Top 18 Resume Hacks to Land Your Dream Job Faster

19 Job-Landing Resume Hacks You Need to Know

Whether you're a fresh graduate or a seasoned pro, these resume tips and tricks are your ticket to the top of the pile. 

Keep reading, because your dream job is about to get a whole lot closer.

#1. Use a Resume Builder

Resume builders are powerful tools that can dramatically improve the overall appearance of your resume.

These online platforms offer a range of professionally designed templates tailored to various industries and job roles. 

That’s exactly why we recommend you try our free resume builder!

Novorésumé is designed to guide you through the resume creation process, step by step.

Use the Novorésumé resume builder to save tons of time that would go into formatting and designing the perfect job application! 

You can start by choosing a professional resume template and quickly customizing your layout, font, and color palette.

Once you wrap up your resume, don’t forget to pick a matching cover letter template to create a professional and polished set of documents for your job application.

#2. Choose the Right Format

The resume format you choose affects how effectively you present your qualifications to your potential employer.

There are three main types of resume formats to choose from:

1. Chronological. This resume format lists what hiring managers want to see – your most recent and relevant work experience – first. 
2. Functional. This skills-based format emphasizes your skills rather than your work history. It's particularly useful for recent graduates applying for their first job, career changers, or those with gaps in employment. It allows you to showcase relevant skills even if they were gained in unrelated jobs or through volunteer work.
3. Combination. As the name suggests, this format has elements of both chronological and functional formats. It typically starts with a strong skills section followed by a reverse-chronological work history. 

In 99% of cases, we recommend you stick to the reverse chronological format. It’s the most popular format worldwide and hiring managers expect to see it.

#3. Write a Great Resume Summary or Objective 

Kick off your resume with a bang by crafting a compelling summary or objective. This brief section at the top of your resume is your chance to hook the hiring manager from the start.

For experienced professionals, go for a summary that highlights your key skills and biggest wins:

And if you're new to the field and still have no experience, an objective stating your career goals works best:

Either way, keep it short and punchy - aim for 2-4 sentences max. 

#4. Research the Company

Thoroughly researching the company before writing your resume is a game-changing hack that many job seekers overlook. This step allows you to tailor your resume specifically to the company and position.

Here's how to effectively research and use company information:

• Study the job description. Look for specific skills, experiences, and qualities the company values. Use these as keywords throughout your resume.
• Explore the company website. Read their "About Us" page, look at their products or services, and check their news or blog section.
• Check social media profiles. LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook can provide insights into company culture and current projects.
• Read recent news articles. This can give you information about the company's challenges, successes, and plans, especially if it’s a household name.
• Connect with current or former employees. Reach out to people in your network who work or have worked at the company. These insider perspectives can provide valuable insights into the company culture, work environment, and specific skills or experiences the company values most. 

#5. Include Keywords

Most companies use an ATS (applicant tracking software) to sort through the tons of resumes they get per job opening.

The ATS can be a pesky adversary - if you don’t meet the criteria, your resume gets rejected automatically and it never makes it to the hiring manager’s desk.

But there are ways to get past this, and the biggest one is by incorporating as many relevant keywords as possible into your resume.

To find the keywords you need, start by carefully analyzing the job description and the company's website. Look for specific skills, qualifications, and industry terms they emphasize.

Then, naturally include these keywords throughout your resume, especially in your skills section and work experience descriptions. Be sure to include both industry-specific jargon and more general terms related to the job.

Here are a few tips you should keep in mind when optimizing your resume for ATS:

• The ATS can’t read text in page headers or footers.
• The same goes for visual elements like text in charts, tables, or text boxes.
• The ATS doesn’t care about bold, underlined, italicized, colored, or color-filled text but a hiring manager might.
• The ATS can’t register photos embedded in your resume, like JPG or PNG files.
• Since the ATS scans your text from left to right it may not correctly read text formatted in columns.

#6. Add Hyperlinks

By adding hyperlinks, you can provide quick access to your professional profiles, portfolio, or work samples. 

Include a link to your LinkedIn profile in your contact information - many hiring managers will look you up anyway, so make it easy for them. 

If you're in a creative field, link to your online portfolio or personal website. 

For writers or content creators, consider linking to published articles or projects. 

Even including links to the websites of your previous employers can enhance your resume. It gives potential employers a better understanding of your background and the companies you've worked for.

Just remember to use descriptive anchor text and ensure all links are active and lead to appropriate, professional content. 

#7. Use Action Verbs

Fill your resume with powerful action verbs that showcase your initiative and impact. 

So, instead of passive phrases like "was responsible for," opt for dynamic verbs such as "spearheaded," "implemented," or "optimized." 

Here’s a list of some of the best action verbs for your resume:

These words paint a vivid picture of your contributions and make your experiences more engaging for the reader. 

Remember to mix and match your vocabulary throughout your resume. Don't fall into the trap of repeating the same verbs - it can make your resume feel monotonous. 

Instead, use synonyms to add variety and depth to your descriptions. For instance, instead of using "managed" repeatedly, try alternatives like "directed," "coordinated," or "oversaw." 

#8. Focus on Your Achievements

Shift your focus from merely listing job responsibilities to highlighting your concrete achievements. Responsibilities tell employers what you were supposed to do, while achievements show what you actually accomplished. 

This approach gives potential employers a clear picture of the value you can bring to their organization. 

Compare the following two examples:

This shows the hiring manager the candidate was merely fulfilling basic duties in their previous role, which is unlikely to make their resume stand out.

Instead of this, quantify your results with specific numbers and percentages, whenever possible.  

Did you increase sales? By what percentage? Did you save the company money? How much? Did you improve efficiency? By what margin?

Now, here’s how this would look in practice:

And even if you can't provide exact figures, try to give a sense of scale. 

#9. Don't Use Buzzwords or Oversell Yourself

Keep your resume simple. Avoid inflating your job titles or responsibilities with unnecessary buzzwords. 

Instead, stick to clear, industry-standard terms that accurately reflect your position and experience. 

For instance, use "Waitress" instead of "Customer Service Specialist" if that was your actual role. 

Similarly, if your company used creative titles like "Marketing Wizard," translate that to a more universally understood term like "Marketing Specialist" or "Senior Marketer" on your resume. 

This approach ensures your resume remains credible and easily understandable to hiring managers across different companies. Remember, clarity and accuracy trump creativity when it comes to job titles and descriptions on your resume.

#10. Pay Attention to Layout

The content of your resume isn't the only thing that matters - the layout plays a huge role too.

Here are all the elements of a great resume layout that will help you make your resume reader-friendly:

• Adjust the margins. Make sure your resume isn’t cluttered and looks well-organized. Set the margins to one inch on all sides to keep it neat.
• Choose a professional font style. You want your resume to be easy-to-read, so pick a professional and simple font style that looks good on both PDF and paper. Make sure to use it consistently throughout your resume.
• Use the right font size. A small font can be hard to read, while one that’s too big will spill your resume over to page #2. So, stick to 11-12 pts for the body of your resume and 14-16 pts for your resume headings.
• Make use of bullet points. Whenever possible, use bullet points to organize the information on your resume. Bullet points don’t just make your resume look neat - they also help the hiring manager to quickly skim through it. 
• Save your resume in the right format. Unless you’re asked to do otherwise, saving your resume as a PDF file is your safest option. This way, you ensure that your resume maintains its formatting no matter the device or OS the hiring manager uses to open it.

#11. Keep It Short

As a general rule, aim to keep your resume to one page, especially if you're early in your career or changing fields. That way, you put focus on your most relevant and impressive qualifications, making it easier for hiring managers to quickly grasp your potential value. 

If you're a seasoned professional with extensive relevant experience, on the other hand, you might extend to two pages, but be judicious about what you include.

#12. Customize Your Resume for the Job

This goes for more than just tweaking your skills or experiences to match what the employer wants. The entire structure of your resume should be customized to highlight your most relevant qualifications for each role you apply for.

Consider the order of your resume sections carefully, based on the job requirements. 

For instance, if you're a law student applying for a legal internship, you might want to place your education section near the top, highlighting your relevant coursework and academic achievements. 

However, if you're applying for a summer job at a restaurant, you should emphasize your previous work experience in food and beverage by placing that section prominently. 

This strategic organization ensures that the most pertinent information catches the hiring manager’s eye first. 

#13. Make Sure Your Resume Is Consistent with Your LinkedIn Profile

Ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile tell the same story. 

While your LinkedIn can be more comprehensive, the core details—job titles, dates of employment, education, and key achievements—should align across both platforms. 

This consistency builds trust with potential employers, who often cross-reference these sources. 

If there are discrepancies, it may raise red flags. 

Use your LinkedIn profile to complement your resume and provide additional context, recommendations, and a more detailed career narrative.

#14. Proofread Before Sending

Don't let careless errors undermine your chances of getting a job. Always proofread your resume thoroughly before sending it out so it doesn’t get rejected. 

Start by using an online proofreading tool to catch obvious spelling and grammar mistakes. However, don't rely solely on these tools—they can miss context-specific mistakes or unconventional names. 

After using a digital tool, carefully review your resume yourself. Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing, and consider asking a trusted friend or family member for a fresh set of eyes. Pay special attention to names, dates, and contact information. 

A typo-free, polished resume demonstrates your attention to detail and professionalism.

#15. Pay Attention to How You Name the File

The filename of your resume is often overlooked, but naming it wrong is one of the most common resume mistakes. 

Here’s how to keep it simple and clean:

• Include your full name and the word "resume" in the filename. For example: "John_Doe_Resume.pdf".
• Avoid any numbers or dates in the filename. Don't use "John_Doe_Resume_2.pdf" or "John_Doe_Resume_2023.pdf". This gives the impression that you're sending out multiple versions or that your resume might be outdated.
• Use underscores instead of spaces for better compatibility across different systems.
• Stick to lowercase letters to avoid any potential technical issues.
• Save your file as a PDF to preserve formatting unless the job listing specifies another format.

Remember, this is your opportunity to showcase professionalism from the start..

Naming your resume this way shows attention to detail and makes it easier for hiring managers to locate and identify your application among many others.

#16. Send It Along with a Cover Letter

Don't underestimate the power of a well-written cover letter. 

While your resume provides a snapshot of your qualifications, a cover letter allows you to elaborate on why you're the perfect fit for the role. 

Use it to highlight specific experiences that align with the job requirements, explain any employment gaps in your resume, or showcase your enthusiasm for the company. 

A tailored cover letter demonstrates your genuine interest in the position and can set you apart from candidates who skip this step. 

Even if a cover letter isn't explicitly required, including one that shows initiative and attention to detail - qualities valued by most employers.

#17. Regularly Update Your Resume

Your resume should be a living document that evolves with your career. 

Set a reminder to review and update your resume every few months, even if you're not actively job hunting. 

So, what should you put on your resume? Consider adding new skills you've acquired, projects you've completed, or achievements you've earned. 

This practice ensures you're always prepared for unexpected opportunities and helps you track your professional growth. 

When you do start job hunting, you'll have a comprehensive, up-to-date resume ready to tailor for specific positions. This will save you time and stress in the long run.

#18. Follow up After Applying

Don't let your application disappear into the void.

After submitting your resume and cover letter, take the initiative to follow up.

Wait about a week, then send a polite email reiterating your interest in the position and asking about the status of your application.

This follow-up serves multiple purposes:

• It keeps your application at the top of the hiring manager’s mind.
• It demonstrates your genuine interest in the role.
• It showcases your proactive communication skills.

And don't forget to be respectful of the employer's time and process - a single, well-timed follow-up is usually sufficient unless you're invited to check in again later. 

Here’s an example of an e-mail you can send to the hiring manager:

Key Takeaways

By now, you know exactly how to create a great resume that will get noticed by hiring managers and help you land the job.

Before you start writing your resume, though, let’s make a quick recapitulation of some of the key points mentioned in this article:

• Tailor your resume for each job application.
• Use a clean, ATS-friendly format.
• Focus on achievements rather than just responsibilities.
• Incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout your resume.
• Keep it concise – aim for one page unless you're a seasoned professional.
• Proofread carefully and ensure consistency with your online profiles.
• Follow up after applying to demonstrate genuine interest.