Introduction

A résumé is not a diary; it’s a sales page for a conversation. Hiring managers skim, connect dots quickly, and look for proof that you can deliver the outcomes their team is measured on. The most reliable format is a single page with a sharp summary, clean sections, and accomplishment bullets that begin with strong verbs and end with results. Pair it with a polite, specific cover letter that frames your fit in seven sentences, and your applications stop feeling like shouts into the void. You do not need a flashy template. You need clarity, relevance, and a voice that sounds like a professional human being.

Start with a headline and a two‑to‑three line summary that points at the exact role. If you’re applying for operations, lead with operations. If it’s customer success, lead with retention, activation, and empathy. The summary should name a few core strengths and a proof phrase, such as “reduced onboarding time by 28%” or “managed budgets across three regions.” Keep it tight; you’re setting the lens for the page below.

Choose a clean structure and a legible font at a friendly size. Your name and contact info sit at the top, followed by Experience, Education, and Skills or Certifications. Reverse chronological experience usually works best. If you have a highly relevant project that isn’t a job, add a Projects section above Education and keep it to one or two entries. Margins should be comfortable; cramped pages feel untrustworthy.

Write accomplishment bullets that start with the action and end with impact. “Coordinated vendor onboarding” is weaker than “Cut vendor onboarding time by 30% by standardizing checklists and a single point of contact.” If you lack exact numbers, use ranges or concrete comparisons—“handled 40–60 support tickets per day with a 95% satisfaction rating” or “trained 12 new staff across two locations.” One role needs three to six bullets; more is noise.

Include relevant skills in context rather than a naked list of buzzwords. If you mention a tool or method, show where you used it to deliver results. The same goes for languages and certifications. Hiring teams respond to evidence, not just labels.

Edit for clarity and verifiable truth. Remove clichés like “results‑oriented team player.” Replace passive phrases with verbs: led, built, launched, reduced, improved, negotiated, trained. Cut school projects and old roles that dilute focus unless they prove a must‑have requirement.

Handle gaps or career pivots with honest framing. A one‑line note like “Sabbatical for family care and certification study, 2023” answers the question without apology. Projects, volunteering, and relevant coursework can fill space meaningfully as you transition.

Export as a PDF with a clear file name: FirstnameLastname_Role_Company.pdf. Check that hyphens and special characters render cleanly. Email clients and application portals sometimes mangle fancy formatting, so keep design simple and let your content carry the weight.

Write a seven‑sentence cover letter that feels like you. Sentence 1 names the role and a reason you’re drawn to the company’s mission or work. Sentence 2 reflects a need you saw in the posting in your own words. Sentences 3–5 each offer one proof point tied to that need. Sentence 6 bridges to how you’ll contribute in the first 90 days. Sentence 7 thanks them and invites a conversation. Keep the tone warm and professional; you’re starting a relationship, not performing a script.

Tailor lightly but deliberately. Swap two bullets to the top that match the posting. Echo key terms in your summary when they truly apply. You do not need to rewrite your entire résumé for each job; you do need to make it obvious why you are a fit for this one.

Ask a friend to read it aloud. If they stumble, your sentences are probably too long or full of jargon. If they can explain what you do and why you’re good at it after one pass, you’re ready to send.

Close your application with a neat package. Attach the PDF résumé and cover letter, include links to a portfolio or relevant work samples, and write a short email body that repeats your headline and one proof point. Your goal is to make the hiring manager’s job easier at every step.

1. A quick checklist you can follow today: target role chosen, one‑line headline written, two‑line summary focused on outcomes, experience bullets rewritten with verbs and results, file exported to PDF with a clear name, seven‑sentence cover letter drafted and tailored, friend read‑through completed, application sent with a short, polite note.