5 Proven Resume Writing Tips Backed by Data and 125,000+ Resumes Analyzed

Table of Contents

• Include a LinkedIn Profile for Higher Interview Rates
• Optimize Keywords and Skills to Match Job Descriptions
• Include Quantifiable Metrics and Measurable Results
• Keep Resume Length Between 475-600 Words
• Avoid Buzzwords and Clichés

Include a LinkedIn Profile Linked to Your Resume for Higher Job Interview Rates

One of the key findings from Austin Belcak's study of over 125,000 resumes is that including a LinkedIn profile link on your resume can significantly increase your chances of getting a job interview. The data shows that resumes with a LinkedIn link saw interview rates that were up to 4 times higher compared to those without a link.

However, it's important to note that just having any bare-bones LinkedIn profile is not enough. In fact, resumes with links to incomplete LinkedIn profiles saw even lower interview rates than those with no link at all. This suggests that you need a comprehensive, fleshed out LinkedIn presence to really benefit from including it on your resume.

So what makes for a strong LinkedIn profile that will impress recruiters and hiring managers? Here are a few key elements to focus on:

• Professional headshot photo

• Customized background cover image

• Detailed work experience section outlining your responsibilities and achievements

• Skills section highlighting relevant hard and soft skills

• Recommendations from managers, colleagues, or clients

• Large network of connections

Develop a Detailed Work Experience Section

Don't just list your job titles and companies. Expand on your daily responsibilities, projects completed, and measurable results achieved. Quantify your accomplishments as much as possible - for example, stating that your marketing campaigns drove a 25% increase in leads demonstrates the value you brought. The more comprehensive your work details, the better sense recruiters will have of what you actually did day-to-day. This gives them confidence that you have the right skills and abilities to succeed in the open role.

Customize Your LinkedIn URL

Make your LinkedIn profile link easy to remember and type out by customizing your profile URL on LinkedIn. Go to your profile, click on the Edit Public Profile & URL option, and set a custom URL with your name (e.g. linkedin.com/in/jeffsmith) This looks much more professional on a resume compared to the default long string of numbers and letters.

Optimize Keywords and Skills on Your Resume to Match the Job Description

Another key finding is that most candidates only include about 50% of the relevant keywords and skills from the job description on their resumes. This means they are likely getting filtered out by applicant tracking systems that scan for those keywords.

To improve your chances, copy and paste the text from job postings you're interested in into a free word cloud generator online. This will visualize the most frequently used keywords and skills in the description. Make sure you are organically incorporating these important terms throughout your resume.

In particular, pay attention to including any critical hard skills like programming languages or software proficiency the employer is seeking. At the same time, don't overlook soft skills - only 28% of resumes included enough of the soft skills required for the job based on the description. Review the top soft skills employers value and work those in as well.

Incorporate Quantifiable Metrics and Measurable Results in Your Resume Bullet Points

The data reveals another important resume writing tip - including measurable results and quantifiable metrics in your bullet points can significantly boost your chances of landing an interview.

For example, rather than just saying 'Led social media campaigns' as a bullet point, you could say 'Led social media campaigns that drove a 28% increase in website traffic'. Such metrics demonstrate the tangible value and impact you delivered.

Come up with measurable results for as many of your bullet points as possible. If you don't have direct metrics for a project, try to estimate indirect impacts - for example, 'Overhauled customer service knowledge base, enabling 24% faster resolution times'.

Overall, the more quantifiable results you can work into your resume, the easier it will be for hiring managers to recognize your skills and accomplishments.

Keep Your Resume Length Between 475 - 600 Words

What's the ideal resume length? According to the findings, resumes with 475 to 600 words saw double the interview rate compared to those outside that range. Yet over three-quarters of resumes fell outside those parameters.

Your goal should be a resume around 500 words if possible. Don't try to stuff in extra keywords just to hit an arbitrary length - focus on showcasing your most relevant skills and achievements concisely.

Use the word count feature in Word or Google Docs to keep track of your resume length. If you are currently well below or above the ideal range, find ways to adjust it for better results.

Avoid Using Buzzwords, Clichés and Filler Content

The final key takeaway from the research is that over 50% of resumes contained buzzwords, cliches, or generic filler content that took away from the resume's impact.

Buzzwords like 'synergy', 'strategic thinking', 'detail-oriented', and cliches like 'team player' or 'motivated self-starter' should be eliminated. Instead, use clear, tangible examples of skills and accomplishments.

Google 'resume buzzwords' and 'resume cliches' to identify and remove overused terms. Rely on strong action verbs and measurable results to make your resume stand out.

FAQ

Q: Why is data-driven resume advice useful?
A: Data from analyzing over 125,000 resumes removes much of the guesswork and provides evidence-based best practices for resume writing.

Q: How can I optimize my resume's keyword density?
A: Use free online word cloud generators to identify the most common keywords in the job description. Naturally incorporate the top relevant keywords in your resume.