How to Improve Your Resume Before Applying for Jobs

You have sent out applications and heard nothing back. Or you are about to start applying and want to make sure your resume is as strong as it can be. Either way, the question is the same: how do you actually improve your resume before sending it out again?

A weak resume does not always mean your experience is lacking. Often the issue is how your experience is presented — the formatting, the keywords, the way your achievements are described. Small changes can make a meaningful difference. This guide walks through the most common areas where resumes lose points with both automated screening systems and recruiters, and what to do about each one.

Check Whether Your Resume Is Easy to Read

Readability is the foundation of a strong resume. If an automated screening system cannot parse your document correctly, the content of your experience does not matter — the system may not record it accurately. Most readability issues come from formatting choices that look good to the human eye but confuse automated parsers.

The safest approach is a clean, single-column layout with standard section headings like Work Experience, Education, and Skills. Avoid tables, columns, text boxes, and embedded graphics. These elements cause parsers to misread or skip content. Use a common font such as Arial, Calibri, or Georgia at a readable size, and keep formatting consistent throughout the document.

If you are unsure whether your resume is readable, you can check your resume for free with a tool that evaluates readability and flags potential parsing issues.

Match Your Resume to the Job Description

One of the most effective ways to improve your resume is to tailor it for each role you apply to. Most ATS platforms rank resumes by how closely they match the specific language in the job description. If your resume uses different words for the same skills, the system may rank you below candidates who mirror the posting more closely.

Start by reading the job description carefully and noting the terms that appear multiple times. These are the keywords the system is most likely scoring for. Then compare your resume against that list and adjust your phrasing to match. The goal is not to invent new experience — it is to describe your existing experience using the same language the employer chose.

To speed up this process, you can match your resume to a job description using a tool that automatically compares both documents and identifies gaps. For a detailed walkthrough of the tailoring process, read our guide on how to tailor your resume to a job description without lying.

Add Missing Keywords Naturally

Keywords are the terms screening systems scan for when ranking resumes. If a job description asks for project management and your resume says coordinated initiatives, the system may not recognise the match. The fix is straightforward: identify the keywords in the job posting and incorporate them into your resume where they fit naturally.

The most effective place for keywords is within your work experience bullet points. Instead of listing skills in isolation, show them in context. For example, if the role requires stakeholder communication, write about how you provided regular stakeholder updates on project timelines and risk status. The keyword appears naturally and the context proves your capability.

For more detail on finding and using the right keywords, see our guide to ATS resume keywords.

Rewrite Weak Bullet Points

Your work experience bullet points are the most-read part of your resume. Weak bullets describe duties. Strong bullets describe achievements with specific language and measurable outcomes.

A weak bullet might read: Responsible for managing social media accounts. A stronger version: Managed four social media channels, grew engagement by 35 percent over six months, and reduced response time to under two hours. The second version uses an action verb, specifies scope, and includes a measurable result.

For before-and-after examples and a full walkthrough of how to strengthen every line of your experience section, read our guide on rewriting resume bullet points for ATS and recruiters.

Show Measurable Results

Numbers make your achievements concrete. Saying improved customer satisfaction is a claim. Saying improved customer satisfaction scores by 12 points over four quarters is evidence. Whenever possible, include specific metrics that show the scope and impact of your work.

If you do not have the exact figure, use a placeholder like [X%] or [$Y] to mark the spot and fill it in later with a real number. Never fabricate metrics. If you truly cannot quantify an achievement, describe scope instead — managed a portfolio of 15 enterprise accounts is still specific and measurable.

If you are unsure whether your achievements are strong enough, a free resume health check can evaluate whether your bullet points include measurable outcomes and suggest improvements.

Fix Formatting and Section Problems

Formatting issues are one of the most common reasons resumes fail automated parsing. Tables, columns, text boxes, headers and footers, and embedded graphics all cause parsing errors. If the system cannot extract your information correctly, your application may be rejected before a recruiter ever sees it.

Section completeness matters too. Most screening platforms expect to find certain sections — Work Experience, Education, Skills, and a Professional Summary. Missing sections lower your score because the system cannot extract information it cannot find. Review your resume against this checklist and add any missing sections.

For a detailed breakdown of which formatting choices cause problems and how to fix them, see our ATS resume formatting guide.

Avoid Generic Summary Statements

A professional summary that says Hard-working professional seeking a challenging role in a dynamic company tells the reader nothing useful. It is generic, overused, and wastes the most valuable real estate on your resume — the top of the page.

An effective summary is specific and keyword-rich. It should state your job title, your years of experience, your key skills, and what you bring to the role. For example: Project manager with eight years of experience delivering enterprise software implementations using agile methodology. Skilled in stakeholder management, budget oversight, and cross-functional team leadership. This version gives both the screening system and the recruiter a clear, immediate picture of who you are.

Check Your Resume Before Applying Again

Once you have made improvements, the next step is to test your resume before sending it out. Running it through a diagnostic tool gives you a baseline score and confirms whether your changes are moving in the right direction.

Use a free resume checker to evaluate your updated resume. The results will show your overall score and break it down by readability, section completeness, formatting, and keyword alignment. If your score has improved, you know you are on the right track. If not, the breakdown will tell you what still needs work. To understand what each part of your score means, read our guide on what your resume score means before you apply.

When to Use a Free Resume Checker

A free resume checker is most useful at two points in your job search. First, at the start — before you begin applying — to establish a baseline and identify the most important issues to fix. Second, after you have made changes — to confirm your improvements are working and see your updated score.

You do not need to run a check for every single application. That would be impractical if you are applying to multiple roles. Instead, run a check when you make significant changes to your resume, such as adding a new role, rewriting your bullet points, or updating your skills section. This keeps your resume in good shape without creating unnecessary overhead.

A free resume checker is also useful if you have been applying without success and want to understand whether your resume is part of the problem. It gives you an objective assessment rather than guessing.

When to Match Your Resume to a Specific Job Description

While a general resume check is useful for ongoing maintenance, matching your resume to a specific job description is more targeted. Use a job match analysis when you have identified a role you are serious about and want to maximise your chances of passing its screening.

Job match analysis compares your resume directly against the job description you are applying for. It shows your match score, identifies missing skills and keywords, and highlights gaps between your experience and what the employer is looking for. This level of detail is valuable for roles where the competition is strong or the requirements are very specific.

To do this, you can match your resume to a job description using HirePilot's job match analysis. For a complete guide on the tailoring process, see how to tailor your resume to a job description without lying.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I improve my resume before applying?

Start by checking your resume for formatting issues, readability problems, missing sections, and weak bullet points. Then tailor it to each job description by matching keywords and skills. A free resume checker can identify specific areas to fix before you apply.

What makes a resume weak?

Common issues include poor formatting (tables, columns, graphics), missing sections (skills, professional summary), vague bullet points without measurable results, lack of relevant keywords, and generic summary statements that do not differentiate you from other candidates.

How do I know if my resume is ATS-friendly?

Use a free resume checker to evaluate your resume against ATS standards. These tools check formatting, section completeness, keyword alignment, and readability. A score of 80 or above out of 100 generally indicates your resume is well-structured for ATS parsing.

Should I rewrite my resume for every job application?

Yes. Tailoring your resume for each application significantly improves your chances of passing ATS screening. Focus on matching keywords from the job description and highlighting the experience most relevant to that specific role. You can match your resume to a job description using a job match analysis tool to identify gaps quickly.

How long does it take to improve a resume?

Basic improvements like fixing formatting and adding missing sections can take 30 minutes. Deeper optimisation including keyword research and bullet point rewrites may take one to two hours per application. Using a resume checker can speed this up by identifying exactly what needs to change.

What is the most important part of a resume to improve?

Your work experience bullet points are the most impactful area to improve. Each bullet should use strong action verbs, include keywords from the job description, and show measurable results. Next, focus on formatting and section completeness, as these affect both automated parsing and recruiter readability.

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