Writing a resume is no small task, but it's a step you can't skip if you want to land your dream job.
Writing a resume is harder than it sounds. I remember back in the days when I was looking for a job, coming up with a good resume was a stressful and frustrating process.
Whenever I got rejected or, worse, ghosted by an employer, I couldn’t help but wonder: Was I not a good fit for the job? Or was it because my resume just didn’t cut it?
Rejections often leave you questioning yourself, and while it’s important to keep improving, it’s equally crucial to recognize that sometimes it’s not about your abilities—it's about presentation.
Trying to fit your work experience, skills, and career highlights into one page while making it look good? It’s not easy. Sometimes we don’t know where to start or what employers actually want to see.
How do you make your resume stand out without making it look like you’re trying too hard? It’s incredibly challenging to find the right balance between professionalism and personality. A resume needs to reflect your qualifications and be engaging enough to hold the recruiter’s attention.
Sure, you can use AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude, but there are issues when you go down that route:
So, if you’re planning to create a resume for your next job, I’d suggest finding experts who can help you out. You can hire human experts on freelance platforms like Fiverr.
But if you’re planning to do it yourself, I’ll lay out some important things to keep in mind when creating your resume in this article.
Let’s get started.
There are two main types of resumes:
The right choice depends on the job you’re applying for and how companies screen resumes.
ATS-Friendly Resumes: Many companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter resumes before a human even looks at them. These systems scan for specific keywords and simple formatting. If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, it might not even make it to the recruiter’s desk.
Make sure you follow this format and styling.
Here are some good examples of ATS-friendly resumes from Better CV.
Graphic Resumes: These are visually appealing and designed to stand out, with creative layouts, colors, and icons. Graphic resumes are perfect for jobs in design, marketing, or creative fields. But remember, they’re not ATS-friendly, so avoid them if you’re applying through an online portal.
Check out these examples from Canva.
Have you noticed the difference?
Even without reading the content, you’d know which applicant is applying as a lawyer or as a graphic designer.
On Fiverr, there are hundreds of service providers that offer ATS-optimized resume creation, like below.
The beauty of tapping into expert services like these is that you increase your chances of getting well-researched, optimized, and professionally written resumes.
Here’s an example gig from Ann.
My Gig specializes in crafting highly effective ATS-optimized resumes, senior executives, and federal USAJOBS CVs, ensuring your profile ranks prominently and gets noticed. With meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of keyword optimization, I’ll create documents that pass through automated Applicant Tracking Systems and impress hiring managers.
Her process involves thorough research, personalized consultations, and strategic keyword placement to maximize visibility. Hiring professionals like Ann can be really beneficial for job seekers. When you’re competing in a saturated job market, every small advantage matters.
A good resume isn’t just about listing what you’ve done. It's about showing why you’re a great fit for the job and the value you can bring to their organization.
Here are the key things to focus on:
Content
The content of your resume is the most important part. Make sure you include:
Design
Even for an ATS-friendly resume, presentation matters. Keep it clean and easy to read.
A poorly formatted resume can send the wrong message. No matter how great your qualifications are, a messy resume can make you seem careless.
If there’s one platform I would recommend to find the right service for your resume, it would be Fiverr. You can search for “resume writing” and find hundreds of freelancers offering this service. To save time, here’s what I’d suggest:
The gig below by Jessica G. has received a good amount of positive feedback, so you’d know that she offers really good service.
Her clients praise her for creating resumes that are not only professional but also get real results. Services like hers can take the guesswork out of writing a resume and help you make a strong impression.
Writing a resume is no small task, but it’s a step you can’t skip if you want to land your dream job. Regardless if you choose to do it yourself or hire a pro, the goal is the same: to show employers why you’re the best person for the role.
If you decide to do it yourself, keep it simple, focus on your strengths, and make sure your resume is easy to read. And if you need some extra help, platforms like Fiverr are great for finding experts who can create a resume that works for you.
At the end of the day, a resume is your ticket to that first interview. So take your time, put in the effort, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Good luck with your job search!
Software engineer, writer, solopreneur