How to Write a Standout Resume with AI in 2026

A strong resume is key to landing job interviews. But writing one can be time-consuming and challenging.

Studies show that recruiters only spend 5-10 seconds looking at a resume, so you need to make sure yours is strong.

AI tools can simplify the process and help you stand out, helping you write polished, customized resumes quickly.

In this guide, we'll cover what makes a great resume, what to include, and how AI can help you write effective resumes in 2026. Let's dive in!

What Makes a Good Resume?

A good resume needs to be clear, concise, and optimized for employers and applicant tracking systems. It should highlight key information in an easy-to-read format while emphasizing relevant skills and achievements.

Here are a few things to focus on:

• Clarity and Conciseness - Keep information clear and to the point, avoiding unnecessary details.

• Formatting - Use consistent fonts, proper spacing, and clear section headings for readability.

• Action-Oriented Language - Focus on achievements with strong action verbs rather than listing job duties.

• Keyword Optimization - Include relevant keywords from job descriptions to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS).

• Professional Summary - Add a brief summary at the top highlighting key skills and experience.

• Relevance - Avoid unnecessary details and keep content focused on the job being applied for.

A well-crafted resume increases the chances of grabbing an employer’s attention quickly. Ensuring proper structure, language, and optimization makes a resume more effective in job applications.

How to Make a Resume: 6 Things to Make Sure You Include

A well-structured resume makes it easier for recruiters to see qualifications at a glance. Each section should highlight relevant information in a clear and organized manner.

Including the right details increases the chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS) and grabbing the attention of hiring managers.

Here are the key sections every resume should have, along with tips for making each one effective.

Contact Information

The contact section should be easy to find at the top of the resume. Include a full name, phone number, professional email address, and LinkedIn profile.

Ensure all information is up to date and avoid using unprofessional email addresses. Some job seekers also add a portfolio link if applying for roles in design, writing, or development.

A physical address is usually not necessary unless specifically requested by the employer.

Professional Summary

A professional summary provides a quick overview of key skills, experience, and career goals. It should be 2–3 sentences long and placed at the top of the resume.

This section helps recruiters quickly understand what a candidate brings to the table.

Use strong action words and focus on measurable achievements rather than vague descriptions. Keep it concise and tailored to the job to make it more impactful.

Work Experience

The work experience section is one of the most important parts of a resume. List job titles, company names, locations, and employment dates in reverse chronological order.

Use bullet points to describe responsibilities and achievements, starting each point with a strong action verb. Whenever possible, include measurable results to demonstrate impact (e.g., “Increased sales by 20% in six months”).

Avoid generic descriptions and focus on relevant experiences that align with the job being applied for.

Skills Section

The skills section should highlight both technical and soft skills relevant to the position. Organize skills into categories if possible, such as “Technical Skills” and “Soft Skills.”

Using industry-specific keywords increases the chances of passing ATS filters.

Keep the list well-structured and avoid including skills that do not add value to the application. Focus on skills that align with the job description and demonstrate expertise.

Education

Education details should include degrees earned, universities attended, and graduation dates. If relevant, mention coursework, honors, or certifications that add value to the job application.

Recent graduates with little work experience can expand this section to highlight academic achievements.

If work experience is strong, keep this section brief and to the point. Only include GPA if it is high and relevant to the job.

Additional Sections

Depending on the industry, adding sections such as certifications, volunteer work, and languages can strengthen a resume.

Certifications demonstrate expertise in a field and can make a candidate more competitive. Volunteer work can be valuable if it showcases leadership, teamwork, or industry-related experience.

Listing languages is beneficial, especially for roles that require bilingual or multilingual skills. Only include additional sections if they add meaningful value to the application.

Benefits of Using AI to Write Resumes

AI job application tools make resume writing faster, more efficient, and more effective. They help job seekers create well-structured resumes with optimized wording and formatting, increasing their chances of getting noticed by employers.

Here are a few benefits of using AI to write your resume for you:

• It saves you time - AI automates formatting and content generation, reducing the time spent on writing and editing.

• Optimizing keywords - AI suggests relevant keywords to improve applicant tracking system (ATS) compatibility.

• Improving clarity - AI refines wording and removes redundant details to make resumes more concise and impactful.

• Customization - AI tailors resumes to specific job descriptions by analyzing key skills and job requirements.

• Professional formatting - AI ensures consistent fonts, spacing, and layout for a polished, professional look.

• Real-time feedback - AI provides suggestions on grammar, clarity, and readability to enhance resume quality.

By using AI job search apps, job seekers can create resumes that are well-structured, customized, and ATS-friendly. This improves their chances of securing job interviews and standing out in the hiring process.

How to Use AI to Write a Resume

AI resume builders can simplify the resume-writing process by automating formatting, optimizing content, and tailoring resumes to job descriptions.

Here are key ways to effectively use AI tools to create a strong and professional resume.

1. Input Basic Details

Start by entering personal information, work history, skills, and education into an AI resume tool. Providing complete and accurate details helps the AI generate a structured and well-organized resume.

The more information included, the better AI can refine and customize the content.

Ensure all job titles, dates, and descriptions are correct before moving to the next step.

2. Generate an AI-Powered Draft

AI tools create a structured resume draft based on the information provided. The AI formats sections properly, ensuring readability and consistency.

This draft serves as a strong starting point, eliminating the need to manually structure the document. Users can then review and refine the draft to improve clarity and impact.

3. Optimize Keywords for ATS

AI tools analyze job descriptions and suggest relevant keywords to improve applicant tracking system (ATS) compatibility.

Including industry-specific terms and role-related skills increases the chances of passing ATS filters.

AI can highlight missing keywords that could make a resume more competitive. Ensuring the right balance of keywords while keeping the content natural is key to making the resume stand out.

4. Customize for Each Job Application

AI can tailor resumes for specific job postings by aligning content with job descriptions. It identifies key skills and industry-specific terms to include, improving relevance.

Customizing resumes for each application increases the chances of getting past ATS filters and catching a recruiter’s attention. Making small but strategic changes helps demonstrate a strong fit for the role.

5. Final Review and Edits

While AI improves structure and content, manual review is essential to ensure accuracy and personalization.

Double-check job titles, dates, and details to avoid any errors. Have the AI rewrite your resume if you need additional edits.

Need a cover letter? You can even use AI to generate cover letters for any job too!

Best AI Resume Builder & Rewriter

Looking for a dedicated AI resume builder or AI job application tool that goes beyond ChatGPT?

Use AI Blaze to quickly write & build resumes for free!

AI Blaze is your personal AI job search and interview assistant that helps you quickly generate personalized job applications, resumes, and cover letters on any website!

With AI Blaze, you can give the AI your experience & prompt, and it will automatically read the job requirements to create a personalized, effective resume for you in seconds!

Features

• Generate job applications anywhere using an AI assistant that helps you write resumes & cover letters that make you stand out.

• Tailor your resume to each job you apply to - AI Blaze uses your prompt and job requirements to automatically create personally-tailored resumes for each job application in seconds.

• Do mock interviews with AI - AI Blaze can help you generate interview questions, think of good answers to them, and do mock interviews to help you prepare.

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Pro Tip: Tailor Resumes to Each Job Description

Generic resumes are less effective than customized ones. Use AI tools to tailor your resume to each job you apply to.

AI can analyze job descriptions and identify key skills and keywords, and then apply that to your resume to make sure it is personalized.

Adjusting the professional summary, work experience, and skills section to match job requirements increases the chances of standing out.

Removing irrelevant details keeps the resume focused and concise. Personalizing the resume also demonstrates genuine interest in the role.

Small adjustments can make a significant difference in getting past ATS filters and catching recruiters’ attention.

Use AI Blaze to Write Resumes With AI

Writing a resume in 2026 is easier with AI. A well-structured resume highlights key skills and achievements while remaining concise and tailored.

AI tools save time, improve wording, and optimize resumes for job applications. By using AI-powered resume builders and customizing content for each job, job seekers can increase their chances of landing interviews.

Use AI Blaze to write personalized resumes for each job you apply to using AI for free!