There is no one right way to make the perfect resume, but follow these resume tips and you’ll get pretty darned close.

If you’re like most people, you really have no idea how to write a resume for a job, and therefore no idea if your resume is cutting it.

Am I right?

Well, I have some bad news: your resume probably sucks and it’s probably working against you.

How do I know? Because in my years as a recruiter, headhunter for startups and job search coach, I’ve reviewed tens of thousands of resumes so I can tell you with great confidence that most of them completely fail at making the reader want to know more about you. Most resumes simply don’t make the cut.

On the other hand, knowing that most resumes are boring or inadequate is also good news, because it means that if you put a little effort into having an awesome resume, it will automatically shoot you to the top of the contenders.

So what is a perfect resume?

The best resume is the one that immediately makes the reader feel excited about you, your background and why you might be just the person they’ve been looking for because you’ve told them what they needed to see. 

Now, it’s important to understand that there is no one “right way” to write a resume for a job you want, because resumes are an art, not a science, but there are a few consistent signs of a great resume.

Here are my top nine. 

1.  It looks clean and modern.

Resume styles change with the times just like fashion. You wouldn’t wear your 80s fashion finest to an interview, and you shouldn’t use a 80s style resume format.

You want a design that makes you look modern and confident. Choose a clean design with a 21^st century feel by using a sans-serif font like Arial or Tahoma and a layout that is clean and easy to scan and read. If you’re in a traditionally conservative industry like law or investment banking, you can use old-fashioned fonts like Times New Roman, but for a more progressive company, keep it modern.  

2.  It’s targeted for a specific job.

You’ve heard this before, but it bears repeating: one size does NOT fit all when it comes to resumes. If your resume does not show that you have exactly what that specific job requires, you won’t make it into the interview group. Period. You absolutely, positively must tailor your resume for each job, making sure the recruiter or hiring manager sees what they’re looking for. 

3.  It instantly positions you with a headline.

The days of the objective are dead, dead, dead. What works now is a headline that communicates that you are what they want in the second it takes to look at it. Don’t make them dig through a convoluted summary to figure out what you do. Put it top and center, and then everything else will be read with that in mind. 

4.  It highlights your superpowers.

We all have superpowers, which are those special talents and abilities we can take with us from job to job. For instance, mine include listening for what’s behind what people are saying (which is why I’m a great coach), and also creating beautifully written and designed documents (which is why I’m a great resume writer). You have unique talents, skills and innate abilities that are going to be the reason you are chosen instead of someone else. Make it obvious what they are.

5.  It shows your personality.

Dry, boring resumes are for dry, boring people, and that is probably not you. Forget the formal corporate-speak and let some of your personality shine through. Are you funny and a little goofy? Warm and fuzzy? Flexible? Confident and poised? An unstoppable ball of energy? Let those qualities be reflected in your resume. The more of the real you that comes through, the more likely you are to get the interview.

6.  It’s easy to visually scan for key information.

No one actually reads your resume, you know. (Ouch, huh?) The average resume gets maybe 15 seconds of attention by a human before deciding if it gets a deeper read, which means a second scan. Recruiters scan for company names, job titles and dates first, so make sure that information is easy to spot.

7.  It’s written in natural language.

Many people seem to lose their ability to speak in plain English when faced with a resume, but the truth is that convoluted corporate-speak with lots of technical terms and acronyms makes you appear less interesting, not more professional. And it leaves people wondering what the heck you said. Instead, write with a natural voice, so the reader has a sense of the person behind the words.

8.  It gives context for your jobs.

Sure, people want to know your job title and what you did, but understanding the company and the situation are critical, too.  The best resumes give context by including a line or two about what the company you work for does and where you fit into it. Don’t assume people know, and don’t make them go hunting online to find out more about the company you worked for; busy recruiters are likely to just move on to the next person, and you’ve lost your opportunity.

9.   It highlights your wins.

You’ll be hired because of what you can do as well as what you’ve already done in other jobs. Mediocre resumes list job responsibilities like a job description. The best resumes highlight how your work made a difference for the company and show your accomplishments and wins by telling the story of what you made happen in that job. 

Again, no two resumes are alike, but if you can get your resume to fit these criteria, and you apply to jobs where your qualifications fit what they’re looking for, you’re going to instantly put yourself at an advantage over your competition.

So excuse my fanatism here, but if there is one thing I know about a great job search is is that having a strong resume with a clear story and personality will transform your entire job search experience and give you a new confidence so put some serious attention to it!