How to Create the Perfect Resume in 2025

## Why Your Resume Matters Your resume is your first point of contact with potential employers. Research shows that hiring managers spend an average of only **6 seconds** reviewing a resume. You need to make a strong impression in that brief window. ## Essential Resume Sections A well-structured resume should include these key sections: - **Contact Information**: Name, phone, professional email, LinkedIn profile, location - **Professional Summary**: 2-3 sentences highlighting your key skills and career objectives - **Work Experience**: Company name, job title, dates, and bullet-pointed achievements - **Education**: University name, degree, graduation year, honors - **Skills**: Technical skills, languages, certifications ## Making Your Resume ATS-Friendly Most modern companies use **ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)**. Research shows that **75% of resumes** never reach human eyes due to ATS filtering. To pass ATS screening: - Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) - Choose simple, single-column layouts - Avoid graphics and complex formatting - Include keywords from the job description - Save as PDF or DOCX format ## Quantify Your Achievements Numbers speak louder than words. Compare these examples: **Bad**: "Managed sales team" **Good**: "Led 10-person sales team, increasing annual sales by 35%" **Bad**: "Improved customer satisfaction" **Good**: "Reduced customer complaints by 60% in 6 months, raising satisfaction score to 4.8/5" ## Common Resume Mistakes Avoid these critical errors: ### Length Issues - New graduates: 1 page - Mid-level (3-10 years): 1-2 pages - Senior/Executive: 2-3 pages ### Too Much Personal Info Don't include: date of birth, marital status, photo (in most countries), social security number ### Generic Statements Skip vague phrases like "team player" or "fast learner". Provide concrete examples instead. ### Typos Proofread at least 3 times and have someone else review your resume. ## Optimize with Rejectly Rejectly analyzes your resume with AI to: - Show job posting compatibility score - Identify missing keywords - Evaluate ATS compliance - Provide personalized improvement suggestions - Generate optimized resume versions [Get free resume analysis](/dashboard) ## Final Tips Remember: Your resume is your professional story. Keep it updated, customize for each application, and focus on achievements rather than just responsibilities. The best resume is one that passes ATS filters AND impresses human readers.