The Resume That Gets You Hired

Scott is frustrated. He loves being a contract worker, but now he wants full-time employment. 

He’s an experienced software engineer, but every time he applies for a contract role, his resume gets devoured by the ATS blackhole, and he feels ghosted. He knows he has the skills, the projects, and the results to prove it—so why isn’t he landing interviews?  What’s wrong with him? 

NOTHING IS WRONG WITH HIM (or you)! 

Like many contract professionals, Scott doesn’t have a skill or experience problem. He has a resume problem. 

In the fast-moving world of contract work, companies don’t have time for guesswork. They need to know, at a glance, that you can deliver. This means you need a resume built for speed, clarity, and impact. 

Here’s how to make sure your resume works for you—not against you. 

1. Hook Them with a Powerful Summary

Contract roles demand immediate value. Your resume needs to prove your worth in seconds. 

What to Include: 

• Your years of experience in the industry 

• Your top skills and certifications 

• A highlight of your biggest achievements 

Example: 
"Results-driven data analyst with 8+ years in finance and healthcare. Certified in SQL, Python, and Tableau. Developed automated dashboards that cut reporting time by 40%, improving operational efficiency." 

“Member of a six-month contracted team that delivered IT help-desk support resulting in an NPS of 55.” 

Pro Tip: Avoid generic statements like “hardworking team player.” Instead, give a specific example of an outcome you delivered as part of a team. 

2. Make It Easy to Contact You

A hiring manager or recruiter should be able to contact you without effort. Make sure your resume has a clean, professional header. 

What to Include: 

• Full Name 

• Professional Title (e.g., Freelance UX Designer, Senior IT Consultant) 

• Phone Number 

• Professional Email Address 

• LinkedIn Profile 

• Portfolio Link (if applicable) 

Pro Tip: Use an appropriate professional looking email address. john.smith@gmail.com works. johnnyboy_420@gmail.com does not. 

3. Make Your Skills Easy to Find (and Understand)

Recruiters scan for skills first. If they can’t find them quickly, they move on. 

What to Include: 

• Technical Skills: Software, programming languages, or tools (Java, Salesforce, Agile) 

• Industry-Specific Skills: Compliance protocols, financial modeling, or healthcare regulations 

• Soft Skills: Problem-solving, communication, leadership 

Pro Tip: Use bullet points so your skills are easily picked up by applicant tracking systems (ATS). 

4. List Your Work History Clearly (without any unnecessary formatting)

Don’t list every short-term gig separately. That makes your resume look disorganized and overwhelming. Instead, group similar roles or organize them by company. 

Option 1: Group by Role 

IT Consultant | 2019 – Present 

ABC FinTech (contract) 

XYZ Agency (contract) 

• Developed cloud migration strategies for Fortune 500 clients 

• Led cybersecurity projects reducing data breaches by 30% 

• Designed automation workflows, cutting manual effort by 50% 

Option 2: List Individually 

Senior Project Manager | ABC FinTech (Contract) | Jan 2018 – Dec 2021 

• Led a $7M digital transformation project 

• Managed cross-functional teams across three continents 

Marketing Consultant | XYZ Agency (Contract) | Jul 2021 – Dec 2021 

• Increased campaign engagement by 30% 

• Conducted keyword audits that boosted organic traffic by 20% 

Pro Tip: Clearly label contract roles so recruiters don’t confuse them with short stints at full-time jobs. 

5. Use Data and Numbers to Prove Your Impact

Hiring managers love measurable results. Instead of listing responsibilities, use data to show the impact you provided. 

Examples: 
❌ "Managed company’s digital marketing strategy." 
✔ "Launched a paid ad campaign that increased conversions by 35%." 

❌ "Led a customer service team." 
✔ "Reduced customer complaint resolution time by 25%." 

Pro Tip: Start bullet points with strong action verbs like led, implemented, optimized, increased, reduced, etc. 

6. Keep Education Short and Focus on Certifications

For most contract roles, experience > education. Keep it brief. 

Example: 
Bachelor of Computer Science | UC Berkeley | 2014 
Relevant coursework: Data Visualization, Algorithm Structuring 

Certifications 

• PMP (Project Management Professional) 

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect 

• Google Data Analytics Certification 

Pro Tip: Keep certifications updated and list expiration dates where necessary. 

7. Tailor Every Resume for the Role

Unlike full-time jobs, contract roles demand specific expertise. A one-size-fits-all resume won’t cut it. 

How to Customize: 

• Align your skills with the job description 

• Prioritize relevant contract experience 

• Tweak your summary to highlight the most relevant expertise 

Pro Tip: Keep multiple resume versions handy for different industries. 

8. Make It Short, Readable, and ATS-Friendly

Recruiters skim resumes in seconds. If yours is cluttered or hard to read, it won’t make the cut. 

Best Practices for ATS success: 

• Keep it 1-2 pages max 

• Use clean fonts (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman) 

• Avoid fancy formatting, tables, design lines, or images 

Pro Tip: Fancy looking resumes are nice to hand to someone at the interview. But, for online applications, keep it basic so the ATS can read it easily. 

Bonus tip: Always submit your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting. 

9. Address Employment Gaps Proactively

Short contract roles can sometimes lead to gaps in employment. Here’s how to handle them: 

Fill gaps with: 

• Freelance projects (Developed websites for small businesses) 

• Certifications & courses (Completed Google UX Design certification) 

• Volunteer work (Led a nonprofit’s social media campaign) 

Pro Tip: Be honest but strategic—show that you stayed active and kept learning. 

10. Proofread & Test for ATS Compatibility

Don’t let typos ruin a great resume. Don’t let an ATS filter you out before a human even sees it. 

Before submitting, check: 

• Spelling & grammar (Use Grammarly or a second set of eyes!) 

• ATS readiness (Run your resume through an ATS checker tool) 

• Proper formatting (No images, columns, or excessive styling) 

Pro Tip: Use standard section headers (Experience, Skills, Education, Certifications) so the ATS correctly categorizes your information. 

Final Thought: Your Resume is a Marketing Tool—Make It Work for You 

A resume isn’t just a list of jobs in your portfolio. It’s a reflection of your persona as a professional who knows how to market themselves. 

Follow this checklist, refine your resume, and get hired faster. Good luck! 

PREPARE FOR YOUR INTERVIEW BY READING: Mastering the Art of Interviewing: Key Questions to Ask and Answer