What a résumé is for

A résumé has one job: to get you an interview. It isn't a full history of your life. It's a short, focused summary of why you're a good fit for a specific role.

Recruiters and hiring managers often review many résumés for each opening, so they skim first. A clear layout, relevant skills near the top and specific achievements help yours stand out.

Many employers also use applicant tracking systems (ATS): software that stores applications and helps recruiters search them for skills and keywords. A simple, well-organized résumé works well for both people and software.