how to write a resume 2022

Get a FREE Executive Resume Template to help you improve your resume.

A+ BBB Rating

A+ BBB Rating | Personalized 1:1 Consultations | 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed | 3-5 Business Day Delivery | 17K Executives Served Since 2008

Personalized 1:1 Consultations

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

3-5 Business Day Delivery

17K Executives Served Since 2008

• Memberships + Services
• Job Seeker Central
• Expert Resume Review Service
• Resume Writing Workshop: Resume-In-A-Day
• LinkedIn Unlocked: A LinkedIn Course for Job Seekers
• The Cover Letters Made Simple Course
• Resume Templates
• The Analytical Ace Resume Template
• The Polished Professional Resume Template
• The Educated Expert Resume Template
• The Modern Entry-Level Template
• The Strategic Entry-Level Resume Template
• Entry-Level Resume Templates Bundle
• Job Search Guides
• The Virtual Interviews Made Simple Guide
• The Job Search Scam Guidebook
• The Complete Guide to Employment References
• The Complete Guide to Connecting with Hiring Managers
• The Cover Letters Made Simple Guide & Template Pack
• The Job Search Ecosystem Bundle
• Success Stories

8 Resume Writing Tips for 2022

Are you sitting down to write your resume for a 2022 job search and you’re not quite sure where to start? No worries—I can help. Every year I put together a list of my top resume writing tips. It includes the tips, strategies, techniques, and trends that will be most effective in helping you in your job search in the coming year. This year’s list includes eight different practical strategies with examples and lots of actionable advice that you can implement right away. I’ve included strategies for writing better accomplishment bullets and giving your resume more “wow” and impact, and I’ve also pointed out lots of things you definitely want to avoid. My favorite is the list of 10 cringeworthy words that repel recruiters. Check out this year’s list of eight resume writing tips for 2022.

2022 Resume Writing Tip #1: Answer These 5 Questions Before You Start

Before sitting down to update your resume, ask yourself the following five questions. They’ll help you to zero in on what matters as you write about your accomplishments and focus on the future role you’re targeting.

What role am I targeting?

Your resume needs to be geared towards one specific position. Employers want to hire specialists, not generalists. 

What companies am I targeting?

Knowing the type of company you are targeting helps to narrow down your research and be more specific in your writing. You can speak to the company’s pain points when you’ve researched them and know what they need.

What challenges are they facing?

Write resume bullets that show you’ve faced and overcome similar challenges. Include the results.

What skills are critical to success?

The answer to this question tells you exactly what keywords and hard skills you need to include on your resume. If you don’t know where to look, start by searching for the position on LinkedIn. LinkedIn will give you the top 15 skills/keywords needed for the role.

How do I add value?

Your resume must show how you can add value in a way that means something to the employer. Focus on accomplishments that will resonate with the company you’re targeting and meet their needs.

2022 Resume Writing Tip #2: Write to the Future

Before updating your resume, make sure you’re positioning yourself correctly for the job you’re targeting. That’s why the above questions are so critical to your success. 

Your experience, achievements, and qualifications are all a part of your resume but equally important is what information you include, how, where, and why—all of which are based on your goals for your next career move. 

When you write your resume, you’re not just writing about your past. You’re writing to the future. You’re positioning yourself for your next career move. 

A resume is not a historical career narrative. It’s a marketing tool. The content on your resume needs to point to where you want to be, not simply where you are right now. 

To do this:

• Review job postings to gather data and insights. Where do you have related skills, experiences, or educational qualifications?
• Identify your top skills that match the opportunities that you’re interested in. 
• Reweight your skills and accomplishments. Put the emphasis on the professional, technical, and academic skills that align with your goal for your next career move. 
• When you write about your accomplishments, give a prominent position to those that are relevant to the role you’re targeting now. 
• Integrate critical keywords, specifically the professional, technical, and academic hard skills that are essential to the role you’re targeting. 
• Do not be vague in your objective. I don’t even recommend including an objective on your resume. Instead put the target position title at the top of your resume in bold. It’s specific and leaves no question about the role you want.

2022 Resume Writing Tip #3: Avoid Cringeworthy Words

One of the quickest ways you can improve your resume is to replace passive language with active language. This top-ten list of cringeworthy words and phrases includes mostly passive phrases or terms that don’t show the employer the value and contribution you can make, thereby lessening the impact of your resume on hiring managers. If you want your resume to make a good first impression, swap out these useless words with more meaningful alternatives.

• Demonstrated success in . . .
• Proven results . . .
• Successful/success
• Results-driven/results-oriented
• Excellent communication skills
• Responsible for . . .
• Duties included
• Accomplished
• Worked with / served as

And lastly, I strongly advise that you use this term with caution: team player. Studies have shown that including the phrase—or its synonyms—once in your resume is okay, but to use it or similar phrases more than once can actually give employers a negative impression.

What Words and Phrases to Use Instead

Instead of “demonstrated success in” or “proven results ,” show the employer the results using data, numbers, and metrics. You can do this by writing bulleted statements about your accomplishments using the CAR formula. 

CAR stands for Challenge, Action, Result. 

Share the challenge that you faced, the action you took to address the challenge, and the data/numbers that go with the result. This provides proof to the employer of the value you can add and is much more specific than saying you have proven results. 

The same goes for using the term successful, success, results-oriented, or results-driven. Instead of using these vague terms, simply tell the story of the results you’ve achieved using the CAR formula. 

Replace the phrases “excellent communication skills” and “team player” with examples of how you’ve used your communication skills and how you’ve been a team player. Words that can help you lead into these examples might be “influenced,” “empowered,” “negotiated,” “advocated,” “advised,”  or “enabled.” You always want to show—not tell. Paint a picture for the employer of what you’ve achieved in the past by giving them examples just like you would in an interview.

Instead of the phrases “responsible for” and “duties included,” focus on sharing accomplishments. Look at the job description you’re applying to. What are the main requirements of the role? Contract negotiation? Budget management? 

Replace “responsible for budget management” with “managed $3M annual budget.” That way you’re showing the employer not just what you can do, but you’re giving them concrete examples of what you have done. 

“Seasoned” and “accomplished” are two very overused resume phrases that are often interpreted negatively. These terms can be construed as over-experienced, out-of-date, or worse, implicit age bias takes over and the candidate is assumed to be too old. I’m not condoning this, and I rather abhor that it even exists, but I bring it up because it’s out there, it happens, and I see it way too often. So, until things change and companies come up with progressive ways to guard against bias in the hiring process, safeguard your resume by avoiding these terms.

It’s more effective to discuss the areas you’re experienced in, listing industries, hard skills, functions of the role, professional or technical skills, academic credentials, etc. These terms are specific and communicate with more clarity than a general statement like seasoned sales executive or accomplished professional. Both of which I see on a great deal of resumes but which tell me little about who you are or what you’re capable of doing. 

I’m also not a fan of “worked with” or “served as.” Both are passive terms. If you collaborated on a project or headed the budget committee, be specific about who you worked with and what you accomplished as part of your work with them. 

Improve Your Resume with Action Verbs

Action verbs are one of the quickest and easiest ways you can improve your resume. Starting each bullet with an action verb not only communicates achievement, action, etc., but it also opens the sentence to lead right into the challenge you faced and the result you achieved. It’s hard to start a sentence with “transformed,” “increased,” or “achieved” without following it up with something specific, measurable, and relevant. 

You can download a complete list of 170+ action verbs and high-impact phrases for your resume here . It’s a free PDF that I created to help you sharpen your resume, remove overused phrases, and convey your performance and achievements to potential employers. 

2022 Resume Writing Tip #4: Write Better Accomplishment Bullets

The number one challenge I hear from job seekers when it comes to writing their resumes is how much they struggle to write about their accomplishments. 

Being able to tell your story to potential employers in a way that conveys what you’re capable of achieving is not easy. 

Most people struggle to write about themselves. To help you make the process of writing about accomplishments easier, there’s a formula that I encourage you to use (and that I mentioned in the above tip as well). It’s called the CAR formula and it stands for Challenge, Action, Result. 

• Start with an action verb that describes the steps you took to resolve a specific problem or challenge. (For a downloadable list of 170+ action verbs and high-impact phrases you can use visit this page. )
• Describe the challenge you faced using industry-specific keywords. Think professional, technical, and academic hard skills. 
• Share the quantifiable or measurable results of the action you took to resolve the problem that you faced. 

If you’re struggling to find quantifiable data that you can use, try comparing and contrasting past and present performance—either your own, a competitor’s, or the company’s previous numbers.

Ask yourself questions like how much, how many, when, before/after, to what end . . . these questions will help you discover data you can use. 

2022 Resume Writing Tip #5: Give the Reader Context

Providing the reader with background information will help them to understand and appreciate your accomplishments. It simply makes your achievements even more impressive. 

You could say that you increased annual revenue 32% but when you give the situation context:

Increased annual revenue 32%, in spite of the 2020 economic downturn. 

Now, the reader can understand the depth of the accomplishment and how truly impactful it was.

It’s also a good idea to let them know if you were recruited into a role for a specific reason. Perhaps you were recruited into the role to reverse declining sales, improve company culture, or revamp the operational processes. Add meaning and impact to your resume by sharing the context of the situation that existed when you were brought on board. 

2022 Resume Writing Tip #6: Give Your Resume More Wow

We’ve all been there . . . the place where you want employers to read your resume and say “Wow.” But what exactly is a wow factor and how do you give your resume a striking wow factor ? Your wow factor is the most important, impressive, and valuable information about you as a candidate. It’s the top two or three things you want the employer to immediately know about you so they’ll be impressed and keen to learn more.

Your wow factor is part of your personal brand. It’s what distinguishes you from other similarly qualified candidates. It must be prominent throughout your resume, especially at the top so that it won’t be missed and will instantly put your best foot forward. 

Your wow factor or personal brand statement must include a few specific elements to ensure it’s memorable and impressive. 

It must be specific. Your wow factor must tell about what you’ve achieved, not what you were responsible for or might have done. Include quantifiable or measurable data, if possible. 

Here’s an example of a vague statement:

• Responsible for contract closings and revenue growth.

Here’s an example of a specific statement:

• Grew contract closings 68% and increased gross revenue 40% for 2019.

It needs to show action. The easiest way to do this is to replace passive language like “responsible for” and “duties included” with action verbs like “grew,” “developed,” “pioneered,” or “transformed.” 

You can download a list of 170+ resume action verbs to help you craft better resume bullets here. 

Where to Include Your Wow Factor

You can include wow content throughout your resume. It can go anywhere, but here are a few specific places to include it:

Resume Summary

I’ve never been a big fan of a bland, generic resume summary. I’m a huge proponent of what I call a career snapshot. It’s basically a snapshot of two to three of your wow statements. The most impressive and noteworthy information about you as a candidate. It gives readers a quick glance at what you’ve accomplished. 

I recommend limiting it to two to three wow statements for your summary. You don’t want to overdo it, but you also want to grab the reader’s attention and impress them. Alternatively, you can include one wow statement at the top of your resume as part of your personal branding statement and then add one or two into your summary. That way you’re giving them three memorable pieces of data about the value you can create. 

When writing your wow statements, be concise. It’s easy to be verbose, it’s harder to say what you mean in the fewest words possible. However, fewer words make a bigger impact. You’re giving them a quick snapshot of content—you’re not giving them the full story quite yet. You can go into the details further down in the work experience section of your resume. 

Don’t forget to incorporate hard skills. These are the industry-specific keywords that hiring managers will be scanning your resume for, and including them in your wow statements is a great way to capture attention. 

Here are three examples of wow statements we used on a client’s resume who was a CEO, board member, and chairman.

✓ Transformed the MRC Companies’ operating model into a technology-enabled global contact services company with 30 locations in 7 countries. 

✓ Defined the strategies to grow revenue from $20M to $400M+ and EBITDA from $500K to $42M+. 

✓ Co-founded and built a dedicated customer service business model that reached 3K employees in 3 years.

Experience Section

Instead of listing out the responsibilities for the role, jump straight into your top accomplishment in the position. You’re immediately conveying success in the role when you start with your top achievement. 

I recommend including at least two to three major wins under each role. If you’re struggling to come up with impressive content for a certain role, ask yourself when you have been first or best in relation to the role. You can also think about the number one thing you achieved in the position. Make these answers to these two questions your first two to three bullets.

Here are examples of bullets from the same CEO client’s resume under the experience section:

• Established a value-added board of directions that were fully aligned with the mission and vision of the organization and primed to take the business into the future. 
• Produced consistent gains across NPS and customer service, sales conversion, and quality with a largely Fortune 500 client base. 
• Navigated the sale of the organization to a private equity group—creating a successful exit for investors with a return of 3.5x investment. 

Education, Honors, Awards

I recommend including honors and awards at the top of your resume if they’re relevant to the role you’re targeting. We’ve worked with many sales executives who were recognized in President’s Club but had never included this at the forefront of their resume. Prominently position your honors and awards. If you have a collection of accolades, create a section to show them off. It can be a powerful wow factor to impress hiring managers. Employers love hiring winners. 

If you’re seeking a role that requires an MBA or certain type of degree or certification, don’t bury the information at the bottom of your resume. Reference it at the top of your resume, then give the details in the education section at the end of your resume or in a separate technical skills section if you’re in a tech-related field. 

Additional Wow Information to Consider

Other content that might be relevant to include on your resume that would be impressive for hiring managers to see:

• Media mentions
• High-profile clients
• Publications
• Board positions
• Public speaking engagements
• Special affiliations

If you’re struggling to uncover content for your wow statements here are some questions to help you get started:

• When have I contributed to a business’s success? What were the results?
• How have I been publicly recognized? What do people come to me for?
• Which of my accomplishments have quantifiable data?
• Have I turned around a difficult situation or made a failure into a success?
• What am I most proud of in this role?
• What am I most proud of in my career?

For examples of resumes written with personal branding and wow factor statements, head over to our resume samples page on our website. There you’ll find examples of client resumes that we’ve created that include wow statements.

2022 Resume Writing Tip #7: Be Specific

It’s really easy to use the words “accomplished” and “proven track record.” The problem is that these overused words are generalities that do not provide credible or distinctive information to a prospective employer.

Here’s an example of bullets that are specific:

• Boosted employee satisfaction 15% despite headcount reductions—transformed the team culture with renewed focus on training and professional development while breaking down barriers and silos.
• Produced $4M in annual cost savings—deep dived into cost and risk assessment to balance the area’s cost and risk profile and devise forward-action strategies.

This resume is for an accomplished vice president of operations, but now we have a clearer picture of what she’s accomplished and how. Two things that will distinguish her from other candidates. 

When you’re tempted to use phrases like “accomplished,” “results-driven,” or “proven track record,” instead, stop and gather the data about your accomplishments, results, and track record and share that information instead. It will have more meaning and impact on hiring managers—which means you’ll get more interviews.

2022 Resume Writing Tip #8: Avoid Common Pitfalls

Before I wrap up this post, I want to touch on a few common resume mistakes that I see repeated on far too many resumes. 

Write in first person without the use of “I” statements. Resume writing is a form of concise writing. It’s written in implied first person. You get the personal tone without the “I” statements. So instead of writing “I directed the hiring practices for three major Fortune 500 companies,” you would say “Directed hiring practices for three Fortune 500 companies.” It’s an abbreviated form of writing. 

Proofread your resume. Use Grammarly and get a wordsmith friend to review your resume or—even better—hire a professional copyeditor to proof your documents. You do not want to send off a resume that includes grammar or spelling errors. 

I’ve talked a lot about overused phrases in this post. That’s because it’s serious and a resume killer. Avoid overused terms and opt for high-impact phrases instead. 

Leave out objective statements. They’re outdated and useless. A generic objective will not tell the hiring manager why they should interview you over another candidate. Instead, show them what you’re able to accomplish.

Don’t use the phrase “team player” more than once. It’s overkill and recent studies have shown it can have a detrimental effect on your chances for an interview. Most employers want to hire team players. Instead use an accomplishment statement to show them you’re a team player vs. using the phrase “team player.”

Soft skills are important so don’t forget to include them. I’m not advising you to list excellent communication skills front and center on your resume. However, employers are finally catching on to how critical EI is in the workplace. Share the soft skill within the context of an accomplishment. Then you’re knocking out two birds with one stone.  If you incorporate each of these strategies into your resume, you’ll have a strong and effective marketing tool for your job search.

Thanks for reading! Want more job search and resume tips? Check out these 6 free resources on my website that have helped more than 25,000 job seekers land their next job.

Share this post:

Explore more like this:.

How to Combat Fake Job Postings, Ghosting, and Drawn-Out Interview Processes

Switching Jobs is Hard: Here’s How to Manage it Better

Never Miss a Job Opportunity Again: 3 Smart Tactics for Finding the Right Recruiter

About the author

Jessica hernandez, president, ceo & founder of great resumes fast.

Hi, I’m Jessica. I started this company back in 2008 after more than a decade directing hiring practices at Fortune 500 companies.

What started as a side hustle (before that was even a word!) helping friends of friends with their resumes has now grown into a company that serves hundreds of happy clients a year. But the personal touch? I’ve kept that.

You might have seen me featured as a resume expert in publications like Forbes, Fast Company, and Fortune. And in 2020, I was honored to be named as a LinkedIn Top Voice of the year!

I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to help you find your next perfect-fit position!

Great advice! As a Career Coach, I constantly seek out the latest and greatest information regarding resume writing. Much gratitude for your experienced suggestions. Best regards.

Thank you for more information about the tips of resume……..

Thank you for pointing out that it’s a good idea to be specific when writing up your resume. I’ve been thinking it’s time to update my resume. It’s been a while and I don’t really know where to start, so I’ll be sure to use your advice.

Leave a Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Improve Your Resume: Download Your Free Executive Resume Template Today

Are you struggling to create an executive resume that will impress employers? Download this free executive resume template and receive a series of 10 emails with expert guidance on how to write resume content that resonates with employers so you get more interviews.

It's everything you need to stand out, make an impression, and accelerate your job search.

Work with Us

The 10-Step Guide to Writing a Winning Resume

In This Guide:

Step 0: writing a resume with ai, step 1: gather your information, step 2: pick the best format, step 3: craft an attractive resume header, step 4: write a resume profile, step 5: create your work experience section, step 6: formulate a skills section, step 7: building your academic history, step 8: adding relevant certifications and licensure, step 9: leverage optional resume sections, step 10: proofread your resume, in conclusion.

In today's competitive job market, your resume is your golden ticket to landing your dream job so absorbing as many resume tips  as possible is invaluable. It’s also worthwhile to understand some of the most common resume mistakes  other job hunters are making.

With 40% of hiring managers spending less than a minute on each resume , creating an eye-catching document that effectively illustrates your skills and qualifications is crucial.

Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned professional, this guide will help you write a resume that makes an impact. We'll walk you through the 10 essential steps to crafting a compelling and professional resume that grabs attention and opens opportunities.

What’s a resume in 50 words or less?!

What's a resume?

It’s a concise document that summarizes your professional background, including work experience, education, skills, and achievements. It's designed to showcase your qualifications to potential employers, making you stand out in the job application process and increasing your chances of securing an interview.

This is not a one-time read—consider it a resource to refer to and revisit as you refine and update your resume over time.

Ready to get noticed and secure that interview?

Well then, your resume needs to demonstrate that:

• You’re an ideal candidate for the position.
• Your skills will contribute to the company's profitability.
• You have the expertise to address the company's challenges.
• You’ll provide value that justifies your salary.
• Your achievements are quantifiable and proven.

Let’s get to it.

10 steps towards your best resume

• Step 0 - Write with AI—embrace the future.
• Step 1  - Gather all relevant data about your work experience, skills, achievements, and education. Remember, no lying on your resume !
• Step 2 -   Select a resume format that’s right for you—chronological, functional, or hybrid.
• Step 3 -   Clearly list contact information and headline in an attractive header.
• Step 4  - Start with your resume profile. Whether it’s a resume summary or resume objective—this is where you sell yourself.
• Step 5  - Create your work experience section. Everyone needs it regardless of their level of experience—from high schoolers to executives.
• Step 6 - Formulate a skills section incorporating both people and professional skills.
• Step 7 - Illustrate a comprehensive education history by following a few simple tips.
• Step 8 - Include relevant certifications and licensure   to underline your commitment and ability.
• Step 9 - Don’t forget to add some additional sections to really prove you're the perfect candidate.
• Step 10 - Last but not least, proofread! Edit, correct, rewrite, reread. Make sure it’s flawless before sending it out for the world to see.

Using ChatGPT for resume writing  in 2024 can be a good idea. The AI provides quick, tailored suggestions and helps refine content, ensuring clarity and professionalism. It’s particularly beneficial for structuring, optimizing keywords, and overcoming writer’s block. However, it might lack personal nuances and specific industry insights.

Always review and customize the generated content to reflect your unique experiences and personality accurately. This hybrid approach leverages AI efficiency while maintaining a personal touch creating a sort of resume cyborg.

Here’s how to make use of AI in resume writing, who can benefit the most, and some best practices to follow.

Who benefits from AI resume writing?

• Job seekers in competitive fields : In industries where keyword optimization is crucial, such as IT, finance, and healthcare, AI can help identify the terms most likely to catch a recruiter’s eye.
• Career changers : AI can suggest how to emphasize transferable skills and downplay irrelevant experience, making it easier for those shifting industries.
• Recent graduates : With limited work experience, graduates can benefit from AI guidance on structuring resumes and highlighting academic and extracurricular achievements.

Tips for using AI in resume writing

• Choose the right tool : Select an AI resume builder that aligns with your industry needs. Enhancv uses AI  to offer personalized resume templates, real-time content suggestions, design enhancements, and performance analytics, optimizing job applications.
• Customize AI suggestions : Use AI recommendations as a starting point. Personalize these suggestions to reflect your unique experiences and voice.
• Keyword optimization : AI tools can analyze job postings and suggest keywords to include in your resume, helping it pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Best practices

• Balance AI and personal input : While AI can provide a strong foundation and structure, ensure your resume reflects your personal career narrative and professionalism.
• Review and edit : Always review AI-generated content for accuracy and relevance. Edit any sections that don’t perfectly represent your skills or experiences.
• Keep up-to-date : AI tools are continually updated. Regularly check for new features or updated algorithms that might improve your resume further.

Want to see AI in action? Check out our AI-powered resume generator below!

Is your resume good enough?

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Interesting statistics

• Usage and success : Surveys indicate  that approximately 45% of job seekers who use AI resume tools report quicker job placements.
• Gender disparity:   Men are 81% more likely than women to use AI for recruitment tasks .

AI in resume writing not only simplifies the creation process but also improves the effectiveness of your resume. Whether you are a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or transitioning between careers, AI tools can provide customized assistance to help you shine in a crowded job market.

Always complement AI insights with personal checks to maintain authenticity and relevance to your career goals.

Before diving into the actual writing, get familiar with all the different resume types  and resume outlines  available to you. Then it’s time to gather all your necessary information to ensure a smooth process and avoid missing important details.

This preparation helps you align your qualifications with the job requirements, setting the stage for making a standout resume .

Think about all of the resume sections  and what exactly you want to put on your resume . Have a look at our list below.

Collect the following and make a list

• Key achievements : Highlight measurable accomplishments from your previous roles that showcase your contributions.
• Skills inventory : List your soft, hard, and technical skills that align with the job description.
• Employment details : Provide names of previous employers, employment dates, locations, job titles, and a summary of your responsibilities.
• Educational background : Include your college degree, certifications, or licenses that demonstrate your expertise.
• Volunteer experience : Mention any volunteer work where you gained relevant skills and experience.
• Awards and honors : Emphasize notable awards and honors that validate your exceptional abilities and dedication.

When gathering your information, include all potential details and make sure that what you gather reflects the requirements of the particular job offer you’re applying for. You can later trim what’s not relevant for the specific job.

Now that you’ve prepared your information, it’s time to choose a resume format  that effectively utilizes your qualifications. The format you choose plays a crucial role in making a great first impression, as it determines the overall layout and organization of your resume.

There are three standard resume formats, each designed to suit different professional backgrounds and goals:

Reverse-chronological resume

The reverse-chronological resume  is the most popular and widely used format, favored by recruiters for its ease of skimming and effective presentation of the most relevant experience first. It lists your work experience from the most recent job backward, emphasizing your career progression and professional achievements.

This format is ideal for job seekers with a consistent work history and no significant employment gaps, perfectly showcasing steady growth and advancements within their field. However, it may not be suitable for those with employment gaps or unrelated work experience.

Functional resume

The functional resume format  highlights your skills and education over work history, making it particularly useful for those with employment gaps, limited experience, or career changers. Ideal for entry-level candidates and recent graduates transitioning to new fields, this format focuses on the abilities that enhance team value.

However, while it showcases job-specific skills as key assets, it might present challenges for traditional recruiters in assessing skills in action.

Combination (Hybrid) resume

The hybrid resume format  (or combination) combines the best features of chronological and functional layouts, placing skills before work history to highlight your capabilities while emphasizing relevant experience. Ideal for seasoned professionals with over ten years in the field, this format supports career advancement or transition, catering to those with diverse expertise, employment gaps, or those shifting into new roles.

It offers a well-rounded presentation of your qualifications and achievements, making it perfect for roles that require multifaceted skills.

Selecting the appropriate format depends on your unique career path and the job you're targeting. Most job seekers benefit from the reverse-chronological format  due to its popularity and recruiter preference.

Choose the right format and present your information clearly—you’ll make a strong first impression and increase your chances of landing an interview.

More on resume formatting and layout

Creating a visually appealing and organized resume is crucial for making a strong first impression. Take the time to thoroughly examine all the resume parts  and what aspects you could benefit from.

Here are key design elements and best practices that apply to each format above:

Layout and organization

• Resume length : Stick to a one-page resume  unless you have at least a decade of experience. If so, a two-page resume  may be acceptable. If you’re finding it hard to keep it under a page, check out our many strategies to help shorten your resume .
• Section headings : Use clear, consistent resume headings to help hiring managers easily navigate through your resume such as: “Employment History”, “Education”, “Skills Section”, etc.
• Resume margins : Set 1-inch margins on all sides to ensure your resume isn’t overcrowded with information.
• Spacing : Use single or 1.15 line spacing and add an extra line before and after headings to keep the layout clean.
• Columns : Utilize a two-column structure  to efficiently organize information, especially useful in hybrid resumes where you present skills and work history side by side.
• Simple layouts : Avoid complex resume layouts , graphics, and special characters that might confuse ATS software.
• Icons : Using icons on a resume  can improve readability, emphasize key sections, and make it visually appealing and memorable—don’t use anything too fancy, though!
• Lines : Lines in a resume  help separate sections, enhancing readability and organizing information clearly, making it visually appealing and professional.

Fonts and colors

• Professional resume fonts : Choose legible, professional fonts like Rubik, Lato, Montserrat, Raleway, Exo 2, and Volkhov.
• Font size : Use 10-12 pt for the body text and slightly larger for headings to ensure readability.
• Subtle colors : Use subtle colors on your resume  to highlight sections—avoid overly bright or distracting colors.

File format

• PDF format : Always save and submit your resume as a PDF  unless the employer requests otherwise. This format preserves the layout across different devices.
• Naming convention : Use a clear, professional naming convention  like FirstName LastName Resume.pdf to make your resume easily identifiable.

Resume header

• Contact information: Be sure to clearly state your name and give a professional email address  as well as a current contact telephone number. Including an exact address is unnecessary, but do list the city and state you live in.
• Links : Include links to your professional website, online portfolio, LinkedIn profile , and other relevant social media.
• Photo : In the US, photos are usually omitted  to avoid bias, unless specifically requested.
• Resume headline : This is a brief phrase or sentence that states your professional identity and key qualifications. Place it just below your name and contact information to serve as an attention-grabbing introduction to your resume.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have transformed recruitment by automating administrative tasks and enabling recruiters to focus on engaging with potential hires, rather than sifting through endless piles of applications.

Laszlo Bock, former Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google

What’s ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)?

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) enhance the recruitment process by storing and organizing resumes, making it easier for recruiters to access and review candidate information. ATS improves team collaboration by enabling sharing of candidate notes and feedback, and quickly accessing contact details and resume data.

Improving small formatting details to boost ATS compatibility involves adhering to some straightforward, ATS-friendly practices .

Here’s how you can optimize these elements:

Date formats

• Consistency : Use a consistent date format throughout your resume. Common formats include “Month Year” (e.g., June 2021) or “Month/Year” (e.g., 06/2021). Avoid switching between formats.
• Clarity : Place dates on the right side of your work experience entries to maintain a clean, organized look that’s easy for both ATS and human readers to scan.

Punctuation in lists

• Simplicity : When listing skills or duties, use simple commas or semicolons to separate items, which are generally well-understood by ATS systems. Avoid using complex punctuation or special characters that might confuse the ATS.
• Consistency : Like with date formats, choose one style of list punctuation and stick with it throughout the document.

Bullet symbols

• Standard bullets : Use standard bullet points such as solid circles, squares, or hyphens. These are universally recognized by ATS systems.
• Avoid fancy bullets : Steer clear of unusual bullet styles or symbols that might not be recognized by the ATS, which could result in important information being overlooked.
• Avoid nesting bullets:  Don’t use nested bullet points as they can complicate the ATS parsing process and may lead to misinterpretation or omission of key information.

By focusing on these formatting details, you can improve the ATS compatibility of your resume, ensuring that your qualifications and experience are correctly parsed and appreciated by potential employers' tracking systems.

There are a lot of ATS myths out here, such as using a two-column resume, or a modern design. They can make you feel a little insecure about the whole thing, so give our post on busting ATS myths  a read and regain that confidence.

Choose the right resume builder—choose Enhancv!

There are hundreds of resume builders out there, but most are just advanced versions of Microsoft Word. Enhancv is the first human-centric, performance-based resume builder .

Our intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes creating a resume easy. Professionally designed templates and backgrounds balance personal and professional presentation.

Enhancv catches typos and grammatical errors, offers content suggestions, and tailors resumes for specific jobs. Professionally selected fonts ensure readability and attractiveness.

Our resumes are optimized for ATS, ensuring seamless application through tracking systems. Enhancv adheres to industry guidelines, spotlighting your achievements, character, and professional expertise.

It wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t mention our neighbors up in Canada and Europe. Let’s check out what’s done differently for job applications there.

Traditional US resume format vs Canadian & Europass CV

What’s the difference between a canadian and an american (us) resume.

While the Canadian resume format  and the US traditional resume are similar, key differences include using Canadian spellings  (e.g., "behaviour," "labour"), the metric system (e.g., "300 kilometers"), and the DD/MM/YYYY date format. Graphic elements are typically reserved for graphic design roles in Canada. Adapting these aspects shows your readiness to integrate into the Canadian job market.

What’s the difference between a Europass CV and an American (US) resume?

The Europass CV , often misconceived as the default CV format for Europe, is primarily utilized for applications to European institutions. It’s a standardized, detailed format that includes comprehensive sections like language skills and personal details (e.g., date of birth).

In contrast, US resumes are concise, flexible in format, and emphasize professional experience while generally excluding personal information for privacy reasons. It's important to adapt these aspects to suit the respective job markets, recognizing the specific requirements of each region.

Enhancv can help you craft a perfect Europass CV with our AI-powered, ATS-friendly Europass CV templates .

Feel like you need to be more creative with your resume? Check out our post with the 23 most creative resume designs  out there!

A resume header  is important because it serves as the first impression, providing essential contact information and setting the tone for your application. It helps hiring managers quickly identify your resume, ensuring they have your contact details at a glance. A well-crafted header also adds a professional touch, making your resume look polished and organized.

The first thing to think about when it comes to your resume header is your contact information.

Contact information

One of the most important aspects of writing a resume is ensuring your contact information  is clearly displayed at the top, making it easy for hiring managers to contact you for an interview. This section is crucial—if employers can't reach you, you won't get an interview. Double-check to ensure all your contact details are included and accurate.

Here’s what to include in your contact information

• Your full name (if wanted, middle initial).
• Your current or the most recent job title.
• Your phone number and a professional email address.
• Your city, state, and ZIP code.
• A link to your professional website, online portfolio, and/or LinkedIn profile.

Tips for your header

• Don’t write your full address on your resume ; only your city, state, and zip code.
• Don’t use a work number—only your personal phone number .
• Don’t add a resume photo of yourself unless it’s an acting or a modeling position. This can lead to bias or discrimination.
• Avoid adding information such as date of birth, as it could lead to ageism.
• Make sure your email address is appropriate, simple, and free of nicknames. An unprofessional email address is one of the most common resume mistakes.

Here’s a pretty common example of a header with contact information:

Include a resume headline for extra impact

A resume headline is a brief, optional phrase highlighting your professional identity and key qualifications. Placed high in your resume, ideally between the contact information and resume summary, it grabs attention and quickly conveys your suitability for the role, making your resume shine to hiring managers.

Resume headline do’s and don’ts

• Customize your headline for every job application.
• Limit your headline to ten words for maximum impact.
• Present yourself as a specialist in your industry.
• Include numbers to illustrate your accomplishments.
• Avoid generic terms like "hard worker" or "team player"; be precise.
• Maintain a professional tone, emphasizing your skills and experience without being overly promotional.

Here are a couple of example headlines to inspire you:

Creative Director

Innovative Creative Director with 15+ Years of Experience in Leading Award-Winning Campaigns

Skilled Engineer Specializing in Advanced Robotics and Automation with Proven Project Success

Aim for a finished header that looks like this:

Jordan A. Smith Lead Robotics Engineer | (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] San Francisco, CA 94103 www.jordansmithengineering.com | LinkedIn Profile

Recruiters spend around 7 seconds scanning your resume , so a brief but impactful opening statement  is crucial. Positioned right after your contact information, this statement can be a resume summary or an objective. But what’s the difference, and which should you use?

Let’s explore how to craft a clear and concise resume profile  that highlights your qualities and aligns with the role, making you stand out as an attractive candidate with a professional yet engaging personality.

What’s a resume summary?

Let’s begin with a resume summary . It’s a short, impactful statement using active language to describe your relevant work experience, skills, and accomplishments.

• A concise overview of your work experience, focusing on how it relates to the role you’re seeking.
• Key qualifications, professional achievements, and skills relevant to the job.
• Uses numbers to display tangible outcomes and incorporates keywords from the job description.

Ideal candidates

• Perfect for those with more than a few years of relevant experience.
• Recommended for those who want to show off their qualifications and achievements quickly and effectively.

What to include

• Your job title and years of experience.
• A couple of your greatest professional accomplishments or core responsibilities.
• Your most relevant skills for the job.

Resume summary do’s and don’ts

• DO use numbers to show that you’re able to produce tangible outcomes.
• DO incorporate keywords from the job description whenever possible.
• DO write your resume summary last to have a fuller picture of your experiences and skills.
• DON’T just list your job duties; focus on your accomplishments.
• DON’T use personal pronouns (I, me, or my).
• DON’T make your summary too long; keep it to 3-4 sentences.

Here’s a typical formula for a resume summary followed by an example for a candidate applying for an executive assistant position:

[Soft skills to describe you as a professional] + [job title and years of experience] in [area of expertise as stated in the job description]. Adept at [two or three of your best, job-relevant hard skills]. [One impressive career accomplishment and any other skills or qualifications.]

What’s an objective statement?

An objective statement  is a brief declaration of your career goals and the type of position you’re seeking. It provides insight into the qualities and skills you can transfer to the company.

• Communicates your immediate professional goals or objectives and how you plan to achieve them in the role you're applying for.
• Displays your enthusiasm and motivation for entering a new field, which is especially relevant for those undergoing a career change or entering the workforce.
• Perfect for students, recent graduates, or individuals with limited professional experience.
• Beneficial for career changers transitioning into a new industry who need to highlight relevant transferable skills.
• Useful for those relocating and looking to establish their career intentions in a new job market.
• Briefly mention job-relevant skills and qualifications that can compensate for a lack of formal experience.
• Include concrete and quantifiable details to strengthen the statement.
• Keep the objective statement to two to four sentences, ensuring it's concise and to the point.

Overall goal

The overall goal of a resume objective is to showcase how you can contribute to the potential employer’s success, considering your current skill set and professional aims. It should clearly outline what you can bring to the table, even if your experience isn’t extensive.

Have a look at a tried and true formula for an objective statement and an actual example from an entry-level graphic designer who uses it:

[Your profession] + [education or experience and top skills] seeking [desired job and company] to [your goals] with [professional skills and knowledge required in job description]. [Mention two or three soft skills and any additional qualifications].

In short, whether you opt for a resume summary or an objective statement, both serve as powerful tools to immediately communicate your qualifications and intentions. Choose the one that best aligns with your experience level and career goals to make a strong first impression on potential employers.

The work experience section  is a vital part of your resume, where potential employers gauge your suitability by reviewing how you've applied your skills and knowledge previously. It provides proof to support your qualifications highlighted in your resume headline, summary, and skills section. This is often the most scrutinized part of your resume, making it essential to master.

The only source of knowledge is experience.

Albert Einstein

Let’s first consider what goes into an entry for this section.

Structure and content

• Reverse-chronological order : List your jobs in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent. Include the job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.
• Job title : Place this at the top of each entry to quickly communicate your role. Consider bolding or slightly enlarging the font to make it stand out.
• Company details : Follow with the company's name and location. If the company isn’t well-known, a brief description  might be necessary.
• Employment dates : Specify the month and year you started and ended your tenure to provide a clear timeline.
• Key responsibilities and achievements : For each position, list three to five bullet points. Focus on notable achievements rather than routine job functions. Use action verbs to convey your effectiveness and involve quantifiable results whenever possible.

So now you know what the skeleton of a professional work history entry is—but what are some ways to produce excellent content?

Best practices for writing a work experience entry

• Quantify achievements : Use numbers to describe your impact , as quantifiable achievements significantly strengthen your resume.
• Use keywords  from job descriptions : Tailor your experience by incorporating keywords from job postings . This will align your resume with employer needs, and help you pass through automated screening algorithms.
• Conciseness : Given that hiring managers spend only a few seconds per resume, ensure your descriptions are succinct yet powerful. Avoid filler words and focus only on impactful aspects of your role.
• Utilize action verbs : Start each bullet point in your work history with a strong action verb to convey your role actively and assertively. Using action verbs  helps create a compelling narrative of your capabilities and achievements.
• Determining length:  When deciding how far back your resume should go , limit your work history to the most recent 10-15 years to ensure relevance and conciseness in showcasing your professional experience.

Writing style and focus

Each job entry should combine a clear list of responsibilities with standout results that align with the targeted job. Optimize each entry to reflect the skills and experiences most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Rather than listing every task you performed, highlight instances where you added value, such as leading projects or initiatives that resulted in positive outcomes.

Here’s an example of how a work experience entry should look like—pay particular attention to the bullet points.

• • Boosted client web traffic by 30% through strategic SEO enhancements and content marketing initiatives.
• • Oversaw daily operations of social media campaigns across multiple platforms, leading to a 20% increase in overall social media engagement.
• • Developed and managed PPC campaigns with a monthly budget of $20,000, optimizing spend and improving ROI by 35%.
• • Implemented client-specific email marketing strategies that resulted in a 45% open rate and a 10% conversion rate, significantly above industry averages.

Let’s go through some things that this example did well:

• Quantifies success : Each bullet point includes specific metrics, demonstrating the tangible impact of the candidate’s efforts.
• Highlights relevant skills : The entry emphasizes skills critical to the role, directly aligning with common requirements for digital marketing positions.
• Showcases collaboration : It mentions collaboration with cross-functional teams, showing the candidate's ability to work effectively in team settings and contribute to comprehensive marketing strategies.
• Focuses on key responsibilities : The bullet points concisely summarize major responsibilities and achievements without unnecessary detail, making it easy for hiring managers to quickly understand the candidate's capabilities and contributions.
• Uses strong action verbs : The entry starts each bullet point with dynamic verbs, which convey a proactive and impactful approach to responsibilities.

At various points in our careers, we find ourselves searching for a job, and our career stage significantly influences how we write our resumes. Let’s explore how different stages affect our applications.

Work experience based on career stage

Your work experience section should be tailored according to your career level. Whether you're entering the job market for the first time or you're a seasoned professional, each level has different expectations and requirements for showcasing your background.

Entry-level

Detail all work experiences on your resume, including part-time and temporary positions, focusing on key responsibilities and achievements in each role. For positions more relevant to the job you're applying for, offer detailed descriptions and emphasize how these experiences have prepared you for the position.

A chronological resume format  is recommended for those with straightforward career paths and relevant work experiences.

The following is a good example of an entry-level work history section.

• • Enhanced customer satisfaction: Consistently achieved high customer service ratings, with a 95% satisfaction score on post-interaction surveys, demonstrating strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• • Trained new employees:  Assisted in the training and onboarding of 5 new staff members, showcasing leadership potential and the ability to convey complex information effectively.
• • Implemented feedback initiatives: Played a key role in a team that developed a new customer feedback system, leading to a 10% improvement in customer service response strategies.
• • Campaign development: Contributed to the planning and implementation of a digital marketing campaign that increased company social media engagement by 30%.
• • Content creation: Created content for social media posts and blog articles that generated over 20,000 views, demonstrating creativity and alignment with brand messaging.
• • Market research: Conducted market analysis on competitors, which was used to adjust marketing strategies effectively.
• • Customer interaction: Provided high-quality customer service in a fast-paced environment, enhancing visitor satisfaction and loyalty.
• • Sales improvement: Contributed to a promotional idea that increased upselling of seasonal products by 25%, showcasing sales acumen and initiative.
• • Team coordination: Coordinated shifts and responsibilities for a team of 5, improving overall team efficiency and collaboration.

This resume section is structured in a chronological format, listing each job from the most recent to the oldest. It includes both directly relevant experiences (like the marketing internship) and less relevant roles (like the barista job), each described with a focus on achievements and skills that might be appealing to a potential employer in the field the candidate is applying to.

This method showcases a well-rounded entry-level candidate who brings valuable skills and experiences from various roles.

Related templates and guides for those of you just getting started in your new career:

• Entry-Level Resume Examples & Guide
• Intern Resume Examples & Guide
• Intern & Entry-Level Resume Examples

When crafting your resume, focus on detailing job experiences that directly relate to the position you're applying for, emphasizing responsibilities and accomplishments that match the job's requirements. For less relevant roles, mention them briefly to fill gaps in your work history without allocating much space.

For a mid-career resume , consider using either a combination format , which merges chronological layout with highlights of relevant skills and accomplishments—ideal for those with diverse experiences—or a reverse chronological format , best suited for those with a clear, direct career path and relevant work experience.

Have a look at this example of a professional history section for somebody looking for a job mid-career.

• • Led a team of 8 marketers in developing and implementing comprehensive digital marketing strategies that increased company revenue by 20% year-over-year.
• • Spearheaded the successful launch of a $3 million advertising campaign across digital and traditional media, which boosted market penetration by 15% and enhanced brand visibility.
• • Optimized SEO and PPC tactics that resulted in a 40% increase in organic traffic and a 25% improvement in ad conversion rates.
• • Managed cross-department collaborations to align marketing efforts with sales objectives, significantly improving lead generation processes and sales cycle efficiency.
• • Coordinated marketing events and campaigns that contributed to a 10% increase in overall customer engagement for the brand.
• • Implemented customer segmentation strategies that increased targeted communications and personalized marketing efforts by 30%.
• • Supported senior management with the preparation of presentations and reports for stakeholders and board members.
• • Provided customer service and support, managing transactions and resolving issues to enhance customer satisfaction.
• • Assisted in the management of store inventory and promotional displays to maintain an appealing store environment.

This format and structuring technique ensure that the work experience section is optimized to make the candidate appealing for mid-level marketing roles, highlighting growth, leadership, and direct contributions to business success.

Senior-level or C-level

For senior roles, it's best to limit your work history to the most recent and relevant 15 years, starting each entry with dynamic action verbs to effectively convey leadership and impact. Emphasize positions that demonstrate significant contributions to strategic decision-making and leadership, showcasing your capacity for handling high-level responsibilities.

A chronological resume format  is recommended to clearly and concisely represent your progression to high-level roles.

Below is an example of a candidate applying for a high-level position.

• • Transformed the company’s operational structure, implementing agile methodologies that decreased time-to-market by 40% and increased team productivity by 35%.
• • Led the merger and acquisition of XYZ Corp., which expanded the company's market share by 20% and resulted in a $50M increase in annual revenue.
• • Directed a global team of over 500 employees across three continents, establishing a unified communication system that improved project collaboration and deadline success rate.
• • Initiated and spearheaded the development of a new strategic approach to customer relationship management that boosted customer retention rates by 25% within the first year.
• • Championed the adoption of AI-driven analytics platforms, enhancing data-driven decision-making that contributed to a yearly growth of 15% in overall business efficiency.
• • Developed and implemented a comprehensive strategic plan that realigned the company’s focus towards emerging markets, increasing overall profitability by 30%.
• • Orchestrated the overhaul of internal processes which resulted in a 50% reduction in operational costs and a 20% improvement in employee satisfaction.
• • Negotiated major corporate partnerships that expanded the firm’s reach and capabilities, facilitating a sustained 10% annual growth.
• • Managed key stakeholder relationships, successfully advocating for the adoption of new technologies that led to significant competitive advantages.

This format and content style effectively convey a senior candidate's capability to handle high-level responsibilities and make significant contributions to organizational success.

Related templates and guides for those of you hunting for management or senior-level positions:

• Executive and Management Resume Examples
• Executive Resume Examples & Guide
• CEO Resume Examples & Guide
• CTO Resume Examples & Guide

What about if you’ve decided to change careers? If you find yourself in this position, here are some tips on what you should do when it’s time for you to list your work experience.

Career changers

When transitioning to a new career field, emphasize transferable skills such as project management, collaboration, and strategic planning. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experiences from different sectors, showcasing applicable competencies through detailed descriptions of the skills and challenges involved.

Opt for  a functional or combination resume format  to prioritize these relevant skills and experiences over chronological work history, enabling prospective employers to more clearly recognize your potential in the new field.

Here's an example of a work experience entry for a career changer  aiming to transition from a marketing background into project management within the tech industry. This entry uses a combination resume format to shine a light on transferable skills and relevant experiences.

• • Led Cross-Functional Teams: Directed a team of 8 in the strategic planning and execution of marketing campaigns that consistently met or exceeded company goals. Utilized strong project management skills to oversee project timelines, budgets, and resource allocations, ensuring seamless operations and successful campaign launches.
• • Enhanced Project Efficiency: Implemented new workflow management software that improved project tracking and team collaboration, reducing project completion times by 25%. This experience highlights a proficiency in adapting new technology tools that enhance productivity and team collaboration—key skills in project management.
• • Strategic Planning: Developed and executed long-term marketing strategies that contributed to a 40% increase in overall market share. Demonstrated ability to analyze market trends and adjust strategies accordingly, a crucial skill in tech project management where understanding and integrating new technologies and market shifts are vital.
• • Stakeholder Engagement: Regularly collaborated with clients, stakeholders, and team members to align project objectives with business goals, enhancing communication lines and project outcomes. Facilitated workshops and presentations to stakeholder groups to gain buy-in on new initiatives, showcasing strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• • Project Leadership: Coordinated technology upgrades for nonprofit organizations, managing schedules, budgets, and cross-functional teams to drive project success in a volunteer capacity. This experience directly correlates with essential project management duties in the tech industry.
• • Problem Solving: Addressed and resolved complex issues during technology implementation projects, demonstrating critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are imperative in tech project management.

This approach allows the career changer to present a compelling case that their past experiences, although in a different industry, are valuable and directly applicable to their new career aspirations.

Here are some examples and more tips for writing a career changer resume:

• Career Change Resume Examples & Guide

For those transitioning to a new career path, it's crucial to reframe your professional history in a way that aligns with your new objectives, showing how your past experiences equip you for this new phase in your career journey.

We’ve already mentioned throughout the article the importance of tailoring your resume to the job offer you’re applying for. So let’s take a closer look at that in the context of your work history section.

Tailor your work history entries to the job description

Tailoring your resume to the job description  is a critical step in creating a resume that stands out to hiring managers.

Here's how to effectively target your resume  to enhance your chances of landing an interview:

Understanding keywords

• Incorporate relevant keywords: Enhance your resume by including keywords directly from the job description. These can cover specific duties, skills, qualifications, and qualities needed for the role. Strategically using these keywords helps ensure your resume resonates with recruiters, showcasing your suitability and increasing the chances of your application getting noticed.

Strategically include work experience

• Select appropriate content : When detailing your work history, reference the job description and incorporate as many relevant keywords as possible. Focus on aligning your duties and key achievements with the requirements and responsibilities listed in the job posting.
• Manage resume length : Depending on your level of experience, adjust the length of your resume. If you have extensive experience, a two-page resume is acceptable. However, keep the content relevant to the role, avoiding unnecessary details about older positions or unrelated academic achievements.

Focus on relevance

• Underline pertinent information : Tailoring isn’t just about adding keywords—it’s about focusing on the experiences and skills that are most relevant to the job. Concentrate on positions and responsibilities that align closely with the posted role to demonstrate your suitability.
• Education section tailoring : In the education section, clearly highlight any degrees or certifications that meet the job requirements, reinforcing your qualifications for the position.

Best practices for effective tailoring

• Concise and relevant descriptions : Use clear and concise language to describe your experiences. Avoid overloading your resume with every job or skill you’ve ever had; instead, focus on what’s most relevant to the specific role you’re applying for.
• Dynamic content : Start each bullet point in your work experience with strong action verbs and quantifiable results to draw attention to your achievements and impact.

By meticulously tailoring your resume to the job description, you ensure that every section of your resume, from the work history to education, is optimized to show your best fit for the role.

Tailoring tips in action

Let’s now visualize the tips from above. Firstly, let’s study an actual job ad looking for an accountant to join their team.

Position Overview:

Tap into the professional possibilities of the largest publicly traded energy partnership that features one of the most diversified cash flow streams in the midstream segment of the energy industry. With dynamic career opportunities and a creative and supportive environment, our unique midstream energy organization offers the chance to share and be recognized for your ideas.

Join our team and increase your opportunities for success.

Role and Responsibilities:

The Accountant is responsible for general accounting activities. Other responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to:

• Analyze complex contracts and ensure that monthly revenue is recorded accurately.
• Develop and maintain tools and reports for reporting and research purposes.
• Perform monthly volumetric actualization, invoicing of revenues, and/or payment of cost of goods sold invoices.
• Analyze revenue and explain variances between the current month, prior month, and budget.
• Perform monthly settlements, this includes researching and resolving volumetric and pricing discrepancies.
• Prepare various volumetric balancing and analytical reports.
• Perform monthly account reconciliations for balance sheet accounts related to Marketing activity.
• Prepare inventory reconciliations and analyze and clear reconciling items.
• Calculate and record monthly journal entries for revenues, cost of goods sold, and other expenses.
• Prepare financial statements and support schedules for use in financial reporting.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements:

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Accounting is required.
• Accounting professional affiliations or certifications are a plus.
• 1-3 years prior work experience in Accounting is preferred.
• Midstream or other energy industry background is preferred.
• Crude Oil Marketing experience is a plus.
• Candidate must have strong analytical skills and exhibit an attention to detail.
• Working proficiency/knowledge of Microsoft Excel to create pivot tables, develop macros, and other advanced excel functions.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Candidate should exhibit self-motivation; ability to accept additional responsibility; and willingness to accept new challenges in a dynamic environment.
• The candidate will be responsible for multiple projects and should be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• As a result of experience, one should begin to develop good judgment as to results that appear correct vs. incorrect.
• Candidate should be prepared to explain his/her work as necessary.
• Candidate should prepare written work that’s frequently approved on first submittal.
• Candidate should require limited technical supervision.

Now let’s target our work experience section directly toward this job offer.

• • Analyzed and Reconciled Financial Transactions: Conducted monthly account reconciliations for balance sheet accounts, ensuring accuracy in financial reporting. Focused on Marketing activity reconciliations, aligned with the company's need for precision in financial documentation.
• • Revenue Recording and Variance Analysis: Managed complex contract analysis to ensure accurate monthly revenue recording. Successfully explained variances between current, prior month, and budget forecasts, aligning with the job's emphasis on detailed financial variance analysis.
• • Financial Reporting and Tool Development: Developed and maintained sophisticated tools and reports for financial reporting and research purposes. Enhanced the usability of financial data, supporting strategic decision-making processes.
• • Process Optimization for Invoicing and Settlements: Streamlined the process of monthly volumetric actualization and invoicing, improving efficiency by 20%. Also performed detailed settlements, addressing volumetric and pricing discrepancies crucial for accurate financial assessments.
• • Journal Entries and Financial Statements Preparation: Calculated and recorded detailed journal entries for revenues, cost of goods sold, and other expenses. Prepared support schedules for financial statements, contributing to comprehensive financial reporting.
• • Inventory Management and Reconciliation: Executed precise inventory reconciliations, identified and cleared reconciling items, directly supporting operational integrity and financial accuracy, essential for maintaining the company's asset management accuracy.
• • Advanced Excel Utilization: Leveraged advanced Excel functions to create pivot tables, develop macros, and streamline data analysis processes, significantly enhancing report generation and data management capabilities.
• • Multi-Project Management: Coordinated and led multiple project assignments simultaneously, demonstrating strong organizational skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, as required by the role.
• • Communication and Documentation: Prepared comprehensive written reports and communicated financial insights effectively, ensuring all documentation was frequently approved on the first submission, reducing revision times and enhancing departmental efficiency.

Tailoring strategies used:

• The resume includes specific keywords from the job description such as "financial reporting," "monthly account reconciliations," "volumetric actualization," and "journal entries," ensuring it aligns closely with the job requirements.
• Showcases strong analytical skills, detailed financial knowledge, and advanced Excel capabilities, which are all explicitly requested in the job post.
• Each bullet point is concise, focusing on achievements and responsibilities that demonstrate the candidate’s capability to handle the responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
• Starts bullet points with dynamic action verbs like "Analyzed," "Managed," "Streamlined," and "Executed," which emphasize the candidate’s proactive approach to their roles.

Work experience checklist

• Start with the most recent position
• Emphasize job titles
• Detail company information
• Clarify employment dates
• List key responsibilities and achievements
• Quantify your contributions
• Incorporate relevant keywords
• Maintain conciseness
• Determine appropriate length
• Tailor each entry

Crafting a skills section  on your resume is essential because it highlights your core competencies  clearly and concisely. Presenting both hard and soft skills proves that you’re a well-rounded candidate.

Skills-based hiring is increasingly favored by employers . According to LinkedIn , 69% of professionals believe verified skills are more important than a college degree, and 77% of hirers are investing more in hiring based on skills and competencies​ Therefore, prominently listing your skills can help you stand out and make a strong case for your candidacy.

Additionally, a well-crafted skills section enables you to tailor your resume to the specific job by including relevant skills that match the job description, significantly increasing your chances of landing an interview. It’s an opportunity to display the specific competencies that set you apart from other applicants.

Your resume speaks for you, so be sure it highlights your skills in a way that mirrors the needs of the job.

Lynda Spiegel, human resources professional and career coach

What types of skills are there?

There are two main kinds of skills—hard and soft. Let’s have a look at each.

Hard skills

Hard skills , also known as technical skills  (associated with technical tasks and technology-related fields), are specific abilities or knowledge that you can learn and measure through education, training, or hands-on experience.

These skills, such as coding in Python, using Photoshop, or managing a cash register, are valuable to employers because they demonstrate your ability to handle job-specific tasks and meet role demands.

To effectively emphasize your hard skills on a resume, consider adding measurable achievements. For instance, show how your Microsoft Office skills increased team productivity, discuss the volume of code you write and debug weekly, or showcase how your UX design enhancements improved user engagement. This approach not only shows your proficiency but also quantifies your impact.

Where to put hard skills on your resume

The placement of hard skills on your resume depends on the resume format and the job you’re applying for.

• Dedicated skills section :  Most commonly, hard skills are listed in a dedicated section titled "Skills" or "Technical Skills," typically placed after the summary or objective statement and before the work experience section.
• Work experience: You can integrate hard skills into your job descriptions within the work experience section to show how you’ve applied them in previous roles.
• Summary or objective:  Mentioning key hard skills in your resume summary or objective can immediately highlight your qualifications.
• Projects or portfolio: For roles requiring specific technical expertise, including a projects or portfolio section where you can elaborate on the hard skills used in each project can be beneficial.

Here’s an example of a hard skills section:

A few tips on formatting a hard skills section

• Use bullet points:  List each skill as a bullet point for easy readability.
• Prioritize relevance:  List the most relevant skills for the job at the top of the section.
• Be specific:  Instead of listing vague skills, be specific.
• Keep it concise:  Avoid clutter by listing only your most relevant and strongest skills.
• Consistent formatting:  Ensure that the formatting of your skills section matches the rest of your resume for a polished look.
• State your experience levels : This tells employers what they can expect from you and how much training you might need.

List your soft skills and hard skills separately to clearly highlight your qualifications. This distinction helps recruiters quickly identify your technical abilities and personal attributes, making your resume more effective.​

Soft skills

Soft skills , also known as personal skills, are self-developed, life-learned attributes such as social skills, adaptability, leadership, critical thinking, and time management. These qualities make you a great team player and contribute to professional success by fostering good teamwork and a positive work environment.

Data shows 69% of professionals  think verified skills are more important than a college degree, underscoring their importance in the hiring process. The right soft skills on a resume not only display your ability to work well with others but also enhance your overall appeal to recruiters, making them a crucial aspect of your job application strategy.

Where to put soft skills on your resume

A separate section for soft skills on your resume can be less effective because these skills are best demonstrated through specific examples in other sections, providing context and making them more credible.

Listing soft skills in the summary (or objective) and work experience underscores them without overwhelming the reader, maintaining a clean layout. Additionally, integrating soft skills into job descriptions shows how your technical and interpersonal skills work together, offering a comprehensive view of your abilities.

By incorporating soft skills throughout the resume, you create a more holistic and compelling picture of your qualifications.

The top 10 soft skills

• Communication : Effective verbal and written communication skills are crucial for conveying ideas clearly and collaborating with colleagues.
• Teamwork and collaboration : The ability to work well with others, share ideas, and build strong working relationships is highly valued by employers.
• Adaptability : Being flexible and open to change helps you thrive in dynamic work environments and tackle new challenges effectively.
• Problem-solving : Creative and critical thinking skills enable you to identify issues, develop solutions, and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Time management : Efficiently managing your time and prioritizing tasks ensures productivity and meeting deadlines.
• Emotional intelligence : Understanding and managing your emotions, as well as empathizing with others, fosters better workplace relationships and team dynamics.
• Leadership : Demonstrating leadership qualities, such as motivating others and taking initiative, is beneficial even in non-managerial roles.
• Attention to detail : Paying close attention to detail ensures high-quality work and minimizes errors.
• Work ethic : Showing dedication, reliability, and a strong sense of responsibility contributes to a positive reputation at work.
• Interpersonal skills : Building rapport with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders helps create a harmonious and effective work environment.

Now let’s integrate these skills into an example resume summary and work experience entry.

• • Led a cross-functional team of 10 to develop and implement marketing campaigns, demonstrating strong leadership and collaboration skills.
• • Improved client communication processes, enhancing overall customer satisfaction by 25% through effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• • Adapted quickly to changing market conditions, launching five successful product campaigns in under two years, showcasing adaptability and problem-solving abilities.

Many of these skills are industry-specific—especially if we talk about technical ones. However, there are many that can be applied across multiple fields and are indispensable for those changing careers. Let’s have a look at those.

Transferable skills

Transferable skills  are universal abilities that can be applied across different departments and industries. They include soft skills, like communication and critical thinking, which aren’t specific to any industry, and hard skills, like proficiency in MS Office  or HTML , which, although industry-specific, can be utilized in multiple fields.

These skills are crucial during career changes, whether transitioning to a new role within the same organization or moving to a different industry. Transferable skills ensure you don't start from scratch and can be adapted on your resume to match job postings effectively.

For those changing careers or entering the job market without much experience, focusing on transferable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity can significantly improve job prospects.

How to tailor your skills

To make your resume stand out, create a skills section that includes keywords relevant to the employer and is tailored for each job application. Carefully review the job description to identify keywords and skills the employer values. Highlight these skills, particularly those you’ve successfully demonstrated in the past.

Remember that the wording of the same skill can vary between job descriptions, so it's crucial to customize each resume to the specific job. Also, avoid including irrelevant skills—for example, if you’re applying for an accounting position, omit unrelated skills like gourmet cooking.

By using the job ad as a reference and incorporating the relevant skills, you can create a resume that effectively showcases your qualifications and fit for the position.

Need some help? Get a free targeted resume and optimize your resume with Enhancv’s fast ATS resume grader . It relies on algorithms developed by reading over 500,000 resumes. It’ll give you a result in just 3 minutes!

Skills checklist

• Identify relevant skills
• Prioritize skills
• Format the skills section
• Quantify achievements
• Incorporate soft skills
• Highlight transferable skills
• Tailor your skills to each job
• Avoid irrelevant skills
• Review and edit
• Seek feedback

Including an education section on your resume  is crucial for a few key reasons. First, it shows employers you have the academic training needed for the job. It can also be especially helpful if you're a recent graduate or switching to a new industry with limited work experience. Most jobs require some level of education, and employers look for this information.

To list your education correctly, start with your highest level of education and then add any other degrees or diplomas. Generally, your education section should come after your work experience. However, if you’re applying for a job that requires extensive education, like in medicine, law, or academia, you might need to provide more details.

Many people think of the education section as an afterthought, but it’s a great way to show off your qualifications and add some extra points for relevancy.

How to construct an education entry

Learn to craft compelling education entries that highlight your academic achievements, relevant coursework, and skills to impress potential employers.

Here are the essential building blocks of a good academic entry:

Must-have information

• Degree or certification name : Write the full name of the degree or certification, including your major and minor .
• Institution name : Be sure to have the name of the university, college, or school.
• Location : Write the city and state of the institution.
• Graduation date : Mention the month and year you graduated. However, just the year will suffice and keep it concise.

Optional information

• GPA : Include your GPA on your resume  if it’s higher than 3.5 or if it’s required by the employer.
• Honors and awards : List any honors, scholarships, or awards (e.g., Cum Laude , Dean’s List , Rhodes Scholarship).
• Relevant coursework : Provide a bulleted list of relevant courses as well as any continuing education , especially if you have limited work experience.
• Certifications and licenses : Add any relevant certifications or licenses.
• Extracurricular activities : Mention relevant clubs or organizations you participated in.
• Leadership positions : Illustrate any leadership roles you held.
• Academic projects : List significant projects or papers relevant to the job you’re applying for.

10 education entry tips

• Use your GED in the education section  if it's your highest level of education or relevant to the job.
• Only include high school details  if you haven’t attended college or if you’re a high school student.
• If you attended college but didn't complete a degree , list the school names and your courses of study. List the start date and leave the end date blank.
• You don’t need to include the graduation year if you graduated more than 10 years ago.
• If you’re currently pursuing a degree, mention the date you began and the anticipated graduation date .
• For more experienced candidates, consider listing only the name of the school and dates of attendance to save space for more relevant professional experience.
• Bold your degree to make it stand out.
• Omit advanced degrees if the job doesn’t require them.
• Expand on education details if recently graduated.
• Students can list education at the top if lacking work experience.

By including these elements, you ensure that your education section is comprehensive, relevant, and tailored  to the job you’re applying for.

Presumably, you’d like to see some specific examples. Below we’ll analyze a few different situations and the best education entry for each.

Education section for a high-school student

For a high-school student's resume, the education section should be prominently placed at the top if there is limited work experience, or just after the objective statement.

Include the name and location of the high school, expected graduation date, any relevant coursework, GPA (if it's 3.5 or higher), honors, awards, and extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership or pertinent skills.

Being concise yet specific about your academic achievements and relevant skills, and presenting them in a clear, structured format, not only underscores your suitability for the position but also enhances your professional presentation.

Here’s an example:

• • Relevant Coursework: Advanced Placement Calculus, Advanced Placement Physics, Engineering Fundamentals, and Computer Science
• • Honors and Awards: Awarded First Place in Regional Science Fair, 2024 & Recipient of the Academic Excellence Award in Mathematics, 2025
• • Extracurricular Activities: President, Math Club, 2024–2025 / Team Captain, Robotics Team, 2023–Present / Volunteer, Tech for Tomorrow, 2023–Present

Education section for a college student or recent graduate

In crafting the education section of a resume for a college student or recent graduate, include the college name and location, degree, graduation date, relevant coursework, GPA (if 3.5 or higher), honors, and awards. Emphasize internships, projects, and extracurriculars pertinent to desired job skills.

Position this section prominently at the resume's top if your work experience is limited—otherwise, place it after the work experience section. Be sure that the presentation is concise, specific, and well-structured to effectively display qualifications and professionalism.

• • Relevant Coursework: Robotics Design and Analysis, Advanced Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Control Systems Engineering
• • Honors and Awards: Dean’s List: Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021 & Spring 2022 / Winner, 2023 UC Berkeley Engineering Innovation Challenge
• • Senior Capstone Project: Led a team of four in designing and building an autonomous robotic system for sorting recyclable materials, which improved sorting efficiency by 25% over existing methods.
• • Internship, RoboTech Inc., San Jose, CA (Summer 2023): Assisted in the design and testing of components for a new robotic arm. Developed enhancements that increased the arm's operational smoothness by 15%.
• • Robotics Club President (2021-2023): Spearheaded the annual campus robotics competition, managing over 50 participants and coordinating with industry sponsors for event funding and resources.

Education section for an experienced professional

For an experienced professional, include the name and location of the college, degree, and graduation date, omitting the date if it has been over ten years. Place this section towards the bottom, after the work experience and skills sections, to underline professional experience first.

Ensure conciseness by listing only the most relevant academic achievements, thereby streamlining the resume and emphasizing extensive professional experience to make a strong impression on potential employers.

While some individuals can list certifications and licenses within their education entries, others may need to create separate sections to guarantee these qualifications are illustrated effectively.

Education section checklist

• Start with the highest education level.
• Specify the location and dates.
• Highlight relevant details.
• Include licenses and certifications.
• Mention extracurricular activities.
• Detail significant academic projects.
• Position the education section appropriately.
• Use a clear and concise format.
• Customize for the job.

Hiring managers appreciate candidates who invest in their professional development. Listing certifications on your resume demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and skill expansion, which can make you a more attractive candidate.

Certifications and licenses on your resume  are particularly crucial for professions such as nursing, accounting, and teaching, where specific credentials are often required. Additionally, job seekers who obtain extra training or certificates showcase their expertise and dedication to their chosen fields.

Creating a separate section for certifications and licenses ensures these important qualifications are prominently displayed.

Certifications and qualifications are evidence of professional dedication and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter, professor at Harvard Business School

Essential elements of certifications and licensure on a resume

Certifications.

• Certification name:  Clearly state the full name of the certification.
• Issuing organization:  Include the name of the organization that awarded the certification.
• Date earned:  Mention when you earned the certification.
• Expiration date (if applicable):  Note if the certification has an expiration date.
• Certification number (if applicable):  Provide the certification number if relevant or required by the industry.
• License name:  State the specific name of the license.
• Issuing authority:  List the name of the body that issued the license.
• License number:  Provide the license number, which is often required for verification.
• Date issued:  Mention the date when the license was issued.
• Expiration date:  Include the expiration date of the license.
• State or region (if applicable):  Specify the state or region where the license is valid, especially important for professions like nursing or teaching.

Including these essential elements ensures that your certifications and licenses are clearly and effectively presented to potential employers.

Let’s have a look at some examples of certification entries to better illustrate:

A current certification for a graphic designer

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)  

• Issuing Organization: Adobe Systems
• Date Earned: March 2023
• Expiration Date: March 2025

An “in progress” certification for a chef

Certified Executive Chef (CEC)  - in progress

• Issuing Organization: American Culinary Federation (ACF)
• Expected Date of Completion: January 2025

An entry from a licensure section from a nurse

License Name:  Registered Nurse (RN)

• Issuing Authority:  California Board of Registered Nursing
• License Number:  RN123456
• Date Issued:  January 2021
• Expiration Date:  January 2026
• State:  California

Nail the must-have sections to secure any job, but use leftover space wisely by adding optional sections such as:

Language proficiency

Hobbies and interests, volunteering, awards and honors, publications.

• Professional associations
• Cover Letter

These elements can highlight your achievements and make your resume stand out, especially if they align with the job's requirements.

Some elements can be included in various other areas of your resume making separate sections for them redundant and just a plain waste of space. So, be selective to maintain a concise, impactful resume.

With that said, let’s go through each of these additional topics to see why, how, and where.

Listing language skills  on your resume is a great idea because it showcases your ability to communicate in diverse environments, which is highly valued by employers.

To list language skills, create a "Languages" section and include each language with your proficiency level (e.g., Fluent, Conversational, Basic). Place this section near the bottom of your resume, after your skills or education sections, to ensure it's easily noticed but doesn't overshadow more critical qualifications.

For example:

Displaying your hobbies and interests on a resume  can emphasize your personality, demonstrate cultural fit, and highlight transferable skills. Place this section at the bottom of your resume. Format it with a clear heading like "Hobbies and Interests," and list a few relevant activities that reflect positive traits or skills applicable to the job.

Have a look:

Having volunteer experience on your resume  is beneficial as it showcases your commitment, skills, and interests outside of work, making you more attractive to employers. Include it in a separate "Volunteer Experience" section at the bottom of your resume or within your work history if you lack professional experience.

Format it similarly to your job entries, with clear headings and bullet points describing your roles and responsibilities. This approach ensures your volunteer work is prominently and effectively displayed.

Here’s a good example of how it should be done:

• • Coordinated and led weekly build projects, managing teams of 20+ volunteers.
• • Developed training materials and conducted orientation sessions for new volunteers.
• • Organized fundraising events, raising over $10,000 annually.
• • Provided mentorship and support to at-risk youth through one-on-one meetings and group activities.
• • Planned and facilitated educational workshops and recreational outings.
• • Achieved a 90% improvement in mentees' academic performance and social skills.

The same tips and strategies apply to volunteer entries as do work experience ones. As you can see from the example, they use action verbs to start each bullet point and when possible they quantify their achievements.

Become a volunteer!

A LinkedIn survey  found that 20% of employers have hired candidates because of their volunteer experience. Additionally, job seekers who volunteer are 27% more likely to be hired than those who don't volunteer.

Listing awards and honors on your resume  demonstrates your achievements and sets you apart from other candidates. Place them in a dedicated "Awards and Honors" section, formatted in reverse-chronological order. If tied to your degree or job, include them as bullet points in the education or work history sections. This approach makes your resume more impressive and compelling to employers.

Below is an example of an awards section:

A projects section on your resume  shows your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities, making your application shine to employers.

Include project titles, a brief description, your role, and key achievements. Place this section below your work experience or education, depending on which is more relevant to the job you’re applying for. This structured presentation shows your practical skills and accomplishments clearly.

Here’s what a project entry should look like:

• • Description: Redesigned the organization’s website to improve user experience and accessibility.
• • Key Achievements: Increased site traffic by 40%, improved mobile usability score by 30%, and integrated a donation platform that boosted online donations by 25%.

Placing publications on your resume  showcases your expertise and contributions to your field. Place them in a dedicated "Publications" section below your education or work experience. Format each entry with the title, publication name, date, and any co-authors. This highlights your knowledge and research skills, making you an outstanding candidate.

List them as so:

Professional affiliations

Professional associations  can be listed in a "Memberships" or "Affiliations" section near the bottom of your resume. Include the organization name and membership dates, and emphasize any leadership roles like board member or committee chair. This section can also feature other relevant professional groups, showcasing your industry involvement and leadership experience.

Here’s such a section:

• • Committee Chair, Marketing Research
• • Board Member, Local Chapter

Providing references on a resume  is a great idea as it gives employers credible endorsements of your skills and work ethic. To do it, list your references on a separate page with their name, title, company, and contact information.

Mention "References available upon request" at the bottom of your resume. This keeps your resume concise while indicating your preparedness to provide references when needed.

A matching cover letter

A perfect resume needs a compelling cover letter  to complete your job application. A well-written cover letter  provides in-depth information about your experience, and career goals, and is also a great way to explain employment gaps and career changes. Most employers need more than a resume to decide, making your cover letter essential.

To ace your cover letter, tailor it to the job ad, starting with a captivating introduction. Mention the company's name, highlight your achievements, and explain why the position is perfect for you.

Conclude enthusiastically with a strong call to action. Keep it concise, no longer than one page. A great cover letter matching your resume gives you an advantage over other candidates.

Use our Cover Letter Builder  and professional examples to create an attention-grabbing cover letter in minutes.

You're almost there, but don't send it off just yet!

Proofreading your resume  is crucial to ensure it's free of typos  including spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, which can make a negative impression on hiring managers. It also helps verify that all details, such as dates, company names, and contact information, are accurate. A well-proofread resume demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism, increasing your chances of making a strong impression and securing an interview.

Resume proofreading tips

• Take a break:  Step away from your resume before proofreading to come back with fresh eyes.
• Read backward:  Review your resume from the end to the beginning to catch errors.
• Print it out:  Reading a hard copy can help you spot mistakes you might miss on a screen.
• Use tools:  Utilize spell-checkers like Grammarly  to find spelling and grammar errors.
• Check consistency:  Ensure formatting, fonts, and bullet points  are consistent throughout.
• Verify details:  Double-check dates, company names, and contact information for accuracy.
• Get feedback:  Ask friends, family, or colleagues to review your resume.
• Read aloud:  Hearing your resume can help identify awkward phrasing or errors.
• Simplify:  Remove unnecessary words and consolidate sections to maintain brevity.

A professional resume writer can help you proofread and consolidate your resume. Here at Enhancv, you can take advantage of our expert coaching services  as well!

A two page resume may be acceptable if you’re applying for high-level positions or industries like health care or academia. Also, be sure to personalize your email with the name of the person reading your resume. Sending a resume is much more compelling when you avoid To Whom It May Concern.

One of the main reasons that recruiters reject a resume— 59% of recruiters to be precise —is because of poor grammar or a spelling error. Though these mistakes seem small, they indicate that the candidate is sloppy and hasn’t taken the time to proofread their resume.

Writing a resume can be a challenging task, but following these 10 steps will guide you toward success. By meticulously crafting each section, showcasing your skills, and tailoring your resume to each job, you're setting yourself up for career advancement. Stay confident, keep refining, and remember that your dedication to presenting your best self will pay off. Good luck!

A great resume doesn't just tell them what you did. It shows them how well you did it and how you can do it for them.

Martin Yate, career expert and author

• Resume Guides

Resume Styles: The Best Choice For Your Needs [20+ Tips And Examples]

How to include study abroad on a resume, the resumes of chernobyl, expert advice: how to handle layoffs and downsizing on your resume, 40 of the best work at home jobs, how to include your relevant coursework on a resume.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• 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.

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

How to Write a Resume That Stands Out

• Paige Cohen

It takes hiring managers less than 10 seconds to decide if you’re qualified.

• PC Paige Cohen (they/them) is a senior editor at Harvard Business Review.

Partner Center

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Resume (With Examples!)

Your resume is arguably the most valuable piece of paper for your career. But this document can be daunting for many. Maybe you’re not sure how to fit in all your information onto one page. Maybe you’re not sure about the right way to format and write your resume. Maybe you don’t even know what the heck a resume is!

Whatever your concern, we’ll break down everything you need to know about making the perfect resume, from scratch.

What Is a Resume?

What are employers looking for in a resume.

• Pick Your Format
• Start With Your Basic Information
• Add in Your Work Experience
• Consider Including Volunteer Work or Other Experience
• Don’t Forget Your Education
• Top It Off With Some Skills and Interests
• Write a Resume Summary Statement (if Relevant)
• Tailor It to the Job (and the ATS)
• Edit and Refine It

What Are Some Examples of a Good Resume?

A resume is a summary of your career, whether yours is just getting started or has been going on for years. Coming in at around one page in length (two only under specific circumstances), it showcases the jobs you’ve held and currently hold, the responsibilities you’ve taken on, the skills you’ve developed, and the qualities you bring to the table as an employee. Together, those things make it super easy for any hiring manager to see your qualifications and fit for a role.

For all the work you may put into writing one, hiring managers actually spend very little time—mere seconds in many cases—looking at your resume. But despite this sad fact, it’s safe to say that creating a great resume (rather than hastily throwing one together) still matters.

“If you miss the mark, your resume may never be read. Even worse, you might be removed from the applicant pool by a computer before a human even knows you exist,” says Muse career coach Heather Yurovsky , founder of Shatter & Shine. So you want to get it right because, as she explains, isn’t the goal to “spend less time looking for a job and more time in a role you love?”

You might be wondering if you can lean on your LinkedIn profile instead of writing a resume. The answer, sadly, is no. Most hiring managers still expect you to submit a resume, even if they also look at your LinkedIn. Even if you don’t need a resume for a job you’re applying for now, you’re going to need one at some point in your career—they’re not anywhere close to going out of style. So it’s best to always have one at the ready should an opportunity pop up.

And although LinkedIn has plenty of benefits, a resume has one clear advantage: While your LinkedIn is usually a broader picture of your career trajectory, your resume gives you the opportunity to tailor your career story to a specific role or company (more on that later).

Oh, and you’ve probably heard of something called a CV? It’s slightly different from a resume , and usually more common with academics and job seekers outside the U.S.

Hiring managers look for three things on your resume, “What did you do? Why did you do it? And what was the result?” says Muse career coach Martin McGovern , owner of Career Therapy. “If you can answer all three of these questions in...your resume bullet points, you’re going to be on the right track.”

Clear, easy-to-understand language is key. “The truth is that most resumes make no sense. They are stuffed with jargon, they are too technical, and they are filled with redundancies. Try to read a resume that isn’t yours and you will quickly realize that it feels like an alien wrote it,” McGovern adds. Put yourself in the shoes of a recruiter who has no idea how your role works—how can you make your resume accessible to them?

The hiring manager also cares about more than just you and you alone—they care about you in relation to them. “Hiring managers want to see if a candidate matches the requirements” of the role they’re hiring for, Yurovsky explains. “Your resume should paint this picture so the hiring manager not only knows what day-to-day responsibilities you can handle, but why you, above other[s], bring value to their organization.”

How Do You Write a Resume?

Whether you’re someone who’s never written a resume in your life, or you need a nice, thorough refresher on the process of creating one, follow these steps to go from a blank page to a complete—and dare I say beautiful—document.

Related: This Free Worksheet Makes It Easy to Create (or Update) Your Resume

1. Pick Your Format

Before you start typing one single thing, you have to decide what you want the overall resume to look like.

Resume builders can be helpful for this step—they’ll take all your basic information and organize it for you, eliminating some of the legwork. You can also use a pre-made outline, such as one of these free Google Docs templates .

But it’s often safest to start with a clean slate all on your own and eventually upgrade to a more advanced layout. (If you'd still like a place to write all the relevant information before you get started, check out our resume outline .) This allows you to course correct, edit and re-edit, and choose a resume format that best fits your particular situation (after all, not everyone has a career trajectory that’s easy to compartmentalize).

In general, you’re most likely to cover and/or include sections on the following:

• Your work experience
• Your non-work experience, including professional organizations, community involvement, or side projects
• Your education and certifications
• Your skills (specifically hard skills) and interests

So how do you format and organize all of that information?

By far the most common (and safest, if you’re not sure which route to take) option is reverse chronological order . This means you organize your experiences from most recent to least recent. So your work experiences would go above your education, and your current role would go above previous roles you’ve held. This of course has its exceptions—maybe you went back to grad school between jobs, or your most recent role is irrelevant to the job you’re applying for. So the whole page may not be exactly in reverse chronological order depending on your situation. It’s just a guideline.

There’s also something called a functional or skills-based resume . This is used pretty rarely, mainly with career changers and those with limited or complicated work histories. It gets its name because it’s primarily about listing your skills rather than experiences, and showcases them above your work history and education.

You can also opt for a combination resume , which is a mix between a reverse chronological resume and skills-based resume. It highlights your skills at the top, but allows just as much room below to cover your job and school experience.

Use caution when choosing these two formats: “Combo and skills-based [resumes] can be hard to follow, because [they force] the reader to hunt for connections between your skills and experience, and [don’t] provide the full context of your work,” says Muse Career Coach Angela Smith , founder of Loft Consulting. “I’ve also heard a lot of recruiters say that they automatically discount skill-based resumes because they feel the candidate is trying to hide something. I don’t necessarily believe that, but I think it’s important for job-seekers to know that perception is out there.”

2. Start With Your Basic Information

Your contact information should always go at the top of your resume. In this header you’ll want to include anything that could be helpful for a recruiter to get in touch with you. Usually, this means adding in:

• Your full name (preferably the name you use across the web)
• Your phone number
• Your personal email address

You might also choose to include other basic information, such as your LinkedIn or personal website URL, your GitHub (for technical roles), your social media profiles (if relevant to the job), or your address. If you’re looking to move for a job, you may choose to leave out your address or write “open to relocating” to better your chances of getting an interview.

The key is to make this part as clear as possible. If a hiring manager can’t reach you, there’s no point in perfecting the rest of your resume.

3. Add in Your Work Experience

This section will most likely be the bulk of your resume. Even if you’re changing careers, employers still want to see where you’ve worked, what you’ve done, and the impact of that work to get a sense of your background and expertise.

Your “Work Experience” might be one entire category, or you might choose to break it up into “Relevant Experience” and “Additional Experience” to highlight the jobs that are most important for hiring managers to focus on. Either way, you’ll almost always want to have your most recent experience at the top and your older experience down below.

Within your work experience, you’ll want to include each official job title, the company (and possibly its location), and the years you worked there. Below that, you’ll add in two to four bullet points explaining what you did in that job, the skills you built and exercised, the tools you used, and the results of what you did. If you accomplished a lot during your time there, focus on the responsibilities that made the most impact or you’re the most proud of, as well as the ones that best align you with the job you’re applying for (more on that in the following sections). It’s key here to list, if relevant, quantitative as well as qualitative accomplishments.

For example, you might write:

Associate Accountant, Finances and Co., Ann Arbor, MI September 2017 – Present

• Manage billing and invoicing for more than 50 clients, ensuring the deadlines and needs of our enterprise partners, including Big Company and Super Star Org, are met
• Collaborate closely with sales, account management, and project management teams on project setup, maintenance, and invoice management
• Assist in the streamlining of invoicing guidelines and procedures through documentation and the implementation of new software, resulting in an average two-week decrease in total time spent per client

Your resume bullets should be in past tense if you’re referring to past jobs and present tense if you’re talking about your current roles. In addition, your bullets should always start with a strong action verb that best describes what you did. And if you have examples of your work, consider hyperlinking them here as well.

If you have a ton of experience and this category is starting to run long (read: over one page), consider kicking out your oldest jobs unless they’re super relevant to the job you’re applying for, or extra impressive for your field.

Not sure where to start? “It’s helpful to do a brain dump and create a document that has everything and anything you consider as experience or an achievement,” says Yurovsky. From there, she explains, you can start to whittle down what is and isn’t important. And you can refer to this document later if you ever decide to update your resume for a specific role.

Need more specific advice on listing your work experience on your resume? Check out these additional resources:

• When you’ve held multiple jobs at the same company: 2 Jobs, 1 Company: How to Show Multiple Positions on Your Resume
• When you’re not sure what your accomplishments are or how to explain them: Resume Revamp: How to Turn Your Duties Into Accomplishments
• When you want to spruce up a boring or insignificant job: How to Make Your Most Boring Jobs Sound More Interesting on Your Resume
• When you’re considering fudging a job title: The Answer to “Can I Change My Job Title on My Resume to Make It More Accurate?”
• When you’ve had a bunch of short-term gigs: How to List Temporary Jobs on Your Resume

4. Consider Including Volunteer Work or Other Experience

Anything you’ve done that’s not work experience—your side gig, volunteer work, special projects—can be hosted under clearly-labeled sections (“Volunteer Experience” or “Activities,” for example). Depending on how robust your work experience is, these things may be worth including, particularly if they’ve helped you level up your skill set or better align you with your dream job. Plus, they make you look that much more well-rounded, passionate, and hardworking.

If you’re a recent grad, you might also build out a section for on-campus activities, such as clubs, organizations, or leadership experience. This can be a great supplement if you’re lacking in the jobs department. You can frame these just as you would professional jobs—including your title, the organization’s name, and bullets describing what your role was and what you accomplished.

Read More: This Is Exactly How to List Volunteer Work on Your Resume

5. Don’t Forget Your Education

If you’re still in school or just graduated, your education can go at the top of your resume, but for pretty much everyone else, this goes near the bottom. Most people include their school, graduation year (for folks less up to about a decade out of school), major, and degree. Brand-new grads might also write in their GPA, honors and awards, study abroad, thesis, or other notable achievements. But keep this section super simple, as you don’t want it to take up too much space over your work experience.

It’s possible you have unique education experience, such as taking an online course or certification. If you did this specifically as a way to boost yourself within your industry, definitely include it. Again, list everything more or less reverse chronologically—so a grad school degree would go above an undergrad degree, and a more recent relevant online course would go above that.

Learn more about the ins and outs of listing your education on your resume:

• How to (and How Not to) List Education on Your Resume
• How to List Online Courses on Your Resume the Right Way (Because Yes, There Is a Wrong Way)

6. Top It Off With Some Skills and Interests

The skills section of a resume gets a bad rap, but it’s just as important as the rest of the stuff you include. It’s a quick list a recruiter can scan to see if your skill set aligns with what they’re hiring for. And it’s super ATS-friendly (ATS stands for “applicant tracking system,” the robot that in some cases reads your resume before a human does) because it allows you to add in keywords the machine is scanning for.

Usually this section goes at the bottom of your resume, but in special cases—such as a skills-based resume or when someone’s switching fields—you may place it further up.

What exactly do you throw in here? You’ll want to list any hard skills and applications you’re familiar with (Photoshop, SEO, JavaScript, to name a few examples), and, if relevant, your level of expertise. Avoid including soft skills here, like time management or public speaking—save those for your bullet points instead.

Be strategic when filling in your skills. Don’t list things you actually couldn’t do at a high competence level (I’m looking at those of you who say you’re “great” at Excel), and maybe nix skills that are completely irrelevant to the job you want. For example, you may not even need to include Excel if you’re applying for say, a design position, unless it’s listed as a job requirement.

Maybe you’re thinking, I’m a really good volleyball player, but that’s not a “skill,” right? No, it’s not, but it is a hobby. Adding in a hobby section at the bottom of your resume is underrated, and frequently a smart choice. It can be a great conversation starter with a hiring manager, and it can show that you’re a good culture fit—or a culture add—for the company. Also, it’s just a nice way to add in some of your personality. So tack on a bullet point listing out some of your interests, such as hiking, rowing, or crafting (no more than five to seven work-appropriate verbs), and you’re all set here.

7. Write a Resume Summary Statement (if Relevant)

You may have heard of a resume summary statement . They’re not super common, but they can be useful to include near the top of your resume if you’re looking to add clarity or context to your resume. If you’re a career changer, you might find a summary statement helpful in explaining your leap and tying your experience to your new path. Or if you’re a more experienced professional, you can use a summary statement to highlight a theme that brings your career trajectory together.

Overall, you probably won’t need a summary statement if your career is pretty linear and your bullet points do a great job of emphasizing what you have to offer in terms of skills and experience. But if you think it makes sense to include one, “Take the time to think about what the person reading your summary wants to know before you write it,” says McGovern. “Good summaries explain why you do what you do and how it can help. For instance: Merging a background in ABC, I help companies improve XYZ through 123. Summaries shouldn’t be any more complicated than that.”

So, taking McGovern’s example, you might say:

Merging a background in social media marketing and PR with seven years in the consumer tech space, I help companies improve their internal and external communication and brand awareness through data-driven, quality content and strategies that align with the modern trends of the space.

Yurovsky adds that “you don’t want your summary statement to be a dense paragraph with too much information. You want it to be easy to read, concise, and memorable. Almost like a tagline.”

Read More: 3 Resume Summary Examples That’ll Make Writing Your Own Easier

8. Tailor It to the Job (and the ATS)

Once you have your resume written out—you’ve broken down your work experience, tagged on some activities and additional experiences, and listed out your skills—it’s important to go back to the job description (or multiple job descriptions, if you’re applying to several similar jobs) and make sure that what your resume says matches up with the kind of candidate the employers are looking for. In other words, tailor it .

Let’s explain further. You’ll want to begin by tackling the ATS . This means combing the job description to see if individual words and phrases line up. What skills are they asking for, and have you listed them (so long as you actually have them)? What words are they using to describe their ideal hire, and do you use similar language in your resume?

Next, take a bird’s-eye view. If you were the hiring manager for the role, where on your resume would your eyes be drawn to? And what would you be looking for? Whatever you think will be most important for the recruiter, make sure it’s near the top of your resume, or otherwise emphasized.

Finally, dig into the role and responsibilities of the job. Does your resume reflect similar experience? If not, is there a way you can spin it so that it’s clear you’re capable of doing the job (and doing it well)?

These articles can help you if the word “tailoring” makes you start to sweat:

• What It Really Means to “Tailor Your Resume”
• Your Guide to Making Unrelated Experience Look Relevant on Your Resume
• A Cool Trick: How to Spin 1 Resume Bullet 5 Different Ways

9. Edit and Refine It

Please, please don’t just write your resume and shoot it out without giving it a second glance. Hiring managers may not spend hours browsing it, but if there’s one thing that sticks out more than anything else it’s a glaring typo.

The best approach? Write a rough draft, then leave and come back to it later with fresh eyes to give it an edit.

Cover the basics: Is your contact information correct and updated? Are you using the right verb tenses? Does everything look consistent and accurate in terms of spelling and grammar?

Then do some cutting if your resume’s quite long. It’s no longer a hard-and-fast rule that all resumes must be only one page—but consider it a smart guideline for most applicants, especially if you've got less than 10 years work experience. The exception is if you’re very senior or very established in your career; in this scenario, a two-page resume isn’t completely out of the question. Everyone else, read this article for advice on how to cut your resume down.

Formatting-wise, it’s key to consider a couple things. First, what font are you using , and is it legible (for a human and a robot)? When in doubt, go with one of these simple, but sleek, options: Arial, Arial Narrow, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, or Helvetica.

Second, are you going to save it as a Word document or PDF ? Neither option is wrong, although a PDF helps ensure that your formatting is maintained, no matter what type of computer the hiring manager uses to open the document.

Third, is your resume formatted in a way that it’s skimmable? If it’s feeling crowded or overrun with words, read this: 12 Tiny Changes That Make Your Resume Easy for Recruiters to Skim .

Once you’ve given it a few good looks, it may be worth sending it to a friend or colleague (or even a career coach ) to get a second opinion. Don’t just have them edit it for spelling and grammar—they should dig into your bullets and offer feedback on whether or not your resume is showing you in the best possible light (it’s smart to also send them the job description for something to compare it to).

Here’s the thing: Your resume won’t ever look exactly like someone else’s, nor should it. How you choose to format it, organize your information, and talk about specific experiences depends not just on your career path, but on your field, the job you’re applying for, the company that job is at, and more.

So there isn’t a universal way to do a resume. But there are common themes. To give you some context as to how yours might turn out, here are three examples of different kinds of resumes.

The Most Popular: A Reverse Chronological Resume

As previously mentioned, a reverse chronological resume is preferred by many coaches and HR experts, mainly because it’s super readable. When everything’s in a clear order, it’s easy to skim and even easier to draw lines between experiences.

Who it’s good for: Just about everyone—from students applying to internships all the way up to senior-level executives (with an optional resume summary statement)

Download an Example Chronological Resume for a Software Engineer

The Unorthodox Route: A Functional or Skills-Based Resume

Rather than listing out your experience in reverse chronological order, a functional or skills-based resume has bullet points that reflect how each of your skills is demonstrated by the work you’ve done over the course of your career. At the bottom, you’ll include everything else, such as your education, job history, professional achievements, community involvement, and other technical skills. This is a good option if you have a somewhat all-over-the-place work history and want to tie everything together neatly.

Who it’s good for: Career changers whose work experiences may not appear to be relevant and people with an abundance of temporary jobs or gaps in their work histories.

Download an Example Functional Resume for a Project Manager

The Creative Angle: An Infographic Resume or Resume Website

This resume type is characterized by how it’s formatted visually. You may choose a reverse chronological order or skills-based style to organize your information, but also use graphics, colors, unique fonts, and even multimedia elements to help that information pop. Keep in mind that any creative resume is still likely subject to an ATS—and certain elements may be unreadable by a robot. So consider going this route only if you know a human will be reading your resume (and that said human might enjoy it).

Who it’s good for: People applying to creative roles (designers, editors, writers, marketers, video producers, for example), startups, or fun companies, or to jobs where a creative resume is encouraged, if not required.

Download an Example Infographic Resume for a Designer

Not a designer but want your resume to look just as pretty as this example? Check out these articles:

• 5 Sites to Create an Awesome Infographic Resume (Even if You’re the Least Creative Person Ever)
• How to Build a Resume Website That Will Impress Every Hiring Manager Who Sees It
• 5 Digital Tools That Will Make Your Resume Infinitely More Beautiful

Your resume is a living, breathing document. So while you won’t go through this whole process every time you apply for a job, you should be thinking about all these things as you go to update your resume for your next career step. You might decide later on to switch up the order, or remove or add things, or even get creative and try out a whole new format. If you’re not getting the calls back you expect, you may decide to scrap it and start over —and that’s totally OK.

Regardless of where this piece of paper goes and how it grows, when you give it the care and attention it deserves, you set yourself up for success. And you’ll make it that much more likely that you’ll land an interview and get the chance to prove to the hiring manager—over the phone or in person—what you’ve got to offer.

• Learn & Grow
• Life Events
• Money Management
• More Than Money
• Privacy & Security
• Business Resources

How to write a resume

September 27, 2022 | 7 min read

A resume is one of the most important tools a job seeker has. It’s often your introduction to a hiring manager. And it could be the thing that lands you your dream job.

There’s a lot to remember when writing a professional resume. Knowing what to include and how to structure it can help you present your best self to a potential employer.

Key takeaways

• A resume should make it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to understand why you’re a good fit for the role.
• You may format your resume to emphasize your work history or your skills, depending on your experience or the specific job.
• A resume typically includes contact information, a professional summary, work experience, education, hard skills, soft skills, volunteer experience and any awards or honors.

See if you’re pre-approved

What should a resume look like.

A resume is like a personal marketing document that describes your professional experience and any other qualities that may be relevant to the job you’re applying for. A well-formatted resume will provide recruiters and hiring managers with the most relevant or useful information upfront. This makes it easier for the hiring team to scan and evaluate your resume.

It’s typically recommended that a resume be no longer than two pages. This can be quite different from a CV, so make sure that before you apply for the job, you know the differences between a resume and a CV and which one you’re being asked to submit.

In order from the top, a resume should provide a recruiter or hiring manager with the following information:

• How to contact you (email, phone number, professional networking profiles)
• An overview of your professional history and accomplishments
• An in-depth breakdown of your qualifications

But as you’ll see in this guide, the way you choose to provide this information depends on your professional experience and the type of positions you’re applying for. 

What are 3 types of resumes?

Depending on what works best for you and the job you’re applying for, you could also choose one of these formats to showcase your experience: 

• Chronological resumes are formatted with professional experience in reverse chronological order—meaning they start with your most recent position. This is the way most resumes are formatted. The style makes it easy for hiring managers to see your career progression. 
• Functional resumes prioritize skills and experience over particular job titles or dates of positions held. You might still include your work history, but it might be shorter and nearer the end of the resume. Resumes like this might work for people without a lot of career experience or those who have changed roles or industries, as you can emphasize transferable skills.
• Combination resumes merge chronological and functional styles by keeping the comprehensive chronological job history but putting skills first. These resumes tend to be longer.

What to include in a resume

What you include in your resume might depend on your experience or the job you’re applying for. But here are some common elements you can consider when drafting your resume.

1. Contact information

Many resume formats put contact information at the top of the document. This makes it quick and easy for hiring managers or recruiters to contact you. You can include:

• A professional-sounding email address
• Your primary phone number

It’s a good idea to include your physical address, too. You may also want to add a link to your portfolio or LinkedIn account.

2. Professional summary

Professional summaries are a paragraph-long snapshot of who you are and what you can offer. They can emphasize your accomplishments and your skills and give the recruiter or hiring manager a good sense of what the rest of your resume contains. 

This section should go near the top of your resume. But consider writing it last. This can help you best summarize the resume’s main points and tailor your message to fit the job.

3. Work experience

For each position held, you can include the following information:

• Company name
• Years of experience at the company
• Bullet points describing your responsibilities and accomplishments—try to describe specific actions you took and results you achieved

If you’re following the reverse chronological format, this section can go underneath the professional summary. If you’re using the functional or combined resume format, you can move it nearer the end.

4. Education

An education section is another key component. If you’re just breaking into the job market or you’re changing fields, it can be featured above your work experience. Consider including the following information:

• Highest qualification awarded
• Institution attended
• The month and year your qualification was or will be conferred
• Grade point average, including the scale

If you have a college degree, you may not need to include your high school information. But you can include any relevant courses taken and other certifications earned. 

The skills section is a chance to highlight the qualifications that are most important to the position you’re applying for. It can also be a good place to mention any requirements and skills listed in the job posting that might not otherwise be in your resume. 

If you’re following a functional resume format, you would put this section above the work and education sections.

Here are some ways you can make it easy for the hiring manager or recruiter to appreciate your skills:

• Create a list of your skills, including software you’ve used.
• Group skills under a topic or job type to highlight your proficiency in those areas.
• List your skills and highlight each with one or more results in that area from previous positions.

6. Volunteer experience or professional organization memberships

Depending on your background, you could merge these two sections or keep them separate. The goal with both is to highlight experiences and skills not otherwise covered by your employment or educational background. 

7. Awards and recognition

This section should list any relevant awards or special recognition you have received during your career. If you’re just starting out, you could also include any awards and honors that you received in school.

How do you make a good resume?

A good resume makes it easy for a hiring manager to quickly understand what you’d bring to the role. Consider the following tips when resume writing:

• Make the resume easy to read by using a traditional font style and a font size between nine and 12 points.
• Add spacing between sections and use bullet points to make the document less intimidating to look at. But keep in mind the general recommendation to keep the length at one to two pages.
• Save your resume as a Word document and as a PDF. Most people are able to open at least one of these document types.
• Use action verbs and describe results—with specific statistics when possible.
• Don’t forget to emphasize your soft skills as well as your hard skills.
• Customize your resume for the job you’re applying to. Reflect the requirements listed in the job posting as closely as you can.
• Limit personal information to your name and contact details.
• If you have a long work history, consider only including your most relevant experience over the past 10-15 years.
• Before you submit your resume, proofread it for typos and grammatical errors.
• Supplement your resume with a cover letter customized to the specific job posting.

Final thoughts about how to write a resume

Resume writing in 2022 is about showcasing your years of experience in a clear and concise way. Your resume should show potential employers your professional experience, education and any other skills that can make you stand out from other candidates. 

If you’d like more help with your job search, you can read about how to get a job or how to write an effective cover letter next.

Related Content

What is a CV and how does it differ from a resume?

How to get a job: 5 tips for beginners

How to ask for a letter of recommendation

How to Write a Resume in 2022 – Resume Suggestions to Help You Stand Out

Creating an effective resume for todays job search can be daunting. Even more so if you’ve been at the same company or role for a while. It’s challenging to write about yourself! Plus, as a job seeker exploring this challenging job market, you need to figure out what information to keep, how far to go […]

Creating an effective resume for todays job search can be daunting. Even more so if you’ve been at the same company or role for a while. It’s challenging to write about yourself! Plus, as a job seeker exploring this challenging job market, you need to figure out what information to keep, how far to go back, what resume format to use, what keywords to use. Even picking a font can be downright overwhelming! Do I need to change my resume for every job application? What resume template should I use?

Looking for resume best practices in 2022?

As a professional resume writer who has written thousands for everyone from teachers to plumbers to project managers and CEOs, I understand how hard it can be succinctly summarize your work history in a way that is compelling, concise, and relevant to the job you are targeting. The hiring process is complex, but at the end of the day, you’ll need to show transferrable skills and provide proof of them!

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is writing their resumes for the job they have, not that job they want. If you go into the process of writing your resume without a clear job target or goal in mind, this is a great place to start. Once you’ve identified the position or types of positions you’d like to target, identify 3-5 job descriptions you can use to help you build your resume.

In this article, I’ll outline tips, tricks, and commonly asked questions about how to write a resume, focusing on each section of from your header and summary to the skills, work experience, and education section.

Resume Headers & Contact Information

While it may seem like a no-brainer, there are some considerations that should be made when it comes to your contact information. Many of my clients ask about nicknames or middle names/initials. If your full name is Elizabeth and you prefer to be called Beth, feel free to use Beth on your resume. If you go by your middle name, you can absolutely use it on your resume.

Your resume is different than a job application, which asks for your legal name. The rule of thumb I always use is to include the name you would like to be called by a recruiter when they call to set up an interview.

Below your name is where your contact information goes. Always include a professional email address without numbers of your birth year or any cute nicknames. I recommend using City, State and Zip Code, just City and State, or a metro area instead of a full address. With the amount of information publicly available online, including your full address can be a privacy or security concern. Only use one phone number, preferably your cell. Finally, include links to your LinkedIn profile and any other relevant professional pages, such as portfolios or social media sites.

Resume Objective or Summary?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions on the topic of how to write a resume. Do I need an objective on my resume? And if not, what do I use instead?

Resumes are user-centric documents, which means you are writing it to convey your value to a potential hiring manager. If you think of your resume as a highlight reel instead of a biography, it becomes easier to identify the right words to use and information to keep. An objective is outdated and focused inward, on what you want, rather than clearly articulating your value to a potential hiring manager.

Resume Headers and Subheaders

Your resume summary has two jobs: quickly grab attention with an impactful overview of your career brand and clearly articulate what roles you are targeting. A great way of doing that is by adding your target job on the top as a headline, right underneath your name and address. Underneath that, you can add three keywords as a subheader that highlight your top-3 job-related strengths, like this:

Rebecca Henninger Montville, NJ 07045 | [email protected] | 973.270.1777 www.linkedin.com/in/rhenningercprwresumewriting | www.rhresumes.com

Senior Marketing Manager Integrated Campaign Planning | Social Media Management | Segmentation & Targeting

After the header, include a 3-4 line summary that outlines your value at a high-level. Don’t make the mistake of using boring, overused, fluffy adjectives. Instead of calling yourself a team player, include hard, quantified details. Remain focused on your goal of differentiating your value instead of using lines that could be on anyone’s resume. For example:

Marketing strategist with experience building and leading high-performing teams of 10+ that consistently drive double-digit increases in user engagement, inbound leads, and brand sentiment in B2B marketing environments.

Include  a skills section that showcases both soft skills, personal qualities that enable you to thrive in your role, and hard skills, job-related knowledge and abilities needed to perform the job. This is a great way to increase your keyword alignment with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). It also boosts impact on a quick scan when hiring managers are reviewing your resume.

Professional Experience

The most important part of any lesson on how to write a resume is the professional experience or work experience section. This is where you showcase all the work you’ve done and give hiring managers confidence in your ability to execute on the job.

There are a few general guidelines to follow here. To optimize ATS readability create an entry for each job using this format:

COMPANY, INC ., City, State (Date – Date)

Under each role, start with a scope paragraph that outlines your onboarding environment (the challenge or result you were hired to address). This area should give a high-level snapshot of what you were accountable for, who you reported to, and what you accomplished. Include budgets managed, team size, departments you oversee, and any other information that will help paint a picture of the role.

The scope paragraph should be 3-5 lines max. After that include bullet points that highlight your achievements. In your achievement bullets , aim to lead with the result and use action verbs that describe your accomplishment. Using the following formula is a great way to amplify impact of your resume:

{Action verb} {result} by {action} in {environment or additional info}.

Here’s an example:

• Boosted revenue 20% YoY without adding staff or capacity by operationalizing drop-ship program that now represents 30% of total business.

One thing to avoid when creating your professional experience sections is what I call death by bullets. Endless lists of bullets can get skimmed over. Instead, organize and condense the information so that truly giving hiring managers your highlight reel.

Avoid using job description language that does nothing to differentiate you. It is not necessary to include a generic play-by-play of everything you do during the day. Instead, aim for a carefully curated list of achievements that help hiring managers see how you would benefit their organization.

List jobs in reverse chronological order, most recent first, and aim to go into detail for jobs in the last 10 years. While it is ok to include older jobs, you don’t need to go in-depth as everything has a shelf life, including experience. The technology, methodologies, and working practices have changed. I believe it is important to provide some background as context on your resume but advise going back at most 20 years and to be careful with dates pre-1990.

Education & Additional Information

Your education section should go last or next to last, unless you are a new graduate or in a field where education and certifications typically go right under your summary, such as teaching.

When listing your education, include the highest degree first with the year you completed it. You can also feel free to leave the year off. If you have a masters degree, that should go first, then your bachelors. I don’t recommend including associates degrees unless you received the degree in a field that is relevant to your target and different from your bachelors. If you don’t have a degree but have some school, you can include the years attended (from-to) or area of concentration. I don’t recommend including high school as it’s assumed that you graduated and including it without a college degree only exemplifies the lack.

Include all relevant certifications and licensure. These can go in the education section or in a separate section titled as such. If your licenses are not active, but it would be relevant for a hiring manager to know you had them at one point, include (Inactive) or (Expired) to indicate that.

Volunteer experience and hobbies are always a nice touch to show you have interests outside of work, particularly if they provide additional information in support of your brand.

Use Common Sense & Think Like a Recruiter

Recruiters are extremely busy and their jobs are to source and screen candidates. If you are struggling with how to write your resume, always ask yourself whether this information will help a recruiter make the decision to call you for the job you want. Sometimes this means leaving off projects you enjoyed or things you have done, even if they are important to you, because they would just be noise on your resume.

For more information on resume best practices and how to write a resume that gets interviews, follow me on @TheJobGirl on Instagram or TikTok and subscribe to my blog at www.rhresumes.com/blog .

Similar posts

Resume tip #2 – lead with the organizational benefit.

Part of what makes writing a resume so challenging is that it’s difficult to separate yourself from the daily grind and see yourself as a hiring...

How to Write a Resume in 2024 - With Real Samples that Get Results

Struggling to decide what to keep and what to leave out from your resume? This post provides clear direction for each section with real resume...

How to Write an IT Resume that Recruiters Want to Read

As a technology professional with strong technical skills, you know how to virtualize a complex environment, manage cloud governance, and optimize...

Get notified on new marketing insights

Be the first to know about new B2B SaaS Marketing insights to build or refine your marketing function with the tools and knowledge of today’s industry.

More From Forbes

How to write a résumé that stands out to recruiters.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Founder, career coach and interview coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com . My goal is simple: to help people find jobs they LOVE.

You only have a handful of seconds to grab the attention of recruiters with your résumé. How do you write a résumé that grabs their attention? What do you include in your résumé? What mistakes should you avoid when writing a résumé in today’s saturated job market ? The following are five proven tips to write a résumé that stands out to recruiters.

1. Begin with a high-impact career summary.

Avoid the mistake of beginning your résumé with an objective statement. It is evident what your objective is—to land a job. In today’s job market, the résumé objective can be replaced with a career summary that synthesizes your experience, knowledge and skills.

The goal of your career summary is to quickly demonstrate why you are qualified to be interviewed. This career summary should be so powerful that the recruiter wants to interview you without needing to read the remainder of your résumé. You can use these questions to craft a powerful career summary:

• What industry experience do you bring to the table?

• What relevant knowledge and specialized skills do you possess?

• What are your biggest strengths ?

2. Draw attention to your career accomplishments.

An effective résumé showcases more than just your previous job duties. Rather than providing a laundry list of your previous job duties, focus most of your résumé on marketing your accomplishments and results. In other words, ask yourself how you communicate the value you delivered to each organization. I encourage my clients to reflect on these powerful questions as they craft accomplishment statements for their résumés:

• What sets you apart from industry peers?

• How have you saved the organization time, money and other resources?

• Why would the CEO and shareholders care about your contributions to the organization?

In addition to incorporating accomplishments into each of your positions, consider including a "Career Highlights" section immediately under your summary. This section can be used to quickly draw attention to your most significant and relevant career achievements. Moreover, you can move big career wins from five or 10-plus years ago to the top of your résumé so they grab recruiters’ attention.

3. Include relevant industry keywords.

Keywords are an important part of writing a résumé that catches the attention of recruiters. Inserting relevant keywords into your résumé makes it easier for sourcers and recruiters to track down your résumé within their applicant tracking system (ATS). They also make it easier for recruiters to connect the dots between your experience and their job requisition.

I advise setting a timer for 20 minutes for each résumé you submit. Then, use that time to customize your résumé to the target role. I recommend including a “key strengths” section near the top of your résumé with relevant keywords from the job posting. Then, add keywords throughout your accomplishments. One of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is to add the keyword to the very beginning of your accomplishment statements.

4. Highlight what sets you apart from other applicants.

In addition to marketing your experience, accomplishments and relevant keywords, think about how you communicate your unique value proposition with your résumé. I call this identifying and sharing what makes you fabulous. You will increase your chances of hearing back from recruiters if you proactively showcase what sets you apart from other candidates.

• How is your experience unique from other applicants?

• What distinct knowledge and skills do you bring to the company and position?

• What is special about your leadership style and approach?

Reflect on these questions, then weave your answers throughout your résumé. Inject your fabulousness into your career summary, highlights and accomplishments.

5. Let your personality shine through.

Your experience, knowledge and skills are among the primary factors recruiters use to vet job applicants. However, sharing your personality traits on your résumé can help you stand out from other candidates. With this in mind, consider letting your personality shine through to recruiters.

There are a few ways to spotlight your personality on your résumé. You can begin by including a brief testimonial or two from a supervisor, colleague or client. You can also include a section on your résumé that lists your volunteer experience and any other extracurricular activities. Depending on the company and role, it may also make sense to highlight your relevant interests and hobbies.

Remember: There is no single best way to write a résumé. There are also virtually no rules for writing a résumé. These are merely a few ways to create a résumé that grabs the attention of recruiters. You’ve got this!

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

How to Make a Resume Stand Out in 2022

Posted on 04 feb 2022.

2022 is now well underway. Are you ready to bring your ‘A’ game to your job hunt? The first thing you must do is ensure that your resume is in order and on point. When you have a well-written and well-developed resume, a call for a job interview is practically a given. If you want to know how to make your resume stand out this 2022, here are seven essential tips for you to follow.

1. Keywords, keywords, keywords

Before your resume can reach the eyes of a recruiter or a hiring manager, it will need to pass a screening by an applicant tracking system (ATS). ATS is a tool used by many companies today to eliminate resumes that fail to meet specific criteria, and most often than not, these criteria relate to the use of keywords.

Want to know how to make your resume stand out to ATS this 2022? It’s vital for you to include the right keywords for your target role. Many of these keywords can be found in the job posting, so it is important to review the posting carefully. For example, if you’re looking for work as a car technician, some of the prominent keywords you should include in your resume are:

• Car inspection

• Automotive training

• Service tech

• Vehicle diagnosis

In addition to passing a heavily discriminating ATS , adding a healthy helping of keywords to your resume also boosts your chances of getting found by a potential employer. This is especially important if you plan to post your resume on job portals and other online job boards.

2. Develop a strong summary statement

Your summary statement serves as your introduction, and as they often say, first impressions last. That’s why it’s imperative that you have a strong summary statement to begin your resume.

Regarding how to make your resume stand out with an effective summary, begin with a brief description of yourself, then follow this up with a statement showcasing your key skills and experiences that most relate to the position. And don’t forget to mention at least one significant achievement at your previous job. Here’s an example of a smart summary for your inspiration this 2022.

Detail-oriented Sales Associate with 3 years of sales and marketing experience combined with a knack for solving complex problems. Highly organized and self-motivated, I managed to help drive my company’s profits by initiating a next-level strategy to pricing and inventory. I seek to apply my proven sales management skills to improve quality, cost and time metrics for your good company.

3. Use action verbs to start your bullet points

Using passive voice in your resume makes your sentences appear wordy and harder to understand. On the contrary, action verbs make them snappier, sharper, and more polished. Ultimately, action verbs—otherwise known as power words—make your resume sound confident and self-assured. Below are examples of sentences that begin with action verbs:

• Evaluated mortgage applications for residential homes

• Facilitated training sessions for technical teams

• Developed computer software for warehouse operations

As to how to make a resume stand out, action words make your descriptions come alive, as opposed to being bland and boring to read. They help your resume deliver the biggest impact, and in the process, persuade the reader that you are an ideal candidate for the job.

4. Use measurable metrics

Express your accomplishments in quantifiable terms to show recruiters that you performed well at your previous position. Here are some examples of resume bullet points with measurable metrics.

• Achieved 50% year-over-year profit improvement with implementation of personally developed marketing strategies

• Furthered initiative that resulted in 39% increase in productivity and 56% reduction in downtime

• Managed a 10-person sales team that brought a 67% increase in profits to the company

Numbers give your resume credibility, and make you a more valuable candidate in the eyes of recruiters. So how to make a resume stand out? Introduce your achievements with percentages, ratios and dollars to give them more informative detail and weight.

5. Tailor your resume to the job

Not all of your skills, experiences, and trainings will be relevant to the position, and with limited space, you can’t afford to include them all, because you could end up losing the recruiter’s interest. To list stand out skills for resume, you need to identify your most applicable qualifications, as these are the only ones that a recruiter will care about.

To ensure you are listing your relevant duties and responsibilities, it helps to put yourself in the employer’s shoes, and given what you know about the company and the position, think about what they may be looking for in a candidate. Come up with a list of your skills and strengths, then use that insight to show how you are the most qualified applicant for the job.

6. Target a formal yet attractive look

Your resume should appear professional. This means that the font, color, and formatting must be uniform. If your resume reads like the comics filled with various colors and font sizes, it will have a slim chance of being considered seriously by a recruiter. However, a professional look doesn’t mean it should be boring. It needs to be clean and tidy, strike the right balance between white and text space, and appear cohesive and coherent all throughout.

7. Work with a trusted resume writing service

Even the best writers in the world still entrust the evaluation of their work to someone else. By having someone else assess your resume, you will have a pair of objective eyes who can see your resume’s strengths and weaknesses. When making resume stand out, you can have a friend or family member with a writing background assess your resume for you, or you can have a professional resume writing service like Resumeble provide you with a free, no-obligation resume evaluation.

How to make your resume stand out this 2022? Choose Resumeble

Make your resume stand out this 2022 by having one of our expert resume writers craft your resume for you. Discover why we are the first choice for so many job seekers out there. Choose one of resume writing packages today and let’s get started on your new career trajectory this 2022!

• 7 seconds: this is how long your resume has either to impress or be ignored by the recruiter
• 300+: average number of applications one corporate job opening posted online receives
• 3%: number of sent resumes that result in interviews

Transform your career and beat the odds!

Similar Articles

Posted on : 10 May 2024

Posted on : 22 Aug 2024

Posted on : 19 Dec 2023

Posted on : 04 Dec 2023

Lay the Groundwork

How to write a resume, last step: proofreading.

• Write a Resume That's Right for You

Frequently Asked Questions

• Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn Share on LinkedIn

Forage puts students first. Our blog articles are written independently by our editorial team. They have not been paid for or sponsored by our partners. See our full  editorial guidelines .

Table of Contents

Your resume is a synopsis of your professional achievements and helps a hiring manager or recruiter understand why you’re the best candidate for the job. And while your resume summarizes where you went to school, where you worked, and what you did, writing your resume is so much more than listing your job duties and what you studied.

Learning how to write a resume for a job means mastering the art of explaining what your skills and abilities are and how you’ll use them to help the company achieve its goals. Writing a resume also includes things like proofreading and tailoring your resume to the job posting. It’s a lot to cover, but this guide will get you on your way.

Writing a resume is a lot like building a house. Before you paint the walls, you have to build them. That process starts with a well-thought-out plan and a solid foundation. So, don’t start worrying about what to put on a resume until you’ve laid out a plan and chosen the right framework.

Choose Your Resume Type

The first step is choosing a resume template that presents your skills and abilities in the best light possible — that’s easy to read and makes sense.

For most job seekers, that means using one of these three formats:

• Chronological: The most widely-used format, a chronological resume traces your work history from current (or most recent) position to oldest.
• Functional : This resume emphasizes your skills over chronological work history.
• Hybrid: Also known as a combination resume, a hybrid resume is part chronological and part functional.

And if none of these work for you, that’s OK. There are a seven types of resume templates you can choose from. But if you’re applying for a role in academia, keep in mind that none of these may work, and you might use a CV (curriculum vitae) instead.

Resume Writing Masterclass

Master the tips and tricks of writing a resume that shines in our free Resume Writing Masterclass. You'll learn how to turn your duties into accomplishments and explain why you're the right person for the job.

Avg. Time: 5-6 hours

Skills you’ll build: Professional summary, transferable skills, keywords, identifying job titles

How Many Pages Should a Resume Be?

As a rule, an entry-level job seeker’s resume should be one page long . That said, if you have a lot of work experience or skills that are relevant to the role, you can have a two-page resume.

But what happens if your resume is more than one page but less than two?

You’ve got two options. First, you can edit ruthlessly and get your resume down to one page (without resorting to tricks like using a tiny font or making the margins super-slim). Second, you can consider expanding the second page by including more relevant content, and not using larger fonts or wider margins.

For example, if each role only has three bullet points of information, consider adding a few more relevant and informative points under each. Likewise, you can add in sections like awards or volunteer work if that’s relevant to your situation.

But don’t feel pressured to get exactly two pages. Senior recruiter Jonathan Harbison says a second page that’s only three-quarters filled is fine. Focus on writing a resume that demonstrates you’ve got the skills the recruiter or hiring manager is looking for instead of worrying about how long or short your resume is.

Format Wisely

In most cases, you’ll apply for an open role electronically, often through an applicant tracking system (ATS) . These giant databases don’t rate or rank your resume, but they are searchable by name, skill, and so forth. Some ATSs have trouble reading resumes that use unusual or hard-to-read fonts, columns, or graphic representations of your skills, making it less likely you’ll show up in a recruiter search.

And whether you apply via an ATS or hand your resume to someone at the company, ultimately, a human recruiter reads your resume, and it’s probably not the only one they’re reading that day. Make it as easy on them as possible to read and comprehend yours.

Since you don’t know if the person reading your resume will do so on screen or on paper, choose an easy-to-read font for your resume and stick with 11- or 12-point size to help reduce eye strain. This also makes it easier for the reader to scan your resume on the first pass.

Clearly label each section of your resume, so it’s easy for the reader to jump to the information they’re most interested in. You might use headers like, “Experience” or “Work History,” “Education,” “Skills,” and so forth. And you’ll want to format the headers so they jump out by using bold text or underlining. This way, the reader knows exactly where to look for the information they want.

You’ll also want to use bullet points instead of long blocks of text. While they use up more space and don’t allow you to include as much information, bullet points are generally easier to read than long blocks of text. Plus, the use of “white space” around the bullet points can help reduce eye strain.

Finally, make sure you save your resume in multiple file types. Some companies only accept .pdfs, while others insist on .docs.

With the style issues settled, you can move on to substance. These tips will help you understand how to write a good resume, no matter your situation.

Start With the Job Posting

Your resume summarizes your professional accomplishments and helps the interviewer see you’ve got what it takes to get the job done. But learning how to create a resume means understanding that writing it is not a one-and-done deal. While applying to multiple jobs with the same resume makes your life easier, it doesn’t make it easier for you to get the job.

While these tips will help you create a solid resume template you can use over and over, you still need to customize it each and every time you apply to a job to illustrate how you’ll use your skills in that role at that company.

What the heck does that mean?

Start by examining the job posting. Look it over and see what skills and job duties are at the top. These are likely the critical skills the company is looking for. Does the posting talk about project management skills or data analysis? Make sure you talk up those skills in your resume. Likewise, if the posting mentions collaboration and teamwork , highlight your abilities in those areas, too.

>>MORE: Resume Keywords: What They Are and How to Use Them

As you edit your resume, you can cut the things that are less relevant to these key areas. For example, while knowing HTML is an excellent skill, if it has nothing to do with the job and isn’t mentioned in the job description, you can likely cut this from your resume if you need the space without hurting your chances of landing the interview.

While this is extra work (we won’t deny it!) it’s well worth the effort. Highlighting that you have the attributes the company is looking for will likely improve the chances you’re invited to an interview.

Decide What Goes Where

Technically, you can put your resume in any order you want. There’s no rule that says you have to start with your work history, then your education, and end with your volunteer work. However, this is the order most (if not all) recruiters and hiring managers are used to, which is why you may want to follow suit when you write your resume. Recruiters and hiring managers want to go to a part of the page and find what they’re looking for, whether that’s your work experience, degree, or volunteer positions.

Harbison also advises job seekers to list the most critical information first. In most cases, that’s your work experience, so it should be near the top of your resume. As proud as you might be of being named volunteer of the year, unless it’s critical to the role, it should go toward the bottom of your resume.

As Harbison points out, “A candidate has the attention of the resume reviewer for a limited amount of time,” so it makes sense to make it as easy as possible for them to find whatever they’re looking for and to put the most crucial information front and center. 

>>MORE: How to Write a Resume for an Internship (With Template)

Include the Right Contact Information

Your contact information is, of course, how the recruiter will reach out and schedule you for an initial interview. You never know if that will be a phone interview , zoom interview , or in-person interview, so make sure the company has a few ways to get in touch with you and that the information is correct. A simple typo (like hitting the 1 instead of 2 or typing @gmial.com) could mean you never get an interview.

But when it comes to what to include in a resume, you don’t have to include every bit of your personal contact information. For example, whether you’re applying for a remote job or not, you only need to include your city and state (or country), not your street address. Your exact address is generally irrelevant to the role, and not including it helps protect you from doxxing or identity theft.

>>MORE: 10 Top Remote Jobs for College Students

Likewise, you should include one active phone number with voicemail set up that you check frequently. The same goes for an email address. And it’s better to use a personal email address than a school one, as you may eventually lose access to your school email.

Summarize Your Qualifications 

Up next is the qualifications statement, also known as a professional summary. This is a brief paragraph (meaning no more than a few sentences) that summarizes your relevant skills and abilities. Ideally, this should be just below your contact information. This puts this paragraph “above the fold,” meaning a resume reviewer will likely look at it first.

The trick to writing a killer qualifications statement is highlighting your most important and relevant skills without repeating verbatim what you’re using elsewhere (like in the work history). So, if you mention your coding skills in the qualifications summary, you should make sure that any coding skills mentioned in your work history are associated with specific examples of how you used those skills.

>>MORE: I Asked ChatGPT to Write Resumes, Including Mine. Here’s What Happened.

However, space on a one- or even two-page resume is limited. So, if you need that space for something else, you can omit the professional summary. 

List Your Skills

Just below the qualifications statement is the skills section. This is a general list of your hard and soft skills that gives the reader a high-level overview of your skill set. You’ll provide a few examples of how you use those skills on the job in the experience section. .

In general, the skills section might look like this:

Kanban boards, conflict resolution, data analysis, project management

Your skills section may be longer or shorter depending on your background, but there’s no “right amount” of skills to include. That said, you may not want to include every one of your skills in this section, either due to limited space or because the skill just isn’t relevant to the role (like talking about your product designer skills when you’re applying for a role as an accountant ).

While you’ll include the skills that are most relevant to the role, don’t overlook your transferable skills . For example, a job posting may not specifically state they’re looking for someone with excellent interpersonal skills , but hiring someone who can collaborate with others is likely integral to the company’s success.

>>Learn more about including skills on your resume .

Talk About Your Experience

The next (and probably biggest) section is your work history or work experience.

In general, this is where you list where you worked, how long you worked there, what your job title (or titles) was, and what you did in the role. That sounds simple enough. However, to wow the recruiter and hiring manager, take the “what you did in the role” part to the next level. Instead of listing your duties, explain what you achieved and what that meant for the company.

A great way to do this is utilizing the STAR method . While commonly used to answer behavioral interview questions , you can also use the STAR method to quantify your achievements on a resume. Harbison explains:

“Quantifying an achievement is done by identifying a task, project, or assignment and listing a measurable outcome. Take an action word and add a specific task (including appropriate keywords). Include measurable outcomes and quantify the achievement. Here’s an example:

Improved offer-to-hire ratio and candidate pipeline 45% by effectively using strategic process improvement initiatives and project management.

The action word is improved . The task is to use strategic process improvement and project management . The keywords are related to recruiting: offer-to-hire, candidate pipeline, process improvement, project management . And the outcome is to improve the offer-to-hire ratio and candidate pipeline by 45% .”

While that’s a big example, anyone can turn their duties into accomplishments. Here’s another example.

Say you worked at the pool concession stand over the summer. Your tasks probably included things like serving food, making change, and taking out the garbage. You could say, “Transferred eight bags of trash to the dumpster every night as part of a rodent control plan,” but you may want something that’s more relevant to the job you’re applying for now.

So, consider talking about what you did with the cash register and your customer interactions. While one skill set is related to hard skills and the other to soft skills , both are quantifiable but in different ways. Consider:

• Balanced register drawer at the end of every shift to ensure ledger and receipts were accurate
• Engaged with customers to take orders, receive payment, give correct change, and resolve concerns about service or food

Though these examples don’t include numbers, they show how you contributed to the overall bottom line of the business by balancing the drawer and delighting customers.

Still not sure how to turn your tasks into quantifiable achievements? Harbison offers this exercise. “To stay sharp, I occasionally challenge myself to reword a simple task. ‘I cut the grass so I wouldn’t get grounded,’ becomes, ‘Seasonally manicured residential property biweekly or as instructed by upper management for eight years resulting in weekly compliments related to curb appeal enhancement and avoidance of negative consequences.’ “

Include Your Education

As a rule, this section is limited to where you went to school, the dates you attended, and the degree you received or what you studied. That said, you may be wondering if you should include your GPA or other academic achievements.

“Include them only when it makes sense,” says Harbison. “Remember, this information takes up valuable space on your resume and you need to make it all count. One thing to think about, will your GPA enhance or hinder your application?”

That said, sometimes employers ask for this information, so be prepared to include it. 

Remember the Extras

Finally, if you have room at the bottom of your resume (or need to expand the second page), you can include any other sections you want. This can include things like internships, Forage’s virtual job simulations , volunteering, or awards.

Each of these would go in a separate section, the exception being if you won an award from the place you volunteered with. So, the bottom section might look like this:

With all that education, experience, and achievement on your resume, it seems like the hard work is over. And, it is — mostly.

The last step of writing your resume is proofreading. As noted above, one tiny typo could mean the recruiter never gets in touch with you. So, go over your resume with a fine tooth comb. 

And don’t rely on built-in spelling and grammar checkers for this task. They miss things! For example, if you type “Dear Hiring Manger ,” there’s a chance the bot will miss it. Sometimes it takes a human eye to catch certain errors, so consider using a bot in conjunction with a human proofreader.

Have Someone Else Read It

Along those same lines, when you’ve finished proofreading, consider having someone else read your resume. This step is totally optional (and should only include people you trust), but having a second (or third) set of eyes reviewing your resume can help you catch mistakes you may have missed and provide feedback on how well you’re selling yourself to a potential employer.

Write a Resume That’s Right for You

Writing a resume is equal parts following the rules and breaking them. On the one hand, following the rules, like starting with your work history followed by your education, helps a recruiter or hiring manager easily find what they’re looking for and see why you’re qualified for the role. On the other hand, you need to tailor the resume each time you apply and change up which of your qualifications you feature on your resume.

One other great way to help demonstrate you’ve got the skills for the job is by completing a Forage virtual job simulation. Not only will you develop practical skills that you’ll use on the job, we’ll give you a resume snippet that explains what you accomplished and some tips for talking about your experience in an interview.

You should include everything the employer needs to understand why they should hire you for the role on your resume. That’s where you worked, what your accomplishments were, and how you helped the company achieve its goals. Keep in mind “work” can include a summer job, unpaid internship, and even volunteering.

You should leave any personally identifying information (like your gender or age), confidential information (like your social security number), and anything that isn’t relevant to the role off your resume.

You don’t need your exact street address on your resume. This helps protect you from identity theft. You can include your city and state, so the employer knows where you’re located. You can also include your country if you’re applying for a role based outside your current country.

The best skills to put on a resume are ones that are relevant to the role! Read over the job posting and take note of what the duties and tasks are as well as anything an employer specifically mentions. Highlight your skills that best fit what the employer is looking for.

You can find resume keywords in the job description. They are the skills and abilities the employer is looking for. That can be hard skills (data analysis), soft skills ( conflict resolution ), or experience with something specific (like PowerBI).

Nope! Your LinkedIn profile should support your resume and vice versa. Because space on your LinkedIn profile is virtually unlimited, think of it as the “expanded” version of your resume. It’s a great place for all the things you’d like to include on your resume, but can’t.

Image credit: Canva

Related Posts

What are my work values quiz, how to find your dream job (plus, a free quiz), what is my purpose in life quiz, upskill with forage.

Master in-demand job skills

How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide

For most job-seekers, a good resume is what stands between a dream job and Choice D. Get your resume right, and you’ll be getting replies from every other company you apply to.

If your resume game is weak, though, you’ll end up sitting around for weeks, maybe even months, before you even get a single response.

So you’re probably wondering how you can write a resume that gets you an interview straight up.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about how to make a resume, including:

• The 8 Essential Steps to Writing a Resume
• 11+ Exclusive Resume Tips to Up Your Resume Game
• 27+ Real-Life Resume Examples for Different Professions

….and more!

So, let’s dive right in.

How to Make a Resume (The Right Way!)

Before we go into detail about how you should make a resume, here’s a summary of the most important steps and tips to keep in mind:

• Choose a resume format carefully. In 99% of cases, we recommend the reverse-chronological format .
• Add the right contact details. Leave your headshot out and make sure to include your job title , a professional email address, and any relevant links. (E.g.: your LinkedIn profile , online portfolio, personal website, etc.).
• Write an impactful resume summary. Unless you’re an entry-level professional, always go for a resume summary. If you do it right, it’s your chance to get the hiring manager to go through the rest of your resume in detail.
• Pay attention to your work experience section. Take your work experience section from OK-ish to exceptional by tailoring it to the job ad, making your achievements quantifiable, and using action verbs and power words.
• Add the right skills for the job. Keep this section relevant by only including the hard and soft skills that are required for the position.
• Keep your education short and to the point. Your most recent and highest degree is more than enough for a strong education section. You only need to add more details here if you’re a recent graduate with barely any work experience.
• Leverage optional resume sections. Optional sections like languages, hobbies, certifications, independent projects, and others can set you apart from other candidates with similar skills and experience.
• Include a cover letter. That’s right, cover letters matter in 2024, and the best way to supplement your resume is by adding an equally well-crafted cover letter to your job application. To make the most of it, check out our detailed guide on how to write a cover letter .

To get the most out of our tips, you can head over to the resume builder and start building your resume on the go as you read this guide.

New to resume-making? Give our ‘7 Resume Tips’ video a watch before diving into the article!

#1. Pick the Right Resume Format

Before you start filling in the contents of your resume, you have to make sure it’s going to look good. 

After all, the first thing hiring managers notice is what your resume looks like, and then they start reading it. So, this is your best chance to make a great first impression.

Start by choosing the right resume format.

There are three types of resume formats out there:

• Reverse-chronological. This is by far the most popular resume format worldwide and, as such, it’s the best format for most job-seekers.
• Functional. This resume format focuses more on skills than work experience. It’s a good choice if you’re just getting started with your career and have little to no experience in the field.
• Combination. The combination resume format is a great choice for experienced job-seekers with a very diverse skill set. It’s useful if you’re applying for a role that requires expertise in several different fields and you want to show all that in your resume.

So, which one should you go for?

In 99% of cases, you want to stick to the reverse-chronological resume format . It’s the most popular format and what hiring managers expect to see. So, in the rest of this guide, we’re going to focus on teaching you how to make a reverse-chronological resume.

Fix Your Resume’s Layout

With formatting out of the way, let’s talk about your resume’s layout , which determines the overall look of your resume. 

Does it look organized or cluttered? Is it too short or too long? Is it boring and easy to ignore, or is it reader-friendly and attention-grabbing?

Here are some of the best practices you should apply:

• Stick to one page. You should only go for a two-page resume if you have decades of experience and you’re sure the extra space will add significant value. Hiring managers in big companies get hundreds of applications per job opening. They’re not going to spend their valuable time reading your life story!
• Add clear section headings. Pick a heading and use it for all the section headers so the hiring manager can easily navigate through your resume.
• Adjust the margins. Without the right amount of white space, your resume will end up looking overcrowded with information. Set your margins to one inch on all sides so your text fits just right on the page.
• Choose a professional font. We’d recommend sticking to a font that’s professional but not overused. For example, Ubuntu, Roboto, or Overpass. Avoid Times New Roman, and never use Comic Sans.
• Set the correct font size. As a rule of thumb, go for 11-12 pt for normal text and 14-16 pt for section titles.
• Use a PDF file. Always save your resume as a PDF file, unless the employer specifically requests otherwise. Word files are popular, but there’s a good chance they’ll mess up your resume’s formatting.

Another thing you need to consider in terms of your resume’s layout is whether you’re going for a traditional-looking resume template or something a bit more modern :

If you’re pursuing a career in a more traditional industry, like law , banking , or finance , you might want to stick to the first.

But if you’re applying to a tech company where imagination and innovation are valued, you can pick a more creative resume template .

Want to Save Time? Use a (Free) Resume Template

Anyone who’s ever tried creating a resume from scratch knows how boring the formatting can be.

Before you can even start filling in the contents, you need to tweak the margins, adjust font sizes, and make sure everything fits into one page while still looking good.

What if you could skip past all that and still create a compelling resume?

Try one of our free resume templates . They’re pre-formatted, so all you have to do is fill in the contents.

They’re also created in collaboration with recruiters from around the globe, ensuring that the templates are visually appealing and ATS-friendly!

See for yourself how one of our templates compares to a resume created in a standard text editor:

#2. Add Your Contact Information

Now that we’ve got all the formatting out of the way, let’s get into what your resume is all about— the information you put on it .

The first thing you want to do when filling out the contents of your resume is to add your contact information .

This section is pretty straightforward but crucial. Your contact details belong at the top of your resume in a designated resume header , so the hiring manager can easily find them.

Even if everything else about your resume is perfect, that all flops if you misspell your email address or have a typo in your phone number. If the hiring manager can’t contact you, it’s a missed opportunity.

So, double-check, and even triple-check your contact information section and make sure everything is factually correct and up-to-date.

Must-Have Information

• Full name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top of your resume.
• Email address. Stick to an address that’s professional and easy to spell, like a combination of your first and last name. (E.g.: [email protected])
• Phone number. Add a reliable number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
• Location. Add your city and state/country. If you plan to relocate for the job or want a remote position, specify it on your resume.

Optional Information

• Job title. Add your professional title underneath. Write it down word for word, whether it’s “Digital Marketing Specialist” or “Junior Data Scientist.” Just don’t make up job titles like “Marketing Wizzard” or “Data Manipulator.” They’re not quirky; they’re just unprofessional. 
• LinkedIn profile . We recommend that you include a link to your updated LinkedIn profile since over 77% of hiring managers use the platform when evaluating a candidate. 
• Relevant links. Include links to personal websites or any social media profiles that are relevant to your field. For example, a developer could include a Github profile, while a graphic designer could link their Behance or Driblle account, and so on.
• Date of birth. Unless this is specifically required in the job ad, the hiring manager doesn’t need to know how old you are. It’s not important for their decision-making, and at worst, it might lead to age-based discrimination.
• Unprofessional email address. Your quirky, old high school email address doesn’t belong on your resume. Instead of [email protected] , go for a [email protected] type of address.
• Headshot. (USA, UK or Ireland) Depending on the country where you’re applying, it might even be illegal to include a picture of yourself on your resume . While it’s the norm to include a picture in most of Europe and Asia, always check the regulations for each specific country or industry you’re applying to.

All clear? Good! Now, let’s look at what a great example of a resume's contact information section looks like:

#3. Write a Resume Headline (Summary or Objective)

It's no secret that recruiters spend an average of less than seven seconds on a resume .

When you receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications daily, it's physically impossible to spend too much time on each.

So, what the hiring managers do to go through resumes more effectively is to skim through each resume and read it in depth only if it piques their interest.

This is where the resume headline comes in.

Placed right next to (or underneath) your contact information, this brief paragraph is the first thing the hiring manager is going to read on your resume.

Now, depending on how far along in your career you are, your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

So, how do you choose between a resume summary and a resume objective? Here’s all you need to know:

Resume Summary

A resume summary, as the name suggests, is a two to three-sentence summary of your career so far. If done right, it shows that you’re a qualified candidate at a glance and gets the hiring manager to give you a chance.

Here’s what your resume summary should include:

• Your job title and years of experience.
• A couple of your greatest professional achievements or core responsibilities.
• Your most relevant skills for the job.

Here’s an example of a well-written resume summary: 

Experienced Java Developer with 5 years of experience in building scalable and efficient applications. Contributed to a major project that enhanced application performance by 25%. Strong background in Spring Framework and microservices. Aiming to apply robust coding skills to develop innovative software solutions at XYZ Tech Solutions.

Unless you’re a recent graduate or amid a career change, we recommend you stick to a resume summary. Otherwise, a resume objective might be a better option for you.

Resume Objective

A resume objective is supposed to express your professional goals and aspirations, academic background, and any relevant skills you may have for the job.

It communicates your motivation for getting into a new field, so it’s the go-to headline for recent graduates and those going through a career change. As with a resume summary, a resume objective should be brief—around two to four sentences long.

So, here’s what it would look like if you’re a student:

Hard-working recent graduate with a B.A. in Graphic Design from New York State University seeking new opportunities. 3+ years of practical experience working with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, creating illustrations and UX/UI design projects. Looking to grow as a designer and perfect my art at XYZ Design Studio.

Or, on the other hand, if you’re going through a career change, it might look more like this:

IT project manager with 5+ years of experience in software development. Managed a team of developers to create products for several industries, such as FinTech and HR tech. Looking to leverage my experience in managing outsourced products as a Product Owner at Company XYZ.

#4. Prioritize Your Work Experience

The most important part of your resume is your work experience.

This is where you get to sell yourself and show off your previous accomplishments and responsibilities.

If you manage to master this section, you’ll know most of what’s there to know about how to make a resume.

There are plenty of good practices for writing your work experience . But before we dive into all the nits and grits, let's start with the basics.

The standard format for each work experience entry is as follows:

• Job title/position. Your job title goes on top of each work experience entry. When the hiring manager looks at your resume, you want them to know, at a glance, that you have relevant work experience for the job.
• Company name/location/description. Mention the name of the employer and the general location, such as the city and state/country where you worked. In some cases, you may also want to briefly describe the company, like when the organization isn’t particularly well-known.
• Dates employed. Add the approximate timeframe of your employment at each company. You don’t need to give exact dates since the standard format for this is mm/yyyy.
• Achievements and responsibilities. This is the core of each work experience entry. Depending on your field, you want to list either your achievements or responsibilities. List them in bullet points instead of paragraphs, so they’ll be easier to read.

Here’s a real-life example:

Your work experience entries should always be listed in reverse chronological order , starting with your most recent job and working your way back into the past.

Now that you know how to list your experience, we’re going to show you how to write about it in a way that makes you stand out from the competition, starting with: 

Are you a student with no work experience? We’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to writing a resume with no experience here.

Focus on Achievements Whenever Possible

One of the most common resume mistakes is only listing responsibilities in your work experience section.

Here’s the thing—in most cases, the hiring manager knows exactly what your job responsibilities are.

For example, if you’re a sales manager, your responsibilities would be:

• Reach out to potential clients over the phone or email.
• Maintain relationships with existing company clients and upsell relevant products.
• Tracking and reporting on leads in CRM.

Coincidentally, this is also the same list of responsibilities for every sales manager out there. So, 90% of all other resumes probably mention the same thing.

To stand out from the competition, you want to focus on writing achievements in your resume instead. These can be how you helped your previous company grow, reach quarterly quotas, and so on.

Let’s compare how responsibilities hold up next to achievements for the same job:

• Exceeded sales team KPIs by 30%+ for 3 months straight.
• Generated over $24,000 in sales in 1 month.
• Generated leads through cold-calling
• Managed existing company clients

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there just aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you’re a warehouse worker .

Your day-to-day responsibilities probably include:

• Loading, unloading, and setting up equipment daily.
• Packaging finished products and getting them ready for shipping.
• Assisting in opening and closing the warehouse.

In fields like this, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself through achievements, so it’s okay to stick to responsibilities instead. You can still make them shine by following the rest of our advice about listing your work experience.

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you work in a warehouse. Your day-to-day responsibilities probably involve:

• Loading, unloading and setting up equipment on a daily basis.
• Package finished product and get it ready for shipping.
• Assist in opening and closing the warehouse.

In such fields, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself, so it’s totally OK to stick to responsibilities instead.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Tailoring is what sets an amazing resume apart from an okay one.

Hiring managers don’t need to know about every single job you’ve ever worked at or every single skill that you have.

They only want to know about your jobs, experiences, or skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a job doing Google Ads, you don’t need to talk about your SEO internship from eight years ago.

By focusing your resume on whatever is important for the specific role, you’re a lot more likely to stand out and catch the hiring manager’s attention.

Let’s take a look at an example of a job ad:

As you can see, we’ve highlighted the most important requirements.

To tailor your resume accordingly, you just need to mention how you meet each of these requirements in your resume.

You can highlight your relevant achievements and qualifications in different parts of your resume, such as:

• In your resume summary, where you should recap your years of experience.
• Throughout your work experience section, where you should list achievements and responsibilities that reflect your social media marketing experience.
• In your education section, where you can let the hiring manager know you have the degree that they’re looking for.

Include the Right Amount of Work Experience

If you’ve got over a decade’s worth of work experience, you’re probably wondering whether all of it belongs on your resume. In most cases, you’d end up writing a novel if you listed everything you’ve ever done, and that’s not how long a resume should be .

If you’re new to the job market, on the other hand, you probably don’t have any experience, and you’re wondering what you could even add to this section.

So, here’s how much information your resume should include, depending on your level of experience:

• No experience. If you’re looking for your first job , you won’t have any work experience to fill this section with. So, you can either keep it empty and focus on all the other sections or fill it up with any experience gained in student organizations, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and other projects.
• Entry-level. List all your work experience so far. While some of it won’t be relevant, it can still show the hiring manager that you do have some actual work experience.
• Mid-level. Only mention relevant work experience to the position you’re applying for. There’s no need to waste space on jobs that aren’t related to what you’re after.
• Senior-level. List up to 15 years of relevant work experience, tops. If your most recent experience is as a marketing executive , the hiring manager doesn’t care how you started your career as a junior marketing specialist 23 years ago.

Consider Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

Did you know that over 70% of resumes don’t even make it to the hiring manager ?

Most companies these days use ATS to evaluate hundreds of resumes instantaneously and automatically filter out the ones that don’t meet their criteria.

For example, if a resume doesn’t mention a specific skill or isn’t formatted correctly, the ATS will automatically reject it.

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to make an ATS-friendly resume .

Here are a couple of tips to help you get past those pesky robots:

• Stick to one page. Sometimes employers set a limit on how long a resume should be. This means that if your resume is longer than one page, it might get automatically disqualified.
• Incorporate keywords. Tailoring your resume to the job helps a ton with beating the ATS. Just carefully read the job description to find hints for what the ATS will be looking for. Then, whenever you find keywords related to your responsibilities and achievements, make sure to include them in your work experience section.
• Use an active voice. Passive voice is too vague and unclear, so make sure to use active voice as much as possible when describing your previous jobs. (E.g.: “Managed a team of ten people,” instead of “ A team of ten people was managed by me.” )
• Leverage powerful action words. Instead of starting each of your sentences with “was responsible for," make your work experience impactful by using words that can grab attention. Saying that you “spearheaded” or “facilitated” something sounds a lot more impressive than “helped.”

Want to make sure your resume formatting passes the ATS test? Choose one of our tried and tested ATS-friendly resume templates , and you’ll be good to go! 

#5. List Your Education

The next section on your resume is dedicated to your academic qualifications. Let’s start with the basics!

Here’s how you should format the education section on your resume :

• Program Name. Your major and degree type should be listed. (E.g.: “B.A. in Business Administration” )
• University Name. Add the name of the institution. (E.g.: “New York State University” )
• Dates Attended. Use a mm/yyyy format for the dates you attended. (E.g.: “08/2008 - 06/2012” )
• Location. If your university is less well-known, you can also add the location. (E.g.: “Stockholm, Sweden” )
• GPA. Use the appropriate grading system for the country you’re applying to work in. (E.g.: In the USA, it would be “3.9 GPA” )
• Honors. Add any honors and distinctions you’ve been given. (E.g.: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude )
• Achievements. You can mention interesting papers you’ve written, projects you’ve done, or relevant coursework you’ve excelled in.
• Minor. “Minor in Psychology”

Pretty simple, right? Now let’s see what an education section looks like in practice:

This example includes all the necessary information, plus an eye-catching award and relevant classes this candidate has taken.

Resume Education Tips

Now that you know how to list your education on your resume, let’s take this section to the next level.

Just follow these expert tips:

• If you’re making a resume as a student and don’t have any work experience yet, you can list your education section at the beginning of the page instead of work experience.
• You can add your expected graduation date if you’re still pursuing your degree.
• If you already have relevant work experience, just keep this section short and sweet. Recent graduates can expand on their education more and add optional information like projects, classes, academic achievements, etc.
• Always list your degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest degree on top. Your highest and most recent degree is usually enough, so if you have a Master’s degree that’s relevant to the job, there’s no need to mention your earlier degrees.
• Don’t add your high school degree to your resume if you already have a university degree. It doesn’t have as much weight, and you can use the space for something else.
• Only mention your GPA if you had an impressive academic career. Anything below a 3.5 GPA doesn’t need to be on your resume.

Are you in the process of applying for college? Check out our guide to writing a college application resume to wow that admissions officer!

#6. Emphasize Your Know-How in the Skills Section

After your work experience, your skills are the first thing the hiring manager is going to look for. In fact, together, work experience and skills make up 90% of the hiring decision .

So, this is the place where you want to mention all the know-how that makes you the perfect candidate for the job.

There are two types of skills you can include when writing your resume:

• Hard Skills. These are measurable abilities. What you can list here can be anything from coding in Python to knowing how to cook Thai cuisine.
• Soft Skills. Also known as personal skills, these are a mix of communication skills , personal traits, career attributes, and more. They can include leadership, critical thinking, and time management , just to name a few.

Your resume should always cover both hard skills and soft skills . Here’s an example in action:

Now, let’s discuss how you should list your most important skills on your resume.

There are a few essential steps you need to follow:

Always List Hard and Soft Skills Separately

Your resume should be easy and neat to navigate. The hiring manager shouldn’t have to waste time looking for a specific skill because you didn’t separate it into the appropriate subsection.

So, just create separate categories for your hard and soft skills.

Depending on your field, you could customize the name of your “hard skills” subsection to something like “technical skills," “marketing skills," or something else related to your field.

Let’s look at an example of what skills look like on a project manager’s resume :

Methodologies & Tools

• Agile Methodology
• SCRUM Framework
• Waterfall Project Management
• Microsoft Project
• Critical Path Method (CPM)
• Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Risk Management

Soft Skills

• Team Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Negotiation

Tailor Your Skills to the Job

You might have some awesome skills, but the hiring manager only needs to know about the ones that are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant, your gourmet chef skills shouldn’t be on your resume.

Look at the job ad and list at least two to three essential skills you have that are required for the role. Remember—there’s no need to list every skill you have here; just keep it relevant.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design or a related field.
• Tech-savvy, with some background in CMS systems such as WordPress.
• Thrives in a stressful environment and juggles multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Self-reliant, with the ability to manage their own work.
• A can-do attitude and an outside-the-box thinker.
• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages.
• Basic understanding of Office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

So, the must-have hard skills here are Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages. Other good computer skills to have are WordPress or similar CMS systems.

While you can also mention Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, it’s pretty much assumed that you know how to use them since they’re required for most office jobs.

List Hard Skills with Experience Levels

For each hard skill you list on your resume, you should also mention your proficiency level. This tells employers what they can expect from you and how much training you might need.

• Beginner. You have some experience with the skill, whether it’s from some entry-level practice or classroom education.
• Intermediate. You’ve used the skill in a work environment with good understanding.
• Advanced. You’re the go-to person for this skill in your office. You can coach other employees, and you understand the skill at a high level.
• Expert. You’ve applied this skill to more than a handful of different projects and organizations. You’re the go-to person for advice about the skill, not just in your office but even amongst some of the best professionals in your field.

Just make sure to never lie about your actual skill level. Even if you get the job, once you need those skills you exaggerated, it will be pretty awkward for both you and your employer.

Include Transferable Skills

These are the types of skills that are useful for almost any job out there.

Transferable skills can be both soft skills (e.g.: teamwork, creativity, problem-solving skills, and others) and hard skills (MS Office Suite, HTML, writing, etc.)

Whatever job you’re applying to, chances are you have transferable skills from your experience that can come in handy one way or another. So, feel free to include them, even if they’re not specifically required for the position.

Not sure which skills to mention on your resume for your specific field? Check out our list of 101+ essential skills for inspiration!

#7. Leverage Optional Resume Sections

The sections we’ve covered so far are must-haves for any resume. They’re the bread-and-butter for any job application, and if you get them right, you’ll land any job you apply to.

But if you have some leftover space, there are a few optional sections you can choose from to give your resume a boost!

Are you bi-lingual? Or even better  – multi-lingual? You should always mention that on your resume!

Even if the position doesn’t require you to know a specific language, it can still come in handy at some point. At the end of the day, it’s always better to know more languages than less.

To list languages in your resume , just write them down and assign them the appropriate level:

• Intermediate

You can also use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scales.

As a given, you should never lie about your language skills. You never know—your interviewer might turn out to be fluent in the language or even be a native speaker!

Hobbies and Interests

If you want to spice up your resume, hobbies and interests could be just what you need.

While this section isn’t a game-changer, it can help the hiring manager see who you are as an individual.

For example, if you listed “teamwork” as one of your skills, hobbies like team sports can back up your claim.

And who knows? Maybe you and your interviewer have some hobbies or interests in common!

Volunteering Experience

If you’re the type of person who devotes their free time to helping others while expecting nothing in return, chances are that you’re the type of employee who’s in it for more than just the money. 

Seeing volunteer experience on your resume tells hiring managers that you’re a loyal employee who’s after something meaningful.

Several studies show that listing your volunteer experience can boost your chances of getting hired, especially if you have little to no work experience.

Certifications

Hiring managers love candidates who invest in themselves, and that’s exactly what they see when you list certifications on your resume .

If you value continuous learning and strive to expand your skill set, that’s always a plus.

Certifications can also show employers how much expertise you have.

For example, if you’re a Microsoft Cloud Engineer and you specialize in Microsoft Technologies, you should definitely include all essential certifications on your resume, such as the Azure Solutions Architect Expert one.

Awards and Recognitions

There’s no harm in showing off a little on your resume. After all, you want to be a candidate that shines above the rest.

So, if you’ve received any awards or recognitions that make you stand out in your field, make sure to add them.

For example, if you’ve been recognized for your contributions to data science or received a hard-to-come-by scholarship , mention it in your resume. Just keep your entries here relevant to the field you’re applying to.

Publications

Whether you’re a freelance writer or a distinguished academic, publications are always impressive.

If you have any published works (online or in an academic journal), you can add them to your resume. Just make sure to include a link so the hiring manager knows where to check your work!

Are you looking for a career in academia? Check out our guide to writing the perfect academic CV to get started!

Working on side projects can show off your passion for your field. Whether they’re university class projects or part-time entrepreneurial endeavors, they’re relevant.

For example, if you worked on a mock software product as part of a university competition, it shows you went through every step of product creation, from ideation to creating a marketing strategy.

This project also shows off your organizational skills , and if you mention it in your resume, you stand a better chance of landing the job you had your sights set on.

But projects can also be personal, not academic. For example, you might manage an Etsy store where you sell hand-made arts and crafts to customers online. This is a great opportunity to highlight your creativity, management, and customer service skills .

Overall, hiring managers love employees who do cool work in their free time, so projects are always a great section to add to your resume.

Looking to kickstart your career? Check out our guide on how to get an internship for useful tips and real-life examples!

Extracurricular Activities

Every college freshman knows that extracurricular experience can make a difference in their application.

Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience outside of school, extracurricular activities are a great way to show potential employers your skills and give them insight into you as a person. Different clubs and after-school projects can help you gain real-life skills and considerably increase your chances of landing your first job after college.

For example, joining a student government organization can hone your leadership skills and teach you how to work as part of a team.

For example, if you’re part of a student government or public speaking club, these activities can help you hone your leadership and presentation skills.

11+ Expert Resume Tips

You’ve got the gist of how to make a resume. Now, it’s time to make it really stand out from the crowd!

Follow these exclusive resume tips to take your resume game to the next level:

• Match the professional title underneath your name to the job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role you’re after helps things go smoother.
• Mention any promotions from your previous jobs. Use the work experience entries for them to focus on the achievements that helped you earn them.
• Describe your achievements using Laszlo Bock’s formula : accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z . This way, your work experience can go the extra mile and show the hiring manager what you can bring to the table.
• Always list your achievements and responsibilities in concise bullet points. This makes your resume more reader-friendly, and it’s more likely that the hiring manager will see your impressive achievements at a glance.
• Don’t use personal pronouns like “I” or “me,” and don’t refer to yourself by name. Stick to a slightly altered third person, like “managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.” instead of “he managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.”
• Name your resume sections correctly, or it might get rejected by the ATS. Swapping out quirky names like “career history” or “expertise” for “work experience” and "skills" makes it easier for the hiring manager to find what they’re looking for, too.
• Prioritize important keywords instead of adding all of them. Make sure the relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences you add all make sense in context, too. Your goal is to get past the ATS and impress the hiring manager.
• Focus on transferable skills if you don’t have a lot of relevant work experience. Any extracurricular activities or personal projects can help you stand out here.
• Add a strategic pop of color to headings, bullet points, or key elements you want to highlight. It can help your resume stand out, but don’t overdo it—you want the information to be more impressive than the color palette.
• Don’t include the line “references available upon request.” Hiring managers already know they can request a list of references from you, so there’s no need to waste valuable space on it.
• Make sure your resume is optimized for mobile viewing. Most hiring managers use their mobile phones as often as desktop computers, so save your resume to a PDF file and make sure your formatting stays intact across any device.
• Rename the resume file you plan to send so it includes your name and the name of the position you’re applying for. It’s a small detail that can turn into a crucial mistake if you forget it.
• Read your resume out loud when you’re done. This is a great way to catch awkward phrases or spelling mistakes you might have missed otherwise.
• Use a tool like DocSend to track your resume. You’ll get a notification any time someone opens your resume, and you can see how long they spend reading it.

FREE Resume Checklist

Are you already done with your resume? Let’s see how it holds up!

Go through our checklist for perfecting your resume and see where you stand!

If you missed some points, just go through your resume one more time and perfect it.

And if you ☑’d everything—congrats! You’ve learned all there is to know about writing a resume, and you’re good to go with your job search.

Need to write a CV instead of a resume? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to write a CV with dozens of examples!

9 Resume Templates for Different Industries

Looking to create an effective resume without dealing with the formatting hassle? Just choose one of the templates below.

#1. Traditional Resume Template

Good for traditional industries like finance, banking, law, and manufacturing.

#2. Modern Resume Template

Good for both contemporary and forward-looking industries, including entrepreneurship, medical technology, and engineering.

#3. Creative Resume Template

Good for creative industries, including entertainment, design, and architecture. 

#4. Minimalistic Resume Template

Good for experienced professionals in basically any industry who want to let their achievements do the talking. 

#5. IT Resume Template

Good for any IT-related profession like software development, cyber security, and DevOps engineering.

#6. Tech Resume Template

Good for the tech industry and everything it encompasses.

#7. College Resume Template

Good for college students and recent graduates alike.

#8. General Resume Template

Good for multiple industries, including HR, education, and customer service.

#9. Executive Resume Template

Good for senior professionals across different industries, including hospitality, marketing, and logistics.

17+ Resumes for Different Jobs

Knowing how to write a resume is one thing, but making a resume that stands out is something entirely different. Without inspiration, even top career experts might stumble on a roadblock or two.

Check out the following effective resume examples for specific jobs to get a better sense of what a good resume looks like:

#1. Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a nurse resume here.

#2. Data Scientist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a data scientist resume here.

#3. Business Analyst Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a business analyst resume here.

#4. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a digital marketing resume here.

#5. Software Engineer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer resume here.

#6. Construction Project Manager Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a construction project manager resume here.

#7. Customer Service Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a customer service resume here.

#8. High School Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a high school resume here.

#9. Student Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a student resume here.

#10. Server Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a server resume here.

#11. Actor Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an actor resume here.

#12. Web Developer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a web developer resume here.

#13. Engineering Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an engineering resume here.

#14. Computer Science Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a computer science resume here.

#15. Architect Resume Example 

Check out our full guide to writing a data analyst resume here.

#17. Remote Job Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a remote job resume here.

#18. Sales Associate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a sales associate resume here.

#19. Receptionist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist resume here.

Want to see more examples? Check out our compilation of 80+ resume examples for different fields .

• Administrative Assistant Resume
• Bartender Resume
• DevOps Engineer Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Flight Attendant Resume
• Graphic Designer Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Recruiter Resume
• Supervisor Resume

Next Steps After Your Resume

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to make a resume, it’s time to talk about the rest of your job application.

After all, your resume is only the first step in your job search. To land the job you deserve, you also need to write a captivating cover letter and ace that upcoming interview. Here’s how:

#1. How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter

The companion piece to every resume is the cover letter.

Most job-seekers flinch when they hear that they have to write a cover letter. What do you even mention in a cover letter, anyway? If you were good at writing cover letters, you’d be applying for a job as a writer !

In reality, though, writing a cover letter is very simple once you know its purpose.

Think of your cover letter as a direct message to the hiring manager. It’s your chance to briefly explain why you’re such an awesome fit for the position. And with a few cover letter tips to point you in the right direction, you’ll write the perfect cover letter for your job application.

Just follow this structure:

• Add the contact details. Include the same contact information as on your resume, plus additional contact details for the hiring manager, including their name, job title, the company’s name, and location.
• Introduce yourself. Start your cover letter by mentioning who you are, what your work experience is, and why you’re interested in the position. Mention a standout achievement or two, relevant skills, and what you’d like to do for the company you’re applying for.
• Explain why you’d excel at the job. Find the requirements in the job ad that you meet, and elaborate on how you fulfill the most important ones. Research the company so you know what you like about it, and mention it in your cover letter. Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for the job and confidence that you’ll be a great fit for their team.
• Wrap it up politely. Conclude your cover letter by recapping your key selling points and thanking the hiring manager for their time. Then add a call to action, such as “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided phone number so that we can discuss my application in greater detail.” Then, add a closing line and follow it with your full name.

Sounds easy, right? Here’s a real-life example to drive the point home:

Do you need more help perfecting your cover letter? Learn what the most common cover letter mistakes are and check out cover letter examples for all professions here.

#2. How to Ace Your Next Interview

Once you’ve perfected both your resume and cover letter, there’s only one thing left.

It’s time for the final step—the dreaded job interview.

Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert, you probably hate the interviewing process. No matter how experienced you are, it can be nerve-wracking. Sitting there while someone’s prodding into your past experiences and judging you isn’t fun.

But did you know that most interviewers ask the same questions?

That’s right—all you have to do is learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions, and you’ll be an interview away from landing your dream job!

Just check out our complete guide to the 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers and learn how to ace your next interview.

FAQs on How to Make a Resume

Do you still have some questions about making a resume? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions below!

#1. What does a good resume look like in 2024?

For your resume to look good in 2024, make sure it’s organized and clean and isn’t longer than one page.

Be sure to include information that adds value to your application—leave out the focus on your relevant work experience and skills that you can back up, and list as many achievements as possible. 

If you’re using a resume template, choose one based on your industry. Conservative industries like law, banking, and business require more traditional resume templates. But if you’re going for an industry like design, architecture, or marketing, you can go for a creative resume template . 

Remote work is also big in 2024, so if that’s what you’re after, tailor your resume to match the job you want.

#2. How do you make a resume in Word?

The best way to create a resume in Word is to use a pre-designed Microsoft Word template. To access them, you should: 

• Open MS Word
• Click “file” from the menu bar 
• Select “new”
• Type “resume templates” in the search bar 

That said, Word resume templates are generic, hard to personalize, and overall not very stylish.

Want a resume that looks good and is extremely easy to make? Check out resume templates to get started!

#3. How do I write a resume for my first job?

If you’re writing your first-ever resume for an entry-level position, the hiring manager won’t expect you to have any work experience.

However, you can make up for your lack of experience with your skills and academic achievements.

For example, you can take advantage of extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering experiences, and other non-professional experiences. You can use them to highlight the skills you’ve gained and what you’ve achieved so far.

So, your first job resume should have a resume objective, emphasize your education, and replace your work experience with any internships, volunteering, independent projects, or other experiences.

#4. How to make a resume on Google Docs?

You can make a resume on Google Docs by choosing one of their templates and filling it in on the go.

All you have to do is go to your Google Drive’s template gallery, choose your preferred template, fill in your information, and your Google Docs resume is ready to go! 

That said, Google Docs templates aren’t the most user-friendly choice. You don’t have much flexibility with the layout and formatting isn’t that easy. For example, you tweak a section to the slightest, and the whole resume becomes a mess.

If you want an easier option, check out our resume builder !

#5. What kind of resume do employers prefer?

Typically, employers prefer one-page-long resumes that follow the reverse chronological format. 

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes every day, so they don't have the time to read three-page resumes. Try one of our one-page resume templates so you don’t go over the recommended resume length.

Meanwhile, the reverse-chronological format is the most popular because it draws attention to your most recent jobs and professional achievements, which is the #1 most important thing hiring managers look at when evaluating a resume.

#6. How many jobs should you put on your resume? 

You should only include relevant job positions on your resume.

This means that your work experience section should be tailored to the job you are applying for. If you’ve worked five different jobs and they can all add value to your current application, then you should include all five. 

If, on the other hand, you’re applying for, say, a customer service position and some of your past jobs don’t have anything to do with customer service, you should skip them.

#7. Should I put my address on my resume? 

You can put your location (city, state, or country) on your resume, but you don’t need to put your entire physical address.

Putting a physical address on a resume was the norm back when companies would contact you via mail. In today’s world, everyone communicates via email, which is why adding a correct and professional email address to your contact information section is far more important than putting your physical address. 

So, just include your location or-–if you’re a remote worker—specify you prefer to work remotely by writing “working remotely from [location].”

#8. What information should I leave out of my resume?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t include your birthday or your headshot on your resume. This norm varies from country to country but it applies to the USA, Canada, and UK.

If you have plenty of achievements to list under your work experience, then you can leave your basic work responsibilities out of your resume. 

In your education section, you should only include your highest and most recent degree. So, if you hold a Ph.D., you can list that and your Master’s degree and leave your Bachelor’s degree and high school diploma out.

Finally, leave out any skills that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for.

#9. Is a resume a CV?

Depending on where you are, a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a resume might be completely different things.

In most of the world, though, including Europe and Asia, they are used interchangeably for the same document. Both CVs and resumes are one to two pages long, and list skills and experiences relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Sometimes more detailed resumes that go over one page are referred to as CVs. These are typically only used by senior professionals, executives, CEOs, etc.

In the USA, however, a CV is a completely different document. Typically, CVs are detailed and comprehensive documents that highlight your entire academic and professional history. They’re often used for academic, scientific, or research positions, which is why this type of CV can also be referred to as an academic CV.

You can create your CV using one of our CV templates !

#10. Should I write my own resume?

Yes, you should always write your own resume.

Your resume is your opportunity to show the hiring manager your communication, writing, and presentation skills . Employers also evaluate you based on how effectively you can convey information about yourself, and there’s no one that can represent you better than yourself.

Writing your own resume lets you introduce yourself authentically. You have the best understanding of your skills and experiences, and you can personalize them to make your resume stand out.

And, as a bonus, the experience of writing your resume yourself can be reflective and insightful, so it might help you understand your professional journey and career goals better.

#11. Can a resume be two pages?

Generally, we strongly recommend that your resume stick to one page.

Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes every day, and keeping your resume to one page increases the odds that they’ll see your qualifications faster.

In some cases, like when you have a lot of relevant experience, your resume can go over two pages. But this exception is reserved for senior professionals with over a decade of relevant experience and tons of skills and achievements that simply can’t fit on one page.

#12. Is a simple resume okay?

Absolutely, a simple resume is often more than okay—it's preferable.

Before your resume even gets to the hiring manager, a complicated layout could get it rejected by the applicant tracking system (ATS). A simple resume template can help get your application straight to the hiring manager.

A clean layout can also make sure that your resume is easily readable and looks professional. This can focus the hiring manager's attention on your work experience and skills without excessive clutter or flashy colors to distract them.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

If you’ve followed all of our advice until now, congrats! You’re probably an expert on how to make a resume.

To recap, let’s go through some of the most important lessons we’ve learned so far...

• Use the right resume builder to make the process as smooth as possible. You don’t want to mess around with formatting for hours before even starting to work on your resume!
• Focus on your achievements over responsibilities. This can help you stand out from all the other applicants, especially if you back your claims up with data.
• Include all the must-have sections, like the resume summary, work experience, education, and skills. Then leverage optional sections if you have leftover space.
• Tailor your resume for the job you’re applying for. Everything listed on your resume should be relevant to the specific job you’re applying for, and you should write a new resume for every new job application.
• Take the time to perfect your cover letter. It’s just as important as your resume, so make sure you pay as much attention to it!

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

Resume builder

How to Write a Resume – The Ultimate Guide

Let’s talk about how to write a perfect resume.

You definitely need a resume that stands out from the crowd by effectively showcasing your most marketable skills and expertise.

A good resume will help you secure interviews and land the job of your dreams . But how do you do that?

We’ll go through each section and detail everything you need to know. We’ll also include good examples to help you increase your chances of landing a job

Table of Contents

How to Write an Effective Resume

Nowadays, a resume is a requirement to be considered for professional positions in a competitive job market. But recruiters often give resumes a skim-read, spending only 7.4 seconds on average. About 250 applicants apply for every open corporate position, but only 4-6 will be interviewed, and one will be hired.

If your resume can’t get the recruiter’s attention in those first few seconds, they will probably never give it a second look. This is why creating a strong resume should be your first priority.

There are several free tools (more on that later) that can help you structure and format a resume. But the most effective way to create an eye-catching resume is using a professional resume template. This is why we recommend a resume builder like ResumeKit . Use a resume builder that gives tips and suggestions if you’d rather have a tool to do the heavy lifting. Also, some companies like Adobe Express have a cv builder for a seamless experience in creating a polished and professional resume.

Step 1: Choose the Right Resume Format

There are different resume formats , and each of them serves different purposes.

The Chronological Resume

The most widely used resume format is the chronological resume. It’s traditional to list your most recent job first in the experience section. From there, you list your job experience in descending order.

You should highlight your seven to ten years of relevant work experience and any awards or recognition you may have received.

Both work and academic history on a chronological resume will typically be presented in reverse chronological order.

The Functional or Skill-Based Resume

The emphasis of a functional resume is on the applicant’s relevant skills rather than their previous experience. So it promotes your skills to the job position you are applying for.

The Combination Resume

Another way people learn how to make a resume is to combine elements of chronological and functional formats. Your relevant skills and work experience can be spotlighted in this resume format. Your work experience and skill set will take most of your resume. So you’ll have to cut out optional sections like volunteer work, summary statement, or special interests.

This guide focuses on the reverse-chronological resume format. It is the standard format and is more familiar to most hiring managers. For a long time, this resume style has been accepted practice across all professions and fields. 90%+ HR managers use Automated Tracking Systems (ATS) and a standardized application form helps stick to a more conventional format.

Step 2: Choose the Right Resume Layout

Here’s how to write a resume with a suitable layout :

Use a Professional Font for Your Resume

A professional resume should be written in a formal, easy-to-read font .

Arial, Times New Roman, and Georgia are the best options whenever possible.

You should only consider experimenting with a non-standard resume font if you apply for a position in an artistic field. And that can be a hit or miss, so you should stick to the classic fonts.

Also, your resume’s paragraph font size shouldn’t be smaller than 10.5 points or more than 12 .

Align Your Text to the Left

You should always align the content of your resume to the left. You can choose to center-align the information in your header , though. However, most of your information should be aligned to the left to make it easy for hiring managers to read.

Limit Your Resume to One Page

If you want to highlight your impressive qualifications without overwhelming the reader, stick to one page . Besides, one-page resumes are preferred by most recruiters because they are simpler to review.

You can get away with a two-page resume or more if you have over 10 years of relevant professional experience.

Choose a 0.63” By 1” Margin Size

A resume should have 0.63″ left and right margins and 1″ top and bottom margins. You can fit more information on the page, yet your resume will still be easy to read if you choose this format. Strike the perfect balance.

Step 3: Put Contact Information on Your Resume

Hiring managers use your name, phone number, and email address to contact you. This includes setting up interviews and completing any necessary paperwork.

Here is what you need to include in your resume’s contact information .

• Full Name (e.g., Mary Stuart)
• Email Address ([email protected])
• Phone number (e.g., 014 567 8900)
• Location (e.g., Chicago, IL)

Optional Information:

• Linkedin (e.g., linkedin.com/mary-stuart)
• Professional Title (e.g., Digital Marketing Manager)

What NOT to Put in Your Contact Information

Unprofessional Email Address. Use formal emails like [email protected], NOT [email protected]. Date of Birth – The HR manager doesn’t need your date of birth unless it’s a requirement of the position you are applying for. Some job positions come with certain age restrictions. So it makes sense if the recruiters ask you.

Step 4: Prepare a Resume Summary or Objective

Before we go any further, remember that resume summary and resume objective are two different things. However, both aim to sell you to a prospective employer and offer a brief introduction to your resume.

Resume Objective

A resume objective focuses on the skills that make you the right candidate for a position. It includes keywords from the job description and outlines qualifications that make you valuable to the company. The resume objective also includes the type of work you’re interested in.

Use Resume Objective when you apply to make a career change or have insufficient experience for the desirable post.

Self-driven person looking for a job as Social Media Marketing Manager. Created and oversaw three local businesses social media accounts for nine months. Gained 5,700+ followers for a fashion’s Instagram account using content creation knowledge. Hoping to assist Company X by enhancing its social media presence and brand exposure.

Resume Summary

A resume summary provides an overview of relevant work experiences relevant to the advertised position. It shows what you’ve already done in that position and what you can do in the advertised position.

Use Resume Summary for all basic cases when you perfectly fit mentioned experience, skills and don’t want to change your career (better use Objective in this case).

Enjoy lots of great features ResumeKit has to offer and save loads of time: generate a resume summary and objective with this AI-powered builder in just a few clicks.

Step 5: List Your Work Experience and Achievements

How you list your work experience will depend on the job you’re applying for and the skills you want to highlight. The steps to list your work experience are as follows:

• List your work title
• Include the name of the organization you worked for
• List the employment dates (You can include only the month and year)
• List your location (optional)
• Provide a bulleted list of your top three to six accomplishments

Start With Your Most Recent Work Experience

You should list the most recent work experience first, followed by the rest of your work experience.

Check the example below:

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Work Title 1

Company, City, State Start Date – End Date

• Your recent work experience

Work Title 2

• Your second recent work experience

List Your Work Achievements

Don’t just include your responsibilities on your resume. Instead, highlight the results you’ve achieved. Accomplishments show that you’ve met expectations with your previous employer.

It shows that you’ve exceeded them, which is even more valuable to a prospective employer.

Generally speaking, there are three parts to any professional achievement:

• Using a specific skill
• Achieving a clear, quantitative result or benefit
• Doing specific activities

The ‘What? So What?’ formula provides the quickest and easiest method to describe achievements. It consists of two questions:

• What did I do?
• So what? What was the measurable outcome?

What did I do: Developed inventory software for my company. So what: Saved Company X money, time, and resources. Measurable outcome: Developed a complex inventory software, saving Company X time and money.

Create a List of Bullet Points Tailored to the Position You Want

Even if you’re drafting a general resume, you should avoid using essential bullet points for your work experience. Instead, each bullet point in your work experience section should highlight a different ability or expertise relevant to the position you’re applying for.

You can show that you understand and can meet the employer’s needs by including relevant keywords from the job description in your resume

Start Each Bullet Point with an Action Verb

Use descriptive action verbs at the beginning of each bullet point to highlight your accomplishments in past positions. Some powerful examples of action verbs used to describe your work experience are organized, optimized, and developed.

Tip: try using Harvard Law School’s list of action verbs to get started. Here are a few examples:

Accelerate – “accelerated the growth of my department by bringing in new talent” Anticipate – “anticipated market changes and budgeted for additional expenses” Exceed – “exceeded sales goals by 30%” Generate – “generated additional profits by developing new revenue streams” Initiate – “initiated technical upgrades to improve customer support response time”

Use Numbers in Your Bullet Points

Quantifying your resume describes your work experience with numerical examples to impress recruiters with your abilities. Include in your resume anything that shows how you improved your performance in your previous jobs.

How Much Work Experience Should You Include in Your Resume?

It’s advisable to include the last 10 to 15 years of your work experience in your resume. However, some jobs, especially in the federal government or academia, often require more in-depth work histories.

Going back another 10 years (for a total of 20 years) indicates continuity and, hopefully, career advancement. So it’d be ideal to include your earlier experience.

Any experience of more than 20 years won’t matter to most employers since it’ll usually be your most junior experience.

If you’re applying for a job that doesn’t specifically need more than 10 years of experience, stick to the most recent 10 years.

Step 6: List your Certificates and Awards

To make your job application stand out to potential employers and distinguish you from other candidates, add certificates, awards, publications and other achievements to your resume.

You must understand when and how to mention your certifications and awards on a job application if you have obtained one or more.

How to Include Awards on Your Resume

Add the following details when you list your awards on your resume:

• The name of the award given.
• Date and year received.
• Quantify the size of the award. For example, the number of nominees or the nature of the competition, such as regional or global.
• The purpose of the award and why you won it.

Add your awards in the section of your resume that’s most relevant. For example, list a professional award in the job experience section and a school award in the education section. When you do that, you put the awards in their proper context.

How to Add Certificates to Your Resume

Adding a new section just for your certificates is the simplest and most popular way to include them in your resume. First, add a heading called “ Certifications ” on your resume, and then add entries beneath it. Then list each certification under that subheading, preferably in reverse chronological order. In other words, you begin with the most recent certificate and work your way backward.

How to Add Publications

You can put a bulleted list in your resume’s “Research and Publications” section if you only have a few publications. However, most resumes have an additional page for publications.

• List publications in APA or MLA format. Science and engineering subjects frequently use the APA style ; humanities disciplines like philosophy use the MLA style .
• Beginning with your most current work, list your other publications in descending order until you reach your very first work.
• Leave out any publications that are no longer helpful or relevant to your job or field.
• Include the names of any co-authors in your publication. But make sure to put your name in bold.

Step 7: List Education

Sometimes employers look for candidates with specific degrees, and your resume is the perfect opportunity to highlight your accomplishments in this area.

Regardless of the school you attended, include some list combinations below. But always include your school name and degree obtained:

• Your school’s name.
• Degree obtained.
• Graduation date.
• Your major or field of study.
• GPA if it was above 3.5.
• Achievements, relevant coursework, honors, etc.

Where to Add Your Education on the Resume

When writing your resume, the education part should often appear directly below the work experience section.

However, you can place it below your resume summary when:

• It’s an academic resume
• You graduated recently
• You’re a professional going back to school

If you have little or no experience, place the education section above the experience area. That will focus the hiring manager’s attention on your value to the organization, not your lack of experience. Also, keep the education section concise. It’s one of the shortest sections in the resume.

Step 8: List Top Soft and Hard Skills

Your career skills come in two types: hard and soft skills . Let’s go through their differences.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are measurable, quantifiable abilities that you can teach another person. Here, hard skills refer to the technical abilities required for a specific job. You can learn hard skills in a formal setting, such as a school, an online course, or a book.

Examples of hard skills are computer programming, marketing skills, and accounting strategies.

Soft Skills

Soft skills are also called people skills. They are interpersonal and social skills, professional attitudes, and character traits that benefit the workplace.

Examples of soft skills include the ability to work as a team, to be patient, to manage one’s time effectively, and to communicate effectively. In addition, you can obtain soft skills through life experiences or personality traits.

How to List Soft and Hard Skills On a Resume

You should make a solid initial impression on a prospective employer by emphasizing your resume’s relevant soft and hard skills. The following are helpful tips for describing your hard and soft skills on your resume:

1. Include Your Relevant Hard or Soft Skills in Your Resume Summary.

Make sure your resume summary highlights your most exceptional qualifications.

Put your best abilities front and center in your resume summary. Hiring managers read the first part of your resume. So make sure it highlights the talents they care about most.

However, just mentioning talents in your description isn’t always enough. You should also use percentages and numbers to demonstrate that you know how to use your relevant skills in the workplace.

2. Emphasize Your Hard and Soft Skills Many Times.

You can list your soft and hard skills in your resume’s summary and work experience sections. Recruiters usually use Applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter resumes and assess which prospects possess the necessary skills.

This system treats hard and soft skills as keywords. Then, it ranks applicants based on the frequency with which those keywords appear in their resumes.

3. Refer to the Job Description.

You should always refer to the job description for inspiration when determining which soft or hard skills to highlight on your resume.

In response to a company’s request for a self-starter, your resume could emphasize that you are highly motivated, ambitious, and goal-oriented. Including relevant keywords from the job description in your resume is also a good idea.

Step 9: Add Additional Personal Information

Additional information is any necessary qualifications, skills, or characteristics. It shows that you’re a curious individual with outside passions and can bring a unique energy to the workplace.

It helps if you can relate any extra information to the position you seek. That way, you come off as intriguing and relevant to the interviewer. You can expand your resume with the following sections of information:

Here are some good interests to put: sports (jogging, team sports, yoga, etc.), creative hobbies (writing, design, etc.), job specific hobbies and interests (coding, learning foreign languages, video editing).

• Languages spoken

Here, you can list the languages you speak and mention your level of proficiency: Native, Fluent, Proficient, Intermediate, Basic. Or, if the position you are applying for requires it, add specific certification you’ve received.

• Personal skills

Think of the personal skills you possess that will make you a better candidate for the job you are applying for: interpersonal skills, attention to detail, natural leadership, etc.

• Volunteer or charity work

If you are passionate about certain social issues and are taking action to make a change, your employer may consider you a proactive and committed individual.

• Personal projects

If you are working on a personal project (writing a book, developing a game, learning a language, etc.) that may be related to your work or demonstrates professional qualities that can come in handy in the job you want to get, add this to your resume.

Step 10: Tailor Your Resume For The Job Ad

When a company advertises a job position, they typically detail the responsibilities of the position. They also include the skills and experiences the candidate must have.

A well-crafted resume shows that you have the skills and have successfully applied them to produce desirable outcomes in your previous company.

Tailor Your Resume for ATS

1. use the job description as a guide.

Job descriptions usually contain the position titles and keywords that the ATS searches for. For example, let’s say there’s a job position for an administrative assistant. If your resume doesn’t include terms like “receptionist” or “data entry,” you may get overlooked, even if you qualify.

So use the job description as a guide when crafting your resume for a specific position. Then, rephrase your skills to include the exact keywords on the job ads.

2. Simplify Your Formatting

Headers and footers are good design elements for creating a human-readable resume. The problem is that they can throw off an automated testing system.

Choose a format that’s as straightforward as possible, even if it reduces the amount of content you may include. For example, instead of listing your credentials and language skills in your header, place them in your talents section.

Save the Resume in Word Document

Unless otherwise specified, a Word document is the best format for submitting a resume. However, there’s no guarantee that the ATS can read the document format, whether PDF, Open Office, or HTML. Your formatting may not be preserved even if it can.

Word documents are a tried and true method due to their widespread use.

Step 11: Craft a Convincing Cover Letter

A well-written cover letter can help you get noticed when applying for jobs. In addition, you can highlight your qualifications for the open position at the organization in this quick document. In your cover letter, you can explain how your skills and experience can benefit the organization.

Also read: How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

Who Are You Writing to?

Finding out who you are writing to can help convince them to grant you an interview. In addition, you can find out precisely who will review your cover letter if you invest the time.

If you take the time to tailor the cover letter to the recipient , you’ll make a stronger impact and be able to add more relevant information.

Related: How to Address a Cover Letter. Who to Address?

Recruiters often go through dozens of cover letters before deciding which candidates to invite for an interview. Getting their attention may require you to take an unconventional approach. Try to think of more creative ways to phrase your sentences.

Keep your cover letter free of cliches and other overused phrases. The hiring manager may remember you if you make your cover letter unique.

To read more about cover letters, check out the below guides:

Step 12: Proofread Your Resume

Proofreading a resume is essential when learning how to write a resume. Here are some important points you need to know:

Take Your Time and Read the Resume

Rereading is the first step in resume proofreading, but you should take your time and focus on each word. Our eyes tend to take in large text sections at once when reading. Therefore, you should carefully examine every word and punctuation.

Use a Grammar and Spell Checker to Polish Your Work

Using a spellchecker is a given, but apps like Grammarly can help you avoid typos and enhance your writing’s syntax. However, neither of these methods is 100% accurate. Don’t accept any suggestions the grammar check offers. Instead, look closely and evaluate if you think the suggestion is worthwhile.

Remove Repeated Words

Many resumes contain unnecessarily repeated words that should be deleted. For example, there is no need to repeat the word “skills” three times in your skills section. Some people may use the exact phrases repeatedly without even realizing it.

CV Vs. Resume: What is the Difference?

The main differences between a CV and resume are related to their contents and length.

A resume is a brief 1-2 page document outlining your professional experience and skills.

A CV is a 2-4 page document detailing the history of your academic credentials.

Here’s how a CV and a resume differ:

• Scope: a CV takes an in-depth look at your entire academic career. A resume is a highlight reel of your professional experience and skills.
• Purpose: you need a CV to apply for an academic position or a graduate school program. You need a resume to apply for most other job types.
• Length: a CV is a multi page document — some CVs can be over ten pages in length. The average length of a resume is one page.

Note that in some European countries, the terms CV and resume may be used interchangeably. If you don’t know what document to submit, it’s best to ask the recruiter.

Why Do You Need a Perfect Professional Resume?

Here are the top reasons why you need a professional and well-crafted resume.

Resume Explains Your Relevant Experience and Skills

A good resume explains what you can bring to an organization by outlining your experience and qualifications. It presents your skills and experience in a way easier for hiring managers to digest. That helps them to choose the most qualified candidate.

Effective resumes strategically use color, margins, design, and other formatting elements.

That helps you to showcase important work experience in a way that draws attention to your qualifications and accomplishments.

Show Your Worth to Potential Employers

In addition to listing your experience and skills, a resume should highlight your unique value to the organization. However, there’s a proper way to do it. For example, don’t just say you were the best employee in the sales department.

Instead, say you “increased sales by 10%, bringing the company $200,000 in revenue in one year.” This way, you can show potential employers exactly how much of an impact you’ll have on a similar position in their company.

You can put three or four accomplishments under each experience section if they provide quantifiable data.

The Resume Can Help You Land an Interview

You’ll need a well-written resume if you don’t have a company or a strong reference . So a resume’s primary objective is to get you that interview. That’s why you need to know how to write a resume and be excellent at it.

Top 5 Resume Tips to Help You Land a Job

Here are some of the most effective resume-writing strategies that can help you secure interviews:

1. Include Only Information Necessary for the Job Position

You shouldn’t put every job you’ve ever had on your resume. Likewise, don’t look at your resume as a history of your work experience. Instead, think of it as a marketing document meant to promote you as the ideal candidate for the position you’re applying for.

To increase your chances of getting an interview, you should modify your resume for each job you apply for. That means emphasizing your most relevant experiences and achievements, which may mean excluding previous job experiences.

But keep a list of all the jobs you’ve ever done. We’ll explain more in the next point.

2. Have a Master Resume Close By

It’s a good practice to have a master resume where you keep everything you’ve ever included on a resume. For example, it can include special projects you embarked on, bullet points tailored for different applications, and old positions you’ve held before.

This will make it easy to change the information where necessary, depending on the job you’re applying for. That way, you can copy and paste the appropriate sections from each resume sample to the new resume.

3. Place Important Information “Above the Fold”

You should include your most impressive qualifications, experiences, and accomplishments in the first quarter of your resume. It’ll be the first information the recruiting manager sees, so it should be compelling enough to keep them reading.

That’s why you need to take time and learn how to make a resume that stands out from the crowd. Luckily, this guide gives you everything you need to know. So keep reading!

4. Your Resume Should Be in a Reverse Chronological Order

While the combination and functional resumes are viable options, the tried-and-true reverse chronological structure remains the most effective. This resume format focuses on listing your most recent experience first.

Don’t include a skills section on your resume unless necessary. Otherwise, hiring managers may suspect that you have something to hide.

5. Don’t Go Beyond a Page

Should a resume be on one page? There is some debate on whether a two-page resume is acceptable. But the fact remains that the information should be concise, and keeping your reume to one page is an excellent strategy.

You can also include additional resume pages if you have relevant experience, education, and certifications to highlight. However, if you can give the same information more concisely, do so.

Effective Tools to Help You Create a Professional Resume

You can write a professional resume using a number of free tools. Here are just a few examples:

Google Doc resume templates

Instead of using a standard template in Google Docs , consider using specialized resume templates. While minimal, they are a better choice for building a more professional application.

Canva is a free, easy-to-use graphic design tool. A lot of people use it to spice up their social media content. But Canva also has a number of ready-to-use resume templates that will make structuring and formatting your resume a breeze.

Hemingway Editor

Your resume should be one page long. If you are having trouble keeping things short, use the Hemigway Editor . The software highlights sentences that are too long and helps you structure your text for better readability.

FindMyProfession

FindMyProfession is a professional resume writing service where your application will be in the hands of professional writers. It may be a good resume writing solution for high-level professionals applying for top level positions.

But if you are not at this stage yet, we recommend using professional resume building software like ResumeKit.

Here are a few tips for choosing the right resume builder:

• Use a resume builder that gives you tips and suggestions and takes all the heavy lifting off your hands and mind.
• Go with a service that gets information from LinkedIn if you’re looking for an automated resume generator.
• It’s always good to have some leeway for originality in resume design is a perk of using an online resume builder.

Take the time to choose a resume builder that works for your situation, your target industry, and your writing style, such as ResumeKit . That will give you a far better chance of getting a callback from recruiters.

Final Thoughts

If you want to know how to write a resume, this guide shows you everything you need to know. However, when completing your resume, you should keep the following in mind.

Make sure to double-check for any mistakes before finalizing your resume. If you must save your resume, PDF or Word are the formats to use.

In a PDF, your formatting will be preserved even if you use fonts that aren’t present on the recruiter’s computer. That ensures that your document is displayed accurately.

If the job posting specifies a format for resumes, such as Microsoft Word, then use that format.

2 thoughts on “ How to Write a Resume – The Ultimate Guide ”

I visited a lot of website but I believe this one holds something extra in it in it

Hi! Glad to hear you enjoyed the article. You can also find some resume examples here .

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Resume Writing
• Resume Examples
• Cover Letter
• Remote Work
• Famous Resumes
• Try Kickresume

How to Write a Resume: The Only Resume Guide You’ll Need in 2024

• Kaja Jurcisinova , 
• Updated January 16, 2024 16 min read

Your resume is arguably the most important document you'll create during a job search. So taking the time to learn how to write a resume properly can make a job hunt much quicker and easier.  

What would otherwise take you hours of hard work and research can be done in a few minutes. All you have to do is follow our simple step-by-step guide on how to write the perfect resume. 

In the end, a good resume gives you a chance to make a great first impression and ultimately decide if you'll be invited for an interview. 

What makes a great resume?

• Clear division of resume sections
• Prioritizing relevant information
• Tailored for a specific position
• Typo-free and well-written
• Usage of bullet points

There's more to it, though.

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is a resume?

Before you start writing your resume, how to write a resume, step 1: choose the right resume format, step 2: add contact information and personal details, step 3: begin with your professional summary, step 4: list relevant work experience, step 5: summarize your education , step 6: highlight your soft and hard skills , step 7: add optional resume sections.

• Step 8: Wrap it up with a cover letter 

Final tips before you click “Send”

Let's cover the basics first. Before we learn how to write a good resume, we should know what a resume even is. 

The word resume comes from French, meaning “summary” . This is the perfect word because that’s exactly what a resume is: a short, straight-to-the-point summary that details your professional achievements, skills, qualifications, education, work experience, and past employers. It's also known as a curriculum vitae (CV) .

The aim of a resume is to get invited to a job interview . It should aim to convince an employer that you're a good fit for the job. 

Because of that, your resume should be adjusted and tailored to each job vacancy.

TL;DR Here's a step-by-step video guide on how to write a professional resume in 2024

If you’re already familiar with what should be on your resume and just want a quick and informative recap, or if your time is limited, just check out our 5-minute step-by-step video guide .

Before we move on to how to write a resume, we recommend setting a few minutes aside for research. These few minutes can save you hours of frustration and ultimately make your job search that much easier.

Here’s what we recommend to research before you write your resume: 

• Research the company, specifically the “About Us” page. This is a great place to search for keywords you can use in your resume or cover letter. What are their mission statement and their values?
• Research the position you’ll be applying for. Great resumes are tailored to a specific job opening. You can do this by asking these three questions as you go through the job post: “ What are the essential keywords? What adjectives, nouns, and phrases occur repeatedly? What language does the company use?”
• Discover your strong points , as this will make it easier to pinpoint the qualities you want to highlight in your resume. Ask people around you: “What are my skills and abilities, and what are my weaknesses?” Also, look at your past accomplishments. What were the skills and abilities that helped you succeed in the past?

Another way of preparing for writing your resume is by looking at these well-researched, specifically tailored, and properly formatted resume examples in our database. You can even filter them by your job title.

Not enough time?

Let your resume write itself. All you’ll have left to do is edit the draft.

We'll walk you through nine essential steps to help you create a standout resume.

Different resume formats cater to different types of job seekers, depending on the experience level and career goals. The  three most commonly used  resume formats are chronological, functional, and combination (hybrid).

Your resume should include your contact/personal information right at the top, in a so-called resume header. A resume header is  more than just your name and contact details . Depending on your career path, there's a lot more that can (and should) be included in this section. To find out what to include, what to skip, and how to format it keep on reading.

A professional summary (also called resume profile or resume summary) is a short paragraph that summarizes your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. Think of it as a teaser for the rest of your resume.

This is the most important section of your resume. You need to include key information like : names of companies, locations, job titles, positions held, dates of employment, responsibilities you've had. Then: - list the jobs in reverse-chronological order - write in bullet points - include your quantifiable achievements - avoid buzzwords - use action verbs and keywords from the job description

The education summary section, though important, varies in significance based on your career stage . As an experienced professional, prioritize work history and skills, placing education after. Keep it concise, including university, degree, and graduation year.

Skills fall into two categories: hard and soft. 1. Hard skills are teachable and measurable, acquired through training, and include computer proficiency, language abilities, project management, etc. 2. Soft skills , linked to personality traits, can enhance both work and personal life, encompassing communication, leadership, and time management, among others.

These can include: achievements and awards, certifications and licences, language skills, publications, references, hobbies, social media, volunteering, or custom sections.

A good cover letter should answer the following questions: 1. Who are you?  2. Why are you interested in working for their company? 3. Why are you the best fit for the job opening? 4. How can you enrich their company?

In the following chapters, we look at each step in more detail and give you helpful tips and examples.

Once you know what the company and job require and you’ve identified your strengths and weaknesses, you should be ready to pick the right resume format.  

Make this choice depending on the stage of your career: 

• Are you a seasoned professional ? Then you should pick a resume format that emphasizes your experience.
• Are you a fresh graduate? Then your resume should highlight any transferable skills you’ve acquired during your studies.
• Are you changing careers? Then a combination of the two will produce the best results.

Pick the best option for your career from the three dominant resume formats that are in use today:

• Chronological resume format. Probably the best choice for experienced professionals. Lists the candidate’s jobs and accomplishments in chronological order. Main resume section : Work Experience.
• Functional resume format. Great for fresh graduates, IT professionals, or other skill-based professions. Emphasizes skills instead of experience. Main resume section: Skills.
• Combined resume format . A combination of the previous two.

Let's take a look at what these resume formats look like in practice:

Chronological resume format

Functional resume format, combined resume format.

The resume format you choose will determine how you organize the information on your resume. It will also attract attention to some things and away from others. 

Take time to understand your strengths and weaknesses and choose accordingly.

You want the recruiter to read the strongest and most relevant parts of your resume at the start. For more, check out a guide on how to choose the right resume format .

Your contact/personal information should always be at the top of your resume in a so-called resume header .

Compared to the other resume sections, filling in the contact information section may seem super easy. That's until you start asking more questions.

Should you put your address on the resume? How to include social media , and should you? And what about the date of birth? 

Well, let’s see: 

• Name. Absolutely necessary. Put your first name first and surname last. Middle name is optional.
• Title. Optional. If you’re applying for a position in a traditional or specialized field, it's good to add your Ph.D., MBA, or other titles to it.
• Email address. Absolutely necessary, even when you’re sending your application by email. Your email address should look professional (e.g. [email protected] , NOT [email protected] ). Always use your personal email address, not the email address with the domain of your current employer. 
• Home address. Somewhat problematic. Your neighborhood can say a lot about you in some cases, disclosing living in a certain area can lead to discrimination. On the other hand, if you’re located in the same city as the company, it may help you to get the job, as it saves the company that they'd have to spend on a relocation package (of course, only if the job isn't remote).
• Phone number. Necessary. Many employers will call you by phone to arrange an interview, instead of doing it by email.
• LinkedIn. Recommended. And if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet, consider creating one. Make sure your profile is complete and up-to-date.
• Social media. Optional. Include it only if it’s related to your job. GitHub, Behance, and even your Facebook or Instagram profile will do (if you regularly post content that has to do with your profession). Here are a few tips on how to include your social media . 
• Blog/website. Optional. Similar to social media. If you have a blog , website, or digital portfolio related to your chosen profession, don’t be afraid to show it off.
• Photo. Problematic. It depends on the country. In most English-speaking countries, they don’t add a photo. See this guide to know if you should put a picture on your resume .

Your professional summary should be a list of about 4-5 bullet points or a short paragraph that summarizes your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements.

You can think of it as a teaser for the rest of your resume. Make sure it’s interesting enough to hook the hiring manager right in.

But how do you write a good professional summary?

• Write your professional summary last. It’s surprisingly easy to do if you’ve already finished other sections of your resume.
• The first bullet point should describe your professional title. Don’t forget to add the number of years of experience. Write it in bold if the number is especially impressive.
• Pick the most impressive parts of your resume and rewrite them into snappy bullet points. Tease your potential employer into reading further.
• Pack your professional summary with relevant keywords. Think of ATS. This will help you get through automated pre-screenings.
• Quantify every achievement if possible. This will make you look even more professional. 
• Tie every bullet point to the requirements introduced in the job offer.

If you do everything right, you should end up with something like this:

The work experience section is what most people picture when they think “resume” .

The trick is to focus on your past achievements , not your responsibilities. 

Hiring managers are likely to know what your responsibilities were supposed to be. In most cases, your job title says it all.

If you want to stand out, you should tell them how you excelled in your previous job instead. 

And there’s hardly a more effective way to do that than by mentioning your achievements.

But how do you list your work experience on a resume?

• Put your work experience section in the right spot. If you can boast a lot of professional experience, put your work experience section right under your resume summary. If you don’t have enough experience yet, put it just below your education section. Finally, if you prefer to highlight your skills instead of experience, put your skills section first.
• Give it a proper heading. Keep it simple and stick to “Work Experience” or “Employment History” as other headings might not be understood by applicant tracking systems (ATS) .
• List your jobs in reverse-chronological order. Start with your most recent experience and work your way back from there. Based on your level of experience, decide how far back should your resume go .
• Don’t include the job description. Instead of listing what you were supposed to do, try to tell your potential employers what positive results you had.
• Write in past tense. This will help you focus on your past achievements instead of responsibilities. It also sounds better.
• Show your problem-solving skills. In the end, hiring managers want to know how effective you’re going to be in solving real problems. There’s no better way to show your problem-solving ability than to briefly describe how you solved difficult problems in the past. Follow the PAR scheme: What was the (P)roblem? What (A)ction did you take? What was the (R)esult?
• Quantify results. Hiring managers love measurable results. Because of that, a single number often speaks more than a thousand words. Don’t say that you “increased the company’s revenue significantly.” Instead, don’t be afraid to brag about “increasing the company’s revenue by 20%.”
• Use bullet points. Bullet points help you structure each subsection. Try to limit yourself to about 5 bullets per job.
• Avoid buzzwords. People used some phrases in their resumes so much, these words have become meaningless. Everybody seems to be an out-of-the-box creative thinker with a knack for innovation nowadays. But in reality, only very few people really are those things. See what other 10 buzzwords you should stop using on your resume
• Use action verbs . Unlike buzzwords, action verbs carry the weight you need to persuade an employer to hire you. Just to mention a few, these are words like “developed” , “increased” , “facilitated” and others. For more action verbs, check out our resume cheat sheet .
• Keywords. Reread the job description and carefully pick the most important keywords. These are the words that best describe the position you’re applying for, and that will attract the attention of the ATS system. 

In the end, your work experience section should look a bit like this:

The education summary section is where you list your degrees and relevant academic accomplishments.

Based on your degree and where you're in your career, it can be either the least or the most important part of your resume.

Are you an experienced professional?

Once you become more experienced, the education section takes a back seat to your work history and hard skills.

In other words, your education section should come after your work experience section, not the other way around. It also shouldn't be too long. For instance, your grades are no longer relevant.  

It’s enough if you include the name of your university, the name of your degree, and the year you graduated.

Here’s an example:

Are you a fresh graduate?

Then your degree is still one of the strongest cards you have to play.

In practical terms, it means that you should place your education section at the top of your resume — right between your professional summary and work experience section.

It should also be a bit longer. 

These are the things you should add to your education section if you’re a student or a fresh graduate:

• Academic awards. AP scholar, Duke of Edinburgh award, National Merit Award, President’s Award, school subject-based awards, dean’s list, etc.
• Scholarships. Athletic scholarships, scholarships for women, creative scholarships, etc.
• Academic conferences and symposia. Don’t forget to mention the scope and name of the paper you presented at a conference.
• Relevant student societies. Debating or programming clubs. If you were on a student committee of any kind, mention that too.
• GPA. Only include your GPA if it was higher than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If your overall GPA was lower, mention your overall GPA. Alternatively, mention your summa cum laude or magna cum laude .
• Academic publications. Producing an academic work worth publishing is impressive no matter the context.

In the end, your education section can look like this:

Before you start writing, you should know there are two types of skills : hard skills and soft skills.

1. Hard skills can be learned, taught, and most importantly — measured. Acquiring them requires deliberate effort, training, and time.

Hard skills can be, for instance: computer skills, language skills, manual skills, mathematics, project management, etc.

2. Soft skills are tied to your personality traits. These skills can come as part of your upbringing, or you can acquire some later in life through self-improvement. These skills can bring value to any job, as well as your private life.

Examples of soft skills include: communication, leadership, time management , creativity, decision-making, etc.

But how to make your skills stand out?

• Focus on what’s most relevant. Do you have any of the skills mentioned in the advertisement for your desired job? Good. Make sure to include them in your resume’s skills section.
• Organize your skills into subcategories. Divide your skills section into several subsections like computer skills, soft skills, languages, and others.
• Don’t underestimate soft skills. 67 percent of HR managers said they’d hire a candidate with strong soft skills even if their technical abilities were lacking. On the contrary, only 9 percent would hire someone with strong technical credentials but weak soft skills.
• There are skills you shouldn’t include. Never include any skills you don’t have, skills that have nothing to do with the job, skills everybody should have, or skills that have become obsolete.

Apart from the standard resume sections we just mentioned above, are also optional sections. 

A good rule of thumb is to add an optional section only if it's relevant to the job you're applying for. If done properly, these sections can help you:

• Fill the gap when lacking experience
• Highlight additional skills and expertise 
• Let an employer know more about who you are

Pro tip: Optional resume sections can be especially important to companies that prioritize hiring candidates who fit their workplace culture. 

Here are some of the most common optional sections: 

Technical skills

This section can be a nice addition when applying for (surprise!) technical jobs. 

Some examples of technical skills are: programming languages, software proficiency, project management, and data analysis.

Technical skills are usually measurable, so if you decide to include them in your resume, use a graph or a scale to illustrate how strong they are. Adding visual elements to your resume not only looks nice but also shows your ability to be precise and analytical.

Achievements and awards

Scholarships, competitions, work-related awards, or even promotions to leadership positions in your job — all of these can be considered important professional achievements. 

Either distribute them across other parts of your resume or put them in a dedicated section. The latter allows you to truly highlighted them. 

And if you choose to include them in a separate resume section, don't forget to mention the dates and the name of the company/institution at which you've accomplished the achievement. 

Professional references

In today's competitive job market, strong professional references can be a game-changer. Consider including a ' Professional References ' section in your resume to provide potential employers with easy access to these valuable resources.

How to format references on resume? Here's what you should list for each reference:

• Their full name
• Their current job title and organization
• Their contact details (email and phone number will do)
• Your relationship with them (e.g., Former Supervisor)

Ensure you have their permission and inform them when actively job searching.

Once you decide who you want your references to be, it's time to ask them if they agree. Here's how to ask someone to be a reference via email .

Certifications and licenses

Listing the certificates and courses that you've successfully completed on your resume is never a mistake.

However, keep in mind that they should be related to the role that you're applying for. 

If you'd like to add a certificate to your CV but you're unsure about where to find the best course for you, check out this carefully curated list of the best online courses that will help you to get a job. 

Publications

In this section, you can mention all the relevant conferences, presentations, and written publications. 

This section is most useful if you're working in academia, marketing, or journalism. 

However, include it in your resume also if you're applying for a position that requires you to be an expert on the topic that you've written about.

Volunteering

This section lists your volunteer work . It should be treated similarly to a work experience section. The reason is that whether your work was paid or not, it still translates to real-life experience. 

This is true especially if you find yourself at the beginning of your career. In that case, feel free to place the volunteering section towards the start of your resume. 

On the other hand, if you're a seasoned professional, locate this section more toward the end of your document. 

This is the part of your resume that's the most personal. Here, let a little loose and let your personality shine through. List you hobbies and interests, even the quirky or unique ones.

Hobbies serve as a great way for a hiring manager to see you more as a person and less as just a name written on a paper. They can also break the ice during the interview stage.

Christy's word of advice

Really, it sounds so simple, but one of the best ways to stand out with your resume is to apply for jobs you’re a close fit for. So many people apply ‘just in case they’ll consider me if even I only meet some of the requirements’, then feel deflated when they’re rejected. The company has spent time figuring out exactly what they need and are paying their staff or a recruiter to find that. Look closely at the minimum/essential requirements, apply for jobs you’re a great fit for, and you’ll have much better luck!

Christy Morgan, Resident HR Expert

Step 8: Wrap it up with a cover letter  

Phew! Almost done with how to write a resume. Just a little bit of editing and proofreading, picking the right resume template , and you should be able to click send, right? 

Well, not quite. At least we wouldn’t recommend you sending it —  yet. 

The truth is that resumes are often put aside when not accompanied by a cover letter. It would be a shame if this happened to you, especially after all the time you’ve spent creating it. 

A good cover letter is a way to stand apart from the competition. It’s where you can show your hiring manager you mean business. 

And, if you're fresh out of college or changing career this step-by-step guide on  how to write a cover letter with no experience  will show you what to focus on instead. 

Here are 4 questions to guide you while writing your cover letter: 

• Who are you (professionally)? 
• Why are you interested in working for their company?
• Why are you the best fit for the job opening?
• How can you enrich their company?

When all it’s said and done, your cover letter should look something like this:

Cover letter example

This cover letter sample was provided by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

Want more inspo? Browse another 1,250+ cover letter examples by your profession.

And if you really want a memorable cover letter, we’ve got you covered. In fact, we’re certain it will be the only cover letter guide you’ll ever need . 

• The older the job, the fewer the details. In other words, don’t have 13 bullet points on a job from 5 years ago.
• Use off-peak hours for maximum attention , especially if you’re reaching out to an employer directly. Hiring managers are busy people and you want them to receive your resume when they have enough time to carefully read through it.
• Check your resume for typos. If English isn't your first language, employers might be inclined to overlook any grammatical mistakes that you make in your resume. Typos, on the other hand, are unforgivable. Your computer’s spell-check feature can help you fix that.
• Customize your resume for each job application. Every employer is different. And any hiring manager can tell if you’ve just sent them the same generic resume as to everyone else. So make sure you tailor your resume to each individual employer to increase your chances of getting hired.
• Get the introductory email right. It doesn’t matter that you have the best resume ever if nobody gets to read it. Attach it to an email that catches the employer’s attention from the get-go. Pay particular attention to the subject line that will make them read the full email, including the attachments.

FAQ: How to write a resume

One to two pages is the ideal. If you're at the junior stage of your career, one page is more than enough. Similarly, make sure that your resume isn't longer than three pages (and this may be stretching it already), even if you're a CEO.

Generally speaking, content is superior to form when it comes to resumes. However, a nice design is the first thing that catches the recruiter's attention — and that's precisely what you want. Moreover, if you're looking for a job in marketing, art, or design, the design of your resume naturally becomes your selling point, too.

Typos, being too general and not specific enough, not including relevant information, not using action verbs, and writing about duties instead of accomplishments.

The best format for sending a resume is PDF, as it keeps the visuals of the resume unchanged once the document is opened by the recruiter.

1.  Include standard resume sections.  Contact information, resume summary, work experience, education, skills. 2.  Include optional resume sections.  Awards, references, certifications, publications, projects, etc. 3.  Choose a resume format.  The three standard are: chronological, functional, combination.  4.  Use bullet points.  Use bullet points to make your resume easier to scan and highlight important information quickly.  6.  Think about the  margins .  Strike a good balance between not leaving too much white space and making your resume seem cluttered.  7.  Keep it to  one-two pages .  Unless you have extensive work experience, you should generally aim to keep your resume to one page.  8.  Consistency is key.  In all aspects of your resume, including the spacing, font, margins, etc. 9.  Use a professional resume   template  or layout which helps to structure the information effectively and makes it easy to read. 

Good job, you made it! If you still need more information on how to write a resume. You can go further in-depth in our section-by-section resume guide .

This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Noel Rojo in 2019.

Kaja Jurcisinova is a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

Related Posts

4 easy ways to explain an employment gap on your resume (+resume examples), how many skills to list on resume this is the magic number.

• 11 min read

Share this article

Join our newsletter.

Every month, we’ll send you resume advice, job search tips, career hacks and more in pithy, bite-sized chunks. Sounds good?

Search form

Make a Gift

Department of Economics

• Undergraduate

18 Résumé Writing Tips to Help You Stand Out

By  Allison Pohle

Updated May 11, 2021 2:15 pm ET

• A résumé isn’t just a list of every job you’ve ever had. It should demonstrate your accomplishments.
• Mirror language used in the job posting so your résumé isn’t discarded by an applicant tracking system.
• Use a clean and simple format. 

Companies increasingly  rely on software  to sort through applicants, which is why it is essential to tailor your résumé to ensure it makes the cut. Applicant tracking systems sort, scan and rank applicants by looking for keywords in applications. Although these programs can save time and money for employers, about 60% said such tools cause them to miss some qualified candidates, according to a 2016 survey of 1,200 job seekers and managers by CareerArc, a human-resources technology company, and Future Workplace, a research firm. Here’s how to make your résumé stand out to robots and humans alike. 

1. Highlight your achievements in your résumé. 

A common mistake job seekers make is believing a résumé is a recap of your career, when in reality, it should convey what you have accomplished, says Christy Noel, a career expert and author of “Your Personal Career Coach.” 

“I always say, spend less of your real estate describing your job, and more time describing your results,” says Ms. Noel.  

2. Customize your résumé.

Read over the job posting, and think about the work experience you have had that is most directly relevant to the position you are pursuing. You can leave out some past jobs and internships if the experience you had wasn’t related. Whatever you do: Don’t submit a generic résumé to dozens of postings. “Even if you have the best experience, if your résumé isn’t speaking directly to the position in which you are applying, there is a strong chance you’ll never even get an interview,” says Demisha Jennings, a certified professional résumé writer and founder and owner of She Assists LLC.  

The same applies to your cover letter. It is your chance to provide more detail on how your experience will help you succeed in the job.  Read our cover letter guide  for how to write one that makes you stand out.

3. Decide how to format your résumé.

Most of the time, a chronological résumé will work well for communicating your past experience. But, in some cases, a functional or hybrid résumé might be more appropriate.  Read more about résumé formats here.

4. Make your contact information easy to find.

Include your name, phone number, email address, city and state. It may also be appropriate to include the URL to your LinkedIn profile. You want it to be easy for hiring managers to reach out.

In addition to making it easy to connect with you, it is important to your job search that you grow your network.  Read our networking guide  for tips on how to do so.

5. Consider adding a summary. 

Many résumé templates leave space for an objective statement, outlining career goals, but that approach is outdated, says Ms. Jennings. Instead, consider a carefully worded summary. The summary is often the first place a hiring manager will look, and gives you an opportunity to introduce your skills high up on the page. You can also work in relevant keywords from the job description. “Recruiters are looking for what you can bring to the table and what you’ve done, rather than you saying, ‘I’m seeking a position,’” Ms. Jennings says. 

6. Great résumés should stand out to skim readers.

Most recruiters spend just a few seconds skimming through a résumé—with an average in one study of  7.4 seconds.  

To have the best chance of making an impression, ensure your job titles, company names and dates of employment are easy to read. The sections of your résumé should be adequately spaced, too, says Dana Leavy-Detrick, founder and director of Brooklyn Resume Studio. 

For additional ways to make a good impression on recruiters and headhunters, read  our guide on how to work with headhunters .

7. Make your résumé robot-friendly. 

Structure your résumé to meet the requirements of an applicant tracking system to give yourself the best chance of having it reach an actual human. Ms. Leavy-Detrick suggests the following:

• Optimize keywords.  Use the same words and language that are in the job description. For example, three different companies might describe the same role as “programmer,” “developer” or “software engineer.” 
• Use a straightforward format.  Avoid tables and text-based graphics, which might not get picked up by a scan of the résumé. Sans-serif fonts such as Arial or Helvetica are also best to ensure readability.
• Think about order.  When formatting each line item of work experience, list the company name first, followed by the job location (city, state), your job title, and your start and end dates. Some résumés can get lost if the dates are listed before the job title. 

8. Prioritize relevant keywords. 

Tailoring your skills to include language from the job posting is an important way to let both the applicant tracking system and, eventually, a hiring manager, see how your prior qualifications tie into the job requirements. But just because you have a résumé full of keywords doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get an interview. “The ATS isn’t there to help the job seeker, it is there to help the employer review your skills against their most important qualifications,” says Ashley Watkins, a career coach and résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC. 

9. Craft compelling and concise bullet points.

The goal of a résumé is to list your accomplishments, rather than every duty you performed in the role. Résumé-writing experts recommend including no more than five bullet points per prior job listed. 

• Don’t focus on tasks.  Many job seekers describe what they did every day, such as answering phones or creating marketing materials, Ms. Watkins says. “Simply copying and pasting the job description doesn’t account for the things you did great, that you did above and beyond your peers,” she says.
• Instead, explain what those tasks achieved.  Emphasize your results. Ms. Watkins suggests asking yourself “Did I save [the employer] money? Did I save time? Did I improve a process? Did I build a relationship?” These will help you format your bullet points.
• Use metrics.  Say what you achieved, then contextualize it—with figures if possible. You might not be able to put a monetary value on every accomplishment, but you can frame it by sharing details like the time it took or how many people were involved. “If you raised sales 50% in two months, that means a whole lot more than ‘I’m in charge of sales,’” Ms. Watkins says. 
• Don’t omit accomplishments that aren’t quantifiable.  Not every achievement will have metrics to show success. If there are figures, you might not always have access to them. But that shouldn’t stop you from including them, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. Perhaps you had a positive impact on the culture of an organization, or improved a struggling relationship with a client. These efforts could help to demonstrate your  soft skills.

10. Focus on transferable skills if you lack experience.

If you are applying for a job in a new field or you are an entry-level applicant and don’t have much direct experience, don’t worry. Highlight transferable skills you have developed in the past that will serve you well in the position, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. For example, you could play up leadership skills you developed participating in an extracurricular activity or time-management skills you learned in a prior job.

11. Go beyond your work history, and include all relevant experience.

If you are new to the workforce, or are job-hunting after being laid off, you could also include related experience that was outside of a traditional full-time job, says Ms. Watkins. For example, you can highlight volunteer work, consulting projects or educational training, all as part of making the case for your unique value, she says.

12. Don’t worry too much about gaps in your résumé.

The Covid-19 pandemic economy resulted in many people being laid off or furloughed. Ms. Watkins says the 2020 job market reminds her of 2008, when she worked as a recruiter. The expectation at that time, she says, was that candidates would have  gaps  on their résumés or list more short-term positions. While it isn’t necessary to directly address the gaps in your résumé, you should be  prepared to talk about them in an interview . “The focus should not be centered on the fact that you were furloughed or laid off, it should be focused on you and your skills and what you do that impacts the company’s bottom line in a positive way,” Ms. Watkins says.

While it is common to list the months and years you started and ended positions in the job history section, you could just use years. This will draw less attention to a six- or eight-month gap, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. 

13. Highlight relevant skills.

It is common to  add a skills section to your résumé , outlining expertise relevant to the position. You can include languages you speak, technical skills or courses you have done. If you lack experience, you can also complete some trainings, which you can find on LinkedIn and elsewhere, related to the job you are applying for and add the courses in this section, says Ms. Jennings.

14. Prioritize work experience over education.

The professional experience you have had is often more relevant to the position than your education history, which is why the work experience should be listed first. In the “Education” section, you should list where you attended college, if applicable, or the highest level of education you have attained. If you graduated with honors, you can flag that, but it isn’t necessary to list your GPA.

15. If you are early on in your career, a key résumé tip is to limit it to one page. 

If you are early on in your career, you should limit your résumé to one page. It is OK to start spilling onto a second page after you have eight to 10 years of experience, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. 

16. Add some color for a stylish résumé that sets you apart. 

Your résumé should look clean and professional and you should keep applicant tracking systems in mind when formatting the document. But, if it is appropriate, you can add subtle accents of color in the section headings or in bars that separate sections as a way to differentiate your résumé. Ms. Leavy-Detrick doesn’t overstress the need for good design with her clients. “But it can definitely help,” she says. “When I say design, I don’t mean crazy graphic design. I mean having a polished application,” she says. “Think of it the same way you would coming dressed to an interview, it is part of your presentation, and so many people overlook this on the résumé.”

It may be appropriate to incorporate a more creative and graphic-based layout depending on the field in which you work and where you are applying. If you are applying for a position in a creative field, and you are emailing your résumé directly to a hiring manager, then it can be appropriate to use more designs, says Ms. Jennings. But if you are applying to a large company that uses an applicant tracking system or job portal, she says it is best to avoid using graphics unless you are working with a résumé writer who can help you get your resume through the system.

17. Proofread and double-check the formatting.

You may be eager to send your résumé or submit your application, but you should take the time to first check for typos and grammatical errors. You could also have a friend or family member look over it. When you are checking for errors, be sure to double-check the formatting. Sometimes the spacing can get thrown off when you save the file, so check how it looks as a saved document and, if you can, save it as a PDF before sending. 

18. Make sure the saved file name includes your name. 

Make less work for the hiring manager by including your full name in the file name of the résumé document.

What to read next

• How to Prepare for a Job Interview
• What Questions to Ask During a Job Interview
• Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
• How to Dress for a Job Interview
• How to Write a Thank-You Email After a Job Interview  
• How to Negotiate and Counter a Job Offer
• How to Negotiate Salary for a New Job: The Do’s and Don’ts
• Severance Pay: What It Is and Why You Should Negotiate a Package Before Accepting a Job

Corrections & Amplifications Ashley Watkins is a résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Write Steps LLC. (Corrected on Nov. 20)

Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

Appeared in the November 23, 2020, print edition as '11 Résumé Tips to Help You Get Noticed

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

How to Make a Resume: 11 Easy Steps for 2024

Step 1: Choose Your Resume Format

Step 2: choose a simple resume template, step 3: decide your resume length.

• Step 4: Include Your Contact Information

Step 5: Describe Your Work Experience

When looking for your dream job, chances are others are, too. That’s why you want to make sure your AI cover letter and resume get noticed.

Starting from scratch is time-consuming and can result in improper formatting that won’t pass the initial ATS, which means your document may never reach a human.

Avoid frustration and know your resume will pass the ATS and grab the eye of a recruiter by using our  AI resume builder . By filling in your information, you’ll have a great resume to showcase your talents in a way that’s appealing to recruiters.

You’ll also save yourself time, potentially up to three hours, over using resume templates for Word or Google Docs . Because relevancy is key to employers when skimming these documents, you’ll need a separate resume for each job you apply for. Our resume maker lets you create multiple resumes quickly. 

While a resume should be a marketing tool to land an interview, it’s hard to know where to start. We’ve boiled it down to 11 steps to make it easier and faster to create the perfect resume for the role you want.

Real Estate Agent Resume

Get started customizing your own resume by clicking on this real estate agent resume below:

Resume format  refers to the way you display pertinent information in your document. You’ll want to include contact information, a job title, work history, skills, education and any other information that will show the potential employer not only how your previous employment qualifies you for the job, but how you will be an asset to their company.

The way you set up this information can make it easier or more difficult for the recruiter. There are multiple ways you can format your resume, but there are three styles that are most common among job seekers.

• Reverse-chronological format  is the preferred style for recruiters as it highlights your most recent relevant employment and accomplishments that relate to the new position. It’s also the best format to pass through ATS.
• Functional format  is good if you have little work experience or employment gaps. It’s great for emphasizing skills for an entry-level position, but it can highlight a lack of actual work experience.
• Hybrid format  is a way to show how your transferable skills relate to the new position, which can be beneficial if you’ve switched fields a time or two over the years.

You may be tempted to choose a resume format based on your experience and the type of job you’re applying for. Just remember that recruiters will only spend about seven seconds skimming your resume before deciding if you deserve additional consideration or if you’ll be passed over without reading further to see if you’re a good fit for the position.

While each format has its pros and cons, nearly anyone can benefit from choosing the reverse-chronological format because it’s well known, and recruiters know exactly where to look for specific information, making their job much easier. When potential employers can see that you’re possibly a good fit in a quick skim, they’re more likely to read further.

Understandably, there are times when you might feel that it’s in your best interest to use one of the other popular resume formats. The other two styles may not pass through ATS, they can be confusing for recruiters who are searching for something in particular, and they definitely raise red flags regarding your work history. If your document passes through ATS and the recruiter can’t find what they’re looking for quickly, you can expect that your resume won’t get a second glance as it makes its way to the circular file. That’s why it’s always a good choice to put yourself in the shoes of the recruiter when formatting your resume.

You don’t want all of your hard work creating the perfect resume to go to waste. Even if you have little or no actual job experience, gaps in your career or various fields of work, the reverse-chronological resume format can be made to work to your advantage. Using a resume builder makes it easier to utilize applicable skills from other areas, such as volunteering, internships, military experience, and even hobbies you pursue on a regular basis.

While format is how you present your information, a resume template is a pre-made guide you can use to input your information in the format you choose. It can be tempting to select a template that uses pictures, diagrams, or complex patterns to portray your unique style, but these features just get in the way and won’t make it past the ATS. It’s best to choose a simple resume template as the words you choose will be what sets you apart from other applicants.

Simple doesn’t mean that your resume will look bland and devoid of character. On the contrary, a resume that’s formatted in a simple layout will pass through ATS with ease and will draw the recruiter’s attention to specific areas of focus for enhanced readability.

Our simple  free resume templates  make it easy for you to add or remove information and manipulate sections for personalization without affecting the overall layout of your resume. If you choose to work with a resume template through a word-processing program, like the creative  Google Docs templates  we just designed, making changes can throw everything off kilter, often causing you to have to start from scratch to correct the problem.

While it’s tempting to include as much of your work-related experience and skills in your resume, keep this information to one page [1] . Knowing this from the start helps you consider only relevant information and decide on ways to keep the information short and sweet. Recruiters have a limited amount of time they can spend reading resumes from quite possibly hundreds of candidates, so a one-page resume is generally the best choice.

A one-page resume

However, if you’ve worked in the same field for more than 10 years, you might find you need to use two pages to show a progression in duties and responsibilities in your field. Additionally, if you’re a high-level executive, scientist or professor, you may need additional room to provide enough information for a potential employer to gain a full understanding of how you’re the best candidate for the position. If you must use two pages, be sure that the second page is full for consistency.

You might notice that some employers ask specifically for a resume, a CV or they use resume and CV interchangeably. Whereas a resume is meant to be short and to the point, a curriculum vitae, or CV, is designed to provide more in-depth information. There are a few  differences between a resume and a CV :

Step 4: Include Your Contact Information in a Header

The contact information section is the easiest part to complete, so its importance is often overlooked.

This is the meat of your resume and the part that’s the most important to potential employers. If you’re wondering what type of information to include in your work history section, a good way to get some ideas is to check out some  resume examples  for your field of expertise and years of experience.

When crafting your document, be sure to include specific information from the job ad but only if you actually have that experience. Because the ATS will automatically search for appropriate keywords and phrases, you can readily find what employers are searching for in other resumes and the ad for the job you’re applying for. Also, look at other ads for similar positions to find industry-specific keyword information to include.

What details should I include about my job?

While recruiters may not take time to read every aspect of your previous work history, there’s some information that’s expected to be included in your resume. As with every other section of your document, make sure the spelling is correct and that there are no errors as this can ruin your chances of getting hired.

What do I write in my job description bullet points?

This is the area in your resume where you can get creative to help you stand apart from other applicants. If you simply list your job duties, your resume will look just like those of everyone else. Additionally, if you’re applying for a position with a similar title, the recruiter already knows the job duties for that position. You want to show the potential employer why you should be chosen for the position. You’ll need to provide specific examples that show a measurable impact.

5 ways to quantify your impact

Numbers represent facts that can’t be denied. When you put numbers on what you’ve accomplished, this stands out in the eyes of recruiters and builds your credibility.

What if I don’t have work experience?

If you don’t have any work experience or have just a little under your belt, don’t worry. You’re not alone. There are many cases where you may not have actual paid work experience. If you’re a student or recent graduate, it’s understood that you’ve likely spent your time and focus on completing your studies rather than dividing your time between school and employment. In the same manner, you may be a homemaker or military personnel who is trying to enter or re-enter the job market, or you may be changing fields.

Volunteer work, freelancing, and odd jobs can be set up just like a paid position in reverse-chronological order along with any work history. Include the company name or use self-employed, the job title, dates of service and location.

Other activities or projects are a little trickier to add to the work experience section, so it’s important to include the appropriate information. Start with the project name, the company or who the activity was completed for and the date of the project. Use the list of bullets to describe the project and the role you played. As with other paid employment, quantifiable information stands out more than generalized statements.

Here are some examples: If you completed a successful project using software such as Java, SQL, or Python, you’ll want to describe this when applying for a technical position. Leadership skills are highly desirable and transferrable, so you’ll want to include any team projects that you spearheaded. If you excelled in a public speaking course, this could be relevant for a position where you’ll have a lot of face-to-face interactions with the public.

Begin by making a master list of your activities and projects. Now choose those that fit in with the job you’re applying for. You’ll go back to the master list to make it easier to find what you need when applying to other positions. Get inspired with more ideas by looking at  resume samples  like the one below that focus on projects and other types of experience.

Projects-based Resume Example

Step 6: Add Your Skills

The skills section lets you showcase the abilities that make you a perfect match for the job. When considering  skills for your resume , only include those hard and soft skills that are relevant to the job position you’re applying for. The posted ad will most likely let you know at least some of the skills that the company is seeking in an applicant, so you can start with those. If there’s not enough information, look at similar job ads from other companies to fill in the gaps. Better yet, call the company and ask directly. Who knows? You may speak with the job recruiter, making a solid first impression through your initiative to do a little sleuth work.

Hard skills include your know-how and experience that are specific and quantifiable. Soft skills, on the other hand, are those you develop yourself through life experiences. Some hard skills you might want to include involve any software or technical skills you may have, such as bookkeeping, scheduling, content management systems, UX/UI design, foreign languages, data analysis, or even your typing speed. Soft skills employers find desirable consist of time management, leadership, active listening, communication, responsibility, and problem-solving.

Only include skills you actually have. For example, if the job ad states you must be proficient in Jira, don’t include this if you’ve only dabbled in it. You may have to complete a skills test as a part of the interview process, or you could be fired if you’re found out.

Rather than stretch the truth, consider taking online courses or refreshers to stay current with the latest trends. If you don’t have enough of the skills the company is seeking in the job posting, it’s probably wise to look for a position requiring more of the talents you possess.

Step 7: Include Your Education and Certifications

Your education and degrees should be listed in reverse-chronological order just like your work history. If you’ve completed higher education, there’s no need to add high school. Begin with the program name or degree obtained, followed by the name of the institution, the city and state where the institution is located, and the dates you attended. Alternatively, you can just use the year you graduated.

You can include your education even if you’re still in school. Follow the graduation date with “expected” or “anticipated” in parentheses. If you didn’t finish your education, whether high school or college, simply list “years attended” followed by the dates. College coursework you’ve completed that’s related to the position can be listed as well if you’re a recent grad.

Optionally, if you’ve recently graduated, you may wish to add a minor, your GPA if it’s 3.2 or higher, honors, achievements, projects, publications, or extracurricular activities if any of this information is relevant to the position or if you don’t have much in the way of work experience. This extra information gives recruiters more information on why they should choose you over other candidates.

Any certifications or licenses you hold should go in this section if they’re relevant to the job. This is a good opportunity to make sure your certifications and licenses are up to date. Because they vary from state to state and even between different companies within the same field, make sure you don’t disqualify yourself from the position by letting your certifications or licenses lapse.

Step 8: Decide Whether to Include an Objective or Summary

The resume objective or summary can either make the recruiter want to continue reading or pass you over for another applicant, so it’s important to capture employers’ eyes quickly with this section.

It’s best to save the objective or summary until after you’ve written your job bullet points, skills, and education sections, so you can draw information from these. Be sure to select appropriate keywords and phrases to use in the introduction to tie everything together into the position you want. Use the job description to decide on the specific wording combined with your expertise to make it easier for recruiters to make a match. Take a look at some  resume objective examples  or  resume summary examples  to inspire you.

Step 9: Decide Whether to Add Other Resume Sections

Now that you’ve completed the bulk of your resume, it’s time to really stand out. There are some additional resume sections you can add to emphasize your qualifications for the position.

You’ll want to include additional sections if you have limited work experience, are currently in school or recently graduated, are applying in a highly competitive field, or need to provide more information to show how you’re qualified for the job. Additionally, other sections can be used as a way to fill up excessive white space for a more balanced appearance for your resume.

While it can be tempting to include as much additional information as possible, you don’t want to stuff your resume with unnecessary information. Not only does this crowd your document and make it look messy, but it also makes it difficult for recruiters to sift through. Carefully work through any additional sections you’re considering when  outlining your resume , so you can be sure you’ll strengthen what you’ve already included in as further proof that you deserve the position.

Step 10: Tailor Your Resume for the Job

It can’t be stated enough: You must tailor your resume to the specific position that you’re applying for. Don’t forget to search the job description for keywords that you can use in your previous employment bullet points, skills section, and resume objective or summary. You may even need to change your wording in the education and additional sections so they fit.

It’s important to write your resume for the position you want as listed in the job posting to make sure you pass through ATS and then draw the recruiter’s attention once the document reaches human eyes. Even if you’re applying for a single position across the board, you’ll need to create a new resume for each different company because they may all have different requirements and keywords. While this may seem like a lot of work, you don’t want it to look like you’re sending out mass-produced documents to just anyone and everyone.

At this point, you’ll also want to consider the type of field you’re in. If you’re applying to a highly professional position, you’ll want to keep your wording in line and focus on your expertise. Choose a traditional layout for your resume. However, if the position is with a casual startup in its early stages of operation, you can likely include more creativity because the recruiter may be looking for someone innovative and imaginative. In this case, choosing a more modern layout can help you stand out above other applicants.

Make sure your resume fits the bill by using our  free resume checker . You’ll get valuable information and tips on how to improve your document to help you stand out.

Takeaway : Create multiple resumes. Since you’ll need a document that’s specifically tailored to get noticed, you’ll want a separate one for each position you’re applying for.

Step 11: Triple-Check for Spelling and Grammar

Your resume is a snapshot of you and your abilities. Make sure there are no errors. Proofread your document; then, do it again. Set it aside for a while or overnight, and come back to it to check for errors a final time. It’s wise to have a friend, coworker, or family member go through it as well. It’s hard to catch your own mistakes, especially after you’ve spent so much time writing and rewriting your document.

If there are errors, recruiters may assume you’ll make even more mistakes on the job. It’s imperative to put yourself in the shoes of hiring personnel. They have to look through potentially hundreds of resumes for each position, perhaps reading the same information over and over again. They’re looking for any reason to say no rather than yes just to reduce their workload. Don’t let spelling or grammatical errors give them that reason.

As an added benefit, you can choose one of our resume templates or use our resume builder to take the guesswork out of the format and layout for your document. You can easily make changes without messing up the appearance of your entire document. Once again, take advantage of our AI-powered  resume tool  to help you make the most of active voice, verb choice, quantifying your impact, and consistency, so you can quickly proofread your material.

How to Write a Resume in 2024

Writing a resume in 2024 is much different than in years past. Instead of creating a single document that you personalize with a cover letter, recruiters want to see that you have what they’re looking for with a quick skim. Additionally, ATS will search for relevant keywords, so it’s vital to tailor your resume to each specific position by looking at the job posting, similar positions, and completed resumes within your field.

Take a look at how to write each section of your resume, and be sure to include all of the necessary information. If anything is lacking, your resume could end up in the recycle bin before it’s even fully read by a recruiter. In the same manner, don’t add irrelevant information because it detracts from what’s important. Keep your resume to a single page.

Do your research. Specific keywords and phrases can determine if you get past the initial scan or not. The actual job posting contains valuable information that you should use to your advantage. Consider your experience that’s not related to paid employment for additional emphasis or if your work history is sparse. Always be honest with your abilities and what you’ve done because recruiters will check.

Find ways to stand out over other applicants with a simple resume design. You can use a premade template, but choose one that’s easy to personalize. To avoid layout blunders when making changes or passing through ATS, our resume builder will keep everything in its place. Finally, proofread your document. Get help from a third party, and use a  resume checker .

[1] The Muse. (2016, August 10). 20 Basic Resume Writing Rules That’ll Put You Ahead of the Competition.  Forbes .

[2] Caine, A., Gal, S. & Akhtar, A. (2020 November 19). We asked a career expert to build the perfect resume. Here’s a template you can use to update your CV and land a dream job.  Business Insider .

[3] Gallo, A. (2014, December 19). How to Write a Resume that Stands Out.  Harvard Business Review .

[4] Sweetwood, M. (2016 April 19). 13 Social Media Power Tips for Getting the Job You Want.  Entrepreneur .

[5] Jackson, A. E. (2018 October 22). 21 Words to Never Include in Your Resume.  Glassdoor .

What to Put on a Resume in 2024 (with Examples and Tips)

If you have ever written a resume, you have probably found yourself wondering whether or not you are including the right information. There are many elements that make up a strong resume and several formats to choose from. In this guide, we will help you determine exactly what to include on your resume in 2024!

What are the different types of resume formats?

The first step to deciding what to put on your resume is to choose a resume format .

Different formats serve different purposes. The 3 basic resume formats are:

1) Reverse-Chronological

‍ The reverse-chronological resume is the most standard resume format and hiring managers will generally expect to see resumes this way. This type of resume focuses mainly on showcasing your work experience .

Applicants list their most recent and relevant job first. This is then followed with previous jobs in reverse-chronological order to help show your career history & progression.

2) Functional ‍

The functional resume is the preferred format for applicants with little to no experience . Rather than focusing on work experience, this format emphasizes other sections such as your skills or education.

‍ A hybrid resume combines elements from both the reverse-chronological and functional formats. This works best for applicants who may have some work experience but not enough to fill an entire resume.

There is also an alternative to the resume known as the Curriculum Vitae , more commonly called the CV, which slightly differs from a traditional resume.

In the United States, a CV is primarily used for job applications in the fields of science and academia.

This type of document is much longer and more in-depth than the standard resume as it focuses heavily on achievements , skills and other relevant information like degrees, publications, coursework and certifications.

CVs are also the standard format used in international locations, especially in Europe. For applicants applying to jobs outside of the U.S. and Canada, creating a CV will be a necessity.

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

Which formats work best for different types of roles?

Generally speaking, you will want to use a reverse-chronological resume whenever possible.

Hiring managers and employers are not accustomed to seeing functional and hybrid resumes as often. This can be off-putting as it may not immediately meet their expectations especially if it isn't relevant for your background and the role.

However, you can absolutely make a functional or hybrid resume work in your favor. The key is to tailor every resume you write to fit the parameters of the specific job.

If you are applying to an entry- or intermediate-level job, you can use any of the 3 basic resume formats. Once you begin applying to higher-level jobs, then you may want to consider switching to a multi-page or CV format.

Check out our guide on How to Write a Two-Page Resume for more information on when and how to use a multi-page format. ‍

What do I need to add to a resume?

A standard resume should always contain the following key sections:

• ‍ A Personal Header: This will include your name and contact information.
• ‍ Work Experience: An overview of your past jobs and professional experiences. ‍
• Education: The level of education you have completed and any degrees earned.
• ‍ Skills: Any skills or proficiencies that make you especially qualified for the job.

These four elements make up the basic framework of a resume. However, there are several additional sections you can include as well, such as objectives, certifications or awards. ‍

What do I include in the key sections of a resume?

In this section, we will provide you a clear breakdown of what information to put in each section of your resume.

We'll also cover additional sections to consider including to make your resume stand out even more.

1) Personal Header

Your personal header introduces you to the employer. This is where you will list your name and contact information on your resume .

There are 5 key pieces of information to include within a personal header on your resume:

• Your Name = e.g. "John Smith"
• Your Phone Number = e.g. "(212) 123-4567"
• Your Email Address = e.g. "[email protected]"
• Your Website = e.g. "easyresume.io"
• Your Location = e.g. "Brooklyn, New York" Read our guide on how to include your location or address on your resume . ‍

You may be wondering. Should you include your LinkedIn Profile?

Yes, and if you have not taken the time to optimize your LinkedIn profile, we recommend doing so.

LinkedIn is particularly helpful for applicants who are new to the workforce and are looking to network with other professionals, and most hiring managers will see this as a proof of your credentials.

Depending on the position you are applying for, it may also be useful to include links to your other professional social media accounts. LinkedIn and other social media platforms can serve not only as networking tools but as online portfolios as well.

For example, if you're a wedding photographer , you may want to include a link to your Instagram or Pinterest page.

2) Work Experience

Your work experience section is where you will detail your past roles and responsibilities. It includes your:

• Job Title (Position) = e.g. "Server"
• Company = e.g. "The Olive Garden"
• Start Date = e.g. "June 2020"
• End Date = e.g. "March 2021" (or "Present" if it's your current job)
• Location = e.g. "New York, NY"
• Work Responsibilities &  Achievements = e.g. See the following: • Organized the weekly staff schedule for a staff of over 20 servers • Completed daily bookkeeping using QuickBooks • Addressed customer questions and complaints with compassion and efficiency

When crafting this section, there are 3 key factors to keep in mind:

A) Relevance

How relevant are the jobs you are including to the job you are applying for? Are there keywords or skills you can emphasize that help to relate them more directly?

B)  Timeliness

‍ How recently did you hold the position you are including? Do you have any very recent jobs that you can include?

C) Longevity

‍ How long did you hold your previous positions for? Do you have any examples of jobs you stayed at for a long time?

What if you have no relevant or limited work experience?

If you have limited work experience, you may need to include entries that are not as relevant as you would like. In this case, find ways to tie your role and responsibilities back into the new position you are applying for.

You want to make your job entries as relevant as possible to the job you are applying to.

In this example, imagine the applicant is applying for a role as an office assistant . Their most recent job was a position of a shift-lead at a restaurant.

The following would be incorrect:

Shift Lead , The Olive Garden New York NY • June 2020 – March 2021 • Served over 10 tables at a time, providing excellent customer service • Determined when to send other staff members home • Led opening and closing tasks for the restaurant

Why is this wrong? Well, although each of these descriptions may be true, they do not highlight the applicant’s transferable skills.

The goal should be to emphasize how their role as a shift lead gave them the skillset to be an office assistant.

Here's a correct way of doing this:

Shift Lead , The Olive Garden June 2020 – March 2021 ‍ • Organized the weekly staff schedule for a staff of over 20 servers • Completed daily bookkeeping using QuickBooks • Addressed customer questions and complaints with compassion and efficiency

In this corrected example, you can see that the applicant has highlighted their most relevant skills and responsibilities.

The role of Shift Lead may not be directly related to the role of Office Assistant. Yet, the applicant has made it relevant by emphasizing their management and office duties within the restaurant.

Your work experience section is one of the most crucial elements of your resume. Get extra help crafting this section with our guide on How to Describe Work Experience on a Resume in 2024 !

3) Education

Unless you are writing a CV, you will want to keep your education section as short and concise as possible.

The key pieces of information to include in this section are:

• Your school or university   = e.g. "Georgetown University"
• Your degree (when applicable) = e.g. "BFA, English" ‍
• Your dates attended (when applicable) = e.g. "Georgetown University"

You'll want to add your highest level of education that you've received, this can be a college or university.

However, even if you lack higher education, it is still important to include this information. Omitting an education section altogether may seem suspicious to hiring managers.

Applicant Tracking Systems look for education sections on a resume. Excluding this section could worsen your chances of having your resume approved by ATS software. You can learn more about adding your education on your resume in our helpful guide .

Continue reading to see how to properly format an education section on a resume:

In this example, the applicant is currently in college. They need to relay to the employer when they will graduate and in what degree program

This would be an incorrect way of showing this:

Education I am currently a student at a local university in Chapel Hill, NC. I will graduate later this year with a double degree. My current GPA is a 3.5 and I am a part of the Honors Society.

Why is this wrong? When writing your education section, it's important to be as specific as possible and to list out your details so it's easy to read. You always want to include the exact name of the university and the date you will be graduating. Additionally, you should use bullet points to organize your information.

This is a more correct way of formatting your resume:

Education ‍ University of North Carolina Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC Expected Date of Graduation: May 15, 2021 • Bachelor’s Degree in Business; Double-Major in Business and Finance • Cumulative GPA: 3.6 • Member of the Honors Society

A quick note on GPAs. Typically, you should only include your GPA if the employer has specifically requested it or its higher than a 3.5 average. Otherwise, it may be unnecessary information that takes up space and won't significantly help your case.

4) Skills and Proficiencies

Your skills and proficiencies section will vary in size depending on what format you have chosen.

In a reverse-chronological resume, the skills section will be smaller and more succinct. In a functional or hybrid resume, this section may be larger and more emphasized.

The key to creating a strong skills section for your resume is to focus on both hard and soft skills.

Hard skills are quantifiable proficiencies, such as the ability to use programming languages.

Soft skills are more abstract proficiencies, such as the ability to communicate clearly or work well in a team.

Here are a few examples of Hard Skills:

• Copywriting
• Bilingual in English and another language
• Programming Languages (Python, JAVA, etc.)
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Cybersecurity
• SEO Marketing

Here are a few examples of Soft Skills:

• Time Management
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Networking Skills
• Problem-Solving
• Independence

Additional Sections to Include

If you do not have enough work experience or skills to fill an entire resume, you may need to add in some extra sections.

Additional sections that are good to consider adding include:

A) Resume Objective or Summary

‍ 1-3 sentences that outline the job title you are seeking and your career goals. Place this below your personal header. Read our guide on adding your resume summary .

B) Achievements and Awards

Listing key achievements on your resume can be a great way to signify your effectiveness as a teammate. You can do this by showcasing academic or work-related accomplishments. Examples include awards such as Employee-of-the-Month or inclusion on a Dean’s List.

C) Certifications ‍

It can be helpful to include relevant certifications you earned through supplemental training.  Some jobs may even require specific certifications for applicants to qualify for the position.

D) Unpaid Experience

‍ Unpaid experiences can include volunteer work, community service, and internships . These are great to include when you lack more professional work experience . ‍

E) Hobbies ‍

Adding hobbies and interests on your resume can help to humanize you more to employers. They also can give hiring managers more to ask you about during an interview to get a sense of your personality.

What should I not include in my resume?

There are a few pieces of information that you should generally omit from a resume. These include: ‍

1) Full Mailing Address

‍ Physical addresses are no longer a staple of resumes. This is because employers will contact you primarily through phone or email. Read our article on Should I Put My Address on My Resume? for more information on when and how to include an address on your resume.

2) References

‍ Including references on your resume can take up a lot of space and be distracting. Wait for the employer to specifically request references before providing them. See our guide to learn when it is an appropriate time to include references on your resume .

3) Personal Social Media Accounts

‍ Never include your personal social media accounts. It is a good idea to keep personal accounts private while job hunting.

4) Multiple Phone Numbers

Including more than one phone number is not necessary. Include only the number you use the most often and be ready to answer the employer’s call!

5) Unprofessional Email

Many of us have personal email accounts with custom usernames. However, if your email is [email protected] , that will likely turn an employer off.

Use only professional emails on your resume, like [email protected] ‍

What do I include in my resume if I’m a first-time job-seeker or have little experience?

Writing a resume without work experience can be tough.

The key to overcoming this challenge is to use a different resume format that shifts the focus away from employment history like we mentioned earlier in this article.

As a first-time job seeker or someone with limited experience, you will want to focus much more heavily on your skills, education, and certifications so you choose a functional resume format.

Also, if you are still currently in school, make sure to mention this on your resume. You may even want to create a larger education section that details your academic accomplishments.

Need extra help writing a resume with minimal work experience? Read our guide on How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience (with Examples). ‍

Final Takeaways

When writing your resume, it is important to include all the best information about yourself.

Here are 5 key takeaways on what to include on your resume:

• Always tailor your resume to fit the job you are applying for
• Choose a resume format that will best fit your needs and experience level
• Include both hard and soft skills within your skills section
• Omit overtly personal information, such as personal social media accounts
• Always use bullet points to make your key sections more organized and readable

Easy Resume is here to help you create the perfect resume. Be sure to take a look at our entire collection of free guides and career advice for even more examples and tips!

Browse more resume templates that fit your role

Ed is a co-founder of Easy Resume. His background in scaling teams at tech startups over the last decade has given him extensive experience and knowledge around how to hire top talent and build successful teams. He enjoys mentoring, coaching, and helping others reach their career goals. When he's not writing about career-related advice, he's playing with his dog, Lilo, or going on long hikes in upstate New York.

Get inspired with more resume examples

More advice that will accelerate your career path, 15+ key healthcare skills to list on your resume in 2024 (with examples).

Healthcare is a massive and important industry that contains all sorts of professionals. To land a job in healthcare, you must understand what relevant skills employers are searching for. In this guide, we will cover key healthcare skills to include on your resume and why doing so is so important.

15+ IT Skills to List on Your Resume in 2024 (With Examples)

IT is a massively growing industry with tons of potential for professional growth. It’s no wonder why so many applicants are flocking to these jobs! In this guide, we will cover what IT skills are and offer you examples of some of the top skills to include on your resume.

50+ Key Technical Skills to List on Your Resume in 2024 (With Examples)

Including technical skills on a resume is an absolute necessity. These types of skills show employers your quantifiable qualifications. In this guide, we will cover exactly what a technical skill is and some of the best examples to include on a resume.

20+ Key Computer Skills to List on Your Resume in 2024 (With Examples)

With the world becoming more digitally focused, having strong computer skills is more important than ever. In this guide, we will cover what computer skills are and which ones are best to include on your resume.

Read our how-to guides on making your resume perfect

How to write a resume header.

Your resume header is the very first thing an employer will see. Not only does it need to contain the correct information, but it needs to stand out as well! In this guide, we will teach you how to write the ideal header for your resume.

How to Write Your Resume in Reverse-Chronological Order

When setting out to write the perfect resume, choosing a format is an important decision. Reverse-chronological resumes are the standard format, so knowing how to craft one is key! This guide will teach you how to write the best reverse chronological resumes.

How to List Contact Information on Your Resume in 2024

Learn how to format contact information on your resume and what information to share with the hiring manager.

How to Write a Two-Page Resume (with Examples & Tips)

Don't know whether you should write a one-page or two-page resume? Find out when it is appropriate to write a two-page resume and learn how to write it correctly.

Professional resume templates to help land your next dream job.

Facebook • Twitter • Linkedin • Pinterest • Crunchbase

Resume Templates

Resume samples

Create and edit your resume online

Generate compelling resumes with our AI resume builder and secure employment quickly.

Write a cover letter

Cover Letter Examples

Cover Letter Samples

Create and edit your cover letter

Use our user-friendly tool to create the perfect cover letter.

Featured articles

• How to Write a Motivation Letter With Examples

How to Write a Resume in 2024 That Gets Results

• Teamwork Skills on Your Resume: List and Examples
• What Are the Best Colors for Your Resume?

Latests articles

• How To Add a Promotion on LinkedIn: Steps and Example
• The Highest Paying Blue-Collar Jobs Offer Stability, While Nearly 300,000 Layoffs Are Blamed on AI
• How To Prepare Your Resume for a Promotion in 2024
• The Essential Guide To Giving Two Weeks’ Notice in 2024

Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

A new year always brings with it new changes and the hiring market is no exception.  Writing a resume in 2024  requires a different approach to previous years for a number of reasons.

If you are looking for a new job this year, a  refreshed resume  is a must. This is true no matter when and why you’re re-entering the job market. However, if a long period of time has passed since your last application, it’s a good idea to  get up-to-date with the latest trends .

This article explains what your resume should include in 2024. It looks in detail at all  tips and tricks  you’ll need to keep your profile relevant and to navigate some of the new quirks of the hiring process in this new decade.

Use a Resume Statement Instead of An Objective

Resume Objectives were once the mainstay of successful resumes. However, times change and fashions wane. An objective simply  doesn’t pack the same punch  that it used to in the past.

Indeed, it’s out with objectives and instead in with  Resume Statements .

A resume statement differs from an objective as it focuses more on where you’ve been rather than where you’re going. It provides a  quick summary of the candidate  and allows you to signpost some of your most impressive features front and center.

Objectives differ slightly from this as they examine your goals and explain why you’re eager to get the job. This can have some value, especially if you’re a more inexperienced candidate. However, it focuses too much on  what you want rather than the needs of the company .

A summary statement, on the other hand, gives the recruiter  the information they want and need upfront . It details the most important work you’ve done, your background and one or two noteworthy skills that you have.

Optimize Your Document for Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence’s role in the hiring process is very much a fact of life in today’s world. According to Forbes, around 98% of Fortune 500 companies and  75% of employers self-report using Applicant Tracking Software  (ATS).

When you write your resume, you must prepare for the fact that it will be  assessed by an algorithm  before it even reaches a human hiring manager. If you fail to optimize properly you will get cut from the process immediately.

There are only a few important tricks to  beating ATS , these include:

• Using a good number (but not too many) keywords on the page
• Avoiding spelling and grammar mistakes
• Not cluttering the template with custom graphics and fonts
• Submitting your document in the right file format

It’s because of this many of our templates are designed the way they are. They have been created to get around these filters and to be  easily machine-readable . They also can be downloaded in optimized PDF and .TXT formats to give you the best chance of getting to the interview stage.

Keep The Template Design Clean and Simple

As we’ve just seen, keeping things simpler is important. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add a little  touch of flair to the design.

The critical thing to remember is that  less is more . You shouldn’t overdesign the document as this will make it harder to read and could also make it harder for machines to process.

Some of the best tips to follow include:

• Using neutral colors
• Writing in size 12 text
• Choosing an easy-to-read font like Times New Roman or Arial
• Balancing the text-to-white-space ratio
• Sticking to 1-2 pages in length
• Replacing long paragraphs with bullet-point lists

Show off Your Most Up-To-Date Certifications

If 2024 is the year that you finally go for your ideal job, adding some of your  new and improved skills will be essential . As workers, we’re always developing and in some industries not having the right and most recent certifications can be a real set-back.

This will be especially important if you work in a  technology-driven industry  like IT, Web Development or if you have a career in public health or pharmaceuticals. These sectors need candidates to show that they’ve been keeping up with development trends and new discoveries.

Make sure examples of these appear in the resume’s  education section . If possible, ensure to  show that they are in date  and fully cover the necessities of the job at the present time. You may need to provide evidence of these certifications later.

Quantify Everything

KPIs are the  not-so-hidden gems  of an effective resume. When you’re applying for a new job remember to back all your work experience and skills up with evidence.

Writing KPIs on your resume  is a particularly important step to quantifying your performance over the years. These will show the employer reading your document  how your abilities turned into measurable results .

This can be either as percentages, revenue numbers or simply numbers of units made or sold. However, they need to be on the page  if you want to see results  from your document.

As you can see, building a resume for the 2024 job market is about  smaller optimizations  rather than a grand overhaul. However, putting time, as well as care and attention to your document is worthwhile in the long run.

ResumeCoach can help you take some of the effort and time out of creating an amazing personal profile. Choose from optimized templates and take advantage of  user-friendly design tools  to take your application to the next level.

Struggling with Resume Writing?

Ease the process with our templates

Related Posts

How to Write an MBA Resume

Read Time Estimate: 9 minutes

August 29th, 2024

Are you ready to head off to your university of choice and obtain your MBA? It’s not as easy as you may think. For the fall of 2023, the average acceptance rate was 49.7% among 124 universities that provided data, and your chances of getting accepted decrease as you apply to tougher programs. 

However, that doesn’t mean you should give up hope. It does mean that you need to hit the ball out of the park with your MBA resume. 

It’s not as simple as just throwing some data on a Word document, so join us as we explore crafting MBA resumes. 

What’s the Difference Between an MBA Resume and a Traditional Job Resume?

An MBA resume differs significantly from a traditional job resume. While both highlight your skills and experiences, an MBA resume is tailored specifically for business school applications. It focuses on the following and more:

• Academic achievements
• Leadership roles
• Professional growth

In contrast, a traditional job resume emphasizes work experience and accomplishments related to specific positions. For MBA degree applicants, showcasing your potential as a future leader is key.

How Important Is an MBA Resume?

An MBA resume is crucial for anyone looking to elevate their career. It’s your first impression and can set the tone for future opportunities. Admissions committees sift through countless applications, so yours needs to stand out.

Your resume for MBA programs showcases your work experience and your potential as a leader and innovator. A well-crafted MBA resume highlights relevant skills and achievements that demonstrate why you’re an ideal candidate.

It also helps with networking; prospective employers often request resumes during informational interviews or recruitment events. Your MBA resume is a tool that can open doors to conversations about exciting opportunities ahead.

Is it Okay to Use AI to Help Write an MBA Resume?

AI is a hot topic right now, and some people may recommend having programs like ChatGPT write your resume for you. There’s no denying that using AI to help craft your MBA resume can be a valuable tool. 

It offers suggestions for wording and structure that can elevate your presentation. Many candidates find it helpful in brainstorming or overcoming writer’s block.

However, it’s essential to remember that personal touch matters. An AI-generated resume may lack the unique insights into your experiences and achievements that only you can provide.

Make sure any content generated accurately reflects your voice and brand. Use AI as a supplementary resource rather than a crutch, and allow your personality to shine through in every line of text. Balancing technology with authenticity is key to standing out.

What Should You Include in an MBA Resume?

Now we’re really digging in. We know that an MBA resume is important and that it’s not the same as a job resume. However, knowing what to include in your MBA resume is also important. 

Some of our recommendations include the following: 

• The Basics 
• Job Experience 
• Skills and Rewards
• Volunteer Experience

Let’s explore each of these areas more in-depth. 

The Basics:

When crafting your MBA resume, start with the basics. Clearly include your name and contact information at the top. Make it easy for admissions committees to reach you.

Next, choose a professional format that highlights your accomplishments without overwhelming details. A clean layout helps with readability and allows key points to shine through.

Keep the length to one page if possible. Admissions officers often skim resumes due to time constraints. You’ll capture their attention quickly by maintaining brevity while showcasing what makes you stand out as an MBA candidate.

If you have extensive experience or accomplishments, you can go to two pages. However, do so with caution. 

Job Experience:

Highlighting your job experience is crucial for an MBA resume. The job experience section showcases your professional journey and the skills you’ve gained. Include relevant positions that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.

Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities clearly and concisely. Focus on achievements rather than just tasks. This gives a more vivid picture of your contributions. For example, mention if you led a project that increased sales or streamlined processes.

Remember to tailor this information to align with the MBA programs you’re interested in. Emphasizing experiences related to business management will make your resume stand out even more!

When detailing your education on an MBA resume, start with your most recent degree. Clearly include the following information:

• Institutions name
• Degree type
• Graduation date 

If you graduated with honors or earned a notable GPA, be sure to include that. Also, mention any relevant coursework or certifications you have completed. Highlighting specialized courses can demonstrate your commitment to advancing in particular business areas.

For candidates with advanced degrees, it’s often best to keep undergraduate details brief. Just listing your degree and major can suffice unless something exceptional is worth showcasing, like leadership roles or impactful projects during that time.

Skills and Rewards:

Focus on both hard and soft skills that are relevant to the business world. Think about what makes you unique and sets you apart. This could include the following and more:

• Leadership abilities
• Analytical prowess
• Exceptional communication skills 

Don’t forget to include any awards or recognitions you’ve received. These accomplishments speak volumes about your dedication and capabilities. Whether it’s a scholarship, an employee of the month award, or accolades in competitions, showcasing these achievements adds credibility.

Volunteer Experience:

Including volunteer experience on your MBA resume can set you apart from other candidates. It showcases your commitment to community service and leadership skills. Admissions committees value applicants who demonstrate a well-rounded character.

When detailing your volunteer work, focus on roles that highlight transferable skills relevant to business settings. For instance, managing a team or organizing events shows initiative and teamwork capabilities.

Be specific about the impact of your contributions. Quantify your achievements using numbers where possible, such as the number of people you helped or the funds raised.

Structuring and Formatting Your MBA Application Resume

Structuring your MBA resume is key to making a great impression. Start with clear sections, such as:

• Contact information
• Work experience
• Additional activities

Clear organization helps admissions committees easily navigate your accomplishments.

Formatting should be clean and professional. Use consistent fonts and sizes throughout the document. White space is crucial; it makes your resume easier to read while drawing attention to important details.

Keep it concise, and remember to aim for one page if possible. Bullet points can help highlight achievements without overwhelming the reader with text.

Tips for Crafting MBA Resumes

Ready to impress potential employers with a standout MBA resume? Let’s dive into the key components and tips to create a document that showcases your qualifications and achievements.

We’ll cover the following MBA resume tips: 

• Be Concise 
• Use an Easy to Read Format 
• Put the Most Important Information at the Top 
• Demonstrate Leadership 
• Quantify Your Achievements 
• Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

Be Concise:

Admissions committees sift through countless applications, making every second count. Being concise helps you stand out and prevents information overload.

Focus on using clear language and straightforward descriptions. Avoid jargon or overly complex phrases that may confuse the reader. Instead, use strong action verbs to convey your achievements succinctly.

Remember, less is often more. Limit your resume to one or two pages while showcasing relevant experiences and skills. Highlight what truly matters to maximize impact and keep the reviewer engaged. 

Use an Easy to Read Format:

An easy-to-read format helps the admissions committee quickly grasp who you are and what you bring to the table. Use a clean layout with ample white space; this invites the reader’s eye to flow naturally through your accomplishments.

Choose a simple font style, like Arial or Calibri, and maintain consistent formatting throughout. Bullet points can effectively highlight key achievements without overwhelming text blocks.

Don’t forget about section headings! They act as signposts that guide readers through your story. Headings also help keep it straightforward and ensure every detail shines in its best light while keeping everything organized for maximum impact.

Put the Most Important Information at the Top:

When structuring your MBA resume, think like an admissions professional. They often skim through resumes quickly, and placing the most important information at the top captures their attention right away.

Start with your key achievements and skills that align with the program’s values. This gives them a snapshot of what you bring to the table without diving deep into every detail.

First impressions matter! By prioritizing essential details, you increase your chances of making a positive impact from the get-go.

Demonstrate Leadership:

Business schools value candidates who can inspire and guide others. Think about times you’ve taken charge of projects or initiatives.

Include specific examples of how you led a team to success. Describe the challenges faced and how your leadership made a difference. Use action verbs to help truly show what you did. Details like this add depth to your experiences.

Remember, it’s not just about titles; the impact matters. Highlight instances of motivation and collaboration within teams. Demonstrating leadership qualities will make your MBA application stand out among others vying for admission.

Quantify Your Achievements:

When crafting your MBA resume, numbers speak volumes. Quantifying your achievements  helps potential schools visualize your impact. Instead of saying you led a team, mention that you supervised a project with ten team members that delivered a 20% increase in efficiency.

By adding figures, you’re not just sharing what you’ve done; you’re showcasing the value you bring. For instance, if you managed budgets or increased sales, provide those percentages directly to illustrate success. 

Using this method transforms vague descriptions into compelling stories of achievement. It creates an immediate impression and sets you apart from other candidates who may overlook this crucial detail.

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread:

Does one minor spelling or grammar mistake really matter? After all, typos happen to even the best writers. However, it does matter. 

In just the job search field, spelling and grammar errors on a resume will cause around 77% of hiring professionals to reject a candidate. If you get down into the details and the only difference between you and another candidate is a typo, you don’t want that one mistake to make the decision for you. 

Your MBA resume is a reflection of your professional self. A single typo can undermine all your hard work and achievements. Take the time to proofread every section meticulously.

Read through your resume multiple times, and consider asking a friend or colleague to review it as well. Fresh eyes often catch errors you might have overlooked. They can also provide valuable feedback on clarity and impact.

Don’t forget that formatting matters, too! Ensure consistent font sizes, bullet points, and spacing throughout the document. A polished presentation enhances readability and shows attention to detail – an essential quality in any MBA candidate.

Should You Change Your MBA Resume for Every Business School?

Yes, you should tailor your MBA resume for each business school. Different programs have unique values and cultures that they prioritize. By customizing your resume, you can highlight experiences and skills aligning with the school’s needs.

Take time to research each school’s mission statement and core competencies. This information will help you understand what qualities they appreciate in candidates. Adjusting your resume accordingly shows commitment and genuine interest.

Additionally, showcasing specific achievements relevant to the program can set you apart from other applicants. A personalized approach makes a lasting impression on admissions committees, who are looking for candidates that fit their community.

Start Your Notre Dame de Namur University MBA Application

Starting your MBA application at Notre Dame de Namur University is an exciting step toward advancing your career. As you prepare your MBA resume, remember that it’s your chance to showcase who you are and what you’ve accomplished.

Are you ready to get started? Notre Dame de Namur University has been helping students build their desired future for over 170 years. Our diverse and inclusive learning community will challenge you to be your best personally, professionally, and publicly. 

Start your path toward a more fulfilling career with the right education. Get in touch with our admissions team to get more information today by filling out the form below. 

More From NDNU

Master of Science vs. Master of Arts

Read Time Estimate: 4 minutes December 21st, 2023 A master’s degree is a higher education degree that you can pursue after graduating with your bachelor’s.

What is an MBA degree worth?

Read Time Estimate: 4 minutes July 19th, 2023 The pursuit of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) has long been considered a gateway to success

Is Completing Your Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?

Read Time Estimate: 3 minutes November 5th, 2023 In today’s fast-paced world, you may question the worth of getting a bachelor’s degree. People have emphasized

Notre Dame de Namur University 1500 Ralston Avenue Belmont, CA 94002 (650) 508-3500

Notre Dame de Namur University is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, NDNU will make employment decisions irrespective of the staff member’s race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (a cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the NDNU will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities if they are otherwise qualified to perform all essential functions safely and do it without undue hardship to the NDNU. Inquiries regarding the College’s equal opportunity policies should be directed to the Human Resources Department via email at  [email protected] . NDNU admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

Privacy Policy

Magellan Solutions USA launched under the visionary leadership of Mark A. K. Dee, Chief Executive Officer – a consultant and service provider for healthcare administrative support, IT development, energy, call center, and business process outsourcing. Mark has served in various multi-level management positions in his 21 years of service in the United States Air Force (USAF). He performed as Immunology and Microbiology department manager, Medical Laboratory Assistant Director, Facility and Security Manager, and finally retiring in the military in 2008 as Superintendent/Assistant Chief of Operations of 330 personnel Medical Group. Mark has experiences in the services industries since he retired, including running a restaurant chain as the CEO. He has also developed other businesses in the Martials Arts studio and 3d-printing industries. He has a BS in Health Sciences and Hospital Administration, Board Certified in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Graduated in the Senior Executive Leadership School from the USAF, Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s of Science in Systems Management at Notre Dame De Namur University.

Chosen Cheng

Chosen Cheng is owner of CMC Group, a privately held engineering and marketing consultancy for small business startup ventures. He currently works with project teams developing patented award-winning solar roofing systems and patent pending drone-based augmented reality geological and thermal mapping solutions. He was formerly a Silicon Valley marketing and innovative corporate training manager. As an avocation and a way to “pay it forward” he enjoys teaching and career coaching college and graduate MBA students many of whom are pioneering first generation college students from underserved communities. He and his wife, a Notre Dame alum, celebrated their wedding reception at the Ralston Mansion in the 70’s and have two stupendously successful, married adult children who between them have four stupendously adorable grandchildren.

Arthur Chait

Entrepreneur, Executive, Engineer, Investor, Professor, Mentor. Founder & CEO EoPlex Inc. ($31 million VC funded startup acquired by ASTI Singapore). President Stanford Research Institute (SRI) Consulting Division (800 staff worldwide). SVP Flextronics (responsible for $8 Billion in global accounts). President Zitel Software. Principal Booz Allen. R&D Director Halliburton. Adjunct Professor Menlo College, Visiting Professor Universidad Francisco Marroquin (Guatemala), Mentor Draper University, Judge Startup Chile. BS Engineering Rutgers, MBA Strategy University Pittsburgh.

Kelly Cansler

Kelly completed both her BS (Finance/Economics) and MBA from NDNU. She utilized her business education to launch an insurance agency in 2008 with Farmers Insurance. It’s grown into multi-million-dollar agency, organically and through acquisition. She has been recognized by Farmers Insurance being ranked within the top 10% of agents nationwide, but also as a speaker, trainer, and mentor within the Farmers Insurance Community. Kelly is extremely connected with local businessowners through several networking channels.

Cliff Burnette

Cliff is the senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Rambus, a global chip and IP provider that advances data center connectivity and solves the bottleneck between memory and processing. Cliff has over 20 years of experience leading global human resources operations for publicly traded companies with expertise in employee relations, organizational development, and compensation strategy. Prior to Rambus, Cliff worked for several other high-tech companies in the semiconductor and medical device space and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Texas State University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Organization Development from the University of Texas at Austin.

Memo Morantes

Memo Morantes has been a San Mateo County resident for more than 45 years. He has been a three-term San Mateo County Board of Education incumbent, a Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce board member, a Sequoia Hospital Foundation member, a co-chair of the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo, and a civic/community activist. 

Sheryl Young

Sheryl serves as a director for Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, which provides $10M each year for innovative teachers and social entrepreneurs throughout the Bay Area. Prior Sheryl served as CEO of Community Gatepath and AbilityPath.org. She has over 30 years of managerial experience in operations, finance, and marketing. Young is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, earned an M.A. of Public Health from UC Berkeley, an M.A. in Special Education from Ball State University and a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University.

Brian Schumacker

Brian manages South San Francisco-San Bruno’s wastewater treatment plant and with a dedicated staff of over 40 professionals who safeguard community health and protect the fragile San Francisco Bay ecosystem. Brian holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, both from Notre Dame de Namur University. Brian has also earned the highest levels of professional certifications in wastewater treatment.

Mario Rendon

Mario Rendon serves as District Director for State Assemblymember Kevin Mullin. He develops the communications, public relations and constituent service strategy for the office and supervises a small team that represents Mr. Mullin in the 22nd Assembly District within San Mateo County. He has over twenty year’s experience working with elected officials at the local, state and federal level developing public policy.

Jerry’s public service started with his local neighborhood association that progressed to the California State Assembly and Senate where he authored legislation resulting in laws on issues related to consumer protection, utility safety, coastal protection, public health, education and the environment. Jerry was born and raised in San Francisco, receiving his BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University.

Magda Gonzalez

Magda was most recently the City Manager for the City of Half Moon Bay, California. Prior she was the City Manager of East Palo Alto, California and Assistant City Manager, Redwood City. Magda was President of Cal-ICMA, representing the Local Government Hispanic Network and serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo County. Magda is also a member of ICMA and the State Bar of California and received several awards and recognitions, including Career Excellence Award (WLG) and the Ethical Hero Award from Cal-ICMA.

Jeremy Dennis

Jeremy currently serves as Portola Valley Town Manager. Previously, he’s worked for elected officials at all governance levels, including twice as District Director for local assemblymembers. He worked as the Palo Alto Long Range Planning Director, and for San Mateo County in management roles. Jeremy has a Masters in Urban Planning from the London School of Economics, and graduated from UC Davis studying US History/Political Science.

Kate Comfort-Harr

Kate is Executive Director of HIP Housing, a nonprofit specializing in creative affordable housing solutions throughout San Mateo County. Kate is a frequent speaker on a wide array of affordable housing topics and is passionate about the cultivation of collaborations between the private, public and social sectors. She serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and was awarded the Chamber San Mateo County’s 2020 Business Woman of the Year Award.

Program Director for Master of Public Administration

Jerome nadel.

Jerome Nadel is Internationally experienced design-led marketing executive (CMO and GM) with a track record of improved market position, revenue growth, and M&A. He is an advance degreed psychologist and user experience product/service design expert, board member and advisor. Jerome recently retired from Rambus as where he was CMO and GM of the security software division that he led the sale to Visa. He has had a variety of chief marketing officer and chief user experience officer roles at companies including Human Factors International, SLP InfoWare, Gemplus, and Sagem. He started his career in the IBM Human Factors Labs. He is also an avid cyclist with National and multiple California State Champion titles.