By Richard D. Harroch and Dominique A. Harroch
A well-crafted resume is one of the most important tools for landing a job. It serves as your introduction to potential employers and provides a snapshot of your skills, experience, and achievements. Standing out among hundreds or even thousands of applicants requires a resume that not only showcases your qualifications but also highlights your ability to adapt to modern tools and technologies. One way to ensure that your resume stands out is by leveraging the power of AI—both in how you craft your resume and how you use AI to enhance your skills.
AI can help you tailor your resume to specific job descriptions, improve readability, and optimize it for applicant tracking systems (ATS) that employers use to filter applications. By integrating AI-powered strategies into your resume-building process, you can enhance its impact and increase your chances of being noticed by recruiters.
This article, with research assistance and insights from AI, will explore 10 key ways to improve your resume. We’ll include sample language you can use, and we’ll highlight the importance of showcasing your experience with AI tools and technologies. Whether you’re revising your resume or starting from scratch, these tips will help you present yourself in the best possible light.
1. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job
The Tip:
One of the most important things you can do to improve your resume is to tailor it for each specific job you’re applying to. Generic resumes often get overlooked, so customizing your resume to match the job description ensures you highlight the most relevant skills and experience. Using keywords from the job listing will also help your resume.
Bonus Insight:
LinkedIn offers an AI feature that lets you easily compare your resume to a job posting, highlighting how well your skills and experience align. This can guide you in identifying key qualifications and areas for improvement.
Sample Language for Your Resume:
“Aligned marketing campaigns with business objectives to drive a 25% increase in customer acquisition in the first quarter, as detailed in the job listing for [Company]
.”
Key Insights:
- Keywords: Use the job description to find keywords and skills that match your background.
- Skills: Emphasize the skills that are most relevant to the position.
- Experience: Reframe your past experience to highlight achievements that align with the new role.
2. Focus on Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities
The Tip:
Employers want to know what you’ve accomplished, not just what you were responsible for. Instead of simply listing your duties, focus on the impact you made in previous roles. Quantify your achievements whenever possible—metrics like sales increases, project completion times, or efficiency improvements provide concrete evidence of your abilities.
Sample Language for Your Resume:
“Led a team of 10 in a project that reduced operational costs by 15% while improving customer satisfaction scores by 35%.”
Key Insights:
- Quantify Success: Numbers make your achievements stand out and provide tangible evidence of your capabilities.
- Action Verbs: Use powerful action verbs to show how you contributed to success.
- Problem-Solving: Demonstrate how you solved challenges or improved processes.
3. Highlight Transferable Skills
The Tip:
If you’re transitioning into a new field or industry, highlight the transferable skills you bring with you. Many of the skills you’ve developed in previous roles—whether it’s leadership, project management, communication, or problem-solving—are valuable in almost any field. Emphasizing these skills shows potential employers that you have the foundation needed to succeed, even if you lack direct experience in the industry.
Sample Language for Your Resume:
“Utilized strong project management and leadership skills to coordinate a cross-functional team, ensuring timely and successful project completion despite tight deadlines.”
Key Insights:
- Adaptability: Employers value candidates who can adapt their skills to new environments.
- Core Competencies: Focus on your strengths and how they apply to the role you’re seeking.
- Communication: Effective communication and interpersonal skills are always in demand.
4. Showcase Your Familiarity and Use of AI
The Tip:
AI is becoming an essential tool across industries, and demonstrating your familiarity with AI can set you apart from other candidates. Whether you’ve used AI in drafting content, project management, data analysis, marketing automation, or customer service, be sure to mention it. This will show potential employers that you are proactive in adopting new technologies that can improve efficiency and performance.
Sample Language for Your Resume:
“Utilized ChatGPT and Claude AI to develop key marketing and promotional content.”
Key Insights:
- AI Tools: Mention specific AI tools you’ve used (e.g., ChatGPT, Google Analytics, chatbots, automation platforms).
- Impact: Focus on how AI improved your work or led to quantifiable results.
- Future-Oriented: Demonstrate your readiness to work in environments that are increasingly driven by AI.
- Skills. You don’t have to have software engineering skills for most jobs, but it helps to have fluency with AI.
5. Keep the Format Clean and Readable
The Tip:
A resume’s format should be easy to read and visually appealing. Use clear section headings, bullet points, and consistent fonts to ensure your resume is organized and professional. Avoid overloading the document with too many graphics or unnecessary details, which can distract from the key information.
Key Insights:
- Whitespace: Allow for plenty of space around sections for easy reading.
- Consistent Fonts: Choose professional fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
- Headings: Use bold section headings to organize your resume clearly.
6. Include Relevant Certifications and Education
The Tip:
Incorporating relevant certifications, degrees, and professional development courses into your resume can help demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and your qualifications for the role. Whether it’s an MBA, a certification in digital marketing, or a technical course, employers appreciate candidates who invest in their own professional growth.
Sample Language for Your Resume:
“Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute, 2024.”
Key Insights:
- Update Regularly: Add certifications and education as soon as you earn them.
- Relevance: Focus on certifications that are directly related to the job.
- Online Courses: Don’t hesitate to include online courses like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning.
7. Keep It Concise
The Tip:
Your resume should be concise and to the point, typically no longer than one or two pages. Hiring managers often skim through resumes, so it’s important to prioritize the most relevant information. Focus on showcasing your best qualifications and experience, omitting less significant roles or skills that don’t contribute to your candidacy.
Sample Language for Your Resume:
Rather than listing every job you’ve had, focus on your most impactful roles:
“Senior Marketing Specialist – ABC Corp (2018–2021). Led marketing campaigns that increased brand visibility and revenue by 25%.”
Key Insights:
- Concise Writing: Use short, impactful sentences.
- Emphasize Quality Over Quantity: Highlight the experiences that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for.
- Omit Irrelevant Roles: Remove positions or experiences that don’t add value to the current application.
8. Optimize Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
The Tip:
Many companies use ATS to screen resumes, and these systems often look for specific keywords related to the job description. To increase the chances of your resume passing through these systems, make sure to use keywords from the job posting. AI-based tools like Jobscan can help optimize your resume for ATS.
Sample Language for Your Resume:
If the job description mentions “data analysis,” be sure to use this phrase in your resume if applicable. “Proficient in data analysis, including collecting, interpreting, and presenting data-driven insights.”
Key Insights:
- Use Keywords: Make sure to use words and phrases from the job description.
- Simple Formatting: ATS often struggles with complex formatting; keep it simple.
- Avoid Jargon: While keywords are important, don’t overload the resume with irrelevant jargon.
9. Add a Personal Touch with a Summary or Objective
The Tip:
Including a short, compelling summary or objective at the top of your resume can help employers quickly understand your background, expertise, and what you bring to the table. This brief section should highlight your most relevant skills and experience and should align with the job you’re applying for.
Sample Language for Your Resume:
“Dynamic and results-oriented marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in content creation and digital marketing campaigns. Expertise in leveraging data-driven strategies to drive brand growth and engagement.”
Key Insights:
- Be Specific: Tailor this section to each job you apply for.
- Showcase Strengths: Highlight your top skills, such as problem-solving, leadership, or technical proficiency.
- Keep It Short: Aim for 2-3 sentences that provide a snapshot of your qualifications.
10. Run Your Resume Through ChatGPT and Ask How It Would Improve It
The Tip:
ChatGPT can be a helpful tool in reviewing and improving your resume. By running your resume through the AI, you can ask for specific feedback and suggestions on how to improve it. ChatGPT can offer insights into areas where your resume might be lacking, such as keyword optimization, phrasing, or overall structure.
Sample Language for ChatGPT:
After running your resume through ChatGPT, ask for specific improvements like:
“ChatGPT, could you help me optimize this resume for applicant tracking systems and suggest improvements in phrasing for my job experiences?”
Key Insights:
- Get Objective Feedback: AI can provide suggestions from a neutral standpoint.
- Improvement Suggestions: ChatGPT can suggest stronger action verbs, better phrasing, or more relevant skills.
- Personalized Help: Get feedback on the specific roles or industries you’re targeting.
Conclusion on Improving Your Resume
Crafting an effective resume is a critical step in landing a job, and applying these 10 tips can make all the difference in helping you stand out from the crowd. By tailoring your resume to the specific job, showcasing achievements over responsibilities, and focusing on key skills, you can create a document that not only highlights your qualifications but also demonstrates your potential value to employers. Using AI-driven insights, such as optimizing for ATS or showing your familiarity with AI, can further improve your chances of being noticed.
Remember that your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. By applying these strategies, you can present yourself as a qualified, proactive, and forward-thinking candidate. Make sure to keep your resume updated, reflecting your latest achievements and growth, and be confident that your well-crafted resume will help you take the next step in your career.
Related Articles:
Copyright (c) by Richard D. Harroch. All Rights Reserved.
Richard D. Harroch is a Senior Advisor to CEOs, management teams, and Boards of Directors. He is an expert on M&A, venture capital, startups, and business contracts. He was the Managing Director and Global Head of M&A at VantagePoint Capital Partners, a venture capital fund in the San Francisco area. His focus is on internet, digital media, AI and technology companies. He was the founder of several Internet companies. His articles have appeared online in Forbes, Fortune, MSN, Yahoo, Fox Business and AllBusiness.com. Richard is the author of several books on startups and entrepreneurship as well as the co-author of Poker for Dummies and a Wall Street Journal-bestselling book on small business. He is the co-author of a 1,500-page book published by Bloomberg on mergers and acquisitions of privately held companies. He was also a corporate and M&A partner at the international law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He has been involved in over 200 M&A transactions and 250 startup financings. He can be reached through LinkedIn.
Dominique Harroch is the Chief of Staff at AllBusiness.com. She has acted as a Chief of Staff or Operations Leader for multiple companies where she leveraged her extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership to drive organizational success. With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event planning at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies, Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.
Read the full article here
