You know the feeling—you find a job that sounds like a perfect fit, you get excited, you hit “apply”… and then silence. No call, no email, nothing. This is me in so many attempts on getting a job.
In a sea of applicants, even qualified ones can be overlooked. That’s where a winning resume makes the difference. It’s not about fancy fonts or stuffing it with buzzwords. It’s about clearly showing what you bring to the table and why you’re the right person for the role.
After spending over 14 years working in HSE and being on both sides of the hiring table, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. I’ve written, rewritten, and reviewed hundreds of resumes. If you’re trying to break through the noise and land that role, here’s what I’ve learned that can truly help.
1. Make Every Resume Personal
Yes, it’s extra work—but tailoring your resume to each job is one of the most effective things you can do. Generic resumes are easy to spot. So are the ones that try to cover every skill in the book.
Start by reading the job description carefully. If the company is looking for someone experienced in “incident investigation” or “risk mitigation,” make sure your resume speaks directly to that. If you’ve done it, say so—clearly and confidently.
Think of your winning resume as a conversation starter. You’re not just listing what you’ve done—you’re showing how your experience connects to what they need.
If you’re unsure what to highlight for a specific role, check out LinkedIn’s Career Advice page to see how professionals in your industry shape their profiles and resumes.
2. Get Through the Digital Gatekeepers
Most companies use software to scan resumes before a human ever sees them. These systems—called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)—look for specific keywords and phrases that match the job posting.
That doesn’t mean you should start stuffing your resume with jargon. It means being intentional. If the job calls for “HSE audits,” “emergency preparedness,” or “training leadership,” include those terms in your descriptions—but only where they genuinely fit your experience.
This is a simple but powerful way to make sure your winning resume actually gets read by a person.
3. Say What You Achieved—Not Just What You Did
Here’s something that really makes resumes stand out: results. It’s easy to say “responsible for safety training,” but what did that achieve?
Think about the numbers, improvements, or outcomes you helped deliver. Did you complete a project with zero incidents? Lead a safety campaign that improved compliance? Help cut downtime during inspections?
Try phrasing like this:
- “Led HSE team on a 2,000,000 M/H LTI-free project.”
- “Reduced near-miss reports by 40% through a proactive safety initiative.”
- “Trained over 300 workers in hazard recognition with a 98% satisfaction rate.”
That’s what a winning resume does—it tells a story with impact.
4. Keep It Clean, Simple, and Professional
You don’t need wild designs to make your resume eye-catching. In fact, too much formatting can confuse ATS systems and even overwhelm the reader.
Stick with:
- Clear section headings (Experience, Education, Skills, etc.)
- Bullet points for responsibilities and achievements
- A simple font like Arial or Calibri
- Consistent spacing and layout throughout
When recruiters skim your resume (and they will), make it easy for them to find what they’re looking for. A clean design speaks to your professionalism—and helps your winning resume make a stronger impression.
5. Write a Summary That Sounds Like You
Your professional summary is your quick pitch. Use it to give a snapshot of your experience and what you’re best at. Keep it short—three or four lines—and stay away from overused phrases like “hardworking professional” or “motivated team player.”
Instead, try something like:
“Experienced HSE Advisor with 14+ years in offshore and heavy industry. Skilled in risk assessment, team leadership, and driving continuous improvement across high-impact projects.”
Think of it as the headline to your story. Make it count.
6. Focus Your Skills Around What Matters
Recruiters scan the skills section quickly. Make sure yours is relevant and honest. If you’re applying for an HSE role, focus on things like:
- Incident investigation leadership
- Emergency response planning
- Regulatory compliance (OSHA, ISO)
- Communication and training delivery
- Team coordination in high-risk environments
A winning resume balances technical strengths with soft skills—and backs them up with examples throughout the rest of the document.
7. Highlight Education and Certifications
It might seem basic, but having your qualifications clearly listed can make a big difference—especially in regulated industries.
Include:
- Your degree(s), with dates and institution names
- Certifications like NEBOSH, OSHA 30, ISO Lead Auditor
- Any extra courses or ongoing training relevant to the job
Sometimes the right certification is what pushes your resume from the “maybe” pile to the “call them now” pile.
8. Make Sure Your Contact Info Is Up to Date
Simple, right? But it’s surprising how many resumes still include old phone numbers or personal emails that don’t look professional.
Stick to:
- Full name
- Professional email address
- Current phone number
- Optional: LinkedIn profile (if it’s active and aligns with your resume)
When your winning resume works, you want recruiters to have zero barriers when it comes to reaching you.
9. Don’t Skip the “Extra Stuff” That Shows Who You Are
Volunteer work, mentoring junior staff, being part of a safety awareness program—these aren’t just nice extras. They show you care. They show leadership. They show you’re more than just your job title.
If you’ve done something outside the usual job scope that reflects your values or work ethic, include it.
10. Show You Can Adapt
Workplaces change. Technologies evolve. People move between industries. Being adaptable is more valuable now than ever.
If you’ve switched from one sector to another, led safety planning during a company restructure, or adapted quickly to a new set of regulations—say so.
A winning resume shows that you’re not just capable, but also resilient and quick to learn.
You Don’t Need to Be Perfect—You Just Need to Be Clear To Get A Winning Resume
Writing a great resume isn’t about sounding impressive—it’s about being clear about what you offer, and why you’re the right fit. The more focused, tailored, and honest your resume is, the more likely it is to open the right doors.
Need some inspiration? Browse these resume examples from Indeed to see how others present their experiences clearly and effectively.
Take the time to make your winning resume feel like you. Use language you’d use in an interview. Be proud of what you’ve done. And most importantly—be ready to back it up.
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