15 Resume Tips That Get You More Interviews
Small changes that make a big difference: formatting, keywords, achievements and the mistakes to avoid.
Recruiters often decide whether to keep reading your resume within a few seconds. These 15 tips focus on what actually changes that decision — not filler advice.
Format and layout
1. Choose a clean, professional template
A clear structure beats fancy design. Use consistent headings, enough white space and one accent colour. Our free resume templates handle the layout so you can focus on content.
2. Keep it to one or two pages
One page if you have under 5 years of experience; two pages for most experienced professionals. If you are over, cut old roles and generic duties first.
3. Use readable fonts and sizes
Stick to 10–12 pt body text and 14–20 pt for your name. Use at most two fonts. Calibri, Arial, Roboto, Lato and Georgia are all safe choices.
4. Use bullet points, not paragraphs
Three to five bullets per role are easier to scan than blocks of text. Start each bullet with an action verb.
5. Save and send as a PDF
A PDF looks the same on every device. Name it FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf. Only send Word if the employer asks for it.
Content that gets interviews
6. Tailor your resume for every job
Mirror the job title and the most important skills from the advert. Reorder bullet points so the most relevant achievements come first.
7. Lead with a strong summary
Two to four lines: your role, years of experience, a standout achievement and what you want next.
Sales executive with 5 years in B2B software sales across the GCC. Closed AED 4.2M in new business in 2025, 130% of target. Looking to grow into a key account manager role.
8. Show achievements, not duties
"Responsible for inventory" tells the reader nothing. "Cut stock discrepancies by 35% by introducing weekly cycle counts" shows impact.
9. Quantify wherever possible
Numbers make results concrete: percentages, revenue, money saved, time saved, number of customers, team size, projects delivered.
10. Include the right keywords for ATS
Many employers use applicant tracking systems. Include the hard skills and tools named in the job advert, spelled the same way. Read our ATS resume guide.
Apply these tips in an ATS-friendly template.
Use the Strong template11. Keep only recent and relevant experience
Go into detail on the last 10–15 years. Earlier or unrelated jobs can be one line each or removed entirely.
12. Put your best skills where they are seen
List 6–12 relevant skills in a dedicated section and prove the important ones in your experience bullets.
Final checks
13. Remove what doesn't help
Skip "References available on request", unrelated hobbies, salary details and, in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia, your photo, age and marital status.
14. Proofread twice — then ask someone else
Spelling mistakes are one of the most common reasons recruiters reject resumes. Read it aloud and check dates, phone number and email.
15. Use a professional email and LinkedIn
Create a simple firstname.lastname email if you don't have one, and make sure your LinkedIn profile matches your resume.
Want the full process step by step? Read how to write a CV.