How to Write a Resume (2026 Guide)

By RuleForge · Updated June 2026 · 7 min read

75% of resumes never reach a human — they're filtered out by Applicant Tracking Systems. Here's how to write a resume that gets past the bots AND impresses the humans.

The Right Format

• Length: 1 page if you have under 10 years experience. 2 pages max otherwise.
• Font: Arial, Calibri, or Georgia. 11pt body, 14–16pt for your name.
• File: PDF (preserves formatting). Only use Word doc if specifically requested.
• Structure: Header Summary Experience Skills Education
• No photos, no graphics, no columns (unless applying for a design role). ATS can't parse them.

The Bullet Formula

Every bullet should follow this structure:

The 10 Power Verbs

Led · Built · Launched · Reduced · Increased · Automated · Designed · Streamlined · Generated · Implemented

The ATS Factor

Applicant Tracking Systems scan your resume for keywords from the job description. To pass:

1. Use exact keywords from the job description (if they say "project management," don't write "project coordination")
2. Standard section headers — use "Experience," "Education," "Skills" (not "My Journey")
3. No tables or text boxes — ATS reads top-to-bottom, left-to-right
4. Standard job titles — if your title was unusual, add the standard equivalent in parentheses

Summary Statement (3 lines max)

Skills Section

List 8–12 skills, mixing hard skills (tools, technologies, methodologies) and relevant keywords. Don't list "Microsoft Word" unless you're an entry-level candidate.