This post doesn’t need a special introduction. I’m writing this guide to address the major mistakes candidates make in their resumes. This resume writing guide will help you understand how a resume is scanned from a recruiter’s POV and how to avoid critical mistakes when creating yours.
Bonus: I’ll also share a 25 point resume checklist+ resume template that helped me land a PM job!
Who Needs This Resume Writing Guide?
I’ve reviewed hundreds of resumes in my career.
I’ve also interviewed multiple candidates for business analytics, product management, and data analytics roles.
After seeing all kinds of resumes—two-page, fancy, minimalistic, illustrated, nonsensical, and everything in between—I’m writing this guide based on my experience.
Fun fact: Do you know how much time a recruiter spends scanning your resume?
⏳ 15-20 seconds!
Yes, that’s how long a recruiter takes to decide whether to read your resume in detail and give you a call.
Now, take a look at your current resume and ask yourself:
Will a recruiter call me after looking at it for just 20 seconds?
If you’re not confident enough to say, “Yes, I’ll get a call!”—then this resume writing guide is for you!
What do Recruiters Look for?
Your resume has multiple sections—but do they really get visibility?
Cut the fluff. Tell recruiters what they need to know, not what they already do.
Remember, recruiters spend just 15-20 seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether to read it fully. Here’s what they actually glance at:
Location
- Mainly to check country of residence, especially if relocation isn’t an option or the role is remote.
- Many companies won’t consider candidates currently abroad due to visa or hiring constraints.
Experience
- Current company, position, and duration (most important).
- Sometimes, previous company, position, and duration (especially for career progression).
Education
- Critical for roles requiring a specific degree or field of study.
- More relevant in industries where education plays a key role.
Additional (For Certain Roles)
- Tech roles: Recruiters check tech stack & skills.
- Certifications: If the role requires or prefers specific certifications, they’ll look for them.
Bottom line? Make sure these key sections stand out at a glance. That’s how you get past the 20-second scan!
So, How Should You Craft Those Sections?
Short answer- keep it simple.
I know, I know—you want more details. Let me elaborate it.
For location, just mention the city where you reside.
Avoid emojis, map icons, or any non-text elements. These can confuse both recruiters and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).
In experience section, make sure you include these key details in any order:
- Company name
- Your role/position
- Time period
Product Manager || ABC Ltd || 2020 June- Present
- Point1
- Point2
- Point3
- …
In education section, make sure you include these key details in same order:
- School/University name
- Degree
- Percentage obtained (optional)
- Year of graduation
IIM Lucknow || MBA (Marketing, Strategy) || 2017-2019
You got past the 15-20 second scan—Now what?
Now, the recruiter will actually read your resume—with primary focus on the experience section.
But before I tell you how to craft the perfect experience section, let’s talk about the common mistakes people make.
Stay tuned—fixing these could be the difference between getting an interview or getting ignored!
Common Mistakes While Writing a Resume
- Lying on your resume – I don’t need to explain the consequences. Just don’t do it!
- Listing job responsibilities & tasks – Recruiters care about impact, not just what you were assigned to do.
- Including soft skills – Things like teamwork, communication, adaptability are expected—don’t waste space listing them.
- Mentioning OS (Windows, Linux, etc.) – Only relevant if you actually developed software for those OS.
- Explaining what the company does – Recruiters already know. Instead, talk about your role & impact there.
- Invalid portfolio/project links – If you include links, double-check that they work! Recruiters will check them.
- Listing every tool under the sun – Only mention tools you actually know, because you might be asked about themin an interview.
- Using fancy colors, 2-column formats, or emojis – You’re making it harder for recruiters & ATS to process your resume. Keep it clean.
- Not tailoring your resume – A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Customize your resume for each role.
- Extending your resume beyond 1 page – Unless you’re applying for a technical/engineering role with 5-8+ years of experience, keep it to 1 page.
Fix these mistakes, and you’ll drastically improve your chances of getting noticed & called for an interview!
How to Refine Your Resume?
You understand what recruiters scan in 15-20 seconds and the common mistakes to avoid.
Now, let’s focus on how to refine your resume—especially if you have work experience, regardless of the number of years.
Here’s how to craft an impactful experience section that gets you noticed:
Bullet Point Formatting
Use X-Y-Z formula. This is the format that even Google recommends.
Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]
Let me explain it with an example.
Let’s say you’ve contributed to revenue increase for small and medium business clients in your latest role.
A normal resume will have this bullet point : “Grew revenue for small and medium business clients.”
A better resume will have this bullet point: “Grew revenue for small and medium business clients by 10% QoQ”
But, a best resume will have this bullet point: “Increased revenue for 15 small and medium business clients by 10% QoQ by automating the customer support tickets”
Notice the bold items in above example? They highlight impact—and that’s exactly what recruiters look for!
✅ Focus on impact, not just responsibilities
✅ Quantify achievements (e.g., “10% QoQ”)
✅ Keep bullet points action-oriented
Why does this work?
Resumes formatted this way have a higher chance of getting selected for interviews!
Some people refer to this as the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)—but regardless of the name, the goal is the same: Showcase measurable impact.
Make every bullet point count!
Action Verbs
Action verbs are strong words that emphasize your skills and accomplishments. They can also be called power words or dynamic verbs.
Why Use Action Verbs?
- Highlight skills: Use action verbs to showcase your communication, research, and other skills.
- Demonstrate accomplishments: Use action verbs to show what you’ve achieved, such as managing projects or developing products.
- Make your resume stand out: Use unique and powerful action verbs to catch the attention of recruiters.
Here are some examples of action verbs: Achieved, Analyzed, Created, Developed, Implemented, Led, Managed, Presented, Produced, and Pitched.
Make sure you use action verbs that are relevant to your work profile and job field.
Let’s go back to above example:
“Increased revenue for 15 small and medium business clients by 10% QoQ by automating customer support tickets”
Did you figure out the action verb?
You’re right, it is the word -“increased”.
Advanced Formatting
Beyond basic formatting (1-column layout, bullet points, 1-page limit), here are some advanced formatting strategies to make your resume stand out:
- Organize sections strategically – You control what recruiters see first.
- Follow reverse chronological order – List your experiences & achievements starting with the most recent.
- No work experience? – Simply mention your most recent university/school.
- For experienced candidates – Work experience should come before the education section.
- If your resume extends beyond 1 page – Ensure the most important sections (technical skills, certifications, etc.) are on page 1.
Remember, recruiters scan resumes quickly—make sure they see the most relevant details first!
How To Tailor Your Resume to the Job?
- Step 1: Read the job description carefully. Identify what they’re looking for in terms of experience, responsibilities, skills, licenses/certifications, and education.
- Step 2: Put yourself in the recruiter’s shoes. Can they quickly find the required qualifications on your resume within 15 seconds? If not, make them more visible.
- Step 3: Do the keywords in your resume match those in the job description? Use the same or related terms to ensure better alignment with the role.
Let’s take a look at these examples:
Company A requires at least 5 years of experience doing X. Your summary (if you include one) should ideally begin by saying ‘X Professional with 5+ years of experience in X’.
Company B is requesting ABC,DEF certifications. You should include a section labelled as ‘Certifications’ and list these (exactly as they’re presented in the job description).
This is how you should send customized resumes to different companies by closely analyzing the job descriptions they have posted.
Resume Writing Guide FAQs
- Do I need to include a summary at the top?
- You can skip it—it’s optional. If you choose to include one, ensure it is relevant to the job.
- What should I include in the header?
- Name
- Address (City, Country)
- Email address
- Phone number
- LinkedIn profile URL
- Online portfolio/Projects link
- Can I include logos?
- No.
- Do I need to mention details about the organization?
- No, focus only on your role and impact.
- Should I include proficiency levels for skills?
- Optional. It doesn’t add much value unless you’re an expert in a particular skill.
- Should I include my percentage in the education section?
- Required for students.
- Optional for professionals with work experience.
- Worth mentioning if you have major academic achievements.
- Do I need different versions of my resume?
- Yes, it’s recommended to customize your resume for different job descriptions.
- Is it okay to slightly inflate numbers or impact on my resume?
- No.
Bonus Content
If you made it till here, congratulations!
You’ve now learned everything you need to refine your resume and make it stand out.
As promised, here’s your bonus content:
📌 A detailed checklist I’ve created for you—Click here to download it for FREE.
📌 My personal resume template that helped me land a PM job—Download and customize it as needed.
Are you interested in Product Management? Check out these articles.
Here’s a sneak peak of my resume template:
I hope this resume writing guide helps you craft your resume and eventually land your dream role.
Good luck! That’s all for today—see you again!
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