Build a Resume That Actually Gets Read
Most resumes get 6-7 seconds of attention from a recruiter. The difference between getting an interview and getting passed over often comes down to how well you've matched your experience to what they're looking for.
What actually happens to your resume
Here's the reality: before a human sees your resume, it usually goes through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). These systems scan for keywords, try to parse your information, and rank candidates. If your resume isn't structured well or doesn't match what they're looking for, it never reaches a person.
Even when it does reach a recruiter, they're scanning fast—looking for signals that you're qualified. They want to see relevant experience, clear achievements, and evidence you understand the role.
The good news? You don't need to trick the system. You just need to be clear about what you've done and why it matters for this specific job.
What makes a resume work
1. Show impact, not just responsibilities
Don't just list what you were supposed to do. Show what you actually achieved.
"Managed social media accounts and created content"
"Grew Instagram following from 2K to 15K in 8 months, driving 40% increase in website traffic"
2. Match your language to the job description
If the job posting asks for "stakeholder management" and your resume says "worked with clients," the ATS might not make the connection. Use the same terminology they use (when it's accurate).
3. Keep formatting simple
Fancy designs break in ATS. Stick with:
- •Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica)
- •Clear section headers (Experience, Education, Skills)
- •No tables, text boxes, or columns (they confuse ATS)
- •PDF or DOCX format
4. Tailor it for each application
This is the part most people skip because it takes time. But it's also what separates candidates who get interviews from those who don't. You don't need to rewrite everything—just emphasize the experience that's most relevant and adjust your keywords.
How to use this resume builder
Most people already have a resume—they just need to polish it or tailor it for specific jobs. Pick the approach that makes sense for where you are.
Import & Polish Your Existing Resume
Start here if you already have a resume
Upload your current resume (PDF, DOCX, or TXT) and we'll pull out your experience, education, and skills into an editable format. From there, you can update the content, improve the formatting, and ensure it's ATS-friendly.
Tailor for Specific Jobs
Customise your resume for each application
Paste in a job description and we'll analyze it to help you tailor your resume. We identify the key requirements, suggest which of your experiences to emphasize, and help you match their keywords naturally.
This is the single most effective thing you can do to improve your response rate—but it takes more time per application.
Start from Scratch with AI
Let AI create your first draft
Answer a few questions about your background and what you're looking for, and we'll generate a professional first draft. You'll still need to review and Customise it, but it gives you a solid starting point.
What to avoid
Generic objective statements. "Seeking a challenging position where I can grow" tells them nothing. Either skip it or use a brief summary of your relevant experience.
Listing every job you've ever had. Focus on what's relevant. If you're applying for marketing roles, your summer job at a restaurant 10 years ago probably doesn't need to be there.
Sending the same resume to every job. Yes, tailoring takes time. But applying to 10 jobs with a Customised resume will get you better results than applying to 50 with a generic one.
Overly creative formatting. Unless you're in design or creative fields, stick with simple, clean layouts. Your content should stand out, not your fonts.
Keep your expectations realistic
Even with a great resume, job searching is a numbers game. Most applications don't lead to interviews— that's normal. What you can control is making sure each application you send is as strong as possible.
If you're consistently not getting responses, the issue might be your resume. But it might also be the jobs you're targeting, your experience level, or just bad timing. Use this tool to eliminate resume quality as a variable, then focus on the other factors.
Ready to get started?
If you have an existing resume, import it and we'll help you polish it. If you're starting fresh, the AI wizard can create your first draft.