How to Make a Resume Stand Out in 2024: Tips and Expert Advice
Sep 12, 2024
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12 min read
Make these small changes to your resume and instantly boost your chance of success!
The modern job market is wildly competitive with the average corporate job posting receiving 250 resumes. When you’re applying for jobs, you need to do all you can to grab the hiring manager’s attention (and keep it!). Standing out in a sea of worthy applicants can be a real challenge.
Luckily, learning how to make a resume stand out is the answer. Whatever career stage you’re at, there are some simple things you can do that will make a big impact. In the following guide, we’ll look at the definitive list of resume tips to stand out from the crowd.
Key takeaways
- Grab the hiring manager’s attention with a well-structured resume. You only have a matter of seconds to win them over.
- Make sure your resume is skimmable! Use white space and bullet points to allow the reader to quickly gain the information they need.
- Always tailor your resume to the job description. This small hack will greatly improve your chances of gaining that all-important interview.
- Quantify the achievements you have under your belt. Provide specific evidence of your accomplishments and wow the hiring manager.
- Finally, be sure to proofread your resume before you hit the “send” button. Small mistakes could cost you this job opportunity.
Why your resume needs to stand out
First up, let’s talk about why you need to make your resume stand out. You might wonder why you should go to all this trouble.
With that in mind, here are the main benefits of having a resume that stands out:
Benefits of your resume standing out
- Get attention fast: Recruiters spend just seven seconds reviewing each new resume. That doesn’t give you long to make an impression on them. Learning how to make your resume stand out allows you to pique their interest and increases your chances of success.
- Beat the competition: As we’ve already covered, you’re up against hundreds of other candidates when applying for jobs. Creating a visually appealing resume means the recruiter will be attracted to your application from the get-go.
- Make the right first impression: The hiring manager hasn’t met you yet and all they have to go on is your resume. Ensuring your resume hits the mark will help you to make the right first impression on the reader.
- Highlight your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Differentiating yourself from the competition is the simplest way to increase your odds of getting hired. Standing out against a host of similar candidates shows the hiring manager you have a real USP.
Now you know why you need a resume that stands out, let’s take a look at how that works in action.
Here’s an example of what not to do when creating your next resume:
- •Led a team of 8 educators in curriculum improvements, resulting in a 10% increase in student satisfaction scores.
- •Designed and implemented an advanced English test prep course, leading to a 95% pass rate on standardized exams.
- •Mentored 12 first-year teachers, helping 90% of them achieve ‘proficient’ or above in their evaluations.
- •Organized annual interschool debates and literature festivals, boosting student participation by 40%.
- •Developed IB-specific lesson plans that increased student engagement and understanding, evidenced by a 25% rise in IB test scores.
- •Managed classroom behavior effectively, reducing incidents of misconduct by 60%.
- •Implemented a differentiated learning strategy that improved academic performance by 15% across all grade levels.
- •Authored school-wide English curriculum guidelines that elevated teaching consistency and quality.
- •Conducted after-school tutoring sessions resulting in a 20% improvement in exam results for stressed students.
- •Integrated technology in lesson delivery, increasing engagement in over 75% of students.
- •Collaborated with special education staff to adapt materials for diverse learners, resulting in a 30% improvement in their test scores.
- •Developed a thematic teaching method that increased literature comprehension by 20%.
- •Coordinated school-wide campaigns for literacy awareness, improving reading scores among freshmen by 30%.
- •Led professional development workshops for 25 teachers to share best practices in English instruction.
- •Directed the school’s creative writing club, increasing membership by 50% over two years.
- •Instructed students in grades 9-12 in English language arts with a 98% course completion rate.
- •Crafted comprehensive lesson plans that catered to various learning styles, improving overall class GPA by 1.2 points.
- •Facilitated study groups that resulted in a 25% improvement in test scores.
- •Participated in a cross-curricular initiative to integrate literature with history, increasing student interest in both subjects.
While the above resume example shares information about the candidate, it’s unlikely to gain attention. Of course, there are plenty of ways to improve this document.
Take a peek at our right example below:
- •Led a team of four marketers to execute cross-channel campaigns, resulting in a 40% increase in public funding over three years.
- •Developed a multi-channel communications strategy that increased community engagement by 35%, driving attendance at fundraising events and awareness campaigns.
- •Collaborated with media outlets, securing 10+ feature stories and news segments that positioned the nonprofit as a thought leader in community development.
- •Managed social media, digital, and print marketing, achieving a 45% growth in digital audience and a 20% increase in donor contributions.
- •Established strategic partnerships with local businesses and media outlets, expanding the nonprofit’s reach and influence in the region.
- •Directed the creation of content for all marketing materials, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and maximizing audience engagement across channels.
- •Coordinated integrated marketing campaigns for 10+ high-profile clients, resulting in a 25% increase in customer retention and brand visibility.
- •Developed and executed content strategies that raised over $500,000 in donations for nonprofit clients through targeted marketing efforts.
- •Collaborated with the creative team to deliver high-quality marketing materials, consistently meeting client objectives and tight deadlines.
- •Spearheaded social media and email marketing campaigns, increasing engagement by 30% for several clients, leading to stronger customer relationships.
- •Analyzed campaign performance metrics, providing insights to optimize future marketing strategies and improve ROI for agency clients.
- •Assisted in the execution of marketing strategies for small to medium-sized businesses, contributing to a 15% revenue growth for three clients within the first year.
- •Developed promotional materials for digital and print channels, reaching over 100,000 potential customers through coordinated marketing efforts.
- •Managed event marketing logistics for 5+ company events, ensuring a seamless execution that increased brand visibility and engagement.
- •Collaborated with the design team to create marketing collateral that effectively communicated brand messages, increasing lead generation by 20%.
As you can clearly see, these two resume examples are worlds apart. The second resume example is far more captivating than the first and delivers the information quickly and easily. When creating your resume, ensure you mimic this style.
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Let’s move on and explore how you can make your resume stand out.
How to make your resume stand out
The good news is you don’t have to be a design whiz to create an engaging resume. If you want to make your resume stand out, there are some simple strategies you can use. In the following section, we’ll take a look at some of the best tips for making your next resume.
Tailor your resume to the job description
Using a one-size-fits-all resume is unlikely to land you interviews. Hiring managers can spot this approach in an instant and won’t be impressed you’re using the same document for every application. If you want to win them over, it’s far better to tailor your resume to the job description.
By making small tweaks to your resume, you can significantly increase your chances of landing that all-important interview.
Let’s take a look at how you can tailor your resume to meet the demands of the job and the company:
Tips on tailoring your resume
- Rewrite your summary to reflect the specific job. Mention the job title, key skills, and how you can contribute to the company's goals.
- Go back to the original job description and look for any keywords or phrases that relate to the job.
- Edit the content of your resume to feature the keywords and phrases you’ve noted. Make sure they flow naturally in the content.
- Do you meet the core criteria of the vacancy? Prove it by aligning the work experience section of your resume with it.
- Instead of listing generic skills, use specific terms that match the job description. For example, instead of saying "software skills," specify "Microsoft Excel."
- Adjust the bullet points under each job title to list the most relevant responsibilities and achievements first.
Write a captivating resume summary
This freeform part of your resume should pack a real punch. In around three to four sentences, you need to summarize why you’re the ideal candidate for the vacancy. Start by going back to the job advert and looking at the criteria. You should tailor your resume summary to meet the demands of the role.
Include captivating language and meaningful information to make the right impression. By speaking the hiring manager’s language, you can grab their attention and give them a reason to interview you.
Let’s take a quick look at an impressive resume summary example below:
Use strong action verbs
Action verbs are a simple way to make your resume stand out. Using active language makes your writing more dynamic and powerful. That means it’s easier than ever to effectively convey your skills, achievements, and experiences to potential employers.
Let’s have a glance at some examples:
Action verbs for your resume
- Led
- Managed
- Directed
- Supervised
- Coordinated
- Oversaw
- Executed
- Facilitated
- Delegated
- Mentored
- Organized
- Governed
- Initiated
- Administered
- Conceptualized
- Innovated
- Crafted
- Revamped
- Formulated
- Pioneered
Peppering your resume with these verbs can instantly change the tone of your application. Show the hiring manager you’re a “doer” rather than simply a “talker” by using these words. While you don’t want to cram too many of these in just for the sake of it, include them at the start of bullet points and in your summary.
Quantify your achievements
Adding numbers and specific results can make accomplishments more tangible and impressive. This approach is all about providing the reader with evidence of your achievements. Instead of making outlandish claims, let the hiring manager know what track record you have.
Here’s an example:
03/2019 - 08/2023 
- •Increased brand awareness by 45% through the development and execution of a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, including SEO, social media, and content marketing.
- •Boosted lead generation by 60% over two years by optimizing multi-channel campaigns, resulting in a 25% increase in conversion rates.
- •Managed a $1.5 million annual marketing budget, achieving a 20% reduction in costs through strategic vendor negotiations and more efficient allocation of resources.
- •Launched a targeted email marketing campaign that achieved a 30% open rate and a 15% click-through rate, leading to a 10% increase in sales revenue.
- •Spearheaded a social media campaign that resulted in a 50% growth in follower engagement and a 35% increase in online sales over six months.
Quantifying the results you’ve delivered shows the hiring manager what value you bring to the table. Think of ways to illustrate this to the reader in solid terms. The more evidence you can deliver, the more likely the hiring manager will believeyour application. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to wow them!
Showcase your learning and development
Employers value continuous learning when hiring new staff members. However, showcasing this effectively on a resume can be a difficult feat. If you want to create a resume that stands out, consider the ways you can highlight your ongoing learning and development to the reader.
One of the simplest answers is to use tools or websites. For example, Credly is an online platform that allows you to show off your digital badges and certificates with ease. You can also use LinkedIn Learning to further your education and accentuate this to potential employers.
Create a seamless professional brand
Your professional brand spans everything from your resume and cover letter to your LinkedIn profile. None of these materials exists in isolation. When creating your resume, consider how it aligns with the rest of your application package. There should be a natural level of symmetry between them.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can ensure you have a seamless brand:
How to create a professional brand
- Bring all of your documents together by using similar design elements on your resume, cover letter, and any other documents.
- There should be no discrepancies between your LinkedIn profile and your resume. Check that all of the details align perfectly.
- You can include some visual elements, such as icons, to set your resume apart from the competition.
Use a professional resume design
Want to know how to make your resume stand out visually? Far too many candidates don’t consider the design of their resume when applying for jobs. However, first impressions matter more than you might expect. The first thing a potential employer will notice is how your resume looks.
Check out our professional resume example below for some creative inspiration:
Selecting the right resume design can be challenging. Fortunately, there are some straightforward tips you can use when you’re getting started.
Follow our expert-backed advice below:
How to make a standout resume design
- Choose between chronological, functional, or combination formats based on your experience and the job at hand.
- Choose a clean, modern layout with plenty of white space. Avoid complex resume designs as these can be distracting or difficult to read.
- Your font should be easy to read. Choose a standard typeface and then use a 10-12 point size for the body plus a 14-16 point for headers.
- Each resume heading—such as “Work Experience” or “Summary”—should be clear and easy to read. Make sure they stand out.
- Don’t pick a resume design packed with color as this can be off-putting. Instead, choose one or two focal colors.
- Your resume should be skimmable. You can use bullet points throughout your resume to prioritize key information.
Don’t panic if you’re not a graphic designer. Create an engaging resume from scratch using our resume builder tool. Select the ideal template and format to grab the reader’s attention for all the right reasons.
Eye-catching resume examples that stand out
Now that we’ve shared our tips for making your resume stand out, let’s dive into some examples. Here are some of the best resume examples that stand out, categorized by industry:
Marketing resume example
Marketing is all about making the right first impression. Start strong with a well-structured document that’s super easy to read. Use color sparingly and don’t be afraid to add some creative elements, too.
The better resume examples that stand out tend to include bullet points. This approach allows you to share loads of high-quality information with the hiring manager in a skimmable format.
Sales resume example
Selling your skills and experience to a hiring manager has never been easier. The design you choose should be eye-catching but formal. Opt for a standard two-column layout so you have plenty of room to share your top accolades. Add quantifiable achievements to highlight your sales track record.
The bottom line counts more than you might expect. When creating a sales resume, your main focus should be results. What sales records have you smashed? What can the employer expect from you? Be as specific as you can when including valuable information on your sales resume.
Engineering resume example
Can you engineer your way toward success? While you may have a load of information to share with the hiring manager, you don’t want to exceed two pages. To help you cover everything you need in a small amount of space, use a two-column structure and bullet points. Allow your achievements to speak for themselves and be precise when detailing the projects you’ve worked on in prior roles.
As you can see in the example above, you can convey loads of detail without creating a crammed resume. While other candidates may struggle with sharing all they want on their resume, there are some clever workarounds you can use. Try to make an engineer resume that’s clear and succinct.
Teacher resume example
Shaping young minds is a tall order. How can you showcase you have what it takes on a one or two-page resume? Since teaching is a formal role, you should use a chronological structure and a standardized format. Don’t overdo it when it comes to colors. Simply pick one or two to use throughout.
Avoid using big blocks of text as these can overwhelm the reader. Instead, keep things simple by using bullet points and including a decent amount of white space on your resume. Your teacher's resume needs to have traditional elements while also standing out from the crowd.
Career change resume example
Career change resumes must showcase your transferable skills first and foremost. Start by using a functional resume format, which emphasizes your skills over your experience. Tailor your resume to meet the demands of the vacancy at hand. Wherever possible, look for ways your experience overlaps with the new career or industry you’re hoping to break into.
Perfecting this resume is all about putting yourself in the prime position for the job. Highlight the experience you have that makes you well-suited to this role. You can also explain why you’re switching careers in the summary (or objective).
Nurse resume example
Check out this example nurse resume to see how you can draw attention to your nursing skills and experience in a way that stands out. This resume is a great guide for showcasing your clinical expertise, patient care abilities, and teamwork in a healthcare setting. Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, create a resume that shows your dedication to patient care and readiness to thrive in a nursing role.
Using statistics and facts can give your nursing resume real value. When you’re up against hundreds of other candidates, you need to use everything in your arsenal. Be clear about the track record you have so the hiring manager knows what they can expect from you.
Developer resume example
Your developer resume has to show off your coding skills and project experience in a compelling way. This resume example below highlights key areas like software development, problem-solving, and teamwork. All of this makes it easy to present your technical abilities and project successes.
Once again, bullet points and statistics take a central role on this resume. You should also be clear about the coding languages you use and the type of projects (i.e. apps, websites, or systems) you work on. These details could seal the deal in the hiring manager’s mind.
Admin resume example
Administrators should be organized, professional, and smart. Your resume needs to follow suit. When you’re creating your next resume, make sure you use a traditional layout that speaks to the hiring manager. Include the office-based experience you have and bullet point your top accomplishments.
The hiring manager will be highly critical of your application. You should have a nose for creating an organized and well-structured document. Showcase this talent by crafting a resume that follows a logical structure while also putting your best foot forward.
Chef resume example
You already have the ingredients you need to land your next job. Now you simply have to follow the recipe. Show off your culinary talents by crafting an attractive resume that highlights your prior work experience. Include quantifiable results, such as how many customers you served or the reviews you’ve gained, to let the hiring manager know what value you bring to the table.
If you’ve won any awards in the past, now’s the time to shout about them. Don’t be afraid to share this information in the resume summary or even in the work experience section of your chef resume.
How to use AI to make your resume stand out
AI is taking over the world, so, logically, you’d want to use it when creating a standout resume. At Resume Mentor, our resume builder boasts AI-powered features to elevate your application in seconds. The easy-to-use app includes AI resume tailoring, AI work experience bullet point generation, and AI summary generation. Get intelligent suggestions at the touch of a button and enhance your next resume.
Let’s break down how each of these AI features can help your resume stand out:
Generate tailored resume summaries
Tailoring your summary to the job description doesn’t have to be hard. Our tool features an AI summary generator that you can use to perfect this art. Simply click on the AI Assistant when you’re writing this part of your resume and let it do the hard work for you.
You can provide information from the job description to help the process along the way. You’ll get a tailored resume summary that speaks to the main criteria of the role in no time at all. Save yourself loads of stress and time by having AI take over this tricky chore.
Optimize using keywords with AI
Looking for a quick way to optimize your resume using the right keywords? Our AI Assistant is a fine-tuned ChatGPT bot that has the answer. Start by filling out the main details of your resume. Next, use the assistant feature to add the perfect keywords and phrases to your resume quickly.
Common mistakes to avoid when creating a resume
Now that you’re clued up on how to make your resume stand out, let’s talk about what NOT to do. There are some common mistakes that can put potential employers off.
Check them out below:
Resume mistakes to avoid
- Spelling and grammatical errors: Typos and spelling mistakes will always work against you. Always proofread your resume before submitting it.
- Crammed resume formats: Are you trying to put too much information on one page? If it’s hard to read, that could be a red flag for a potential employer.
- Including irrelevant information: While we’re on the topic of too much information, you should only list experiences and skills relevant to the job..
- Poor formatting or inconsistent styles: Always maintain a consistent font, size, and spacing. These small details matter more than you might imagine.
- Creative designs that look busy: If there’s too much going on design-wise, it can take away from your resume content. Keep it simple and formal at all times!
Avoiding these common mistakes is a must when creating your resume. Before you apply for your next job, go back and check that you’ve not done any of the above.
Frequently asked questions about making a resume stand out
How do I make my resume stand out visually?
Go for a clean, modern design with a pop of color to highlight key sections like your name and headings. Choose a professional font and use plenty of white space.
Don’t be afraid to add a touch of personality with simple icons or a two-column layout to organize information better. Just remember to keep it sleek and professional—no over-the-top graphics.
What makes a resume noticeable?
Tailor your resume to the job. Include action verbs and quantifiable achievements that show what you’ve accomplished, not just what you’ve done.
Always proofread your resume to make sure there are no errors or typos in it.
Can I use the same resume for different job applications?
The short answer is no! Each job is unique, and employers want to see that you’re the perfect fit for their specific role.
Tailoring your resume to match the job description by accentuating the most relevant skills and experiences makes a huge difference.
How important is the resume design?
Resume design is super important because it’s your first chance to make a great impression! Think of it like dressing up for an interview—if your resume looks neat, organized, and professional, it’s more likely to catch the reader’s eye.
A good design helps your key skills and achievements stand out while grabbing attention.
How can I tailor my resume to a specific job?
Start by reading the job description and picking out the skills and experiences they’re looking for. Tweak your resume to highlight your most relevant experience and achievements that match those keywords.
Use the same language they use in the job posting so it’s super clear you’re a perfect fit. It’s all about showing them at a glance you’re exactly who they need!
Conclusion
Learning how to make a resume stand out doesn’t have to be hard. As we’ve covered in this guide, there are plenty of ways you can boost the potential of your next application.
Make sure you’re using the right design and format to attract the hiring manager. You also need to tailor your resume to meet the needs of not only the job, but also the company, too. Finally, make sure you use the right language, quantify your achievements, and position your resume well to land that job interview.
Get started now by using our simple resume builder tool. Choose from a selection of professionally designed resume templates and use the advice we’ve shared to craft a resume that stands out.
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