7 Traits All Great Resumes Possess

If you want a resume that gets noticed, it needs to work for both humans and hiring systems. Recruiters spend only a few seconds on each application, and your resume has to make an immediate impression.

We built Yotru to help people create resumes that real hiring teams actually want to read. After years of reviewing recruiter feedback and testing resumes in applicant tracking systems, we have identified seven core traits that define a truly strong resume.

1. Readability

A great resume can be scanned in a few seconds and still make sense. Recruiters look for clarity first. They want to see your role, your company, and your impact without getting lost in clutter.

Quick tips:

• Keep your resume to one or two pages.
• Use a clean layout with clear headings.
• Make your section titles easy to find.
• Choose fonts that look professional and readable on any screen.

Good formatting makes your content shine.

2. Relevance

Strong resumes are targeted to a specific type of role. They do not try to be everything to everyone. Every line supports the story you are trying to tell.

Quick tips:

• Tailor each version of your resume to the role you are applying for.
• Use keywords directly from the job posting, but only where they are true.
• Lead with your most relevant experience, even if it is not your most recent.

Your resume should show that you understand the job and have what it takes to do it well.

3. Clarity of Achievements

Recruiters care about what you accomplished, not just what you were responsible for. The best resumes show results, not tasks.

Quick tips:

• Start each bullet with a strong action verb such as “led,” “developed,” or “implemented.”
• Add numbers where possible to show impact.
• Focus on outcomes — what changed because of your work?

Example:
Instead of saying “Responsible for managing a sales team,” say “Led a 6-person sales team that exceeded quarterly revenue targets by 20%.”

4. Honest Presentation

Honesty is one of the most underrated traits of a great resume. Recruiters can tell when something feels inflated or unclear. Your experience should be impressive because it is real, not because it sounds exaggerated.

Quick tips:

• List only skills and tools you can confidently demonstrate.
• Be truthful about job titles, timelines, and responsibilities.
• Avoid using vague phrases like “assisted with” or “contributed to” without details.

A resume that tells the truth will always stand out more than one that tries too hard.

5. Consistency

Your resume should read smoothly and look like one continuous story. Formatting, tone, and structure should feel consistent throughout.

Quick tips:

• Use the same tense for similar experiences.
• Keep bullet points aligned and structured the same way.
• Make sure your font, spacing, and margins are uniform.

A well-structured resume gives the impression of professionalism and attention to detail — both traits that recruiters value highly.

6. Human Tone

Even in a world full of automation and AI, recruiters are still people. They want to see a hint of your personality and how you think about your work.

Quick tips:

• Write in simple, natural language.
• Avoid buzzwords or overly formal phrases.
• Highlight projects that show creativity, teamwork, or problem-solving.

The goal is to sound confident and clear, not robotic.

7. Compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Most resumes are read by software before they reach a recruiter. That does not mean you should write for a robot, it means you should make sure your resume can be read correctly by one.

Quick tips:

• Save your file as a simple, clean PDF or Word document.
• Avoid text boxes, images, or complex columns.
• Use standard section titles such as “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.”

A recruiter cannot evaluate what the system cannot parse.

The Yotru Approach

At Yotru, we design our tools to reflect what really works. The best resumes are not about keywords or gimmicks. They are about telling your story in a way that feels clear, credible, and relevant to the role you want.

Whether you use Yotru to build your resume or improve an existing one, remember these seven traits as your foundation. They apply in every industry, at every experience level, and across every stage of your career.

Because in the end, your resume’s job is simple: help someone see your value in seconds and make them want to learn more.

Get started with your resume at Yotru.