How to write a good professional resume

An unprofessional resume can negatively impact your chances of landing a job. Bad resumes create a poor first impression, suggesting that you lack attention to detail, professionalism, and effort. Plus, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can filter out resumes that aren’t formatted correctly, meaning that your resume won’t even reach a human recruiter. 

A good resume gets you to the job you want. In this article, Remote shares how to write a good resume that gets you hired with the employer you want to work for.

What is a good professional resume 

A good resume is a professional and well-organized document tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. It’s a concise summary of your relevant work experience, skills, and accomplishments in a clear format. 

A strong resume uses action verbs, quantifiable achievements, and industry-specific keywords to demonstrate your qualifications. It avoids unnecessary details or overly complex designs, focusing instead on readability and ATS compatibility. The resume should be error-free, easy to navigate, and presented in a clean layout so that both human recruiters and ATS can quickly identify the value you bring.

What to include in a professional resume

There is an expected format for resumes to ensure clarity, readability, and compatibility with both human recruiters and ATS. Recruiters typically spend only seven to nine seconds scanning a resume, so including standard content makes it easier for them to notice your expertise. 

Here are 5 must-have sections to include in your resume to pass the ATS test and get hired by top employers:

1. Contact information

Your contact information is the first thing that both recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) look for in a resume. 

Your contact information section should include your full name, personal phone number, professional email address, and optionally a link to your LinkedIn profile. You don’t need to share your full address — protect your personal information, and share only high-level information like the city you live‌ in.

2. Professional summary

A professional summary section is a snapshot of why you’re a strong candidate for the role. Position this section at the top of your resume to grab a recruiter's attention quickly.

Include a summary that’s two or three sentences long that highlights your key qualifications, skills, and career goals, tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. Don’t forget to include keywords in the job description so the ATS sees you as a qualified candidate. A professional summary section also encourages a human recruiter to spend more time on your resume.

3. Work experience

In the work experience section of your professional resume, list your jobs in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent or current position. 

For each entry, include the job title, the company name, the location, and the dates of employment. Beneath this, use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements in each role. Focus on quantifiable accomplishments, using metrics like percentages, revenue growth, or project completion rates to show the impact you had in your previous roles. 

For example, “led a team of ten people, resulting in a 20% increase in project efficiency over six months"​ is more effective than “managed a team of ten people.” 

Again, tailor your work experience to the specific job you're applying for by including keywords and responsibilities that align with the job description. Avoid listing every single task you performed and instead emphasize key achievements that highlight your skills and qualifications. For readability, keep descriptions clear and concise, ideally using three to five bullet points per position.

4. Skills

A skills section on your professional resume should include both hard and soft skills, including technical proficiencies and interpersonal skills. Make sure to align this section with keywords from the job description to ensure ATS compatibility.

Begin by identifying the key skills mentioned in the job description, and then match them to your own abilities, ensuring they are tailored to the specific role. Organize your skills into categories if possible, such as "Technical Skills," "Communication," or "Leadership," to make them easy to scan. Be as specific as possible — for example, you can list proficiency in certain software or experience in project management to make a strong impression.

5. Education

Many employers include educational qualifications as a baseline requirement. An education section on your resume shows your commitment to learning and highlights relevant coursework, certifications, or honors that are relevant to the position. 

An education section on your professional resume can especially help entry-level candidates, recent graduates, or those transitioning to a new field with little job experience but plenty of foundational knowledge. Even for experienced professionals, this section is valuable for highlighting ‌industry-specific training that adds to your expertise.

List your most recent or highest degree first, including the name of the institution, the degree obtained, and the year of graduation. If you're currently pursuing a degree, mention it with an expected graduation date. Include relevant academic achievements, honors, or notable coursework if they align with the job you're applying for.

How to write a good professional resume

Follow these tips to write a professional resume that effectively highlights your qualifications and improves your chances of landing an interview.

1. Tailor your resume for each job 

Finding a new job is time-consuming. You may be tempted to use the same resume for different employers. Avoid this rookie mistake. 

Customize your resume for each job you apply to by aligning your skills and experience with the job description. Sharing your resume en masse with several companies won’t increase your chance of making it to the next step. If your resume does not have the keywords that a specific employer is looking for, you’re unlikely to pass the ATS test. 

Pay attention to the specific language used in the job posting, including the required skills, certifications, or experience levels. Once you have a clear understanding of the role, adjust your resume to highlight your mo

2. Use clean formatting 

Make sure your resume is easy to read with a clean, professional layout. Hiring managers prefer a professional resume with enough white space because it's easier to read and visually appealing. White space around the edges, between sections, and around individual elements creates balance and makes your resume easier to navigate.

Use standard fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri  or Times New Roman), consistent formatting, bullet points, and avoid using graphics or images that could confuse ATS systems.​ Avoid using too many colors, graphics, or elaborate designs, as these can be distracting or unprofessional.

Maintain a font size between 10 and 12 points for the body text. Use bold or slightly larger font sizes (14 to 16 points) for your name and section headings, ensuring they stand out but do not overpower the content. Maintain consistent spacing, including adequate margins (typically 1 inch on all sides) and clear separations between sections.

3. Proofread carefully

Good writing always includes proofreading. Start by carefully reading through your entire resume to catch obvious errors, including spelling mistakes, grammatical issues, or formatting inconsistencies. After your first review, focus on the finer details like dates, names, and job titles. Check whether your dates are consistently formatted, and company names and job titles are up to date. 

Finally, it’s always a good idea to have a fresh set of eyes review your resume. Ask a trusted friend, mentor, or colleague to proofread it for you, as they may catch mistakes you’ve overlooked. 

Reading your resume out loud to yourself can also help you identify awkward phrasing or unclear statements. This attention to detail will help you write a professional and error-free resume.

Get noticed with Remote Talent 

A professional resume includes all the important sections that an ATS and human recruiter is scanning for. A professional resume takes you one step closer to the job you want, like landing an interview with a recruiter.

Remote Talent gives your professional resume the boost it needs to get noticed by top employers. Our job board connects you with remote-verified companies that you're truly looking for, so you can increase your chance of matching with the employer you want.

Apply confidently only to the jobs you want — sign up with Remote Talent today to stand out to top remote employers.

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