How to Know If Your Resume Is Actually Good
3/28/2025
Use this 7-point checklist to evaluate your resume — and learn how to fix it if you're not getting interviews.
You’ve written your resume. You’ve edited it (twice). Maybe you even used a template.
But... is it actually good?
Here’s a 7-point checklist to help you find out — and what to do if your resume isn’t getting results.
✅ 1. Does it Pass the 6-Second Test?
Recruiters spend about 6 seconds scanning a resume. What stands out first?
Ask a friend or use an AI tool to answer:
- Can they tell what you do?
- Is your value obvious at a glance?
- Does it look modern and scannable?
🧠 2. Does Your Summary Sell You?
A strong resume starts with a clear, confident summary — not an “objective.”
Example:
“Product marketer with 6+ years in B2B SaaS, driving 3x pipeline growth through launch strategy and cross-functional collaboration.”
🎯 3. Are Your Bullet Points Results-Driven?
Every bullet should answer:
What did you do + what happened because of it?
| ❌ Weak | ✅ Strong |
|---|---|
| Managed social media accounts | Grew LinkedIn engagement 180% in 6 months |
| Worked with engineers | Collaborated with devs to ship 3 new features |
🧰 4. Is It ATS-Friendly?
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) read resumes like a robot — literally.
- Avoid columns, tables, or complex design
- Use standard headings: Experience, Skills, Education
- Save as PDF unless told otherwise
📏 5. Is It the Right Length?
- Entry-level: 1 page
- Mid-level / senior: 1–2 pages
- Academic / CV: variable
More isn’t better — sharper is.
🎨 6. Does It Look Good?
- Use a clean, readable font (no Comic Sans!)
- Add white space and consistent spacing
- No typos. No typos. No typos.
📣 7. Does It Speak to This Job?
Tailor it. Every time.
Your resume should feel like it was meant for the role — not copied and pasted from 12 other applications.
🚀 Want an Instant Gut Check?
Upload your resume to ApplyBoost and get:
- ATS readability feedback
- Keyword optimization tips
- Tone, structure, and formatting insights
- Instant clarity on what’s working (and what’s not)
📌 TL;DR — A Good Resume:
- Is clear and specific
- Shows results, not just tasks
- Is easy to read for bots and humans
- Aligns with the job you want
- Gets you interviews
If it’s not doing that — it’s not done.