7 Ways to Improve Your Resume and Get More Interviews

Want to land more job interviews? Here’s how to make your resume stand out:

1. Optimize for ATS and AI
2. Customize for each job
3. Write a strong summary
4. Use numbers to show achievements
5. Keep formatting simple
6. List relevant skills and certifications
7. Proofread and improve

Key stats:

• 75%+ of employers use ATS to filter applications
• Recruiters spend just 7.4 seconds on average per resume
• Only about 1 in 17 resumes leads to an interview

Quick comparison of old vs new resume strategies:

Old School	New School
Generic content	Tailored to job
Job duties	Measurable wins
Basic layout	ATS-friendly design
General skills	Job-specific keywords
One-size-fits-all	Custom for each job

Use these tips to create a resume that gets noticed by both AI and humans. Remember: your resume is your first impression – make it count.

Related video from YouTube

How Modern Job Applications Work

Job applications have changed big time. It’s not just sending in a resume anymore. Tech has flipped the whole process on its head.

ATS: The New Gatekeeper

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are now running the show. Here’s the deal:

• Almost ALL big companies use ATS (97.4% of Fortune 500)
• It sorts and ranks resumes based on what the job needs
• Keywords from the job description? They’re your golden ticket

Your resume needs to impress both robots AND humans now. Wild, right?

AI: The New Recruiter

AI is taking things up a notch:

• It blasts through resumes faster than any human
• It picks out candidates that fit the job like a glove
• It even chats with applicants through fancy chatbots

Take Cleo, for example. This AI tool doesn’t just screen resumes. It comes up with interview questions and creates fair ways to evaluate candidates.

Humans: Still in the Game

Don’t worry, robots haven’t taken over completely:

• Real people still check what the AI spits out
• Face-to-face interviews aren’t going anywhere
• Human judgment keeps things balanced

What You Need to Do

Want to nail that application? Here’s your game plan:

1. Pack your resume with keywords the job is looking for
2. Keep it simple – no fancy formatting
3. Customize your resume for EVERY job you apply to
4. Be ready for both AI and human interviews

"AI gives us a sharper picture of candidates, but we still decide what matters most for the job." – Siadhal, Co-founder and CEO

The job hunt’s changed, but now you’re in the know. Go get ’em!

1. Make Your Resume Work with ATS and AI

Your resume needs to impress robots AND humans in today’s job market. Here’s how:

1. Use .doc or .docx: Many ATS can’t read PDFs.
2. Keep it simple: Clean, single-column layout. Standard fonts like Arial or Calibri.
3. Clear section headers: "Work Experience", "Skills", "Education." Helps ATS categorize.
4. Include keywords: Match the job description. Example:

   Job Description	Your Resume
   "5 years of project management"	"Led 7 major projects over 6 years"
   "Proficient in Python"	"Developed 3 Python-based apps"

5. No headers/footers: ATS often misses these. Put key info in the main body.
6. Standard job titles: Add common equivalents if your title is unique.
7. Skills section: List key skills matching job requirements.
8. Quantify achievements: Use numbers. ATS and AI love metrics.

Balance is key. Optimize for ATS, but keep it readable for humans.

"Create a resume that’s machine-readable AND human-friendly. It’s not just about beating the ATS; it’s about impressing the person who’ll actually read it." – Kathryn Minshew, The Muse CEO

2. Customize Your Resume for Each Job

Don’t send the same resume to every job. Instead, tailor it to each position you’re after. Here’s how:

1. Analyze the job description:
   Dig into the posting. Look for key skills, responsibilities, and industry terms.
2. Match your skills:
   Line up your experience with what they want:

They Need	You’ve Got
Project management	Led 5 teams, 10% under budget
Python skills	Built 3 apps, 25% efficiency boost
Customer service	98% satisfaction over 2 years

3. Tweak your summary:
   Highlight your best stuff. For example:
   "Marketing manager with 5 years in digital. Boosted engagement 40% and ROI 25% in last role"
4. Reorganize experience:
   Put relevant stuff first. Switching careers? Focus on transferable skills.
5. Use their words:
   Sprinkle in keywords from the job post. It helps with ATS systems.
6. Show your impact:
   Use numbers:
   "30% sales increase in 6 months" or "25% fewer customer complaints"
7. Adjust your skills:
   List what matches the job. Cut the rest.
8. Know the company:
   Get their mission. Show you fit in.

It takes time, but it’s worth it. As Kayte Grady from Teal says:

"Tailoring your resume for each job description might require some effort, but it comes with substantial rewards."

3. Write a Strong Summary Statement

Your resume summary is your elevator pitch. It’s your first shot at grabbing the hiring manager’s attention. Here’s how to make it count:

Keep it short and sweet. Aim for 2-5 sentences max. Hiring managers skim resumes, so every word matters.

Match it to the job. Use the job description as your guide. Sprinkle in relevant keywords and show how your skills fit their needs. For example:

"IT Project Manager with 12 years of experience. Delivered global projects ($1.5MM – $3.0MM) on time and on budget. Expert in stakeholder management and risk mitigation."

Showcase your best skills. Pick 3 key skills that define you and fit the job. Like this:

"Sales pro with 10+ years in consumer electronics. Ace at direct sales, channel sales, and business development. Consistently beat revenue targets by 15-20% yearly."

Use power words. Start sentences with strong verbs to grab attention:

Weak	Strong
Responsible for	Led, Managed
Duties included	Executed, Implemented
Worked on	Developed, Created

Show your impact with numbers. For instance:

"Customer Service Rep with 4+ years in call centers. Handled 90+ daily calls with 95% customer satisfaction. Salesforce CRM certified, 100 WPM typing speed."

For entry-level jobs, focus on your potential:

"Finance major, 3.8 GPA, Dean’s List regular. Skilled in financial analysis and modeling. Ready to apply academic success to an entry-level finance role."

4. Use Numbers to Show Your Achievements

Want to grab a hiring manager’s attention? Use numbers. They’re your secret weapon for showing off what you’ve done.

Here’s how to do it right:

1. Quantify your impact. Don’t just say you increased sales. Say by how much:

"Boosted sales 25% in Q4 2022, netting $3 million profit"

2. Use percentages and dollar amounts. These pack a punch:

"Cut costs 15%, saving $200,000 yearly" "Upped customer satisfaction from 80% to 95% in 6 months"

3. Show time-based wins. Prove you’re efficient:

"Finished 95% of projects a week early" "Processed $5,000 in transactions per shift"

4. Demonstrate scale. Show the size of your responsibilities:

"Managed $500,000 marketing budget" "Led 5 major projects monthly, each with 10+ team members"

5. Be specific. Exact numbers are more believable:

"Wrote 13 SEO posts monthly, getting 800,000+ organic views quarterly" "Solved 90% of issues on first call, handling 45 inquiries daily"

Tips:

• Add 3-5 number-backed achievements per job
• Use numerals (7) not words (seven)
• Match your metrics to the job you want

Even "non-number" jobs can use metrics. A teacher might say:

"Boosted student engagement 25% with interactive lessons, improving test scores 15%"

Numbers tell your story. Use them to stand out.

sbb-itb-6a49caa

5. Keep Your Resume Format Simple

A clean resume grabs attention. Here’s how to make yours stand out:

1. Use basic fonts: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. 10-12 points for text, 14-16 for headings.
2. Add white space: Don’t overcrowd. Use 1-inch margins and space between sections.
3. Clear headings: Make section titles pop with bold or larger font. Stick to "Experience", "Education", and "Skills."
4. Bullet points: Break up text. Helps recruiters scan quickly.
5. Two pages max: One page is best for most. Focus on your top achievements.
6. Skip graphics: Plain text only. ATS can’t read images.
7. Reverse-chronological: List work history newest to oldest. ATS-friendly and recruiter-preferred.
8. No headers or footers: Keep all info in the main body.
9. Simple colors: Black text on white background. A touch of color for headings is okay.
10. Word doc or PDF: These formats work for both ATS and humans.

Remember: A simple, clean resume is your best bet for catching a recruiter’s eye.

6. List Your Skills and Certifications

Skills and certifications can make your resume pop. Over 40% of companies on LinkedIn use skills to find candidates. So, let’s make yours shine.

Here’s how:

1. Create a "Skills" section: Makes your talents easy to spot.
2. Match skills to the job: Use the job description as your guide.
3. Mix hard and soft skills: Think data analysis AND communication.
4. Top skills first: Put your best foot forward.
5. Show your level: For hard skills, say if you’re a beginner or an expert.
6. Prove it: Use your work experience to show these skills in action.
7. Certifications matter: Include the full name, who gave it, and when.

Here’s a quick example:

Skills	Certifications
• Data Analysis (Advanced)	• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) – Scrum Alliance, 2022
• Project Management	• HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification, 2023
• Python Programming (Intermediate)	• OSHA Forklift Certification, 2021
• Team Leadership
• Problem-solving

Remember: Your skills and certifications are your secret weapons. Use them wisely!

7. Check and Improve Your Resume

Time to polish your resume. Here’s how:

1. Use AI tools

Upload your resume to an AI checker. These tools compare it to job listings. Aim for a 75% score to boost your interview chances.

2. Proofread

Print it out. Mark it up with a red pen. Read it aloud. Change the font to spot details you might miss.

3. Make it ATS-friendly

Use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri. Save as .docx or .pdf.

4. Tailor it

Customize for each job. Use their terms. Match their required skills.

5. Use action verbs

Replace weak language with strong verbs:

Weak	Strong
Was responsible for training staff	Trained 30+ employees on company policies
Assisted with administrative work	Managed quarterly bookkeeping and admin tasks

6. Quantify achievements

Show your impact with numbers:

Before	After
Led opening and closing crews	Increased store efficiency 15% through optimized procedures
Resolved customer complaints	Achieved 98% satisfaction rate, resolving 50+ weekly complaints

7. Final check

Keep formatting consistent. Verify all info is current and relevant.

A solid resume gets you interviews. As Jobscan user Kellie W. said:

"I ran my resume through Jobscan and found it was lacking! I reworked it and resent it to a company I was interested in. Almost immediately, I got a positive response and landed an interview!"

Using AI Tools to Improve Your Resume

AI resume tools can help you create a resume that grabs attention from recruiters and beats Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Here’s how to use them:

AI Resume Builders

Several AI-powered tools can help you craft a killer resume:

Tool	Features	Cost
CV-O-Meter	AI-powered CV analysis, ATS compatibility check, keyword optimization, grammar and spelling corrections, personalized improvement suggestions, detailed feedback on CV formatting and content	Free
Enhancv	AI for resume and cover letter	From $13.32/month
Kickresume	AI resume gen, interview prep	Free; $7/month paid
Resume Worded	LinkedIn and job-specific help	From $19/month
ResumeNerd	Job matching, skill shortcuts	From $2.75/2 weeks

These tools optimize for ATS, offer design options, and score your resume.

Supercharge Your Resume with AI

1. Analyze Job Descriptions: Upload job posts to AI tools. Tailor your resume to each role.

2. Highlight Skills: AI suggests relevant skills based on job requirements. ResumeNerd lets you add skills straight from job descriptions.

3. Quantify Achievements: Turn experiences into measurable wins. Resume Worded scores your accomplishments’ impact.

4. Beat the ATS: AI builders make your resume ATS-friendly. Kickresume uses natural language that doesn’t scream "AI-generated".

5. Polish and Format: Catch errors and keep formatting consistent. Enhancv runs over 250 checks for accuracy.

AI + You = Perfect Resume

AI tools are great, but don’t lose your voice. The 2023 Job Seeker Report by iHire found:

"About 17% of respondents used AI for their resume or cover letter, while 40% said they’d consider it."

AI use in resumes is growing. But use these tools as a starting point, not the final product. Your unique experiences and personality should shine through.

Conclusion

Your resume is your ticket to landing interviews. Here’s how to make it count:

1. Beat the bots: Make your resume ATS-friendly, but keep it human.
2. Customize: Tailor each resume to the job you want.
3. Sell yourself: Write a summary that shows why you’re the best fit.
4. Use numbers: Quantify your achievements to show impact.
5. Keep it clean: Simple, professional formatting wins.
6. Show off: Highlight relevant skills and certifications.
7. Polish it: Proofread and get feedback.

AI tools can help, but don’t lose your voice. As jobs change, so should your resume.

Old School	New School
Generic blurb	Tailored pitch
Job duties	Measurable wins
Basic layout	ATS-friendly design
General skills	Job-specific keywords
One-size-fits-all	Custom for each job

Combine these tips with AI tools to create a resume that gets noticed. Your resume is your first impression – make it pop.

Remember, job hunting takes time. The average search in 2024 is about four months. Stay patient, keep improving, and show you’re ready for remote or hybrid work.

Your next big break is out there. With a killer resume, you’re ready to take on the job market and score those interviews.

FAQs

How to use AI to optimize your resume?

AI can supercharge your resume optimization. Here’s how:

• It scans job descriptions and suggests keywords to include
• Checks if your resume is ATS-friendly
• Helps craft impactful bullet points

But don’t just copy-paste. Review and personalize AI-generated content to make sure it’s 100% you.

Can AI modify my resume?

Yep, AI can tweak your resume. But use it as a helper, not a replacement. AI can:

• Suggest structure and formatting improvements
• Offer new ways to phrase your achievements
• Highlight skills matching job requirements

Always double-check AI changes. Keep your unique voice and make sure everything’s accurate.

What is the most ATS-friendly resume format?

The reverse chronological format is your best bet for ATS. Why?

• It lists work experience from newest to oldest
• ATS software can easily read it
• It shows your career growth clearly

Feature	ATS-Friendly Because
Single column	Easy to scan
Standard headings	Quick to identify
Chronological order	Matches ATS expectations
Simple fonts	Easy to read

To make your resume even more ATS-friendly:

• Use a .doc file (not PDF)
• Include job description keywords
• Skip the fancy graphics and formatting

Related posts

• Resume vs CV: Understanding the Key Differences