Building Your Resume: A Comprehensive Guide in 2025

Twenty-five years ago building a resume was as simple as opening a Word Doc and listing your work experience and education. However, in this digital era, the job application process is not only more competitive but oftentimes for hiring managers it is repetitive. Depending on where you live, an undergraduate degree and 5-10 years of experience in a field may no longer be enough to help a candidate stand out, especially when many hiring professionals are relying on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help narrow their search for the right candidate.

So how do you build a resume to help you stand out in 2025? Whether you’re new to the workforce or changing jobs this article will help you as we outline how to put together a resume that will help you land more interviews.

What Is An ATS and Why Does It Matter?

Before diving into structuring a resume, it is important to understand how technology has changed the hiring landscape.

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that many companies use to screen and filter job applications before a human recruiter reviews them. Many companies receive hundreds of resumes per job posting. ATS software scans and ranks resumes based on keywords, formatting, and structure to determine if a candidate is a good match for the role.

To Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly:

1. Use Standard Resume Sections – Stick to headings like Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications.
2. Use Keywords from the Job Description – Match skills and qualifications listed in the job post.
3. Use a Simple, Clean Format – Avoid fancy designs, tables, or images that ATS can’t read.
4. Use a Standard Font – Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana (size 10-12).
5. Save as a PDF or Word Document (.docx) – Some ATS systems can’t read certain file types.
6. Avoid Headers & Footers – Some ATS software skips content in these sections.
7. Use Full Job Titles – Instead of “Marketing Guru,” write “Digital Marketing Specialist.”

1. Formatting & Structure

A resume should be clear, concise, and easy to scan. Follow these formatting tips:

• Keep it one page (unless you have 10+ years of experience).
• Use a professional, clean font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, size 10-12).
• Use clear section headings (bold or slightly larger).
• Maintain consistent spacing and bullet points.
• Save as a PDF to maintain formatting.

To simplify the process, you can find the critical details your resume needs outlined below.

Resume Sections

1. Contact Information

• • Full Name
  • Phone Number
  • Professional Email
  • LinkedIn Profile
  • Portfolio (if applicable)

2. Professional Summary 

A 2-3 sentence summary highlighting your experience, key skills, and career goals.

For Example:

Results-driven marketing specialist with 5+ years of experience in digital campaigns, SEO, and brand strategy. Passionate about driving growth through data-driven decisions and innovative solutions.

3. Key Skills & Competencies

List 6-10 skills relevant to the job.

Example:

• Digital Marketing | SEO Optimization | Google Ads
• Data Analysis | CRM Tools | Social Media Strategy

4. Work Experience (Most Important Section)

List your work experience in reverse chronological order (your most recent job should be listed first).

Also, be sure to include achievement-based bullet points (quantify impact where possible). The graphic below shows how this might be formatted on your resume.

5. Education

Be sure to include the Degree, Major, University Name, and Graduation Year (or “Expected [Year]” if still studying).

6. Certifications & Training (Optional but Adds Value)

Be sure to include any additional certifications you have completed or training you have received. For example: Google Analytics Certification, PMP Certification, HubSpot Content Marketing, etc.

7. Projects & Portfolio (If Relevant)

Briefly list impactful projects with links (for designers, writers, developers).

8. Volunteer Experience & Extracurricular Activities (Optional but GREAT for Standout Factor)

If you volunteer or participate in any extracurricular activities, this should be included on your resume. Whether you are helping at an animal shelter or fundraising for a university organization, this information could help you stand out or make your resume more memorable.

2. Key Differentiators to Help You Stand Out

Customize for Every Job Application

• Tailor your resume to match job descriptions.
• Use keywords from the job posting to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Use Action-Oriented, Quantifiable Results

• Avoid generic descriptions like “Responsible for managing social media.”
• Instead, use impact-driven statements like:
  “Increased Instagram engagement by 60% through a new content strategy.”

Showcase Unique Achievements & Skills

• Highlight awards, patents, publications, or leadership roles.
• Example: “Ranked Top 5% in the company for sales growth.”

Include a Personal Brand Statement (Optional but Effective)

A 1-sentence statement under your name that sums up your expertise and career vision.

Example: “Innovative UX designer passionate about creating seamless digital experiences.”

Add Links & Multimedia (For Creative Fields & Tech Roles)

Include a portfolio link, GitHub, or personal website.

Highlight Soft Skills Through Experience

Instead of listing “Leadership” as a skill, show it through experience:

“Led a team of 5 designers to launch a website with 100K+ users.”

Use a Modern Yet Professional Design

Try Canva, Zety, or Novoresume for templates that are ATS-friendly.

3. Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

1. Including Personal Info: No need for age, marital status, or a photo (unless required).
2. Using an Unprofessional Email: Stick to [email protected].
3. Too Much Text or Cluttered Layout: Keep it skimmable.
4. Generic, Overused Phrases: Avoid “hardworking team player.” Show results instead!

4. Final Resume Checklist

Once you have completed your resume, it is important to review it to ensure you have included all of the critical details. It’s easy to overlook information, so when it’s possible have a friend, family member or experienced hiring professional look over the resume using the checklist below before submitting the resume in your applications:

✔ Clear, professional formatting
✔ Tailored to the job description
✔ Action-based, quantified achievements
✔ ATS-friendly (keywords from job description)
✔ Proofread for grammar and typos