By Kathryn Wade, Senior eCommerce Recruiter @ eCommerce Placement
On average, recruiters take 6 seconds to review a resume before determining whether a candidate is a proper fit. Here are five proven tips to make your resume stand out.
Tip #1 — Use Keywords, Take Advantage of ATS
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords that indicate relevance to a role. Review the job description carefully and include terms that reflect the main responsibilities and requirements — software names, specific skills, and industry-relevant descriptors. Only include keywords that genuinely apply to your experience.
Tip #2 — Format Your Resume for Visual Impact
Use a legible font in a readable size. Divide content into distinct sections. Use spacing, lines, boxes, and shading to separate text and draw the recruiter's eye to the most important details. Less is more — keep descriptions concise and only include what's relevant and impressive.
Tip #3 — Organize Your Information Logically
Standard order: personal information → objective/skills summary → work experience → education → awards. If you've been in the workforce for more than a year or two, education goes at the bottom. Every resume is unique — tailor yours to most accurately represent your strengths.
Tip #4 — Provide Quantitative Data, Not Just Responsibilities
Recruiters want to know about the results you achieved, not just your day-to-day tasks. Use numbers and percentages: "Identified and onboarded 12 new clients, increasing average conversion rate by 37% — twice the company average." Quantitative data differentiates you from competitors and gives hiring managers a true sense of your impact.
Tip #5 — Lose the Fluff, Write with Intention
Resumes are made to be skimmed. Include only the strongest, most relevant information tailored to the company's specific needs. Use 3–5 bullet points per role. Remove filler words. Before adding any detail, ask yourself: "What is the purpose of this information? Will this help the hiring manager understand what they need to know?" If the answer is no — cut it.
The key takeaway: Read the job description, put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes, and answer honestly — what skills and experience will they want to see, and what will catch their attention? Put that information front and center, concisely and clearly.