Your Resume Is Your First Impression
Recruiters and hiring managers often decide within seconds whether to read on. Your resume has one job: to earn you the interview. This guide shows you how to make every line count, drawing on what our consultants see work — and fail — every single day.
The Anatomy of a Strong Resume
- Contact details — name, phone, email, city, LinkedIn. Nothing more.
- Professional summary — 2–3 sharp lines on who you are and the value you bring
- Work experience — your most important section, in reverse-chronological order
- Skills — relevant, specific, and honest
- Education & certifications — concise, with the most relevant first
Write Experience That Sells
Don't just list duties — show impact. Start each bullet with a strong action verb and quantify the result wherever you can.
- Weak: "Responsible for managing the sales team."
- Strong: "Led a 12-person sales team to exceed the annual target by 23%."
Numbers, percentages, timelines, and outcomes turn a job description into a track record.
Beat the ATS
Many roles are screened by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before a human sees your resume. To get through:
- Mirror keywords from the job description (honestly)
- Use a clean, single-column layout — no tables, text boxes, or images
- Save as a PDF unless asked otherwise, with a sensible file name
- Use standard section headings the system can recognise
Formatting Rules That Matter
- Keep it to 1–2 pages — brevity signals clarity
- Use a clean, professional font at a readable size
- Leave white space; a wall of text gets skipped
- Be ruthlessly consistent with dates, tense, and formatting
Top Mistakes to Avoid
- Typos and grammatical errors — always proofread twice
- A generic resume sent to every role — tailor it each time
- Listing responsibilities instead of achievements
- Unexplained gaps or vague job titles
- An unprofessional email address