Don’t feel like reading? Watch the video below.*

Use a template — but only as a guideline.

Find a template that works for you and your industry. If you’re a graphic designer, show that off a little. If you’re applying for a more black-and-white role, stick to something more traditional. If at all possible stick to one page — no more than two.

Use a professional font and size.

Use a reasonable font and size. No one wants to have to squint to read about you. And if you need the small font to keep things to the aforementioned one or two pages, it’s time to ruthlessly edit things down.

Clearly state your name and contact information.

Highlight who you are, and your contact information clearly. (This can include a professional headshot.)

Use your objective to humanize yourself.

Be straightforward in your objective. Include your WHY. This is a great place to humanize yourself.

Include interests that define who you are.

This could be in a side column entitled “interests” or simply be included in your objective. Find a place to include your interests outside of the workplace. What will water-cooler talk be like with you? Do you enjoy mountain biking? Spending time with your kids? Do you have a favourite author?

Only highlight relevant job experience.

Only list the positions that apply to the job. Maybe a similar role at a different company, maybe a company with a transferable skill set.

Feel free to include positions that you were at for an extended time simply as a list, not with full detail.

Expand on the value you added in your previous work.

Don’t overindulge in the write-ups. If you were a retail sales associate that’s great, we know you sold clothing. Tell us about the targets you hit, tell us about your awards as employee of the month, or the promotions you got while you were there. Simply doing your job isn’t enough, tell us why you were great at it. Things that relate to this position.

Be concise and conversational.

Keep the language conversational, yet professional. This is a balance that transfers over from your cover letter.

List key education and achievements.

Along with your education and GPA and honours, include awards that align with the company and/or position. Don’t be afraid to list certificates or further learning other employers have put you through. (If you’re worried about document length, a great space-saver is to take out your high school education.)

Demonstrate how the position aligns with your goals.

If applicable, share your goals for the future. 

And… most importantly…

Proofread, proofread, then proofread AGAIN.

The main goal of your resume is to highlight who you are and why you’re a good fit for the role. It ultimately boils down to company culture and values. I often talk about being human in a digital world, and a written piece of paper is no different.

I hope this blog post and video have been helpful for you. If you have any questions or want to share another great resume tip, pop them in the comments below!

(Pssst! If you need some help with your cover letter, head over to this video.)