What is a good resume in 2025?

Vol 27 Issue 19

A resume (CV) tells who you are and what you can do. I once heard a recruiter from a big company say this, and it stuck with me.

Always writing a good resume has been a challenge for me and I think for most of you it is. While it may seem simple, creating a professional and effective resume is too hard. There is a fact that says, recruiters spend only about seven seconds reviewing a resume. If it’s not attractive, they will pass it.

So, how can you create a good resume that helps you to find a job? Here are some key insights I learned from recruiters and companies.

Do not use AI:

One of the most important things that I have learned is not to rely on AI to write your resume. Many jobseekers do this but remember AI can check grammar, suggest better words, and help improve structure, but it can’t convince a recruiter to hire you. In some companies, they first check resumes by ATS system and if it is generated by AI, they reject it.

Keep Your Resume Simple and Professional:

A recruiter mentioned that many people believe using resume builder websites with colorful, and complex templates makes their resumes more attractive. But this is not true. Recruiters don’t have time to search through a complex template to find key information. So, keep your resume clean and simple.

Summarized but complete.

A friend working in a famous company once told me:
“You don’t need to include all your experiences and knowledge from childhood in your resume.”

Listening to unrelated experiences in one resume can make it look unprofessional. Instead, read the job description and highlight the most relevant skills and experiences. If you are applying for two different roles, business management and illustration then it is better to have two separate resumes for each position.

Keep your brief:

Don’t explain too much for every skill, course, or experience that you have in the resume. Many companies want a cover letter from you, so you can connect your skills to the position. Use your resume to highlight your qualifications and use the cover letter to explain why you’re the right fit for the position.

I hope these tips help you create a stronger resume and increase your chances of landing a great job!