A single job opening can attract hundreds of applicants, which can be discouraging for candidates who are actively seeking new employment. A strong resume is key to standing out in a large pool of applications and capturing the hiring manager’s attention. Today, many hiring teams are using AI-powered applicant tracking systems (ATS) to parse resumes and identify top talent. To help you appeal to both human hiring managers and AI reviews, let’s discuss how to write strong resumes that will get you job offers in 2025. All resumes should contain a few essential components like your contact information, a professional summary, and experience. Let’s discuss what you need to include in each section. Start with your basic contact details at the top of your resume, including your: Pro Tip: Make sure your email address sounds professional. If needed, create a new one specifically for job applications. Your first name and last name through a Gmail address is perfect. In 2025, resumes are starting with more than just a list of qualifications. They kick off with a vibrant and concise personal branding statement that allows recruiters to instantly grasp what makes you unique and valuable to the company. Your summary should be: Focus on the value you’re bringing to the organization, not just what you’re looking for in a position. For example, you could say: "Detail-oriented project manager with 7+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams in the healthcare industry. Proven track record of delivering complex projects on time and under budget. Seeking to leverage expertise in stakeholder management and process optimization to drive operational excellence." Employers often look for specific skills when hiring candidates— and that includes both hard and soft skills. Past work history as a software developer, for example, doesn’t tell the hiring manager which programming languages or tech stacks you’re proficient in. If they’re looking for a specific skill, you want to have that on your resume or you’ll risk being passed over. Be specific about your skills, tailoring the list to the role you’re applying for, even mirroring the language used in the job description. And don’t forget about soft skills, which include communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. When detailing your work experience, you should include the following: When it comes to the description of each role, use the STAR method to create impactful descriptions for each experience on your resume: Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This approach helps you describe the context of your work, your actions, and how your actions had a positive impact on the organization. Here are a few tips: As an example, don’t just write "Responsible for customer service." Instead, opt for "Resolved an average of 45 customer inquiries daily with a 95% satisfaction rating, contributing to a 15% increase in customer retention." List your educational background in reverse chronological order, and include the following information. You may have additional information that you want or need to add to a resume. Nurses, for example, can benefit from having a section that details their professional and specialized certifications. Some sections you can add include: Minimalism is a key trend in resumes for 2025, with most resumes using a simple format and black-and-white design. Creative elements like colors, graphics, and special fonts, however, can be an option if you’re applying for creative positions. Here are a few formatting tips you should keep in mind: The reality is that plenty of companies have been using AI-powered (or at least heavily automated) ATS systems to parse resumes and identify top talent. This means that a computer system may need to flag you as a good candidate before a human will even read your cover letter and resume, which means it’s essential to make your resume ATS-friendly. To ensure your resume appeals to the ATS, you should do the following: One of the most important things you can do is adjust your resume for each application or job role that you’re applying to. We’ve touched on this several times already, but it’s so critical to success in 2025 that we want to stress it again. Each employer may be prioritizing a unique set of skills or experience, and that will be reflected in each job description. Taking note of that and using similar or identical language in your resume will appeal to both the hiring managers and the ATS they’re using. While this does take significant effort and time, it can determine whether or not you get a call back. For each application, you should: You work hard to create a strong resume, so you don’t want to derail that effort with a simple mistake. Make sure you avoid the following: Whether you're just starting your career, looking to advance in your current field, or making a complete career change, a strong resume can help you stand out from the crowd and secure that all-important interview. Remember that your resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you. It needs to quickly communicate your value and demonstrate why you're the right fit for the position. Before you submit your resume, be sure to do the following: Remember, the job market is constantly evolving, so regularly updating your resume to reflect current trends and your growing experience is essential for staying competitive. With dedication to creating resumes that are both employer- and ATS-friendly, you'll be well on your way to landing your best opportunity yet.Include essential resume components
1. Contact information
2. Professional summary or objective
3. Skills section
4. Work experience
5. Education
6. Additional sections
Use trending resume formats
Making your resume ATS-friendly
Tailoring your resume for each application
What not to do: Mistakes to avoid
Final tips for success
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