When you apply for a job and submit your resume, it goes with hundreds of other applications. In the fast-paced market of jobs, the scanning time for the resume is mostly about the average of 10-15 seconds. But crafting a compelling effect on the document can make it stand out. Whether you are a seasoned pro applying for another job or a fresh, recent graduate just trying to find out how to make an effective resume that can transform the job search. In this resume writing guide, 10 practical steps are mentioned, including the resume writing tips, insights, AI data-driven achievements, and some examples.

Its have been recorded that in most cases, employers prioritize not only the educational qualification but also the skills over formal education, so the goal of candidates in a resume should not focus on what you have done; the focus should be on how you have made an impact. So, let’s dive into the full details of building an effective resume covering all ATS filters, strengths, and how to get the interviews.

Why a Strong Resume Matters in 2025

The mentioning of AI-related skills is the top hard skill that helps win the resumes; employers consider the resume more valuable if it has AI-related skills. A well-structured resume is proven as the personal pitch that aligns with the shifts. So, avoid making common mistakes when writing the resume, like keyword stuffing, using old formats, and focusing on only user-centric content.

10 Practical Steps for Building a Resume That Stands Out

To make a resume more effective and outstanding, some steps should be followed. In this guide, a step-by-step writing guide to create rich keywords that are optimized for both ATS systems and humans. For an actionable resume, follow the given steps to submit a resume like a pro.

1. Add Your Contact Information

The first step to conquer the resume is to start with the basics, placing full name, phone number, and professional email (firstname.lastname@gmail.com), followed by the city or state. By the suggestions of the experts, the full address should be skipped in order to keep it private, but it depends on you. After adding the city or state, then add the profile links to the resume, like a LinkedIn profile or any other online portfolio, which gives the employer a deeper look.

Tip: Make it mobile-friendly—use a clean, bold font for easy scanning. For example, if you’re in tech, link to your GitHub to showcase projects.

2. Include a Professional Summary or Objective

Grab the attention of the recruiters with top sentences in the overview of the qualifications. Highlight the recent achievements, career goals, and key skills. While mentioning the professional summary the main objective should be the certifications, education, and transferable skills from the internships.

Example: “Dynamic marketing professional with 5+ years in multi-channel campaigns, boosting client ROI by 40%. Skilled in SEO and data analytics, seeking to drive growth at innovative firms.” This resume summary example uses quantifiable wins to grab attention.

Related: If you’re new to resume writing for beginners, emphasize enthusiasm and potential.

3. Add Your Work Experience

Adding work experience is proven to be the heart of the resume. If you are adding the experience, it should be in chronological order, like job title, company, location, and dates. The description for each should be in the 3-5 bullet points to describe the responsibilities and the impacts.

Quantify everything: Instead of “Managed team,” say “Led a 10-person team to exceed sales targets by 25%, generating $500K in revenue.” Incorporate job description keywords like “fundraising” or “project management” naturally to pass ATS.

Pro Tip: Limit to 10-15 years of history. For those with limited experience, include internships or freelance gigs. In 2025, emphasize measurable achievements, as trends show data-driven resumes perform best.

4. Include Your Education

While adding the educational qualification in the resume, the higher degree should be mentioned first. It should follow a pattern like degree type, major, institution, and then the graduation year. The pattern may depend upon the organization’s policies or on the interest of the candidate. The main factor in the educational qualification is the GPA and other types of grades. The school degree should be skipped if you have the degree of college.

Include certifications like Google Analytics or PMP. For current students, note “Expected Graduation: May 2026.”

Example: “Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Hazara University, Mansehra, 2024. Relevant Coursework: Machine Learning, Data Structures. GPA: 3.8.”

5. List Relevant Skills

To make the resume more outstanding, a section should be dedicated to the soft skills that match the job. The priority should be given to the occupational ones, like campaign management or the content creation. In the skills section, ChatGPT or machine learning should be added.

Resume Skills Example:

• SEO Optimization
• Data Analysis (Excel, Python)
• Project Management (Agile)
• Communication & Team Collaboration

This resume checklist item ensures you align with intent keywords like “build a resume” by showing functional expertise.

6. Showcase Relevant Awards, Projects, or Involvement

Another important hook option in the resume is to add the relevant awards and projects you have done. Highlighting awards and volunteer work will provide opportunities to impress the employer. For instance, “Led community fundraising project raising $10K for local nonprofits.”

Actually, adding these things is optional, not mandatory; if these are added, they may add value; otherwise, they will not ruin the resume. This sets you apart through dedication and extra traits.

7. Use a Standard Resume Format

To make a professional resume the structure should be clean. The header should be clear with font size of 10-12 and especially the Arial or Calibri fonts. The margins of the resume should be 1 inch and have appropriate spacing. The number of pages for the normal resumes is one, but for those with 10+ years of experience, it is two pages.

In a resume, always try to avoid fancy elements like confusing ATS and bulky graphics. The focus while writing a resume should be on better readability, aligning with the Core Web Vitals, and the reader experience.

8. Select a Resume Template

If you are trying to create a resume, you can try different templates that are provided on online platforms. You can copy those templates that are used by the successful candidates. Canva and ResumeBuilder offer different resume templates. You can select the template and edit it by filling in your details for a polished look.

If you still don’t like the resume templates, using AI quick templates can be generated. Using AI-powered resumes ensures the professionalism and uniqueness.

9. Include Keywords

While making the resume for the job, it’s better to scan the job posting for phrases like “hiring manager” and interconnect them in the resume in a good manner. Doing this thing will boost the Application Tracking System compatibility, where large companies use such systems.

Best Way to Write a Resume 2025 Tip: Use trusted tools like Jobscan to check keyword matches, avoiding mistakes that tank your chances.

10. Proofread Your Resume

Proofreading the resume is the last step when making a good resume. You added everything, but at the end, you should check all the entered data to signal the errors and ensure clarity. Mostly in proofreading, use Grammarly for the spelling, grammar errors, and sentence structure. Despite tools asking any peer to provide feedback to avoid rejection.

Resume Tips That Get Attention: Double-check facts; employers often run background checks, catching lies easily. A flawless resume builds trust.

Also Read: How to prepare for a job interview: The Ultimate Guide to Interview Preparation

Resume Examples to Inspire You

• Entry-Level Resume Example: This type of resume focuses on education and skills. “Recent marketing grad with internship experience in social media, managing campaigns that increased engagement by 30%.”
• Experienced Professional: “Senior Engineer: Developed AI models improving efficiency by 50%, skilled in Python and TensorFlow.”

For more, check resume examples online.

Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

• Overloading with irrelevant details—keep it concise.
• Ignoring ATS: No columns or fancy fonts.
• Forgetting metrics: Always quantify impacts.
• Lying about experience: It backfires often.

FAQs About Resume Writing

Ready to build your resume? Download a free template and start today. Share your top resume writing tip in the comments, or follow us on social media for more job search advice. Let us know what challenge you are facing in your resume!