Resume Checklist: 25 Things to Fix Before You Apply

Use this checklist after you have written the CV, not before. At this stage the goal is not to keep adding content. It is to remove friction before a recruiter or hiring system reads it.

Work through it once for your base CV, then again for each job-specific version. The second pass should be faster because you are checking fit, not rebuilding the whole document.

A base version that still feels thin needs better resume writing first. A clean draft can come straight here for the final quality check before export.

Content (1–7)

• 1. The summary names the role type and strongest relevant evidence.
• 2. The first page shows the most important experience for this job.
• 3. Every recent role has clear scope, not just duties.
• 4. Bullet points include outcomes, scale, tools, or context where useful.
• 5. Skills are backed by experience elsewhere in the CV.
• 6. Old or unrelated detail has been shortened.
• 7. No claim would be hard to explain in an interview.

Tailoring (8–12)

• 8. The CV reflects the job description without copying it blindly.
• 9. Must-have qualifications or registrations are easy to find.
• 10. Relevant tools, systems, and methods use the employer's wording when accurate.
• 11. The top bullets match the role's main priorities.
• 12. Generic phrases have been replaced with specific examples.

Format and ATS readability (13–19)

• 13. Contact details are plain text.
• 14. Headings are simple and recognizable.
• 15. The layout has a clear reading order.
• 16. No important information appears only in images or icons.
• 17. Dates, employers, and job titles are easy to match.
• 18. The file type follows the employer's instructions.
• 19. Links work and point to updated profiles or portfolios.

Proofing (20–25)

• 20. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation have been checked.
• 21. Tense is consistent for current and past roles.
• 22. Formatting is consistent across dates, bullets, and headings.
• 23. There are no duplicate bullets saying the same thing.
• 24. The final filename is professional and specific.
• 25. You saved the exact version you sent.

A CV that fails the format section needs an ATS-friendly resume format pass before it is ready to send.

Wording problems usually belong in the resume keywords guide. Structure problems are easier to spot against the ATS resume template.

If several format and wording checks fail together, work through how to optimize your resume for ATS once, then rerun this checklist.

When to stop editing

Stop when the CV is clear, accurate, and matched to the role. Endless editing can make the document stiff. If you have checked the facts, fixed the first page, and removed vague claims, send the application and keep a copy of the version you used.

Frequently asked questions