5 Ways to Prep Your Resume for 2025

Crafting a standout resume for 2025 involves more than listing qualifications. Resumes must adapt to meet the expectations of employers and advanced recruitment technologies. To gain a competitive edge, your resume should be modern, targeted, and results-oriented. Here are five essential strategies to prepare your resume for the opportunities ahead.

1. Choose the right format for clarity and impact

The format of your resume is crucial for readability and effectiveness. Chronological resumes highlight a strong work history, while functional formats focus on skills, making them ideal for students or career changers. A combination format merges these approaches, offering versatility.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) influence hiring decisions, so avoid complex designs that may confuse them. Use simple fonts like Arial or Calibri and logically organize sections, including education, skills, and experience. Incorporate bold headings and adequate white space for easy scanning.

Creative resumes, like infographic designs, may work in fields such as marketing but should always be accompanied by a traditional format. For most roles, a clean, professional design is your safest bet.

2. Incorporate keywords strategically for ATS compatibility

Many companies use ATS to screen resumes before they reach a recruiter. To ensure your resume passes the test, use keywords from the job description throughout your resume. Include them naturally in sections like skills, achievements, and experience. For example, if a job requires "data analysis" and "project leadership," mention these specifically: "Led a data analysis initiative, resulting in a 15% improvement in efficiency." This approach highlights your suitability for the role while improving ATS compatibility.

Avoid overloading your resume with keywords, as this can detract from its readability. Instead, focus on aligning your language with industry terminology and role-specific phrases to strike the right balance.

3. Highlight relevant achievements with quantifiable results

Employers value measurable accomplishments over vague descriptions. Instead of stating that you “Assisted with social media,” describe how you “Increased Instagram engagement by 30% through targeted strategies.” Using metrics helps convey your impact clearly.

Students with limited work experience can focus on academic or extracurricular achievements. Leading a project, organizing events, or excelling in coursework are all valid examples. Whenever possible, quantify your contributions to give recruiters a clearer picture of your abilities.

Achievements from internships, volunteer work, or part-time roles can also demonstrate transferable skills. The goal is to showcase how your efforts led to tangible outcomes, positioning you as a proactive, results-oriented candidate.

4. Tailor your resume to every role

Generic resumes often fail to impress. Tailoring your resume to each job is key to standing out. Start by analyzing the job description to identify the skills and qualifications required. Customize your professional summary, skills section, and achievements to highlight your most relevant experiences.

For example, if a role demands strong analytical skills, highlight coursework or projects involving data analysis. For creative roles, emphasise any design or communication experience. Adjusting your resume for every application demonstrates genuine interest and preparation, qualities recruiters appreciate.

This tailored approach not only improves your chances of passing ATS filters but also makes a stronger impression on hiring managers, increasing your likelihood of landing interviews.

5. Include a professional summary to make a strong first impression

A professional summary is your resume’s opening pitch and should offer a concise snapshot of your value. Avoid generic statements like “Motivated student seeking a role.” Instead, write something impactful, such as “Driven marketing graduate with expertise in social media strategy and content creation, eager to contribute to innovative campaigns.”

Keep this section brief—around three to four sentences—but tailor it for each application. Focus on your key skills, relevant experience, and career aspirations. A strong summary sets the tone for your resume and helps recruiters quickly understand your suitability for the role.

Andrew Fennell is the founder and director of Standout CV, a leading CV builder and careers advice website. He is a former recruitment consultant and contributes careers advice to publications like Business Insider, The Guardian, and The Independent.