Top 3 Resume Writing Tips

Top 3 Resume Writing Tips

If you’ve been with one employer for an extended period, crafting a resume for a job search might feel daunting. You may have worked on countless projects, worn many hats, and gained a wealth of experience—but how do you present all of that effectively? Here are three tips to ensure your resume stands out.

1. Focus on High-Impact Projects

After years at the same organization, your resume could either look too vague or become an overwhelming list of every project you've touched. The solution lies in striking a balance.

• Highlight your most impactful projects: Select achievements that align with your desired role and emphasize your contributions, results, and measurable outcomes. For instance:
  • Instead of: “Led multiple marketing campaigns.”
  • Say: “Spearheaded a marketing campaign that increased brand awareness by 35% and generated $1.5M in new revenue within six months.”
• Edit ruthlessly: If your resume reads like a dense block of text, it’s time to pare it down. Prioritize clarity and readability to make a strong first impression.

2. Organize by Skills or Categories

Long-term employees often handle diverse responsibilities, which can make a chronological resume harder to follow. Structuring your experience in categories can help recruiters quickly grasp your versatility and relevance to the role.

• Group achievements by skill set or function: For example, if you’ve worked across sales, marketing, and operations, divide your resume into sections for each area. Within each section, highlight accomplishments that align with the job you're targeting.
• Tailor your resume: If you’re applying to different types of roles, create targeted versions. For a business development role, prioritize sales and marketing achievements, while an operations-focused role might require a different emphasis.

3. Embrace the Two-Page Resume

The one-page resume rule is outdated for professionals with significant experience. If you have more than five years of work history, a two-page resume is perfectly acceptable.

• Use the extra space wisely: Include your most relevant achievements without sacrificing clarity or readability. However, be selective—don’t feel the need to list every detail.
• Early-career exception: If you’re transitioning to a new industry or have less experience, stick to a concise one-page format.

Bonus Tip: Update Outdated Information

Long-term employees may overlook updates to resume conventions and styles. Ensure your formatting is clean, modern, and optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS). Replace jargon or outdated tools with industry-standard keywords relevant to today’s job market.

By focusing on impactful achievements, organizing your experience strategically, and embracing modern resume standards, you can effectively present your long-term experience as an asset in your job search. Remember, your resume is a tool to showcase your potential—it’s worth the effort to make it shine.