Resume Tips for 2026: How to Write a Resume That Gets Interviews
Updated resume writing tips for 2026. Learn how to craft an ATS-friendly resume that stands out to hiring managers and lands you more interviews.
The job market in 2026 demands a resume that speaks to both automated screening systems and human reviewers. With the majority of companies using applicant tracking systems to filter resumes, understanding how to optimize your resume for both audiences is essential for landing interviews.
Start with a strong professional summary that immediately communicates your value proposition. Replace the outdated objective statement with two to three sentences that highlight your years of experience, key skills, and most impressive achievement. This section should be tailored to each role you apply for.
Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Instead of writing responsible for managing a team, write led a team of twelve engineers, delivering three major product launches that generated two million dollars in new revenue. Numbers grab attention and make your contributions tangible and memorable.
Keep your formatting clean and ATS-friendly. Use standard section headings like Experience, Education, and Skills. Avoid tables, graphics, headers, and footers that automated systems cannot parse correctly. Stick to common fonts and a single-column layout for maximum compatibility with scanning software.
Tailor your resume for each application by incorporating keywords from the job description. If the posting mentions project management, agile methodology, and stakeholder communication, ensure these exact phrases appear naturally in your resume. This alignment improves both your ATS score and your relevance to human reviewers.
Once your resume is ready, practice discussing every point on it in an interview setting. HireFlow can simulate interviews based on your actual resume, helping you prepare to elaborate on your experience confidently and naturally when the real interview comes.