Crafting a Standout Resume: What to Include and What to Leave Off
INTRODUCTION
One common challenge job seekers face when creating or updating their resume is deciding what information to include and what to leave off. With recruiters and hiring managers often reviewing hundreds of resumes for a single position, your resume needs to stand out by highlighting the most relevant and impactful aspects of your career. Unfortunately, many job seekers make the mistake of filling their resumes with content that does little to set them apart.
Whether you are a seasoned professional with decades of experience or a newcomer to the job market, knowing how to present your skills, experience, and achievements concisely and effectively is crucial. Below are some common resume pitfalls, along with insights on what you should prioritize to craft a standout resume that captures attention.
Common Resume Pitfalls
1. Long Lists of Duties and Responsibilities
A frequent issue on resumes is the inclusion of lengthy bullet points that detail duties and responsibilities rather than achievements. While it’s important to convey your role in previous positions, focusing on tasks alone can make your resume sound like a job description. For example, instead of simply stating that you “managed a team of 10 people,” you could highlight what you accomplished in that role, such as, “Led a team of 10 to achieve a 15% increase in departmental efficiency within 6 months.”
Bullet points should demonstrate the value you added to the company or team, not just list tasks. Recruiters and hiring managers are more interested in what you achieved in your role than in what your job entailed. Be specific, and where possible, quantify your successes to show measurable results. Including metrics like percentages, dollar amounts, or timeframes helps your achievements stand out and demonstrates a results-driven mindset.
2. Irrelevant or Generic Skills Lists
Another mistake many job seekers make is listing skills without context. While it’s tempting to list every skill you have ever developed, from basic Microsoft Office proficiency to complex technical capabilities, not every skill will be relevant to the job you’re applying for. More importantly, simply listing a skill without showing how it was used provides no value to the reader.
For instance, instead of listing “strong communication skills,” showcase how you utilized those skills by saying something like, “Facilitated weekly team meetings, ensuring clear communication across departments, leading to a 20% improvement in project completion rates.” This approach gives recruiters a clearer understanding of how your skills apply to the role you’re targeting and demonstrates your competency in real-world situations.
3. Outdated or Irrelevant Work Experience
Job seekers with decades of experience sometimes feel compelled to list every position they’ve ever held, including jobs from 20-30 years ago. While this can be tempting—especially when earlier jobs helped you build your career—it’s generally unnecessary and can even work against you. Older roles, especially those at a much lower level than your target position, can detract from the relevance of your more recent experience.
Most recruiters recommend including only the last 10 to 15 years of experience, focusing on roles that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. If an older role is directly relevant, mention it in a concise way, perhaps in a “Career Highlights” or “Additional Experience” section, without going into extensive detail.
4. Non-Applicable Certifications
Certifications can be a great way to demonstrate professional development and expertise, but they should always align with the job you’re applying for. Including irrelevant certifications can dilute the impact of your resume. For example, if you’re applying for a leadership role in marketing, including a CPR certification or an outdated technical qualification may raise eyebrows.
Instead, focus on certifications that directly support the qualifications and skills required for the role you want. For instance, a certification in digital marketing, project management, or leadership development can strengthen your resume and provide validation of your abilities in key areas.
Focusing on Achievements and Results
Once you recognize what not to include on your resume, the next step is to focus on what will make you stand out: your achievements and the results you’ve delivered in previous roles. This shift from “what you did” to “what you accomplished” is what grabs the attention of hiring managers.
Here are some ways to do that:
1. Use Specifics and Metrics
A standout resume includes measurable outcomes. Whenever possible, include specific data points to quantify your achievements. Did you lead a project that saved the company money? How much? Did you implement a process that improved efficiency? By how much? For example, “Reduced operational costs by 10% by streamlining the supply chain process” is much more powerful than simply saying, “Managed supply chain processes.”
These numbers not only provide a clearer picture of your accomplishments but also demonstrate that you are a results-oriented professional who understands the impact of your work.
2. Tailor Each Resume to the Job You’re Applying For
A common mistake is sending out the same generic resume to every potential employer. To stand out, take the time to tailor your resume to the job description. Read the job posting carefully and ensure that the skills, achievements, and experience you highlight align with what the company is looking for. This doesn’t mean fabricating details, but rather focusing on the aspects of your experience that are most relevant to the job.
Tailoring your resume helps ensure that the most important information rises to the top and resonates with recruiters who may only spend a few seconds scanning each resume.
3. Showcase Leadership and Initiative
Even if you aren’t applying for a management position, showcasing examples of leadership and initiative can set you apart. Did you lead a project? Mentor new employees? Come up with a new process that improved operations? Highlighting these examples shows that you go beyond the basic expectations of your role and contribute to the success of your team and organization.
For instance, instead of saying, “Managed a team,” you might say, “Led a team of 10 in successfully launching a new software product, which resulted in a 30% sales increase in its first quarter.”.
CONCLUSION
In today’s competitive job market, your resume is often your first chance to make a lasting impression. To stand out, it’s crucial to move beyond lists of tasks and responsibilities and focus on what really matters: your achievements, skills that are relevant to the job, and how you’ve added value to previous employers.
A standout resume is concise, focused, and highlights the results you’ve delivered. It speaks directly to the needs of the hiring manager, giving them a clear picture of why you’re the best candidate for the job. By avoiding common pitfalls and prioritizing your most impactful experiences, you increase your chances of landing an interview and, ultimately, the job you want.