how to write a resume that actually gets interviews

Writing a resume that actually gets interviews is more than listing jobs and duties. In today's hyper‑competitive job market, recruiters and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) scan hundreds of applications in seconds. To stand out, you need a data‑driven, keyword‑rich, and visually clean document that tells a hiring manager exactly why you are the perfect fit. This guide walks you through every step, from understanding the ATS to leveraging Resumly’s AI tools, with actionable checklists, real‑world examples, and a FAQ section that answers the most common doubts.

Why Traditional Resumes Fail

A 2023 survey by Jobvite found that 48% of recruiters dismiss a resume within the first six seconds. The primary reasons?

1. Lack of keywords – 62% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever sees them.
2. Poor formatting – 57% of hiring managers say a cluttered layout makes the document unreadable.
3. Generic language – 71% of recruiters prefer specific achievements over vague duties.

Stat source: Jobvite Recruiter Nation Report 2023

If you want your resume to actually get interviews, you must address these three failure points head‑on.

Understanding the ATS (Applicant Tracking System)

ATS is software that parses resumes, extracts relevant data, and ranks candidates based on keyword matches. Think of it as the first gatekeeper before a human ever opens your file. To beat the ATS:

• Use standard headings like Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, and Skills.
• Include exact phrases from the job description (e.g., “project management”, “SQL”, “customer acquisition”).
• Avoid tables, graphics, and unusual fonts that the parser can’t read.

Resumly offers a free ATS Resume Checker that scores your document and highlights missing keywords. Run your draft through this tool before you hit send.

Core Elements of a High‑Impact Resume

Below is a checklist you can copy‑paste into a Google Doc or Notion page. Tick each item before moving to the next section.

1. Header & Contact Info

• Full name (larger font, bold).
• Professional email (no nicknames).
• Phone number with country code.
• LinkedIn URL (customized, e.g., linkedin.com/in/yourname).
• Optional: personal website or portfolio.

2. Professional Summary (or Career Objective)

Definition: A 2‑3 sentence pitch that aligns your top skills with the employer’s needs.

Example:

“Results‑driven digital marketer with 5+ years of experience increasing ROI by 35% through data‑focused campaigns. Proven expertise in SEO, PPC, and content strategy, seeking to boost brand growth at XYZ Corp.”

3. Work Experience

• List jobs in reverse chronological order.
• For each role, include Company, Location, Title, and Dates (Month Year – Month Year).
• Use bullet points (3‑6 per role) that start with strong action verbs and quantify results.
• Follow the CAR formula: Challenge → Action → Result.

Bad example: “Managed a team.” Good example: “Led a cross‑functional team of 8 to launch a new e‑commerce platform, increasing monthly sales by 22% within three months.”

4. Skills & Keywords

• Create a Skills section with 10‑12 bullet points that mirror the job posting.
• Separate hard skills (e.g., Python, Tableau) from soft skills (e.g., stakeholder communication).
• Use Resumly’s Job‑Search Keywords tool to discover high‑impact terms for your industry.

5. Education & Certifications

• Include degree, institution, graduation year, and any honors.
• Add relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, Google Analytics) that add credibility.

6. Optional Sections

• Projects – showcase portfolio pieces with links.
• Volunteer Work – especially if it demonstrates leadership.
• Publications – for academic or thought‑leadership roles.

Step‑by‑Step Guide to Crafting Your Resume

1. Gather Information – Pull job descriptions, performance metrics, and past resumes into one folder.
2. Run a Keyword Audit – Paste the job posting into Resumly’s Job‑Search Keywords tool; copy the top 10 terms.
3. Draft the Professional Summary – Incorporate at least two of the top keywords.
4. Write Experience Bullets – Use the CAR formula and quantify every achievement.
5. Populate the Skills Section – Align with the keyword list; group related skills together.
6. Format for ATS – Choose a simple, single‑column layout; use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri, 10‑12 pt size.
7. Run the ATS Resume Checker – Fix any missing keywords or formatting errors.
8. Polish with AI – Upload the draft to Resumly’s AI Resume Builder for language enhancements and style suggestions.
9. Create a Tailored Cover Letter – Use Resumly’s AI Cover Letter feature to generate a personalized letter that mirrors your resume’s tone.
10. Final Review – Read aloud, check for consistency, and ensure the file is saved as a PDF.

Do’s and Don’ts

Leveraging AI Tools from Resumly

Resumly’s suite of AI‑powered tools can shave hours off your job‑search workflow while boosting quality.

• AI Resume Builder – Generates bullet points from plain text, suggests power verbs, and ensures keyword density.
• AI Cover Letter – Crafts a compelling narrative that complements your resume.
• Interview Practice – Simulates common interview questions and provides feedback on your answers.
• Auto‑Apply – Automates the submission process to compatible job boards.
• Application Tracker – Keeps a spreadsheet‑style view of every application status.

Try the AI Resume Builder today and watch your resume transform from generic to interview‑ready.

Real‑World Example: Transforming a Generic Resume

Before:

Work Experience
- Worked at ABC Corp as a sales associate.
- Handled customer inquiries.
- Managed inventory.

After (using Resumly’s AI tools and checklist):

Work Experience
Sales Associate, ABC Corp – New York, NY (Jan 2020 – Mar 2023)
- Exceeded quarterly sales targets by an average of **15%**, generating $1.2M in revenue.
- Resolved **98%** of customer issues on first contact, boosting Net Promoter Score from 62 to 78.
- Implemented a barcode‑scanning system that reduced inventory errors by **30%**.

The revised version includes quantifiable results, action verbs, and industry‑relevant keywords—exactly what recruiters and ATS look for.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many pages should my resume be?

• For professionals with less than 10 years of experience, keep it to one page. Senior leaders can extend to two pages if the content adds value.

2. Should I include a photo?

• In the U.S. and most Western countries, no. Photos can trigger bias and many ATS cannot parse images.

3. How often should I update my resume?

• At least quarterly, or after any major achievement (promotion, certification, major project).

4. Can I use a creative template for a tech role?

• Only if the company explicitly requests a design‑focused resume. Otherwise, stick to a clean, ATS‑friendly layout.

5. What’s the best way to showcase a career gap?

• Use a brief note in the Professional Summary (e.g., “Took a 6‑month sabbatical to complete a data‑science bootcamp”) and focus on transferable skills.

6. How do I know which keywords to prioritize?

• Run the job description through Resumly’s Job‑Search Keywords tool and incorporate the top 8‑10 terms naturally throughout your resume.

7. Is a PDF always the safest file format?

• Yes. PDFs preserve formatting and are universally accepted. However, some ATS prefer .docx; check the employer’s instructions.

8. Should I list every job I’ve ever had?

• No. Focus on the most relevant 3‑5 positions that demonstrate the skills required for the target role.

Final Thoughts – How to Write a Resume That Actually Gets Interviews

Crafting a resume that actually gets interviews is a systematic process: understand the ATS, use keyword‑rich language, quantify achievements, and polish with AI tools. By following the checklist, step‑by‑step guide, and do/don’t list above, you’ll produce a document that not only passes automated filters but also convinces hiring managers you’re the ideal candidate.

Ready to put these strategies into action? Visit the Resumly homepage to explore the full suite of AI‑driven career tools, or jump straight to the AI Resume Builder to start building a resume that truly gets interviews.