Top 25 Resume Tips for 2026 from HR Professionals

Even small improvements to your resume can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview. Whether you are writing your first resume or updating one you have used for years, these practical tips cover formatting, content, and strategy to help you create a document that stands out to both hiring managers and ATS software.

Formatting tips that improve readability

Use a clean, single-column layout with clearly defined sections and consistent formatting throughout. Set margins between 0.5 and 1 inch on all sides. Use a professional, readable font like Calibri, Arial, or Garamond at 10-12 point size. Bold your section headings and job titles, but avoid underlining (it can cause ATS parsing errors). Use standard bullet points — not checkmarks, arrows, or other symbols. Leave adequate white space between sections so the resume does not feel cramped. Left-align all text; centered text is harder to scan quickly and can confuse ATS parsers.

Content tips for stronger bullet points

Every bullet point under your work experience should communicate a specific contribution, not just a duty. Start each bullet with a strong action verb and include a measurable result whenever possible. Limit each role to 4-6 bullet points, focusing on your most impressive and relevant achievements. Remove filler phrases like "duties included" and "responsible for" — they add words without adding value. If you managed people, state how many. If you handled a budget, state the amount. If you improved a process, state the percentage improvement. Concrete details make your resume memorable and credible.

Tailoring your resume for each application

Sending the same resume to every job is one of the most common mistakes job seekers make. Each application should receive a version of your resume that mirrors the language and priorities of the job description. This does not mean rewriting from scratch — maintain a master resume with all your experience, then create tailored versions by reordering bullet points, adjusting your summary, and emphasizing the skills most relevant to each position. Pay special attention to the keywords used in the posting and make sure they appear in your resume, ideally in context rather than just in a skills list.

What to leave off your resume

Remove anything that does not strengthen your candidacy. This includes: an objective statement (unless you are entry-level), references or "references available upon request," a headshot or photo (in the US), your full street address (city and state are sufficient), outdated skills like Microsoft Office basics, jobs from more than 15 years ago unless they are highly relevant, hobbies and interests unless they directly relate to the role, and any personal information like age, marital status, or nationality. Every line on your resume should help convince the reader that you are qualified for the specific role.

Proofreading and final checks

Typos and grammatical errors are among the top reasons hiring managers reject resumes. After writing your resume, step away for at least a few hours before proofreading it. Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing. Check that all dates are accurate and formatted consistently (choose either "Jan 2023" or "January 2023" and stick with it). Verify that your contact information is correct — a wrong phone number or outdated email will cost you interviews. Have someone else review it as well; fresh eyes catch errors you will miss. Finally, save and submit as a PDF to ensure formatting is preserved across devices.

Keeping your resume current

Do not wait until you are job hunting to update your resume. Make it a habit to add new accomplishments, skills, certifications, and projects as they happen. Set a calendar reminder to review your resume every quarter. This practice ensures you never forget significant achievements and reduces the stress of a last-minute resume overhaul when an opportunity arises. Keep a running document of quantified accomplishments — revenue generated, costs saved, projects completed, people managed — so you always have fresh material to draw from. Resumly lets you maintain multiple versions of your resume, making it easy to keep a master copy updated while creating role-specific versions when you need them.