How To Make a Resume That Stands Out in 2025

Landing your dream job in Canada’s competitive 2025 job market starts with one key tool: an outstanding resume. Having a good resume is essential, as it can be the difference-maker in landing interviews and advancing your career. With hiring managers and recruiters spending an average of just 7.4 seconds reviewing a resume, it’s crucial to grab (and hold!) their attention quickly. A polished, ATS-friendly resume tailored to your job application can make all the difference in opening doors to new opportunities. Choosing the right resume format is the foundation for a successful application.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through actionable resume tips to ensure that your application rises to the top of the pile. It will help you create the perfect resume for your job search, highlighting your skills and qualifications in the best possible way. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or a career changer, these strategies will help your resume stand out and land interviews.

1. Use a Clean, ATS-Friendly Resume Format

Before your resume reaches a human recruiter, many companies will run it through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan for keywords and rank applicants  Using a ATS-friendly format lays the foundation for a professional resume.

In addition to the popular reverse chronological format, you may also consider a combination resume or a functional resume. A combination resume blends the functional and chronological styles, making it ideal for job seekers with professional experience who want to highlight both their skills and work history. On the other hand, a functional resume emphasizes skills and training over chronological work history, which is especially useful for career changers, those with employment gaps, or anyone wanting to showcase specific skills prominently.

Reverse Chronological Structure

Recruiters in Canada typically prefer the reverse chronological resume format. This means listing your most recent job title or work experience first and working backwards. It’s straightforward and easy to follow for both ATS and employers.

Design with White Space, Fonts, and Headers

• Use simple, professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Avoid decorative or hard-to-read fonts.

• Make use of white space to avoid an overcrowded look. Divide content into clear sections, such as Professional Experience, Education Section, and Skills Section.

Why ATS-Friendly Formatting Matters

An ATS-friendly resume allows automated systems to successfully parse your information. Avoid using tables, graphics, or overly complex sections of your resume, as these can confuse the software.

2. Optimize for Keywords and the Job Description

If there’s one essential strategy to follow, it’s optimizing your resume for all your job applications by customizing it for each specific job application and including relevant information to capture the attention of employers.

Creating a different resume for each job application increases your chances of success.

Use Keywords from the Job Description

Hiring managers often scan resumes for action verbs and specific skills mentioned in the job posting. Match your resume’s wording with the job description to demonstrate alignment with the company’s needs.

For example, if a job posting for a "Project Manager" includes “technical skills in Microsoft Teams,” ensure these keywords appear under your relevant experience.

Pro Tip for the Experience Section

Instead of bland phrases like “Handled scheduling tasks,” aim for something more active and specific, such as “Managed team schedules using Microsoft Teams to deliver projects ahead of deadlines.”

3. Focus on a Strong Professional Summary

Your resume summary is like a 30-second elevator pitch. It’s important that your summary reflects your career goals and professional aspirations. It’s your chance to introduce yourself and showcase your top achievements early.

How to Craft a Winning Resume Summary

1. Include your years of experience, job title, or relevant coursework.

2. Highlight transferable skills or certifications relevant to your target position.

3. Identify a key result, such as, “Optimized project timelines, leading to a 10% increase in productivity.”

Example Resume Summary

"Driven marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in digital strategy, SEO, and content creation. Known for implementing targeted campaigns that boosted engagement by 25%. Certified in Google Analytics, with expertise in social media growth."

4. Quantify Achievements Using Metrics

Hiring managers value results over responsibilities. Highlighting your relevant accomplishments in each role is essential to showcase your impact and demonstrate your qualifications. Use metrics to make your bullet points powerful and impactful.

Showcase Results, Not Just Responsibilities

Instead of stating, “Led a team of five people,” try this:

• “Led a team of 5 to complete a $3M project 15% under budget.”

Other examples:

• Increased sales by 20% within one year.

• Reduced onboarding time by 33%.

Numbers stand out and help recruiters visualize your contributions.

5. Highlight Relevant Skills and Certifications

Your skills section is an excellent place to showcase both hard and soft skills. It’s also the perfect opportunity to highlight certifications relevant to the role.

Hard Skills (Technical Skills)

• Proficiency in software like Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Excel, or Tableau

• Coding languages (HTML, Python, JavaScript)

• Specific certifications, such as “PMP Certification” in project management

Soft Skills

• Leadership

• Communication and collaboration

• Problem-solving

• Time management

For career changers, emphasize transferable skills that apply to the new role you’re pursuing.

6. Showcase Your Education and Experience

A professional resume that stands out in 2025 doesn’t just list your background - it strategically showcases your education and experience to impress potential employers. Whether you’re a recent graduate, changing careers, or an experienced professional, how you present these sections can make a significant difference in your job search.

How to Present Your Education

Your education section should be clear, concise, and tailored to the job you’re applying for. Always include your degree, the institution’s name, its location, and your graduation date. If you’re a recent graduate or a first-time job seeker, highlight relevant coursework, academic achievements, and any internship experience that demonstrates your strongest skills.

Example:

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science XYZ University, Toronto, ON May 2025. Relevant coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Computer Systems

If you have notable academic accomplishments, such as a high GPA, honors, or awards, be sure to include them. For those with limited work history, listing relevant projects or research papers can help show you’re a well-rounded candidate.

Highlighting Relevant Experience for 2025 Roles

When it comes to your work history, focus on roles and experiences most relevant to your target job. List your positions in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. For each entry, include your job title, company name, location, and employment dates. Use bullet points to describe your job duties and key achievements, making sure to use strong action verbs and quantify your impact wherever possible.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Software Engineer ABC Company, Vancouver, BC January 2020 - Present

• Developed and implemented a new algorithm, resulting in a 25% increase in efficiency

• Managed a team of 5 engineers, providing guidance and support to ensure project success

By clearly outlining your job responsibilities and accomplishments, you help hiring managers quickly see the value you can bring to their organization. Remember, a professional resume that effectively showcases your education and experience is your best marketing tool for landing interviews with potential employers.

6. Tailor Each Resume for the Role

Every job application should receive its own custom resume. Use these tips to create your own resume tailored specifically to each job you apply for. Hiring managers will instantly notice if your resume is too generic.

Before submitting each application, make sure your resume is ready - polished, error-free, and customized for the position.

Use Tailored Templates for Maximum Impact

Having several resume templates ready can save time. Use one for marketing roles, one for project management roles, and so on. Adjust the headers, professional experience, job titles, and education section to match each application.

7 Leverage LinkedIn and Other Social Media

Your LinkedIn profile serves as an extension of your resume. Recruiters often review LinkedIn profiles to cross-check details or learn more about a candidate.

To demonstrate your digital marketing skills, consider highlighting specific metrics such as increased social media engagement achieved during your professional experience or internships.

Tips for a Polished LinkedIn Profile

• Align your profile with your resume. Use the same work history and ensure your job titles match.

• Add a professional summary that echoes your resume.

• Showcase skills, accomplishments, and certifications.

• Endorse others in your network to encourage them to endorse you back.

A strong digital presence on social platforms creates additional opportunities for employers to connect with you.

9. Use Online Resume Builders and Tools

Leveraging online resume builders and tools can streamline the resume writing process and help you create a professional resume that stands out from the competition. These platforms offer modern features and expert guidance, making it easier than ever to craft a resume tailored to your dream job.

Top Tools for Creating a Modern Resume

Online resume builders come equipped with a variety of features designed to help job seekers at every stage:

• AI-powered resume builders: These tools offer smart suggestions for phrasing, formatting, and keyword optimization, ensuring your resume is tailored to the job description and ready for applicant tracking systems (ATS).

• Certified professional resume writer services: Many platforms connect you with experts who can review, edit, or even write a resume for you, ensuring your document meets the highest professional standards.

• Resume analytics tools: These services analyze your resume’s effectiveness, highlighting areas for improvement and helping you match your resume to specific job requirements.

When using a resume builder, start by selecting a resume template that fits your industry and job title. Customize each section, such as your professional summary, work history, and skills, to align with the job description. Take advantage of built-in tools to check for grammar mistakes, optimize for ATS, and ensure your resume is visually appealing and easy to read.

By utilizing these online resources, you can create a resume that not only highlights your education, experience, and key skills, but also positions you as a top candidate in the eyes of hiring managers and prospective employers. Whether you’re updating an existing resume or starting from a blank page, these tools can help you produce a great resume that gets noticed in today’s competitive job market.

8. Proofread and Get a Second Opinion

Errors in grammar or layout can be a dealbreaker for hiring managers. A clean, polished resume is non-negotiable, even small mistakes in your contact info, such as your professional email address, can cost you an interview.

Tools and Tips for Proofreading

• Use a resume builder with AI-powered tools to format and proofread your resume.

• Enlist the help of a career coach or a professional resume writer.

• Have a friend or mentor proofread for mistakes you might miss.

Even small errors (like a typo in your contact information) can cost you an interview.

A Professional Resume Opens Doors in 2025

Creating a standout resume requires effort, but the payoff is worth it. By following these steps, you’ll give yourself a significant edge in Canada’s competitive job market. Use clean formatting, relevant keywords, impactful metrics, and a LinkedIn-ready strategy to present yourself as the ideal candidate.

For candidates with extensive experience or applying to specialized fields, a resume of up to two pages is acceptable. Including sections like volunteer work and educational experience can help you stand out, especially if you are changing careers or entering a new industry.

If you’re looking for more career advice or tools to help with your job search, check out Adecco’s resume builder and career coaching services. It’s time to start turning those applications into interviews!