The Secret to an Impactful Resume

In today’s competitive job market, having a strong resume is essential to getting noticed by employers and securing interviews. With countless applicants for each job, your resume needs to stand out for all the right reasons. From layout and structure to content and personalisation, here’s what makes a great resume. 

1. Clear Structure and Format 

The way your resume looks matters just as much as what it says. A clean, professional design makes it easier for employers to find key details at a glance. Here's how to get it right: 

• Consistent Formatting: Use a simple, professional font and keep your formatting uniform. Only use bold, italics, and bullet points to highlight key information. 

• Organised Sections: Break your resume into clear, easy-to-read sections to ensure it’s scannable.  

• Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile (if relevant). Double-check that your details are current. 

• Summary or Objective: A brief statement about your career goals and what you bring to the job. Tailor this for each role you apply for to demonstrate your fit. 

• Work Experience: List jobs in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Include job titles, company names, dates, and a short summary of your responsibilities and achievements. 

• Education: Detail your qualifications, including degrees, institutions, and graduation dates. 

• Skills: Highlight key skills relevant to the job. Check the job ad for specific keywords and include them. 

• Certifications & Awards: List any relevant certifications or achievements that make you stand out. 

• Additional Sections (Optional): If relevant, add sections like projects, volunteer work, or languages spoken. 

• Bullet Points: Use bullet points for responsibilities and achievements to keep things clear and easy to read. 
  

2. Make It Relevant to the Job 

A one-size-fits-all resume won’t get you far. Tailoring your resume for each job helps show you're the perfect fit for the role. 

• Customised Content: Read the job ad carefully and highlight skills, experience, and qualifications that match. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to meet the job's needs. 

• Keywords Matter: Many companies use software to scan resumes for keywords. Use the same words and phrases from the job ad to increase your chances of passing the initial screening. 

• Highlight Achievements: Focus on achievements that are most relevant to the role. Use numbers and statistics whenever possible to show tangible results. For example: “Increased sales by 25% in the first quarter.” 
  

Want a tailored resume that gets results? Check out Adrienna’s Resume Writing Services  for expert help. 

3. Strong Summary or Objective 

Your summary or objective is the first thing employers read, so make it count. 

• Summary (for experienced professionals): A quick overview of your skills and achievements, tailored to the role.  Example: "Experienced marketing specialist with 7+ years in digital campaigns. Proven track record in increasing revenue through targeted strategies." 

• Objective (for graduates or career changers): Outline your career goals and how you fit the role.  Example: "Recent IT graduate seeking a junior developer role to apply skills in Java and SQL, with a passion for backend development." 
  

By personalising your summary or objective, you show potential employers that you are focused and know exactly what you bring to the table. 

4. Show Results, Not Just Responsibilities 

Employers don’t just want to see what you did—they want to see the impact you made. 

• Use Numbers: Quantifying your achievements is a great way to highlight your value. For example, instead of saying "managed a team," say "led a team of 10 to achieve a 15% increase in productivity." 

• Highlight Impact: Show how your work benefited the company, whether it was increasing profits, improving customer satisfaction, or streamlining operations. 

Example: "Redesigned the customer service system, improving response time by 40% and increasing client satisfaction by 30%." 

5. Highlight Key Skills 

Your skills section should match the job requirements. Highlight the technical and soft skills that make you a strong candidate for the role. 

• Technical & Soft Skills: Employers value both hard skills (e.g., proficiency in software or programming languages) and soft skills (e.g., communication, problem-solving). Tailor your skills section to the specific job. Example: "Proficient in Python, Java, and SQL. Strong problem-solving, communication, and data analysis skills." 

• Certifications: Adding certifications or training is a great way to show that you are qualified for the role. Example: "Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)." 
  

Need help polishing your skills section? Adrienna’s Resume Writing Services offers expert resume writing services. 

6. Education and Training 

Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, your education section matters. 

• Degrees & Institutions: List your qualifications, including the degree, university name, and graduation year. This shows employers your academic background and relevant knowledge. Example: "Bachelor of Business, University of Sydney, Graduated 2020." 

• Relevant Courses: Highlight any coursework that’s directly relevant to the job you’re applying for, especially if you're just starting out. Example: "Completed advanced data analytics and machine learning courses." 

• Workshops & Training: List any additional training, workshops, or certifications that boost your qualifications and demonstrate your commitment to professional development. 

  
  

7. Optimise for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) 

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before they reach a recruiter. These systems look for specific keywords and phrases, so you need to optimise your resume for ATS to increase your chances of being shortlisted. 

• Use Standard Job Titles: Avoid using creative job titles, as ATS may not recognise them. Stick to standard titles like "Software Developer" or "Marketing Manager." 

• Avoid Graphics: While visual resumes may be appealing to human readers, ATS can’t read images. Stick to text-based formats for best results. 

• Use Standard Headings: Headings like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills" are ATS-friendly and will help the system categorise your information correctly. 

A great resume isn’t just a list of jobs—it’s a marketing tool that showcases your skills, achievements, and potential. By keeping it clear, relevant, and results-focused, you’ll significantly improve your chances of landing an interview. Tailoring your resume for each job and using clear, concise language will make your qualifications shine. 

Want a professional to perfect your resume? Visit Adrienna’s Resumes Writing Services for expert guidance or you can also call Adrienna on 0423 686 904 or email at hello@adriennasresumes.com and we will be in touch with you on the same day.