5 Ways to Make Your Resume Stand Out in a Competitive Market

Hey Career Warriors!

Welcome to yet another edition of the Career Warrior Newsletter! Earlier, I wrote an article on how to stand out in a competitive job market. I have adapted that article for you Career Warriors with something a little more to the point, but the full article can be found here for your reference.

Many professionals struggle with how to make their resume stand out as they apply for jobs.

These are tips that I believe in because I've seen them work for our clients time and time again.

With the right changes, your resume can grab attention, make a lasting impression, and finally start getting you those interviews. Let’s break it down step by step so you can get ahead in your job search.

1. Be Specific About Your Impact

I've looked at far too many resumes that have professional experience sections that read like HR job descriptions. Instead of simply listing what you did, highlight how well you did it. Numbers, percentages, and concrete details make your resume more compelling and, oddly enough, more attention-grabbing.

Examples of Strong Accomplishments:

• Instead of: Managed a sales team and improved processes.
• Try: Led a team of 10 sales reps, increasing revenue by 35% in 12 months through improved sales strategies.
• Instead of: Responsible for customer service inquiries.
• Try: Handled an average of 50+ customer inquiries daily, reducing resolution time by 40% through improved workflows.

Kill two birds with one stone here. (Still an violent expression when you think about it). Stand out...AND prove to hiring managers that you have what it takes to excel in the role.

2. Use Headers and Design Principles Strategically

Resumes are a visual document, and you want to make sure to take a somewhat conservative approach. (Maybe with a little spice). Keep it clean, professional, and structured, but use some formatting tools to make certain elements stand out.

Here's how to do that with key formatting tips:

• Use clear section headers (Experience, Skills, Summary, etc.)
• Choose professional fonts (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, 10-12pt)
• Use bolding sparingly to highlight key points
• Maintain consistent spacing and alignment
• Ensure ATS compatibility by avoiding tables, graphics, or excessive formatting

Again: A well-designed resume isn’t just about looking pretty or including flashy elements. Good document design is about making it easier to read and ensuring that the most important details don’t get lost.

3. Write a Summary That Actually Excites People

Most resume summaries are generic, dull, and fail to create any interest. Let me rephrase that: most summaries are like cover letters. They stink, and they should be entirely skipped over!

Your summary should give hiring managers a reason to keep reading. Think of it as your personal elevator pitch.

Engaging Summary Examples:

• Instead of: Dedicated marketing professional with experience in digital campaigns.
• Try: Data-driven marketing strategist with a track record of increasing engagement by 200% through innovative digital campaigns. Passionate about creating impactful brand experiences.
• Instead of: Experienced software engineer with coding skills.
• Try: Full-stack developer specializing in Python and JavaScript, known for building scalable applications that improve user experience. Spearheaded a project that reduced load time by 60%.

By combining great design (see the last point) with an engaging summary, you immediately draw the reader in and set the tone for the rest of your resume. The top of your resume is prime real estate—so use it wisely.

4. Get Oddly Perfect in Matching the Job Posting

One of the best ways to make your resume stand out? Match the job postings as much as you possibly can. Remember: resumes are different from other professional documents because they allow you to hyper-tailor your experience to a specific role. Read the job posting carefully and mirror the language they use.

How to Tailor Your Resume Effectively:

• Highlight the exact skills and qualifications they mention.
• Rework bullet points to showcase experience that aligns with the job.
• If they want expertise in a specific tool or software, make sure it’s clearly listed in your skill set section.
• Incorporate keywords from the job posting to help get past ATS filters.

For example, if a job posting emphasizes “project management,” “agile methodologies,” and “cross-functional collaboration,” ensure that your resume includes these exact terms in a natural way.

Customizing your resume helps with applicant tracking systems (ATS). It also shows hiring managers that you are the right fit.

5. Don’t Just Tell—Show Results

Hiring managers don’t just want to know what you did—they want to see the impact. The more you can showcase measurable success, the stronger your resume will be. Think beyond tasks and focus on outcomes.

Strong Before-and-After Examples:

• Instead of: Managed social media accounts.
• Try: Grew LinkedIn followers by 50% and increased engagement by 300% within six months through targeted content strategy.
• Instead of: Oversaw customer retention efforts.
• Try: Implemented a new loyalty program, increasing customer retention by 25% year over year.

Showing results makes your experience feel real and credible, making you a much more attractive candidate.

Final Thoughts: How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

If you’ve been struggling to get responses from your applications, don’t lose hope. It can certainly feel like your resume is like a needle in the haystack of applications.

HOWEVER: Keep tweaking your resume. Keep applying. Don't lose steam.

You'll get there eventually. The key to making your resume stand out is to present your experience in a way that’s compelling, clear, and tailored to the job you want.

Resumes are more than just a list of past jobs—they’re a marketing tool for your career. To stand out from the competition, be specific about your accomplishments. Use design well and create an engaging summary. Tailor each application and show measurable impact.

Want Us to Tell You How to Make Your Resume Stand Out More?

Sign up for a free Senior Writer Resume Critique to see what’s holding you back from landing interviews. One of our top professional resume writers will give you personalized feedback on the top 3 items you can improve based on our expert practices!