How to write a resume that gets interviews
1. Start with clear contact details
Put your full name at the top, followed by the job title you want. Add one phone number, a professional email address (ideally your name), and your city and state. A full street address is no longer needed. Add a LinkedIn profile or website only if it is up to date.
2. Write a short, strong summary
Two to four sentences that answer: who are you, what are you great at, and what do you bring to this employer? Mention your years of experience and two or three of your strongest skills. Tailor it for each job.
Example: “Organized office administrator with 6 years of experience keeping busy offices running smoothly. Skilled in scheduling, bookkeeping support and vendor coordination. Known for accuracy, discretion and a friendly, professional presence.”
3. Show results, not just duties
List jobs with the most recent first. Under each one, write 3 to 5 bullet points. Start every bullet with an action verb — managed, built, improved, trained, reduced, increased — and add a number wherever you can.
Instead of “Responsible for answering phones”, write “Answered and routed 80+ calls a day for a team of 20”. Numbers make your work real to the reader.
4. Keep education simple
Write the degree or certificate, the school and the year. Add honors, a strong GPA or relevant courses if you are a recent graduate. With several years of work experience, education can be short and go below your experience.
5. Match your skills to the job posting
Read the job ad and note the skills it mentions. If you have them, use the same words in your skills section. List 6 to 12 skills — a mix of job-specific skills (like QuickBooks or patient assessment) and strengths (like customer service).
6. Make it ATS-friendly
Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to sort resumes. To make sure yours is read correctly:
- Use standard section headings such as “Work Experience”, “Education” and “Skills”.
- Use keywords from the job posting.
- Avoid putting important text in images or headers.
- Send a PDF unless the employer asks for Word.
- When in doubt, use the Simple ATS template.
7. Keep it to one or two pages
One page is ideal for most people with under 10 years of experience. Two pages are fine for longer careers. The live preview in our builder shows exactly where each page ends.
8. Proofread — then proofread again
Spelling mistakes are the easiest way to lose an interview. Read your resume out loud, check dates and phone numbers, and ask a friend to take a look.
Writing a cover letter
A good cover letter is short — three or four paragraphs on one page:
- Opening: name the job and say in one sentence why you are a great fit.
- Middle: give one or two examples of your best work that match what the employer needs.
- Closing: thank them, and ask for an interview.
Address the hiring manager by name if you can find it. Use the same template and color as your resume for a matching, professional set. Our cover letter builder includes example paragraphs for many jobs.
Action verbs to start your bullet points
Achieved · Administered · Analyzed · Built · Coordinated · Created · Delivered · Designed · Developed · Improved · Increased · Launched · Led · Managed · Negotiated · Organized · Planned · Reduced · Resolved · Streamlined · Supervised · Trained