The Ultimate Resume Checklist to Land That Job in 2025

9 Elements to Double-Check Before Sending a Job Application 

Here are the nine elements you want to check when making your resume to land that interview:

#1. Formatting

Before submitting your resume, make sure you've chosen the right format. There are three main resume formats you can choose from:

#2. Layout

Did you know that hiring managers spend around six seconds scanning your resume? 

A clean, organized layout makes it easy for them to find key information and raises the chances of being invited for a job interview.

So, make sure to check these layout elements before submitting your resume:

#3. Professional Summary or Objective

A compelling professional summary or objective can grab the hiring manager’s attention from the get-go.

This section, placed at the top of your resume, should summarize your title and years of experience, greatest strengths, and top skills to convince the hiring manager to keep reading.

Here’s what to keep an eye out for:

#4. Contact Information

Your contact information is critical – without it, employers can't reach you for interviews. 

Though filling in this section seems simple, small errors here can cost you opportunities even if the rest of your resume is perfect.

So, ensure your contact details include all these essential elements:

#5. Education

While not as important as your other sections, a concise and relevant education section is still vital to any resume. Keep it simple by including your degree, major, graduation date, and institution name in reverse chronological order.

And if you're still in school, include your anticipated graduation date.

Double-check these details in your education section:

#6. Work Experience

This is where you show off your professional story and achievements, one relevant role after the other. 

Review these critical elements in your work experience section:

#7. Skills

This section showcases your relevant skills and abilities, helps your resume get through applicant tracking systems (ATS), and shows hiring managers you’ve got what it takes to do the job.

Ensure your skills section meets these important criteria:

#8. Optional Sections

Optional sections can set you apart from candidates with the same work experience and skills and overall enhance your resume. 

These sections, which include your certifications, personal projects, foreign languages, and more, help demonstrate your unique values. Here’s what to pay attention to:

#9. Grammar and Vocabulary

Even the most qualified candidates can be rejected due to grammar mistakes or poor word choice. Errors on your resume suggest carelessness and lack of attention to detail – qualities no employer wants.

Check these grammar and vocabulary elements before submitting your resume:

5 Tips for Writing Your Resume

Your resume is your professional story, and how you tell it matters.

These practical tips will help you create a resume that grabs attention and showcases your value to potential employers:

• Customize for each application. Tailor your resume for every position by carefully analyzing the job description and highlighting relevant skills and experiences. Generic resumes rarely make it past the first screening.
• Understand the role thoroughly. Research the company and the position to identify what skills and qualifications they value most. If applying for a management role, emphasize your leadership experiences and achievements.
• Use positive, action-oriented language. Choose powerful action verbs like "achieved," "implemented," or "transformed" rather than passive phrases like "was responsible for."
• Keep it concise. Limit your resume to 1-2 pages, focusing only on information relevant to the position. Hiring managers often have to go through hundreds of applications, so they’ll appreciate you valuing their time. 
• Use keywords strategically. Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description to pass the ATS screening, especially for technical skills and industry-specific terminology.

Key Takeaways

You've made it to the end!

Before you go and finalize your resume, here are the main points we covered:

• Your resume is arguably the most important part of your application, so make it count. 
• Format and layout significantly impact readability. Stick with reverse-chronological format for most situations and maintain clean, consistent formatting.
• Tailor each section to the specific job you're applying for. Generic resumes rarely make it past initial screenings.
• Quantify achievements whenever possible. Numbers and specific results speak louder than vague descriptions.
• Proofread thoroughly. Even small errors can signal carelessness to potential employers.
• Keep content relevant and concise. Every word should serve a purpose in your limited resume space.