How to Write a Resume That Gets You Hired

Your resume is the first impression you make on recruiters. Before you even speak to them, your resume decides whether you’ll be shortlisted or ignored. In fact, most companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a human recruiter even looks at them.

That’s why it’s crucial to write a resume that’s not only professional but also ATS-friendly and tailored to the job you’re applying for. In this blog, we’ll walk you step by step through writing a resume that actually gets you hired.

1. Keep Your Resume Simple and ATS-Friendly
Avoid fancy designs, images, and complicated fonts.
Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (size 10–12).
Save your resume as .docx or PDF, unless the job portal specifies otherwise.
Use clear section headings like Education, Skills, Experience, Projects.
👉 Remember: ATS software scans for keywords. If your resume is too fancy, the system may fail to read it properly.

2. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job
Never send the same resume to every company. Instead:
Read the job description carefully.
Identify keywords (skills, tools, job responsibilities).
Add those keywords naturally into your resume.
Highlight relevant projects, certifications, or skills that match the role.
👉 Example:
If the JD mentions “Full Stack Developer with React & Node.js”, make sure your resume clearly states these skills in the Skills and Projects sections.

3. Highlight Achievements, Not Just Duties
Recruiters don’t just want to know what you did; they want to see results. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame achievements.
✅ Good Example:
“Increased website speed by 30% by optimizing backend queries and caching.”
❌ Weak Example:
“Worked on website backend.”
Achievements show your impact, not just your responsibilities.

4. Use Power Words
Strong action verbs make your resume stand out. Instead of boring words like “did” or “worked on”, use powerful terms like:
Achieved, Designed, Implemented, Developed, Reduced, Optimized, Increased, Managed, Led, Delivered
👉 Example:
“Implemented a new database model that reduced query time by 25%.”