Is Your Resume Boring?

Your resume is your first impression. It’s the handshake before the handshake, but if your resume is dull, generic, or overly complicated, hiring managers might glance over it and move on. So, what exactly makes a resume boring? And more importantly, how can you transform it into an engaging, memorable document that captures attention? Today we’re going to talk about some common resume pitfalls, along with tips on how to make your resume stand out in a competitive job market. Let’s begin.

What Makes a Resume Boring?

Overused Templates

Using a standard resume template that everyone else downloads is a surefire way to blend in with the crowd. While templates can be convenient, they often lack personality and originality. One might consider fonts like Times New Roman to be somewhat bland or overused, and a resume that lacks clear visual hierarchy may not be eye-catching either. Along with this, avoid generic bullet points such as “Responsible for customer service tasks.”

Generic Language and Clichés

Phrases like “team player,” “results-oriented professional,” or “proven track record” are so overused they’ve lost meaning. These buzzwords fail to convey the unique skills and experiences that differentiate you from other candidates. An example of this would be a statement like, “Managed a team of five to achieve project goals.” These phrases are a dime a dozen, and they’re not particularly exciting.

A Focus on Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

Listing job duties doesn’t tell potential employers how you’ll add value. They already know what the role entails—they want to know what you’ll bring to it. For example, instead of saying, “Answered customer complaints,” try “Resolved 50+ customer inquiries daily, maintaining a 95% satisfaction score.”

No Personal Branding

A resume that lacks personal branding looks like it could belong to anyone. Without a compelling summary or tailored experience section, it’s hard for recruiters to connect the dots on why you’re the ideal candidate. For more information on how to build a personal brand, check out our previous blog here.

How to Make Your Resume More Exciting

Personalize the Design

Even with templates, small design tweaks can make your resume unique. Use professional fonts like Calibri or Garamond, add a subtle hint of color for headers, or include a personal logo if applicable. Tools such as Canva or Adobe Express offer customizable resume templates that allow for creative yet professional layouts. If you want to learn more about different font types, check out our advice here.

Craft a Strong Summary Statement

Your summary statement is the headline of your resume. Use it to introduce your key strengths, career highlights, and what makes you different. Let’s say you’re applying for a marketing role—here, you might use something like this: “Creative marketing professional with 5+ years of experience driving engagement through innovative campaigns, increasing brand awareness by 30% across digital platforms.”

Highlight Achievements with Data

Quantifying your accomplishments instantly makes them more compelling. Numbers and metrics show impact and give recruiters a clearer picture of your potential. Here is an example of how to include quantifiable data on your resume: “Increased e-commerce revenue by 45% in six months by implementing targeted email campaigns.”

Use Action Verbs

Start bullet points with strong action verbs like “spearheaded,” “optimized,” or “streamlined” to convey energy and initiative. Instead of saying, “Responsible for training new hires,” try “Trained and mentored 15+ new hires, reducing onboarding time by 20%.”

Tailor Each Resume to the Job

We talk about this a lot, so this one should come as no surprise. Generic resumes are a huge turn-off for potential employers. Customize your resume for each application by incorporating keywords from the job description and emphasizing relevant skills. For example, if the role calls for project management, highlight specific tools you’ve used, like Trello or Jira.

What Potential Employers Look For in a Memorable Resume

We can break it down into four essential components that make up a memorable resume. The first is clarity—a clean, well-structured resume format with logical sections is key. If your resume is hard to read, the hiring manager probably won’t even give you a chance. The next component is relevance. It’s crucial that you highlight skills and experiences that directly relate to the job at hand. If your resume doesn’t showcase skills and experience that prove you can do the job, you won’t be considered for the role.

The third component is storytelling. To be effective, your resume should tell a cohesive story about your career journey and future potential. A wooden resume full of overused clichés most likely won’t win over the hiring manager. Lastly, you must demonstrate professionalism. While creativity is valuable, ensure your design and tone remain professional—the hiring manager wants to know you’ll be there to work, above all else.

Additional Tips to Stand Out

Leverage Online Profiles

Link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio for a deeper dive into your work. Employers appreciate candidates who demonstrate a digital presence.

Include Unique Sections

Consider adding sections like “Notable Projects,” “Volunteer Work,” or “Certifications.” These can make you more memorable.

Proofread for Perfection

Typos and grammatical errors are instant deal-breakers. The best way to review your resume is to step away from it for some time, then read it when you’re a little less familiar with it. This will allow you to spot silly mistakes more easily. If you prefer, you can also use tools like Grammarly to ensure your resume is error-free.

Your resume shouldn’t just list your experience; it should be a dynamic showcase of your accomplishments, skills, and personality. All it takes is a little effort in design, creative use of language, and some personalization, and you’ve got a resume that’s exciting, interesting, and above all else—memorable.