Your resume is often the first impression you make with an employer, and a polished one can make all the difference. Whether you’re applying for your first job, looking to advance your career, or re-entering the workforce, a clean and professional resume helps your experience shine through.
If you’re part of the Eastern Kentucky Talent Network, use this simple checklist to give your resume a quick refresh before you hit submit.”
Content: Show impact, not just tasks
Employers want to know what you achieved, not just what you were responsible for. Action-oriented language helps your experience stand out.
- Start bullet points with strong action verbs: led, created, improved, or managed.
- Quantify your results whenever possible. For example: Increased sales by 20 percent.
- Focus on achievements rather than duties.
- Remove filler phrases such as Responsible for or Duties include.
- Keep bullet points short and clear, ideally one to two lines.
- Use active voice for confidence and clarity. For example, Organized a community event vs. Was responsible for organizing.
Relevance and readability: Make it easy to match you to the job
Resumes that are tailored, focused, and easy to scan are more likely to get noticed, especially when employers use software to sort applications.
- Tailor your summary or headline to the job or industry you’re targeting.
- Use relevant keywords from the job description.
- Move your most relevant experience near the top.
- Add a Skills section with 6-10 key skills, both technical and soft.
Visual details: Design for readability
A clean, well-organized design helps employers quickly find the information that matters most.
- Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs.
- Add white space between sections so your resume feels balanced.
- Use simple section headers or lines to separate sections.
- Avoid bright colors, images, or decorative fonts. Keep it professional and easy to read.
Pro tip: Free, user-friendly tools such as Canva offer resume templates that make design and layout easy.
Format and layout: Keep it Clean and consistent
A well-formatted resume is easier to read and looks more professional. Small details like alignment, spacing, and font choices can make a big impact.
- Use one clean, professional font such as Calibri, Arial, or Georgia.
- Keep spacing, margins, and bullet formatting consistent.
- Align job titles, locations, and dates neatly. Right-aligned dates are easiest to scan.
- Stick to one page if possible, or two if you have extensive experience.
- Use bold or italics sparingly for emphasis.
- Save and send your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting.
Final checks: Review and refine
Before you submit your resume, take time to double-check the details. A few extra minutes can make a lasting impression.
- Proofread carefully for typos or grammatical errors.
- Ensure all job titles, dates, and spacing are consistent.
- Test any links to your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or website.
- Ask a friend, mentor, or career coach to review it with fresh eyes.
Ready to take the next step?
A strong resume is the first step toward your next opportunity. With a few small improvements, yours can help you take the next big step in your career journey.
Once your resume is polished, you’re ready to connect with new opportunities through the Eastern Kentucky Talent Network. This free membership helps job seekers across Eastern Kentucky find openings, connect with employers, and get personalized support to grow their careers close to home.