Job search resume dos and don’ts from a former recruiter

If you’re looking for real job search advice instead of recycled resume tips, we’ve got you covered. Glassdoor recently hosted an "Ask a Recruiter Live" episode with Greg Langstaff, a former recruiter turned resume strategist and job search coach who’s written more than 2,000 resumes. He shared what's outdated, what's misunderstood, and what actually works in today's job search. Watch the full episode for more on interview prep, LinkedIn strategy, and navigating long hiring cycles.

Key takeaways:

1. Writing bullet points that just describe your duties

Don't: List your responsibilities under each job and assume that's enough to stand out.

Do: Use a three-part formula for every bullet: start with an action verb (created, managed, generated), add a specific, story-like detail, and close with a measurable result. If a bullet isn't easily quantifiable, describe a complex responsibility you managed instead.

2. Leading with outdated resume relics

Don't: Open your resume with an objective statement, a headshot, or go straight into your work history.

Do: Build your brand first. Add a short professional title next to your name (think "senior software sales leader," even if it isn't your official job title), then a professional summary that leads with your best accomplishment.

3. Assuming the ATS is working against you

Don't: Treat the applicant tracking system like a black box designed to reject you.

Do: Read the job posting closely and note every task, software, or industry term it mentions, then work the ones that apply into a key skills section and your bullet points. "They're paying a lot of money for that software, and they wouldn't be doing so if it wasn't good at finding people who are an appropriate fit," Langstaff said.

4. Letting AI flatten your resume into everyone else's

Don't: Ask AI to write your resume bullets blindly.

Do: Treat AI as a conversation partner. Tell it about one accomplishment at a time, let it ask follow-up questions, then build the bullet together. "A few extra hours spent on resume writing will save you days, weeks, or months in job searching," he said.

5. Over-explaining a layoff or resume gap

Don't: Assume you need a detailed explanation for a layoff or a short gap in your work history.

Do: Keep it brief. "It does not look bad on you at all to be laid off," Langstaff said. "If I'm interviewing someone and I ask why they left, I'm hoping they say they got laid off. There's nothing wrong with them, and we can move on." For personal gaps, a simple line such as "family care leave" is usually enough. The real flag for recruiters isn't a single gap, but rather a pattern of several gaps close together.

6. Switching to a skills-based resume to avoid ageism

Don't: Restructure your entire resume into a skills-based format to hide your age.

Do: Stick with the reverse-chronological format recruiters and ATS systems expect, and simply trim roles from more than 10 to 15 years ago (20 at the absolute max).

7. Walking into an interview without predicting the questions

Don't: Wing it and hope the conversation goes your way.

Do: Go through the job description line by line. "The moment you get the interview, you need to start predicting what questions they're going to ask," Langstaff said. For every key task listed, prepare a story that shows when you've done it and how you knew it went well.

8. Waiting until you're job hunting to build a LinkedIn presence

Don't: Save LinkedIn for when you actually need a job.

Do: Join a couple of groups in your industry, read what people are discussing, and slowly work up to commenting and posting. (Glassdoor Community can be good for this, as well.) Langstaff described one job seeker who built connections this way over several months. As he put it, "it's kind of unlocked infinite job opportunities."

Listen to the full episode, and join the Job Seeker support bowl on Glassdoor Community for more tips. 

FAQ

How can I improve my resume bullet points to get more interviews?

To make your resume bullet points stand out, move away from simply listing responsibilities. Instead, use a three-part formula: start with an action verb (e.g., "managed" or "generated"), provide a specific, story-like detail about the task, and conclude with a measurable result. If a bullet point is difficult to quantify, focus on describing the complexity of the responsibility you handled.

Should I hide a layoff or employment gap on my resume?

No, you do not need to provide a detailed explanation for a layoff or a short work history gap. It is sufficient to keep your explanation brief. For personal gaps, a simple line like "family care leave" is usually enough. Recruiters are generally looking for patterns of multiple gaps close together rather than a single instance.

How do I optimize my resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)?

Stop treating the ATS like a "black box" designed to reject you. Instead, read the job posting closely to identify every key task, software, or industry term mentioned. Incorporate these specific keywords into your "Key Skills" section and your bullet points. The ATS is searching for these specific signals, much like a human recruiter would.