In today’s competitive job market, standing out is more challenging—and more essential—than ever. A study by Ladders found that recruiters spend an average of just 6–8 seconds reviewing a resume before deciding whether to move forward. That means you’ve got only a few seconds to make a strong first impression. So, how can your resume rise to the top in 2025? At Priority Placements Group, we review thousands of resumes every year. Here’s what we (and most recruiters) look for—and how you can give yourself the best shot at landing that next opportunity.

1. Use a Clean, Modern Format (Skip the Fancy Fonts and Colors)

First impressions are visual. A clean, professional layout ensures your resume is easy to read, both by humans and applicant tracking systems (ATS). In fact, 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS to filter resumes before a recruiter even sees them.

Tips:

• Use a standard font like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica (10–12 pt)
• Stick to black text on a white background
• Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting

2. Tailor Your Resume to Each Job

Generic resumes get generic results. According to a CareerBuilder survey, 61% of hiring managers say a resume tailored to the job is the most important factor in making it stand out.

Tips:

• Use keywords from the job description
• Match your skills and experiences to the role’s specific needs
• Create a custom summary statement that highlights your fit for the job

3. Highlight Results, Not Just Responsibilities

Recruiters want to know what you accomplished—not just what you were responsible for. Numbers and results help paint a clearer picture of your impact.

Example:
Instead of “Managed social media accounts,” try “Grew Instagram following by 250% and increased engagement by 40% in 6 months.”

Stats That Matter:

• Resumes with metrics are 40% more likely to grab a recruiter’s attention, according to TopResume.

4. Include In-Demand Skills and Certifications

Tech continues to influence hiring trends—even outside of traditional tech roles. Job seekers with up-to-date, relevant skills have a clear edge.

2025 In-Demand Skills Include:

• Data literacy and analytics
• Project management (Agile, Scrum, PMP)
• AI and automation familiarity
• Communication and collaboration tools (Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams)

Certifications like Google Analytics, HubSpot, CompTIA, or even LinkedIn Learning courses can help boost credibility.

5. Don’t Skip the Soft Skills Section

While technical skills get your foot in the door, soft skills often seal the deal. In a LinkedIn Global Talent Trends report, 92% of recruiters said soft skills are just as important—or more important—than hard skills.

Top Soft Skills for 2025:

• Adaptability
• Emotional intelligence
• Time management
• Collaboration
• Critical thinking

Highlight soft skills with examples: “Led a cross-functional team through a six-month project, completing it ahead of schedule.”

Bonus: Work with a Recruiter Who Knows What Employers Want

At Priority Placements Group, we do more than submit resumes—we help job seekers refine them. When you work with us, you gain access to:

• Personalized resume feedback
• Industry-specific guidance
• Direct access to hiring managers
• Opportunities not listed on job boards

Let’s Get You Hired in 2025

Don’t let your resume get lost in the shuffle. Apply these tips to stand out and take your job search to the next level. Ready for expert support? Reach out to Priority Placements Group today and let’s make your resume recruiter-ready.