Resume Review Checklist: 25 Checks Before You Apply (Free PDF)

The short answer: before you send your resume, check six things: it’s targeted to the posting, the top third shows who you are and your strongest proof, your experience bullets show results, the posting’s skills and keywords appear naturally, the formatting is simple enough for software and fast readers, and the details are flawless. Below are 25 checks in those six areas, with why each matters and examples. Download the free one-page checklist (PDF) to print and tick off.

Why a checklist helps

Recruiters skim first: Ladders’ eye-tracking study found an average initial screen of 7.4 seconds, with simple layouts, clear headers and bulleted accomplishments holding attention longest. Employers also look for specific evidence: in NACE’s Job Outlook 2026 Spring Update, 85% of employers said they look for teamwork on new graduates’ resumes, 82% for problem-solving and 68% for leadership potential. A checklist makes sure that evidence is easy to find.

1. Target (3 checks)

1. You have the posting open and have highlighted its top five requirements.
2. Your resume shows evidence for each of them.
3. Anything irrelevant to this role is cut or shortened.

One general resume sent everywhere underperforms. See how to tailor your resume.

2. The top third (3 checks)

4. Contact details are correct: name, phone, a professional email, city and LinkedIn URL.
5. A two- or three-line summary names your target role and your strongest proof.
6. Your most relevant role or achievement is visible without scrolling.

Before: “Hard-working professional seeking a challenging opportunity.” After: “Customer success manager with 5 years in B2B SaaS; cut churn from 12% to 7% across a $4M book of business.”

3. Experience bullets (5 checks)

7. Each bullet starts with a strong verb.
8. Most bullets show a result, ideally with a number.
9. Each role leads with its most relevant achievement.
10. Bullets are one or two lines.
11. No duty lists such as “Responsible for…”

Before: “Responsible for social media accounts.” After: “Grew Instagram followers from 8,000 to 31,000 in a year by launching a weekly creator series.”

See our resume bullet points guide.

4. Skills and keywords (4 checks)

12. The posting’s key skills and tools appear in your own words, in context.
13. Acronyms are spelled out once: “search engine optimization (SEO).”
14. No keyword stuffing or hidden text.
15. Certifications and licenses use their exact names.

How to find the right terms: our resume keywords guide.

5. Formatting (5 checks)

16. Standard section headings: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills.
17. One main column; no important text in tables, text boxes, images, headers or footers.
18. Consistent dates, fonts and spacing, with enough white space.
19. The right length: usually one page early in your career, up to two later. See how long a resume should be.
20. A readable file: a .docx or text-based PDF, or whatever the posting asks for.

6. Final checks (5 checks)

21. Spelling and grammar checked, then read aloud once.
22. Dates, titles and employers match your LinkedIn and application.
23. A clear file name, for example “Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf.”
24. Every claim is true, and you can tell the story behind it.
25. A second pair of eyes: a friend, mentor or career advisor reads it.

Get faster feedback

Huru’s free AI resume builder tailors your resume to a specific job and shows an ATS score, keyword and responsibility coverage, and suggestions, without inventing employers, titles, dates, achievements, skills or metrics. Then check how a recruiter will skim it in how recruiters read your resume.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• National Association of Colleges and Employers, The key skills employers seek on college students’ resumes (Job Outlook 2026 Spring Update). Read on 1 October 2026.
• Ladders, Inc., Eye-tracking study press release (6 November 2018). Read on 1 October 2026.