I see a lot of resumes as a recruitment firm leader, including from recent graduates and career-switchers breaking into the IT or engineering sectors where we specialize. Here are the three tips I'd offer to help candidates stand out: 1. Learn the language of the industry and use it wisely in your resume. It's important to understand the terminology that's commonly used in your target field. This doesn't mean stuffing your resume with jargon, which can come off as forced. Instead, identify key skills, platforms, and technologies that hiring managers and applicant tracking systems are looking for—like specific programming languages or tools—and incorporate them naturally. This shows you're familiar with the industry and helps get your resume noticed. 2. Use quantifiable metrics to show your impact. Even if your previous experience is in another field, numbers help hiring teams understand what you've accomplished. Whether it's improving efficiency, increasing customer satisfaction, or saving time or money, measurable results speak volumes. This kind of data-driven storytelling makes it easier for employers to see the value you can bring, no matter your background. 3. Highlight growth and adaptability. For entry-level candidates, this might mean emphasizing what you learned during your degree or how you've gone beyond the classroom through certifications, personal projects, or internships. For those with work experience, focus on how you've taken on new challenges and responsibilities over time. Especially in fast-moving industries like tech, showing that you can learn, adapt, and grow signals that you're ready not just for the job now, but for what it could become.
As a Director of Marketing in an affiliate network, I seek candidates with relevant skills and a strong understanding of affiliate marketing. To enhance their resumes, candidates should highlight quantifiable achievements in previous roles, showcasing metrics like increased conversion rates and improved return on advertising spend (ROAS) to demonstrate their impact on team success. This focus on numbers makes a resume stand out.
"As WHR experts, when reviewing resumes for a break into our organization or industry, here are 3 things that catch our attention: Tailored Content & Quantifiable Achievements: Generic resumes get overlooked. We like to see content specifically tailored to the role and our company, showcasing how the candidate's skills and experiences (even from different fields) align with our needs. Crucially, quantify achievements wherever possible (e.g., 'Increased efficiency by X%,' 'Managed projects worth $Y'). Clear, Concise Design & Structure: A clean, professional, and easy-to-read design is key. Avoid clutter. Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent formatting. The resume should guide the reader smoothly through the candidate's story. A Compelling Summary/Objective: That one element often is a well-crafted summary or objective at the top that immediately highlights the candidate's key value proposition and career aspirations, clearly stating why they are interested in this specific opportunity and what they bring to the table.
When reviewing resumes with career breaks, three things really catch my attention. First, honesty and clarity—address the break briefly but confidently, whether for caregiving, education, or personal growth. I appreciate when candidates include a "Career Break" section explaining what they learned or how they stayed engaged with the industry during that time. Second, relevance—highlight transferable skills and any freelance, volunteer, or part-time work done during the break. This shows initiative and continuous development. Lastly, formatting matters—clean, easy-to-read design with clear headings and bullet points makes it simple to spot key information quickly. Resumes that balance transparency, relevant skills, and strong presentation always stand out to me as thoughtful and professional.
1. Show me impact, not just tasks—don't say you "managed campaigns," tell me the result. Numbers, wins, before-and-after snapshots. 2. Customize the top third—use a killer summary or headline that screams why you fit this role. No generic fluff. 3. Make it scannable—clean layout, clear headings, zero walls of text. If I can't skim it in 30 seconds, it's already a no.