What Recruiters Really Want to See in Your Resume (and What They Ignore)
Your resume is your chance to grab a recruiter’s attention, so every section has to work hard. Here’s exactly what to include—and avoid—to give your resume the best shot at standing out.
Nailing the Top Section (Make It Copy-Paste Ready!)
The top part of your resume is prime real estate. Here’s a plug-and-play format for a summary that speaks directly to recruiters:
Template: “[Your Job Title] with [# years] of experience in [Key Skill Area 1], [Key Skill Area 2], and [Key Skill Area 3]. Proven track record of [Quantifiable Achievement #1] and [Quantifiable Achievement #2]. Seeking a role in [Target Industry/Job Function] to [What You Want to Accomplish for the New Employer].”
Example: “Digital Marketing Specialist with 5 years of experience in SEO, content strategy, and social media. Proven track record of driving a 200% increase in organic traffic and a 50% growth in social media engagement. Seeking a role in e-commerce to boost brand visibility and drive conversions through targeted digital campaigns.”
My Tips
Use numbers to make achievements pop. Percentages, "dollar/euro" amounts, and other metrics are easy for recruiters to understand and value.
Skip Career Objectives if possible... They’re outdated and don’t tell recruiters what you bring to the table. Focus on how you’ll benefit them instead.
Work Experience That Shows Impact (Here’s How to Format It)
Each job description should go beyond listing responsibilities. Show results and make it easy for recruiters to see your impact:
Format: “[Action Verb] [What You Did] + [Result] by [How You Did It].”
Examples:
Instead of “Responsible for managing social media channels,” try: “Grew social media following by 150% in one year by launching targeted campaigns and optimizing posting schedule.”
Instead of “Worked on improving customer service,” try: “Reduced customer complaint response time by 30% through implementation of new customer service software and team training.”
This is important!
Focus on Achievements, Not Tasks. Use action verbs like “led,” “improved,” “generated,” and “increased.”
Highlight Relevant Jobs. If it doesn’t add to your narrative or show your strengths for the job you want, either shorten it to one line or leave it off.
Skills Section - What Actually Matters...
A targeted skills section is a fast way for recruiters to see if you’re a fit. Here’s how to do it without overloading:
Format: List 6–10 skills that directly match the job description. Separate hard skills (technical or job-specific) from soft skills.
Example Skills Section:
Hard Skills: SEO, Google Analytics, Adobe Photoshop, Project Management, HTML/CSS
Soft Skills: Team Leadership, Cross-Departmental Collaboration, Analytical Thinking
My Tips
Prioritize Skills Mentioned in the Job Description. Recruiters often filter resumes by keywords. Use the exact words the job description uses if you have those skills.
Avoid Generic Soft Skills Without Proof. Don’t list “team player” or “great communicator” unless your work experience backs it up. Instead, show these skills in your accomplishments.
Education - Include Only What’s Relevant (and Skip Highschool)!
The education section can be simple unless you’re applying for an academic or research-heavy role.
Template: “Degree, Major – University, Graduation Year”
Example: “Bachelor of Science in Marketing – University of California, 2017”
My Tips
Certifications Count - Add relevant certifications, especially if they’re recent and show that you’re up-to-date in your field.
Skip High School - Once you’ve got a college degree or higher, there’s no need to include high school.
Keep It Clean & Use Bullet Points
Recruiters appreciate resumes that are easy to scan. Here’s how to make yours both ATS and recruiter-friendly:
Formatting Tips
Use Bullet Points - Keep descriptions to one line if possible, and never more than two. Recruiters prefer clear, concise bullet points over long paragraphs.
Stick to One or Two Fonts - Use a basic font like Arial or Times New Roman in 10–12 point. Headings can be slightly larger.
Avoid Graphics - Fancy designs can get scrambled in an ATS system. Stick with a clean, professional layout.
Example Resume for Copying ;)
Here’s a sample layout that puts these tips into action:
Taylor Smith Email: [email protected] | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/name Phone: (555) 123-4567
Professional Summary Digital Marketing Specialist with 5 years of experience in SEO, content strategy, and social media. Proven track record of driving a 200% increase in organic traffic and a 50% growth in social media engagement. Seeking a role in e-commerce to boost brand visibility and drive conversions through targeted digital campaigns.
Key Skills
Hard Skills: SEO, Google Analytics, Adobe Photoshop, HTML/CSS
Soft Skills: Team Leadership, Cross-Departmental Collaboration, Analytical Thinking
Experience Marketing Manager XYZ Company, New York, NY Jan 2020 – Present
Increased organic traffic by 200% through targeted SEO strategies and content optimization.
Boosted social media engagement by 50% in six months by creating and implementing a new social media calendar.
Reduced email marketing unsubscribes by 25% by analyzing engagement metrics and segmenting email lists.
Social Media Specialist ABC Corp, New York, NY May 2017 – Dec 2019
Grew social media following by 150% in one year by launching targeted campaigns and optimizing posting schedule.
Managed paid advertising budget of $10,000 per quarter to achieve an average ROI of 4:1.
Education Bachelor of Science in Marketing University of California, 2017
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