One thing about resumes is there are plenty that are written as one-size-fits-all and only answer the question, “What are the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and experience?”
Consider this: Even someone who is a complete screw-up at their job can put down a list of titles, dates, and responsibilities, but how do you give the hiring manager context?
What a resume is really telling the employer is that you not only have the background and responsibilities relevant to their needs, but you executed them well and found ways of improving. You’re trying to explain that you’re not only the right fit for the job, but won’t make them look like an idiot to their staff and fellow managers for hiring you.
You also need to focus the content on the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the specific job you’re applying for by editing out or at least rearranging what they’re not looking for.
Here’s an example - assume the hiring manager is looking for a Windows server administrator for a virtualized datacenter:
CANDIDATE #1:
Setup and maintained Linux and Windows servers. Updated Active Directory, completed backups, and administered Hyper-V.
CANDIDATE #2:
Introduced virtualization and migrated 18 bare metal Windows servers to VMs on two HyperV hosts without degradation of services to organization. Improved reliability of server farm by reducing equipment involved, and added ability to migrate VMs among hosts in support of disaster recovery. Also experienced with setup, configuration, and maintenance of Linux servers including virtualization.
Or how about a C# developer: Which of these two would you hire? The one where what you need is listed third with no explanation, or the candidate who lists the language you need at the top and explains how they applied it and why it was successful.
DEV CANDIDATE #1:
Languages: Python, Java, C#, VB
DEV CANDIDATE #2:
Languages:
C# - Completed 11 major projects and many minor ones in this language: 3 responsive websites using MVC framework (2015-present), 5 Webforms websites (2003-2013), 3 major desktop applications. Responsive MVC website produced 15% improvement in ease of use response on Net Promoter Score survey.
Java - etc,
Python - etc.