So, you’re trying to find a job. Or maybe you’re just preparing in case you need one soon. Whatever the reason, your resume needs an update.
Building a resume can be intimidating, and the job market has shifted significantly over the last few years. Hiring technologies, remote work trends, and recruiter expectations have all changed. What if there was a clear roadmap to writing a resume that actually lands you interviews today?
Lucky for you, we’ve got 10 modernized tips for writing the perfect resume right now.
1. Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Before a human ever sees your resume, it’s likely going to be scanned by an ATS. These software programs filter candidates based on specific criteria. To get past the bots, tailor your resume to the job description by naturally weaving in relevant keywords, job titles, and skills listed in the posting.
2. Swap the "Objective" for a "Professional Summary"
Career objectives (e.g., "Seeking a challenging marketing role to grow my skills") are outdated because they focus on what you want. Instead, use a Professional Summary or Branding Statement at the top of your resume. Give employers a brief, 2–3 sentence highlight reel of the value, experience, and unique skills you will bring to their company.
3. Modernize Your Contact Information
You’d be surprised how often this gets messed up! Keep your contact info at the very top, but give it a modern refresh:
- Include: Your phone number, a professional email address, and a customized link to your LinkedIn profile or digital portfolio.
- Omit: Your full physical street address. For privacy and security, simply listing your City and State (or metropolitan area) is standard practice today.
4. Quantify Your Professional Impact
When detailing your work history (starting with your most recent job and working backward), don't just list your daily duties. Employers want to see results. Highlight your achievements using data, metrics, and percentages. Did you increase sales by 15%? Did you manage a budget of $50,000? Numbers provide concrete proof of your capabilities.
5. Highlight Remote and Hybrid Skills
If you are applying for a role that involves any level of remote work, explicitly mention your proficiency with digital collaboration tools (Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Asana) and highlight soft skills like self-motivation, time management, and asynchronous communication.
6. Keep Formatting Clean and ATS-Friendly
Templates are a great starting point, but heavily designed resumes with complex columns, graphics, or unusual fonts can scramble the ATS software. Make your resume stand out through clean organization: use standard bullet points, clear bold headings, and a classic, easy-to-read font.
7. Strategic Experience (The 15-Year Rule)
Detail your relevant positions over the last 10 to 15 years. Anything older than that can usually be summarized briefly or omitted entirely to prevent age bias and keep your document focused on your most current, high-level skills.
8. Include Volunteering and Affiliations
If you are active with a nonprofit or a professional organization, include it. Skills-based volunteering is an excellent way to fill in employment gaps and show employers what you’re passionate about. Share when you got involved and any leadership roles or specific responsibilities you held.
9. Position Education Appropriately
Depending on your career stage, your education section should adapt. If you are a recent graduate, it can sit near the top. If you have been in the workforce for a few years, move it to the bottom and keep it brief: include your degree, field of study, and institution. You no longer need to include graduation dates if you've been out of school for more than a few years.
10. Follow the Modern Length Rules
You’ve probably heard you must keep your resume to one page. Today, the rules are more flexible.
- One Page: Ideal for entry-level candidates or those with less than 5–7 years of experience.
- Two Pages: Perfectly acceptable (and often preferred) for mid-level to senior professionals who need the space to detail a robust work history and quantified achievements.
Regardless of length, ensure every bullet point earns its spot on the page. Be succinct and impactful.
Your resume is the first impression most employers get of you. Use these updated tips to prepare for your next job search and make sure your resume is built for the modern hiring landscape.
