resume format for 6 years experience

• Resume Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Resume Examples Nurse Student Internship Teacher Accountant View all
• Resume Builder
• Cover Letter Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Cover Letter Examples Nursing Administrative Assistant Internship Graduate Teacher View all
• Cover Letter Builder
• Resume Help

How to Write Work Experience on a Resume

Writing the work experience section

Writing the resume work experience section is one of the most influential and often trickiest resume sections to get right. Some employers will even cut right past the summary at the top of a resume and scan the employers, job titles and work dates to see if the resume is worth reading in detail. How much text you include for each section will also create a significant first impression. A lot can be understood during that mythical 6-second scan.

The work experience/job history on a resume is where past job descriptions and professional experiences give credibility to an application or interview. All the other information and sections on a resume, from hobbies to the personal statement , frame the list of relevant work experience over the last 10 - 15 years. So, how do I describe my work experience on a resume?

This guide will show you everything you need to know about including work experience on a resume, including:

• Why the work experience in cv matters
• What to include (and not include) in work experience on a resume
• The best format to follow for describing your work history
• Examples of work experience in cv across industries
• Practical tips for resume work experience
• How to list your current job and previous positions

The five-word rule. Think about five words that would be sum up your career. How would you describe your experience? Those five words should then come across incredibly strongly in the work experience on a resume. A hiring manager is not going to remember the sentences that you write, but if they stop reading with those five words (or more) in their minds, your resume will have done its job.

Why is work experience on your resume so important?

Before we jump in to the ins and outs of writing work experience on a resume, here is why it matters. A hiring manager or employer looks at a resume to answer one question:

Does this person’s work experience qualify them for this job?

The work experience section of your resume is the foundation that either qualifies you or disqualifies you for an interview or the next step in the hiring process. This resume section uses the last 10 - 15 years of relevant career history to tell a prospective employer whether you have the work experience in your cv that will fit the requirements of the role. The work experience section gives credibility to your application and should compliment every other aspect of your application materials (other sections in the resume, cover letter, portfolio, etc).

Be careful not to write your work experience section like a list of job responsibilities , though. The hiring manager knows what they want you to do. They are far more interested in evidence from your previous work experiences that you have what it takes to perform and take your next employer forward. Focus on offering compelling accomplishments, plenty of context and quantifiable results that your competition will not be able to match.

How do I add experience to my resume: What to include

In most cases, choosing which jobs to include on your resume should depend on your work history and the type of job you’re applying for. In general, work in a backward chronological order (in a resume format often known as reverse chronological format ) starting with your most recent position at the top of the page and include the last 10-15 years of employment history. The backward chronological order works best for most job seekers.

If you have a scattered work history, don’t stress. Job hopping is both more common and more widely accepted today, especially among the younger workforce. Including short part-time stints and side projects is good if those professional experiences directly relate to the job or feature skills that overlap with the position. Be prepared to answer questions about your career choices while considering work experience in cv, have a confident answer about your career path, and be forthcoming about the level of commitment you’re looking for. Once you’ve chosen the positions, let’s dive into the specific bullet points about work experience in a cv. Each one should include:

• Results-focused facts: The hiring manager already knows the basics. These bullet points should focus on how you specifically managed the position with innovation.
• Action Verbs: Strong action verbs hook in the reader. Negotiated! Pioneered! Transformed! This also keeps you away from falling down the adjective rabbit hole.
• Quantitative information: Numbers stand out to a hiring manager. They are specific and tangible. You grew a client’s reader base by 300% or managed 200 silent auction items. Let your accomplishments shine!
• On-Site Training: Weave skills and certifications gained on the job. This shows initiative and otherwise overlooked abilities.
• Awards and honors: If you were called out on the job for great work, go ahead and brag. Your work experience resume examples should be designed to impress.

Ideally, each position should include a mix of free-flowing text and achievement-led bullet points. The bullets will catch the eye, but you can only really tell a deeper story when you are not constrained by the width of the page.

How do I write a student CV? A student CV for a first job should contain full details on your education (as that will testify to your ability to focus and achieve) and ideally also contain details on any student jobs or volunteer work that you have done while you were studying. It doesn't matter how menial this work was, the most important thing is that you understand the responsibility of doing a paid day's work.

Volunteer work can be a wonderful way to feature a variety of valuable skills, Here's a list of how to add volunteer work to your resume.

Work experience on a resume: what to avoid

Always assume that your reader — in this case, the hiring manager — doesn’t need anything explained. You also have very little room to ramble on your resume. They will assume more about you than you think - especially if you have worked for a while in their industry.

Free up some space by not including:

• What the organization does: your resume is about you. The hiring manager doesn’t need to hear about the company.
• The basic requirements of your position: this is implied in your job title and will shine through your result-focused bullet points.
• Filler words: For the most part, save space by cutting out words like “I” and “the.”
• Anything irrelevant: If you have smaller responsibilities in a position that do not relate to the new job, leave them out. Every bullet point and every word takes up precious real estate on your resume - make them count.
• Chaired a project team through a change process, trimming 5% of our cost base.
• Outperformed sales team in quarterly new business attraction by 67%.
• Executed the software rollout to twelve departments within two months.
• Resolved a company-record 150 customer complaints a week.
• Rectified a list of outstanding issues that had been dormant for more than a year.

If you are a recent graduate with little or no work experience , you can consider adding your GPA or cum laude on your resume. As you acquire work experience over the years, you should replace your GPA or cum laude with relevant work experience. 

What is the most effective format for work experience on a resume?

On a basic level, the work experience layout typically includes:

• Job title, company name, location of employment
• Month and year started and left the position
• Between three and six bullet points briefly outlining your impact at the company

Work experience/job history on a resume should also include:

• Clear and concise bullet points that demonstrate the positive results of your work
• Powerful verbs
• Clear numbers and facts
• Growth between positions
• Specific keywords pulled from job description

Examples of work experience on a resume

Here are a few examples of work experience on a resume to see the differences between a first draft and the final draft. How do you describe your experience in the most succinct way possible?

Example #1: Work Experience in CV for a Teacher . Let’s say you’re applying to be a middle school science teacher at a popular independent school. The new job description emphasizes the importance of involvement outside the classroom. They specified that they’re looking for teachers looking to grow through professional development throughout their time there.

First Draft:

• I taught 5th-grade science classes
• I advised students outside of class
• I attended a conference on social-emotional learning

Final Draft:

• Developed and carried out a student-driven curriculum in three sections of Earth Science
• Annually advised 20 students to track growth and address individual challenges and strengths
• Invited to attend NAIS annual conference to develop modern social-emotional learning classroom tactics

Example #2: Work Experience in CV for Content Marketing Manager . Content Marketing Managers encompass a very wide range of responsibilities. The recruiter will have a general sense of your job experience — no need to start from scratch — but results-based, specific bullet points will thrive here.

• I manage a team of freelance copywriters at a major NYC marketing agency and ensure they got their work in on time
• I talked to clients and figured out what would be best for their brand
• Before everything was published, I proofread it all
• Oversaw a team of 25 freelance writers and streamlined content pipeline from ideation to publication
• Advised clients on both short- and long-term content strategy tactics while clarifying their personalized brand voice
• Edited and polished copy to maintain content consistency across multiple channels

When you have moved up the career ladder at a previous employer, you should be proud to showcase it on a resume. But how can you display multiple positions for the same company?

Example #3: Work Experience on a Resume for a Waiter . Food service moves quickly. Anything that cut a manager’s search time in half is more likely to land you the job. Be sure to look for keywords in the job posting such as “craft cocktail bartending experience” or “fine dining.” Sure, you can learn — and will learn — on the job, but restaurants have minimal time to train you on the basics. Be confident and clear about your background.

• I waited tables at a busy NYC Midtown restaurant
• Most of the time, I tended bar on nights and weekends
• Trained a few hosts
• Served lunch and dinner for four years in a Michelin-star-rated Midtown brasserie
• Acted as primary bartender during peak weekend and evening hours, specializing in craft cocktail creation
• Managed and streamlined training methods for new hosts and servers

Example #4: Work Experience Resume Example for an Executive Assistant . Personality plays such a large role in calmly managing a busy executive’s schedule and lifestyle. The tone of your resume should be both level-headed and confident in what is expected of an EA. Try to always be a step ahead of what your boss needs before you even begin the job.

• I made travel plans on behalf of executive team
• Budgeted for the office and managed expenses
• I trained other assistants and helped with hiring
• Managed complex domestic and international travel for five, C-level executives
• Decreased expense management costs by 35% and perfected expense tracking system for all office management accounts
• Hired, trained, and guided a team of five team assistants including a seasonal team of sales interns

Example #5: Work Experience Resume Sample for Sales Rep . Provable facts and figures are your largest asset as a sales representative. Did your last position measure your personal or team sales growth? Dig up these numbers to work them into your work experience section. Then, explain the methods you applied in the job itself to make it happen. This work experience resume example offers some ideas:

• Grew sales revenue every month
• I signed several new clients
• I changed the way we talked about our product
• Exponentially increased monthly sales revenue, surpassing 150% growth for the department after just 6 months
• Developed and signed 10 new key clients by researching previously undiscovered corners of our industry
• Redeveloped brand voice and sale representative script for efficient and personalized customer care

What skills do I put on a resume? when you are considering the work experience in a resume, you should aim to make the best possible use of space. There will always be a separate skills section where you can list one-word hard and soft skills , so make sure that this is related to the experience that you have mentioned with each employer, but it should add to the overall picture rather than simple repeat it. If you add an interesting skill that you have not mentioned in the work experience section, an employer is bound to ask about it at interview.

Grammar tips for listing job history on a resume

Do you write sentences? Phrases? Declarations? Writing resumes for first job? Here are some nitty-gritty grammar rules for writing your work experience bullet points.

• Write in phrases, often beginning with a strong verb. No need to write “I” to start off the sentence — that is implied and work experience in a CV is often conveyed in the third person as this is more professional.
• Tense : If you are still at your current position completing the work described, use present tense. For past positions or completed projects, choose past tense.
• Don’t be afraid to break out the thesaurus — especially for synonyms of “lead, managed and trained” — but stick to words you’d use yourself. No need to ace the SAT verbal section.

Filling your resume with exclusively truthful statements about your career is harder than you might think. Lying on a resume can take many forms. Don’t give in to temptation.

Tailoring job history on a resume for each application

Instead of mass applying to every job ad on the internet with the same resume, take the time to tailor it. The work experience section might require the least tailoring (as it will tick the boxes of most jobs if you are targeted in your approach), but there may be a few accomplishments that you may want to include for certain roles and exclude for others. View yourself as a meticulous editor cutting and pasting your career story to make it as attractive as possible.

Besides the fact that 36% of hiring managers throw out resumes that don’t seem personalized for a particular role, a tailored resume and application:

• Shows the hiring manager you took the time to apply and their job wasn’t one of 50 different places you sent your resume.
• Get past the automatic keyword filtering larger companies might use to automatically screen candidates in their Applicant Tracking System (ATS) . Your work experience samples need to be scanned by the machines first.
• Tweak diverse experiences to focus on the most relevant experience for a particular job. For example if you’ve ever had a job “wearing many hats” unless you’re applying for another “many hats” position, this strategy gives you a chance to focus your work experience on the hats that are most relevant for the new role.

Restarting this process every time you apply for a new job may seem excessive. Ideally, the more time you put into tailoring your resume, the less jobs you’ll need to apply to.

• Ignited a fire under the management team to deliver an extra $950k sales.
• Scrutinized the market and doubled market share by launching a new product.
• Implemented a new software solution that shrunk build time by 34%
• Initiated a recruitment drive that hired fifteen people within three months.
• Minimized surgery wait times by 15 mins, increasing patient satisfaction by 25%

How far back should your resume work experience go?

Your resume work experience should contain every piece of information that is relevant to you securing the role. This will dictate the amount of work experience in a CV that you might include. 

If you have a 30-year career, you might choose simply to list the employers for the first 10-15 years and use your precious resume space to describe the most recent resume experiences. However, if your career is 15 years or less, you should definitely include resume work experience about everything. 

In terms of the amount of work experience on your resume, try to give more information on the more recent roles. Make use of bullet points and solid text after your have listed the employer and date details - as you can see in our many resume samples .

Including a list of roles that were more than 15 years old might be possible, but only include the headlines. It is interesting for some business leaders to see where a senior manager spent their early career, so while you may not be asked about this much during an interview, it does add a certain depth to your application.

Should I put seminars on my CV? Typically, a one or two-day seminar would not be included on work experience in a CV. If the training or educational event has a certain prestige or lasts more than a week, then you might consider including it in the education section, but as anyone can attend a seminar, it will not give a huge indication as to your individual level of suitability for the role. You will certainly have more important information to share.

Your transition out of the military requires a resume that expresses your talents in a way that civilian employers will understand. The blog below offers tips for making the most of your service in your post-military resume.

Key takeaways

• Focus on results of your job history in the past. Only list work experience on a resume that is relevant to the job you’re applying to.
• Stand out with strong action verbs
• Get specific: use numbers, facts, and figures
• Speak in the past tense when the job is complete, present when you’re still doing the work.
• Cut out unnecessary filler words or adjectives.
• Align your job history bullet points to match the job description.
• Make sure that the work experience in CV goes back an appropriate amount of time

Work experience on a great resume helps employers know in 10 seconds or less if you are qualified for the job. It should sound a lot like the description in the job post. If the work experience in CV doesn’t sound like the job description or follow these rules, be prepared to pull out some creativity to get noticed. For example, use a resume builder to build a perfect resume in the exact format potential employers are looking for.

• Resume Templates

Choose a free Resume Template and build your resume. Use our intuitive drag-and-drop resume builder and save it as a PDF in minutes. Start building your resume right now.

Double Column

Free, Two Column resume template. The most popular choice for most roles, including programming & marketing.

The classic Harvard template, updated for the 21st century with a refined design that recruiters love and an optimized structure for improved ATS performance.

Elegant template with a beautiful design and compact, easy-to-read layout that highlights your strengths and achievements.

The most popular template for upper management roles, project managers and product owners.

A refined template, especially great for positions where presentation is paramount: business development managers, sales leaders & other customer-facing roles.

A creative template that accents your header and makes recruiters want to read the rest. Built for any industry.

A timeline resume template. Organized neatly with a Timeline to show your career progress. For experienced professionals.

Are you a software engineer or a data scientist with a lot of skills & projects to list on your resume? This template allows you to create a perfect one-page resume.

Single Column

Free, simple resume template. Easily readable by both humans and ATS bots.

Designed as a one-page resume template for mid-level roles with 3-10 years of experience.

Multicolumn

Multicolumn resume template. Made for executives to fit additional info in a third column.

Traditional resume template. Fitting for conservative industries.

High Performer

Data-focused resume template. Perfect for project and product managers.

Minimalistic resume template. Blends whitespace and content, without clutter.

How It Works

Select a template.

Fill in your details.

Customize your design.

Tailor, Check for Errors, and Download.

Resume Templates by job

Unleash the full potential of your career with professionally vetted resume templates. Take a look at samples from real resumes that helped people get hired at top companies in your field, and build a job-winning resume yourself.

Search more resume examples by job

Software Engineer

Project Manager

Product Manager

Account Manager

Business Development

Marketing Manager

General Manager

Operations Manager

Business Analyst

Managing Director

Full-Stack Developer

Data Scientist

Resume templates by experience.

(1-3 years of experience)

(3-7+ years of experience)

10+ years of experience)

Entry Level

(no prior experience)

Career Change

Resume templates by format.

Combination Resume Templates

Corporate Resume Templates

Infographic Resume Templates

One Page Resume Templates

Timeline Resume Templates

Chronological Resume Templates

Functional Resume Templates

Minimalist Resume Templates

Two Column Resume Templates

• Modern Resume Templates

• Simple Resume Templates

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Resume Guides
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

The Right Way to Include Your Work Experience on a Resume (With Examples)

We all know resumes are important. They’re your first impression. The highlight reel of your qualifications. The tool that you can use to land an interview (and ultimately a job).

Your past experience takes up the bulk of your resume and tells future employers what you’ve done up until now that qualifies you for your next job. So when it comes time to write about your experience on your resume, the pressure is admittedly a bit high. Determining what, exactly, belongs in there, let alone how to write about it and how to format it can be trickier than it sounds.

But fear not. As a recruiter and career coach, I can say—without exaggeration—that I’ve laid eyes on thousands (and thousands!) of resumes. So I know my way around an experience section. Allow me to answer all your questions:

What Belongs in My Experience Section?

Ok, so how do i know what experience is relevant, how should i format the experience section of my resume, is it ever ok to tweak my job titles, how far back should my experience section go, what if i have a gap in employment, can i see an example experience section.

When you think about which experience should be included on a resume, you usually think of past jobs. And rightfully so—your full-time work history will often be the primary source of material for your resume. But your experience can encompass so much more than the traditional jobs you’ve held. Internships , volunteer work , freelance assignments, temporary gigs , and part-time jobs all count as experience, too.

What types of experiences you include on your resume will depend on where you are in your career journey. More established job seekers who aren’t looking to make a significant career change can likely fill their experience section with their most recent full-time jobs. But if you’re new (or newer) to the workforce, looking to break into a new industry, or making a career pivot, it might make sense to incorporate less traditional experience. Before you include something on your resume, ask yourself: Is this relevant experience for the jobs I’m targeting?

Relevant experience is simply experience that’s applicable to the type of jobs you’re pursuing. For example, if you’re a software engineer, you’ll want to include your current and previous engineering jobs and internships, but you might decide to leave off your long-ago stint as a paralegal (unless you’re applying to work as a programmer at a law firm or legal services startup!) Or if you’re applying for a senior marketing role in publishing, you might decide to trim the first marketing job you had out of college in the beauty industry in order to make more space to highlight your publishing industry experience.

Besides which roles you’re listing, think about how to describe what you did and achieved. Suppose you currently work as a server in a restaurant, and you’re applying for receptionist jobs. In this case, you’d want to include experience interacting with customers, answering incoming phone calls, and managing schedules on your resume because those skills are highly transferable to the job you want. And you might skip less relevant job duties like busing tables because you probably won’t be needing those skills in a receptionist role.

If you aren’t making a big career pivot from one type of job or industry to another, chances are, most of your work history is relevant. But every job posting is a bit different, so you’ll need to be more discerning about which of your past responsibilities are most relevant.

To tailor your resume for each specific job, spend some time reading through the posting and take note of the skills and job duties it mentions. Then make a list of the responsibilities you have experience performing. And voilà! You’ve identified your most relevant experience.

When you write about this relevant experience on your resume, make sure you’re incorporating keywords from the specific job posting. This is essential for two key reasons. First, most applications will be scanned by an applicant tracking system or ATS, which helps recruiters search resumes for relevant keywords to find which applicants are the best match for an open role. Second, a well-tailored resume will make it easy for the recruiter reviewing it to understand why you’d be a good match for their open job.

Every experience section should start with a clear section heading. You might simply call it “Experience” or “Work Experience” or “Relevant Experience.” Or maybe you’d prefer to highlight your specific role or industry with a header like “Accounting Experience” or “Entertainment Industry Experience.” The key is to make it easy to spot for anyone who may be quickly scanning your resume.

In some cases, you may want to showcase experience from a previous career or otherwise include experience that’s not directly related to the job you’re applying for. To do this, you can simply create another section with a header like “Additional Experience” or “Additional Professional Experience.” You can also pull out a section such as “Volunteer Experience” if it doesn’t make sense to include volunteer roles under your main experience section or if you prefer to list them separately

For most job seekers using a chronological or combination resume format, you should list your past jobs within your experience section (or sections) in reverse chronological order. For each item you list—full-time jobs or other types of experience—include the following:

• Position details: List your job title, company name, location, and employment dates (month and year) for every position on your resume. Here’s one way it might look:

Graphic Designer | Evergreen Industries | San Francisco, CA | May 2018 – April 2020

• Job duties and achievements : Aim to include three to seven bullet points under each position describing what you did there, starting with a high-level overview of your role and common responsibilities and then drilling down into more specifics. These bullets should highlight your most applicable experiences for the role you’re applying to. You can either include your most relevant achievements for each job alongside your job duties or you can create a dedicated subsection for “Key Achievements.” Quantifying everything you can will lend context to your work history and can be a great way to wow prospective employers. Use this magic formula to craft eye-catching bullet points:  Compelling verb + job duty = tangible number and/or result.  So you might say:  Redesigned new hire onboarding program to include welcome week, 1:1 mentoring, and interactive training, resulting in a 60% increase in 90-day retention.
• Promotions: If you were promoted during your tenure with an employer, you can either separate the two roles (if your job duties were distinct enough) or group them together into one entry that shares a set of bullet points. For example:

UX Designer | Caterpillar Collective | Kansas City, MO | July 2019 – Present Associate UX Designer | March 2018 – July 2019

• Collaborated with marketing team to create user-centric graphic designs for print and web that contributed to a 30% increase in customers over 2 years.
• Conducted 50+ IDIs and created and completed 12 surveys of 200+ users each; compiled and analyzed results to make recommendations to stakeholders.
• Led website redesign with a focus on accessibility, increasing retention rate of customers with visual impairments by 50%, per self-reported survey.

While it’s never OK to straight-up lie about (or even embellish) your work history, there are cases when tweaking your job titles is permissible. Just remember: The key is to use your job title to clarify your role—not to mislead. Two situations where adjusting your job title is generally above board are:

• Your employer gave you a funky title . A startup might hire a “Data Guru” while an established e-commerce organization would employ a “Data Scientist” to perform the same duties. In this case, it’s probably safe to tweak that job title on your resume.
• You wear lots of different hats. If you’re in a role where you juggle lots of different responsibilities (like an office manager who also supports a marketing team), you might adjust your job title to give recruiters more context. For example, if said office manager wanted to pivot into a marketing assistant role, they might list “Office Manager - Marketing Support” as their job title.

If tweaking a title feels like a stretch, you can instead focus on crafting strong bullet points to clearly convey your responsibilities or use your summary to lend additional context to your qualifications.

Keeping your focus on relevant experience means you probably won’t need to include all of your past jobs—and that’s a good thing. Recruiters and hiring managers are going to be most interested in your most relevant and recent experience. They also love a concise, single-page resume that’s easy to scan (they get a lot of applications and don’t have time to read through years and years of work experience). So it’s OK to keep your resume short and sweet.

As a general rule, you don’t need to include more than 10 to 15 years of experience on your resume (with some exceptions). Check out this guide for a detailed breakdown on how far back your resume should go depending on where you are in your career and any special situations.

If you took time away from the workforce, know that you’re in good company. Plenty of successful people have gaps in their employment history for myriad reasons, like caring for a loved one, raising children , going back to school, or losing a job. If your employment gap is brief (less than six months or so), you probably don’t need to address it on your resume. But if it’s a bit longer (more than a year), you may want to add a bit of context in the form of an additional “experience” entry—no more than a line or two.

Here’s what it might look like:

Professional Sabbatical | June 2016 – August 2019

• Provided full-time care for a sick family member.
• Traveled throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
• Authored a memoir about growing up on a Christmas tree farm.

Whether or not you include an entry like this on your resume, you can use your cover letter to explain any special circumstances in more detail.

If you took time away to go back to school, listing your education (and including relevant projects or coursework) will also suffice to bridge the gap on your resume.

Below is an example of how a tailored, quantified experience section might look on a sample resume. This job seeker has already made a career change from accounting to writing (notice how they leveraged their transferable accounting expertise to write for financial publications, first as a volunteer and then a freelancer before landing a full-time writing job). Now, they’re hoping to find a new staff writing role covering different topics—ideally lifestyle or wellness.

The types of jobs this job seeker will be applying for require at least three years of experience pitching and producing SEO-focused articles, preferably with a lifestyle focus. Notice how this job seeker uses the “Key Achievements” subsections to highlight their most relevant project work. (They’d also include a link to their personal website on their resume so that potential employers can easily see their portfolio!)

Download sample resume experience section  

• Build my resume

• Build a better resume in minutes
• Resume examples
• 2,000+ examples that work in 2024
• Resume templates
• Free templates for all levels
• Cover letters
• Cover letter generator
• It's like magic, we promise
• Cover letter examples
• Free downloads in Word & Docs

Free Resume Templates to Customize, Download, & Print

Customize your resume like you’d customize your favorite coffee order. Step into the limelight with a professional, simple, and ATS-friendly resume template designed to capture and keep the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

• Create free custom resume template
• Resume templates by experience level
• Resume templates by role
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Create a Custom Resume Template for Free

Create free resume template

Management Resume Templates

A management resume is a great choice if you are more experienced in your career. Whether you have plenty of experience in people management or you’re trying to get your first managerial role, these professional resume templates will help you stand out.

Senior-Level Resume Templates

When you start getting more experience under your belt, you need to have a resume that allows for you to showcase your career highlights. These senior level resume templates are designed to help you do exactly that.

Mid-Career Resume Templates

A mid-career resume should demonstrate an increase in the level of responsibility you’ve taken on throughout your career. These resume templates will help you draw focus to these responsibilities.

Entry-Level Resume Templates

As a new grad you need to convince the hiring manager you’re capable of performing the role you’re applying to without having past experience to draw on. These new grad resume templates will help you accomplish that.

Resume Templates by Role

Different career types have different resume requirements. A nurse applying to a large, old-school hospital is going to need a different resume template than a programmer applying to a tech company. These resume templates are meant to make that selection process easier for you.

A job resume is a short, sweet, and to-the-point document that spotlights your professional experience. It’s basically a summary.

Whether you’ve been in the workforce for 15+ years, have no job experience, or are somewhere in between, resumes have been sparking fear and dread in job seekers since approximately 1482 when Leonardo De Vinci drafted what became known as the first resume .

Resumes are what just about any place of employment requests when you apply for a job. Companies—big and small—wanna know:

◉ What skills do you bring to the job? ◉ Do you have relevant work experience for the role? ◉ Do you want to work for them?

A good resume answers those questions—and isn’t so unlike De Vinci’s resume that honed in on how he could meet the specific needs and challenges of the Duke of Milan.

Happy dance! Yes, our BeamJobs templates are absolutely free.

You can download our eight resume templates at no cost in Word and Google Docs formats. Edit BeamJobs-created resume templates for free in our builder. Only pay for premium features if you like what you see (hey, we gotta make a living, too!).

We also update our site from time to time with fresh Google Docs resume templates and Word resume templates , which will always remain free for you.

The best resume template is the one that complements your personality and allows the space you need to highlight your finest work, top achievements, and job skills.

Every resume template you see on this page has been thoroughly vetted by hiring experts to ensure they include everything you need to help you land your next job. Whether you’re applying to a funky tech startup or looking to join the ranks of a reputable law firm, you’ll find a professional resume template that speaks to you.

Hunting for a new job is incredibly stressful as there’s a lot of uncertainty in the process. And while these resume templates won’t alleviate all stress, they’ll ensure your resume has everything you need to sail through an applicant tracking system (ATS) and impress hiring managers.

Try saying “applicant tracking system” 10 times fast, and you’ll know why it got shortened to ATS.

At its core, an applicant tracking system puts the gas on hiring. Typically, when folks think about ATS software, they think about it weeding out resumes that don’t include the right skills or qualifications.

That’s certainly true enough, but the ATS also helps HR and recruiters organize and sort job candidates, keeps track of communication with job seekers, sets up interviews, and does a host of other not-so-fascinating things.

Basically, when you choose an ATS-friendly resume template from BeamJobs, you can rest easy knowing that the document itself will make it through the software

When it comes to your resume, it will house these staple sections:

◉ Contact info (Triple-check the spelling of your name; see the question about “how to make a resume” for a cringe-worthy BeamJobs blunder.) ◉ Work experience ◉ Skills ◉ Education

Depending on your occupation and years of experience, you could add these optional resume sections:

◉ Resume summary or resume objective ◉ Hobbies and interests ◉ Projects (an umbrella term for things like volunteer experience, academic or personal projects, etc.)

The more relevant job experience you have, the longer the “work experience” section of your resume should be since that’s what employers care about most. On the other hand, when you’ve recently graduated and don’t have much (or any) experience, things like education and projects can take up more real estate on your resume.

Whatever your professional background, our resume maker lets you re-arrange, remove, and add sections as needed to your resume template.

Not to blast our own horns, but we’ve reviewed tens of thousands of resumes in the last few years. Would you believe we’ve actually seen resumes without a name ?! Besides discovering disheartening news like that, we’ve figured out  how to make a good resume .

There are plenty of resume tips we could give you, but here are three that, when followed, will most increase your chances of snagging an interview:

Use numbers to showcase your impact in past roles. Your work experience should focus on your measurable accomplishments, not on job responsibilities.

Tailor your resume for each job you apply to, which means reading each job description carefully. As you read, see if any prior work projects come to mind. Include those projects on your resume.

Avoid grammar and spelling errors. We know, you’ve heard it before. But you’d be aghast (fun word) at the number of folks rejected for a job because of this. (C ough cough We won’t say his real name, but one of our team members whose title rhymes with re-bounder once sent out 20 resumes with his name spelled ‘Stepen.’)

One page—plain and simple.

While you might get away with a two-page resume if you’ve got 10-plus years of experience under your hat, keep in mind that recruiters and hiring managers aren’t giving your resume the time of day it deserves anyway.

The most painful part of building a resume is editing yourself. How can your entire career fit into four or five bullet points for each job you’ve had? Here’s some good news: if you’re a senior engineer, it’s totally cool to drop from your resume the server job you had in college.

Even if you whittled the jobs you’d include down to three or four, try starting with a basic  resume outline . Fill it to your heart’s content; then, review every job experience bullet point individually and ask, “Does this point show my expertise and say something new?” If the answer’s no, exclude it. Before you know it, you’ll have a polished one-page resume.

Every other Tuesday, you’ll get actionable tips to land your dream job.  Subscribe

Work Experience on a Resume: 20+ Examples of How to List It

Your work experience is the resume section hiring managers look at first. And if they’re busy, it’s often the only part they review. To get the interview, you need to pay extra attention to your resume work history section. In practice, this means you should spend roughly 80% of the total time spent on your resume on the work experience section. As with other resume sections, there are some simple rules to follow.  In this guide, we’ll unpack them for you and help you create a resume that stands out every single time.

Here’s what you’ll master today:

• How to describe your work experience on a resume (plus how to format it)
• Extra tips on how to make your work history super-memorable
• How to sell yourself on a resume in different situations
• How to draft your work experience section based on real examples for the most common scenarios and jobs

Let’s dive in!

How to List Your Experience on Your Resume

• Put it under a clear, legible heading
• Place it right after the resume summary or objective
• List your most recent experience first
• Include relevant experience
• Be clear, concise, and consistent with your formatting
• Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements

1. Put it under a clear, legible heading

Make sure your work experience section is clearly visible and has its own heading. You can name this section “Work Experience”, “Experience” or “Employment History”.

2. Place it right under the resume summary or objective

It’s best to place the experience section right under your resume summary or a resume objective. However, if you’re fresh out of college and have little or no work experience, you can fit the work history under your education section.

3. List your most recent experience first

You typically list your work experience in reverse chronological order — put your current or most recent gig at the top, followed by the previous one, then the one before that, and so on.

This is effective because it gives the hiring team the most relevant information instantly. If you’re a UX designer looking for a new opportunity, the hiring manager will want to know about your most recent accomplishments to see how you progressed, where your expertise lies, and how your latest experience can translate into success in your new role.

4. Include relevant experience

Do you need to put all your past experience on a resume? By no means. Professional resume writers and career coaches advise that you include up to 15 years of relevant work experience. Including every single job you’ve done (like that pizza delivery summer gig when you were 16) can actually work against you.

Remember, this is just a general rule that can be broken in certain situations.

For instance, if you’re looking for a job in tech, where skills, frameworks, and tech stacks change often, your experience from 13 years ago may not be truly relevant today.

Also, if you’ve had a major career change, e.g. switched from teaching to copywriting 10 years ago, you could omit your teaching roles. However, if working in that position gave you relevant skills and experience that you still consider useful and valuable (e.g. clear communication, time management, or presentations), you can definitely include it in your resume.

Read on if you’re changing careers, switching from the military, or are freshly graduated (we’ll cover those scenarios in a bit).

5. Be clear, concise, and consistent with your formatting

This is a big one. It’s crucial to format your entries properly so that the information is easy to spot and read. Also, consistency is hugely important. Maintain the same order of information in each entry for a polished, organized, and harmonious look.

Here’s how you can order the items in a single work experience entry:

• Your position (usually written in bigger font or in bold)
• Company name
• Dates worked
• Bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements

6. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements

Instead of writing a paragraph or description explaining your role in detail, make sure to use a bulleted list (it’s way clearer, better organized, and memorable).

Next, it’s always wise to focus on your most important accomplishments and achievements, rather than simply listing your everyday responsibilities. After all, the point of this section is to gently persuade the hiring team that you’re equipped to do the job and that you have an excellent track record.

In other words, this is where it pays to take a moment to think back to your biggest career wins and corroborate that with some data (more about this later).

Finally, make sure to limit the number of bullets as you go back in time. While it’s perfectly fine to have 5–8 points for your latest job, 3–4 will be enough for older entries.

Now let’s put theory into practice and look at two great examples of work history on a resume that follow the steps we discussed above.

Sample resume work experience section (senior candidate)

Vice President of Marketing Vue 03/2017 – Present

• Helmed website overhaul, resulting in increase of organic traffic by over 300%
• Spearheaded the team of 7 full-time employees and 12 contractors
• Tracked email, PPC and display marketing performance to optimize cost per lead
• Hit 541% and 137% return on marketing investment for organic and email, respectively

Sample resume work experience section (junior to mid-level candidate)

• Responded to up to 20 tickets a day, resulting in 97% first touch resolution score
• Maintained a >9.0 monthly average satisfaction rating each of last 12 months
• Resolved 7 escalations with the IT/SysDev teams in the last 3 months
• Wrote 24 knowledge base articles to reduce ticket resolution times by 1.3 minutes

How to Take Your Resume Work Experience Section from Standard to Job-Winning

Now let’s zoom in on your work experience section even closer and help you take those bullet points from average to outstanding. To sell yourself on your resume, just follow these simple tips.

1. Focus on achievements over day-to-day duties and quantify wherever possible

This is precisely where most candidates get stuck. A lot of you are probably thinking: yes, I’ve heard this piece of advice many times. But I don’t have any stellar achievements. I just do my job well .

Precisely. That’s enough to be sure you do have achievements. You might not even know it. And the best way to showcase those is by hard numbers.

Again, don’t freak out. You don’t have to be in the data and numbers game to be able to come up with quantifiable results and statistics. There are simple strategies to present tangible results to back up your accomplishments. And just so you realize how miserably bad people are at showcasing their accomplishments —

Here’s a real-life story that a resume-writing consultant friend told me.

He was hired to revamp a spacecraft engineer’s resume (btw, how cool is that!). When she walked him through her resume and explained what each item meant, one caught his attention — ” Optimized and automated the procurement and invoicing flow. ” Optimizing and automating? That always means something cool.

She eventually explained how she made a highly complex process fully automatic, and in doing so, saved around 18 work hours a month for 7 people each. These people were paid an average of $200/hr. That’s $1.3 million a year saved for the company. And that was not on her resume.

Why am I telling you this?

Because this is proof that you’re not alone in being horrible at framing duties as achievements. Apparently, even the most extraordinary candidates are. Bottom line: you will most definitely stand out if you know how to do it!

So here are a few tips on how to really stand out from the crowd:

Mention the scale , e.g. how many people you managed, or the size of the budgets you handled

• Provided consultations for 120 students a year over 7 consecutive years
• Managed a shift of 70 workers in a 250.000 square foot facility
• Standardized the Sales process in a 2000-employee company averaging 300M annual ARR
• Controlled an annual marketing budget of $30K

Mention the frequency , e.g. how many tasks you performed within a time frame

• Wrote 14 new SEO-optimized articles in the last quarter
• Onboarded 17 Fortune 2000 clients in 2021
• Performed 13 weekly technical website audits and resolved 25 issues
• Hosted 5 company webinars attracting a total of 790 B2B leads

Mention specific results , e.g. money and time saved

• Reduced the employee turnover rate by 5% in 2021
• Tripled the number of Instagram sales since 2019
• Reduced cost per sale from 3.8K to 2.7K in two years’ time
• Attracted 2.6 new LinkedIn followers in the last quarter

Pro tip: Record your accomplishments as they happen. This is how I do it. Every time something cool happens (e.g. 89% of email subscribers click on the CTA button in an email and read my article or 5 product demos were booked on a blog page that I wrote), I take a note in a Google document. Even if I’m not actively looking for a job. (Or not even thinking about it.) In time, you’ll have a killer list of accomplishments to add to your resume, cutting your writing time in half. Otherwise, you’ll either forget the details or spend hours digging through your old projects to find the right info.

2. Use action verbs at the beginning of your bullet points

If you take a closer look at all the examples we listed in this guide so far, you’ll notice a few common themes — none of the bullets start with “I” and they sound super descriptive although we used zero adjectives.

The secret lies in action verbs, the powerful verbs that are used at the beginning of each bullet to draw the reader in and show your impact.

Take a look at these examples again:

• Responded to an average of 20 tickets a day, resulting in 97% first touch resolution score
• Received 9.1 satisfaction rating in the last 365 days
• Resolved 7 escalations in the last 3 months with the IT/SysDev teams

Combined with numbers and specific results, these verbs show the recruiting team exactly how you accomplished things and attained goals at work.

There are extensive lists of power/action verbs you can find on the web, but here’s a short list of our favorite ones to get you started.

Top 50 action verbs to use in your resume work experience section:

• Coordinated
• Established
• Facilitated
• Implemented
• Standardized
• Streamlined
• Strengthened

Expert tip: Vary your power verbs to avoid repetition. Keep your bullet points as short as possible and avoid the use of pronouns, articles, and adjectives.

Here’s an example of a bland work experience section turned amazing and catchy by applying the 3 tips above.

• Responsible for all content marketing activities in the company
• I was in charge of the link-building project
• Proofreading of the copy before publishing.

Why we think it sucks:

Let’s dissect this Frankenstein.

• Consistency issues: Although the candidate uses the bulleted list to provide more information about their recent role, they are not consistent. The first bullet starts with an adjective, the second uses a pronoun (“I”) and looks like an actual sentence, while the third one starts with an -ing form. All in all, it’s a mess.
• No details or real info: The candidate uses overused phrases like “responsible” and “in charge of” combined with little other info. All in all, super bland and nonspecific.

Now let’s see how you can transform this meh work history section into an unforgettable one by using action verbs and quantifiers.

• Designed annual content marketing strategy, resulting in 247 SQLs (500+ employees)
• Oversaw a team of 10 writers, resulting in 60 do-follow links in the last 90 days
• Increased content downloads website-wide by 78%
• Conducted quality assurance for 100% of content

Why we love this version:

First, it’s super specific and it tells us exactly what this Content Marketing Manager did. Next, they listed the results of their efforts in a consistent and persuasive way. Finally, a nice mix of power verbs (designed, oversaw, increased, and conducted) leaves the reader with the impression that this person knows what they’re doing.

3. Customize your employment history section to the job description at hand

We’ve been saying this forever and we’ll say it again: don’t expect to have a single resume that can win you endless jobs. Heck. Don’t expect a generic, all-purpose resume to land you more than 1 interview out of 50 applications.

That’s not how the pros do it.

Instead, you’ll need multiple versions that you’ll then further customize by tailoring your work experience section to the exact position you’re targeting.

The easiest way to do this is to peruse the job description, identify which skills and requirements matter to the employer and then have your resume prove that you possess those very skills.

Here’s how it works in practice.

Let’s say a MarTech company is looking for someone to join the Billing Customer Support Team.

Here is a sample job ad and some of the requirements and duties listed in the description:

After carefully reading the job description details, this candidate found 5 points they have previously excelled in. Next, they’ll use them as guidelines to tailor their work experience resume section to match the requirements 100%.

Customer Support Engineer Omnis

• Solved a daily average of 20 Zendesk tickets over a 3-year period
• Maintained the internal knowledge base 100% clean and up to date
• Prioritized feature requests and worked with AppDev and PO until implementation
• Hit company-record ticket response times (11 hours Zendesk; 2 minutes live chat)
• Authored a total of 56 technical articles in the Help Center

Why we like this answer: The candidate relied on the information from the job ad to highlight their accomplishments in a clear and convincing way. They showed their familiarity with Zendesk, their dedication to keeping the internal company wiki updated, and proved that they are independent and proficient enough to write technical documentation. Finally, they illustrated most of their efforts with relevant metrics and KPIs and used power verbs to convey authority and skill.

How to List Work Experience on a Resume for Different Scenarios

This may make perfect sense to someone who’s had 10+ years of experience and few job gaps. But what if you’re applying for a job outside your industry or aren’t sure whether to include your volunteer experience? Here are all your questions answered.

How to show a promotion on your resume?

If you’ve held multiple positions in the same company or if you’d like to highlight your growth and change in roles, you can approach this in two different ways.

1) List them as a single entry if similar and if the career path is clear. Start with the company name, dates worked, and then list your positions together with the from-to period when you held them. Like this:

Acme Technologies Inc. 03/2017 – Present

Content Marketing Manager (01/2021 – Present) (a bullet-pointed list of accomplishments)

Content Writer (03/2017 – 01/2021) (note the promotion, followed by a bulleted list of responsibilities and achievements)

2) List them as two separate entries if you made a bigger shift or changed departments (e.g. started in a call center, then switched to Business Development).

A note of caution: When using stacked entries (1), there’s a chance that the ATS software won’t recognize your promotion as such, and may list your skills and experience under the earlier position. To ensure your resume will be well-parsed by the ATS and look good, it’s safer to stick to the format shown in (2) and list your promotions as two separate entries.

How to put freelance work on a resume?

Absolutely include your freelance work in your employment history, as it shows your versatility, skill set, and soft skills like client management, negotiation, and independence. Here’s an example of how a writer and illustrator listed their freelancing experience.

Content Writing Consultant (alternatively, you can use Contractor ) Freelance

• Contributed original blog content to businesses (include most notable clients)
• Increased organic traffic by 250% with a 6-month blog project
• Helped generate 14 Fortune 2000 leads through Google AdWords over a 6-month period
• Illustrated for both web and printed media
• Provided 50+ illustrations for clients such as NewYorker Magazine, CondeNast, Monocle
• Won Best Book Cover Award (Illustration Category) in 2021
• Collaborated with 20+ teams with an average UpWork score of 4.8

Should I include volunteer work on my resume?

If you can supply at least 5 years of paid work experience, you can skip your volunteering experience altogether or add them to other resume sections.

If your employment history is short or if you’re just starting your job search after being a stay-at-home parent or a student, then definitely include the volunteering gigs in your main work history section. After all, recruiters love seeing this type of experience — it tells a lot about who you are as a person, what you’re passionate about, and that you’re not entirely motivated by money.

How to list part-time jobs on a resume?

When adding your part-time jobs to your resume work history, treat it like any other entry. However, make sure to add that you worked part-time. A simple note next to your position works just fine. Like this:

Online Marketing Specialist (part-time) Forwa

• Posted 5 blog posts weekly in WordPress over a 2-year period
• Set up an average of 10 email marketing campaigns/week
• Assisted 2 Lead Gen Specialists to clean 14 lists over a 2-year period

How to put internships on a resume?

You can include your internship just as you would with any other work experience, no matter if it was paid or not. Add your official role, the company name, and then provide a bulleted list of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Here’s how one candidate did it:

• Used javascript, HTML, and bootstrap to build UI pages
• Worked closely with frontend developers to solve more complex issues
• Collaborated with backend developers and UX/UI designer to assess requirements

How to explain employment gaps on a resume?

I’ll start with a general note here: people freak out about their employment gaps way more than they should. Yes, employment gaps on your resume can be considered red flags, but not by default.

As a matter of fact, a recent study published in the American Economic Review reveals that “long-term unemployment spells in the past do not matter for employers’ hiring decisions.” The study also found that all subsequent experiences canceled out the gaps in employment, as well as that employers didn’t treat short-term and long-term unemployment much differently.

So no reason to panic, okay?

You’d normally have the chance to explain the gaps in your employment in an interview. To get there, it’s wise to address them in your resume work experience section and provide a bit of information and context.

This is especially valid if the gaps are bigger and happened for a good reason like getting a degree, being a full-time parent or caregiver, or for medical reasons.

And here’s how you can integrate that smartly into your resume employment history.

• Took time off from professional career to provide care for a baby and a toddler and manage the household
• Used the gap years to complete 3 B2B Sales courses

(In case you need more inspo, here’s what else you can put on a resume .)

Resume Work Experience Examples for Different Careers

Here you’ll find some of the best resume experience examples for the most common professions.

Customer service and tech support

• Assisted customers and troubleshot technical issues on 30+ calls/day on average
• Resolved 90% of issues without transfers or escalations
• Decreased cancellations by 11% over a one year period
• Ran regular customer satisfaction surveys resulting in 9.6/10 satisfaction rating
• Built close relationships with CIOs and CTOs from prospective companies
• Provided software demonstrations to 52 companies in the last quarter
• Closed 36 new deals, hitting a 69% closing rate in the last quarter

Software engineering

• Worked with PO team to update and rearchitect 50+ page web app
• Built 5 additional features in the last 12 months
• Cooperated with a team of 8 agile developers to prioritize biggest impact features

Office administration

• Provided reliable administrative assistance to the Regional Manager
• Organized 2 conferences for 2000+ attendees
• Managed 7 workshops and 10 local events over a two-year period
• Interviewed 6 potential new candidates and trained 3 new team members

Digital marketing

• Posted daily on 5 company social media profiles
• Interacted with 10 LinkedIn HR influencers every day
• Grew the LinkedIn account by 525% over a six-month period
• Provided emergency health care to 20 patient per shift on average
• Participated in 300+ emergency procedures over a one-year period
• Exceeded standards of care to hit 9.7 patient satisfaction rating in an anonymous survey
• Prepared and delivered 100% of lessons to second year students (<20 students/class)
• Coordinated 30+ extra study sessions to prepare students for state exams
• Increased assignment completion by 40% via technology-based learning during Covid19

Business analysis & data science

• Reduced the cost of IT infrastructure by 24% via alternative software solutions
• Relocated budget from social to organic for 30% increase in ROI
• Restructured the Sales department, resulting in 45K of new revenue

Find out how to write a next-level resume work experience section for 100+ other professions in this free resume library .

Need a bit more guidance?

You can hop over to Big Interview’s Resume Builder, where you’ll get to enter your information section by section (basic info and contact details, summary, work experience, education, certifications, skills), choose the design and then have the tool create a resume for you. Here’s what you’ll find inside:

This is super useful because you can easily create many iterations (for different job ads) and save a bunch of time in the process.

Once that’s done, you can also use ResumeAI , a new feature that assesses your resume for various criteria hiring teams use in real life – how easy it is on the eye, how you used action words to convey experience and skills, and whether it’s ATS-friendly Basically, you’ll get a rating based on how effective you were in showcasing your skills and experience.

And if you need a bit more support, we created a short course on resume writing, designed and led by our own co-founder, Pamela Skillings (aka *the resume and job interview guru*). In this curriculum, you get 8 video lessons with Pam (with a transcript), after which you’ll be 100% sure to crush that resume.

Key Points Summarized

TL; DR? Here’s the essence of a killer resume work experience section that you can copy in no time.

• A well-written employment history section directly impacts your chances of being shortlisted. Take some extra time to do it right.
• Always present your work experience in a clearly separated section and place it under your resume summary.
• Begin with your current (or most recent) job and work backward from there.
• Include the following information, in this order: your position, company name, and dates worked.
• Back up this information with a bulleted list of up to 5 achievements and responsibilities. Forget false modesty and show your excellent track record. Quantify and provide tangible results wherever possible. Use power verbs to convey authority and entice the hiring team.
• When applying for multiple jobs in different companies, custom-tailor your work experience section to each job opening. Browse the job requirements and duties and match them with examples from past experience.
• Bonus tip: Keep the high standards in other resume sections too. Learn how to best showcase your skills on a resume.

How many years of work history should I describe on a resume?

List 10–15 years of experience, depending on your individual circumstances. The key thing here is to include only relevant work experience, so if you’ve been in the job market for 10 years, but only 6 are relevant to the job you’re applying for, focus on those 6 years. You can still list the previous experience, but there’s no need to go into great detail.

How many bullet points should I use per entry in the work history section?

A common guideline is to have 3–8 bullet points per entry. This way you can give plenty of relevant information about your achievements and responsibilities without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail. You can use 5–8 for your most recent and penultimate positions. As you work your way backwards, 3 bullet points is usually enough. Remember to aim for quality over quantity — if you can fit your best accomplishments into 3 bullet points, there’s no need to write 2 additional weak ones. Make sure to refer to your “strongest” qualities in the first 2 bullets.

What work experience should I not include in my resume?

Here are some examples of work experience that should not be included in your resume: irrelevant experience, experience from over 15 years ago, high school jobs, or volunteer work. However, this all depends on where you are in the career journey. For example, for first-time job seekers, school jobs, part-time jobs, and volunteer experience will matter.

What should I do if I have little to no work experience?

If you have no or little formal work experience, include other types of experience and focus on your qualifications and results. Some ideas to consider: internships, volunteer work, academic projects, freelance or contract work, leadership roles in student associations or sport clubs, and community work. Don’t worry about your title or if it was a formal experience. Instead, focus on the relevant skills and tangible results you accomplished in these roles.

Should I put volunteer experience in my work history section?

You can include it if you have little to no relevant professional experience. Otherwise, you can put it in a separate resume section or omit it if your resume is already full.

How to address gaps in employment in my work experience section?

If there’s a significant gap in your resume, address it proactively in the document and don’t wait for it to come up at the interview (imagine you miss out on one because of that gap!). This way, your potential employers will know you have nothing to hide. Briefly explain the reasons for the gap, keep your language positive, and mention if you did any coursework or upskilling during that time. If you took a sabbatical to travel, take care of a family, or get degrees to prepare for a career change, say it proudly.

When should I take a job off my resume?

A general rule is to remove a job from your resume if it’s no longer relevant to the position you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing role, already had 4 marketing roles, but had initially worked as a history teacher for 1 year, it’s safe to assume your history teacher experience can be taken off. The point is to not overwhelm the resume with unrelated experience. You can also remove some short-term jobs or jobs you had a long time ago, especially if your resume is already getting longer than 2 pages.

Should I include a job I was fired from on my resume?

That depends on several factors. If this was a recent position you held for a long time, you should include it. Otherwise, there would be a big employment gap that you’d still have to address (and it may come up anyway during a background check). If you can come up with a tactful, honest explanation behind the termination, and especially if you’ve gained new relevant skills in the meantime, don’t hesitate to include that position. On the other hand, if the job was a long time ago or if it’s unrelated to the position you’re currently applying for, feel free to omit it.

Pamela Skillings

Fact Checked By:

Turn interviews into offers

Share this article

• Big Interview
• Plans & Pricing
• Higher Education
• Editorial Process
• Resume Templates
• Interview Preparation
• Interview Q&A
• Career Advice
• Create an Account
• Knowledge Base

©️ 2024 Skillful Communications, Inc. | Big Interview is a trademark of Skillful Communications, Inc.

Terms | Privacy Policy

Filter by Keywords

Best Resume Format for 2024: Tips + Examples

Sudarshan Somanathan

Head of Content

July 25, 2024

You’ve been eyeing a company for months, and they’ve just posted the job opening you’ve been waiting for. 

But as you start the application process, you notice that over 500 people have already applied! How can you make your application stand out and secure that interview?

The key lies in crafting a powerful resume that grabs attention, passes through applicant tracking systems [ATS], and effectively showcases your professional experience and skills. 

Choosing a good resume format is crucial for presenting your strengths. Whether you want to highlight your career progression with a reverse chronological resume format , emphasize your skills with a functional resume , or take a balanced approach with a combination resume , the proper format can make all the difference.

If you’re unsure how to format your resume, don’t worry. This guide on the best resume formats will help bring you closer to your dream job. 💼 🚀 

Chronological resume format

Skill-based or functional resume format  , combination or hybrid resume format, factors to consider when choosing a career format , key elements to include in your resume, 1. professional resume template example by resume builder, 2. combination resume template example by myperfectresume, 3. creative resume template example by indeed, 4. modern resume template example by enhancv, 5. freelancer researcher resume template example by template.net, streamlined resume drafting, targeted resume optimization, organized resume management, efficient resume collaboration, simplified job search, tips to improve your resume format, craft effective resumes for various industries with clickup .

Understanding Different Resume Formats for Job Seekers

The average time a recruiter spends screening a resume is 7.4 seconds . With such limited time to grab their attention, you must have a visually appealing resume. 

But every job seeker is unique, and your personal preferences, background, and circumstances play a role in your final resume format. So there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to drafting a resume.

For instance, a reverse chronological format might not be the best choice if you’ve had a long career break between jobs. On the other hand, if your skills, technical or otherwise, are your strongest asset, a functional resume could be more effective. The key is to highlight your strengths and minimize any gaps.

Let’s explore different resume formats and resume format examples to help you pick the one that suits you best.

The most common format for writing resumes is chronological. This format primarily focuses on your work experience , listing the positions you’ve held in reverse chronological order , with the most recent ones at the top.

It’s a conventional choice for most job seekers, as it provides a clear and detailed account of your career progression, making it a safe bet when choosing a resume format.

When to choose the chronological resume format: This format might be ideal if you’ve had a steady career trajectory within a specific industry, such as ten years in marketing, where you’ve progressed from a marketing executive to a marketing manager.

Recruiters are accustomed to and prefer this format, so this is the best choice if you have a standard, traditional career path.

Resume example:

Rather than focusing on your professional experience, this format highlights your skill set . It begins with a comprehensive skills section positioned upfront, preceding the details of your work experience.

Since the central focus is on your skills, each skill is typically introduced as a heading, supported by bullet points showcasing its relevance and demonstrating your proficiency in that area.

When to choose a functional resume format : This format is ideal if you have gaps in your employment history or are transitioning to a new career . 

It allows you to effectively highlight your relevant skills and abilities, making it a strategic choice for those navigating career changes or periods of employment gaps.

Functional resume example:

Are you a seasoned professional with solid skills and career progression to showcase? 

Opting for a combination or hybrid resume might be your best approach. 

This format begins with a substantial skills section highlighting your key competencies upfront, followed by a comprehensive work experience section detailing your career trajectory and achievements.

This resume format is particularly favored by professionals with extensive experience and a diverse skill set, as it allows them to present their skills and work history cohesively.

When to choose a hybrid resume format: This format is ideal for seasoned professionals with over seven years of experience. It is tailored to highlight a combination of skills and relevant experience. 

It’s particularly beneficial for professionals starting a new job in a different industry where their existing skills and expertise are valuable.

Hybrid resume example:

How to Choose the Best Resume Format

Choosing the proper resume format based on your career level, industry, and experience is half the battle won. Let’s break down the key factors to help you make this decision.

There are two factors you must take into account: your career level and the type of industry.

Career level     

Applicants at different career levels must choose different resume formats. 

• Entry-level applicants: Chronological or functional

Reason: A chronological format highlights your education, internship experiences, and part-time work in a structured timeline. A functional format emphasizes your skills since you have limited professional work experience. 

• Mid-level applicants: Chronological or combination 

Reason: A chronological resume showcases steady career progression and relevant job experiences, while a combination format allows you to highlight work habits and skills and provide a detailed work history for career advancement.

• Senior-level applicants: Chronological or combination

Reason: A chronological resume demonstrates extensive experience in a clear timeline, while a combination format accommodates significant accomplishments and a robust work history. These factors make them ideal for showcasing the expertise of seasoned professionals.

Industry type

The type of industry you presently work in or aim to work in also determines your resume format choice. Let’s look at ideal resume formats for different industries: 

• Corporate (finance, consulting, management) : Chronological

Reason: A chronological format resume emphasizes steady, consistent career progression, showcasing stability and growth, which is highly valued in these industries.

• Technology (IT, software development) : Chronological or combination

Reason: The chronological format is ideal for professionals with stable career growth and solid industry experience who wish to showcase their skills in a structured timeline. 

On the other hand, the combination format is great for listing technical skills and significant projects while providing a clear and detailed career history.

• Healthcare (medicine, nursing, research) : Chronological

Reason: Demonstrates a clear progression of roles and responsibilities, crucial in the healthcare industry where experience and tenure are critical.

• Creative (design, marketing, media): Functional or combination

Reason : A functional format emphasizes skills and abilities essential to the creative industry, particularly for freelancers or individuals working on multiple projects. A combination format allows you to highlight creative skills while maintaining an easy-to-read structure.

Certain elements must be present regardless of your resume format to ensure its effectiveness. Here’s a checklist you can rely on: 

• Personal information: Include details such as name, phone number, and email address. Add a (clickable) link to your LinkedIn profile and professional website or portfolio to add to your credibility
• Professional summary: Highlight your career goals, key skills, and what you bring to the role within a couple of lines. Tailor this summary to the role you’re applying for by emphasizing relevant skills and experience
• Key skills: Write pointers on your most relevant hard and soft skills for the job. Soft skills may include problem-solving, leadership, etc., whereas examples of hard skills (or technical skills) include web development, data analytics, search engine optimization (SEO), etc
• Education: Mention your degrees, the name of the college or university, location, and graduation year. You should also mention relevant diplomas, associate degrees, apprenticeships, and other coursework to highlight your formal education
• Certifications and licenses: Emphasize your expertise and stand out by showcasing verified skills and professional credibility by adding details of relevant licenses and certificates

💡 Pro tip: Leverage a career map template to identify the skills required for future roles. Compare these with your current skills to spot gaps and plan your development.

5 Resume Examples and Templates

Feeling overwhelmed about where to begin or how to format your resume? 

Here are five resume templates to inspire and help you build your resume quickly.

Designed with technical professionals in mind, this resume template perfectly presents your skills and experience. 

It allows you to seamlessly input personal information, education qualifications, and work experience. A standout feature is its unique presentation of skills, designed to capture the recruiter’s attention immediately.

These technical resume template examples show a high level of professionalism and organization. They feature a personal objective statement, a dedicated section for educational qualifications, and professional fonts for a polished look.

This combination resume template divides the resume into two vertical sections, enhancing readability and visual appeal for potential hiring managers and employers. It provides a balanced approach, allowing you to highlight your skills and work history concisely and comprehensively.

A well-planned color scheme visually separates these sections and adds to the aesthetic appeal. 

Plus, the chosen font style and size ensure clarity and professionalism throughout the document, making it particularly suitable for technical fields where detail and precision are crucial.

This modern resume template features a minimalist style. It’s perfect for professionals looking to showcase their individuality, creativity, and succinctness. 

It follows a chronological format, prioritizing work experience initially and briefly listing skills towards the end.

Key section titles stand out in blue, enhancing visual appeal and navigation ease. This blend of minimalism and practical functionality makes the template an excellent choice for job seekers who want to present their relevant qualifications effectively.

The template is designed for those who want to inject creative design into their resume. It lets you briefly define yourself in a single line beneath your name, emphasizing your unique qualifications and suitability for the job.

One standout feature is the donut chart, which visually depicts how you manage and allocate your time through a diagram. 

This resume format template also includes dedicated columns for languages, passions, and achievements and a focused section for relevant technical skills crucial to the role.

With the basic resume layout divided into two clear sections, this template ensures you can provide comprehensive information about yourself without overwhelming the page.

💡Pro tip: Customize project management resume templates (like the one above) to focus on your achievements rather than just listing responsibilities. Quantify your impact where possible, such as increases in product adoption rates, revenue growth, or successful product launches.

You might need to extend your resume to two pages if you’re a freelancer or a seasoned professional with over ten years of experience. 

This visually striking resume template features a background color theme that immediately draws attention. It begins with a focused skills section followed by your job experience, following the functional resume format.

The resume is structured in clear sections. It utilizes a three-color scheme to distinguish and organize different aspects of your background. This approach enhances visual appeal and ensures clarity and emphasis on crucial details.

How to Create and Format a Resume

Drafting just one resume won’t cut it. What opens doors is tailoring your resume to fit specific job descriptions and roles.

And for that level of customization, you need more than just a basic resume template.

That’s where ClickUp steps up.

ClickUp is a powerful productivity platform that can be leveraged to create and manage the entire resume-building process.

Below are the key benefits of using ClickUp to craft the perfect resume:

ClickUp Docs with ClickUp Brain can be used to write and refine your resume.

ClickUp Brain, the platform’s AI feature, provides intelligent suggestions and prompts to help you craft compelling resume content highlighting your skills and experiences. This allows you to create a living document that is easy to edit and update as your background changes.

ClickUp’s AI-driven insights can analyze your resume and provide personalized recommendations to optimize it for specific job postings. 

This helps ensure your resume is tailored to the requirements of each role, increasing your chances of getting noticed by recruiters.

ClickUp’s robust project management capabilities allow you to stay on top of your job search. 

The Docs Hub allows you to store resume versions and manage all your job-related documents and assets in one centralized location.

ClickUp makes it easy to collaborate with others on your resume. 

Within the platform, you can invite colleagues, mentors, or certified professional resume writers to review and provide feedback on your resume drafts.

ClickUp offers many pre-built templates that streamline your professional life, including job search management. These templates help you start quickly and provide a structured framework to organize your work.

The ClickUp Job Search Template enables you to track job openings, application status, company ratings, and more, all within the ClickUp platform. 

With this template, you can:

• Create tasks for each job opportunity you’re interested in, complete with details like the job title, company, and application deadline
• Update the status of your job applications as you progress through the hiring process, from initial submission to final decision
• Assign ratings to companies based on factors like culture, benefits, and growth potential to help guide your decision-making 

💡Pro tip: Use skills management software to create a comprehensive inventory of your skills, including technical, soft, and industry-specific competencies.

Looking to take your resume to the next level? These tips to improve your resume format will help you differentiate yourself from the competition and highlight your skills and unique value add.

• Formatting: Keep a 0.5 to 1-inch margin on all sides for neat resume formatting. Use easy-to-read and professional fonts with sizes between 10 and 12. Use a professional, well-structured format
• Bullet points: Divide your resume into sections and use bullet points to add details about your job experience, skills, and certifications to make it easy to read for the recruiter 
• Length: Keep the resume length restricted to one page unless you have over ten years of experience or need to list your publishing history. Try not to exceed the length of a two-page resume in any case
• File type: Ensure your resume is in a PDF format to preserve its structure and layout. Name your resume file as ‘Name_Resume’ for easy identification
• Objective statement: Begin your resume with a concise personal statement or career summary outlining your professional goals and strengths
• Keywords: Customize your resume for each job application by incorporating relevant keywords from the job description. This strategy improves your resume’s chances of passing through applicant tracking systems

Crafting a well-structured resume in a suitable format is essential for standing out in a competitive job market and advancing to the next stage of the hiring process.

Ensure your resume format and structure are tailored to match the job role, your career level, and your target industry. Try out the resume format examples listed above and see what works for you.

Use ClickUp Docs and ClickUp Brain to help you draft an impactful resume tailored to different job titles and roles, incorporating the necessary keywords and ideal format type.

Sign up for ClickUp and take the first step towards securing your dream job with a polished and effective resume.

Questions? Comments? Visit our Help Center for support.

Receive the latest WriteClick Newsletter updates.

Thanks for subscribing to our blog!

Please enter a valid email

• Free training & 24-hour support
• Serious about security & privacy
• 99.99% uptime the last 12 months

Ohio State nav bar

Ohio state navigation bar.

• BuckeyeLink
• Search Ohio State

Resume Templates

Crafting a standout resume is key to landing your dream job. ASC Career Success offers a diverse selection of resume templates tailored to various industries and career levels. Our templates are designed to highlight your skills, experience, and achievements in a polished, professional format that catches employers' attention. Start your job search with confidence and make a lasting impression with a resume that stands out from the rest. Explore our collection and find the perfect template to showcase your unique qualifications.

Build your own: Career Success Resume Template! [docx] Not sure where to start with your resume? Download our Career Success Resume Template (Microsoft Word document). Want a little more help? Check out the Career Success Resume Template Instructions  [pdf].

Sample Resumes

• Core Resume Sections [pdf]
• General Resume Sample for International Students [pdf]
• Resume Tips for Freshman [pdf]
• Visual, Written and Performing Arts Resume Sample [pdf]
• Information Technology Resume Sample [pdf]
• Military Resume Sample [pdf]
• Government Positions Resume Sample [pdf]
• Global Competencies Resume Sample [pdf]
• Actuarial Science Resume Sample [pdf]
• Student-Athlete Resume  Sample [pdf]
• Data Analytics Resume Sample [pdf]
• Non-Traditional Students Resume Sample [pdf]
• Scientific Competencies Resume Sample [pdf]

Resume Writing Toolkit

• Resume or CV? [pdf]
• Action Verbs Tip Sheet [pdf]
• Identifying Accomplishments for your Resume [pdf]
• Referencing Items Related to Ohio State - A Style Guide [external website]
• Writing Cover Letters [pdf] 
• ASC Resume Rubric [pdf]

Additional Resources

• Attributes employers seek on a candidate's resume  [external website] - From the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Enhance Your Resume with Big Interview!

Are you looking to improve your resume and boost your job prospects? Look no further than Big Interview! This comprehensive online system not only helps you perfect your resume but also enhances your interview skills, building your confidence along the way.

Why Choose Big Interview?

Resume ai tool: your personal resume expert.

Big Interview's Resume AI tool acts like a personal professional resume writer, offering immediate feedback and specific suggestions for improvement. It evaluates your resume on crucial criteria such as Readability, Credibility, Format, and ATS (Applicant Tracking System) compatibility.

Beat the Bots

With most companies using AI-driven Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumes, it's crucial to optimize your resume to pass these initial filters. Big Interview empowers you to leverage the same technology, ensuring your resume gets noticed.

What Does Resume AI Do?

Personalized feedback.

Resume AI doesn't write your resume for you; it does something even better. It provides tailored feedback, pinpointing exact areas for improvement. You’ll receive instant suggestions, allowing you to refine your resume using your own words without sounding artificial.

Instant Results

Get immediate pointers on what to tweak, ensuring your resume stands out to both ATS bots and human hiring managers.

Start enhancing your resume today with Big Interview and take the first step towards your dream job!

Learn More About Big Interview

Maximize Your AI Experience with Tailored Resume Prompts

In today's digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a popular tool for generating application materials, including resumes and cover letters. At The Ohio State University's College of Arts and Sciences Center for Career Success, we recognize the potential of AI to streamline the job application process. To help you get the most out of these advanced tools, we've crafted a set of prompts designed to enhance your AI-generated resumes and cover letters.

Our collection includes prompts for both generic resumes and industry-specific resumes, as well as a specialized prompt for crafting compelling cover letters. Whether you're entering the tech industry, aiming for a role in healthcare, or pursuing opportunities in the arts, our prompts will guide you in generating application materials that effectively showcase your skills and experiences. Simply copy and paste these prompts into your AI of choice and fill out the required fields with the required details.

Important Reminder:

While AI can provide a solid foundation for your resume and cover letter, it is crucial to personalize and refine the output. Here are some key steps to ensure your application materials stand out:

• Review and Edit: AI-generated content may not perfectly match your personal tone or the specifics of your experience. Carefully read through the output to confirm the language and accuracy.
• Add Your Personal Touch: Incorporate unique details about your achievements and experiences. This personal touch will help differentiate your resume from others.
• Verify Accuracy: Ensure that all information, including dates, job titles, and responsibilities, is accurate and up-to-date.
• Align with Job Requirements: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Using our prompts, you can leverage AI to create polished and professional application materials, while still presenting a personal and authentic representation of your qualifications. Remember, these tools are a starting point—your insights and edits will make all the difference in creating a standout resume and cover letter.

Generate a resume based on the following details:

1. Education History:   - (Insert your education history here, including degrees, majors, universities, and any honors or notable achievements)

2. Experience:   - (Insert your work experience here, listing job titles, companies, employment dates, and key responsibilities and achievements)

3. Job Title:   - (Insert the job title you are applying for here)

4. Company Name:   - (Insert the company name here)

5. Job Description:   - (Insert the job description here)

6. Industry Type:   - (Insert the industry type here, such as Technology, Healthcare, Finance, Education, etc.)

7. Additional Skills:   - (Insert your additional skills here, such as technical skills, languages, or soft skills)

8. Awards or Certificates:   - (Insert any awards, certifications, or recognitions you have received)

9. Additional Considerations:   - (Insert any additional information that may be relevant, such as volunteer work, interests, or personal projects)

Ensure that the resume is professional yet humanized, highlighting not only my qualifications and experiences but also my personality and unique qualities that make me a good fit for the role. Tailor the resume to align with the typical expectations and preferences of employers in the specified industry.

Make sure to present this information in a clear and concise format, with sections for education, experience, skills, awards, and a brief personal summary. Add a human touch by including a short personal statement that reflects my passion for technology and commitment to continuous learning. Tailor the resume to align with the typical expectations and preferences of employers in the specified industry.

Resume Templates

/ 0 - 5 years of experience

Choose a [Free] Resume Template

Pick one of our professional resume templates to get started on your job application. Just fill out your favorite resume template to create a flawless, ATS-friendly resume in under 5 minutes. Try out one of our 8+ free resume templates to make an impressive resume and land your dream job in no time!

Skill-Based

Traditional

Professional

Why Novorésumé?

Free AND Premium

We offer both free and premium resume templates, so whatever your budget might be, you can still take advantage of our resume builder.

Creative & Professional Resume Templates

Whether you’re a creative advertiser looking for an outside-the-box creative resume template, or a banker seeking a more professional resume template, we’ve got a template for you!

NO Hidden Fees

If you’ve tried other resume builders, you’ve probably experienced this: You spend hours creating a resume, and when you click “download,” you get hit with a paywall asking you to subscribe.

At Novorésumé, we don’t do that . We have NO hidden fees - upgrade to Premium ONLY if you LOVE our resumes!

ATS Friendly

All Novorésumé resume templates are built with the most popular Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in mind. What this means for YOU is that whichever job you apply for, the CV filtering software they use will be able to read your resume (and NOT automatically discard it).

Expert Reviews

Oana Vintila

Career Counselor

For over 10 years now, I've been on both sides of the fence, career counseling, and recruitment, and let me tell you, the writer's block hits hard when it comes to drafting your resume.

Novorésumé not only offers you a smart and modern template for you to fill in, but their team has also crafted a winning combo of aesthetics and functionality that will inspire you to apply for the job you thought was out of your league. Give it a try!

Biron Clark

Former Executive Recruiter

Novorésumé is one of the few resume builders that I recommend online. Their resume templates are modern and eye-catching, and will grab an employer's attention. As a former Recruiter, if a candidate sent me a resume built with one of these templates, I would take notice and be impressed.

The software also makes it easy to enter your info and handles all of the formatting for you, so you can get your resume ready to send out as quickly as possible. I recommend these templates whether you're a recent graduate or experienced candidate.

Gabriela Tardea

Career Strategist, Coach & Trainer

When I consult people on resume writing, the most common question that I am asked it is about the content and what components to add or avoid, when they have less than 5 years of work experience.

On this platform, you not only have access to many options, but you get guidance on what to choose and why. When the work experience is less than 5 years, the other components such as languages, projects, volunteering experiences, hobbies etc, make a huge difference.

Resume Resources

What is a resume.

A resume is a brief summary of personal and professional experiences, skills, and education history. Its main purpose is to show off your best self to potential employers.

When applying for a job, you’re (in most cases) going to be asked for a resume accompanied by a cover letter.

If you manage to create a “good” resume, you’re going to 2x your chances of getting hired . Want to learn how? Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume .

How to Write a Resume With No Experience?

The process of writing a resume might seem super scary to you. After all, most resume examples you see on the web are 80% about work experience. So, what the heck can you include in your resume if you have none?

Well, here’s some good news. If you’re applying for an entry-level job or an internship, no one expects you to have ANY work experience.

Instead, you should focus on what you DO have: education, projects, volunteering experience, hobbies & interests.

For a complete guide on how to make a resume with no work experience stand out, check out our article.

What to Put on a Resume?

The most common sections on a resume are:

Contact information

Resume summary or objective

Work experience

If you want to personalize your resume a bit more, you can also include the following sections:

Volunteering experience

Hobbies & interests

For more information on how to place these sections on your resume, check out our article on what to put on a resume .

How to Format a Resume?

Here are the three most popular resume formats:

Reverse-Chronological Resume

Functional Resume

Combination Resume

In 99% of the cases, you’ll want to go with the reverse chronological resume format . That’s the format most resumes you’ve seen follow - its main focus is your work experience, written down in reverse-chronological order.

So, unless you’re a student with no professional experience or a career changer, we’d recommend sticking with this format.

If you want to learn more about three resume formats , check out our comparison guide.

How to Write a Resume For a Student?

A good student resume takes advantage of the education section to highlight the candidate’s skills and qualifications.

So, the first thing you should do is talk about all your academic achievements, including any classes you’ve taken that are relevant to the position.

As a student, hiring managers don’t expect you to have extensive professional experience, so you don’t have to worry about the work experience section missing from your resume. Instead, you can focus on highlighting your extracurricular activities , any volunteering you’ve done, and your awards or certifications.

This student resume guide has all the information you need to perfect your resume and land your first real job.

How to Write a Resume For My First Job?

If you’re applying for your first job, chances are you don’t have substantial work experience. That’s fine - hiring managers expect that from entry-level positions.

First things first, go for the reverse-chronological format. Instead of writing a resume summary, use a resume objective to highlight your skills and career aspirations. If you have any work experience, do include it on your resume.

If not, you should put more focus on the following sections:

Internships , where you should focus on what you learned and achieved

Extracurricular activities , where you should highlight your role, responsibilities, and achievements.

Volunteering experiences , where you should mention the organization name, and relevant tasks and achievements.

Projects , where you talk about any personal projects you’ve worked on (that are also somehow relevant to the job you’re applying for).

Check out this guide on writing a resume with no experience to learn more about the topic and get inspired by real-life examples.

How Long Should a Resume Be?

Short answer: one page. If you're a seasoned professional with a lot of work experience that's relevant to the position, you can create a 2-page long resume MAX.

Long answer: check out our guide on how long should a resume be .

P.S. all of our templates are one page long , so you shouldn’t have a lot of trouble sticking to the one-page limit!

How to Write a Resume Summary?

Your resume summary is a “hook” that goes on top of your resume. Think of it as an introduction to the rest of your resume. It should, in 2-4 sentences, explain what your background is, and why it’s relevant for the position you’re applying for.

To learn more about how to create a resume summary that stands out, check out our guide.

How to List Work Experience on a Resume?

Work experience on a resume is one of those things that’s easy to learn but hard to master.

Each work experience entry should contain the following information:

Company name/description/location

Achievements or responsibilities

Dates employed

Now, if you want to create a work experience section that stands out, you want to make your achievements quantifiable. What this means is, instead of creating a responsibility-focused entry, like:

“Carried out sales operations.”

You list your achievements:

“Hit and exceeded monthly sales KPIs for 5 months in a row.”

This shows the employer that you’re not just a random candidate, you’re an A-player! To learn more about how to list achievements in your work experience (and land the job), check out our article.

How to List Skills on a Resume?

Simply create a ”skills” section on your Novorésumé resume template, and list your top skills. We usually recommend going for a mix of hard and soft skills .

Not sure what skills to include in your resume? Check out these 101 essential skills for any resume .

How to Make a Cover Letter for a Resume?

You should always submit a cover letter along with your resume for any job you apply to. Here are some of our top cover letter tips on how to do this right:

Tailor your cover letter to the employer. The more personalized it is, the more likely it is for the recruiter to like you.

Outline your general background (work experience, profession, etc.) and mention your top 2-3 achievements to show off your skills.

If you really want to stand out, create a cover letter that matches your resume template. To do this, you can use one of our cover letter templates here .

If you want to learn more about how to write a convincing cover letter, check out our comprehensive guide.

What Is the Best Resume Template?

There’s no such thing as “the best resume template” - every recruiter/employer has their own personal preference. Our general recommendation is to do your research on the company and its values.

For example, if you’re applying for a position at a bank, you’d want a more traditional resume template. Or, if you want a job in a startup where they value innovation more, you could opt for a creative resume template .

Alternatively, if you want your experience and skills to do all the talking, you can pick one of these minimalist resume templates .

Finally, if you’re still not sure which type of template is right for the job you’re applying for, you can just use a simple resume template just to be safe.

Do I Need to Include a Photo on my Resume?

No, you don’t need to include your photo together with your other contact details. Companies hire based on merit, which means your physical appearance shouldn’t matter to the hiring manager.

Instead, in your contact information section, make sure to include the following:

Professional title

Valid phone number

Email address

Location/where you’re based

Link to website/ LinkedIn /online portfolio, etc.

What’s the Difference Between a Resume and a CV?

In most cases, when people are talking about a CV or a resume, they are referring to the same thing! The only difference is that it's called a resume in the US and a CV in Europe (and most other countries around the world).

Now, in the US, a CV is a very in-depth document that describes your career journey step-by-step, including all sorts of personal information . Depending on your amount of experience, a CV can range between 2 to 8 pages and it’s typically used when you’re applying for jobs in academia.

Check out our guide for a more comprehensive run-down of the differences between a CV and a resume .

6 Tips for Creating a US Resume (That’ll Land You the Job)

Looking to get hired in the US? Check out our tips for creating a US resume below!

Keep your resume between 1-3 pages . A one-page resume is preferable unless you’re a seasoned professional. In such a case, you can go for two or even three, if your experience is really relevant.

Use Standard American English . So, for example, write “color” instead of the UK version, which is “colour.”

Leave out personal information , such as marital status, birthday, gender, photo, number of children, age, religion, personal identification numbers, and ethnicity/country of origin. They can be grounds for discrimination.

Don’t include references , unless the employer specifically asks you to.

Don’t list English as a foreign language.

Don’t list your GPA, SAT, TOEFL, or ACT scores on your US resume unless otherwise stated. Hiring managers usually don’t care.

Check out this guide for the full list of resume tips and tricks !

Get Inspired with Our Resume Examples

Resume templates faq, how to make a resume with novorésumé.

Follow these simple steps:

Choose one of our top resume templates above

Follow the tips & tricks built-in our resume builder

Fill in your work history and other experiences

Hit download and start applying to jobs!

What If I Am a Student?

All of our resume samples are student-friendly! If you’re looking for something a bit more tailored, we’d recommend picking the “college resume template”

Or, if you want to learn how to create a convincing student resume , check out our guide.

Do I Really Need a Resume?

Yes, you definitely need a resume!

Practically every job out there requires that candidates submit a resume and a cover letter, so if you want your application to be considered by the hiring manager, you definitely need a resume .

Are These Resume Templates Free?

Yep, all of the templates listed above are free resume templates.

However, our resume builder comes with a ton of premium features. So if you want to personalize your resume and make it truly yours, you can upgrade!

Who Created These Resume Samples?

At Novorésumé, we put extensive care in creating each resume template.

We interviewed recruiters and analyzed applicant tracking systems to create resume samples that will maximize your chances of getting hired.

Then, our professional graphic designer worked his magic to make the resume samples compelling, well-designed, and easy to read!

Which Template Do Most Employers Prefer for Resumes?

Typically, employers prefer simple, professional-looking resume templates that follow the reverse-chronological format and don’t surpass two pages MAX in length.

All the Novoresume templates above meet these requirements, so rest assured hiring managers will dig whichever one you choose.

Are These Resume Templates ATS-Friendly?

Yes! All Novorésumé templates are ATS-friendly .

Keep in mind, though, that using the right template is step #1. You should also optimize your resume content for applicant tracking systems. For more on that, check out our guide to creating an ATS-friendly resume .

Do You Offer One-Page Resume Templates?

Yep. All the templates you see above are one-page resume templates. They are, however, pretty flexible, so if you decide to go for 2 pages, our templates will get the job done!

Should I Download My New Resume In PDF or Word?

You should always download and save your resume as a PDF .

Here’s why:

PDF formatting never gets messed up.

It’s compatible with practically any system or device.

PDF documents look cleaner and are overall more professional.

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Protect your data

This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, and analytics as described in our Privacy Policy . You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, reject non-essential technologies, or further manage your preferences.

• Resume and Cover Letter
• How to Show Promotions on a...

How to Show Promotions on a Resume (with Examples)

8 min read · Updated on January 29, 2024

As you rise through the ranks at your company, show promotions on your resume the right way

Writing a resume is often a daunting challenge. It can be difficult to determine what information to include, how to organize and name each section of your resume, and the best format to use as you tell your career story. That challenge increases when you need to figure out how to show a promotion on your resume.

One of the most frequent questions professional resume writers receive is, “How do I list multiple jobs within the same company?” It's a perfectly understandable dilemma. If resume sections are typically separated by job and company, what do you do when there is only a foggy distinction between the two?

In this post, we'll explain some of the options that you can use to highlight promotions on a resume. We'll also include some examples you can refer to for guidance as you add these critical details.

Why you need to know how to show promotions on your resume

You might be wondering why you even need to know how to show promotions on your resume. The answer is simple: if you've been fortunate enough to remain with the same company for a lengthy period as you continued to advance your career, showing promotions can help to show how much that company appreciated the value you provided. It also helps to demonstrate that your career is progressing, rather than stagnating.

What options can you use to show promotions on a resume?

There are two main options available to you if you need to highlight promotions on your resume. They include:

Stacking your separate roles beneath the same company entry

Listing the company multiple times, with different job titles for each entry

Let's look at each of these different options in more detail.

Option 1: Stacking the two

Stacking the positions into one description is the most common resume format for organizing more than one position at a single company. This method is used to draw attention to lateral moves or progressive responsibilities, achievements, and dedication to the company. There are a few simple rules to this resume format:

• Include the overall date range at the top
• List dates for each position next to the job title
• Place job descriptions and bulleted key achievements directly below each position

COMPANY NAME, City, State • Company Start Date to Company End Date

Most Recent Position - Start Date to End Date

Job Description

• Key Achievement 1
• Key Achievement 2
• Key Achievement 3

Previous Position – Start Date to End Date

Place the most recent position at the top and start each description with “Promoted within from [former job title] to [promotion job title]” and describe your new position. You do not need to give reasons for the promotion. Use action verbs to show your accomplishments, not just your job duties. Also be sure to include bullet points of achievements which reflect your contributions.

Here is an example of a description using action verbs and "achieving" language:

Incorrect: Responsible for managing operations at multiple stores in the state

Correct: Led teams across 50 stores statewide, with combined annual earnings of $190 million

Related: How to Make Your Resume Stand Out with Action Verbs

Option 2: Use separate company listings

Sometimes, your positions at a given company will be distinct enough to stand alone. In those situations, it is advisable to list each career advancement or lateral move separately on your resume, as you would if they were positions at different companies. This approach draws attention to both your achievement history according to position and the period in which those achievements occurred.

One word of caution if you opt for this resume format option: be careful not to give the impression that you were job hopping. Looking like a job hopper can be prevented by placing the dates clearly next to the company, making it easier for the hiring manager or employer to identify the different periods. Other resume format rules to follow include:

Only identify important jobs separately

Combine less-important positions together

Make dates clearly visible

Draw attention to achievements

The resume format looks like this:

COMPANY A's NAME, City, State • Start Date to End Date

Most recent position

Previous position

Another situation that you may find yourself needing to address in the format of your resume is when you've left a company and were later rehired for a different role. For example, say John worked for Dell Computers for six years before moving to Apple. After two years at Apple, Dell then offered John a new position, paying twice his salary at Apple. John decided to go back to Dell and would list his jobs in the following order:

DELL, City, State - Start Date to End Date

Most recent position at Dell 

APPLE, City, State - Start Date to End Date

Position at Apple 

Previous position at Dell

So, which option should you choose?

Once you understand the options available to you, the next step is to decide which format is right for your resume. Which one will help to ensure that your resume stands out in a sea of rival candidacies? That decision will likely be based on several distinct factors:

How long you've spent in each job role

If you're one of those people who's worked at the same company for many years and received only one or two promotions, the stacked option will likely be your best bet. That will help to avoid any unnecessary repetition, while still allowing you the ability to highlight your career progression.

How many promotions you've received

On the other hand, if your career progression within a given company has involved multiple promotions that demonstrate consistent career growth, you may want to make multiple listings to highlight this.

Which of those promotions are relevant to the job you're seeking

The skills and experience derived from each role can also be an important consideration. If your promotions and new duties provided expanded opportunities for increasing your value as an employee, that too may be worthy of separate listings.

Changes in job title

In addition to promotions, you may also find yourself needing to highlight changes in your job title. Company restructuring, lateral job changes, and other factors can sometimes result in employees receiving different job titles, new duties, and responsibilities - without receiving any type of formal promotion or change in compensation.

To show those changes on your resume, your best option is to use a format that relies on separate entries for these job title changes. You can then stack entries for any promotions that you might receive while holding any of those job titles.

Just make sure that you don't forget to focus on measurable achievements for each of those entries. Highlight your adaptability and resilience, while noting any restructuring or other changes that led to the change in role or job title. As always, emphasize the value that you provided as an employee at the company.

Key takeaways

Listing more than one job or promotion within the same company shouldn't be a difficult practice in resume formats. There are just a few basic rules. For one, treat it as you would other job listings: stack the positions under the company name, and draw attention to achievements and dates.

If the position calls for individual listings, remember to make the dates easier to see, focus on achievements, and write transition sentences to start each new position. This helps to draw more attention to your abilities and clarify your situation. If you're unsure whether to stack or list each position separately, remember these differences:

A stacked resume is used when positions are similar but with increasing responsibilities. It focuses on:

Achievements

Separate positions are used when promotions are major and don't fit well under the other positions. This one focuses on:

Major promotions

Hiatus from the company

Knowing how to show promotions on a resume can help you to stand out from the crowd

Promotions and other career victories are not just reasons for celebration; they're also important highlights that you need to emphasize on your resume. Knowing how to show promotions on your resume can help to ensure that potential employers take note of your career progression and the type of value that you provided for your previous employers.

Still not sure about your best options for showing promotions on your resume? Get your free resume review from our team of experts today.

This article was originally written by MA Smith and has been updated by Ken Chase. 

Recommended reading:

Make the Perfect First Impression With Your Resume

How to Write a Targeted Resume That Lands You an Interview

Enhance Your Career Development by Boosting Your Cognitive Ability

Related Articles:

7 Signs Your Resume is Making You Look Old

Why a Simple Resume Layout is a Successful Resume

Software Developer Top Needed Skills

See how your resume stacks up.

Career Advice Newsletter

Our experts gather the best career & resume tips weekly. Delivered weekly, always free.

Thanks! Career advice is on its way.

Share this article:

Let's stay in touch.

Subscribe today to get job tips and career advice that will come in handy.

Your information is secure. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

• Skip to Content
• Skip to Sidebar
• Skip to Footer

Resume Genius

The World's Smartest Resume Builder

Monday to Friday, 8AM – 12AM (Midnight) and Saturdays and Sundays, 10AM – 6PM EDT (866) 215-9048

Resume Examples Manager Resume Examples

13 Manager Resume Examples & Writing Tips

Aiming for that open management position but worried about your resume? Our manager resume samples and writing tips show you how to present your experience to land the managerial job you want. Make sure to write a great manager cover letter to pair with your resume as well.

General manager resume template

Job-specific resume examples

How to write a resume for a management position

General manager resume template (text format).

Pair your resume with an effective manager cover letter .

Manager Resume Example

FIRST AND LAST NAME

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (123) 456-7891

Address: Street, City, State

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile

Resume Introduction

Experienced/Aspiring [industry] manager with [# of years] years of experience in the [industry] industry. Seeking to leverage my expertise in [relevant hard skills] to fill your [manager position name] position. A dedicated leader aiming to help [Company’s Name] achieve its goals. Recognized for my excellent track record and [relevant managerial soft skills].

Work or Relevant Experience

• Include a bulleted list of your accomplishments
• Be sure to back up your achievements with hard numbers
• Highlight moments where you’ve led a team or managed a successful project
• List relevant accomplishments from an earlier job
• If you no longer perform this job, use past tense verbs to describe the experience

Degree Name / Major University, Location | Graduation date

Skills and Certifications

• List your relevant hard skills and certifications here
• Be as specific by mentioning names of software or tools you’re experienced with

Additional Resume Section

• Here’s where you can add any other relevant information about your qualifications
• For instance, this section could be used for awards you’ve received or conferences you attended

12 job-specific manager resume examples

Wherever you are on your career journey, we have resume samples for you to refer to as you write your own.

Assistant manager resume

In such a revenue-focused role, increasing sales is key to landing a job and impressing your bosses. The best way to show employers that you’ve got the skills to boost sales is by quantifying your achievements like in this assistant manager resume example :

Business manager resume

Whether your expertise lies in business analysis or business development, you’ll need a resume that reflects your ability to work well with others and shows that you have the hard skills necessary to perform the duties of a business manager. Check out this business manager resume example for inspiration:

Executive director resume

You need an executive-level resume to be considered for an executive director job. Employers are counting on you to head business strategies that drive revenue and growth. Demonstrate your impressive track record and business savvy with this standout executive director resume :

Hotel general manager

As a hotel general manager, you’ll need to ensure that the hotel runs smoothly and all guests’ needs are met. Show employers your exceptional customer service talents, leadership skills, and high level of professionalism with this hotel general manager resume :

Marketing manager resume

In an industry as competitive as marketing, your resume needs to stand out and sell you as a cutting-edge candidate. Featuring an eye-catching design and plenty of achievements, this marketing manager resume is made for doing just that:

• Program manager resume

As a program manager, you’re responsible for overseeing programs on behalf of your company. Convince employers you’re up to the task with this program manager resume that highlights your technical skills and leadership experience.

This template is good for senior accountant roles where you won’t need to emphasize your educational background.

Restaurant manager resume

In an industry as fast-paced and competitive as food service, it’s important that your application stands out from the others, and communicates your qualifications as quickly as possible. Use an eye-catching restaurant manager resume like this one to make sure you capture employers’ attention:

Retail manager resume

Retail managers need to be able to demonstrate strong sales skills and convince employers that they’ll move product quickly. Use this unique and neatly organized retail manager resume to highlight your professional accomplishments and exceptional customer service skills:

Sales manager resume

Sales managers are expected to lead a sales team, think strategically, and ensure that their targets are met. Show employers you’re capable of exceeding expectations with an accomplishment-packed sales manager resume like this one.

Store manager resume

Employers are looking for managerial candidates they can trust to run their stores efficiently. Showcase your professional experience, unique skills, and track record of successful store operation with this store manager resume :

Warehouse manager resume

Warehouse managers are responsible for organizing the staff and operations of a warehouse. Show employers you have what it takes to shoulder this responsibility and demonstrate your professional achievements with this warehouse manager resume :

General manager resume

Prepare your general manager resume following the ideas from our sample:

Landing a management position isn’t easy. You need to prove to employers that you know the ins and outs of your industry, and that you have the leadership skills to guide a successful team.

Our free-to-use resume builder can make you a resume in as little as 5 minutes. Just pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.

Here’s how to write a strong resume for any management-level position:

Start with a resume summary that highlights your accomplishments

For managers, the best way to start a resume is to use a resume summary . Resume summaries are particularly helpful for management-level job seekers because they’re achievement-focused .

By using a resume summary, you can quickly highlight your most impressive accomplishments as a manager to employers.

Here’s an example manager resume summary for you to get a better idea of what we mean:

Enterprising restaurant manager with 6+ years of experience managing a high-quality and fast-paced five-star restaurant. Coached 50+ staff members and maintained an employee retention rate 25% higher than industry standard by implementing training programs.

If you’re still unsure how to write an effective resume introduction, you can use a professional resume summary generator .

6 examples of a resume objective for a manager

A resume objective is a better option if you are just starting out and don’t have much work experience in the management field. A well-written resume objective gives employers insight into your career goals and your most valuable skills.

Check out the following examples for inspiration on how to write your own:

Accomplished operations manager with a successful history of optimizing processes and enhancing efficiency in diverse industries. Recognized for my strategic planning skills, team leadership experience, and commitment to achieving organizational goals. Eager to bring my proven track record to a managerial role where I can contribute to the overall success of the business.

Forward-thinking marketing manager with a creative mindset and a history of developing and executing successful marketing campaigns. Proven ability to drive brand awareness and customer engagement through strategic thinking, market analysis, and effective team leadership. Eager to contribute my skills to a managerial role in a progressive organization.

Accomplished sales manager known for a customer-centric approach and a track record of consistently exceeding revenue targets. Possessing strong leadership, sales strategy development, and relationship-building skills, I am seeking a managerial position where I can contribute to business growth and drive sales success through effective team management.

Strategic human resources manager specializing in fostering a positive workplace culture and enhancing employee engagement. Demonstrated success in implementing HR strategies, talent development programs, and employee relations initiatives that contribute to a motivated and productive workforce. Seeking a managerial role to make a significant impact on organizational success through effective HR leadership.

Results-oriented IT manager with a focus on cybersecurity and a background in leading high-performing IT teams. Seeking a challenging managerial position to apply my technical knowledge, project management skills, and commitment to maintaining robust cybersecurity measures. Eager to contribute to the strategic goals of an organization through innovative IT solutions and risk mitigation.

Retail manager with a keen eye for merchandising and a history of driving sales growth. Proven ability to lead teams, manage inventory effectively, and enhance customer experiences. Seeking a managerial role where I can leverage my skills in team leadership, strategic merchandising, and customer service to contribute to the success of a dynamic retail environment.

Use action verbs to describe your management duties

Hiring managers see the same tired phrases and words on resumes again and again. For example:

• Responsible for
• Tasked with
• Entrusted with

Passive words like these are dull, and tell the hiring manager nothing about what you’ve actually achieved as a manager.

Instead, use strong resume action verbs to highlight the successes in your career. For instance:

Trimmed office supplies budget by $470

If you’re not sure what words to use on your resume, here are some common management-related action words to highlight your accomplishments as a team and project leader:

Include numbers to prove your competence as a manager

During your time as a manager, you’ve likely accumulated a lot of experience. Make your resume accomplishments as engaging as possible by backing up this experience with hard numbers.

Adding numbers when you list work experience on your resume helps hiring managers put that experience into context, and better understand what you can achieve for them.

For example, if a hiring manager saw the following bullet point on a marketing manager resume, they would immediately understand that this candidate is skilled enough to achieve an impressive 13% growth in sales (and even could get similar results if they were hired):

Developed new promotional campaign by bundling products together, increasing sales revenue by 13% with projected year-on-sales growth of $400,000

No management experience? List related achievements

If you’re not yet a manager, you can still apply for a managerial role by highlighting transferable skills and any leadership experience you do have.

One approach is to highlight your project management skills . For example, if you’ve led a project through to completion, you should highlight that experience on your resume.

Here’s an example of how one candidate showcased their project management skills on their resume by mentioning the time they coordinated with freelancers:

Delegated beta testing of 13 apps to a team of 47 freelancers

While not in-person management experience, this type of work shows you can coordinate with and direct other people – essential skills for any management role.

Highlight your relevant management skills

If you want to be hired at the management level, you need to prove that you know more than just the gritty details of your industry.

Companies are looking for candidates who have the management skills needed to train new employees, run a successful team, and lead projects.

Show employers you have the basic skills to be a successful manager by highlighting them clearly on your resume.

For example, make sure to include bullet points on your resume detailing times you trained people or managed projects to showcase your leadership skills. You should also highlight any times you’ve had to interact with clients to show you’re capable of representing your company and communicating professionally.

Read the job description for the position you want

If you’re applying for a management role and not sure what the employer is looking for, the best way to find out is to read the job description .

Hiring managers include all the technical skills , experience, education levels, and even personality traits that they want candidates to have in the “Requirements” section of the job ad.

Additionally, the job description can be a great way to find relevant keywords for your resume.

For example, look at this job description for a Regional HR Manager position:

The words highlighted are all skills or experience that this company is looking for in their ideal manager candidate.

To show that you’re the best person for the job, you should adjust your resume to highlight the specific skills that the position you’re applying for requires.

The best resume templates for 2024

One of the best ways to make your resume is by filling out one of our free resume templates. All our templates are designed by experts and free to download for Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

Additional examples

If you’re looking for a more specific type of managerial position, check out our other manager resume examples below:

• Account manager resume
• Branch manager resume
• Business development manager resume
• Community manager resume
• Construction project manager resume
• Customer success manager resume
• Dental office manager resume
• Inventory manager resume
• IT project manager resume
• Logistics manager resume
• Medical office manager resume
• Office manager resume
• Operations manager resume
• Product manager resume
• Project manager resume
• Social media manager resume
• Stage manager resume

Make a resume in minutes

Pick your template, fill in a few details, and our builder will do the rest.

Conrad Benz

Related Articles

Resume Help

Emily Crowley

Corissa Peterson

Thanks for downloading our free template!

Would you leave us a review?

We hope we’ve helped you on your path to career success. If you have time, a quick review would really make our day (it'll only take 15 seconds). Thanks again, and good luck!

Resume Worded   |  Proven Resume Examples

• Resume Examples
• Other Resumes
• Human Resources (HR) Resume Guide & Examples

Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resume Examples: Proven To Get You Hired In 2024

Jump to a template:

• Human Resources (HR) Administrator
• Human Resources Administrator
• HR Specialist

Get advice on each section of your resume:

Jump to a resource:

• Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resume Tips

Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resume Template

Download in google doc, word or pdf for free. designed to pass resume screening software in 2022., human resources (hr) administrator resume sample.

An HR Administrator sits at the intersection of HR and data, so when crafting your resume, you want to demonstrate you're no stranger to either. From managing databases, to processing employee updates and ensuring regulatory compliance, strong organizational skills and attention to detail are your bread and butter. Lately, we're seeing a shift towards HR tech, with HRIS and ATS systems becoming commonplace. So, understanding these tools is growing increasingly vital. In your resume, remember to highlight how you've used data insights to drive HR decisions. Modern companies value data-driven decision-making, so showcasing your ability to use analytics to shape initiatives can make your resume stand out. Additionally, remember that HR is about people - showcasing your interpersonal skills is equally important.

We're just getting the template ready for you, just a second left.

Recruiter Insight: Why this resume works in 2022

Tips to help you write your human resources (hr) administrator resume in 2024,    include hr tech proficiency.

As technology reshapes HR, knowing your way around an HRIS system is a big selling point. Don't just list the systems you've used, though. Go a step further: illustrate how you've used these tools to make HR processes more efficient.

   Highlight Regulatory Knowledge

The regulatory landscape is constantly evolving, and HR Administrators shoulder the responsibility of keeping their companies compliant. Highlight instances where you've navigated regulatory changes or used compliance knowledge to prevent potential issues.

A human resources administrator role can be a stepping stone to a management or director position. Administrators help with tasks like maintaining personnel files, assisting with hiring, preparing documents, and updating databases. To become an administrator, choose a resume similar to this one to showcase your administrative abilities and analytical skills. You should also be able to show that you work well with people and that you have been a leader to others.

   Demonstrates professional growth via promotions

Although human resources administrator roles typically aren’t as senior as management jobs, it’s still beneficial to mention past positions where you were promoted or given more responsibilities. Promotions highlight your proactivity and show that you are capable of being a leader.

   Relevant skills and certifications to HR and recruitment

This resume lists technical skills that are specific to human resources as well as clerical work. It’s helpful to also list any certifications or other credentials you have in human resources so you can be even more competitive for the job.

Human Resources Administrator Resume Sample

Hr manager resume sample, hr specialist resume sample.

We spoke with hiring managers from top companies like Amazon, Google, and Salesforce to learn what they look for in HR Administrator resumes. Based on their insights and our research, we've compiled the following tips to help your resume stand out from the competition and land you an interview.

   Showcase your HR certifications and training

HR certifications demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field. Be sure to list any relevant certifications you have earned, such as:

• SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional)
• PHR (Professional in Human Resources)
• SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources)

Additionally, highlight any specialized training you have completed, such as courses in employment law, diversity and inclusion, or talent acquisition. This shows employers that you are dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in HR.

   Quantify your HR achievements with metrics

To make your resume more impactful, use specific numbers and metrics to quantify your accomplishments. Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, focus on the results you achieved. For example:

• Managed employee onboarding process
• Conducted employee training sessions

These examples lack context and don't showcase the impact of your work. Instead, try quantifying your achievements like this:

• Streamlined employee onboarding process, reducing time-to-productivity by 25% for 50+ new hires annually
• Developed and delivered training sessions for 200+ employees, resulting in a 15% increase in employee engagement scores

   Tailor your resume to the job description

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is using a generic resume for every application. To stand out, tailor your resume to the specific job description and company. Here's an example of a generic resume summary:

Experienced HR professional seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization.

Instead, customize your summary to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences:

HR Administrator with 5+ years of experience in talent acquisition and employee relations. Proven track record of reducing time-to-fill by 30% and improving employee retention by 20%. Seeking to leverage expertise in HR analytics and diversity initiatives to support [Company Name]'s growth and culture.

   Highlight your experience with HR technology

In today's digital age, HR professionals must be proficient in various HR technologies and software. Showcase your experience with tools such as:

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) like Taleo or iCIMS
• Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) like Workday or Oracle
• Performance management software like SuccessFactors or Lattice

Demonstrating your familiarity with these tools shows employers that you can hit the ground running and efficiently manage HR processes.

   Emphasize your soft skills and emotional intelligence

As an HR Administrator, your soft skills and emotional intelligence are just as important as your technical expertise. Highlight your ability to:

• Communicate effectively with employees at all levels
• Handle sensitive situations with empathy and discretion
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the organization
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve goals

Provide specific examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in your previous roles. For instance, you could mention how you successfully mediated a conflict between two employees, resulting in improved team morale and productivity.

   Include relevant volunteer experience or professional affiliations

If you have any volunteer experience or professional affiliations related to HR, be sure to include them on your resume. For example:

• Volunteered as a mentor for the SHRM student chapter at [University Name], providing guidance on career development and job search strategies
• Active member of the National Human Resources Association (NHRA), attending quarterly meetings and networking events

These experiences demonstrate your passion for the field and your commitment to professional development, which can help you stand out from other candidates.

Writing Your Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resume: Section By Section

  summary.

The resume summary, also known as a professional summary or career overview, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume. Unlike outdated resume objectives that focus on your career goals, a well-written summary showcases the unique value you bring to the HR Administrator role.

When deciding whether to include a summary, consider your career stage and the relevance of your past experience to your target HR Administrator position. If you're a seasoned HR professional or making a career change into HR, a summary can provide helpful context and highlight your most relevant qualifications.

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Human Resources (HR) Administrator resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resume Summary Examples , or Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resume Objective Examples .

1. Tailor your HR summary to the job

While it may be tempting to use the same generic summary for every HR Administrator application, resist that urge. Instead, align your summary with the requirements of each specific job ad.

Here's an example of a generic, less effective summary:

Experienced HR professional with a proven track record in multiple HR functions. Strong communication and organizational skills.

To strengthen this summary, mention the specific HR Administrator duties that align with the job you want:

Human Resources professional with 5+ years of experience in employee relations, performance management, and HRIS administration. Adept at partnering with managers to resolve complex employee issues and drive HR process improvements.

2. Incorporate HR keywords

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to automatically scan resumes for relevant keywords. To improve your chances of passing the ATS, incorporate HR-specific keywords and skills from the job description into your summary.

Let's look at a summary that lacks keywords:

• Human resources generalist with experience across various HR functions. Proven ability to support business objectives.

Now, here's that same summary enriched with relevant keywords:

• Human Resources Generalist well-versed in full-cycle recruiting, benefits administration, and HR policy development. Proven ability to partner with cross-functional teams to implement HR initiatives that support organizational goals.

  Experience

The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers what you've accomplished in previous roles and how it relates to the position you're applying for. When writing your work experience section, focus on highlighting your most relevant experience and accomplishments as an HR administrator.

1. Highlight HR accomplishments with metrics

Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, focus on showcasing your accomplishments and the impact you made in each role. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to give hiring managers a clear picture of your capabilities.

Here are some examples of how to effectively use metrics:

• Implemented new onboarding process that reduced time-to-productivity by 25% for new hires
• Developed and delivered training programs for 150+ employees, resulting in a 20% increase in employee satisfaction scores
• Streamlined HR processes, reducing paperwork by 30% and saving the company $50K annually

2. Use strong HR-related action verbs

When describing your work experience, use strong action verbs that showcase your HR skills and expertise. This helps hiring managers quickly understand your capabilities and the value you can bring to their organization.

Here are some examples of effective action verbs for an HR administrator:

• Implemented
• Coordinated

Avoid using weak or passive language like:

• Helped with
• Assisted in
• Responsible for

3. Showcase your expertise with HR tools and technologies

As an HR administrator, you likely have experience with various HR tools and technologies. Showcasing your proficiency with these tools can help demonstrate your qualifications and set you apart from other candidates.

Some examples of HR tools and technologies to highlight in your work experience section include:

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
• Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
• Performance management software
• Learning management systems (LMS)
• Payroll and benefits administration platforms

Utilized ATS to streamline recruitment process, resulting in a 30% reduction in time-to-fill for open positions and improving candidate experience.

4. Highlight your career progression

Showing career progression in your work experience section can demonstrate your ability to take on increasing responsibility and grow within an organization. This is particularly important for HR administrator roles, as hiring managers often look for candidates who have the potential to advance into higher-level HR positions.

Here's an example of how to showcase career progression:

• HR Assistant (2015-2017): Supported HR team with administrative tasks and helped coordinate employee events.
• HR Coordinator (2017-2019): Managed onboarding process for new hires and assisted with benefits administration.
• HR Administrator (2019-Present): Oversee all HR functions, including recruitment, employee relations, and performance management.

In contrast, here's an example of what not to do:

• HR Administrator (2015-Present): Responsible for various HR tasks and projects.

  Education

Your education section shows you have the training and knowledge for the HR administrator role. It also shows your ability to learn. Here are tips for writing a strong education section on your HR administrator resume.

1. Put your education at the top if you're a recent grad

If you just graduated with a degree in HR or a related field, put your education at the top of your resume. This shows the employer that you have the most current knowledge and training.

Here is an example of a recent grad's education section:

Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL Graduation Date: May 2023 GPA: 3.8 Relevant Coursework: Compensation and Benefits Employee and Labor Relations Human Resources Information Systems Organizational Behavior

2. Keep your education section short if you have years of HR experience

If you have been working in HR for several years, your education is less important than your experience. Keep your education section short, with just the essentials like your degree, school name, and graduation year.

Here is an example of a concise education section for a senior HR professional:

• Master of Business Administration, Columbia University
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, New York University

Compare that to an example that includes unnecessary details:

• Master of Business Administration, Concentration in Human Resources Management, Columbia University, New York, NY, Graduated: 2012, GPA: 3.9
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Business, New York University, New York, NY, Graduated: 2007, GPA: 3.7, Dean's List 2005-2007

3. Include HR certifications in your education section

HR certifications show you have specialized knowledge and skills. They also show your commitment to the HR profession. Some jobs may even require certain certifications.

You can list your HR certifications in your education section:

Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), HR Certification Institute, 2020 Master of Business Administration University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Chicago, IL Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management DePaul University, Chicago, IL

Or you can put them in a separate "Certifications" section:

CERTIFICATIONS Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), HR Certification Institute, 2020 Professional in Human Resources (PHR), HR Certification Institute, 2015

  Skills

The skills section of your resume is your chance to showcase your most relevant abilities to potential employers. As an HR administrator, you need to highlight a mix of technical and soft skills that demonstrate your ability to manage employee relations, oversee recruitment and training, and ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations. Here are some tips for crafting a compelling skills section that will catch the attention of hiring managers.

1. Tailor your skills to the job description

When applying for an HR administrator position, it's crucial to align your skills with the requirements listed in the job description. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes for relevant keywords before a human ever sees them. To increase your chances of making it past the ATS, carefully review the job posting and incorporate the skills and qualifications they are looking for.

For example, if the job description emphasizes experience with HRIS software, make sure to include that specific skill in your resume. Similarly, if the company is looking for someone with a background in employee relations, highlight any relevant experience you have in that area.

HRIS: Workday, ADP, UltiPro Employee Relations: Conflict Resolution, Performance Management, Investigations Compliance: FMLA, ADA, EEOC

2. Focus on hard skills and technical proficiencies

While soft skills like communication and teamwork are important for HR administrators, they are often overused and can come across as generic. Instead, focus on highlighting your hard skills and technical proficiencies that are directly relevant to the job.

Some examples of hard skills to include in your HR administrator resume:

• Performance Management Software
• Benefits Administration
• Payroll Processing
• Labor Law Compliance

By emphasizing your technical abilities, you demonstrate to potential employers that you have the practical knowledge and expertise needed to excel in the role.

3. Use industry-specific terminology

As an HR professional, you likely have a wealth of knowledge about employment laws, regulations, and best practices. Showcase your expertise by using industry-specific terminology in your skills section. This not only demonstrates your familiarity with the field but also helps your resume rank higher in ATS searches.

Consider including skills like:

• FMLA Administration
• EEO Compliance
• I-9 Verification
• Workers' Compensation
• OSHA Regulations

By using language that is specific to the HR industry, you signal to potential employers that you are well-versed in the complexities of the field and equipped to handle the responsibilities of the job.

4. Quantify your skills with proficiency levels

To give hiring managers a better sense of your abilities, consider quantifying your skills with proficiency levels. This helps differentiate between skills you are highly experienced in versus those you have only a basic understanding of.

Benefits Administration HRIS Employee Relations Training and Development

While this skills section includes relevant abilities, it doesn't provide any context for the level of proficiency. Compare that to this example:

Benefits Administration (Expert) HRIS: Workday, ADP (Advanced) Employee Relations (Intermediate) Training and Development (Beginner)

By adding proficiency levels, you give potential employers a clearer picture of where your strengths lie and how you can contribute to their organization.

Skills For Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resumes

Here are examples of popular skills from Human Resources (HR) Administrator job descriptions that you can include on your resume.

• ADP Payroll
• Accounts Payable & Receivable
• Accounts Receivable (AR)
• Soap Making
• Accounts Payable
• Financial Reporting
• Financial Statements

Skills Word Cloud For Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Human Resources (HR) Administrator job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.

How to use these skills?

Similar resume templates, contract specialist.

Office Manager

SQL Developer

• Site Manager Resume Guide
• Social Worker Resume Guide
• Sourcing Resume Guide
• Diversity and Inclusion Resume Guide
• Consultant Resume Guide

Resume Guide: Detailed Insights From Recruiters

• Human Resources (HR) Resume Guide & Examples for 2022

Improve your Human Resources (HR) Administrator resume, instantly.

Use our free resume checker to get expert feedback on your resume. You will:

•  Get a resume score compared to other Human Resources (HR) Administrator resumes in your industry.

•  Fix all your resume's mistakes.

•  Find the Human Resources (HR) Administrator skills your resume is missing.

•  Get rid of hidden red flags the hiring managers and resume screeners look for.

It's instant, free and trusted by 1+ million job seekers globally. Get a better resume, guaranteed .

Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resumes

• Template #1: Human Resources (HR) Administrator
• Template #2: Human Resources (HR) Administrator
• Template #3: Human Resources Administrator
• Template #4: HR Manager
• Template #5: HR Specialist
• Skills for Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resumes
• Free Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resume Review
• Other Other Resumes
• Human Resources (HR) Administrator Interview Guide
• Human Resources (HR) Administrator Sample Cover Letters
• Alternative Careers to a Human Resources Manager
• All Resumes
• Resume Action Verbs

Download this PDF template.

Creating an account is free and takes five seconds. you'll get access to the pdf version of this resume template., choose an option..

• Have an account? Sign in

E-mail Please enter a valid email address This email address hasn't been signed up yet, or it has already been signed up with Facebook or Google login.

Password Show Your password needs to be between 6 and 50 characters long, and must contain at least 1 letter and 1 number. It looks like your password is incorrect.

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Sign up to get access to Resume Worded's Career Coaching platform in less than 2 minutes

Name Please enter your name correctly

E-mail Remember to use a real email address that you have access to. You will need to confirm your email address before you get access to our features, so please enter it correctly. Please enter a valid email address, or another email address to sign up. We unfortunately can't accept that email domain right now. This email address has already been taken, or you've already signed up via Google or Facebook login. We currently are experiencing a very high server load so Email signup is currently disabled for the next 24 hours. Please sign up with Google or Facebook to continue! We apologize for the inconvenience!

Password Show Your password needs to be between 6 and 50 characters long, and must contain at least 1 letter and 1 number.

Receive resume templates, real resume samples, and updates monthly via email

By continuing, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Lost your password? Please enter the email address you used when you signed up. We'll send you a link to create a new password.

E-mail This email address either hasn't been signed up yet, or you signed up with Facebook or Google. This email address doesn't look valid.

Back to log-in

These professional templates are optimized to beat resume screeners (i.e. the Applicant Tracking System). You can download the templates in Word, Google Docs, or PDF. For free (limited time).

   access samples from top resumes, get inspired by real bullet points that helped candidates get into top companies.,    get a resume score., find out how effective your resume really is. you'll get access to our confidential resume review tool which will tell you how recruiters see your resume..

Writing an effective resume has never been easier .

Upgrade to resume worded pro to unlock your full resume review., get this resume template (+ 23 others), plus proven bullet points., for a small one-time fee, you'll get everything you need to write a winning resume in your industry., here's what you'll get:.

• 📄 Get the editable resume template in Google Docs + Word . Plus, you'll also get all 23 other templates .
• ✍️ Get sample bullet points that worked for others in your industry . Copy proven lines and tailor them to your resume.
• 🎯 Optimized to pass all resume screeners (i.e. ATS) . All templates have been professionally designed by recruiters and 100% readable by ATS.

Buy now. Instant delivery via email.

  instant access. one-time only., what's your email address.

I had a clear uptick in responses after using your template. I got many compliments on it from senior hiring staff, and my resume scored way higher when I ran it through ATS resume scanners because it was more readable. Thank you!

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.