Plain resume guidance
Write a clearer resume and a more honest application
Research-based guides and free browser tools for resume basics, formats, bullets, ATS wording and cover letters, for anyone applying for jobs.
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About 1 hourFreeWhat to Include on a Resume for Most Jobs
About 25 minutesFreeHow to Write Resume Bullets That Don't Sound Generic
About 30 minutesFreeHow to Tailor a Resume for ATS Without Keyword Stuffing
About 1 hourFreeBest Resume Format for Gaps, Pivots and Uneven History
About 1 hourFreeHow to Handle Employment Gaps on a Resume
15 to 40 minutes per letterFreeIs a Cover Letter Worth Writing? How to Decide
About 30 minutesFreeHow to Show Impact on a Resume Without Hard Numbers
About 30 minutesFreeWhat to Cut From a Resume (and What to Keep)
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Resume BasicsHow to List Unfinished Education on a Resume Clearly
Resume BasicsA Final Resume Check Before You Upload the File
Resume BasicsHow to Prepare a Job Reference List, With Request Examples
Experience Writing · FreeHow to List a Promotion on a Resume (Layouts and Examples)
Resume Formats · FreeHow to Write a Resume When Changing Industries
Resume Basics · FreeShould You Skip the Resume Summary? When to Drop It
Resume Basics · FreeOverqualified on a Resume: How to Handle It
Resume Basics · FreeHow to Handle Employment Gaps on a Resume
Cover Letters · FreeCareer Change Cover Letter: Structure and Sample
Cover Letters · FreeWhat to Say in a Cover Letter: A Simple Structure
Resume Basics · FreeWhat to Cut From a Resume (and What to Keep)
Resume Basics · FreeHow to Fix a Generic Resume and Make It Specific
Experience Writing · FreeHow to Tell if a Resume Bullet Is Too Weak to Keep
Resume Basics · FreeHow to Make a Resume Easier and Faster to Read
Experience Writing · FreeHow to Show Impact on a Resume Without Hard Numbers
Resume Basics · FreeWhat a Resume Summary Should Do (With Examples)
ATS Optimization · FreeHow to Tailor a Resume for ATS Without Keyword Stuffing
Experience Writing · FreeHow to Write Resume Bullets That Don't Sound Generic
Resume Basics · FreeWhat to Include on a Resume for Most Jobs
Cover Letters · FreeIs a Cover Letter Worth Writing? How to Decide
Resume Formats · FreeBest Resume Format for Gaps, Pivots and Uneven History
Experience Writing · FreeHow to List a Promotion on a Resume (Layouts and Examples)
Resume Formats · FreeHow to Write a Resume When Changing Industries
Resume Basics · FreeShould You Skip the Resume Summary? When to Drop It
Resume Basics · FreeOverqualified on a Resume: How to Handle It
Resume Basics · FreeHow to Handle Employment Gaps on a Resume
Cover Letters · FreeCareer Change Cover Letter: Structure and Sample
Cover Letters · FreeWhat to Say in a Cover Letter: A Simple Structure
Resume Basics · FreeWhat to Cut From a Resume (and What to Keep)
Resume Basics · FreeHow to Fix a Generic Resume and Make It Specific
Experience Writing · FreeHow to Tell if a Resume Bullet Is Too Weak to Keep
Resume Basics · FreeHow to Make a Resume Easier and Faster to Read
Experience Writing · FreeHow to Show Impact on a Resume Without Hard Numbers
Resume Basics · FreeWhat a Resume Summary Should Do (With Examples)
ATS Optimization · FreeHow to Tailor a Resume for ATS Without Keyword Stuffing
Experience Writing · FreeHow to Write Resume Bullets That Don't Sound Generic
Resume Basics · FreeWhat to Include on a Resume for Most Jobs
Cover Letters · FreeIs a Cover Letter Worth Writing? How to Decide
Resume Formats · FreeBest Resume Format for Gaps, Pivots and Uneven History
Tools you can use today
No sign-up. They work on the page.
Resume Bullet Checker: Flag Weak Phrases and Missing NumbersPaste resume bullets and see flags for weak phrases, passive voice, missing numbers and length. It runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded or stored.Job Post Keyword Overlap Helper: Compare a Posting With Your ResumePaste a job posting and your resume text to see which words appear in one but not the other. A reading aid, not an ATS score; runs in your browser.Resume Final Check: A Tickable Checklist Before You ApplyA printable, tickable resume checklist covering content, wording, formatting, ATS-friendly basics and the file itself. Ticks stay in this browser only.Resume Targeting Planner: Tailor a Resume to One Job in StepsA tickable planner for tailoring a resume to one job posting: what to read, what to change, what to leave alone. Saved in your browser only.Resume Format Chooser: Chronological, Combination or FunctionalMatch your work history to a resume format. Plain rules for when chronological, combination or functional layouts fit, and what each one risks.Resume Rewrite Examples: Weak Bullets Made SpecificSix before-and-after resume bullet examples, with the reason each change works and a reminder to use only facts and figures that are true for you.Resume Help Options Guide: ATS Checkers, Templates, ReviewsChoose resume help by type: ATS scanners, keyword tools, templates and builders, rewrite assistants, human review and free self-checks, with typical costs.Cover Letter and LinkedIn Profile Help: What Fits Your SituationDecide whether you need a cover letter, a template or drafting help, and what kind of LinkedIn profile help makes sense, with typical costs and cautions.
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