When it comes to resume writing tips, there is a lot of outdated and sometimes downright bad information out there. And we have all been there: second-guessing the executive summary, trying to cram everything onto one page, wondering whether anyone actually reads these things anymore.
At Girlboss, we called in the experts and distilled their advice into the ultimate checklist. Consider it your shortcut to a modern, evocative, and effective resume.
Your experts:
Christie Lohr, founder of fashion career site Style Nine to Five
Emily Durham (aka Emily the Recruiter), career coach, creator with over 3 million followers, and author of Clock In: No-BS Advice for Getting Ahead in Your Career (2026)
Madeline Mann, founder of award-winning career channel Self Made Millennial
1. Link Your Profiles
Having your LinkedIn, portfolio, or website linked "brings your resume to life," according to Christie Lohr. "Hiring managers are definitely going to look at these things. And the easier you make their life by including direct links, the more favorably they'll view you and your application." As for linking your Instagram? Only do it if you want your future boss to see it.
2. Nix the Objective Statement
Save space and cut the Professional Summary. Instead, open with a clear professional title: two to four words that tell a recruiter exactly what you do. Examples: Public Relations Executive, Senior E-Commerce Specialist, UX Designer and Researcher. A professional title is not the same as a summary paragraph — it is a clean, scannable anchor at the top of the page that gives the recruiter immediate context before they read a single bullet point.
3. Ditch Your Mailing Address
"It takes up too much space, looks messy, and it's too personal — no one is sending you anything," says Lohr. In a fully post-pandemic, hybrid-work world, a full mailing address on a resume is unnecessary and slightly dated. Your city and state (or country, for remote roles) is enough if location context is relevant at all.
4. Banish Generic Phrasing
Recruiters can spot a generic resume a mile away. "Stop worrying about inserting buzzwords," says Emily Durham. "Ensure you call out the specific skills listed in the job description on your resume to clearly outline why you are a fit." Read the job posting carefully. Use the language they use. A recruiter or ATS (see below) scanning for "project management" will not find your resume if you wrote "project coordination."
5. Quantify Your Achievements
"It's all about data," says Durham, adding that there should be at least one data point per work experience listed. And if you cannot quantify your achievements? "Try harder," says Madeline Mann. "I have worked with professionals of all industries and all levels who say that their experience is not quantifiable. Every role can be quantified; I have yet to be stumped!" Dig deep and find the numbers.
"Every role can be quantified. I have yet to be stumped." — Madeline Mann, Self Made Millennial
6. Write for ATS First, Then for a Human
In 2026, most mid-to-large companies use an Applicant Tracking System to screen resumes before a human ever sees them. An ATS parses your resume for keywords, structure, and relevance to the job description. If your resume does not pass the ATS filter, it will not reach a recruiter regardless of how strong your experience is.
How to pass ATS in 2026: Use a clean, single-column format without tables, graphics, or text boxes. Stick to standard section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills). Mirror the exact language of the job description. Save as a PDF unless the job posting specifies otherwise.
And critically: do not let AI write your resume. AI-generated resumes often fail ATS filters because they use generic phrasing rather than the specific language of your target role, and recruiters who do see them recognize them immediately.
Use AI to help you brainstorm and structure, then rewrite everything in your own specific voice. For more on using AI tools in your job search without losing your edge, this guide to AI job search tools is worth reading first.
7. Keep It to One Page (Usually)
The one-page rule still applies for most job seekers with under ten years of experience. Beyond that, two pages are acceptable if every line earns its place. Three pages is almost never appropriate unless you are applying for academic or senior executive roles with genuinely extensive publication and leadership histories. When in doubt, cut it.
8. Tailor It Every Single Time
A single resume sent to 50 jobs will underperform a tailored resume sent to five. Each application should have the job title, key skills, and relevant language from that specific posting woven into your experience bullets. This is not dishonesty — it is communication. You are helping the recruiter connect the dots between what they need and what you have done.
9. Check Your Formatting on Mobile
Recruiters increasingly review resumes on phones and tablets before a formal screen. Open your resume on your phone before you submit it anywhere. If it is illegible, cramped, or broken by whatever PDF viewer is rendering it, fix the formatting. Clean margins, readable font size (10 to 12pt), and consistent spacing are not optional.
10. Get a Second Set of Eyes
Before you submit, ask a trusted colleague, mentor, or career contact to review it. Not for cheerleading but for genuine feedback. Can they tell within 10 seconds what you do and what you are applying for? If not, the resume is not doing its job. Spellcheck is not enough — typos in resumes are still disqualifying in 2026, and no AI tool catches everything.
Once the resume is ready, make sure everything else in your application package is just as strong. This cover letter guide covers the five things to get right, including the AI rule. And when you land the interview, here is how to handle it even if it goes badly. If you end up choosing between two offers, this guide to comparing job offers will help you decide without second-guessing.
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