Resume Essentials: Crafting Your Career Story

Whether you're a seasoned consultant looking to land your next contract or a professional seeking an internal role, a strong resume is your key to standing out in today’s competitive job market. Carlton is here to help! Our experienced Talent Acquisition Manager, Norm Cosgrove , is back to share some practical tips and strategies to make your resume shine in 2025.

The Three C’s for a Winning Resume

When crafting your resume, focus on making it CONSISTENT, CLEAN, and CLEAR:

CONSISTENT

• Use the same professional font style and size throughout your resume.
• Fonts like Times New Roman or Arial in sizes 10-12 are ideal.
• Highlight your name and headings with bold text or a slightly larger font for emphasis.

CLEAN

• Aim for a concise 1-2 page resume with balanced spacing and margins (set between 0.5”–1.0”).
• Maximize the space by minimizing unnecessary gaps between sections.
• Avoid decorative elements like pictures, borders, or boxes unless specific to the role or industry.
• Always proofread for typos and grammatical errors. Have someone else review it to ensure it reads well.

CLEAR

• List your work experience, projects, and internships in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
• Use past tense for previous roles and present tense for your current position.
• Tailor your experiences and skills to directly relate to the job or project you’re pursuing

Focus on What Matters Most

Whether you’re an experienced consultant, a recent graduate, or someone transitioning roles, tailor your resume to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences.

• Consultants: Focus on key projects, contract work, and deliverables that demonstrate your impact. Highlight skills such as adaptability, problem-solving, and technical expertise. Include metrics where possible, such as “Delivered a software upgrade reducing system downtime by 30%.”
• Internal Candidates: Showcase leadership roles, team achievements, and contributions that have directly benefited your current employer. Use this opportunity to highlight how you’ve grown within the organization.

For all candidates:

• Include certifications, training, and relevant coursework that align with the role or project.
• Emphasize leadership roles, extracurricular activities, or academic achievements that add value.
• Bridge the gap between your background and the job requirements by illustrating how your education, experience, or past projects lay a solid foundation for success.

Modern Resume Trends: Stay Ahead

In 2025, resumes aren’t just about listing experiences—they’re about telling your career story and making an immediate impact.

Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

• Use keywords from the job description to ensure your resume gets noticed by ATS software.
• Stick to simple formatting, avoiding unnecessary graphics or uncommon fonts that might confuse automated systems.
• Save your resume as a PDF or Word document, depending on the employer’s preference.

Showcase Accomplishments

• Use action verbs and quantify results wherever possible. For example: “Increased productivity by 15%,” “Managed $500K budget for client projects.”
• Focus on achievements and outcomes rather than simply listing responsibilities.

Highlight Your Digital Presence

• Include links to your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or personal website if relevant to the role.
• Make sure your online presence aligns with the story your resume tells.

Tailor for Each Role

• Customize your summary, skills, and experience sections for each job application or contract.
• Show the recruiter you understand their needs by addressing them directly in your resume.

A Call to Action

Whether you’re pursuing a consulting contract or a long-term internal role, a strong resume is the foundation of your success. At Carlton, we’re here to support you in building a resume that tells your story and demonstrates your value.

Need more guidance? Our team is always available to help. Reach out for personalized advice or insights that will help you take the next step in your career. Let’s make 2025 your most successful year yet!