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How to Write Resume Job Descriptions (With Examples)

how to write job role in resume

How to Write Resume Job Descriptions

Focus on skills and achievements, include keywords, be selective about what you include.

  • Prioritize Job Descriptions

Quantify Your Achievements

  • Emphasize Accomplishments

Make Your Jobs Sound Better

When you think about job descriptions, it's likely that job ads posted by employers first spring to mind. But the most important job descriptions may be the ones you create yourself when you’re describing past positions on your resume.

These job descriptions show prospective employers what you have accomplished in the positions you've held. They also provide a synopsis of your experience and skills.

Well-written descriptions for each job you have held will help get your resume noticed and selected for interviews.

Here’s advice on writing job descriptions for your resume, what to include, how to quantify and prioritize your accomplishments, and examples.

What's the best way to write attention-grabbing job descriptions? Before you start adding job descriptions to your resume, you may want to make a list of accomplishments at each of your jobs. This will prepare you for writing your resume.

After you have written a job description, look for ways to make your explanation more concise:

  • Craft effective impact statements.
  • Highlight skills and achievements, providing only enough detail to support your premises.
  • Edit out pronouns and articles.
  • Begin phrases or sentences with verbs.
  • Choose strong words— resume action words  like “initiated” and “supervised” are powerful and show that you’ve made an impact on your team.
  • Having short descriptions that focus on the most powerful aspects of your role will help recruiters and hiring managers quickly take in and assess your experience. 

If you are submitting resumes to organizations that add them into  applicant tracking systems  (ATS), include as many industry and job-specific " keywords " as possible. When searching databases for potential candidates, employers seek resumes with the greatest number of "hits" on keywords.

Keywords are most often nouns, e.g., “customer service” or “computer skills.” To use keywords most effectively, be specific, use as many as possible, and sprinkle them throughout your resume. 

Your resume isn’t your entire  work history , and you don’t need to include every duty for each role. Determine the most relevant information by putting yourself in your potential employer's position: Will this information help convince the employer that you are a worthwhile candidate to interview?

You do not have to include every responsibility you ever had. Group together similar tasks. For instance, rather than listing "Answered phones" and "Responded to customer emails" in two bullet points, you can combine and say, "Resolved customer issues through phone, email, and chat conversations."

Prioritize Your Qualifications

Next, think about prioritizing the information you provide in each description. Present details that are of the greatest interest to potential employers first. 

Highlight your most relevant qualifications for the job by listing them first in the job description.

For example, consider a candidate seeking a job in interior design. The resume might reflect a retail experience in which 75% of the candidate's time was spent on the sales floor, and 25% was spent designing window and floor displays. Since the design of window and floor displays is most meaningful to an interior design employer, this should be listed before sales. 

Job Description Example

Sales Associate , Retail USA, New York, NY October 2021 - Present

  • Designed all large windows using color as the primary focus.
  • Created engaging point-of-purchase displays for slow-moving small items; increased sales of these items by 30%.
  • Organized floor displays to maximize space and call attention to the latest merchandise.
  • Utilized strong interpersonal and communications skills to serve customers; received employee of the month award twice.

Quantify as much information as you can (numbers, dollar signs, and percentages can all help to make your case). 

For instance, a bullet point that reads "Grew traffic 35% year-over-year" is more impressive—and informative—than one that reads simply "Improved traffic."

Employers like numbers. It's much easier to look at signs and symbols than it is to read words.

Nearly any description, for any job, can be  enhanced through the use of numbers . A waitress might start out with the description, "Took customer orders and delivered food." But a quantified description saying, "Served customers in an upscale 100-seat restaurant," provides much more insight.

Waitress, Maxill's Restaurant,  New York, NY January 2022 - Present

  • Provided dining service for patrons at an upscale 100-seat fine dining establishment.
  • Served meals, cleared tables, monitored five tables, and provided exceptional customer service to up to 30 customers.
  • Trained new waitstaff on POS system, guest services, and restaurant policies and procedures.

Emphasize Accomplishments Over Responsibilities

It's important for employees to know you have the necessary experience to do the work required in the position. Still, many candidates will have this relevant experience.

To stand out, emphasize how you added value. Focus on accomplishments, rather than responsibilities.

As seen above, numbers can be your friend when it comes to  highlighting your accomplishments in your resume . As well, numbers provide context. For instance, you might say, "Increased revenue by 5%, after several years of decreasing sales."

Or, rather than saying, "Answered phone calls and dealt with customer concerns," you can say, "Resolved customer concerns, answering approximately 10 calls per hour. Became go-to person on the team for dealing with the toughest phone calls and most challenging complaints."

Employers want to know what you accomplished. Make it easy for them to see what you've done by using numbers and percentages.

While it is important to keep descriptions short, adding details and context can help show employers why you'd be a good match for the position. 

Customer Service Associate,  ABD Company March 2020 - August 2021

  • Resolved customer concerns efficiently and expeditiously, answering approximately 300 calls per week.
  • Achieved 100% of call performance goals for accuracy, speed, volume, resolution of issues, and customer satisfaction.
  • Nominated for employee-of-the-month four times for excellent attitude and exemplary customer service skills.

There are easy ways to jazz up your resume job descriptions to  make your jobs sound super impressive . A few simple tweaks here and there can make your resume much better.

Key Takeaways

  • Spend some time writing the job descriptions on your resume, since potential employers will read them carefully. 
  • Focus on relevant skills and accomplishments—be choosy about the information you include, and place the most relevant information at the top of the job description. 
  • Rather than simply listing out tasks, focus on what you've accomplished in each role, incorporating attention-grabbing numbers and percentages. 

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  • Resume and Cover Letter
  • Sample Job Descriptions to...

Sample Job Descriptions to Help You Enhance Your Resume

5 min read · Updated on December 10, 2021

Amanda Augustine

It doesn't matter what you do for a living; when you decide to look for work, you instantly become a marketer.

As a job seeker, you are required to advertise your qualifications and professional reputation — in other words, your personal brand — to employers and recruiters in your desired field online, in person, and on paper.

One of the most important documents you'll need to update or create for this process is your professional resume. A great resume is written with a specific job goal in mind. It should be tailored for each job application by showcasing your most valuable and relevant skills in a way that positions you as an ideal candidate for the job you want.

Why use job descriptions when creating your resume

In order to ensure that your professional resume is supporting your career goals, gather a few sample job descriptions that describe the type of position you're interested in and qualified for. Then, compare the skills and qualifications on your resume with the desired qualifications in the sample job descriptions.

By reviewing job description examples, you'll be able to identify what technical and soft skills, credentials, and work experience matter most to an employer in your target field.

This will aid your job search in many ways. First, it will help you determine if you're missing any important skills that recruiters are looking for . Once you have this information, then you can take steps to build up those skill sets with courses, certification programs, side projects, or internships to become a more attractive job candidate.

Second, these sample job descriptions will help you decide which of your current qualifications should be highlighted throughout your professional resume and cover letter.

And finally, you can use example job descriptions to find the right words to describe the roles and responsibilities you held in each job listed in your work history.

How to get started using job descriptions for your resume

To help you get started, take a look at the sample job descriptions below. For additional example job descriptions, search for listings on your favorite online job boards, and check out the following links from Workable.com .

Search for two types of sample job descriptions:

Job posts that are similar to roles you've previously held; and

Listings that represent the type of position you're currently targeting.

In both of these instances, don't worry about the job's location. For the purpose of this exercise, instead only focus on the job description and its requirements.

Use the sample job descriptions that match titles in your work history to beef up your professional resume's Employment History section. Click on the following link to learn how to use these job listings to brag about your experience .

Once you've found three to five sample listings that describe your job goals, copy and paste the text of each job description into a Word document and bold any phrases that routinely pop up. Then, highlight each term that describes a qualification you possess. Use this information to edit your resume and cover letter so that your key accomplishments and skills match those desired by your target employer. Your end result should be a professional resume that mirrors the employer's requirements.

how to write job role in resume

Sample Job Descriptions:

Account Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for account manager

Accountant Sample Job Description

View the job description for accountant

Administrative Assistant Sample Job Description

View the job description for administrative assistant

Business Analyst Sample Job Description

View the job description for business analyst

Cashier Sample Job Description

View the job description for cashier

Customer Service Representative Sample Job Description

View the job description for customer service representative

Host/Hostess Sample Job Description

View the job description for host/hostess

Machine Operator Sample Job Description

View the job description for machine operator

Medical Assistant Sample Job Description

View the job description for medical assistant

Office Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for office manager

Operations Manager Sample Job Description

Project manager sample job description.

View the job description for project manager

Receptionist Sample Job Description

View the job description for receptionist

Research Assistant Sample Job Description

View the job description for research assistant

Retail Sales Associate Sample Job Description

View the job description for retail sales associate

Sales Director Sample Job Description

View the job description for sales director

Sales Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for sales manager

Security Officer Sample Job Description

View the job description for security officer

Senior Account Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior account manager

Senior Accounting Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior accounting manager

Senior Business Analyst Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior business analyst

Senior Project Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior project manager

Senior Sales Associate Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior sales associate

Senior Software Developer Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior software developer

Senior Software Engineer Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior software engineer

Server Sample Job Description

View the job description for server

Software Developer Sample Job Description

View the job description for software developer

Software Engineer Sample Job Description

View the job description for software engineer

Store Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for store manager

Waiter/Waitress Sample Job Description

View the job description for waiter/waitress

Click on the following link for more job-search advice .

Still need help with your resume? Take advantage of our free resume review today!

Recommended Reading:

The Essential Parts of a Resume Explained

Free Download: Resume Worksheet by TopResume

How to Tailor Your Resume for a Specific Application

Related Articles:

How to Maximize Your Resume Action Words to Wow the Employer

Resume Spelling and Accent Explained

Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience

See how your resume stacks up.

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Resume Job Description: Samples & Tips To Help You Enhance Your Application

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In This Guide:

What is a resume job description, responsibilities vs accomplishments: how to enhance your resume job description, how to write your resume job description with achievements if you’re a newly grad, how do i tailor a resume to a job description effectively, looking for a resume job description example.

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Getting your resume done is one of the most unnerving parts of the job application process.

Do I have enough experience? Which positions should I list? Can I mention my volunteer work history? Should I or should I not include a photo on my resume ?

These are just some of the questions that ran through my mind when I was preparing my resume.

I spent days researching the best resume practices out there, trying to craft the perfect document that was sure to land me the job.

I wanted my resume to stand out. To make an impact on the hiring managers. I wanted it to work.

And you know what? I made it work.

Surprisingly, all I did was tweak one part that hadn’t crossed my mind before – the job description .

So, stick around and let me tell you the story of how one section can make or break your application.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • What a resume job description is and why it’s important;
  • How to make sure you write a job description that blows all the other candidates out of the water;
  • How to tailor your job description to the specific position you’re applying for.

Enhancv Resume Job Description: Samples & Tips To Help You Enhance Your Application

BUILD MY RESUME NOW

Now, let’s start with the question on everyone’s minds.

To put it short, a job description section on your resume shows the prospective employers your past work experience (paid, internship, and volunteer), as well as your key skills and accomplishments demonstrated at a specific job.

It’s one of the most important resume sections .

It shows a hiring manager what you’ve achieved, what you’ve learned, and how that can be applied to the position they’re offering.

What a well-written resume job description does is highlight the fact that your skills and accomplishments are not only relevant to the job at hand – they’re exactly what the company needs.

When writing about your work history, don’t just list your duties at a past job – that’s boring and, to be honest, recruiters don’t really care.

What’s important to them is that you have the necessary experience, skills, and drive to manage and excel at the task you’ll need to handle.

Hopefully, you now know what a job description section is.

So, to make sure you write one that gets your resume noticed, I’m going to give you some hot tips, coming straight from the experts.

Let’s get right to it!

Focus on your skills and achievements

As I said, recruiters don’t really care about all the daily duties and responsibilities you’ve had before, even if your past job is relevant to the one you’re applying for.

I guarantee, every other applicant that’s held a similar position will have had similar duties. Your job title itself lets the recruiter know what they are.

It doesn’t matter what you did, but how you succeeded at it.

So, what you need to do is highlight your accomplishments and skills while you outline your duties. This shows the hiring manager that you can bring value to the company.

You don’t need to go into too much detail – a simple statement, such as “Created a custom client dashboard that reduced support tickets by 50%” is enough to show what you’ve brought to the table.

However, you can’t just throw any old achievement in there. You need to curate your content. So…

Vet your experience and select the most relevant information

You don’t have to list your entire work history when you write your resume job description, just as you don’t have to list every single responsibility.

What helps is to pinpoint which part of your experience will be the most important to the recruiter and focus on that.

Prioritize the information you include in your job descriptions. You may have achieved tons of things at your past job – but which one is the most relevant? Find out and put it first.

Try and put yourself in the employer’s shoes.

Will a recruiter looking for a web developer be impressed by how you increased Walmart’s Pepper Jack sales by 30% in a week?

Probably not, unless it’s his favorite cheese.

So, research the company, the position, and what is most important to them, and then match it to your skills and accomplishments.

Let the numbers speak for you

Take any achievement of yours. Can the information be represented by symbols and numbers? If yes, then do just that.

People find reading concrete symbols and signs easier than reading words.

Let’s go back to our cheese example from before. Which of the following statements is more impressive:

“Increased cheese sales” or “Increased Pepper Jack sales by 30% in 1 week by leading a successful marketing campaign”?

Even something as ordinary as cheese can sound fancy when you throw in raw data like that.

Be very specific when talking about your achievements and quantify as much as possible.

Make attention-grabbing section headers

Your work experience section is perhaps the most important part of that document. So, make it stand out .

You don’t have to name the section anything specific – Work Experience, Work History, Experience, Employment History – all of these are fine.

Just make sure it’s clearly visible. Go for all-caps, or bold, or add an accent, contrasting color.

The Enhancv resume builder lets you give all your sections custom names, so you can let your personality shine through and better reflect your expertise.

Put your work experience in a visible spot

I’ll say it again – your work experience is one of the most important sections of your resume.

Most recruiters will say that the resume job description is their main source of information on whether the potential employee will do well at a certain job.

So, it makes sense to put it somewhere where it can’t be missed.

Add this section right after your resume summary and before any others, such as Education , Languages , and Skills .

List your resume job descriptions in a reverse-chronological order

This is a very popular and quite useful tactic, and it’s perfect for most resumes, with minimal exceptions.

Start with your current or last job . Move on to the position before that, then the one before that , you get it.

By doing this, you guarantee that the hiring manager sees the best of you and your abilities.

Use between 3 to 5 bullet points for each job

The easiest way for a recruiter to scan through your work experience section is if you use bullet points to list your achievements, skills, and duties.

For each position, use from 3 to 5 bullets. The more recent the job is, the more bullet points you can use. The farther back you go, the fewer you need, and you can only list the most relevant information.

You don’t need a bullet for every single achievement and skill, either. You may have succeeded in a lot of different areas, but not all of them will be important in all cases.

Customize your resume and tailor the information to the job description.

Start each bullet point with an action verb

Eliminate any unnecessary words wherever possible. Hiring managers don’t need all the fluff, and no one wants to read through a 3-page essay about your previous work experience.

Keep it short and sweet.

Start each bullet with an action verb to make it clearer and more powerful.

Another helpful tip is to begin with the successful result of your actions, followed by the action itself.

“Increased Pepper Jack sales by 30% in 1 week by leading a successful marketing campaign”, remember?

Recruiters are more likely to remember the result than the process.

Include the benefit your actions and results had on the company goals

As I mentioned before, you need to decide on what will be most important to the company.

Not only do they want to know that you can succeed at the job, but they also want to know what you can bring to the table, what value you can add.

Give the hiring manager context, too. Show them how your skills can be used in practice.

I understand that it’s easier to write a resume when you have experience. It can be difficult for those straight out of college to figure out what kind of experience they can include.

I’ve been in that position, too.

Just because you don’t have any actual paid work experience doesn’t mean you’ll have to leave that section blank, though.

If you’ve only just graduated and you don’t have that much relevant experience, you can place the education section first, focus on your academic achievements, and put the resume job description after.

In the actual work experience section, you can highlight any other relevant experiences, for example – unpaid internships, volunteer work , student organizations, etc, up to 4 or 5 positions.

For your resume to really succeed, it’s important that you tailor it to the specific job you’re applying for.

You shouldn’t send the same resume with every application, just as you wouldn’t send the same cover letter.

But how do you tailor a resume to a job description ?

Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds!

One of the first things you should do is read the job description that came with the job offer. Read it once, then read it twice, then read it three times.

What you’re trying to do here is identify what’s most important to the company and what they’re looking for in an employee for this particular position. They want to know what you can bring to the table.

Match the content of your resume to the job description. If you’re applying for an engineering job , don’t talk about your time as a cheese salesman, unless parts of what you learned and achieved are really relevant.

A helpful trick is to pay attention to the keywords. Go over the job description and the position requirements and highlight any key ones.

Think of stuff like “detail-oriented”, “resourceful”, and “communication skills”.

Then make a list of all your skills and achievements.

Match those skills to the keywords. The more matches you make, the better your chances of writing a resume that lands you that coveted interview.

Sprinkle those words around your resume, and especially in your work experience section. This will help you pass the automatic sorting system, as well as catch the eye of the recruiter that scans resumes for keywords.

So, follow all the tips from above and you’ll be well on your way to crafting a stellar resume that gets you hired!

I know this can all seem daunting.

So, to help you out, I’ll give you some of our best examples of a great resume job description. And if you want more full resume examples to guide you, I’ve got you covered.

Take a look at this accounting analyst resume.

Enhancv Resume Job Description: Samples & Tips To Help You Enhance Your Application

Now take a look at the following bullet:

“Participated in implementing automated accounting processes that reduced errors of accounting items by 55%”.

It has everything – it starts with an action verb, it quantifies the achievement – overall, I’d say it’s not half bad, wouldn’t you?

Now, let’s switch it up and examine this baker’s resume:

Enhancv Resume Job Description: Samples & Tips To Help You Enhance Your Application

Let’s start with the placement – this resume doesn’t put that much emphasis on the work experience section.

Personally, I’d give some more thought to whether my experience or my education is more important in this case. However, work experience definitely beats the way I spend my time, so surely it should come before it.

Let’s look at the resume job description. Which one of the following do you think is more impressive:

“Ensured all prepared items are appropriately labeled, covered, and rotated” or “Resolved conflicts between kitchen staff which increased the efficiency of the kitchen by 50%”?

Probably the second one, right? So, they probably should have put it first on the list.

Overall, there’s room for improvement here.

And last, but not least, let’s shift the focus to this teacher’s resume:

Enhancv Resume Job Description: Samples & Tips To Help You Enhance Your Application

Here, they’ve got the placement right – experience is important for a teacher, after all.

The bullets following their most recent position highlight their skills and achievements, and they’ve kept in mind what would be important for this job.

I probably would have started with “Contributed to raising retention rate from 75% – 89%”, but other than that – a fine example.

So, there you have it – you now know what a resume job description is, why you need one, and how to write one that skyrockets your chances of success.

To summarise, here are the most important things to keep in mind:

  • A job description section on your resume shows the prospective employers your past work experience, as well as your skills and accomplishments.
  • When writing a work experience section, focus on your skills and achievements, rather than your duties and responsibilities.
  • Keep the information relevant to the position at hand.
  • Quantify your achievements – employers like numbers.
  • Make your job description section visible, make sure it stands out.
  • Use bullet points and start each with an action verb.
  • Tailor your resume to the company’s needs and requirements, but keep it truthful.

I hope this post was useful to you. Do you have any other questions? Do you have any experience you want to share? You can do so in the comments!

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How to Write Resume Job Description [+ Examples]

  • April 18, 2024
  • In Resumes & Cover Letters

How To Write A Resume Job Description

A well-written resume job description goes far beyond a dull list of jobs and duties. In fact, a strong presentation of your knowledge and achievements can increase your chances of landing the job. Primarily, your resume job description should offer insight into your value as an employee. With these 7 tips, you will learn how to write compelling job descriptions that grab the recruiter’s attention and open doors to new career opportunities.

Why is a job description important to an employer

A resume job description is incredibly important for several reasons:

  • Establishing Credibility : A well-written job description in your resume establishes your credibility with prospective employers. It showcases what you bring to the table and why you are the perfect match for the job.
  • Demonstrating Readiness for the Role : A strong job description shows recruiters and prospective employers that you can immediately start contributing without much hand-holding or training. It conveys that you have the necessary skills and experience to hit the ground running.
  • Optimizing for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) : Tailoring your resume job description to the specific job you are applying for is crucial. Many companies use ATS to scan and rank resumes based on keywords and skills. By optimizing your job description with specific skills and keywords, you increase your chances of getting noticed by the system and advancing in the hiring process.
  • Standing Out from Other Candidates : A well-crafted job description that aligns with the requirements of the position can help you stand out from other candidates. By highlighting your achievements and showcasing how your skills match the job description, you can make a strong impression on hiring managers.

In summary, a resume job description is essential for establishing credibility, showcasing your abilities, demonstrating readiness for the role, optimizing for ATS, and standing out from other candidates. By tailoring your job description to the specific job you are applying for and highlighting your achievements, you increase your chances of securing an interview and landing the job.

How to write an effective resume job description

Writing effective job descriptions in your resume is crucial for showcasing your skills, experiences, and accomplishments to potential employers. Here are some tips on how to write a resume job description:

Step 1: Include relevant information

Start the job description section at the top half of the first page of your resume. Include the job title, company name, location, dates of employment, and a brief overview of your responsibilities and achievements.

Step 2: Highlight accomplishments

 Instead of simply listing your job duties, focus on your measurable accomplishments and the impact you made in each role. Use specific examples and quantify your achievements whenever possible. This helps employers understand the value you can bring to their organization.

Step 3: Use concise language

 Craft impactful statements by using strong action verbs and removing unnecessary pronouns and articles. Begin phrases or sentences with verbs to make your descriptions more engaging and dynamic. Choose words that demonstrate your skills and show that you have made a positive impact in your previous roles.

Step 4: Tailor descriptions to the job

 Customize your job descriptions to align with the requirements and responsibilities of the position you are applying for. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that directly relate to the job you are seeking.

Step 5: Follow a reverse chronological order

Start with your most recent or current job and work backward in time. This format is commonly used and helps employers easily understand your career progression.

Step 6: Always use bullet points

Use bullet points to showcase the responsibilities and achievements for each previous job. Bullet points should be concise and to the point. They do not require long sentences or punctuation.

Including relevant keywords in resume job descriptions

Including relevant keywords in resume job descriptions is crucial for catching the attention of hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan resumes.

  • Review the job posting : Carefully analyze the job posting or job description of the position you are applying for. Identify keywords and phrases that are frequently mentioned and align with the requirements of the role.
  • Identify core skills and qualifications : Identify the core skills, qualifications, and experience necessary for the job. These could include technical skills, industry-specific knowledge, certifications, or soft skills. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your job descriptions.
  • Quantify achievements : Whenever possible, quantify your achievements and provide specific results or metrics. This not only makes your resume more impactful but also helps incorporate keywords. 
  • Avoid keyword stuffing : While it’s important to include keywords, avoid overloading your resume with them. Use keywords naturally and in context, ensuring that your descriptions flow smoothly and remain focused on your accomplishments and responsibilities.

By including the right keywords, you increase the chances of your resume standing out and passing through ATS screenings.

Resume job description examples

Resume job descriptions are an essential part of your resume, as they provide specific details about your previous jobs and experiences. Including accurate and well-written job descriptions can help highlight your skills, achievements, and qualifications to potential employers. Here are some examples of resume job descriptions:

#1. Customer Service Job Description Example

Customer Service Associate, Timmy’s Retail, Columbus, Ohio January 2011 – March 2016

  • Emphasized customer satisfaction by resolving circa 170 customer queries every week.
  • Spearheaded weekly strategy meetings and suggested a new ticketing system that decreased response time by 23%.
  • Named employee of the month 24 times for proactive attitude and high customer satisfaction.

#2. Executive Assistant Job Description Sample

Executive Assistant, BrightWay Inc., Boston, Massachusetts September 2017 – November 2020

  • Developed and implemented a new filing system that increased productivity and saved up to 1 hour’s work daily.
  • Realized $2800 in monthly savings by reducing unneeded expenses and finding better deals for office supplies.

#3. Front Office Job Description Sample

Front Office Receptionist, Lilly & Co, New York , New York May 2018 – November 2023

  • Implemented a new appointment scheduling system, resulting in a 23% increase in efficiency and a cost savings of $7,500 per year.
  • Providing support with various administrative tasks, which may include organizing files, entering data, and preparing documents.
  • Providing general information to visitors and clients.
  • Assisting with event planning and coordination.

#4. Project Manager Job Description Sample

Project Manager, Nordisk, Columbus, Ohio Jun 2019 – November 2023

  • Designed an accelerated program roadmap, saving 25% on expenditures and delivering completed implementation three months ahead of schedule
  • Directed a $2M corporate headquarters relocation project, delivering target outcomes on time and under budget
  • Coordinating internal resources and third-party vendors to ensure the seamless completion of projects.

#5. Sales Manager  Job Description Sample

Sales Manager, Blue Hill Holdings, New York, New York July 2015 – December 2020

  • Trained and onboarded 13 sales agents, 11 of whom are still a part of the company
  • Increased annual sales revenue by 18% through the usage of a new sales system
  • Utilized strong negotiation and communication skills to sign new clients, exceeding monthly sales goals by 34%

#6.  Supervisor Job Description Sample

Supervisor, Honeywell Gropup, New York , New York September 2017 – November 2023

  • Led a team that successfully completed a project three weeks ahead of schedule, resulting in cost savings of $87,000.
  • Successfully completed specialized projects, such as implementing a new customer service system that resulted in a 27% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Coach, resolve issues, and provide guidance and support for individual development needs.

#7. Teacher Job Description Example

Teacher, Manhattan Upper School September 2017 – November 2020

  • Developed and implemented lesson plans based on curriculum guidelines.
  • Delivered engaging and interactive lessons to students.
  • Assessed student performance and provided feedback and grades.
  • Communicated with parents/guardians regarding student progress and behavior.

A strong resume job description aims to demonstrate the value and expertise that make you the perfect fit for the job. By following the tips above, you will create an impactful job description that will impress the recruiter and help you stand out.

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Job Responsibilities Examples: How to Describe Job Duties On Your Resume (+ 13 Templates)

Nathan Thompson

3 key takeaways

  • Job responsibilities serve as a guide for job seekers and a strategic tool for employers.
  • Each job responsibility on your resume should include an action verb, task, and metric.
  • Teal’s AI Resume Builder is the fastest way to craft effective job responsibilities.

Job responsibilities are the detailed tasks and duties assigned to a specific role within an organization. Which responsibilities you choose to showcase and how you chose to include them on your resume can make the difference in whether you move forward in the hiring process.

Properly communicating job responsibilities is equally important for job seekers as it is for companies. To craft an effective job description, an employer needs to accurately and concisely convey a role’s job requirements. Conversely, job seekers need to tailor their resumes to show how their current job responsibilities align with the current opportunity.

As a result, you should consider the impact of job responsibilities from two perspectives: the employer and the job seeker.

How to list job responsibilities on your resume as a job seeker

A resume should showcase your proven track record and potential. To elevate the descriptions of key responsibilities you’ve held in the past, try this success formula:

Action Verb + Task + Metric + [Strategy Optional] = Outcome  

For example, "Led a marketing team ( action verb + task ) to increase online engagement by 40% ( metric ) through a targeted social media campaign ( strategy ), resulting in a 15% increase in sales ( outcome )."

Here are some tips for writing effective job descriptions for your resume:

Quantify achievements

Wherever possible, use numbers and data to quantify your resume . Including concrete numbers legitimizes your ability to carry out the roles and responsibilities assumed by your title and outlined in the job description in question.

Mirror the job description

Examine the job listing closely and align your resume to it. Use similar language and emphasize related resume work experience most relevant to the new role.

Highlight relevant skills

Demonstrate how your skills directly correlate with the job duties listed. Make it easy for hiring managers to see you as the ideal candidate.

Customize your resume

No two job applications are the same. Tailor your resume for each job you apply to, focusing on how your background fits with each specific role.

For job seekers, a tailored resume that speaks to these key responsibilities can set you apart. For employers, clear and detailed job descriptions are your first step in attracting the right talent. 

Use these strategies to enhance your hiring processes or to refine your approach to applying for new roles.

How to use AI to write job responsibilities

Leveraging AI, Teal's AI achievement generator helps transform work experiences into quantifiable achievements. Teal prompts you to think about your roles in terms of measurable impacts and then suggests better ways to phrase those experiences to resonate with potential employers.

Plus, Teal’s Matching Mode feature allows you to tailor your resume to align perfectly with any job application, underlining the relevance of your skills to the defined role and highlighting your qualifications using the right keywords from the job postings.

Companies use recruiters to find top talent. Teal gives candidates equivalent tools for finding a job. It's your personal assistant in the job search process, saving you time, enhancing your applications, and helping you land interviews faster.

How to create comprehensive job descriptions as an employer

Crafting a detailed and comprehensive job description is crucial to attracting the right candidates and setting clear performance expectations. 

Here are best practices to key points to consider when writing a job description:

Be specific

Clearly define each task and responsibility. 

Avoid vague descriptions to minimize mismatches between job expectations and applicant assumptions.

❌ "Assist with project management tasks."

✅ "Collaborate with team members to develop project timelines, track progress, and ensure timely completion of deliverables."

Update regularly

Job roles evolve with industry standards and organizational changes. Ensure job postings are current and reflect the role accurately.

If the role of a sales representative now includes responsibilities in digital marketing, the job description should be updated to reflect this change. 

❌ Mention traditional sales techniques.

✅ Include digital marketing skills like “social media management” and “lead generation through online channels.”

Remember, this is dependent on the role and how that role is outlined in the job description. 

Incorporate keywords

Use industry-specific keywords and phrases. This not only helps attract the right candidates but also makes the job posting more searchable online.

❌ When hiring for a software engineer, you fail to list languages required.

✅ Include keywords like "Java," "Python," or "agile development" to appeal to candidates with relevant skills and experience. 

This will also help the job posting appear in search results when candidates search for these specific keywords. Teal’s AI Resume Builder helps you with this by analyzing the job description and incorporating the right words throughout your resume.

Include expectations

Beyond specific tasks, outline expected outcomes and performance metrics. This gives potential applicants a clear idea of how success is measured in the role.

❌ Only listing tasks for a customer service representative

✅ Include expectations like "Achieve customer satisfaction ratings of 90% or higher" or "Respond to customer inquiries within 24 hours." 

These metrics give applicants a clear understanding of the performance standards and expectations for the role.

Bad job responsibilities example for job description

Job Title: Sales Manager

  • Manage the sales team
  • Oversee the sales process
  • Work with various teams
  • Ensure customer satisfaction
  • Meet sales targets

Good job responsibilities example for job description

  • Lead and mentor a team of 12 sales representatives to hit quarterly team sales goals through individual coaching sessions and weekly team meetings
  • Streamline the sales process by implementing a new CRM system by Q3 2023, with the goal of reducing sales cycle time by 20%
  • Collaborate with Marketing, Product Development, and Customer Service teams to ensure alignment, aiming for a 15% year-over-year increase in customer retention
  • Actively monitor customer satisfaction metrics using Net Promoter Score (NPS) and implement data-driven strategies to improve scores by at least 10 points within the next fiscal year

In these job responsibilities examples, roles are clarified with specific goals, day-to-day tasks,  metrics for success, and time frames. That level of specificity gives candidates a better idea of what success looks like for the role, helping them qualify themselves in or out to save both parties valuable time.

Job responsibilities examples by role

1. digital marketing manager, example job responsibilities for a digital marketing manager resume.

  • Developed and executed comprehensive digital marketing strategies that increased online engagement by 35% within six months, leveraging platforms such as Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
  • Designed and optimized multiple digital advertising campaigns, resulting in a 25% reduction in cost per acquisition (CPA) and a 43% increase in conversion rate within one year.
  • Monitored and analyzed key website and campaign performance metrics, using conversion data to refine strategies continuously. This approach improved campaign ROI by 51% across all digital channels.

Why it works for job seekers: Here, the applicant showcases their successful track record in increasing online engagement and conversions, demonstrating their ability to contribute significantly to a company's digital marketing objectives.

Example job responsibilities for a digital marketing manager job description

  • Develop and execute digital marketing strategies across various channels, including LinkedIn, Instagram, the blog, and YouTube.
  • Create and optimize digital advertising campaigns for a 10% increase in engagement
  • Conduct market research to identify customer trends and insights
  • Monitor and analyze website and campaign performance metrics
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align marketing efforts

Why it works for employers: It helps the hiring manager identify candidates with proven abilities to develop, execute, and optimize marketing strategies across various digital platforms effectively, ensuring maximum online visibility and engagement.

2. Sales Representative

Example job responsibilities for a sales representative resume.

  • Proactively identified and pursued new sales opportunities, leading to a 30% increase in sales pipeline growth quarter-over-quarter through effective prospecting and networking strategies.
  • Successfully negotiated and closed sales contracts that resulted in a 20% year-over-year increase in sales revenue.
  • Delivered outstanding customer service, swiftly resolving any post-sale issues and concerns, leading to a customer satisfaction rating of 98% and generating positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Why it works for job seekers: This allows job seekers to demonstrate their direct contribution to sales growth and client satisfaction, underlining potential candidates as high-performing sales professionals.

Example job responsibilities for a sales representative job description

  • Identify and pursue new sales opportunities through prospecting and networking
  • Build and maintain relationships with clients and customers
  • Conduct product demonstrations and presentations to potential clients
  • Negotiate contracts and close sales deals
  • Provide excellent customer service and resolve any issues

Why it works for employers: It attracts individuals who have a strong foundation in sales tactics, relationship-building skills, and the perseverance to identify and convert sales opportunities into tangible results.

3. Account Director

Example job responsibilities for an account director resume.

  • Managed key client relationships, serving as the primary point of contact for over 15 high-value accounts, increasing client retention rates by 25% through personalized service and strategic account management.
  • Implemented comprehensive customer service protocols, which enhanced client satisfaction scores by 30%, ensuring all clients received timely, effective solutions to their inquiries and issues.
  • Led cross-functional team collaborations, working closely with marketing, sales, and product development teams to meet or exceed client objectives, facilitating a seamless execution of complex projects and campaigns.

Why it works for job seekers: Candidates can illustrate their competency in managing and growing key accounts, emphasizing their role in enhancing customer satisfaction and contributing to the company's revenue.

Example job responsibilities for an account director job description

  • Manage relationships with key accounts and serve as the primary point of contact for clients
  • Ensure client satisfaction and retention through excellent customer service
  • Analyze account performance and identify opportunities for growth
  • Develop and implement account-specific strategies to maximize revenue
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver on client objectives

Why it works for employers: The focus is attracting skilled relationship managers who can ensure customer satisfaction and drive revenue growth through strategic account management.

4. Project Manager

Example job responsibilities for a project manager resume.

  • Successfully defined and communicated project scope, goals, and deliverables for over 30 projects, aligning with client and stakeholder expectations and steering projects toward clear objectives.
  • Coordinated resources across multiple departments, efficiently managing task assignments to maintain productivity and meet critical project milestones in fast-paced environments.
  • Proactively identified, assessed, and mitigated project risks, implementing risk management strategies that reduced project setbacks by 40%, ensuring smoother project execution and delivery.

Why it works for job seekers: Individuals can highlight their expertise in leading projects to successful completion, showcasing their ability to manage resources efficiently and communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Example job responsibilities for a project manager job description

  • Define project scope, goals, and deliverables
  • Develop and maintain project timelines and budgets
  • Coordinate resources and tasks to ensure project completion
  • Manage relationships with stakeholders and communicate project progress
  • Identify and mitigate project risks

Why it works for employers: It's clear the hiring manager is looking for candidates adept at planning, executing, and finalizing projects according to strict deadlines and within budget, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.

5. Human Resources

Example job responsibilities for an hr resume.

  • Spearheaded the implementation and enforcement of HR policies, procedures, and practices, leading to a 40% reduction in policy violations and contributing to a more structured and compliant workplace environment.
  • Oversaw end-to-end recruitment and onboarding processes for over 200 new hires, improving employee retention by 30% within the first 90 days due to enhanced onboarding practices and fit assessment techniques.
  • Ensured strict compliance with employment laws and regulations through rigorous audit practices and training sessions, significantly reducing the risk of legal issues and maintaining a 100% compliance rate throughout tenure.

Why it works for job seekers: Job seekers targeting an HR role can use these job responsibilities examples as templates to showcase their skills in managing HR operations, implementing effective policies and procedures, and driving success through strategic recruitment techniques. 

Example job responsibilities for an HR  job description

  • Implement and enforce HR policies, procedures, and practices
  • Oversee recruitment and onboarding processes
  • Provide guidance and support to employees on HR-related matters
  • Manage employee performance and development programs
  • Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations

Why it works for employers: These responsibilities outline a comprehensive view of an HR role, highlighting the importance of implementing policies, overseeing recruitment, supporting employees, and ensuring legal compliance—all crucial for fostering a healthy and productive workplace.

6. Vice President of Marketing

Example job responsibilities for a vp marketing resume.

  • Conceived and executed a holistic marketing strategy that drove a 45% growth rate and a 35% increase in annual revenue, identifying new market segments and crafting tailored campaigns.
  • Led and mentored a diverse team of 15 marketing professionals, fostering a culture of creativity, innovation, and accountability that resulted in a 50% improvement in departmental KPIs.
  • Conducted comprehensive market research using tools like Nielsen data and Google Analytics to identify emerging trends and opportunities, resulting in a 30% increase in market share and a deeper understanding of customer needs.

Why it works for job seekers: Candidates can highlight their strategic leadership and impact on growth, showcasing their ability to drive significant business results through innovative marketing strategies.

Example job responsibilities for a VP Marketing job description

  • Develop and execute an overall marketing strategy to drive growth and increase revenue
  • Lead and mentor a team of marketing professionals to achieve goals
  • Develop and implement digital marketing campaigns using various channels
  • Collaborate with business leaders to align marketing efforts with overall business goals and objectives

Why it works for employers: This role targets visionary leaders capable of defining and guiding a company's marketing strategy to drive substantial growth and revenue increases.

7. IT Project Manager

Example job responsibilities for it project manager resume.

  • Defined and clarified project scope, goals, and deliverables for multiple high-stakes technology projects, ensuring all team members and stakeholders had a clear understanding of expectations and objectives.
  • Developed comprehensive project plans, establishing realistic timelines and budgets, which were adhered to within a ±5% variance, demonstrating strong planning and financial management abilities.
  • Effectively coordinated technical resources and task assignments among a diverse team of 25+ IT professionals, meeting 90% of project milestones ahead of schedule and maintaining team productivity and morale.
  • Implemented and refined project management best practices and methodologies, such as Agile and Waterfall, tailored to fit organizational needs and project types, leading to a 50% increase in project delivery efficiency.

Why it works for job seekers: Emphasizing these skills shows potential employers that the candidates can manage IT projects successfully, deliver on time, communicate effectively, and significantly improve project efficiency.

Example job responsibilities for an IT job description

  • Develop project plans, timelines, and budgets
  • Coordinate resources and tasks to meet project milestones
  • Communicate project status and risks to stakeholders
  • Implement project management best practices and methodologies

Why it works for employers: These responsibilities reflect the hiring manager's preferences for a highly organized individual capable of defining goals, planning projects, coordinating resources, communicating with stakeholders, and applying project management methodologies.

8. Systems Administrator

Example job responsibilities for a systems admin resume.

  • Successfully installed, configured, and maintained a diverse range of servers and network equipment, resulting in a 99.9% uptime over the measured period and ensuring optimal system performance.
  • Diligently monitored system performance, identified and troubleshooted minor and major issues promptly, decreasing downtime by 30% and enhancing network stability.
  • Provided high-level technical support to end-users and IT teams, solving complex software and hardware issues, resulting in an improved support service satisfaction rate of 95%.

Why it works for job seekers: By showcasing their accomplishments in these areas, the job seeker can depict their technical competence, problem-solving skills, ability to ensure cyber security, maintain system documentation, and provide high-level tech support.

Example job responsibilities for a job description

  • Install, configure, and maintain servers and network equipment
  • Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues
  • Implement security measures to protect systems from cyber threats
  • Develop and maintain system documentation
  • Provide technical support to end-users and IT teams

Why it works for employers: The duties listed emphasize key skills such as system installation and maintenance, troubleshooting, cyber security, system documentation, and user support, ensuring a well-functioning and secure IT infrastructure.

9. Operations Manager

Example job responsibilities for an operations manager resume.

  • Developed and implemented operational policies and procedures that enhanced overall efficiency by 20% by identifying bottlenecks and instituting streamlined processes.
  • Managed resources and budgets effectively, consistently meeting or exceeding operational targets within tight fiscal constraints, ensuring a 100% compliance rate with financial guidelines.
  • Resolved complex operational issues swiftly, reducing the average resolution time by 30%, and implemented preventative measures to mitigate future disruptions.

Why it works for job seekers: The candidate demonstrates their abilities to streamline operations, improve efficiency and productivity, adhere to budget constraints, resolve complex issues, and collaborate for better results.

Example job responsibilities for an operations manager job description

  • Develop and implement operational policies and procedures
  • Monitor and optimize operational processes to improve efficiency
  • Manage resources and budgets to meet operational targets
  • Resolve operational issues and escalate as needed
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline operations

Why it works for employers: The requirements for this role emphasize the need to develop operational policies, monitor processes, manage resources, resolve issues, collaborate, and ensure optimal operations and efficiency.

10) Data Analyst

Example job responsibilities for a data analyst resume.

  • Collected and cleaned data from multiple sources, ensuring a 99% accuracy rate, thus laying a solid foundation for credible analysis leading to sound business decisions.
  • Developed comprehensive data visualizations and reports, which clarified findings and facilitated strategic decisions among senior stakeholders.
  • Partnered effectively with cross-departmental teams to establish a culture of data-driven decision-making, enhancing operational efficiency by 25% through optimized process changes.

Why it works for job seekers: The job seeker showcases their skills in handling data, extracting insights, visualizing data, identifying trends, and collaboration, indicating their ability to influence business strategies and improve operational efficiency with data-driven insights.

Example job responsibilities for a data analyst job description

  • Collect and clean data from various sources for analysis
  • Perform data modeling and statistical analysis to extract insights
  • Develop data visualizations and reports to present findings to stakeholders
  • Identify trends and patterns in data to support business objectives
  • Collaborate with teams to drive data-driven decision-making

Why it works for employers: The responsibilities cover key aspects of a data analyst's role, such as data collection, statistical analysis, data visualization, trend identification, and collaboration, which are vital to informed, data-driven decision-making.

11) Customer Success Manager

Example job responsibilities for a customer success manager resume.

  • Successfully onboarded over 200 new customers within the first year, providing thorough product training and increasing the initial customer satisfaction rate by 15%.
  • Engaged proactively with customers to identify their goals and challenges, resulting in tailored service recommendations that improved overall customer success by 20%.
  • Gathered and leveraged customer feedback to enhance products and services, directly influencing a 30% improvement in product satisfaction score over two quarters.

Why it works for job seekers: The examples display the candidate's direct impact on customer satisfaction, problem-solving abilities, and strategic improvements in product offerings, making them attractive to employers looking for results-driven and customer-focused professionals

Example job responsibilities for a customer success manager job description

  • Onboard new customers and provide training on products or services
  • Proactively engage with customers to understand their goals and challenges
  • Resolve customer issues and escalate as needed
  • Gather customer feedback to improve products or services
  • Measure and track customer success metrics to drive retention and growth

Why it works for employers: Showcasing these job duties helps employers demonstrate their commitment to customer satisfaction, proactive customer engagement, and continuous improvement of products or services based on feedback, all crucial for long-term success and customer retention.

12) Customer Service Representative

Example job responsibilities for a customer service rep resume.

  • Responded to an average of 50+ customer inquiries per day via multiple channels, maintaining a 95% satisfaction rate in post-contact surveys.
  • Provided detailed and accurate information about products and services, leading to a 20% increase in cross-sales and upsells among engaged customers.
  • Skillfully handled complex complaints and devised solutions, resulting in a 30% decrease in escalation to supervisors, showcasing effective problem-resolution skills.

Why it works for job seekers: The achievements highlight the applicant’s ability to handle high volumes of customer interactions, resolve issues efficiently, and contribute to sales and customer retention goals, positioning them as valuable assets to potential employers focused on customer satisfaction.

Example job responsibilities for a customer service rep job description

  • Respond to customer inquiries via phone, email, or chat
  • Provide accurate information about products and services
  • Handle complaints, provide appropriate solutions and alternatives within time limits
  • Follow up to ensure resolution and maintain customer satisfaction
  • Keep records of customer interactions and process customer accounts

Why it works for employers: Listing these duties emphasizes the need for efficient, empathetic, and effective customer service, essential for maintaining high customer satisfaction levels and loyalty.

13) UX/UI Designer

Example job responsibilities for a ux designer resume.

  • Conducted comprehensive user research and gathered feedback through surveys and focus groups, informing design decisions that led to a 40% increase in user satisfaction scores.
  • Created wireframes and mockups for over 20 projects, effectively visualizing design concepts that streamlined project approval processes by reducing iterations by 30%.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including developers and product managers, ensuring seamless implementation of designs and maintaining design integrity throughout development stages.

Why it works for job seekers: The outlined achievements demonstrate the candidate’s capabilities in enhancing user experience, collaborating effectively with teams, and contributing to the product development process with data-driven design decisions, showcasing their value to employers seeking innovative and user-focused designers.

Example job responsibilities for a UX designer job description

  • Conduct user research and gather feedback to inform design decisions
  • Create wireframes and mockups to visualize design concepts
  • Design intuitive user interfaces that enhance user experience
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement designs
  • Conduct usability testing and iterate on designs based on feedback

Why it works for employers: These responsibilities underline the importance of user-centered design processes, teamwork, and the continuous refinement of products based on user feedback, essential for creating products that meet users' needs and expectations.

How to describe your current job responsibilities effectively

When creating effective job responsibilities on your resume, it's crucial to highlight your skills and accomplishments clearly and effectively.

In a resume

The first step is crafting a robust summary, defining job duties in your current role with clarity.

Job responsibility tips for a resume

  • Use action verbs to highlight your accomplishments .
  • Emphasize your quantifiable achievements, like meeting project deadlines or boosting productivity.
  • Link your detailed responsibilities to the job postings, aligning your skills with the job title.
  • Present your responsibilities in concise bullet points, avoiding industry-specific jargon.
  • Lastly, detail any unique contributions or initiatives you've spearheaded with quantifiable metrics.

Pro tip : Did you know many recruiters will look at your LinkedIn profile to see if you'd be the right fit? That means your work experience matters outside of your resume. To understand how to showcase your experience on LinkedIn, read our guide on optimizing your LinkedIn experience section .

In a Job Interview

Job interviews allow you to further elaborate on your resume, providing more context, and personal stories that round out your experiences.

Job responsibility tips for an interview

  • Elaborate on your responsibilities: Define duties in a narrative form, elaborating on day-to-day tasks and important projects.
  • Link job duties to impact: Discuss the direct effect of your work, offering real-world examples. Explain implemented strategies and their impact on performance metrics.
  • Showcase teamwork and leadership: Provide examples of your collaboration skills and leadership roles within a team or project. Bring up any instances where you effectively led cross-functional teams to deliver upon project goals.
  • Highlight ongoing professional development: Mention ongoing courses, certifications, or training as proof of commitment to personal growth and expertise.
  • Discuss challenges and learnings: Share your experiences in handling adversity and turning potential crises into opportunities.

Feeling anxious for your interview? Refer to this resource hub for interview prep .

How to use Teal to describe your job responsibilities

Teal offers a seamless way to organize and manage your job search. But where it truly shines is its ability to help candidates perfectly position themselves on a resume for a particular role.

Here's how Teal helps job seekers draft past role achievements and professional history:

1. Tailored resume suggestions

With Teal's intelligent resume builder, you can quickly tailor your resume for each job application.

The platform uses advanced AI to scan job postings and recommend the right keywords to highlight your qualifications, ensuring your resume passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and catches the eye of hiring managers.

2. Automated job search management

Save time by automating parts of your job search.

Teal offers insights and recommendations that guide you through optimizing your resume, ensuring you never miss a detail that could make your professional history shine.

3. Comprehensive job tracking

With Teal's Chrome extension , you can bookmark jobs from over 40 job boards, allowing you to keep track of all your job opportunities in one place. This centralized organization ensures you can easily manage applications and tailor your resume to particular position without losing track of any opportunity.

Teal's job tracker lets job seekers save jobs and see salary and skills required

4. Insightful Recommendations

Beyond just organizing your job search, Teal provides tailored recommendations to improve your resume.

Once you leverage these suggestions, you can ensure your achievements and professional history are presented in the most impactful way possible, increasing your chances of landing more interviews.

Teal is your personal recruiter, but powered by AI. Just as companies have recruiters to find the right candidates, you have Teal to navigate the complex job market efficiently, helping you to land a job faster with a standout resume that truly represents your professional journey. Get started with Teal today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i tailor my job responsibilities on my resume to the job i'm applying for, how detailed should my job responsibility descriptions be on my resume, is it acceptable to use job responsibility templates for my resume, and how can i personalize them.

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We help you find the career dream.

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

Background Image

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

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

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

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

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

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

….and more!

So, let’s dive right in.

resume samples

How to Make a Resume (The Right Way!)

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

how to write a resume

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

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

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

#1. Pick the Right Resume Format

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

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

Start by choosing the right resume format.

There are three types of resume formats out there:

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

So, which one should you go for?

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

reverse chronological resume

Fix Your Resume’s Layout

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

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

Here are some of the best practices you should apply:

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

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

traditional vs modern resume

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

novoresume vs text editor

#2. Add Your Contact Information

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

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

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

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

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

Must-Have Information

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

Optional Information

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

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

professional resume contact section

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

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

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

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

This is where the resume headline comes in.

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

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

resume summary professional

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

Resume Summary

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

Here’s what your resume summary should include:

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

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

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

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

Resume Objective

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

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

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

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

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

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

#4. Prioritize Your Work Experience

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s a real-life example:

how to list work experience on a resume

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

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

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

Focus on Achievements Whenever Possible

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your day-to-day responsibilities probably include:

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

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

job search masterclass

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

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

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

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

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

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

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

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

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

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

how to tailor your resume to the job ad

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

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

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

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

Include the Right Amount of Work Experience

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

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

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

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

Consider Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

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

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

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

ats system statistic

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

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

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

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

#5. List Your Education

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

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

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

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

education on resume

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

Resume Education Tips

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

Just follow these expert tips:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to List Skills in Your Resume

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

There are a few essential steps you need to follow:

Always List Hard and Soft Skills Separately

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

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

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

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

Methodologies & Tools

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

Soft Skills

  • Team Management
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Negotiation

Tailor Your Skills to the Job

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

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

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

Qualifications:

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

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

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

List Hard Skills with Experience Levels

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

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

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

Include Transferable Skills

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

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

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

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

#7. Leverage Optional Resume Sections

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

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

other important resume sections

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

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

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

  • Intermediate

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

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

Hobbies and Interests

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

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

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

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

Volunteering Experience

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

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

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

Certifications

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

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

Certifications can also show employers how much expertise you have.

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

Awards and Recognitions

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

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

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

Publications

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Extracurricular Activities

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

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

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

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

11+ Expert Resume Tips

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

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

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

FREE Resume Checklist

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

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

professional resume writing checklist

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

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

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

9 Resume Templates for Different Industries

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

#1. Traditional Resume Template

Traditional Resume Template

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

#2. Modern Resume Template

Modern Resume Template

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

#3. Creative Resume Template

Creative Resume Template

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

#4. Minimalistic Resume Template

Minimalistic Resume Template

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

#5. IT Resume Template

IT Resume Template

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

#6. Tech Resume Template

Tech Resume Template

Good for the tech industry and everything it encompasses.

#7. College Resume Template

College Resume Template

Good for college students and recent graduates alike.

#8. General Resume Template

General Resume Template

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

#9. Executive Resume Template

Executive Resume Template

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

17+ Resumes for Different Jobs

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

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

#1. Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

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

#2. Data Scientist Resume Example

Data Scientist Resume Example

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

#3. Business Analyst Resume Example

Business Analyst Resume Example

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

#4. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Digital Marketing Resume Example

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

#5. Software Engineer Resume Example

Software Engineer Resume Example

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

#6. Construction Project Manager Resume Example

Construction Project Manager Resume Example

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

#7. Customer Service Resume Example

Customer Service Resume Example

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

#8. High School Resume Example

High School Resume Example

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

#9. Student Resume Example

Student Resume Example

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

#10. Server Resume Example

Server Resume Example

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

#11. Actor Resume Example

Actor Resume Example

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

#12. Web Developer Resume Example

Web Developer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a web developer resume here.

#13. Engineering Resume Example

Engineering Resume Example

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

#14. Computer Science Resume Example

Computer Science Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a computer science resume here.

#15. Architect Resume Example 

Architect Resume Example

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

#17. Remote Job Resume Example

Remote Job Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a remote job resume here.

#18. Sales Associate Resume Example

Sales Associate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a sales associate resume here.

#19. Receptionist Resume Example

Receptionist Resume Example

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

Want to see more examples? Check out our compilation of 80+ resume examples for different fields .

  • Administrative Assistant Resume
  • Bartender Resume
  • DevOps Engineer Resume
  • Executive Assistant Resume
  • Flight Attendant Resume
  • Graphic Designer Resume
  • Paralegal Resume
  • Pharmacist Resume
  • Recruiter Resume
  • Supervisor Resume

Next Steps After Your Resume

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to make a resume, it’s time to talk about the rest of your job application.

After all, your resume is only the first step in your job search. To land the job you deserve, you also need to write a captivating cover letter and ace that upcoming interview. Here’s how:

#1. How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter

The companion piece to every resume is the cover letter.

Most job-seekers flinch when they hear that they have to write a cover letter. What do you even mention in a cover letter, anyway? If you were good at writing cover letters, you’d be applying for a job as a writer !

In reality, though, writing a cover letter is very simple once you know its purpose.

Think of your cover letter as a direct message to the hiring manager. It’s your chance to briefly explain why you’re such an awesome fit for the position. And with a few cover letter tips to point you in the right direction, you’ll write the perfect cover letter for your job application.

Just follow this structure:

cover letter structure for resume

  • Add the contact details. Include the same contact information as on your resume, plus additional contact details for the hiring manager, including their name, job title, the company’s name, and location.
  • Introduce yourself. Start your cover letter by mentioning who you are, what your work experience is, and why you’re interested in the position. Mention a standout achievement or two, relevant skills, and what you’d like to do for the company you’re applying for.
  • Explain why you’d excel at the job. Find the requirements in the job ad that you meet, and elaborate on how you fulfill the most important ones. Research the company so you know what you like about it, and mention it in your cover letter. Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for the job and confidence that you’ll be a great fit for their team.
  • Wrap it up politely. Conclude your cover letter by recapping your key selling points and thanking the hiring manager for their time. Then add a call to action, such as “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided phone number so that we can discuss my application in greater detail.” Then, add a closing line and follow it with your full name.

Sounds easy, right? Here’s a real-life example to drive the point home:

cover letter example for resume

Do you need more help perfecting your cover letter? Learn what the most common cover letter mistakes are and check out cover letter examples for all professions here.

#2. How to Ace Your Next Interview

Once you’ve perfected both your resume and cover letter, there’s only one thing left.

It’s time for the final step—the dreaded job interview.

Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert, you probably hate the interviewing process. No matter how experienced you are, it can be nerve-wracking. Sitting there while someone’s prodding into your past experiences and judging you isn’t fun.

But did you know that most interviewers ask the same questions?

That’s right—all you have to do is learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions, and you’ll be an interview away from landing your dream job!

Just check out our complete guide to the 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers and learn how to ace your next interview.

FAQs on How to Make a Resume

Do you still have some questions about making a resume? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions below!

#1. What does a good resume look like in 2024?

For your resume to look good in 2024, make sure it’s organized and clean and isn’t longer than one page.

Be sure to include information that adds value to your application—leave out the focus on your relevant work experience and skills that you can back up, and list as many achievements as possible. 

If you’re using a resume template, choose one based on your industry. Conservative industries like law, banking, and business require more traditional resume templates. But if you’re going for an industry like design, architecture, or marketing, you can go for a creative resume template . 

Remote work is also big in 2024, so if that’s what you’re after, tailor your resume to match the job you want.

#2. How do you make a resume in Word?

The best way to create a resume in Word is to use a pre-designed Microsoft Word template. To access them, you should: 

  • Open MS Word
  • Click “file” from the menu bar 
  • Select “new”
  • Type “resume templates” in the search bar 

That said, Word resume templates are generic, hard to personalize, and overall not very stylish.

Want a resume that looks good and is extremely easy to make? Check out resume templates to get started!

#3. How do I write a resume for my first job?

If you’re writing your first-ever resume for an entry-level position, the hiring manager won’t expect you to have any work experience.

However, you can make up for your lack of experience with your skills and academic achievements.

For example, you can take advantage of extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering experiences, and other non-professional experiences. You can use them to highlight the skills you’ve gained and what you’ve achieved so far.

So, your first job resume should have a resume objective, emphasize your education, and replace your work experience with any internships, volunteering, independent projects, or other experiences.

#4. How to make a resume on Google Docs?

You can make a resume on Google Docs by choosing one of their templates and filling it in on the go.

All you have to do is go to your Google Drive’s template gallery, choose your preferred template, fill in your information, and your Google Docs resume is ready to go! 

That said, Google Docs templates aren’t the most user-friendly choice. You don’t have much flexibility with the layout and formatting isn’t that easy. For example, you tweak a section to the slightest, and the whole resume becomes a mess.

If you want an easier option, check out our resume builder !

#5. What kind of resume do employers prefer?

Typically, employers prefer one-page-long resumes that follow the reverse chronological format. 

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes every day, so they don't have the time to read three-page resumes. Try one of our one-page resume templates so you don’t go over the recommended resume length.

Meanwhile, the reverse-chronological format is the most popular because it draws attention to your most recent jobs and professional achievements, which is the #1 most important thing hiring managers look at when evaluating a resume.

#6. How many jobs should you put on your resume? 

You should only include relevant job positions on your resume.

This means that your work experience section should be tailored to the job you are applying for. If you’ve worked five different jobs and they can all add value to your current application, then you should include all five. 

If, on the other hand, you’re applying for, say, a customer service position and some of your past jobs don’t have anything to do with customer service, you should skip them.

#7. Should I put my address on my resume? 

You can put your location (city, state, or country) on your resume, but you don’t need to put your entire physical address.

Putting a physical address on a resume was the norm back when companies would contact you via mail. In today’s world, everyone communicates via email, which is why adding a correct and professional email address to your contact information section is far more important than putting your physical address. 

So, just include your location or-–if you’re a remote worker—specify you prefer to work remotely by writing “working remotely from [location].”

#8. What information should I leave out of my resume?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t include your birthday or your headshot on your resume. This norm varies from country to country but it applies to the USA, Canada, and UK.

If you have plenty of achievements to list under your work experience, then you can leave your basic work responsibilities out of your resume. 

In your education section, you should only include your highest and most recent degree. So, if you hold a Ph.D., you can list that and your Master’s degree and leave your Bachelor’s degree and high school diploma out.

Finally, leave out any skills that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for.

#9. Is a resume a CV?

Depending on where you are, a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a resume might be completely different things.

In most of the world, though, including Europe and Asia, they are used interchangeably for the same document. Both CVs and resumes are one to two pages long, and list skills and experiences relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Sometimes more detailed resumes that go over one page are referred to as CVs. These are typically only used by senior professionals, executives, CEOs, etc.

In the USA, however, a CV is a completely different document. Typically, CVs are detailed and comprehensive documents that highlight your entire academic and professional history. They’re often used for academic, scientific, or research positions, which is why this type of CV can also be referred to as an academic CV.

You can create your CV using one of our CV templates !

#10. Should I write my own resume?

Yes, you should always write your own resume.

Your resume is your opportunity to show the hiring manager your communication, writing, and presentation skills . Employers also evaluate you based on how effectively you can convey information about yourself, and there’s no one that can represent you better than yourself.

Writing your own resume lets you introduce yourself authentically. You have the best understanding of your skills and experiences, and you can personalize them to make your resume stand out.

And, as a bonus, the experience of writing your resume yourself can be reflective and insightful, so it might help you understand your professional journey and career goals better.

#11. Can a resume be two pages?

Generally, we strongly recommend that your resume stick to one page.

Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes every day, and keeping your resume to one page increases the odds that they’ll see your qualifications faster.

In some cases, like when you have a lot of relevant experience, your resume can go over two pages. But this exception is reserved for senior professionals with over a decade of relevant experience and tons of skills and achievements that simply can’t fit on one page.

#12. Is a simple resume okay?

Absolutely, a simple resume is often more than okay—it's preferable.

Before your resume even gets to the hiring manager, a complicated layout could get it rejected by the applicant tracking system (ATS). A simple resume template can help get your application straight to the hiring manager.

A clean layout can also make sure that your resume is easily readable and looks professional. This can focus the hiring manager's attention on your work experience and skills without excessive clutter or flashy colors to distract them.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

If you’ve followed all of our advice until now, congrats! You’re probably an expert on how to make a resume.

To recap, let’s go through some of the most important lessons we’ve learned so far...

  • Use the right resume builder to make the process as smooth as possible. You don’t want to mess around with formatting for hours before even starting to work on your resume!
  • Focus on your achievements over responsibilities. This can help you stand out from all the other applicants, especially if you back your claims up with data.
  • Include all the must-have sections, like the resume summary, work experience, education, and skills. Then leverage optional sections if you have leftover space.
  • Tailor your resume for the job you’re applying for. Everything listed on your resume should be relevant to the specific job you’re applying for, and you should write a new resume for every new job application.
  • Take the time to perfect your cover letter. It’s just as important as your resume, so make sure you pay as much attention to it!

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Multiple Positions, Same Company On Resume: Multiple Jobs, Promotions, Role Switch Formats and Examples

Multiple Positions, Same Company On Resume: Multiple Jobs, Promotions, Role Switch Formats and Examples

Ben Temple

Whether you’ve been promoted, changed departments, or simply held more than one job at a single organization, it’s important to figure out how to list multiple positions at the same company on a resume.

Browse our gallery of resume examples here.

Your relationship with previous employers is an important part of your career story. Having held multiple jobs at one company shows that you can learn and grow with a workplace. This is impressive to hiring managers when you can show it effectively. If a company liked you well enough that they gave you a promotion or hired you more than once, your resume should make this clear.

Employers are always on the lookout for workers who are in it for the long haul. Finding and training new employees is expensive and time consuming, so hiring someone who doesn’t stick around long can cost the company money. When your resume shows long tenures and multiple roles at past companies, you can assure potential employers that you aren’t a job-hopper.

Browse our gallery of resume templates here.

Just how you should list multiple jobs at the same company, however, depends on your specific career journey. Your resume should tell a story and show how your career has progressed. You need to find the right formatting to leave the reader with a clear idea of how you got to where you are today.

With that in mind, here are 4 strategies for showing multiple positions at one company on your resume.

  • 1. Stack similar job titles together

Sometimes, taking a new position doesn’t mean taking on new obligations. When the different roles you’ve held at a company are very similar, you don’t need to waste space writing the same job description twice.

If this is the case, you shouldn’t create a separate entry in your Work Experience section for each role. Instead, you can stack the job titles together and add your experience and achievements from both roles in a single entry. This single entry can then show your entire history at the company.

How to list multiple positions at the same company on a resume: Stacking job titles

When to stack job titles together

Stack job titles when the jobs in question have identical or similar job descriptions. For example, you may have received a title change with no change in duties, been promoted to a job that increased your authority but didn’t change your day-to-day activities, or been transferred to a different branch office for the same role. In cases like this, describing both jobs would be repetitive.

Stacking job titles works best when you held the jobs one after the other. This way, the dates beside each role are still in order, even though they don’t have individual descriptions. If the jobs weren’t back-to-back—if you worked for a different company in between these jobs, for example—the timeline will be confusing. Only stack job titles when describing consecutive roles.

Suggested link: Cover letter examples

Further, it’s best not to stack job titles in your resume when you’re applying through an applicant tracking system (ATS). An ATS is a type of software that some employers use to read and sort resumes, and it’s important not to confuse it. When your job titles are stacked together, the ATS may have difficulty understanding which role the description applies to. If you are applying via an ATS, consider writing every job in a separate entry, even when they were at the same company.

In short, stack job titles together when:

  • The jobs were consecutive
  • The job descriptions were similar or the same
  • You were promoted or moved for a good reason
  • You aren’t submitting your resume to an ATS

ai resume builder

How to stack multiple positions at the same company

When stacking multiple roles together, add a single heading with the company title, followed by all of the associated job titles in reverse-chronological order. Beneath that, write bullet points describing the responsibilities that apply to all roles. This allows you to efficiently show that you have held different roles without repeating yourself in different job descriptions.

To stack multiple positions at the same company together:

  • At the top of the entry, write the company name
  • Below that, list the relevant job titles and their dates in reverse-chronological order
  • Write a job description that applies to all roles

To make sure your promotion or department change is clear, include a brief explanation in the job description. For example, the first bullet point or sentence in your job description could be:

  • Promoted to Senior Manager within 2 years after successfully leading two large projects.
  • Transferred to a new branch office to introduce new management methodologies.

This way, any questions an employer could have about your move will be answered right away.

Template: Stacking multiple positions at the same company

Company Name Current Job | Start Date - End Date Previous Job |Start Date - End Date

  • Accomplishment 1
  • Accomplishment 2
  • Accomplishment 3

Sample: Stacking multiple positions at the same company

Trinity Medical | 2013 - Present Vice President of Sales, 2016 - Present Regional Sales Director, 2013 - 2015

  • Promoted within 2 years for superior performance.
  • Increased Q1 quarter over quarter sales by 21%.
  • Designed all sales compensation programs to drive sales of key products.
  • Analyzed competitive intelligence to develop new go-to market approach.
  • Implemented new sales strategy to recapture lost clients and grow sales of core customers.
  • Reviewed sales profile and developed new sales training program.
  • Managed the sales team and implemented a new culture of winning.
  • Finished at #2 in the region for the year in 2014.
  • Increased Year Over Year sales by $2.8M on a base of $29M in sales (2014).
  • 2. Create separate entries for dissimilar consecutive roles

If you’ve been promoted or transferred to a role that had very different responsibilities, create separate entries for each role. Every position will need its own job description.

The entries can share the same company name heading, but the jobs themselves will need their own dedicated job description. It’s important that your resume reflects the distinct achievements and responsibilities in each position. To do this, create separate entries for each role.

How to list multiple positions at the same company on a resume: Separate entries

When to use separate entries to list multiple back-to-back positions at the same company

If you’ve been promoted or transferred and the new job is very different from the old one, you will need to write separate job descriptions for each one. A single job description can’t cover all the duties, unlike when you stack similar entries.

When you use separate entries you can choose to list the company name only once, right above the first job. Listing the company name once will save you a line, so it is a useful way to save space on your resume. Remember that if you only list the company name once, the jobs have to be sequential. If you worked for a different company in between jobs, both roles should give the company name.

Using separate entries is better than using stacked job titles when you’re applying through an ATS. Applicant tracking systems will find it easier to read your resume when each company name and job title is right above the relevant job description.

In short, use separate entries that share a single company heading when:

  • The jobs you held at the one company had different duties
  • The jobs you held at the same company were consecutive
  • You are applying through an ATS

How to list back-to-back positions at the same company using separate entries

When you list multiple positions at the same company on a resume using separate entries, they will look similar to the roles in other companies. The only difference is when the jobs are all back-to-back you can omit the company name from the older roles.

Use a single heading for the name of the company, with a job title and bullet points for each position below it. Arrange the roles in reverse-chronological order, and in each job description focus on the distinct accomplishments you achieved in that role. This will show that you have been successful in different contexts at the company.

To list multiple positions at the same company in separate entries:

  • Give the company name once
  • Below that, list the previous jobs at that organization in reverse-chronological order, including dates and descriptions

If you were promoted, be sure to draw attention to the promotion in the description of the most recent position. Promotions show that the company appreciated your work and trusted you with greater responsibilities.

Template: Separate entries multiple positions same company

Company Name Current Job Title | Start Date - End Date

Previous Job Title | Start Date - End Date

Sample: Separate entries multiple positions same company

Trinity Medical Vice President of Sales, 2016 - Present

  • Increased Q1 and Q2 quarter over quarter sales by 22% and 23.5% respectively.
  • Analyzed data and competitive intelligence to determine and execute new go-to market approach.
  • Redefined sales profile and implemented new sales training program, positively impacting performance.

Regional Sales Director, 2013 - 2015

  • Upgraded the sales team and implemented a new culture of winning.
  • Finished at #2 in the region for the year in 2012.
  • Increased YOY sales by $4.8M on a base of $31M in sales (2012).
  • Developed 3 President Award Winners.
  • 3. List the same company twice

No one’s career path is a straight line. Many people, especially those who work in the same industry for most or all of their career, will one day find themselves back at a company that they had left years before. If this is the case for you, your best bet is to simply list the two roles separately in your work history as though they were any other job, giving the name of the company each time.

When to list multiple jobs at the same company in separate entries non-consecutively

The only time it will be necessary to list the same company more than once non-consecutively is, appropriately, when you have held jobs with the same company more than once non-consecutively. If you work for one company, leave it for a different company, then return to the original company, you should list the jobs in the order they occurred.

How to list multiple positions at the same company on a resume: List the same company twice

How to list multiple jobs at the same company on your resume when they weren’t back-to-back

To list multiple jobs at the same company on your resume when they weren’t back-to-back, simply list them in the order they happened. Include the company title and job title in all instances. Items in your Work Experience section should be listed in reverse-chronological order, so the jobs will fit in alongside all the others.

In the most recent role, you can write a bullet point explaining why you returned to an old company. This is a good opportunity to highlight the skills or expertise that the company wants you for. If you were so good that they wanted you back, you should make a point of saying so!

Template: listing multiple jobs at the same company that aren’t back-to-back

Current Company Current Position | Start Date - End Date

Previous Company Previous Position | Start Date - End Date

Current Company Previous Position | Start Date - End Date

Sample: listing multiple jobs at the same company that aren’t back-to-back

  • Increased Q2 quarter over quarter sales by 23.5% in 2017.
  • Designed all sales compensation programs to drive sales of flagship product.
  • Analyzed data and competitive intelligence to determine and execute new market approaches.
  • Developed plan to recapture lost clients and grow sales to returning customers.
  • Implemented new sales training program, improving performance.

Samson Pharmaceutical Products Regional Sales Director, 2013 - 2015

  • Implemented a new culture of winning throughout sales team.
  • Finished at #3 in the region for the year in 2014.
  • Improved YOY sales by $4.8M on a base of $27M in sales (2014).
  • Developed 2 President Award Winners.

Trinity Medical National Sales Director, East, 2008 - 2012

  • Delivered YOY sales growth of 18% vs. organic market growth at 1% annually (2008 – 2010).
  • Ranked #1 position for Region of the Year in 2009 and 2010.
  • Spearheaded strategies to generate growth through MD practice development initiatives.
  • Facilitated hospital marketing teams in driving patient volume to trained structural heart physicians.
  • 4. List older jobs in a separate section

If you worked at the same company for several years, receiving promotions and working your way up the company ladder, you can show this by creating a distinct section on your resume for that company alone. The rest of your experience in other jobs will be in its own section.

How to list multiple positions at the same company on a resume: Separate sections

When to use a separate section for multiple positions at the same company

Using a separate section for one company with many positions is best for older professionals with decades of experience, with work experience from a company that dates back several years. There should be enough roles at the former company to justify a distinct section.

This method can also be useful for people who have changed careers. Using a separate section for past jobs that aren’t as relevant to your current vocation is a good way to save space on your resume and tell your career story.

Ideally, all of your positions at a past company can be listed in reverse-chronological order. This means that you held them all in sequence, with no roles at any other company. If not, you may want to consider writing a functional resume , which can help you list past roles out of order (although most employers prefer reverse-chronological resumes).

How to use a separate section to list multiple positions at the same company.

To list all positions at one company in a distinct resume section, create two different sections for your Work History: one with all your jobs at a particular company, and one with the rest of your experience.

To do this, create a section separate from the rest of your work history. You can title the section with the name of the company, or give it a heading like “Previous Experience.” Then, within the section, list all of your job titles at that company in reverse-chronological order.

You can add descriptions to each job if necessary, but if these roles are from years ago and you have more current roles to highlight, you can leave those out. This efficiently showcases all of your previous roles and tells a clear story of how you worked your way through the company, while leaving room on your resume for more important details when you describe more recent positions.

In short, to list multiple roles at a company in a separate section:

  • Create a section for your roles at one specific company
  • List all your positions at that company in reverse-chronological order
  • Create a different section for other work experience
  • List your other positions in this section

Template: Listing multiple positions at the same company in a separate section

Prior Professional Experience Company Name Job Title | Start Date - End Date Job Title | Start Date - End Date Job Title | Start Date - End Date

Sample: Displaying multiple positions at the same company in a separate section

Trinity Medical Vice President of Sales, 2003 - 2005 National Sales Manager, 2000 - 2002 Regional Sales Director Southwest, 1997 - 2000

  • Sample resume: multiple positions, same company

The way you format your resume depends on the way your career journey unfolds. Were you promoted to a new position? Headhunted by a previous company to come back for a management role? Did you work your way up the company ladder? Were you moved to a struggling branch because of your success at a previous branch? Whichever it is, make sure you list your multiple positions at the same company in a way that shows you to be the great employee you are.

If you need some inspiration to get started, this sample resume could help:

Public relations officer resume sample

Enthusiastic public relations officer who has a passion for working in a fast-paced environment. Highly skilled in persuasive communication and relationship management. Strong understanding of organizational boundaries. My previous experience in public relations includes analysis, team coordination, planning, and operational and administrative functions. Skilled team builder with demonstrated success in improving the image of institutions.

WORK EXPERIENCE

OGILVY & MCCANN Senior Public Relations Officer, 2020 - PRESENT

  • Plan publicity strategies and campaigns, including PR outreach, social media campaigns, and articles.
  • Train and manage interns.
  • Supervise social media output.
  • Represent clients at industry events.
  • Write and produce presentations and press releases.
  • Create, curate, and manage published content.
  • Create reports for management showing ROI.

Public Relations Officer, 2015 - 2019

  • Planning publicity strategies and campaigns.
  • PR campaigns/social media campaigns/writing articles and designing visual graphics.
  • Managing and training interns.
  • Manage social media account.
  • Compile reports for management showing results.
  • Create strategic messaging on social media to grow our community.
  • Working together with the Independent media group social media and audience development delegate to draw up and implement strategies to tap into potential markets and possible sale opportunities.
  • Designing social media strategies to achieve marketing targets.
  • Managing, creating and publishing original, high quality content on social platforms.
  • Administering all company social media accounts to ensure up-to-date content.

Content Marketing Specialist, 2011 - 2015

  • Created and curated engaging content.
  • Communicated and build relationships with current or prospect clients.
  • Created and distributed press releases.
  • Built and updated media lists and databases.
  • Scheduled, coordinated and attended various events.
  • Performed research and market analysis activities.
  • Written and produced presentations and press releases.
  • Tracked social media performance and content coverage for clients.

POWERTRAIN Industries, 2009 - 2011 Public Relations intern

  • Processed of all types of applications and paperwork.
  • Assisted in office administrative duties.
  • Performed research and market analysis.
  • Tracked social media performance and content coverage .

YALE UNIVERSITY BA in Economics

  • COMMUNICATION
  • DIGITAL STRATEGIST
  • PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS

Resume multiple positions same company sample

  • Should you list multiple positions on your resume for the same company?

Displaying multiple positions on your resume for the same company shows a hiring manager that you are reliable and in it for the long haul. It adds weight to your job application and helps your resume stand out.

  • How do you put multiple positions at the same company on a resume?

Here are 4 ways to list multiple positions at the same company on your resume:

  • Stack similar job titles together
  • Create separate entries for dissimilar consecutive roles
  • List the same company twice
  • List older jobs in a separate section

Ben Temple

Community Success Manager & CV Writing Expert

Ben is a writer, customer success manager and CV writing expert with over 5 years of experience helping job-seekers create their best careers. He believes in the importance of a great resume summary and the power of coffee.

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More From Forbes

Don’t flub the one-pager: 6 resume mistakes to avoid.

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In today’s ultra-competitive job market, crafting the perfect resume is akin to unicycling—very hard. Your resume is your first (and sometimes only) shot at making a good impression, so it’s crucial to get it right. Without further ado, let’s dive into the six resume mistakes to avoid:

Excessive Length

A common faux pas is turning your resume into a memoir. Hiring managers have about as much time to read your resume as you do to decide if you want to swipe right on a dude on a dating app who lists his job as “Consultant at Consulting.” Stick to one page if you’re early in your career, and only venture into a second if your experience justifies it.

Not tailoring it to the job

Tailoring your resume for each job application might sound as fun as a root canal, but it’s just as necessary (or even more so, because in America, you need a job in order to get the dental insurance to get the root canal). Customize your resume to match the job description, highlighting the experience and skills that make you the perfect fit. It shows you’re not just looking for any job—you’re looking for this job.

Too Many Keywords

Stuffing your resume with keywords until it reads like a spam email won’t endear you to human readers. Use keywords wisely, ensuring your resume is still coherent and engaging to the real-life humans who will (hopefully) read it after the AI does. And definitely don’t have a large chunk of white text at the bottom. Even if employers can’t read it, it’s just so...2004.

My first resume said I was attentive to detials, so listen, I get it. But please triple-check for typos. It’s the equivalent of having spinach in your teeth during a first date; it’s all anyone’s going to remember. Use spell check, read your resume backwards, have a friend review it, etc. You know what to do.

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Saying you “significantly increased sales” is nice, but it’s like telling someone you’re “really funny” without cracking a joke (I believe you though, don’t worry). Quantify your achievements. Did you increase sales by 20%? Save your company $10,000? Grow your team by 50%? Write it down.

Too Much History

There’s no need to detail every job you’ve ever had since your high school paper route (unless you were really fast at delivering those papers). Focus on recent and relevant experience. Think of your resume as a highlight reel, not a documentary.

Virginia Hogan

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VIDEO

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COMMENTS

  1. How To Write Resume Job Descriptions (With Tips and Examples)

    Add a job description to the top half of the first page on your resume. Include a suitable amount of relevant experiences. Begin each description with essential information about the job and company. Emphasize accomplishments over work duties. Use action-benefit statements to describe your achievements.

  2. How to Write Resume Job Descriptions (With Examples)

    Focus on Skills and Achievements. Include Keywords. Be Selective About What You Include. Prioritize Job Descriptions. Quantify Your Achievements. Emphasize Accomplishments. Make Your Jobs Sound Better. How to write resume job descriptions, list skills, quantify your accomplishments, and prioritize the information on your resume, with examples.

  3. How to Write a Resume Job Description + 5 Examples

    5 job description examples for your resume. Now that you've learned how to correctly identify what information needs to be included in your resume job descriptions, here are five job description examples for you to reference before you begin writing: 1. Sales associate job description example. 2.

  4. How to Write an Effective Resume Job Description + Examples

    8. Be Selective. We've already discussed targeting your resume, but there's another way you can be more selective and focused to improve your resume job description. If you're a highly experienced candidate then consider how far back should your resume go. A good rule of thumb is to go back no further than 10-15 years.

  5. Sample Job Descriptions to Enhance Your Resume

    Once you've found three to five sample listings that describe your job goals, copy and paste the text of each job description into a Word document and bold any phrases that routinely pop up. Then, highlight each term that describes a qualification you possess. Use this information to edit your resume and cover letter so that your key ...

  6. Resume Job Description: Samples & Tips To Help You Enhance Your

    Keep the information relevant to the position at hand. Quantify your achievements - employers like numbers. Make your job description section visible, make sure it stands out. Use bullet points and start each with an action verb. Tailor your resume to the company's needs and requirements, but keep it truthful. ***.

  7. How to Write Resume Job Description [+ Examples]

    Step 2: Highlight accomplishments. Instead of simply listing your job duties, focus on your measurable accomplishments and the impact you made in each role. Use specific examples and quantify your achievements whenever possible. This helps employers understand the value you can bring to their organization.

  8. How to Make the Perfect Resume (With Examples!)

    5. Don't Forget Your Education. If you're still in school or just graduated, your education can go at the top of your resume, but for pretty much everyone else, this goes near the bottom. Most people include their school, graduation year (for folks less up to about a decade out of school), major, and degree.

  9. How to Write a Resume for Today's Job Market

    Unfortunately, tailoring each resume to the job description takes time and effort. The best way to speed up this process is to use an online tool like Jobscan's resume scanner. Just paste in your resume and the job description and click scan. You'll receive a match report telling you how closely your resume matches the job ad.

  10. How to Write Job Descriptions for Your Resume (With Examples)

    1. Place your job descriptions near the beginning of your resume. For many hiring managers, your descriptions of your previous work experiences are their primary source of information about you. For this reason, place this section near the top of the first page, where anyone looking at your resume can find it easily.

  11. How to Write an Impressive Resume Job Description That Gets Noticed

    Navigate to the Resume Builder in the left panel. Navigate to the Teal AI Resume Builder. 3. From here, you can click the "New Resume" button at the top right to start a new resume or select the resume you want to add achievements for. Add a new resume or work from an existing one.

  12. How to Tailor Your Resume Job Description (With Examples)

    Step 1: Paste your resume into the scanner: Step 2: Paste the job listing into the scanner. Step 3: Click "Scan" or "Power Edit" (Premium users only). The scanner runs over 30 checks on your resume and presents you with a score. The score tells you how well your resume is optimized for that particular job.

  13. How to Make a Resume for a Job in 2024

    3. List your name and contact information. To start writing your resume, create an eye-catching resume header that quickly highlights your contact information and job title. Your name should always be the largest element on your resume to make it stand out, so use a font size larger than 20 points.

  14. How to Make a Resume in 2024: Writing Guide + Examples

    Make it distinctive to highlight your name and contact information. Organize your resume sections in the following order: summary/objective, work experience, education, skills, and extras. Use bullet points for your entries under each section. Find resume icons for each section or skip them altogether. File format.

  15. 13 Job Responsibilities Examples for Your Resume [Templates]

    When creating effective job responsibilities on your resume, it's crucial to highlight your skills and accomplishments clearly and effectively. In a resume. The first step is crafting a robust summary, defining job duties in your current role with clarity. Job responsibility tips for a resume. Use action verbs to highlight your accomplishments.

  16. How to Write a Job Description in a Resume (2024 Examples)

    6. Add keywords. It's essential to include keywords that employers are specifically looking for in a resume. These typically involve common skills such as 'customer service' and 'communication'. Action words can also benefit your job descriptions, as they improve the language and keep the interest of the employer.

  17. 10 Resume Profile Examples (And How to Write Yours)

    Keep it concise. Your resume profile should be no more than four sentences or bullet points, and should not have more than 500 characters. Remember recruiters read dozens of resumes daily, so you don't want yours to be unnecessarily long and tiring. 2. Find the format the suits you best.

  18. How to Make a Resume in 2024

    Create Resume. Choose a resume format carefully. In 99% of cases, we recommend the reverse-chronological format. Add the right contact details. Leave your headshot out and make sure to include your job title, a professional email address, and any relevant links.

  19. How To Write Resume Job Descriptions (With Examples)

    Resume Job Description Template. Here is a template for mentioning your experience on your resume: [Job title] [Start date-end date] [Name of organisation] [City, State] Primary duty or accomplishment in the role. Primary duty or accomplishment in the role. Primary duty or accomplishment in the role.

  20. How To Make a Comprehensive Resume (With Examples)

    A resume summary is a short statement that uses active language to describe your relevant work experience and skills. Read more: How To Write a Resume Summary Plus 5 Strong Examples 4. List your soft and hard skills Take a moment to consider which skills make you a great fit for the job. Review the job description and highlight keywords that ...

  21. How To Structure Roles and Responsibilities on Your CV

    1. State your job title, company and employment duration. For each job in the work experience section of your CV, state your job title followed by your employer's company and the duration of your employment. Make sure you use a generic title rather than a creative job title to ensure it does not mislead the recruiter.

  22. How to write a profile in your resumé (with examples)

    1. Analyse the job description. Have a good read of the job ad and identify the key skills and requirements the company is looking for. Matching your resumé profile to the job specifications will make it easy for a hiring manager to see where your abilities at the role overlap.

  23. How to Write a Resume for a Job: See a Good Sample & Guide

    List your jobs, starting with the most recent or current one. Add your job title (preferably in bold to make it stand out), the name of the company and its location, and the dates (month and year) for each entry. Write up to six bullet points describing what you accomplished in each role.

  24. 13 Banking Resume Examples, Template, & Writing Guide

    Secure the credit analyst role you want by writing a resume on par with this example: Learn more about this credit analyst resume and how to write yours. ... he has helped hundreds of job seekers craft high-quality resumes and cover letters, ace interviews, and land their dream jobs. Born and raised in County Durham, UK, Sam graduated with a ...

  25. Multiple Positions, Same Company On Resume: Multiple Jobs ...

    Write a job description that applies to all roles; To make sure your promotion or department change is clear, include a brief explanation in the job description. For example, the first bullet point or sentence in your job description could be: Promoted to Senior Manager within 2 years after successfully leading two large projects. Or

  26. How to Write a Winning Job Description

    The written job description informs your candidate's decision to either move forward or look elsewhere for a job. Therefore, if written hastily or handed off to someone unqualified to write it ...

  27. Best Skills to Put on a Resume With No Experience

    15. Writing. Writing is one of the best examples of technical skills to put on a resume for first job, as many professions rely heavily on it. For example, roles in social media management and content marketing require strong writing abilities. Read more: 9 High-Paying Writing Jobs for Word People: Editors, Writers, and Beyond

  28. How to write an "About Me" section for your resume

    Highlight transferable skills: If you're changing careers, focus on skills that apply to the new role. Show how your professional experience equips you for success in the new position. Proofread meticulously: To ensure error-free writing, consider asking a friend or family member to review your work for clarity and conciseness. You could also ...

  29. How to Write the Perfect Nursing Resume

    When optimizing your nursing resume for an ATS (applicant tracking system), the job posting is your top source for clues. Read the job description and desired qualifications carefully, looking for key terms that describe the position, the work environment, and the necessary skills and certifications.

  30. Don't Flub The One-Pager: 6 Resume Mistakes To Avoid

    Excessive Length. A common faux pas is turning your resume into a memoir. Hiring managers have about as much time to read your resume as you do to decide if you want to swipe right on a dude on a ...