Why fixing the right things first matters
Resume improvements should be done in priority order. Spending time on fonts or colors before fixing clarity, relevance, and structure often leads to poor results. Recruiters care about relevance and impact more than visual creativity.
Step 1: Role clarity and job alignment
Your resume should clearly communicate what role you are targeting. If the job title or summary is vague, recruiters may not understand where you fit.
- Use a clear job title aligned with the role
- Avoid generic labels like “Professional” or “Engineer”
- Match role terminology used in job descriptions
Step 2: Professional summary (not an objective)
A professional summary highlights your experience, strengths, and value. Unlike objectives, summaries focus on what you offer, not what you want.
Good summaries:
- Are concise (2–4 lines)
- Mention experience level and domain
- Highlight key strengths and impact
Step 3: Experience and achievements
Recruiters value impact over responsibilities. Instead of listing tasks, explain what you achieved and how it helped the organization.
- Use action verbs
- Quantify results where possible
- Focus on outcomes, not just duties
Step 4: Skills and keyword optimization
Skills help Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) match resumes with job requirements. Missing or irrelevant skills can reduce visibility.
- Include job-relevant technical and soft skills
- Avoid keyword stuffing
- Use exact phrases from job descriptions
Step 5: Formatting and structure
Clean formatting improves readability and ATS compatibility. Complex layouts often cause parsing issues.
- Use standard headings
- Avoid tables, icons, and heavy graphics
- Maintain consistent spacing and fonts
Step 6: Final checks before applying
- Clear job title and role alignment
- Strong professional summary
- Relevant skills section
- Clean formatting and structure
- Quantified achievements
- Keyword optimization for ATS
- Error-free language and grammar
- Updated contact information
FAQ
What is the first thing recruiters look at in a resume?
Recruiters usually scan the job title, summary, and recent experience first to check role relevance within a few seconds.
Should I fix design or content first?
Content should be fixed first. A well-written resume with simple formatting performs better than a poorly written but visually attractive one.
Does resume length matter?
Yes. One page is usually ideal for early careers, while two pages are acceptable for experienced professionals.
Do resumes really need to be ATS-friendly?
Yes. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems, and resumes that are not ATS-friendly may never reach a human reviewer.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general resume advice. Hiring practices vary by industry, company, and role. Always tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for.