How to Write a Resume That Doesn't Suck: 12 Golden Rules to Stand out In 2026

1. You've got 15 seconds to impress — make them count

Here's the harsh truth: recruiters spend an average of 15 seconds deciding whether to keep reading your resume or move on.

That's why your resume needs to hit hard, fast. You want them to see, in a glance, that you're a top candidate.

2. Organize for maximum impact

Your work experience should take center stage, especially if you've got internships or relevant research gigs.

Unless you're a PhD or fresh out of school with zero work experience, keep education lower on the page.

Ideal order:

• Summary (optional)
• Work experience
• Projects (optional)
• Education

3. Keep it short, keep it strong

Five bullet points per job, max. Don't let one experience hog the page.

Focus on what matters: your current role should take the most space.

4. Nail the bullet points

Each bullet should follow this structure: what you did, how you did it, why it mattered, and who you worked with (if relevant).

Make sure you highlight the impact. Here's how:

• What: The task or project you handled.
• How: The technical skills or tools you used.
• Why: The business impact you delivered.
• Who: Collaborations that added value.

For example:

5. Sync your resume and LinkedIn

If your resume says "Data Scientist" but your LinkedIn says "Business Analyst," you're setting yourself up for failure.

Consistency is key.

Make sure your LinkedIn reflects your most recent role accurately. If you've worked, your title should be "Data Science Intern at X Company" rather than "M.S. Candidate at Y University."

6. Make your contact info pop

Put your phone number and email at the top, right under your name. Don't assume recruiters have all your contact info handy — they're busy, and you want to make it stupidly easy for them to reach out.

7. One page, no more

Your resume should fit on one page unless you've got over a decade of experience or a stack of publications worth mentioning.

If you can't showcase your value on a single page, a recruiter won't take the time to dig through two.

8. Choose active verbs that pack a punch

• Led
• Implemented
• Developed
• Optimized
• Analyzed
• Managed

9. Bold keywords

Make it easy for the reader to spot what you bring to the table.

For data roles, for instance, you could bold:

• Languages: SQL, python
• Methods: logistic regression, churn analysis, AB testing
• Soft skills: cross-functional collaboration, mentoring

This strategy works for any field.

Research the tech stack or key skills your target company uses, and highlight those instead of listing everything you've ever done.

Compare:

Which one can you glance and get the idea faster?

10. Quantify impact

Numbers speak louder than words:

• Reduced user acquisition costs by 10%
• Increased customer retention by 15%, adding $5M in annual revenue
• Grew your student organization from 30 to 100 members in one year

Putting everything together with the same example above:

11. Flash that "Open to Work" badge

Set your LinkedIn status to "Open to Work" if you can. It's a green light to recruiters that you're available now.

12. Speed kills — in a good way

This one's less about your resume and more about landing the job: respond to recruiters quickly.

If they've got 20 qualified candidates, they might just go with the first person to reply.