How to Write a Resume That Gets Noticed in 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide by TargetShine)
Introduction
On average, a single job posting receives 200–300 applications. In today’s highly competitive job market, a resume is no longer just a summary of your experience—it is a marketing document designed to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), capture recruiter attention, and clearly communicate your value in seconds.
Most recruiters spend less than 8 seconds scanning a resume. If your resume is not structured correctly, keyword-optimized, and impact-driven, it will be ignored—regardless of how qualified you are.
This comprehensive guide by TargetShine will walk you through how to write a resume step by step, explain modern resume best practices for 2026, and show how manual expert review combined with AI-powered tools can dramatically improve your chances of landing interviews.
How to Make a Resume Step by Step
Writing a high-performing resume requires both strategy and structure. Below is a complete breakdown of each step, from choosing the right format to final proofreading.
STEP 1: Choose the Right Resume Format
The resume format determines how recruiters read your story. Choosing the wrong format can hide your strengths.
Chronological Resume Format
Best for:
- Professionals with 8–10+ years of experience
- Candidates with steady career progression
- Leadership and executive roles
Why it works:
It highlights growth, promotions, and long-term impact—qualities recruiters look for in senior professionals.
Functional Resume Format
Best for:
- Freshers or entry-level candidates
- Career changers
- Candidates with employment gaps
Why it works:
It emphasizes skills and capabilities instead of job history, making it ideal when experience is limited.
Combination Resume Format
Best for:
- Professionals with 3–8 years of experience
- Career switchers with transferable skills
- Candidates returning to the workforce
Why it works:
It balances skills and experience, offering flexibility and clarity.
TargetShine Tip:
Although chronological resumes are most common, many job seekers perform better with combination formats when applying through ATS systems.
STEP 2: Add Essential Contact Information
Your resume header should be clean, professional, and error-free.
Include:
- Full name
- Phone number (mobile preferred)
- Professional email address
- City and state
- LinkedIn profile (mandatory in 2026)
Avoid nicknames, outdated email IDs, or unnecessary personal details.
TargetShine Advantage:
Our resume experts manually verify contact sections to prevent common mistakes that cost interviews.
STEP 3: Add a Resume Headline (Highly Recommended)
A resume headline is a one-line value statement placed below your contact details.
Examples:
Software Engineer
Full-Stack Developer with 6+ Years of Experience in Scalable Web Applications
HR Professional
HR Business Partner Specializing in Talent Strategy and Workforce Planning
A strong headline instantly tells recruiters who you are and why you matter.
STEP 4: Write a Strong Resume Summary or Objective
Resume Summary (Recommended for Most Professionals)
A resume summary highlights your experience, skills, and achievements in 3–4 lines.
Formula:
[Professional traits] + [Job title + experience] + [Key skills] + [Top achievement]
Example:
Results-driven Product Manager with 7+ years of experience delivering customer-focused digital solutions. Skilled in Agile delivery, stakeholder management, and data-driven decision-making. Led initiatives that increased user engagement by 42%.
Resume Objective (Best for Freshers)
An objective focuses on career goals and potential.
Example:
Motivated computer science graduate seeking a software engineering role to apply strong problem-solving skills, Python expertise, and hands-on project experience in building scalable applications.
STEP 5: Showcase Work Experience Effectively
This is the most critical section of your resume.
Best Practices:
- Use reverse chronological order
- Focus on achievements, not responsibilities
- Quantify results wherever possible
- Use action verbs
Example:
Increased monthly sales by 28% by optimizing lead qualification and CRM workflows.
Use ATS Keywords
Always align your resume with the job description. ATS systems scan for:
- Skills
- Tools
- Job titles
- Certifications
TargetShine ATS Optimization:
Our AI bot scans job descriptions and maps keywords, while experts refine language to ensure natural readability.
STEP 6: Add a Strong Skills Section
Include 6–10 relevant skills, grouped logically.
Hard Skills
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
- AI & Automation
- Cloud Computing
Soft Skills
- Communication
- Leadership
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
Technical Skills
- Python, Java, SQL
- Power BI, Tableau
- Git, Docker, AWS
Avoid generic skills unless supported by examples.
STEP 7: List Education Correctly
Always include education, even if you don’t hold a degree.
Include:
- Degree or certification
- Institution name
- Location
- Dates (optional for experienced professionals)
Tip:
Remove graduation dates if your degree is older than 5–7 years to avoid unconscious bias.
STEP 8: Add Optional Sections (If Relevant)
Additional sections help tailor your resume:
- Certifications & licenses
- Projects
- Awards & honors
- Volunteer work
- Publications
- Languages
- Internships
These sections add depth and differentiation.
STEP 9: Proofread and Final Check
Even a small typo can eliminate your resume.
Final checklist:
- Grammar and spelling
- Consistent formatting
- Correct dates and company names
- ATS compatibility
TargetShine Quality Check:
Every resume goes through manual human review + AI grammar and structure analysis before delivery.
Resume Formatting Tips for 2026
- Length: 1 page (0–8 years), max 2 pages (10+ years)
- Font size: 11–12 body, 14–16 headings
- Margins: 1 inch
- Line spacing: 1.0–1.15
- File format: PDF
- File name:
firstname_lastname_resume.pdf
Why TargetShine Helps You Get Hired Faster
TargetShine combines:
- Manual resume review by career experts
- AI-powered ATS analysis
- LinkedIn profile optimization
- 1:1 career consultation
- Resume Genie (bot-assisted improvements)
Our approach ensures your resume is:
- ATS-friendly
- Recruiter-readable
- Achievement-focused
- Professionally branded
Final Takeaways
- A resume is a strategic career asset, not just a document
- ATS optimization is essential in 2025
- Quantified achievements outperform responsibilities
- Tailoring your resume dramatically improves results
- Expert guidance + AI tools create the strongest outcomes
If you want faster interviews, better visibility, and confidence in your resume, TargetShine is here to help you shine.
Ready to upgrade your resume?
👉 Get expert-reviewed, ATS-optimized resumes with TargetShine today.
