how to build a resume from scratch

How to Write a Resume from Scratch

Eating, sleeping, dying, and resume writing; these are all the things that all humans end up having to deal with regardless of age, gender or social status.

Thought about as frequently as fire extinguisher batteries and tornado/hurricane/earthquake emergency plans, many job seekers are left flat footed and desperate when they lose their job or need to switch careers.

Fortunately, like developing emergency preparedness plans, writing a resume is not that scary of a thing once you know what kind of information to include.

Below is a comprehensive guide, one of the most complete in the world actually, on everything you will need to know to help get your resume written.

From the different types and how to choose the perfect format, to the order of the information required and how to write it in a way that gets HR attention, this guide will set you straight.

Use the table of contents above to help skip directly to any section if you have any particularly burning questions.

Additionally, if there is something that was missed or you would like more clarification on, please let us know in the comments at the very end of this page and one of our retired HR professionals will help sort you out!

Best Methods for Composing a Resume

One of the primary reasons resume writing remains such a mystery for many is simply because there are a myriad of options when it comes to creating the actual document.

In this section we outline the 4 primary methods used to create an effective resume, the pro’s and con’s of each and how best to go about approaching each method.

How to Write From Scratch

Perhaps the most difficult but also potentially one of the most impressive methods is creating a resume completely from scratch.

Of course, “ from scratch ” isn’t quite accurate, as formatting an entire resume out of a completely blank Word document is an almost impossible task.

Instead of trying to perform the impossible of Microsoft formatting, it is best to start with a pre-formatted template in which you can fill in all of your own personal details.

The benefits of starting with a template include saving a massive load of time that would otherwise be spent trying to get line spacing and margins just right.

Another benefit, if using one of the resume templates that come pre-installed with Microsoft Word or if downloading a professionally formatted template from a site like Copy My Resume, is that you know the formatting will be standardized and HR approved.

The downsides of starting with nothing is the substance of the resume will all have to come from you.

This can create truly unique resumes, but be careful to double check your final product to other resumes to make sure your verbiage, formatting and details are all “in line” with proven successful resumes.

Selecting and Using Resume Building Tool

Nowadays perhaps the most efficient way to craft a resume in the shortest amount of possible time would be to use one of the many resume builder web apps available online.

There are a wide variety of tools, both free and paid, that do most of the heavy lifting for you, as well as the formatting and proofreading, which can save literally hours off your total composition time.

Free tools usually have less features, such as only exporting in .txt file type, which isn’t ideal, or feature only a few basic styles to choose from when creating.

Still, these free options will get you started and you can always modify them more once you save them from the builder tool.

Paid resume builders are increasingly sophisticated, often using primitive forms of artificial intelligence to pre-populate sections of your resume like work experience bullet points and additional skills.

Many of these online resume makers simply ask your job title and then provide you details from which you can select the most relevant. This ensures a high quality of writing that is generally error-free.

Use caution though when vetting various builder tools online. There are a whole range of price points and billing options, from one-time payments to monthly subscriptions . Read the fine print before paying for anything!

Paying a Professional Resume Writer

Another option for those pressed on time would be to pay a professional resume writer to take care of the whole thing for you.

This process usually involves a quick interview/survey so the writer or writers can collect necessary information from the applicant. They then input this information into a template and improve upon the existing experiences.

Quality resume writing services are not cheap, as they employ only CPRW certified resume writers to hand-craft the resumes.

A few things to keep in mind when vetting resume writing services:

• Make sure the writers are association certified (CPRW, NCRW, PARW, or CARW).
• Make sure the company is locally based, using only native writers.
• Make sure you have the ability to communicate directly with your writer.
• Make sure the service allows for revisions upon completion.

Once you’ve found a company do some background research to see if there are positive/negative reviews.

Writers are great because truly talented ones know how to make even the must mundane resumes shine.

On the other hand the cost usually runs anywhere between $100-300 dollars per resume, which can be quite pricey.

For this reason writers are most often utilized by executives who are crunched for time and have the money to spend on a boutique service.

Copying a Friend’s Resume

Asking a friend who has been successfully hired who is at a similar career level (beginning, mid, senior) to borrow their resume to base your own off of is one of the most popular ways to get a resume on the cheap.

The benefits from using a friends resume for inspiration is that it has already passed all the hurdles required of an effective resume, including being error free, properly formatted and impressive to hiring managers.

It cannot be stressed enough that copying a friends resume still requires the writer to customize all of the sections, from the obvious name and address, through the experiences, education and additional skills sections.

This option is great for recent graduates and those just starting their careers who don’t have the money to pay a resume writer or to pay for an online resume builder.

Understanding Resume Design Fundamentals

The design aspect of the resume, while important, is one that many job seekers invest too much time in.

Hiring managers are first and foremost looking for qualified applicants and despite rumors, they look at all resumes sent their way.

They do not selectively pull a handful from a pile based on aesthetic appeal, or at least they shouldn’t be.

Most documents are never even printed during the screening process, with documents being downloaded, filtered and reviewed online, often with the assistance of ATS or Applicant Tracking Systems.

For this reason the color, font, and styling elements are of relatively minimal importance.

These aspects should only receive about 5% of your time , with the remaining 95% being invested in the actual writing and editing process .

Making your resume aesthetically pleasing and professional looking is still worth the effort however, and will stand out should you be invited for an interview, at which point the document will be printed, passed around and more closely scrutinized by non HR types.

Below we break down the main aspects of resume design and cover what is acceptable and what is not when stylizing your document.

Selecting Impactful Yes Appropriate Colors

All body fonts of your resume should be black and only black. The only text on the whole document that can ever be colored is the name at the top and that is only best done when in conjunction with other colored styling elements such as line breaks.

Styling elements should be kept to a minimum, with a line break between the name/contact section and body of the resume or a line running vertically separating subheadings are the two most common applications of stylized color.

If your resume theme has the options for color try to choose something that is relatively muted. No neon colors, no bright primary colors, these give resumes a less mature, less professional feel.

Instead of primarily orange, look for a “burnt orange” or “rust orange”. Instead of bright blue look for a “navy blue” or “midnight blue”.

It is important to remember that colors and styling elements are there to augment , not detract from the core focus of the text.

Selecting Appropriate Fonts

Font selection can be one of the trickiest things to get right with a resume, especially given the thousands of various font families available online today.

Contrary to popular belief, you are not limited to just Helvetica, Arial and Times Roman. You can select any font you wish as long as it looks professional.

What constitutes professional? Well, if you can’t imagine the font being printed on a business card or used in an instruction manual on an airplane, then it probably won’t fly (pun intended).

Never use overly stylized fonts, hand-written style fonts or character based fonts as these simply detract from the body and confuse resume processing software.

Selecting an Font Style

For style you will can go both serif and sans-serif. Serif simply means stylized, so these fonts will have tiny little twists and subtle additions to the end of lines to add a bit of character. A common example of a serif font is Times New Roman,

Sans-serif simply means no styling. These fonts are made with straight lies exclusively. A common example of a popular sans-serif font is Helvetica or Arial.

Selecting the Correct Font Size

Many experts contend that only sized 12pt font should be used on resumes. The fact of the matter though is that sizes can range anywhere between 10pt and 12pt.

The best rule of thumb when choosing a size is to start out with 12pt and write out the whole resume.

Once you have completed writing use the length of the document to determine font size modification.

For example, if your resume is just under one page with a glaring white space at the bottom you can increase font size to the nearest tenth decimal place to help beef things up a bit, in addition to “filling out” existing bullet points with a bit more detail.

If your resume is just over a page, so for example, one page and 1/4 th of a second page you can again adjust your font size down from 12pt by the tenth decimal place to try to squeeze the document onto one page.

Understanding the Perfect Resume Length

First, let us clear up the most widely perpetuated myth in resume writing. Resumes do not always need to be only one page in length.

This is not a rule but simply logic as fewer pages means simpler uploading/attaching, fewer instances of potentially forgetting the second page and easier printing/carrying/distribution for interviews.

Resumes exceeding one page in length are however no less impactful than their shorter cousins.

Ultimately, the total length of the document should be dictated by both your profession and your total years of experience.

Some professions expect multi-page resumes, like academic positions where research and publications need to be cited, or executives where various advisory or board member roles need inclusion.

For entry-level candidates, students and mid-level candidates with only a few work experiences then one page is definitely optimal as you never want to artificially inflate the length just for lengths sake.

Refining a resume mostly revolves around distillation, that is, the process of subtracting and condensing to make things as accurate and succinct as possible.

Adding fluff to artificially inflate your resumes length will only dilute the relevant/valuable experiences you have, making it more difficult for the reader to discern and appraise your value as a candidate.

Popular Format Types

If you are using a resume writer or an online resume builder you don’t have to worry about formatting your resume as these will both do it for you.

If you are trying to determine the best type of pre-formatted template to use, or writing your document from scratch, then understanding the main resume format types will greatly assist you in crafting the most impactful document possible.

Reverse Chronological

Reverse chronological resume formatting puts your oldest experiences towards the bottom and your newest experiences towards the top, thus as the reader moves down the page they go back in time through your professional history.

This type of format is by far the most common and works for probably 80-90% of applicants.

The benefits of a reverse chronological format is that it puts your most recent, and thus usually most relevant experiences at the top of the page for the reader to immediately process.

It also puts older and less relevant experiences towards the bottom so as not to distract from more relevant work.

Entry-level candidates, mid-career level candidates and even some managers are all prime candidates for this particular layout.

Reverse chronological is not advised for:

• People who have switched between multiple industries that don’t have much overlap
• People who are executive level in experience
• People in academics where experiences in the form of research and publications need more space for listing.

Functional/skills-based Format

Functional or “skills-based” resumes do not follow the a traditional timeline throughout the document.

Skills based resumes often start out with a summary of qualifications or skills section at the top of the resume where targeted skills relevant to the position being applied to are listed.

The second part of the resume will include work experiences, but since the skills are already listed at the top, they usually then only list employer name, location and date under the employment history section.

The education section will then close the resume unless there is are certifications or accreditations to mention.

Functional style resumes are good for technical workers, such as specialized construction workers, or people who work internationally as foreign employers may not be as useful to the reader as the skills achieved while under said employment.

Combination Format

A combination style resume is any mix and match part of a chronological resume and a skills-based resume. These resumes will have clearly defined sections, but not necessarily in chronological order and not necessary with skills listed first.

Combination resumes are used for unique cases where people have big gaps in their work history or are transferring from something like the military to public employment.

This resume format is best left to the experts, or built around a template at the very least to avoid creating a confusing and thus ineffective document.

Writing Introductions & Openings

The introduction to your resume is the second thing the person doing the hiring will read after the cover letter, which makes it quite important indeed.

Cover letter’s are openers, usually written in paragraph form and only containing one or two select bullet points highlighting why your resume should be considered for a specific position.

The resume opener re-affirms the more broadly mentioned relevant experience of the cover letter but in a shorter more succinct form.

There are two main types of openers for resumes, they are:

Writing Career Objectives

The career objective is the most common type of resume opener and is used for applicants of all experience levels.

Limited to just a couple of sentences, with 3 being the maximum, the humble career objective only has to accomplish two things.

First, it has to state the relevant experience you have as an applicant for a specific position. This will be in the first sentence. Some examples include:

Veteran Sales Manager with 10+ years in the automotive industry seeking a satisfying management role at…

Recent Columbia graduate with degree in microbiology seeking a research position at…

Notice how both examples identify the writers background which is relevant to the position applied to.

Avoid providing experience or background that is not directly applicable or transferable to the position and industry to which you are applying.

Also note that if you have work experience, stating how much in numerical form is suggested as it stands out and is immediately noticed by the reader.

If you are an entry level applicant you can lean on your relevant education/degree as an opener if it is applicable to the job.

If your degree is not directly relevant you can open with previous part-time work experience, volunteer experience or skills that are applicable.

Writing Summary of Qualifications/Professional Summaries

The summary of qualifications and professional summary are interchangeable resume introductions used by upper-middle to senior level applicants.

These usually open with one or two sentences and include 2-4 highly relevant bullet points. Bullet points are always an even number to balance the page, as 1 or 3 bullet points would make for awkward formatting.

Professional Summaries in particular tend to feature less bullet points and more sentences, sometimes up to 4 or 5 in length.

The idea is that because of the candidate’s deep expertise in an industry or regarding a position, he/she needs more space to expand upon them.

An example of a Summary of Qualifications might look like:

Chief Financial Officer with over 20 years of experience attracting funding form venture capital, managing business expansion and optimizing product/service price positioning strategies. A few of my particular expertise include: [one_half]Vetted 50+ VC Offers Quarterly Increased Company Reserves to $14B Reduced Employee Turnover by 32%[/one_half] [one_half_last]Expanded Acquisitions Department 2X Continued Company Legacy of Dependability Entered 5 New Emerging Markets[/one_half_last]

An example of a Professional Summary/Career Summary might look like:

Outgoing and results-driven Executive Assistant with over 12 years of administrative and client relationship management experience in a multitude of finance-based industries. Excels at leveraging interpersonal leadership skills as well as financial acumen to build, sustain and foster peak-performing teams. Experienced trainer with demonstrated success in confidential communications and CRM management. Proficient with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Suites, Outlook Enterprise, FileMaker Pro, Salesforce,  and Fundamental C Language Programming. Proficient in English and Spanish. Intermediate Mandarin abilities.

Professional Experience Section

The biggest and most central part of the resume, the “body” is the professional experience section. This is where all the claims made or outlined in the cover letter and career objective are substantiated by real world experience.

Comprising 50-70% of the resume this section should take the longest to write as it requires not just thoughtful composition but also the clear recollection of past experiences, particularly those relevant to the position being applied to at the time.

It is a good idea to start the process on a piece of scratch paper, listing your relevant work experiences and as many achievements/special duties as possible under each.

Then go back and cross out anything that can be considered “generic” or an “every-day task” as these wont’ stand out to potential employers. Remember, you want to look as uniquely suited for the position as possible.

Don’t worry about experiences that are more than 12 years old, unless you are an executive level candidate, in which case you can include these in a Functional or Combination formatted resume.

Make sure most recent experiences are at the top and older are near the bottom. The more recent experience, the more bullet points you can include.

The number of bullet points under each experience should taper as the time goes by, with least emphasis being placed on the oldest experiences.

Types of Experience- Relevant Jobs & Internships

One common misconception is that every single past experience needs to be included in the professional experience section.

While this may be the case for entry-level candidates for only one or two experiences, for most experienced candidates it is simply not always necessary.

Experiences aren’t listed just for the sake of being listed, they are supposed to qualify the candidate for the position being applied for.

Thus, including non-relevant experiences and bullet points that don’t lend themselves to qualifying the applicant are just a waste of space.

Always look to include experience bullet points that are either directly applicable to the job applied to or are at least transferable across industries.

In addition to only including relevant jobs and bullet points other work like volunteer-based positions and internships can also be included in the professional experience section.

Adding non-compensated work is especially useful for entry-level applicants and recent college graduates as they often times are lacking relevant professional experiences.

Importance of Reverse Chronological Order

With the exclusion of Functional resume formats, all professional experiences will be listed in reverse chronological order as the most recent experiences will also most likely be the most relevant.

If you are a senior level applicant, that is someone with 15+ years of experience you can be selective in the detail listed under each experience, with less detail and fewer bullet points included under older and less-relevant positions.

How Far Should I Go Back?

How far back in time an applicant should go when writing their professional experience section depends on:

• The seniority of the applicant
• The industry being applied to
• The overall working length of the resume

First, a veteran careerist with over 15 years of experience will naturally have more experience sections than a more entry-level applicant. These veterans can have 5 or more unique employment sections in their employment history section.

Second, some industries require more detail than others. If you work in a highly technical field, such as engineering or academics, then including your entire track record along with notable achievements/hallmark projects and publications is required when applying to new positions.

Finally, the overall length of your resume can influence how many professional experience subheadings are included.

For example, if the resume is already well over one page, like 1.5 pages, then keeping a more lengthy experience section isn’t an issue as the resume will likely be unable to be shrunken to one page anyways.

How Many Bullet Points Should Be In Each Section?

It is a common misconception that all professional experiences require the exact same amount of detail and thus the same number of descriptive bullet points.

This is simply not the case. More recent experiences deserve a lion’s share of attention and thus can have more bullet points whereas older experiences, simply because of their age, tend to have fewer bullet points.

A standard resume for example may have 5 or 6 bullet points under the most current experience, 4-5 under the second newest, 3-4 under the third newest, and 2-3 under the third newest.

After the 3rd experience, or for experiences exceeding 10 years in age, bullet points are not even necessary and just the employer, location, date and job title will suffice.

The Importance Quantifying Numerically

One of the biggest missed opportunities for applicants to immediately grasp hold of the readers attention is the lack of numerical quantification.

Numerical quantification is simply stating achievements or outcomes in number form, often in dollar terms, percentage increases or running totals.

For example stating how much a Sales Manager increased quarterly profit in % or $ terms will both grab the readers attention as well as re-enforce the claim.

A bullet point that reads “increased quarterly revenue by 48% by deploying optimized multi-channel sales strategies” looks much more targeted and valid than simply “increased quarterly revenue via expansion optimized multi-channel sales strategies”.

Besides piquing human resources attention numbers are what managers and CEOs will want to see when screened resumes are forwarded to them.

Business leaders care much less about formatting and traditional resume elements than HRs. These people instead are numbers people and a resume without numbers is vague and lacking in qualification.

Always try to add numerical quantification whenever possible. If this requires digging back into company history or asking previous managers/coworkers to confirm figures then it is worth doing.

Double checking figures is important. While you can safeguard your claims by stating “approximately”, it is still important to have figures based in reality as if interviewed and questioned you will need to be able to back up the claims made in your resume.

Perfecting the Education Section

The education section is an oft-unsung hero of the resume. While the section holds different importance for different levels of applicants, it is a critical element to all.

For senior level applicants the education section can be a common tie between a hiring manager who may be an alumni of the same university as the applicant.

For entry-level applicants the educational section holds much more importance as it is the most relevant and recent experience used to qualify the candidate for the position being applied to.

Writing University History

For many applicants today having a university degree is critical for career advancement. Whether from a traditional 4 year school or a technical college, including your degree and area of academic expertise or training is key in reassuring HRs of your ability to perform the job.

Including relevant educational experiences re-affirms your understanding of industry fundamentals which serve as a kind of insurance policy for companies as they know at the end of the day their applicant can be trained and education built off to mold them into a role model employee.

Like professional experience, educational experiences should also be listed in reverse chronological order. For many people this puts university experience at the top of the list.

Include the university name, the location, the dates attended, the major/minor/focus of study as well as your GPA if it was impressive.

For example, a 3.0/4.0 isn’t a particularly impressive GPA so in this case the applicant would not provide that detail, which is completely acceptable.

However anything above a 3.5 is considered impressive and can then be included as an added little achievement bonus.

If you have a post-graduate degree you will include this above your 4 year degree experience as a stand alone experience within the educational section.

If your graduate degree was obtained from the same university as your undergraduate degree you can include them both under the same heading with two subheadings, one for undergraduate achievement and one for graduate achievements.

High School Details

High school experience is not usually as relevant if the applicant has a university education. However for those working in skills-based industries like construction or as administrative assistants then this should still be included as having a high school diploma still helps qualify applicants.

As with university, the high school section should include school name, location, dates attended and the affirmation of receipt of a diploma.

If you did attend technical college or university then you can omit the high school education section altogether as it will be less important as well as an assumed achievement.

Training/Vocational School

Vocational and technical training should be listed in the same format as 4 years university experiences.

This means the inclusion of the school name, location, dates attended and program studied.

Additional accomplishments like Deans List, academic achievement awards and the like can either be included directly in the educational section or included in a separate “Awards and Achievements” section at the bottom of the resume, preceding or supplanting an “Additional Skills” section.

Additional Skills & Certifications

As the traditional “closer” of the resume the additional skills and certifications section is often written as an after thought as opposed to being viewed as a critically important element of the resume.

Copy My Resume is more of a believer in the inclusion of certifications, awards and achievements sections over the traditionally vague “additional skills” section.

All relevant skills worth sharing should theoretically be included under the professional experience and educational sections they were obtained/utilized at.

Adding certifications and training like first aid, special licensure, company awards on the other hand are a great way to finish a resume on a high note.

If working in an industry that prizes certifications and training, such as construction, engineering, medicine and education then make sure to include industry-expected certifications.

It is also important to make sure your training and certifications are up to date.

It will be easier for a company to hire someone with current training so they can begin working immediately as opposed to a candidate who will require more time and financial investment to get caught up to speed before they can even begin working.

Also, don’t be afraid to customize this section depending on your industry.

For example designers can include a “Software Expertise” section instead of an “Additional Skills” section where they can list all the multitude of software and hardware experience they have that may be viewed as a necessity for design positions.

References: When to Include/Exclude

References are one of the most misunderstood elements of a job application. For most applicants having references is not a requirement for application.

Unless specifically asked for in the job posting you do not include references along with a resume. However if the job posting specifically states it requires references then they cannot be absent.

It is always good to have a few people in mind you could use as references so that in case the potential employer asks for them you can provide them without much time delay.

Additionally, if you are providing references, such as a name, title and phone number of previous manager, it is important to alert the person ahead of time that you are applying for a job and used them as a reference so that they are not caught off-guard should somebody from HR phone them.

Uploading & Submitting Your Resume

Once you’ve finalized a document it will be time to submit it to the employer for review.

There are a few tricks to making sure your resume retains all the professionalism that went into crafting it so that is viewed exactly as it should be when received by the employer.

Always Save in PDF Format

While resumes are usually crafted in Microsoft Word or perhaps online using a piece of resume software, it is important to save the FINAL draft in PDF form so that none of the formatting or styling will deteriorate or change upon submission.

The reasons for Microsoft Word files changing formatting are endless, from conflicting versions of the software between sender and receiver, to odd resume upload functions that change how the resume is viewed.

Saving in PDF format ensures nothing changes and the only changes that can occur on the employers end will be annotations.

Printing Your Physical Resume

While a majority of applications are all online now, meaning documents are submitted digitally (in PDF format), it may still be necessary to print a physical copy of your resume should you be asked in for an interview.

While employers will usually print your resume and distribute it to interview participants themselves it is still a good idea to print 4-5 copies yourself to bring to the interview on the off chance that one of the interviewers does not have a hard copy to reference.

Do not skimp when printing. Only use black ink and invest in some quality heavier weight paper. Paper weight simply refers to the thickness of the sheet.

Standard printer paper can be quite light, shiny and cheap feeling. Buying a pack of heavier weight paper will only cost you a few dollars but make a world of difference in the “official” feeling of the final printed document.

Additionally, heavier weighted paper often comes in classy yet subtle off-white hues. A very light cream or ivory tint can add some sophistication to your resume.

There are also papers with very subtle texture too which may not be a bad idea if applying to a more prestigious position or within an industry that values aesthetics such as design, engineering or fashion.

Sending a Thank You Letter & Following Up

Once your resume is submitted and your interview is completed it is important to follow up with a thank you letter.

This is not only simply a matter of being polite, it also serves as a reminder to the hiring company that you are waiting to hear back from them and are excited about the prospects of working for their company.

Thank you letters can be sent via email or by letter, although email is preferable as it is more immediate.

The standard wait time before sending a thank you letter is about one day. Sending a thank you in the same day is a bit ambitious and may not receive the same attention as a letter sent the next day.

If you are not contacted within 2-3 business days after the interview and if a thank you letter was already sent then you may want to consider sending a follow up letter.

These are usually quite short, often consisting of a simple greeting an closure, sandwiching a couple sentences again thanking the employer for their time, expressing your interest and wondering if any developments have occurred regarding your application.

Follow up letters are perfectly acceptable as applications are sometimes lost or get side-lined in day-to-day operations at busy companies. Follow up letters also show you really want the job and haven’t stopped thinking about it.

Never send more than one follow up letter however, as if the company hasn’t bothered responding then you are most definitely not in contention for the position any longer.

This is a rarity however as companies today are usually pretty good about getting back to applicants they interviewed to update them about their status.

Review & Conclusion

There you have it, the complete guide to resume writing. The practice is old and can seem quite boring however no one document may hold as much power in determining your future than the humble resume.

Respect it, cherish it, nurture it, water it frequently, be proud of it and distribute it widely and your resume will feed you, clothe you and provide you a solid future.

If you have any questions about resume writing that we failed to mention in this guide please let us know in our Community Forum section.

You can also ask specific questions pertaining to your individual situation in the Forum and one of our volunteer HR professionals will try their best to follow up with a constructive answer.

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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

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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 .

How To Start a Resume in 10 Easy Steps [Beginner’s Guide]

Sometimes, there’s nothing scarier than a blank page waiting to be filled - especially when it comes to figuring out how to start a resume. 

For every position that you apply for, you will need to stand out in a pile of applications through your professional experience, achievements, and education, to impress recruiters. 

Just thinking about all this may make starting your resume seem like a Herculean task. 

This is exactly why we’ve compiled this article.

• #1. Create Your Resume Outline
• #2. Fix Up The Formatting
• #3. Pick The Right Resume Format
• #4. Start Your Resume Contents With a Contact Information Section
• #5. Pick Between Resume Objective or Summary
• #6. List Your Past Work Experience
• #7. Move On To The Education Section
• #8. Spice Up Your Resume With Your Skills
• #9. Add These Optional Sections 
• #10. Start Applying 

Step #1. Create Your Resume Outline

So, how to start a resume? 

Deciding what to include and what to leave out when you start to write a resume can be tough, whether you’re a professional or a beginner. 

As a professional, you might struggle to choose among achievements and skills to include in your resume. Whereas as a beginner you might have issues filling up the gaps due to lack of work experience. 

Either way, figuring out what exactly to include when you start your resume isn’t easy.

That’s why we recommend starting your resume by creating a job-winning resume outline . A resume outline will help you by providing a clearly defined structure you can follow when you start to write your resume. 

The resume outline makes the process a lot easier by helping you decide on: 

• What resume format to use
• Which resume sections to include
• What information to select

Each of these elements will help you start your resume exactly according to your profile. For example, a professional with years of work experience would go for the reverse-chronological format, while a recent college graduate could opt for the skills-based resume format. 

Once you have decided on the format, knowing which sections to use and what information to select becomes considerably easier. 

A typical resume’s sections include:

• A contact information section 
• A resume summary or objective 
• Work, and relevant experience 
• Skill and certifications
• And additional sections - if you have space.

We will be going through all the main resume formats, sections, and other relevant information in detail below but first, rejoice - your resume skeleton is ready and you can now start writing your resume! 

Step #2. Fix Up The Formatting 

Before we jump into the technicalities, let’s talk style and appearance! 

Yes, it’s what’s on the inside that counts, but when it comes to resumes, sloppy-looking formatting can put you into a make-it-or-break-it kind of situation. The recruiter won’t be too at fault to think you won’t be suitable for the job if you haven’t taken the effort to adjust the margins or choose the best font for your resume. 

Not gonna lie - using a basic text editor to format your resume can be a hassle. One minor slip-up can make all the hours of hard work you invested in perfectly formatting your resume disappear in the blink of an eye.  

Well, there’s a solution for that too - using resume builders, such as Novorésumé. An online resume builder will completely take care of formatting your resume, thus making the process of starting a resume crazy fast. 

Step #3: Pick The Right Resume Format

There are three types of resume formats to choose from, and your choice will heavily depend on your level of experience and the type of industry you are applying for. 

That’s exactly why this step is particularly important when you start writing the resume. 

The three resume formats are: 

• Reverse Chronological resume format ; this is the most popular format among recruiters and the best fit for those who have a great deal of work experience - especially when it fits the job description you are applying for.
• Functional/skill-based resume format ; you should start writing your resume following this format if you are a student or recent graduate lacking any work experience , or if you are going through a career change and your previous working experiences are not relevant to the position.
• Combination resume format ; Do you have diverse skills or are you applying for a job that requires multi-expertise? The combination resume format is your chance to show that! A position as a Communications Expert, for example, might require you to be skilled in writing, social media, and public relations.

Out of the three, we suggest you choose the reverse-chronological resume format as the most common one among recruiters and HR managers. Nonetheless, what format you choose will eventually come down to your profile and experience. 

Due to its popularity, this article focuses on the reverse-chronological resume format. If you wish to go more in-depth into all three resume formats , follow the link! 

Step #4. Start Your Resume Contents With a Contact Information Section

This section may sound like a no-brainer, but you must get it right. Imagine being one of the HR manager’s top choices and missing out on your chance due to a spelling mistake in your email. 

For this reason, you must double-check that all the contact information you provide is correct and up-to-date. 

Now, the contact information section contains mandatory elements and optional ones. Here’s a snapshot: 

• First name/Last name
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Professional Title (it can be either your current or desired professional title/position)
• Date of birth (unless it is specifically required)
• Unprofessional email address (you know what we mean...any nicknames, wordplay, or variants that don’t include your first and last name are considered unprofessional and will cost you points in the eyes of the recruiter) 
• Headshot (in USA, UK & Ireland)

Optional elements:  

• LinkedIn Link/ Social Media (if these are up-to-date and add value to your application, there is no harm in including them in your contact information) 

Step #5. Pick Between Resume Objective or Summary

It’s science-backed: your CV has about 7 seconds to get a recruiter’s attention. This means that you better make a good first impression, and you better make it fast. 

This is where the resume summary, or objective, comes in handy. Placed at the top of your resume, close to the contact information section, a well-crafted resume objective/summary can work miracles in grabbing the HR agent’s attention for more than 7 seconds. 

The picture below is a good example:

But where does a resume summary differ from an objective, and when to use each? 

A resume summary is a short (2-3 sentences) overview of your career so far. The summary is used in 90% of resumes, except for students, recent graduates, or those switching careers. Here’s what you would need to mention: 

• Job and years of experience.
• One or two achievements. 
• Goal or passion for choosing this specific position.

And here’s an example of what this would look like on your resume: 

• Sports journalist with +10 years of experience in covering international tournaments. Successfully covered the 2004 Athens Olympics and the UEFA Euro 2016. Looking to expand my knowledge as a sports correspondent by reporting on a wider range of athletic activities.  

A resume objective , on the other hand, represents the goal of your resume. Through the objective, you can explain what motivates you to get into the field, as well as what you can offer. As mentioned above, the resume objective is perfect for those with little work experience or those who are changing careers. To compile it, we suggest using the following formula when you start writing your resume:

• Skill, education, or certification that is relevant to the position.
• Years/months of relevant experience for the position at the company.
• Types of responsibilities you will be able to help with.  

Here’s a concrete example for a recent graduate’s resume: 

• Motivated graduate with a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Greenwich seeking an opportunity to engage in academic political research. 1-year internship at the UK Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Public Diplomacy Department. Looking to expand my knowledge of international relations and practically assist with research, at the Centre for Defense and International Security Studies think-tank.

Step #6. List Your Past Work Experience

Listing your work experience is practically the most important part of a resume and mastering this section means you will be able to ‘sell’ yourself - your experiences, responsibilities, and achievements - in the most HR-friendly manner. 

Not sure how to do that? Several practices will help your resume stand out, but first, let’s go over the basics of the work experience section. 

The typical work experience section format goes like this:

• Job Title/Position - it serves the purpose of showing the recruiter evaluating your resume that you have previous experience.
• Company/Location/Description - give information about your previous/current employer, the place where you worked, and potentially a brief description of the company (if it is not well-known).  
• Achievements and Responsibilities - this is your chance to shine by showcasing your strengths and skills. As a rule of thumb, it is better to list achievements over responsibilities.
• Dates Employed - this is the time you spent working for each company. The Applicant Tracking System recognizes the mm/yyyy format, so we advise that you follow it.  

And here’s how that would look like in your resume: 

And remember: work experiences should always be listed in reverse-chronological order; start with the most recent one and go all the way back to the past - well, depending on your level of experience. 

Now that you know the basics, here are some tips on how to take your work experience to the next level in the eyes of the HR manager. 

List Achievements Over Responsibilities

Focus on showing the recruiter your achievements over your responsibilities, whenever you can. Here’s what that means. 

HR managers will probably have a general idea of the responsibilities you had in your past positions. If you were a sales manager, for example, some of your responsibilities probably were: 

• Reach out to potential clients and maintain relations with existing ones
• Track and report on leads on Customer Relationship Manager. 

Thing is, you don’t want your work experience section to look like any other ex-sale manager’s resume, but the fact is the majority of work responsibilities are similar, if not the same. 

So, instead, what you do to impress is list your achievements, which in this case would be to show how you helped the company grow, among others. 

• Generated $25,000 in sales for the company during my first month. 
• Exceeded company sales KPIs by 40% for six consecutive months. 
• Reached out to potential clients by email
• Tracked leads on CRM 

Of course, some jobs don’t provide many ways to distinguish yourself, and so there might not be that many achievements for you to mention. If, say, you worked in a supermarket, your day to day responsibilities probably involved: 

• Categorizing and packing products into shelves 
• Helping customers find products 
• Attaching price tags and description tags 

In cases like this, sticking to your responsibilities is fine. 

Tailor Your Resume to the Job 

So, there’s another thing standing between you and the recruiter - the Applicant Tracking System. The ATS helps companies scan through all the resumes they receive daily. So this is another thing to consider getting out of the way right as you start writing your resume. 

If you’re now thinking there’s no point in perfecting your resume if a software is going to evaluate it, we do have some good news: there are ways to pass the ATS if you tailor your work experience section to the job requirements. 

Let’s cover an example from a job ad as an Operations Assistant at the UN Women Organization, with the following requirements: 

• At least 3 years of experience in administration, finance, procurement, etc. 
• Experience in (MS Word, Excel, etc.)
• Fluency in English 
• Strong IT and web management skills 

If you have the required skills and experience, mention them in your resume and consider your resume tailored for the job. 

How Much Work Experience is Necessary? 

We mentioned this before - knowing what information to keep and what to leave out might be tricky. And considering the work experience section is the most important, getting this right matters. 

Well, the amount of information you mention will go hand in hand with your level of experience. So: 

Entry-level candidates should list all the work experiences up to the point of application. 

Mid-level professionals should only list work experience relevant to the position. 

Senior professionals should list a MAXIMUM of 15 years of relevant work experience. 

Step #7. Move On to the Education Section

Your resume's education section comes second per its importance. 

As with the other steps, let’s go over the basics of formatting and then some tips on how to make the best out of your academic skills. 

• Program Name: E.g. “B.A. in Computer Science”
• University Name: E.g. “University of Colorado”
• Period Attended: E.g. “08/1212 - 05/2016”
• (Optional) GPA: E.g. “3.8 GPA”
• (Optional) Honors: E.g. “Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude
• (Optional) Academic Achievements: E.g. Any publications you may have, or courses you have excelled in. 
• (Optional) Minor: E.g. “Minor in Information Systems” 

Here is an example: 

Step #8. Spice Up Your Resume With Your Skills

The ‘skills’ section is your chance to spice things up by showing the HR manager any additional advantage you may have that makes you perfect for the job. 

There are two types of skills you can list on your resume: 

Hard skills , or measurable abilities. These can range from coding in C++ to being an excellent Italian cuisine chef. 

Soft skills , or personal skills. These can be personality traits and social traits, career attributes, or communication skills. 

How to List Skills in Your Resume 

These are the top three steps to follow when listing skills in your resume : 

Step #1: Hard skills are measured with experience levels, meaning you want to mention your proficiency level for every hard skill you list. They are usually categorized into Beginner , Intermediate , Advanced and Expert levels . 

Step #2: Tailor your skills to your job. As with the work experience, try to tailor your skills in relevance to the position. A way to do this is by checking some of the must-have skills listed in the job ad and make sure to mention each and every skill for which you are qualified, with its relevant proficiency level. 

Step #3: Don’t forget to include some “universal” skills - namely, skills relevant to any kind of job out there. These can include both soft skills (leadership, teamwork, attention to detail) and hard skills (MS Office, Adobe Pack, etc). 

Take a look at how hard and soft skills are listed through the Novoresume online resume builder: 

Step #9. Add These Optional Sections

So far, we have basically covered all resume must-haves. 

The following optional sections won’t be a priority when you start to write your resume, however, they can turn out to be the cherry on top if you have them and if you have the space to list them. 

Here are some of them: 

Languages: The more, the merrier. If you speak two or more languages, don’t fail to put that in your resume. To list them, simply categorize your proficiency level into native , fluent , proficient , intermediate , or basic . 

Hobbies & Interests: Although more personal than the rest of the sections, it doesn’t hurt to show a bit of your personality if you have the additional space in your resume. With a bit of luck, you and the recruiter may even share a hobby .

Volunteering Experience: Studies show that volunteering experience actually raises your chances of getting hired . In addition to showing that you are an individual motivated by more than just money, volunteering experience can be particularly great if you have recently graduated and have otherwise little work experience, or if you have an employment gap. 

Certification & Awards: If you have awards that make you stand out in your field or certifications from experts and if they are relevant to your position, don’t hesitate to show them off! For example, if you’re an architect prized with the Global Award for Development Architecture - well, that’s definitely something you want to include in your resume. 

Step #10. Start Applying!

And just like that, we can officially congratulate you for successfully starting - and finishing - your resume.

Chances are, if you got these tips right, you will land any job you go for. So go ahead and start applying!  

Key Takeaways 

That’s a wrap! Here’s the brief version of what we covered in this article:

• Before starting your resume, create an outline. It will provide you a skeleton to make the process of filling up each section much easier! 
• A typical resume’s sections include a contact information section , a resume summary or objective , work and relevant experience , education , skills , and additional sections - if you have space.
• If possible, use the reverse-chronological order resume format. That is unless you’re a recent graduate or an entry-level professional - in that case, the functional or skill-based formats might be a better fit for you. 
• Your past work experience should also start with your latest job, while the education section with the latest education entry. As a rule of thumb, start with your latest relevant experiences and go back as far as it’s relevant to the recruiter and the position you are applying for! 

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How to Build a Resume in 7 Easy Steps

Tips for Creating an Interview-Winning Resume

Creating a  resume  can be challenging when you start thinking about all the information you need to share with prospective employers.

Your employment history, educational background, skills, and qualifications need to be presented in a way that will help you get selected for a job interview. Rather than a simple list of the jobs you have held, it’s important to include information specific to the positions for which you're applying.

What’s the easiest way to write a resume? If you look at resume building as a step-by-step process, it will be easier to do and much less overwhelming.

Once you’ve created your first resume or refreshed your old one, you can simply  tweak it to match it up with a job  when you’re applying for an open position.

Read on for how to build a resume, the components required in an interview-winning resume, examples of what to include in each section, how to format your resume, options for saving your document, and tips for writing a resume that will catch the attention of hiring managers.

Before You Begin Creating Your Resume

Choose a word processor.

Before you start to work on your resume, you’ll need a word processor. If you don’t have word processing software installed on your computer, here are free online word processors, like Google Docs, you can use. One of the benefits of working online is that you can update, send, and share your resume from any computer or device you’re using. That makes the  application process  much simpler because you’ll be able to easily apply for jobs from anywhere that may be convenient for you.

Plan the Framework of Your Resume

Next, consider the basic framework of your resume. More isn’t necessarily better, so aim for conciseness over length. Employers are looking for a synopsis of your credentials; not everything you have done in your career. In many cases, a  one-page resume is sufficient . If you have extensive experience, longer may be necessary .

In general, shorter is better, with a few bullet points for each job, brief sentences, descriptions that are action and accomplishment oriented, and plenty of white space on the page.

Your goal is to wow the hiring manager and present a document that promotes you as an ideal candidate for the position. Review these tips for building a resume that will help you get job interviews.

Compile Your Personal and Employment Information

awayge / iStock

Collect all the information you need to include before you start writing your resume. It’s much easier to write, edit, and format a document when you have all the details you need in front of you.

Before you get started, make a list of the contact information you want to use, all your jobs, your education, training, certifications, skills, and other credentials. 

Write Your Resume

When you have compiled all the information you need, it should be listed in the following order. Don’t worry about fonts and formatting your document yet. Just get everything you want to include on the page. It will be easier to edit when you can see the full picture of your candidacy.

Once you have everything down on paper, you will be able to adjust the font size and type, spacing, and add formatting options to your resume.

What to List in Each Section

Resume Heading Full Name  (Jane M. Applicant or Jane Applicant) Street Address ( options for listing your address ) City, State, Zip Email Address  (don’t use your work email) Telephone Number  (make sure you have a professional voicemail message for missed calls)

Profile Adding a  profile or an objective to your resume  gives the employer a brief overview of your qualifications. This is an optional component of a resume. If you include it, focus on what prospective employers are seeking rather than what you want in your next job. Hiring managers want to know what you have to offer.

Summary of Qualifications A  summary of qualifications  is another optional section of a resume. It’s a statement that includes your skills, abilities, experience, and what qualifies you for the position.

Experience Your  work history   is the most important component of your resume. Employers will want to know where you have worked, when you worked there, and what responsibilities you held in each role that you had. They will be looking to see how your experience lines up with what they are looking for in prospective employees.

• List the jobs and internships you have held in reverse chronological order, with the most recent positions first.
• For each position, include: job title, company, location, dates of employment, and a bulleted list of the strongest accomplishments for each job.
• Verb tense should be present tense for your current job if you are employed, and past tense for prior employment.

If you’re not sure of employment dates, here’s  how to recreate your employment history . It’s important to be accurate because employers do  conduct background checks .

Volunteer Work If you have volunteer experience that’s related to the jobs you’re applying for, or if you have volunteered to avoid an employment gap, list volunteering as you would the jobs you have held. Review these tips for including  volunteer work on your resume .

Education The education section generally comes next. You need only to list degrees earned, with the highest first, if you have been out of school for a few years.

If you’re a student or recent graduate, the  education section  of your resume can be listed above your employment history. If you have work experience, list it below that section. Education should be listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent and advanced education first. Include the name of the school, the degree earned, and the date you graduated.

Whether you include your GPA on your resume depends on how long ago you graduated and how high your GPA is. Here’s information on  when to list your GPA on your resume .

Certifications The next section of your resume includes any certifications you have.

Awards and Accomplishments Don’t be shy about mentioning awards and achievements you have earned. They show the employer that you are a well-credentialed candidate who has been recognized for your accomplishments.

Skills This  section of a resume  includes the skills you have that are directly related to the job for which you’re applying. Employers typically list required or preferred skills in the job listings when itemizing the qualifications for the position. List your most closely related abilities here, using a bulleted list format.

Personal Interests If you have personal interests that are strongly related to the position you’re applying for, list them here. This can be helpful if you’re applying for jobs where you don’t have a lot of related work experience, but you do have expertise achieved in other ways.

Choose a Resume Layout

 Andrey Popov / iStock

There are three  basic types of resume formats  you can use. The format you select will depend on your employment history and credentials.

• Chronological : This is the most frequently used and presents your work history starting with the most recent job first.
• Functional : If you have a spotty work history, you may want to use a functional resume that focuses on your skills and experience.
• Combination : This resume layout includes both your skills and your chronological work history.

The chronological format is the most common one.

If you choose a functional or combination resume, tailor the information you include accordingly. With a functional resume, you’ll highlight your job qualifications. With a combination resume, your skills will be listed first, followed by your employment history.

Format Your Resume Text

When you’re choosing fonts for your resume, simple works best. The exception to that rule will be if you’re applying for a design-related position where your resume can showcase your design skills.

Choose a Font: A basic font like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana is a good choice because your resume needs to be easy for a hiring manager to read. Consistency is also important. Use the same font throughout your resume and in your cover letter.

Font Size and Type: The  font style and size  can vary. For example, you can use a larger font for your name and section headings. Use bold and italics to highlight the details of your education and employment history.

Lists vs. Paragraphs: A job description that includes a bulleted list of achievements is easier to read than a paragraph. Each sentence should provide a brief synopsis of your strongest accomplishments in the position.

Tip:   How to Write Job Descriptions for Your Resume

Review an Example of Resume Formatting

In the following example, the applicant’s name and the heading of each component of the resume are a larger font and bold. The job responsibilities are listed, and italics are used to highlight details of employment and education, and differentiate the candidate’s computer skills.

Jane M. Applicant

31 Main Street Anytown, US 11213 janeapplicant@gmail.com | 555-321-4444

Ambleside International, Database Manager January 20XX - Present

Oversee the design, development, maintenance, and management of Ambleside proprietary databases.

• Design and manage corporate financial, networking, and operations databases.
• Test databases and software programs, correct errors, and make modifications and updates.
• Perform regular database and software life-cycle maintenance to ensure the highest level of system performance and compliance with business requirements.
• Implement major database and software upgrades with 0 percent downtime.
• Ensure integrity, security, and availability compliance and scalability.
• Organize, format, and manage data for efficient query and storage processes.

XYZ Institute of Technology, City, State Bachelor of Science , Information Technology

Certifications

• Microsoft Certified Database Administrator
• Oracle Certified Professional

Technical Skills

Languages:  SQL, Java, .Net, C++ Operating Systems:  Windows, Unix, Linux, iOS Database Systems:  MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, Ingres

Tip: Review Resume Example and Get Templates

Save the Document

Select a file name for your resume that includes your own name when saving your resume: janeapplicantresume.doc, for example. It will be easier for the hiring manager to track your application materials.

Be prepared to save it in a variety of formats, like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or PDF, for example, so that you can respond to employer requests for a specific type of document.

Tip:  How to Select a File Format for Your Resume

Proofread and Print the Final Version

 Before your resume is finalized, it’s important to carefully proofread it. Then print a copy to make sure what’s on the printed page lines up with what’s on your computer.

Once it’s set, print extra copies to bring to interviews with you. If you don’t have a printer you can use, check with your local library or an office supply store to see if you can access a printer there.

Target Your Resume for Each Job You Apply For

Even though your resume is done, there’s one more quick step that will help your resume get selected by the  applicant tracking systems  that companies use to screen resumes and the hiring managers who read the applications that are selected.

Incorporate the qualifications from the job listing into your resume job descriptions, skills, summary, and objective or profile. It only takes a few minutes, but using the  same words and terms  the employer uses will help ensure you’re a strong match for the job.

Keep Your Resume Current

Once you've got your resume finished, plan to update it regularly. It will be easier to keep it current if you keep track of your accomplishments, rather than having to make a major update all at once.

Related: Best Resume Writing Services

• Career Blog

Resume Building: How to Build a Resume in 6 Easy Steps

Your resume is your ticket to landing your dream job. A well-crafted resume can open doors, impress hiring managers, and set you apart from other candidates. It’s the ultimate marketing tool to showcase your skills, qualifications, and experience.

The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive guide on how to build a great resume that will impress recruiters and hiring managers in six easy steps. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced professional, our expert tips and strategies will help you create a winning resume that stands out from the crowd.

In this article, we will take you through the six essential steps of resume building, including:

• Understanding the job requirements
• Choosing the right resume format
• Highlighting your skills and accomplishments
• Tailoring your resume to the job
• Creating a professional summary statement
• Proofreading and editing your resume

Throughout this guide, you’ll find practical tips, examples, and templates that you can use to build a resume that showcases your unique qualifications and experiences.

So, whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to revamp your existing resume, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in and learn how to build a resume in six easy steps.

Step 1: Understanding the Job Posting

When it comes to building a highly effective resume, it’s essential to begin by analyzing the job posting thoroughly. This step can significantly enhance your chances of getting invited to an interview.

A. Importance of Analyzing the Job Posting

The job posting provides candidates with a prospective employer’s requirements, expectations, and preferences for a particular role. Analyzing the job posting can help you tailor your resume to be more relevant and show you possess the necessary qualifications and experience for the job. This can help increase the likelihood of an interview and presents you as a suitable candidate for the job.

B. Identifying Keywords and Qualifications

The job posting can provide you with insights into the specific qualifications, certifications, and skills the employer is looking for in the ideal candidate. These keywords can help you stand out from the pack as long as you include them in your resume.

Keywords can be anything from technical skills to educational level and years of experience. Including such keywords can guide the recruiter or hiring manager in assessing your fitness for the advertised position. Identifying and incorporating keywords is crucial to getting to the top of the list of potential candidates.

C. Tips for Tailoring Your Resume to the Job Posting

Tailoring your resume to the job posting can be done by customizing and aligning your resume with the job’s requirements. Here are some tips for tailoring your resume:

Use the same language as the job posting by aligning your resumes’ terms to the words in the advert. This helps the recruiter to quickly connect with the substance of your application.

Highlight your accomplishments in the experience section by linking them to the required qualifications and skills for the position.

Make your resume presentable, easy to read, and compatible with resume scanning software. Many companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to screen resumes. Including industry-specific keywords makes it easier for the ATS to qualify you for the next stage of the hiring process.

By following these tips, you will increase your chances of standing out from other candidates and receive the attention of the hiring manager. Give your career a leg up by mastering the art of customizing your resume to the job posting.

Step 2: Choosing the right format

When it comes to building your resume, choosing the right format is crucial. Your resume format should not only showcase your skills and experience but also catch the attention of potential employers. In this section, we will give an overview of the three common formats, their pros and cons, and guide you on how to choose the right format based on your experience and job goals.

A. Overview of the three common formats

There are three common resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination.

1. Chronological

The chronological format is the most common and straightforward format. This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. This format is ideal if you have a consistent work history and are looking for a job in a similar field.

2. Functional

The functional format focuses on your skills and accomplishments rather than your work history. This format is ideal for individuals with gaps in their work history or those changing careers. This format allows you to showcase your transferable skills and highlight achievements.

3. Combination

The combination format is a blend of the chronological and functional formats. This format highlights both your work history and skills. This format allows you to showcase your work history, but also convey your skills and achievements.

B. Pros and cons of each format

Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages.

• Easy to read and familiar to employers
• Showcases career growth
• Emphasizes gaps in work history
• May not highlight skills and achievements effectively
• Highlights skills and achievements
• Focuses on relevant experience
• May be seen as hiding employment gaps or lack of experience
• Doesn’t provide a clear timeline of work experience
• Showcases both work experience and skills
• Can help minimize employment gaps
• Can be longer than other formats
• Can be challenging to balance both work history and skills

C. Choosing the format based on your experience and job goals

To choose the right format, consider your experience and job goals. If you have a consistent work history and are looking for a job in a similar field, the chronological format is the most appropriate. If you have gaps in your work history or are changing careers, the functional format is ideal. Meanwhile, the combination format is suitable for those who want to showcase both their work experience and skills.

Ultimately, choosing the right format for your resume can help you stand out and present yourself effectively to potential employers. Take the time to consider your experience and job goals before deciding on the format that suits you best.

Step 3: Crafting a compelling headline

Crafting a compelling headline is the third step in building a resume that gets noticed. A strong headline is crucial, as it is the first thing that potential employers will see. In fact, research shows that recruiters spend an average of just six seconds reviewing a resume before deciding whether to continue reading or move on. That means the right headline can be the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked.

A. Importance of a strong headline

A strong headline is like a hook that reels in the reader. It should convey your unique value proposition and make the reader want to learn more about what you have to offer. It should also be concise and easy to read, using simple language and avoiding jargon or buzzwords. A well-crafted headline can also help to differentiate you from other job seekers with similar qualifications.

B. Tips for writing a headline that grabs attention

When crafting your headline, keep these tips in mind:

• Be specific: Use concrete numbers or achievements to highlight your skills and experience.
• Use active language: Start with action verbs that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments.
• Tailor your headline to the job: Use keywords from the job description to show that you are a good fit.
• Keep it short and sweet: Aim for six to 12 words and avoid unnecessary adjectives or filler words.

C. Examples of effective headlines

Here are some examples of effective headlines for different types of resumes:

• Experienced Marketing Manager with a Proven Track Record of Driving Revenue Growth
• Results-Oriented Software Engineer with 5+ Years of Experience in Full-Stack Web Development
• Recent College Graduate with Strong Writing and Editing Skills Seeking an Entry-Level Marketing Position

A strong headline is essential to building a resume that stands out. By following these tips and using specific language, you can craft a headline that grabs attention and shows potential employers what you can bring to the table.

Step 4: Writing a Powerful Summary Statement

In your resume, your summary statement is your introduction to potential employers. It should be a brief yet compelling overview of your experience, skills, and achievements. The purpose of this statement is to grab the attention of the reader and entice them to keep reading your resume.

To ensure that your summary statement effectively highlights your skills and achievements, follow these tips:

• Customize your summary statement to match the job you are applying for.
• Use strong action words that demonstrate your accomplishments.
• Keep your summary statement brief and to the point – aim for no more than two to three sentences.
• Include quantifiable metrics to demonstrate the impact you’ve had in your previous roles.

Here are some examples of effective summary statements:

“Highly motivated and results-driven sales professional with a proven track record of exceeding sales targets. Skilled in new business development, account management, and building strong relationships with clients.”

“Experienced project manager with a strong background in leading cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget. Demonstrated success in managing projects ranging from $2M to $10M in scope.”

“Dynamic marketing professional with expertise in developing and executing successful campaigns across digital and traditional channels. Well-versed in SEO, SEM, social media, and email marketing.”

Remember, your summary statement is your chance to make a strong first impression, so take the time to craft a compelling statement that showcases your unique skills and achievements.

Step 5: Showcasing your skills and experience

A. organizing your experience.

When it comes to showcasing your experience on your resume, it’s essential to be organized and clear. To do this effectively, you should start by creating a section at the beginning of your resume that lists your work experience. Be sure to include relevant information, such as job titles, companies, dates of employment, and job responsibilities.

One way to optimize this section is to organize your experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backward. Doing so allows hiring managers and recruiters to see your most recent work experience first, which can be beneficial in catching their attention.

B. Highlighting your skills

In addition to organizing your work experience, it’s crucial to highlight your skills on your resume. This can be accomplished by creating a separate section that lists your skills or by incorporating them within your work experience section.

When listing your skills, it’s important to focus on skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a marketing position, you may want to highlight your skills in areas such as social media management, email marketing, or content creation.

C. Writing bullet points that demonstrate achievements

Finally, it’s essential to showcase your achievements on your resume. This can be accomplished by writing bullet points under each of your job experiences that demonstrate your accomplishments or impact in the role.

For example, instead of saying that you “successfully managed a project,” you could say that you “led a cross-functional team of 10 people and delivered a project on time and under budget, resulting in a 15% increase in revenue for the company.”

When writing your bullet points, try to focus on quantifiable achievements and use action-oriented verbs to grab the reader’s attention. Doing so can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of landing an interview.

By organizing your experience, highlighting your skills, and showcasing your achievements, you can create a strong and effective resume that can help you land the job of your dreams.

Step 6: Editing and polishing your resume

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the final step of building your resume. Now it’s time to focus on editing and polishing to ensure that your document is error-free and presents you in the best light possible. Here is a step-by-step editing process to guide you through the process.

A. Step-by-step editing process

• Take a break: After spending hours perfecting your resume, it’s essential to take a break and come back to it with fresh eyes later.
• Review the formatting: Check that the font, font size, and formatting are consistent throughout the resume.
• Remove irrelevant information: Eliminate any information that is not essential to the job you are applying for.
• Use keywords: Ensure that the keywords relevant to your field are used throughout the resume.
• Spellcheck: Run a spellcheck to catch any spelling errors.
• Read it out loud: Read your resume out loud to catch any grammatical errors or sentences that don’t flow well.
• Get a second pair of eyes: Have a friend or family member review your resume for any mistakes or areas of improvement.

B. Tips for improving readability

To make your resume more readable, consider the following tips:

• Use bullet points
• Use short, concise sentences
• Use active voice
• Use white space effectively
• Use bold and italicized fonts sparingly

C. Final checklist before submitting your resume

Before submitting your resume, make sure you have completed the following:

• Checked spelling and grammar
• Double-checked all contact information is up-to-date
• Read your resume out loud to ensure it flows well
• Made necessary formatting changes
• Removed irrelevant information
• Run the document through a plagiarism checker

Remember, your resume is a reflection of you, and you want to ensure it is perfect before submitting it to a potential employer. By following these editing and polishing steps, you can be confident that your resume presents you in the best light possible.

Common mistakes to avoid

When it comes to crafting a winning resume, it’s just as important to know what  not  to do as it is to know what to do. Here is an overview of some common resume mistakes to avoid:

A. Overview of common resume mistakes:

Spelling and grammar errors – Even one typo or grammatical error can leave a negative impression on your potential employer. Always proofread multiple times and consider having someone else read it over for you before submitting.

Irrelevant information – Keep your resume focused on what’s important and relevant to the position you’re applying for. Don’t include irrelevant experience, personal hobbies or references, it can be seen as limited time and unprofessional.

Unprofessional email address – Your email address should be professional – avoid using email addresses that could be seen as unprofessional or immature

Not tailoring your resume to the job – Every job is different, every job posting should have something unique or different from other job postings. Therefore, customizing your resume is necessary for every job application.

B. Tips for avoiding these mistakes:

Use spellchecker – Even if you’re confident of your spelling and grammar, you may have missed a typo or grammatical error. Always proofread your resume multiple times and consider having someone else read it over for you to provide a perspective.

Be concise and relevant – Hiring managers and recruiters only have a few minutes to review an applicant’s resume. Tailor your experience and skills to the job posting you’re applying for, this will not only make the resume relevant but also shorter in length.

Be professional in all aspects – Professionalism makes a difference, create a professional email address and take some time to refine your resume online, print and email formatting.

Highlight your achievements – It’s not enough to list your responsibilities. You have to showcase your achievements and how you positively contributed to your previous employer.

Your resume is your first opportunity to impress a potential employer, so it’s essential to avoid these common mistakes. Remember, employers are looking for qualified candidates who stand out, show attention to detail and demonstrate their professionalism. By following these tips, you’ll be one step closer to securing your dream job.

Resume building for specific industries

When it comes to job hunting, one-size-fits-all resumes simply don’t work. Especially when you’re trying to break into a specific industry, you need to tailor your resume to prove your expertise and highlight your industry-specific skills. This section will explore resume building for three specific industries: tech, healthcare, and finance and accounting.

A. Resume building for the tech industry

The tech industry is known for its competitiveness and fast-paced environment, which means you need a resume that can stand out from the crowd. Some key things to keep in mind when building a tech industry resume include:

Highlighting your technical skills and experience: Make sure you include specific technical skills you have experience with, such as programming languages or software tools. Also, list any projects you have worked on that demonstrate your proficiency in these areas.

Showcasing your problem-solving abilities: The tech industry is all about finding new and innovative solutions to complex problems. Use your resume to highlight times when you have gone above and beyond to solve a difficult problem or overcome a technical challenge.

Demonstrating your versatility: Many tech industry jobs require employees to wear multiple hats and be able to work across different areas of the business. Make sure you emphasize any experience you have in different areas, such as project management or customer support.

B. Resume building for healthcare

Healthcare is a highly specialized industry that requires a unique set of skills and qualifications. When building a healthcare industry resume, some important things to consider include:

Emphasizing your clinical experience: Whether you’re a nurse or a doctor, your clinical experience is the most important aspect of your resume. Make sure to include specifics, such as the types of patients or conditions you have worked with.

Highlighting your certifications and credentials: In the healthcare industry, certifications and credentials can be critical to securing a job. Make sure you include any relevant certifications, such as ACLS, BLS, or PALS.

Demonstrating your communication skills: In healthcare, clear communication is essential between healthcare professionals, patients, and families. Use your resume to demonstrate how you have effectively communicated in high-pressure situations.

C. Resume building for finance and accounting

When it comes to the finance and accounting industry, attention to detail and financial acumen are key. Here are some things to keep in mind when building a finance and accounting resume:

Highlighting your quantitative skills: In finance and accounting, numbers are everything. Make sure to emphasize any quantitative skills you have, such as financial analysis or budgeting.

Demonstrating your attention to detail: A single mistake in finance or accounting can have significant consequences. Use your resume to demonstrate how you have an eye for detail and are committed to accuracy.

Emphasizing your experience with financial software: Many finance and accounting jobs require proficiency in specific financial software, such as QuickBooks or SAP. Be sure to include any experience you have with these tools.

Taking Your Resume to the Next Level

When it comes to building a strong resume, simply listing your work experience and education may not be enough. Adding certifications and awards, as well as including volunteer work and extracurricular activities, can give your resume an extra edge. Additionally, using social media can enhance your resume and make you stand out from other applicants.

A. Adding Certifications and Awards

Showcasing your professional achievements is important in demonstrating your skills and dedication. Including certifications and awards on your resume can help communicate this to potential employers. When including certifications, make sure they are relevant to the job you are applying for and list them in order of importance. For awards, focus on those that highlight your skills and experience in your field.

B. Including Volunteer Work and Extracurricular Activities

Volunteer work and extracurricular activities can demonstrate your passion for a specific cause or your ability to balance multiple responsibilities. Including these experiences on your resume can also provide insight into your interests and values beyond your professional work. When listing these activities, make sure they are relevant to the job you are applying for and highlight the skills you gained through them.

C. Tips for Using Social Media to Enhance Your Resume

Social media can be a valuable tool in enhancing your resume and personal brand. Including links to your professional social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, can help employers get a more complete picture of your work experience and skillset. Additionally, creating a personal website or blog can showcase your expertise and provide additional opportunities to highlight your achievements and experience.

When using social media, make sure to keep your profiles professional and up-to-date. Use a professional photo and ensure that your profile and posts align with your personal brand and the job you are applying for.

Taking steps to enhance your resume can make a significant impact on your job search. Including certifications and awards, volunteer work and extracurricular activities, and leveraging social media can help you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your skills and expertise.

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Your A+ Resume Outline: A Job Seeker’s Guide to Writing a Resume from Scratch

Apr 17, 2023 | Resumes

Not sure where to start with applying for jobs? Check out this expert resume outline to build a great resume from scratch!

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in June 2021; it has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 

By: Grace Mitchell | Contributor for Let’s Eat, Grandma

Hey there, job seeker.

Is your response to a busted pipe to pull up a YouTube tutorial? Did the pandemic inspire you to bake your own sourdough?

Maybe you hope to apply these same DIY principles to your resume-writing, but you’re overwhelmed at the sheer magnitude of advice out there.

We’re an award-winning resume-writing service, so we know a thing or two about what’s under the hood of a great resume.

Here’s our nuts and bolts guide to everything you need to write a resume outline from scratch.

Not sure you need to update your resume? Submit your it for a free resume critique from a Let’s Eat, Grandma senior writer!

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The key sections of your resume outline

Contact info.

First things first: hiring managers need to know whose resume they’re looking at (and where to send those interview requests!). The top of your one (or maybe two) page resume should include your first and last name, phone number, email address, city and state, and a link to your LinkedIn profile, either centered or left-justified to the margin .

Be sure to use a professional email address from a contemporary domain . It should go without saying, but [email protected] leaves a much better first impression than [email protected] .

Don’t worry about including your full mailing address ; it’s unlikely that your hiring manager will want to reach you via snail mail. If you’re applying to a job in a different city, you can list that city and either “relocating to” or “commuting to” next to it so that your resume still includes the job location, which is a common ATS keyword .

Finally, if you don’t have a LinkedIn account yet, creating one that’s tailored to your career story and current job search is a great way to attract recruiters and include details relevant to your job search that won’t fit on your resume.

Summary of Qualifications

Next up: your Summary of Qualifications ! This section includes a few sentences, bullet points, or both, outlining your main qualifications. You can think of it as a tl;dr for your resume (though we hope your hiring manager reads the whole document!). It should also be directly targeted to the job you’re applying for.

To write a winning Summary of Qualifications, try starting off with this formula for your first sentence:

Descriptive Word + Job Title + Level of Experience + Key Area of Expertise

From there, you can include one to three short sentences (and/or two to three bullet points) following the same structure but replacing the job title with a powerful noun and elaborating on your key areas of expertise that are most crucial to the qualifications of the specific job you’re applying to.

So your Summary of Qualifications would look something like this:

Your Summary of Qualifications should get the hiring manager interested in the experience you have to offer, so be sure it includes your career highlight reel, closely targeted to the job description, rather than a generic statement .

Your Skills, or Areas of Expertise, section lists hard and soft skills relevant to the job posting. Pay attention to the specific skills listed in the job description for the job you’re applying for, as these are likely to be used as ATS keywords .

This section shouldn’t take up much space in your resume, so listing your skills in categorized subsections is a good rule of thumb. And use your informed judgment with what to include here! If your target company’s main office is in Germany, it’s worth mentioning that you’re semi-fluent. Otherwise, you’re best sticking to skills that are more relevant and ditching the ones that aren’t .

Not sure you’ve included the right skills on your resume? Submit it for a free resume critique from a Let’s Eat, Grandma senior writer!

Professional Experience

When writing your resume from scratch, your professional experience section should be the longest section of your resume. This is where you list the recent and relevant positions you’ve held along with 3-6 accomplishment-based bullet points (the more recent or relevant the job, the more bullet points you should use).

For each position, include your job title, the company you worked for, and the dates of your employment. Then give your bulleted list of relevant achievements on the job. You can also include a brief 1-3 line paragraph before the bullets with a description of any important responsibilities or info about the company that’s not obvious from your job title or company title.

Your bullet points should lead with an action verb and should always include metrics to quantify your achievements when possible. This shouldn’t read like a job description because you want to show hiring managers what you personally brought to the job. For great accomplishment-driven bullet points, you can use this formula :

(1) Active Verb + (2) Contribution and Skills Used + (3) Result (4) Add Metrics to Contribution and/or Result

If you don’t have much professional experience, don’t fret! You can also list volunteer positions , freelance work, and internships.

The final section on your resume, in most cases, should be the Education section. (Note: If you’re a recent grad with limited professional experience or you’re switching to a career in a field you have a degree or certifications but limited professional experience in, this section should be closer to the top.)

Include your highest level of education, along with your field of study and university (if applicable). You often don’t need to list your GPA unless it’s required for the job, but you can include it if you want ( if it’s 3.5 or higher – you won’t win any points with the hiring manager for being in the “2.5 and alive” club).

Although some people choose to include the year they graduated, this isn’t actually needed. We usually only include it if it’s recent, within 10 years or so. If you’re an older job seeker, a hiring manager may use this against you .

You’ll also want to include any certifications or licenses relevant to the job you’re applying for on your resume, as well as any professional development courses you’ve completed. Depending on the importance of the certification, course, or license, you can either list these in the Education section (with a modification to the heading such as Education and Certifications), the Skills section, or in a dedicated Certifications/Licenses section.

Other helpful sections include Awards/Honors, where you can list accolades you’ve earned in your career, and Professional Affiliations, for the societies you belong to.

Putting together your resume 

While you may choose to modify it depending on your experience, the outline listed above works well for building any resume from scratch. Once you have each section written, you can fill out the content and put it all together in an easy-to-read, ATS-friendly format. And don’t forget to adjust the document for each job you apply to !

And voila, your very own self-made resume! Wondering how it will stack up to the competition? Submit it for a free resume critique from a Let’s Eat, Grandma senior writer!

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