“Dear sir or madam” just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Getting your foot in the door can be the most challenging part of landing your dream role. Hiring manager inboxes are flooded with hundreds, even thousands, of applications for a role—especially for in-demand positions. According to Forbes, only 3% of resumes will get candidates to the interview stage.

Making your resume stand out from the crowd is critical to helping you get an interview. You’re not just fighting for attention. You’re fighting for time. Recruiters typically spend six to eight seconds (yes, seconds) reviewing a resume before picking up the next one.

Five ways to improve your resume

So, how do you make your resume stand out? Here are five tips we’ve seen in action to help build a resume that creates an impact.

1. Tailor your resume to the role you’re applying for

Does your resume still include “Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel”? If so, it’s time for an update. A recent Glassdoor post survey of recruiters revealed that 63% like to get resumes tailored to the job position. Even more important, 83% of recruiters in a Jobvite survey said they’re more likely to hire candidates who have personalized their resumes to the job.

Review the posting and the company’s website and make note of what skills are required and how those skills relate to the company’s mission. Use your notes to update your experience section to show that your skills align with the role's requirements.

2. Keywords are your friends

Keywords aren’t restricted to search engines. Many companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) or a recruiting management system (RMS) to scan resumes before a human sees them. Using keywords from the job description can help you get past the robots and over to the hiring manager.

3. The proof is in the numbers

Your resume should demonstrate your impact with data. If you worked on a project that achieved a specific goal, include that. This includes things like “increased revenue by 20%” or “reduced customer churn by 50%”. 75% of hiring managers responding to a LinkedIn survey said they wanted to see specific work accomplishments listed on a resume.

4. Check your spelling and grammar

There are no excuses for spelling mistakes, mainly since most software like Microsoft Word or Google Docs include spelling and grammar tools. Even with these tools, CareerBuilder reported that 58% of resumes contain a spelling mistake. These mistakes are a deal breaker for recruiters and hiring managers, with 77% of employers saying they would reject a resume immediately after finding a spelling error.

5. Create a great-looking resume

Remember that stat we shared earlier where recruiters only spend six to eight seconds looking at a resume? The best way to keep their eyes on your resume longer is to use a unique design while conveying all the essential information you’ve tailored for the role. We’re not talking about bold colours and clip art. Beautiful, eye-catching resumes can be created using many off-the-shelf tools and then choosing templates and fonts uniquely you.

Whatever design you choose, don’t forget these essential tips:

  1. Fonts. Choose easy-to-read fonts and bullet points for clarity. Comic Sans is still a no-go in 2024.
  2. White space. Use white space for readability.Crowded resumes are difficult to navigate for busy hiring managers.
  3. Less is more. Keep your resume concise and focused. The job of your resume is to get you an interview where you can truly showcase your experience, skills, and why you’re the right person for the job.

6. Don’t forget the cover letter

Are cover letters still necessary? We say yes unless the job posting specifically says not to include one. Cover letters are one of the best ways to tailor your skills and experience and showcase your personality to a potential employer. Cover letters should include why you’re the right candidate for the role, how your skills match the role’s requirements, and anything unique you can add that connects you and the role in the reader’s mind.

Get in front of Canada’s best employers—for free

Want to get your resume in front of Canada's fastest-growing tech companies? Submit your profile to The Help List. It is a community-powered initiative that puts tech professionals in front of hiring managers across Canada. It takes under five minutes to submit your talent profile.