Job hunters often see their resume as a full career timeline.

That approach misses the mark, according to Amy Perrotta, who leads Needa Strategy Group, a firm focused on career branding. She explained to Business Insider that a resume functions best as a marketing piece rather than a complete work biography.

The aim is not to catalog every past role but to spark interest so the hiring manager feels compelled to call, said Perrotta, who began her own path as a recruiter at agencies including Robert Half.

She offers this outline:

Structure

Perrotta noted that resumes typically stay within two or three pages, placing key details at the start. Those early in their careers often need just one page.

"Length should fit the stage of your career and your field," Perrotta said. Professionals in academia or law, or those with 15 to 20 years of experience, may require more space.

At the top she advises a brief objective line that states the role or goal being pursued.

After that comes a tailored section on core strengths drawn from the job posting, then a professional summary of three to five sentences written in the third person. The summary covers background, major results, and next steps.

"Treat it like a concise elevator pitch," Perrotta said. "It should convey your worth quickly and keep the reader engaged."

Education, certifications, languages, and similar items belong at the end. Yet advanced credentials such as a master’s degree or professional certifications can appear right after the name. Perrotta, for instance, would list "Amy Perrotta, PHR" to highlight her HR credential.

The content

Perrotta recommends focusing on the most recent ten years of experience.

"Details beyond a decade receive less attention," she said. Earlier roles can be mentioned with fewer bullets that spotlight only the main achievements.

Each bullet should cover three elements: revenue or business generated, time or money saved through better processes, and notable accomplishments such as promotions or awards.

To begin drafting, candidates can supply AI with a list of past employers, titles, and duties.

"AI helps beat writer’s block and build structure, yet the best resumes remain personal and backed by real, measurable results," Perrotta noted later.

She also suggests describing team setups. A bullet might note work at a Fortune 500 firm on a four-person recruiting team alongside three sourcing specialists while reporting to the recruiting director.

Such context lets hiring managers quickly gauge organizational scale and fit for the open role.