Check out these resume tips on how to land your dream job in 2025!

Want to know the secret for how to land your dream job? The best tool you can have in your job hunting tool box is a great resume. Sounds obvious, but in this competitive job market, you need to do everything you can to give yourself an edge. Far from being a static document, your resume should be constantly evolving as you gain experience and develop new skills. But how can you optimize your resume to get your dream job? It’s not difficult, but it does take a bit of effort. Never fear, however, because we’ve got the tips and advice to help you start your dream job hunt on the right foot.

How to land the perfect job

Wouldn't it be great if there was a magic wand to help you land your dream job with no effort? Sadly, that’s not the case. But with a little work, and a great resume, you can get closer to that goal. Remember, there's more to an effective resume than just listing your work history. So you need to keep your eyes on the prize: your dream job. Let’s look at some steps you can take to make sure your resume is up to the task.

Take a moment to think about what a resume is: a one or two page summary of your work history, responsibilities, skills, and unique value. Despite the fact that a hiring manager will only spend a few seconds scanning your resume (assuming it made it through the ATS), having a great resume is still important. It needs to be properly formatted, contain relevant keywords, use easy-to-understand language, and demonstrate why you’re the best candidate for the job. So how do you accomplish that?

Tip #1: Choose the best resume format

Have you ever heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”? Choosing the best resume format for your situation is a good way to ensure that the hiring manager’s first impression of you is the best it can be. 

In general, there are three main types of resume formats:

1. Reverse chronological: This is the most common resume format. Your work history lists your most recent position first, then works backwards. 

2. Functional: This format is helpful if you’re a recent graduate or a career changer, as it focuses more on transferable skills than actual work experience.

3. Hybrid: Also called a “combination” format, this is useful if you want to highlight how your work experience has helped shape and develop your current skill set.

When in doubt, it’s probably best to go with the reverse chronological format if you have work experience. It’s generally preferred by most hiring managers and works well with most ATS.

Your resume is your “highlight reel” that gives the hiring manager a clear picture of your background and motivates them to call you for an interview. When creating a resume to help you land your dream job interview, keep in mind these three “C’s” to ensure you’re getting the most out of your limited resume real estate.

Tip #2: Don’t forget your header

Your contact information is vital, because an employer can’t call you for an interview if they don’t know how to reach you! It may sound obvious, but make sure your contact information is accurate, professional, and easy to find (at the top of your resume). 

Make sure to include:

• Your first and last name.

• Your city and state (no street address).

• A phone number where you can be easily reached. Make sure your voicemail greeting is professional.

• An email without a quirky, personal address.

If you have a LinkedIn profile that is up-to-date, include it as well. A link to your online portfolio or website, if the position requires it, should be listed under your email address.

Tip #3: Select an eye-catching template

A resume isn’t a laundry list of your work history, so it shouldn’t look like one. Give your resume a “facelift” and choose an eye-catching resume template with an effective design and layout. 

To choose the best template for your situation, consider the following:

• Match your industry. Those in a creative field can choose a template with a bit of flair and color, while those in a more conservative business should go with a classic, streamlined layout.

• Which format will feature the aspects of your work history you want to emphasize, whether it’s your education, accomplishments, or skills.

• If you’re applying to a large company, you’ll want a format that is ATS-optimized.

No matter which resume template you choose, it should be easy to scan with identifiable section headers and a classic, readable font. If you need some inspiration, career.io has a library of Resume Examples that can help you create a great resume quickly and easily.

Tip #4: Update your professional summary

A professional (or resume) summary is a two to three sentence paragraph highlighting your experience, qualifications, and accomplishments. It is located at the top of your resume under your contact information. This is helpful for hiring managers because they can scan it to determine if you have the qualifications they’re looking for, which will motivate them to read the rest of your resume. 

Different from a resume objective, a professional summary places your most relevant qualifications front and center. It’s also a great place to incorporate keywords from the job description, as well as your top hard and soft skills and industry “buzzwords.” To help you get your dream job, make sure you’re tailoring your summary (as well as the rest of your resume) so that it aligns with what the company is looking for.

Tip #5: Optimize your skills list

If you don’t have one already, consider adding a skills section to your resume. Not only is it a way to highlight your skills, it’s also a perfect opportunity to include keywords from the job description so that your resume sails through the ATS. To land your dream job, make sure your skills are up-to-date, relevant, and include both hard and soft skills. 

However, don’t go overboard and list every single skill you possess; keep it concise and relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you’re in a technical field, it might be helpful to have a separate section dedicated to your hard skills. Most importantly, don’t embellish. If you’re not proficient in a skill, don't include it. 

Tip #6: Use action verbs in your resume

To improve your chances of landing your dream job, your 2025 resume should use action verbs. Action verbs are strong, descriptive words that underscore your accomplishments, responsibilities, and actions in your work history. Rather than just saying you “did’ something, consider choosing words like “developed,” “created," "implemented,” or “resolved.” Action verbs show the reader that you’re someone who gets things done, rather than someone who merely checks tasks off a list.

Tip #7: Streamline your resume

When it comes to creating a resume that helps you land your dream job, white space is your friend. Once you have the required sections of your resume filled out, go over your resume with a fine-toothed comb to eliminate any clutter. 

Things you can eliminate include:

• Jobs that are more than 10-15 years old (or you can put them in a separate section called “Additional Experience”).

• College graduation dates if it was longer than 10 years ago.

• Cliche words like “motivated,” “hard working,” or “quick learner,” as well as any overused industry jargon.

• A hobby section, especially if it isn’t relevant to the position you’re applying for.

• Personal information such as marital status or age.

• Overly-detailed descriptions of your job duties (focus on impact and accomplishments instead).

Use bullet points judiciously to highlight your accomplishments and set them apart from the rest of your job description. Not only will this help reduce long paragraphs, it will place them in the spotlight and make it easy for the hiring manager to locate them. And don’t forget to proofread!

Tip #8: Tailor your resume for each job

We’ve mentioned it before, but it bears repeating: you should tailor your resume for each job you’re applying for. Recruiters can spot a “one size fits all” resume from a mile away, so increase your chances of landing that dream job by making your resume position-specific. Why bother with this? Doesn’t it take extra time? Sure, it does, but it’s worth it. It shows your enthusiasm for the job because it demonstrates that you read the job description and can articulate how your background and skills align with what they’re looking for.

Tip #9: Use quantifiable data to support your accomplishments

Using vague statements on your resume isn’t going to be effective, so make sure to “bring the receipts!” Use quantifiable data whenever possible to add support (and impact) to your accomplishments. This gives more context to your accomplishments and the positive results they brought to the company. 

Examples of quantifiable data include:

• Amount of money saved.

• Percentages of growth.

• Amount of time saved or increases in efficiency.

• Boosts to customer satisfaction or retention rates.

• Size of the team you managed.

Including these metrics not only looks impressive, it also demonstrates the value you’d bring to an employer if they hired you. Companies want to know what you can do for them, and quantifiable data is a way to give concrete examples of your ability to get results.

Tip #10: Use a resume builder

Career.io has an easy-to-use Resume Builder that can help you create a resume to help you land your dream job quickly and easily. With a library of expert-tested resume templates, you’re sure to find the one that meets your needs. Then, with the help of AI-powered suggestions, you can simply plug in the required information and utilize pre-written phrases to support your experience and skills. The resume optimizer also helps you customize each resume, giving you an edge in the job market. Better than any AI tool, our Resume Builder allows you to personalize your information so that it’s not only accurate, but sounds like it was written by you, not an algorithm.

Also need a great cover letter to go along with your resume? Career.io’s Cover Letter Builder allows you to create professional cover letters with ready-to-go templates and customizable designs to complement your resume.

Key takeaways

1. The best tool you can have in your job hunting tool box is a great resume that constantly evolves as you gain experience and develop new skills.

2. To master how to land your dream job, your resume should be eye-catching, open with an effective summary, and include quantifiable data to support your accomplishments.

3. Make sure to utilize action verbs and incorporate keywords from the job description to maximize your resume’s impact.