Making Your Resume Stand Out: Formatting and Content Tips

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Tumblr
Telegram
formatting a resume and what to include
Recruiters spend seconds on a first scan of your resume. Clear formatting and sharp content decide whether yours gets a closer look.

Recruiters spend seconds on a first scan of your resume. Clear formatting and sharp content decide whether yours gets a closer look.

Keep the format simple. Use one readable font, consistent sizes, and clear section headings: contact info, summary, experience, education, and skills. White space helps. Save the final version as a PDF so it looks the same on every device.

Tailor the content to each job. Mirror the job description’s language for your relevant skills and experience. Lead with your strongest material. For students and recent graduates, strong coursework, projects, and internships can carry the page. See our resume tips for college students and professional resume writing tips.

Show results, not just duties. Use action verbs and numbers where you honestly have them. For example, a bullet might read ‘increased sales revenue by 25% in one quarter’ or ‘cut report preparation time by 20% over six months.’ Only use figures you can back up in an interview. Honest specifics beat vague claims every time.

Beat the software. Many employers filter resumes with applicant tracking systems, so include keywords from the job posting naturally in your skills and experience sections. Avoid graphics, tables, and unusual fonts that these systems misread.

If you are applying in the UAE, local conventions differ. A professional headshot and basic personal details such as nationality and visa status are commonly included. Highlight any regional experience or work with multinational companies.

Proofread twice, then have someone else read it. One typo can undo a strong resume. Pair a polished resume with a tailored cover letter using our cover letter guide, then prepare with interview preparation tips.

Related Posts
Awareness

Problem with Outdated University Education

University courses are only useful if they keep up with the field. Textbooks take years to write and publish. Curriculum review boards move slowly too. In fast-moving subjects like technology, health care, and public policy, a syllabus written five years ago can leave students studying ideas the industry has already moved past. This gap matters because employers hire people who can use current methods, not old ones. Students can graduate, start work, and find that their training does not match what the job requires. The cost falls on the graduate. Universities close this gap by reviewing course content often instead of waiting for a full curriculum overhaul. They check reading lists against recent research. They bring working professionals in to teach and advise. They ask graduates and employers what the program missed. Schools that do this through curriculum design that responds to feedback stay relevant longer. Students can protect themselves before enrolling. Ask when the course materials were last updated. Read the reading list and check the publication dates. Ask whether the program consults industry advisers, and what a competency-based curriculum looks like in practice. A school that cannot answer these questions is not paying attention to the problem. Before choosing any program, review how to judge whether a curriculum fits your goals. And consider delivery format as well: flexible online learning can make it easier to study while working, which matters most when the content is current.

Read More
Academic Degrees

What Skills Can You Gain From Earning A Master’s Degree?

A master’s degree builds on what you learned as an undergraduate. You go deeper into one subject and learn how research is done in that field. The main gains are subject knowledge, research skill, and the habit of working through hard problems. Most programs end with a thesis, capstone, or applied project. That kind of work teaches you to plan a long task, find and judge sources, and present findings clearly. These are the skills employers mean when they ask for critical thinking. You also meet people. Classmates, professors, and guest speakers become a professional network. Surveys repeatedly find that a large share of workers got their current job through a personal or professional connection, so these relationships matter when you start job hunting. Reading best practices for networking and building professional relationships before you enroll can help you make the most of that time. A master’s can raise pay and open doors to senior roles, but that depends on the field. In some industries the degree is a hard requirement. In others, work experience counts for more. Examples include the Master of Science in Business Administration, which suits management and operations roles, and the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, which suits people moving into leadership. Review career opportunities with a master’s in business administration and the benefits of a master’s in organizational leadership before deciding. Before enrolling, talk to people doing the job you want and ask what they recommend. Their answers are worth more than any brochure.

Read More
Request Free Info