📝 How to Make a Resume That Gets Noticed (Step-by-Step Guide)

In today’s competitive job market, your resume is your first impression — and often, your only chance to stand out. Recruiters spend just 6–8 seconds scanning each resume. So, how do you make yours grab attention instantly?

In this in-depth, step-by-step guide, you'll learn how to make a resume that gets noticed — whether you’re a fresh graduate, switching careers, or climbing the ladder.

🎯 What Makes a Resume Stand Out?

Before we dive into the steps, let's understand what employers are looking for:

✅ Clear formatting
✅ Tailored content
✅ Strong keywords
✅ Measurable achievements
✅ Professional appearance

Now let’s create a resume that checks every box.

🔟 Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Standout Resume

✅ Step 1: Choose the Right Resume Format

There are 3 main resume formats — pick the one that matches your experience.

Format	Best For	Description
Chronological	Most job seekers	Lists work history from newest to oldest
Functional	Career changers	Focuses on skills, not job titles
Combination	Experienced professionals	Mix of skills + work history

Tip: Most recruiters prefer chronological format. Use it unless you have a good reason not to.

✍️ Step 2: Write a Compelling Resume Header

This is the top section of your resume. It includes:

Full Name
Phone Number
Email Address (professional one)
LinkedIn Profile (optional but recommended)
Personal Website or Portfolio (for creatives or developers)

Example:

Sarah Thompson  
📞 (123) 456-7890  
📧 sarah.thompson@email.com  
🔗 linkedin.com/in/sarahthompson  
🌐 sarahthompsonportfolio.com

🧠 Step 3: Write a Powerful Resume Summary or Objective

This is a 2–3 sentence snapshot that summarizes your skills and goals.

🔹 Resume Summary (for experienced professionals):

Digital Marketing Specialist with 4+ years of experience in SEO, content strategy, and paid ads. Increased organic traffic by 180% in 6 months. Seeking to bring data-driven growth to XYZ Agency.

🔹 Resume Objective (for students/freshers):

Recent computer science graduate with a passion for web development. Eager to apply knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to deliver real-world solutions at a dynamic tech firm.

Tip: Tailor this to the job you're applying for.

💼 Step 4: Add Your Work Experience (With Results)

This is the most critical section for recruiters.

Structure:

Job Title
Company Name + Location
Dates of Employment
3–5 bullet points showing achievements

Example:

Social Media Manager
DigitalHive Marketing, New York, NY
Jan 2021 – Present

Increased Instagram engagement by 220% in 6 months
Launched TikTok strategy that grew following from 0 to 30,000
Managed $10K/month ad budget with 4.3x ROI

Tips:

Use action verbs (increased, launched, managed, led, etc.)
Add numbers/results whenever possible

🎓 Step 5: Highlight Education

Format:

Degree or Certification
School Name
Graduation Year (optional if you're experienced)

Example:

B.A. in Business Administration
University of Texas, Austin — 2020

For students or recent grads, include:

GPA (if 3.5 or higher)
Relevant coursework
Academic awards or achievements

🧩 Step 6: Add Key Skills (Tailored to the Job)

Use a skills section that matches what’s listed in the job ad. You can break this into categories:

Example:

Technical Skills:

Microsoft Excel, SQL, Google Analytics, HTML/CSS

Soft Skills:

Problem-solving, Time management, Communication

Tip: Don’t list generic skills like “team player” without backing them up elsewhere.

🏆 Step 7: Include Certifications, Awards, or Projects

If you have room and they’re relevant, add:

Certifications (Google Ads, PMP, AWS, etc.)
Awards or recognitions
Personal projects or freelance work
Volunteer experience

Example:

Certifications:

Google Ads Search Certification – 2024
HubSpot Content Marketing – 2023

Projects:

Developed a budgeting app with 500+ downloads
Created SEO strategy for a local bakery website (tripled web traffic)

📄 Step 8: Keep the Layout Clean and Professional

What to Do:

Use 1 column or 2-column modern layout
Stick to one page (unless you have 10+ years experience)
Use consistent fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Helvetica)
Use bullet points, not paragraphs
Keep plenty of white space

What to Avoid:

Fancy graphics or colors (unless you're in a creative field)
Unprofessional email addresses
Typos and grammar errors

Use free templates from:

📥 Step 9: Optimize for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)

Many companies use software to scan resumes before a human sees them. To pass:

Use standard headings like “Work Experience” and “Education”
Avoid tables, charts, or graphics
Include keywords from the job description
Save as a PDF unless asked for a Word file

Tip: Use Jobscan.co to see how your resume matches a job posting.

🔍 Step 10: Proofread and Get Feedback

Before you hit "send," do this:

Read it out loud
Run it through Grammarly
Ask a friend or mentor to review
Double-check spelling of names and companies

Bonus Tip: Email it to yourself and open it on your phone and laptop to check formatting.

💡 Example Resume Template (Quick View)

[Your Name]  
[Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn] | [Portfolio]

SUMMARY  
[1–2 lines about who you are and what you bring to the role]

WORK EXPERIENCE  
[Job Title] – [Company] – [Location] – [Dates]  
• [Achievement #1 with metric]  
• [Achievement #2 with action verb]  
• [Project or result]

EDUCATION  
[Degree] – [University] – [Year]

SKILLS  
• [Relevant skill] • [Tool or software] • [Soft skill]

CERTIFICATIONS  
• [Name – Year]

PROJECTS (optional)  
• [What you built/did + result]

❓Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long should my resume be?

👉 One page is best. Two pages only if you have 10+ years of experience or a technical role.

Q2: Should I include a photo?

👉 Only if you’re in a country where it’s expected (e.g., Europe). In the U.S., no photo.

Q3: Can I use the same resume for every job?

👉 No. Always customize your resume for each application using keywords and relevant skills.

Q4: Is it okay to include hobbies?

👉 Only if they add value (e.g., leadership, creativity, community involvement). Avoid generic ones like "watching Netflix."

📌 Final Thoughts

Your resume isn’t just a summary — it’s your personal marketing tool. When crafted well, it opens doors, earns interviews, and helps you land your dream job.

Here’s what to remember:

Keep it clean and focused
Show results, not responsibilities
Tailor it to every job you apply for
Use modern tools and templates
Proofread, proofread, proofread

The job market is tough, but a powerful resume gives you a real edge.

👇 Ready to Take Action?

Download a free resume template from Canva, and start building your standout resume today!

Or, if you’d like a free resume checklist or custom resume review, let me know — I’d be happy to help here on HowWise. 💡