Tips to Build Better Resume

Want to stand out and get hired faster? It all starts with your resume.

A few smart changes can take your resume from good to unforgettable. Whether you're applying for your first job or pivoting careers, the resume landscape is changing in 2025—and we're here to help you keep up.

In this guide, you'll learn:

• The top resume dos and don'ts
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Actionable tips for writing a powerful resume
• Real examples to inspire your achievements

Ready to create a resume that actually gets read? Let's dive in.

1. Make Your Contact Info Clear and Compact

Use a bold, slightly larger font for your name (20–24 pt), and keep all your contact info on one line—email, phone, LinkedIn, and location (city/state).

💡 Pro tip: Use a professional email. "[email protected]" works. "[email protected]"? Not so much.

2. Skip Personal Details

Don't include your age, gender, marital status, religion, or photo—unless specifically required. Focus on what actually matters: your skills and experience.

3. Add a Strong Summary or Objective

Tailor this section to your experience level:

• New to the workforce? Write an objective highlighting your transferable skills and goals.
• Experienced? Use a summary to showcase your top skills, achievements, and years of experience.

Keep it short, relevant, and keyword-rich.

4. Show You Can Do the Job

Don't just list your skills—prove them.

Example: Instead of "Project management," say "Led a cross-functional team to reduce delivery time by 30%."

5. Prioritize Achievements Over Duties

Employers want to see impact, not job descriptions.

• ✅ Use action verbs
• ✅ Focus on outcomes
• ✅ Quantify where possible

Example: "Improved onboarding experience, cutting training time by 25%."

6. No Experience? Highlight Potential

Use internships, volunteer work, school projects, or side gigs to show initiative.

Example: "Planned a community cleanup event with 50+ volunteers."

7. Changing Careers? Focus on Transferable Skills

Bridge the gap with a tailored objective and relevant accomplishments.

Example: "Sales pro pivoting to marketing, bringing 5+ years of customer insight and communication experience."

8. Non-Traditional Experience Counts

Freelance? Volunteered? Managed a side hustle?

It all counts—especially if you highlight the results.

9. Explain Gaps Positively

Keep it honest and professional. Use years only (e.g., 2020–2021) and mention any skills you gained during the break.

10. Use Keywords from the Job Description

Scan the job ad for key skills, tools, and qualifications. Add them naturally throughout your resume to help pass ATS filters.

11. Customize Your Resume for Each Job

Yes, really. One-size-fits-all doesn't work anymore. Tailor your resume to each role by highlighting the most relevant accomplishments and keywords.

12. List Relevant Education Only

Include your degree, school, and graduation year. Leave out high school if you've completed college.

13. Add Certifications and Licenses

Make a separate section for certifications relevant to the job. Include the issuing body and date earned.

14. Back Up Skills With Evidence

Don't just list "communication" or "data analysis."

Show how you used them: "Presented data insights to stakeholders, leading to a 10% budget increase."

15. Include Hobbies (If They're Relevant)

If you're low on experience, hobbies can show valuable soft skills.

Example: "Photography – built a portfolio and grew an Instagram following to 5,000+."

16. Add Extra Sections (If They Add Value)

Consider sections like:

• Awards & honors
• Volunteer work
• Languages
• Personal projects

17. Keep It Concise

Stick to 1 page if you have less than 10 years of experience

Only go to 2 pages if needed

Focus on the last 10–15 years

18. Format It Professionally

Use clean, readable fonts like Arial or Calibri. Stick to black text with minimal design accents. Avoid tables, images, and fancy layouts.

19. Look at Examples in Your Industry

Browse resumes from professionals in your field to get a feel for layout, wording, and how to highlight your achievements.

20. Don't Say "References Available Upon Request"

It's outdated and takes up space. Employers already know you'll provide them when asked.

21. Do a Final Check Before Sending

Proofread! Read it out loud. Ask a friend to review it.

Then save as a PDF using a clean file name like Jane-Doe-Resume.pdf.

22. Always Follow Up

Send a polite email a week after submitting your resume or interviewing. It shows you're proactive and truly interested.

23. Let PikCV Build It For You

Want an ATS-optimized resume that gets you more interviews?

With PikCV's AI Resume Builder, all you have to do is enter your info, paste the job description, and click generate.

🎯 Instantly get a recruiter-ready resume — no stress, no second-guessing.

TL;DR: Your 2025 Resume Game Plan

• ✅ Clear, professional contact info
• ✅ Tailored summary or objective
• ✅ Measurable achievements (not just duties)
• ✅ Job-specific keywords
• ✅ Clean, modern format
• ✅ Personalized for every application
• ✅ Optional extras: certifications, volunteer work, hobbies
• ✅ Proofread + follow up
• ✅ (Bonus) Use PikCV to do the heavy lifting

Ready to land more interviews in 2025?