How to Make Your Resume Stand Out: 3 Techniques You Missed

Hiring managers rarely read a resume from top to bottom. In fact, research shows they scan for just a few seconds before deciding whether to keep reading. If nothing grabs their attention quickly, they move on to the next candidate.

That means your resume needs to stand out at a glance — both for the human eye and for applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of international students and migrants who were applying for dozens, even hundreds, of jobs with no interviews. The biggest reason? They were focusing on the wrong details and missing the high-impact changes that actually convince hiring managers to take action.

Here are three resume techniques most job seekers overlook — and how you can use them to get noticed, get interviews, and ultimately land a skilled job.

1. Nail the Summary (Not an Objective)

The summary is the very first section most recruiters look at when scanning your resume — often within the first one or two seconds. If it’s vague, generic, or focused only on what you want (an “objective”), they’ll move on without reading further.

An objective statement is about your goals. A summary is about the employer’s needs and how you can meet them.

How to make your summary stand out:

Focus on what you can do for the employer, not what you want from the job.
Highlight your most relevant skills, experience, and results in the first two or three lines.
Avoid copying the job ad. Instead, show tangible proof you’ve achieved similar results before.

Example of weak vs. strong:

Weak: “Looking for a position where I can use my accounting skills.”
Strong: “Completed over 200 complex bank reconciliations per month, ensuring 100% accuracy and on-time reporting.”

By making your summary specific, measurable, and relevant to the role, you instantly set yourself apart from other applicants who are still writing generic career objectives.

2. Sharpen the Key Skills Section

Many job seekers skip the “Key Skills” section entirely. Others add it, but only fill it with generic buzzwords like teamwork, communication skills, or project management without context.

The problem? Without concrete proof, hiring managers can’t tell if you actually have these skills or if you’re just listing them because they sound good.

How to improve your Key Skills section:

Select skills that match the job ad’s requirements (yes, tailoring is essential).
Group them by category if possible (e.g., Technical Skills, Project Management, Compliance).
Back each skill up with proof in your experience section — for example, if you list “stakeholder management”, make sure there’s a bullet point in your work history showing how you’ve managed stakeholders effectively.

Think of this section as a “cheat sheet” for the recruiter. If they can see all your core skills in one place, you make it easier for them to say “Yes” and keep reading.

3. Impress With Experience (Beyond Just Tasks)

Your experience section is the most powerful place to stand out — but only if you go beyond listing responsibilities.

Two candidates in the same role will likely share 90% of the same tasks. If you only list those tasks, you’ll blend in with everyone else. The key is to highlight achievements and results.

The formula for stronger bullet points:

Start with an action verb – e.g., “Led”, “Improved”, “Implemented”.
Describe the task or challenge – give context so the reader understands your role.
Show the result or outcome – ideally with numbers, percentages, or other tangible measures.

Example:

Weak: “Responsible for training new staff.”
Strong: “Trained and onboarded 15 new team members, reducing ramp-up time by 30% and improving retention rates.”

Even if you can’t include big numbers, describe the difference you made. Did you improve a process? Solve a problem? Receive recognition? That’s what hiring managers remember.

Why These Techniques Work

These three strategies work because they address how recruiters actually read resumes:

They scan the top section for immediate fit (Summary + Key Skills).
They skim for proof of results in the Experience section.
They search for keywords to match the job ad.

By making their job easier — showing relevance, results, and clarity upfront — you give yourself a far better chance of making it to the interview stage.

Want a Resume That Gets Interviews Faster?

Your resume is the first and most important step in landing a skilled job. Without it, you won’t pass the ATS, get interviews, or even have the chance to impress in person.

That’s why I created the Skilled Job Starter Kit — built specifically for international students and migrants who want to land a skilled role faster.

Inside, you’ll get:

A resume template with clean, ATS-friendly formatting that still stands out.
LinkedIn optimisation tips to get more recruiter views.
Interview answers that show confidence and relevance.

Get it free here: Download the Skilled Job Starter Kit

FAQs

What makes a resume stand out from others?
Clarity, tailored keywords, and bullet points that show results. Simplicity beats overdesign.

Should I use color or graphics in my resume?
Stick to a clean, black-and-white layout. ATS systems can misread complex formatting.

Can I use the same resume for every job?
You can, but you’ll get better results if you tailor your summary, skills, and top bullet points for each role.