how to write an attractive resume

How to Write The Perfect Resume in 2024 (With Examples)

The ultimate guide to learn how to quickly create a resume utilizing best practices to help you land your next job.

Introduction to writing a resume

We’ve all been there. You’re ready to apply for a new job or looking for a career change, and you haven’t updated your resume in quite some time. Or it’s your first job, and you’re not sure where to start. Resumes are a standard part of the job application process. Not having one - a good one - makes it very difficult to near impossible to land your dream job.

Unless you have some incredible connections that can help you bypass the interview stage, which is pretty rare, we highly recommend you give your resume a second look (or first!).

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

Why do you need a good resume?

Your resume is a way for you to market yourself and promote your career experience. Creating a resume lets hiring managers see how you'll bring value to their company.

It's important to know that your resume doesn't need to present all there is to know about you. It should summarize the most important aspects of your professional experience. As well as your education, interests and activities - when applicable. We recommend you tailor your resume to the position you're seeking. This means highlighting specific accomplishments and skills to the job you're applying for.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the following sections to help you craft the perfect resume:

• Understanding the basics of creating a resume
• Breaking down the resume layout and formats
• Maximizing information on your resume to provide the most value

What tools should you use to build your resume?

Tip: Use an online resume builder . Don't use Microsoft Word. Always use an online resume builder. You'll never have to worry about finding files and you can export your resume as a PDF.

So you’re ready to get started on your resume. The most obvious of choices is to open up Microsoft Word, create a new document and get writing. If you haven’t already done this before, formatting in Microsoft Word is a painful experience.

You'll end up with an ugly resume template that has poor legibility and incorrect margins. Or due to the lack of design options, you’ll end up with a resume that looks standard and boring. In both cases, the chances of potential employers overlooking your resume are pretty high!

Crazy isn’t it? You've spent years building job experience but have to use Microsoft Word to tell that story. And if you can’t navigate around complicated tools, it'll lead to poor results. You might miss the opportunity to land your dream job. That doesn’t sound fair, and it isn’t.

Why should you use a resume builder?

Luckily, there are other options that exist. We’ve created the fastest and easiest resume builder available online. With a variety of pre-existing templates that are professional and field-tested. And there’s no messing around with font sizes, margins or colors. We’ve taken care of all that for you.

The benefits of using an online resume builder like the one we’ve created are much higher. Here are some of the top reasons to use a resume builder:

• Hosting your resume online (in the cloud)
• This means you can access your resume at any time and anywhere. Your resume will always be available through our website. You'll never worry about having the right computer programs installed. Or finding files on a messy desktop.
• Creating unlimited resumes at no cost
• We manage it for you and make finding your resumes super easy, so you never have to worry about things getting lost. Go ahead and create unlimited versions of your resumes!
• High-quality resume designs
• This is where we specialize. Our design team has tested the exact elements required for perfecting resume templates. We sweat the details so you never have to. We’ve spent countless hours choosing the most appropriate font and color combinations. Including ones that pass the stress tests of relentless Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

The other benefits of using Easy Resume’s online resume builder are:

• Download your resume as a PDF. We recommend this file format so your resume always looks consistent.
• Share a direct link to your resume. We’ll even host it for you at no cost.
• Get exclusive access to guides, tutorials, and tips from career and industry professionals.

Understanding the 3 types of resume formats

Let’s break down the different types of resumes that employers generally look for.

• Reverse Chronological
• Combination

Tip: When in doubt, use a reverse chronological resume format. - About 95% of resumes use the reverse chronological format. Hiring managers are used to this as it lets employers see how your career has progressed.

1. Reverse Chronological Format

The most common is the Reverse Chronological format. It’s the most used and formatted to tell the story of your work experience in a chronological way. Employers prefer this format, as it gives them a historical overview of your career. Including the different job titles and responsibilities that you’ve had.

When should you use a reverse chronological resume template?

• You have had a lot of prior work experience. This means either the number of jobs or the amount of work experience you’ve had.
• You want to show how your career has progressed. For example, if you started as an associate and worked your way up to a senior-level position. The reverse-chronological format is a great way of showing your progression.

What if you have gaps between your work experience?

This is a very common question that we often receive. It’s usually in the form of:

“I’ve been out of work for 6-7 years after a certain life situation (i.e. having kids). The last job I had was in 2012, but recently I'm starting to apply for jobs again in 2019. What’s the right resume format for someone like me?”

First of all, no worries. This is a very common situation and happens with many people. As a hiring manager, having a gap like this can lead to questions and uncertainty about your resume. Which is why we recommend that you use a combination format.

2. Functional Format

The second type of resume format is the Functional or Skills-Based resume. This can be common for students and recent graduates starting to apply for their first job.

When should you use a functional / skills-based resume template?

• You’re a student or recent graduate applying for jobs for the first time with no prior work experience.
• You’re looking to make a career change.

Reasons why this is common for students and recent grads is due to their lack of prior experience. Given the fact that they’re starting to enter the workforce and apply for their first job. It’s well understood amongst employers that students won’t have a huge depth of work experience. There are other ways to let them know what you can help bring to the role you’re applying for by showcase the list of skills that you excel at.

It usually depends on the role you’re applying for. But there are some common ones that you can try to focus on like: Communication, Organization, Customer Driven, Effective Listener, Teamwork, etc.

What else can you add to your resume besides skills?

We recommend adding some extra activities for your career. Even if you haven’t attained any professional work experience yet. The few ways you can do that as a student is:

• Find internships
• Help volunteer at student-led or non-profit organizations
• Participate in extracurricular activities
• Take on side-projects

Not only will you have more examples of experience to show on your resume. You can show employers how much initiative and leadership you’ve performed on your own. This helps you stand out much better than a candidate who only lists generic skills.

For example, instead of only listing skills like:

• Communication
• Collaborative

An employer might prefer to move forward with a resume that looks like this:

• Summer Intern at XYZ
• Volunteered for non-profit at XYZ
• Ran student organization for XYZ

What if you’re unable to get any kind of experience?

Fear not, your chances towards landing your first job can still be within grasp. We recommend taking an approach that explains the skills you’ve acquired. And how you’ve applied them in real-world settings.

Here’s an example of adding depth to your skill sets:

• Demonstrated effective teamwork and leadership in various class projects by taking the initiative to organize group’s goals, objectives, and tasks.
• Received consistent praise and admiration from course professors and team members as being highly collaborative, an effective communicator and group leader with clear presentation skills and abilities.
• Organization
• Meticulous about even the smallest of details. Always taking the extra effort towards making sure that filenames, folder hierarchy and labeling are descriptive, versioned, tagged and easily discoverable.
• Received constant praise from past and present team members who were able to jump into any collaborative project and accurately trace back previous versions to see how decisions were made.

Do you see how this can be more effective than listing out a set of skills? Taking this approach will let employers know that you’re not only listing skills. But have also demonstrated how you were able to apply these skills and put them into action.

3. Combination Format

The final type of resume that we mentioned earlier is the Combination or Hybrid format. This combines concepts from both reverse chronological and functional/skills-based formats.

We recommend this format for jobs that expect relevant experience and technical skills. An example might be a Graphic Designer who has experience working in design agencies. As well as necessary skills like Branding, Sketching, Illustration, and Adobe Creative Suite.

Take a look at our in-depth guide on how to select the right resume format .

Choosing the best resume template

Now that we know which software to use and the most common resume formats, let’s break down the actual template. This is the make-or-break deal. Picking the right resume template can be the deciding factor if a hiring manager gives you a call. Or if they skip past your resume and never bother to read it.

Our mission here at Easy Resume is to make sure that never happens to you! We’re working hard to make sure your resume is high quality and presented in a way that will impress recruiters.

When speaking with hiring managers, we found that 78% of the time they skip your resume is because of the design. Again, we don’t think that’s fair.

Here’s a checklist to use for your resume

We always use this checklist whenever creating any new resume template.

Use a clear heading structure

Incorrect : Don’t make all headings and body copy the same size.

Correct: Do use typographic hierarchy by using varying heading sizes and font weights.

Use legible, friendly and professional font combinations

Incorrect : Don’t use quirky and eccentric fonts like comic sans or papyrus.

Correct : Do use professional fonts that are easy to read and familiar. Fonts like Georgia, Helvetica, Calibri, and Cambia.

Use an ample amount of spacing

Incorrect : Don’t go overboard with spacing. Using a lot of white-space might spark joy, but not when your resume becomes three pages long because of it.

Correct: Do keep your margins tight but spaced even enough that your text isn’t hugging the borders of the page.

Incorrect : Don’t try to write your entire life story with every single job responsibility you’ve ever had. Recruiters on average spend about 7-8 seconds skimming through resumes. If it's two pages, the chances of them not spending even more than 2-3 seconds reading the second page is pretty low.

Correct: Do keep your information brief, relevant, and clear. If you REALLY need another page, make sure it’s valuable information. Otherwise, choose the right template that can fit the most words on a single page.

Use bullet points

Incorrect : Don’t write very long paragraphs about your work experience. Remember, your resume is a summary and a brief overview of your career. Your resume is not an autobiography of everything you’ve ever done.

Correct: Do use 3-4 bullet points to briefly describe your responsibilities. Feel free to add more bullet points if you have worked at only one or two jobs to fill up some more space.

Overview for writing a resume

Whew, that was a lot of information. Let's quickly summarize what we've learned.

1) Always use an online resume builder, instead of Microsoft Word

• It’s always better to use an online tool instead of Microsoft Word.
• Creating a resume template on Easy Resume will allow you to access your resume at any time. And access to unlimited resumes and a great selection of professional design templates.

2) There are 3 types of resume formats

• Reverse Chronological -This is the most common. Use it if you have a lot of work experience and want to show your career progression over the years. ‍
• Functional - If you lack work experience, use this format to emphasize your skill set. It’s great for students or recent graduates entering the workforce for the first time. ‍
• Combination - If you have a lot of experience and a diverse skill set that is relevant to your job, use this advanced technique. For example, a web developer who has worked at a few technology startups. And has programming skills in languages like Python, PHP, and Javascript.

3) Follow our resume design guidelines

• Utilize clear heading hierarchy, don’t make all fonts the same size. This will help your resume be easy to parse. Remember, recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning your resume. Highlight the most important sections! ‍
• Use legible fonts that are easy to read . Using professional fonts will make your resume more legible. Choose from fonts like Georgia, Calibri, Garamond, Arial, Helvetica, Cambria, Times New Roman, Verdana, Trebuchet, Gill Sans, and Tahoma
• ‍ Use white-space conservatively . If you rely too much on white-space, you might end up with a 2-3 page resume. Keep your margins tight but spaced evenly to make it easy on the eyes for the reader. ‍
• Use 1 page . As previously mentioned, hiring managers and recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds. They might look at hundreds of resumes and applications every week. The chances of them reading every single page from top to bottom is pretty slim. ‍
• Use limited amount of color depending on your industry. Hiring managers need to notice the right parts of your resume. Using the right amount of color on your resume can help. ‍
• se bullet points . As previously mentioned, hiring managers and recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds. They might look at hundreds of resumes and applications every week. The chances of them reading every single page from top to bottom is pretty slim.

Resume sections and details

Let’s take a closer look at the resume itself now. Resumes are typically broken down into the common sections:

Common sections to add on your resume

Resumes tend to have some common sections that employers are used to seeing. Here's a list of what's generally expected as best practice:

• Heading / Name
• Additional Contact Info
• Your Objective
• Your Education
• York Work Experiences
• Your Skills

Of course not all people are alike. There’s no one-size-fits-all model for resumes. Depending on your job, you might want to include more unique sections. Remember any information you include on your resume should have valuable insight into your experience. Employers want to know why you would be a great hire.

Other sections to include on your resume

If you don't have enough information for the sections described above, you can try to add some of these sections below. Keep in mind that you should only add it if it's relevant to the position you're applying for.

• Volunteering
• Achievements
• Organizations
• Certificates
• Publications

As you can see, there are many sections to add depth to your resume. So don’t be alarmed if you’re lacking skills or experiences, there are other ways to let employers learn of your potential.

Tip: Only add information that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. As a best practice, always remember that the most valuable details is the information that recruiters are specifically looking for in the job description that you’re applying to.

Let’s break down each of these sections and how to add the most value to them.

Adding contact information

Information about yourself is a critical element for your resume. It provides a brief description of who you are, where you're based and how to get in touch with you.

The most necessary contact information to add on your resume

There are quite a few ways to add your contact details, but here's what's most necessary.

• Your First & Last Name . You may use a preferred name if that's what you'd rather go by. So for example, someone named "Robert" might prefer to go by a nickname like "Bob". You may also optionally include your middle name or initial. ‍
• Your Email Address. Your email address is necessary if employers want to be able to reach you. Email is generally the most common way that recruiters use to get in contact with applicants.

Always use a professional email address.

Incorrect : Don't use an email address that sounds like you're still in grade school. Something like [email protected] will not look professional on your resume.

Correct : If you don't already have one, create a professional email address with your name on a service like Gmail. An email like [email protected] sounds much more professional.

• Your Phone Number. Adding a phone number will let recruiters know that they can also reach you via phone call if that proves to be more convenient for them. If possible, use your work or cellphone number instead of your home number. ‍
• Your Location. Adding your location lets employers know that you'll be able to physically make it to work. It's preferred that you list your city and state. Some people like to add their full mailing address. However, based on our research, we learned that it's not always important to add in your entire street address.

Let employers know where you're based, not your exact address.

Incorrect : Don't list your entire mailing address like 305 Main St, Apt#25. It's not always necessary. If an employer needs to know your mailing address, ask them and only provide if required.

Correct : You can simply list your city state and sometimes zip code, for example: New York, NY 10010. This will let employers know that you live and work in this geographic location. If you need a work visa or are looking to relocate, be sure to call that out.

Secondary contact information to add on your resume

• Your Website or Blog. If you have a website or a blog, feel free to add it on your resume. Having a website can add to the professionalism of your experience.

Unnecessary contact information for your resume

• Your Photo or Headshot. Adding a photo to your resume is a bit of a controversial topic. While it's not always recommended, and most ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) will ignore it - some countries like South Korea may prefer it. However, in most cases, it's not necessary. ‍
• Your Date of Birth. To avoid any kind of age-based discrimination, it's best to leave your birthday out of your resume.

Adding social media profiles

If you have accounts on social networks, you might want to include them depending on how relevant it is. This will let employers know that you're active and knowledgeable about commonly used platforms online.

• Linkedin is the most popular platform for networking amongst professionals. We recommend that you create a Linkedin profile if you don't already have one.
• If you use Twitter for professional reasons, adding your Twitter handle can be a good way to show off your personality and interests for topics that you like to talk about. However, if you use it purely for personal reasons, you shouldn't add it.

Tip: Only add social media profiles if they showcase your professional experience. Normally, you shouldn't add your personal social media profiles on your resume. Unless you're using social media networks like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest to demonstrate your expertise and interests, there's no reason to include them on your resume. For example, if you're a web developer, you might want to include your Github or if you're a designer, you can include a link to your Behance portfolio.

Writing the perfect resume objective

Your resume summary or objective gives employers a very brief overview of your goal and what kind of position you're looking for. It should always be at the very top of the resume. Usually placed directly below your name and contact information. It's always important to leave a great first impression. Remember, hiring managers are spending only 6 seconds scanning your resume.

Here are the key pieces of information that your resume objective should include:

• Your Job Title = e.g. Server
• Your Experience (in years) = e.g. 10+ Years
• Your Achievements = e.g. Managed parties and events upwards of 250+ guests and maintained customer satisfaction rate above 98%
• Your Desired Goal = e.g. Looking for new opportunities to bring expertise to fine-dining establishments
• Your Desired Goal (Personalized) = e.g. Looking to gain new skills and further develop fine-dining expertise at an upscale establishment like Janes Riverside Restaurant

Personalizing your resume objective to the specific company you're applying for can be a great way to make a first impression. We highly recommend tailoring each resume objective to the specific job and company you're applying to.

Follow these tips to write a great resume objective

This checklist will help summarize your experience into a resume objective that leaves a good first impression.

Avoid writing your resume objective in first person.

Incorrect : I am a server and have lots of experience working in various restaurants. I love working with customers.

Correct : Dynamic and engaged server with over 10+ years of experience who loves to provide warm and friendly customer service.

Quantify your achievements.

Incorrect : I worked many catering events and parties, and provided good customer service.

Correct :  Managed parties and events upwards of 250+ guests and maintained customer satisfaction rate above 98%.

Be clear about your desired goal.

Incorrect : I'm looking for a new job to get better at managing people and stores.

Correct : Looking for new opportunities to further develop hospitality and personnel management experience at fine-dining restaurants.

Putting all this together, a bad example of a resume objective might be the following:

Bad example of a Registered Nurse's objective

I am an experienced registered nurse, that has worked at large hospitals with experience taking care of patients and providing medical expertise. I'm looking for a position to help grow my nursing career.

Let's turn that into a better example of a resume objective, based on our guidelines:

Good example of a Registered Nurse's objective

Experienced and veteran RN with 12+ years of experience taking care of patient health. Skilled in providing high quality patient care in ER situations under intense pressure. Hired and trained a staff of 27 nurses and nurse assistants. Looking for a new role to bring empathetic care to the patients at Lincoln Hospital.

Take a look at our guide on how to write a killer resume summary or resume objective to learn more.

Summarizing your job experience

Your resume experience section is the most important aspect of your entire resume. It's a summary of your career experience and progression that outlines your responsibilities and achievements.

This is the section that you'll most likely spend most of your time on. It's good practice to make sure you consistently jot down any new experiences you've had, even if you're not looking for a job.

For example, if you recently landed a $200,000 deal by bringing on a new client at your firm, write that down somewhere you can remember. Over time, you'll have dozens of bullet points you can copy over to your resume when you are ready for a new job.

Here's a simple example of work experience

Server, red lobster.

November 2018 - Present • New York, NY

• Greeted incoming guests and directed them to comfortable seating.
• Memorized and informed guests of daily menu specials.
• Made recommendations about food and beverages as well as other services provided by the restaurant.
• Provided exceptional and friendly customer service by taking food and beverage orders and entering them in our PoS system.
• Job Title = e.g. Server
• Company Name = e.g. Red Lobster
• Start & End Dates = e.g. November 2018 - Present
• Location = e.g. New York, NY
• Responsibilities & Tasks = e.g. Made recommendations and answered questions about our food, beverages and other restaurant functions and services.

This is a simple example, but it can be improved by adding more detail.

Follow these guidelines to really maximize your career experience

These principles will make your resume look more professional, relevant and attractive to hiring managers. This is where most job-seekers have the toughest time when writing their resume.

We highly recommend emphasizing your experience section with these guidelines:

• Focus on achievements and outcomes. Instead of just writing about all of the tasks you did. Try your best to quantify some of the most key and impactful achievements you've made at the company. Using actionable verbs can help. ‍
• Use keywords from the job description. If you're applying to multiple jobs, make sure you tailor each resume to the job description . A great way to tailor your resume is to use keywords from the job description itself. Not only will this feel more relevant to recruiters, but it significantly increases the chances of your resume passing an ATS which scans for common keywords. ‍
• List only key responsibilities. Your experience section isn't meant to be a huge list of every single task you've ever done. Try to narrow your responsibilities to the ones that most relevant ones.

Here's a better example of work experience

• Implemented Happy Hour pre-dinner special that drove an extra $7,500 in weekly revenue.
• Trained and onboarded 6 servers to help increase waitstaff.
• Promoted to Team Lead after receiving exceptional feedback from repeat customers.
• Made food recommendations to customers that helped increase ordering by up to 15% for select items.

Adding skills to your resume

Showcasing skills on your resume lets employers understand the variety of your strengths. While skill sets can vary, the best approach is to use keywords from the job description to show how your skills are relevant.

In general, there are two types of skills you should consider adding to your resume.

• Soft or Transferable Skills
• Hard or Technical Skills

What are soft skills?

Soft skills (sometimes known as "transferable skills") are self-developed skills that will be valuable to employers to many different types of jobs. Some examples of these include communication, teamwork, organization and leadership. Listing soft skills is recommended if you're thinking about a career change where your skills would serve both industries.

For example, there might be a job that requires candidates to be very strong in teamwork skills. If you’ve worked in team settings, and enjoy collaborating with other group members, this is a skill that you might want to call out.

Here's a list of common soft skills:

• Taking Initiative
• Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Collaboration
• Time Management
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Presentation
• Facilitation

What are hard skills?

Hard skills (also known as "technical skills") are specific skills that are learned to perform a certain task or master a craft. These skills are often completed during your job, and sometimes require specific education or training to learn and master. For example, some technical skills can include computers or hardware for jobs like a Web Developer or an IT person.

Adding technical skills to your resume will let employers know how you can solve different challenges using these skills you've acquired. We recommend using your career experience, as described above, to show real examples of how you applied your hard skills at your job. Make sure to keep them relevant to the job you're applying for.

Here's a list of hard skills for specific roles:

Web Developer

• Ruby on Rails
• HTML & CSS
• Cross Browser Testing

Graphic Designer

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Illustrator
• Wireframing

Data Analyst

• Database Management
• Google Analytics
• Microsoft Excel

We have come up with a list of over 100 skills that you can include on your resume .

Listing your education

The education section of your resume is an important call-out for showing your school experience and the degree(s) you've received. It's important that the education section of your resume is relevant to fit the position you're applying for.

Here's an example of the information you should add for your education.

• School / University Name = e.g. Harvard University
• Degree & Major = e.g. B.F.A in Arts & Literature
• Minor = e.g. Minor in Spanish
• Years Attended = e.g. Fall 2004 to Spring 2008
• GPA ( optional ) = e.g. 3.8/4.0 GPA
• Honors ( optional ) = e.g. Magna Cum Laude

The most important information to include is your degree (multiple if you have more than one), the schools you attended and during which dates. If relevant, providing more specific pieces of information like your major and minor can also help.

Tip: Always be truthful on your resume. It's not worth lying on your resume. Employers will quickly find out whether you're telling the truth or lying during an interview if they ask specific questions that you are unable to answer. Same goes for your Education. Employers can request a transcript to verify that your school information is correct.

You'll notice we also added GPA and Honors as optional. For GPA, it's not necessary nor required, and should be generally avoided unless you have a high GPA (greater than 3.8). Adding honors and achievements is also likely to be ignored by recruiters. Only add it if you have plenty of extra space on your resume. Otherwise save that space for more important and relevant information.

Additional sections for your resume

Now that we've learned about the most important sections to add on your resume, let's explore some other ways to demonstrate your full potential to future employers.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all model. Every person, every situation and every job is different. Your resume should be tailored based on a variety of these circumstances.

Here are some sections you can include on your resume:

Keep in mind, that you should only add these sections if 1) you have extra space or 2) it's very relevant to the job you're applying for.

• Hobbies & Interests. This is a great way to show off your individual personality. Employers often care about maintaining company culture. Showcasing your different hobbies and interests can be a great way for them to get to know you, before even meeting you! Our advice on how to include hobbies on your resumes will be helpful.
• Languages. Do you speak multiple languages? This is a skill that can become useful, even if it isn't required for the job. When listing languages, you may also write a proficiency level (native, fluent, basic) to show how skilled you are at communicating in that language. ‍
• Volunteering Experience. If you spend time volunteering at different organizations, this can demonstrate to future employers that you're mission-driven and passionate about solving problems for others. If you're a student, acquiring volunteer experience can be a great way to substitute (with real impact!) for any lack of work experience. ‍
• Certifications & Awards. Have you received any certifications and awards that celebrates achievements you've made in your career? If it's relevant to the job you're applying to, then this could be a great way to level up your expertise and skills. Take a look at our guide on including achievements and awards on your resume as well as including certifications on your resumes.

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The 10-Step Guide to Writing a Winning Resume

In This Guide:

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

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

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

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

What’s a resume in 50 words or less?!

What's a resume?

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

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

Ready to get noticed and secure that interview?

Well then, your resume needs to demonstrate that:

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

Let’s get to it.

10 steps towards your best resume

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

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

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

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

Who benefits from AI resume writing?

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

Tips for using AI in resume writing

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

Best practices

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

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

Is your resume good enough?

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

Interesting statistics

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

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

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

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

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

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

Collect the following and make a list

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

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

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

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

Reverse-chronological resume

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

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

Functional resume

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

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

Combination (Hybrid) resume

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

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

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

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

More on resume formatting and layout

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

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

Layout and organization

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

Fonts and colors

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

File format

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

Resume header

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

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

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

What’s ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)?

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

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

Here’s how you can optimize these elements:

Date formats

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

Punctuation in lists

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

Bullet symbols

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

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

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

Choose the right resume builder—choose Enhancv!

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

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

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

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

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

Traditional US resume format vs Canadian & Europass CV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact information

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

Here’s what to include in your contact information

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

Tips for your header

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

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

Include a resume headline for extra impact

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

Resume headline do’s and don’ts

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

Here are a couple of example headlines to inspire you:

Creative Director

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

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

Aim for a finished header that looks like this:

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

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

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

What’s a resume summary?

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

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

Ideal candidates

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

What to include

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

Resume summary do’s and don’ts

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

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

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

What’s an objective statement?

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

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

Overall goal

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

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

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

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

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

The only source of knowledge is experience.

Albert Einstein

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

Structure and content

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

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

Best practices for writing a work experience entry

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

Writing style and focus

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

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

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

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

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

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

Work experience based on career stage

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

Entry-level

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Senior-level or C-level

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Career changers

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Career Change Resume Examples & Guide

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

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

Tailor your work history entries to the job description

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

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

Understanding keywords

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

Strategically include work experience

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

Focus on relevance

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

Best practices for effective tailoring

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

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

Tailoring tips in action

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

Position Overview:

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

Join our team and increase your opportunities for success.

Role and Responsibilities:

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

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

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements:

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

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

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

Tailoring strategies used:

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

Work experience checklist

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

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

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

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

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

Lynda Spiegel, human resources professional and career coach

What types of skills are there?

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

Hard skills

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

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

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

Where to put hard skills on your resume

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

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

Here’s an example of a hard skills section:

A few tips on formatting a hard skills section

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

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

Soft skills

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

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

Where to put soft skills on your resume

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

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

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

The top 10 soft skills

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

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

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

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

Transferable skills

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

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

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

How to tailor your skills

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

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

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

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

Skills checklist

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

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

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

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

How to construct an education entry

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

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

Must-have information

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

Optional information

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

10 education entry tips

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

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

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

Education section for a high-school student

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

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

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

Here’s an example:

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

Education section for a college student or recent graduate

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

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

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

Education section for an experienced professional

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

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

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

Education section checklist

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

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

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

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

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

Rosabeth Moss Kanter, professor at Harvard Business School

Essential elements of certifications and licensure on a resume

Certifications.

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

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

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

A current certification for a graphic designer

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)  

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

An “in progress” certification for a chef

Certified Executive Chef (CEC)  - in progress

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

An entry from a licensure section from a nurse

License Name:  Registered Nurse (RN)

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

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

Language proficiency

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

• Professional associations
• Cover Letter

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

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

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

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

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

For example:

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

Have a look:

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

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

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

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

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

Become a volunteer!

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

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

Below is an example of an awards section:

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

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

Here’s what a project entry should look like:

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

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

List them as so:

Professional affiliations

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

Here’s such a section:

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

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

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

A matching cover letter

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

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

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

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

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

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

Resume proofreading tips

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

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

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

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

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

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

Martin Yate, career expert and author

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Should you add unrelated work experience on your resume, resume highlights: why resume accomplishments get you hired (+5 examples), how to write a powerful cv that gets you hired, how to get hired as a designer: job search & resume advice, choose your employer, don't let the employer choose you.

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How To Make A Resume (With Free Template)

Published: May 7, 2024, 9:00am

Table of Contents

What is a résumé, how to make a résumé, 7 tips for writing a résumé, free résumé template, bottom line, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Whether you’re a college graduate entering the workforce or a parent returning to work after a long time, you need a compelling résumé to show recruiters you’re the best fit for an open position. We’ve compiled the steps you need to take to create your résumé and included a few tips to guide you when building your résumé. You’ll see what goes into a résumé that hiring managers respond to.

A résumé is a formal document recruiters ask applicants for as part of a recruitment process to assess their suitability for a specific role. A résumé provides an overview of your professional background and history, including your qualifications, work experience, skills and notable achievements. It records your professional development and is a potential employer’s first impression of you.

Here’s what a résumé does for you:

• It allows you to market yourself
• It shows recruiters how your experience can contribute to the organization’s growth
• It helps recruiters determine whether or not to call you for the next recruitment step

While there are different types of résumés with various content arrangements and formatting styles, here is the information required to build your résumé.

Add Your Name and Contact Information

When creating your résumé, the first item on your list should be your first and last name and primary contact information—phone number and email address. Also, adding a link to your website, portfolio or professional social media account gives potential employers multiple contact options and insight into your work, especially as a creative. Including your complete mailing address, city and state is also okay if the job listing calls for local applicants.

Include a Professional Summary or Objective

Your professional summary highlights your qualifications, skills and career goals. So, focus on concisely showing how your experience relates to the role you’re applying for. If you’re just getting started, changing careers or returning to the job industry after a break, opt for a professional objective, a summary of how your skills and qualifications can help you do well at the job. However, highlight something valuable the company can gain from you.

Add Your Work Experience

To determine your value, prospective employers examine how you’ve practicalized your knowledge and skills in your previous roles. So, include your previous job titles, organization names, company locations and employment dates. Then, include three to five accomplishments under each role.

Use action words, numbers and outcomes to explain your accomplishment while carrying out your responsibilities. For example, instead of saying you worked on a software updates team, say something such as “developed over 50 software updates that enhanced consumer productivity by 55%.” First-time job seekers can include internship and volunteer experience, but ensure you indicate that it was unpaid.

Include Your Education

List your education history, leaving the highest level at the top. Here are a few things to keep in mind when drafting this section.

• If you graduated more than 10 years ago, there’s no need to include your graduation year
• If you don’t have any work experience, indicate relevant coursework or internship
• If you’re still pursuing a degree or diploma, include the start date, but leave the completion date blank, unless there’s a graduation date
• Include your high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) only if you don’t have a college degree
• If recent, include awards, honors and scholarships and the year you received them

Highlight Relevant Skills

Dedicate a section of your résumé to highlight your hard and soft skills to show recruiters that you’re well-rounded. Aim for six to eight of such skills as are relevant to the role. Soft skills are people skills such as leadership, interpersonal and communication skills, while hard skills are the technical skills required for a specific job. Adding your aptitude, such as “proficient” or “intermediate” can also enhance your value. If applying without work experience, focus on transferable skills such as critical thinking and communication, which are helpful for any role.

Add Relevant Certifications, Licenses and Training

If your job requires certifications, include a section for that below the Education section. List the following.

• Certification or license title
• Certifying body or agency
• Date of certification
• Expiration date (if applicable)

Leverage Your Achievements

To make your résumé set you apart from other candidates, include a section to outline achievements and awards that further highlight your accomplishments and what you can contribute to an organization. These include honors, projects, publications (online or print), volunteer work and leadership positions. Awards show your commendation by those you’ve worked with, while volunteer experience augments your résumé as an applicant without work experience.

Below are a few tips to follow when preparing your résumé.

1. Ask for Help

Speak with those in your field, including peers and career counselors. Glean from their recommendations and pay attention to shared resources’ general language and formatting style.

2. Use the Appropriate Format

Make your résumé easy to scan. A few formatting tips based on what recruiters prefer are:

• Keep your résumé to one page, unless you have over 10 years of work experience. In that case, a two-page résumé is okay
• Set an inch margin on each side of the document
• Use popular fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, Georgia or Helvetica, and stick to font sizes of 14 to 16 for headers and 10 to 12 for the body
• Choose 1.0 or 1.5 inch line spacing
• Set margins to 1 inch on all sides
• Save your résumé as a PDF or Docx, using your full name and sometimes the job title as the file name
• Adhere to the specific résumé format instructions that came with the call for application

3. Tailor Your Résumé for Each Role

While it’s common to want to include every experience, include only the experience relevant to the role you’re applying for and adjust your summaries, skills, certifications and other information on your résumé to fit that role.

4. Include Necessary Keywords

Since many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) , which use keyword algorithms to filter résumés, ensure you incorporate keywords in the job description. Such keywords will fit right into your work experience and skills highlight sections.

5. Use a Résumé Builder or Template

Consider using a professional résumé template, which only requires you to fill your information in the blank spaces. Human resources (HR) experts design these templates so you can trust them. Plus, they make it easier to build your résumé.

6. Proofread Your Résumé

Review your résumé for grammatical errors, typographical errors and inconsistencies to show recruiters how well you pay attention to details. You can ask someone to read through your resume before sending it over to a recruiter.

7. Keep to Instructions

If a job listing gives specific instructions on the format or content of your résumé, adhere to them to avoid sifting out at an early recruitment stage.

Using a résumé template makes it easier and faster to make a résumé recruiters expect from job applicants. Several résumé templates are available for download, but consider using only those from reliable résumé builders. Customize any of these résumé templates from Indeed and Canva .

Here’s a minimalist résumé template typed out for you.

Name Location Phone number Email address Summary

Work Experience Position Company name Location Description

Skills Skill Years of experience Skill Years of experience

Education School Degree Field of study Location

Your résumé goes ahead of you to help a recruiter determine whether or not they want to interview you to learn more about how your background and experience can fit into an open role and grow their organization. So, ensure you include the necessary information and build your résumé with the tips we’ve collated from HR professionals. They will help you nail your dream job, even if you’re starting out or resuming your career.

What do you put on a résumé if you lack experience?

Even as a fresh graduate or parent returning to the job market, you can draft a résumé that catches a recruiter’s attention by highlighting your transferable skills and completed projects. For example, a fresh graduate can include certifications, volunteer or community service, apprenticeship or internships and extracurricular activities such as club and sports participation.

A returning parent can include nontraditional experiences such as homeschooling and babysitting to demonstrate their leadership and problem-solving skills, amongst the several skills and experiences that come with parenting.

How do I write a résumé to pass an ATS?

You’ll need to study the job post carefully and customize your work experience and keywords to match the primary keywords in the job description . You can also use a résumé writing service to run a free review of your résumé or build a new one from scratch.

Should your résumé be concise or detailed?

Recruiters often spend less than a minute on a résumé since they usually have to review several applications. So, make sure your résumé is concise—comprehensive but brief. “Remember, the goal of your résumé is to land an interview, not to provide every detail about your experience. Once you’re in the conversation, you can share more information about your qualifications.” —Shannon Burkel

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• 27 Great Resume Summary...

27 Great Resume Summary Examples to Get Hired

20 min read · Updated on August 28, 2024

Your resume summary is the first impression you make on potential employers, so it's crucial to get it right

When it comes to job applications, your resume is often the first point of contact with prospective employers. It's essential to make a good impression right from the start, and that's where your resume summary comes in. 

What is a resume summary? 

How can you create one that will help your resume stand out from the competition?

In this article, we'll explain the resume summary and why it's so vital for job search success. We'll also teach you how to write a great resume summary that will grab any employer's attention and provide 27 fantastic resume summary examples that you can customize to fit your job search needs.

What is a resume summary?

To understand a resume summary, it's important to understand the challenge that good summaries are designed to overcome. Employers who are looking for new hires often need to compare many dozens or even hundreds of resumes to find the best candidates for the job. Few hiring personnel have the time needed to thoroughly examine every single resume that they receive.

Instead, employers typically spend no more than five or six seconds scanning any given resume. If a resume manages to capture their interest in those few seconds, they'll take the time to read it in greater detail. 

However, if your resume doesn't grab their attention, it's likely to be rejected without any further examination. So, the challenge is to find a way to quickly earn the reader's interest and inspire them to read the rest of the document.

That's where a professional summary for a resume comes into play. As you'll see from our resume summary examples, a good summary is the resume equivalent of a salesperson's elevator pitch. 

This brief statement should highlight your experience and job title, one or two key skills, and a couple of your most prominent achievements. When your summary is crafted well, it will provide the employer with a quick overview of your potential value as a new hire.

Once you've written your summary, you should place it right after your contact information and resume headline so that it's the first thing employers see. If you've done your job properly, that summary will be compelling enough to make the reader want to learn more about the type of value you can bring to the job.

How should you start a resume summary?

Since your summary is designed to capture the reader's attention, it's vital to start this paragraph off in a compelling way.  While the statement should be brief, it should also clearly communicate your unique value proposition. Here are some examples of strong opening statements:

Innovative Marketing Manager with over five years of experience in developing and executing successful campaigns for Fortune 500 companies

Results-driven Sales Executive with a proven track record of exceeding revenue targets and building strong client relationships

Skilled Customer Service Representative with expertise in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and communication

Tips for writing a resume summary

To make sure that you create the most powerful resume summary possible, follow our top tips:

Be specific

When writing a resume summary, it's essential to be specific and quantify your achievements wherever possible. Instead of saying, "Experienced marketing professional," try saying, "Experienced marketing professional with expertise in managing successful social media campaigns, resulting in increases of up to 30% in website traffic."

This provides concrete evidence of your skills and demonstrates your value to potential employers.

Reflect on your career

When it comes to writing a strong resume summary, you should engage in some self-reflection. Before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), take some time to think about your key skills, experiences, and achievements. This will help you identify the most important information to include in your summary. Review your past roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments, and think about how they relate to the job you're applying for. Ask yourself:

What have I achieved in my career?

What skills have I developed?

What makes me stand out from other applicants?

Identify your key skills

One of the most important things to include in your resume summary is your key skills. These are the abilities that set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your value to potential employers. Begin by making a list of your top skills, then prioritize them based on relevance to the job you're applying for.

Highlight your relevant experiences

Next, think about relevant experiences that you can include in your summary. This includes any previous jobs or internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that have given you valuable experience. Consider what you've learned and achieved in each role and how that relates to the job you're applying for.

You should focus on what is most relevant to your target job. Here are some examples:

Proven ability to increase sales revenue by 20% year-over-year

Expertise in project management and team leadership

Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft 365

Confident working with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders

Keep it concise

Remember, your resume summary should be concise and to the point. Stick to the most important information and avoid filler words or irrelevant details. A good rule of thumb is to keep your summary to 3-5 sentences.

Use action verbs

When describing your experiences and achievements, use strong action verbs and adverbs to convey a sense of accomplishment and momentum. For example, instead of saying, "Responsible for managing social media accounts," say, "Successfully manage 4 social media accounts, including Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram."

Quantify your achievements

Wherever possible, use numbers and statistics to quantify your achievements. This provides concrete evidence of your skills and demonstrates your value to potential employers. For example, instead of saying, "Helped to increase sales," say, "Helped to increase sales by 20% in the first year."

Tailor it to the job

Make sure your resume's professional summary is tailored to the job you're seeking. This means highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the role. Look at the job description identify the key requirements, and then make sure your summary addresses these points.

Professional resume summary examples

Since there's nothing quite like seeing an example of a great summary, we've compiled twenty-seven great resume summary examples that you can use as inspirational templates for your own perfect resume . Below, you'll find summary examples for a variety of different job roles, including:

Customer Service Representative

Sales Representative

Marketing Manager

Project Manager

Software Developer

Human Resources Manager

Graphic Designer

Registered Nurse

Financial Analyst

Administrative Assistant

Data Entry Clerk  

Business Analyst

Operations Manager  

Mental Health Counselor

High School Teacher

Event Manager

Product Designer

Content Marketer

SEO Specialist

Bank Teller

Software Support Specialist

Data Scientist

Dental Assistant

1.    Customer Service Representative resume summary example

"Highly motivated Customer Service Representative with 5 years of experience in delivering service excellence. Skilled in conflict resolution and problem-solving, resulting in a 95% customer satisfaction rate. Proven ability to multitask in fast-paced environments while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail."

Why it works : This summary highlights the candidate's experience and skills while also showcasing their relevant achievements in ensuring customer satisfaction. It mentions how much experience they have and highlights a measurable success.

2.    Sales Representative resume summary example

"Dynamic Sales Representative with a track record of exceeding sales quotas by 20%+. Proficient in consultative sales techniques and relationship building. Exceptional communication and negotiation skills with the ability to close deals."

Why it works : This summary provides a quantifiable achievement to show the candidate's success in their previous sales roles while also highlighting their key skills in relationship building and communication.

3.    Marketing Manager resume summary example

"Strategic Marketing Manager with 7+ years of experience in developing and executing successful marketing campaigns across multiple channels. Skilled in market research and analysis, campaign optimization, and team leadership. Proven track record of driving revenue growth and increasing brand awareness."

Why it works : This summary emphasizes the candidate's experience and leadership skills while also showcasing their ability to drive results through successful marketing campaigns. The candidate has also demonstrated their ability to grow revenues and raise brand awareness.

4.    Project Manager resume summary example

"Accomplished Project Manager, with confidence in leading cross-functional teams and managing project timelines, budgets, and resources. Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build relationships with stakeholders. Proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget."

Why it works : This summary highlights the candidate's extensive project management experience and emphasizes their ability to successfully deliver projects while working with multiple stakeholders.

5.   Software Developer resume summary example

"Innovative Software Developer with 5+ years of experience in designing, developing, and implementing complex software applications. Skilled in programming languages including Java, Python, and C++. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in Agile environments to deliver high-quality code on time."

Why it works : This job seeker has taken the time to highlight some of the technical skills they possess while emphasizing their ability to work in Agile environments. They also call attention to the fact that they can manage and complete a software development project from design to implementation.

6.    Human Resources Manager resume summary example

"Experienced Human Resources Manager specializing in talent acquisition, employee relations, and performance management. Skilled in developing and implementing HR policies and procedures that align with business objectives and values. Proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams."

Why it works : This summary highlights the candidate's experience in various HR functions and emphasizes their ability to build and manage teams. It also shows that they can perform managerial functions like developing policies and procedures.

7.    Graphic Designer resume summary example

"Creative Graphic Designer with particular expertise in developing and executing visually stunning designs for print and digital media. Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, with a focus on typography and layout. Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously."

Why it works : This summary works well because it showcases their technical skills and experience while also emphasizing creativity and an ability to work collaboratively.

8.    Registered Nurse resume summary example

"Compassionate Registered Nurse with over 10 years' experience in providing high-quality patient care. Skilled at patient assessment, medication administration, and treatment plan development. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with patients and their families."

Why it works : This summary emphasizes the candidate's clinical and patient care experience and highlights their key nursing and interpersonal skills.

9.   Financial Analyst resume summary example

“Detail-oriented Financial Analyst with a strong background in financial modeling, data analysis, and forecasting. Combines advanced Excel skills with the ability to create and manage financial reports. Able to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.”

Why it works : This summary showcases the applicant's specific skills and experience in financial analysis and highlights their proficiency in Excel, a crucial tool for the role.

10.   Administrative Assistant resume summary example

“Skilled Administrative Assistant with 8 years of experience in administrative support and office administration. Resilient, detail-oriented, and able to work under extreme pressure in a team environment. Excellent interpersonal, client management, and interdepartmental liaison skills. Committed to successful management of multiple simultaneous projects, strict adherence to deadline requirements, and accurate maintenance of schedules, meeting obligations, and records.”

Why it works : An Administrative Assistant wears many hats and experiences many challenges. This resume summary covers a lot of ground to demonstrate that the candidate understands those obstacles and knows how to overcome them.

11.   Data Entry Clerk resume summary example

“Task-driven and results-oriented professional with more than 10 years of experience in data entry, project coordination, and customer service. Uses interpersonal skills including effective communication to build rapport and positive relations with customers, gather vital information, and ensure rapid and accurate entry of data into designated software programs.”

Why it works : This resume summary is effective because it gets right to the heart of the job: dealing with customers and entering data into databases. The candidate also emphasizes their results-focused mindset, project skills, and key soft skills.

12.   Business Analyst resume summary example

“Results-driven Business Analyst with a proven record in expanding profitability by 55% in the retail industry.  Confident carrying out data-focused analysis that provides key insights and recommendations for growth strategies. Strong interpersonal and team building skills, innovative approach to problem-solving , and resolute commitment to efficiency and productivity.”

Why it works : Business analysis is all about using data and research to deliver key insights that result in improved operations and greater business success. This summary hits all the right notes as it focuses on key skills, a solutions-oriented mindset, and notable achievements that reflect real value for employers.

13.   Operations Manager resume summary example

“Results-oriented Operations Manager with more than 10 years of supervisory experience in high-level operational environments. Adept at coordinating both large and small teams, outside consultants, and mid-level management personnel. Successfully introduced Lean manufacturing principles that reduced costs by 32% via waste elimination and process revitalization.”

Why it works : This candidate's summary emphasizes key skills that the employer wants to see in any managerial candidate's resume while also showcasing their knowledge of best operational practices and a commitment to cost reduction.

14.   Mental Health Counselor resume summary example

“Compassionate Mental Health Counselor with more than a decade of experience addressing mental health issues and behavioral concerns. Proven success in both individual and group counseling environments, assisting clients in gaining insight and understanding of their unique conditions. Specialized focus on working with young adults and families, with an emphasis on addressing substance abuse root causes and other social factors involved in mental health.”

Why it works : This resume summary is notable for citing important skills like empathy and compassion. It also focuses attention on the candidate's experience in dealing with common mental health concerns and hints at their preferred approach to assisting patients.

15.    High School Teacher resume summary example

“Dynamic high school teacher with 12 years of experience developing approved curricula for more than 500 students in grades 9-12. Proven track record of helping students to achieve a 98% passing rate in both Western Civilization and World History instruction. Actively engaged in every aspect of education, at the district, local, and parent-teacher level.”

Why it works : This candidate's resume summary highlights their vast experience while illustrating their success in ensuring that their students learn what they need to know to pass the class. They also demonstrate their commitment to the educational process by highlighting their involvement in every area of education.

16.    Accountant resume summary example

“Diligent and detail-oriented CPA with seven years of experience in accounting, process improvement, and problem-solving. Skilled at identifying inefficiencies and using reporting to offer insights that can guide employers to better practices and greater profitability. At XYZ Corp., identified labor usage inefficiency that motivated management to introduce new scheduling that eliminated $300,000 in labor waste.”

Why it works : In addition to highlighting a wide range of valuable skills, this candidate also focused on a quantifiable achievement that illustrates real value. This type of summary would certainly capture a hiring manager's attention and make them want to read more!

17.    Event Manager resume summary example

“Resilient and creative Event Manager with 6 years of corporate experience. Detail-oriented perfectionist with experience in project management, team leadership, and customer relations. Successfully organized and executed more than 40 major business conferences, hosting thousands of guests. Major clients have included three Fortune 500 firms with multi-million-dollar event budgets.

Why it works : As Event Managers go, this one has certainly made the rounds. That summary of achievements highlights their ability to manage even large-scale events, dealing with every aspect of the project. How could a serious hiring manager not want to learn more about this candidate?

18.    IT Manager resume summary example

“Dedicated IT Manager with significant experience in an innovative and growing tech firm. Skilled leader with experience in systems analysis, database architecture, problem-solving, and troubleshooting. Superior client satisfaction rate of more than 99%. Created and implemented an IT troubleshooting process that reduced internal client service time by 30%.”

Why it works : This IT professional focuses attention on their key leadership skills , while also mentioning the hard skills that any hiring manager is likely to be looking for. There's also a nice nod to their history of satisfying clients, as well as a notable and measurable achievement.

19.   Product Designer resume summary example

“Innovative Design Engineer with 5 years of experience in the development of products and packages. Skilled in market research, brand development and alignment, and design elements. Led team of seventeen Designers in the creation of industrial products that yielded $20 million in sales in the first month after launch.”

Why it works : This resume summary uses some important keywords, action verbs, and descriptive language to describe the candidate's key skills and experiences. It also cites an impressive product design achievement, along with real numbers that showcase value.

20.    Content Marketer resume summary example

“Creative marketing professional with 7 years' experience as a Content Marketer. Skilled writer who understands how written communication empowers business growth and expansion. Expertise in development of compelling content that drives activities across multiple media channels. Adaptable , detail-oriented, and focused on a brand-building approach to content strategy that drives real results. Developed a cross-platform content strategy that boosted sales conversion rates by 37%.

Why it works : This Content Marketer focuses on their key skills and keen insights into how content impacts business profitability. They even included a measurable result that demonstrates their focus on adding value to their employer's bottom line.

21.   SEO Specialist resume summary example

“Results-focused SEO expert with 6 years of experience in keyword mastery, the promotion of sustainable content, and growing organic website search engine rankings. Proven track record of SEO success, using content development and link outreach to expand website traffic activity from 10,000 daily visitors to more than 2,000,000 per year.”

Why it works : Many hiring managers may not fully understand SEO, but they will understand the need to get more eyes on their digital content. This candidate speaks to that need by focusing on website rankings, content, and overall web traffic - while including a quantifiable achievement that demonstrates their ability to make things happen.

22.   Copywriter resume summary example

“Website Copywriter with 5 years of experience in developing content that creates real conversions. Cross-channel expertise, including website content, advertising, newsletters, press releases, email, and podcast/video scripts. Proven track record of increasing social traffic by 36% and driving a 22% boost in landing page conversions.”

Why it works : This candidate's summary is focused not only on the type of things they write but how those content pieces directly contribute to the company's online presence and sales conversion rate. This illustrates the writer's understanding of how their work aligns with their employer's business needs and goals.

23.  Bank Teller resume summary example

“Empathetic and personable Bank Teller with more than 4 years of experience in client interactions at First Bank. Detail-oriented customer management approach, focused on superior customer experiences and client retention. Strict adherence to bank policy, including safety deposit guidelines, customer account security, and due diligence. Efficiently and effectively processed more than 200 client account interactions each day.”

Why it works : For a Bank Teller, much of the role's value lies in the employee's ability to serve as the face of the branch. This summary is effective because it showcases the Teller's knowledge of bank procedures while also highlighting their commitment to creating an excellent customer experience.

24.  Software Support Specialist resume summary example

“Problem-solving Software Support Specialist with 8 years of experience in customer-facing user assistance. Provided key problem-resolution services for hundreds of customers, with a focus on maximizing their satisfaction with the company to increase loyalty and retention. Experienced in both customer and B2B interactions, with a specialized talent for explaining technical problems in language that is easily understood by the average layperson.”

Why it works : This resume summary focuses not only on the candidate's specialized skills in solving computer issues but also highlights their ability to simplify their explanations to customers.

25.   Data Scientist resume summary example

“Committed Data Scientist focused on analytical insights that can drive company growth and development. More than eight years of experience providing data-driven analysis to Fortune 500 executives based on comprehensive statistical models and detailed historical data patterns. Successfully provided insights and recommendations used to increase company profits by 32% over a two-year period.”

Why it works : Data science may not seem like the most exciting field, but hiring managers are always on the hunt for candidates who understand why data matters. This candidate's focus on providing insights that can translate into real value for the employer is something that is likely to earn a hiring manager's interest.

26.  Dental Assistant resume summary example

“Dental Assistant with 5 years of experience with patient preparation, processing, and administrative support. Keen attention to detail and a commitment to dental health and aesthetics. Skilled in dental impressions, hands-on assistance during procedures, x-rays, and record maintenance. Fully committed to developing rapport with patients that creates a welcoming environment and a joyful experience.”

Why it works : This candidate's resume summary not only highlights key Dental Assistant requirements, but also conveys their personal approach to teamwork and patient care.

27.  Architect resume summary example

“Creative Architect experienced in high-end architectural design and development oversight. Ten years of proven success in creating sustainable designs that earn rave reviews and commendations from clients. Skilled in adapting to new challenges and working under pressure to achieve every client's vision. Consistently produces designs and project plans that come in on time and under budget, at 10%-30% less cost than industry competitors.”

Why it works : In this summary, the candidate highlights key skills that employers will want to see, while also emphasizing quantifiable results that demonstrate competitive value for the employer. They also showcase their ability to not only design architectural structures but to do so with a conscious awareness of critical factors like budgetary concerns, deadlines, sustainability and market competition.

Bonus: how to write a resume summary if you have no experience

Of course, it's also important to know how to write a resume summary if you have no experience. Here's a quick resume summary example that you can adapt if you are just entering the job market:

“Recent Marketing graduate, seeking an entry-level position to kickstart a career in the field. Demonstrated strong leadership and teamwork skills gained through involvement in various extracurricular activities, including volunteering at local events and leading group projects. Proficient in Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud. Passionate about using marketing strategies to create engaging content and drive brand awareness.”

Why it works: This summary works because it highlights the candidate's relevant hard and soft skills and qualifications, even though they don't have direct career experience. The use of action words such as "demonstrated" and "proficient" shows the candidate's confidence in their abilities, which can be attractive to potential employers, showcasing the candidate's potential for success in an entry-level marketing role.

Key takeaways

A well-written resume summary can make a significant impact on a job application. A good summary should highlight relevant skills and experiences, use clear and concise language, and avoid unnecessary information. Feel free to customize any of the resume summary examples we've provided to help ensure that your resume captures the attention of potential employers.

We know it can be difficult to condense a whole career full of skills and achievements into a paragraph of only a few sentences. If you're unsure about the document you've crafted, why not send it for a free resume review by our team of expert resume writers? 

This article was originally written by Ken Chase. It has been updated by Marsha Hebert and Ken Chase.

Recommended reading:

Ask Amanda: How Are a Resume Objective and a Resume Summary Different?

How to Write a Standout Career Summary

Business Acumen: What It Is and How You Can Showcase It On Your Resume

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

See how your resume stacks up.

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10 Resume Profile Examples (And How to Write Yours)

Imagine you've got everything covered in your resume : You listed your past experiences, included keywords from the job description, and pared it down to design elements an applicant tracking system (ATS) can parse. Now it’s an accurate representation of your professional qualifications—but you still can’t shake the feeling that who you are as a person is getting a bit lost. That’s where a resume profile comes in.

Adding this section to your resume is a good way to show more of your personality while still being professional. Curious? Read on to find out exactly what a resume profile is, and how to write yours—including examples.

What is a resume profile?

A resume profile is a few concise sentences or bullet points that can be placed at the top of your resume (below the header). It “describes who you are as a professional,” says Muse career coach Yolanda Owens , founder of CareerSensei and who also worked as a college corporate recruiter for more than 20 years.

Once you perfect your resume, check out open jobs on The Muse to maximize your chances »

Career professionals don’t all agree on the exact contents of a resume profile, or even on whether it’s different from a resume summary . So you have a bit of flexibility in how you think about yours and what you include in it.

For example, you might think of a resume profile as a way to “tell the reader who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for,” so that you can grab their attention and “quickly showcase your accomplishments,” says Muse career coach and former recruiter Jennifer Smith , founder of Flourish Careers .

Or you might approach your resume profile like Owens does, as the equivalent to “a dating profile that describes how you see yourself at work, and the type of work environment that makes you feel productive and purposeful.”

What’s the difference between a resume summary and a profile?

While some career coaches may use the terms resume summary and resume profile interchangeably, others treat them differently.

The first is a quick synopsis of the relevant experiences and skills you bring to a role. The latter can do the same, but it can also focus on your traits and achievements, your story as a professional, and your desires for your next role.

At this point, you might be wondering: If a resume profile includes what you’re looking for in your next role , how is it different from a resume objective ? Some people say that resume objectives are outdated at best and a waste of space at worst. If that’s true, why is a resume profile acceptable?

The difference lies in “the additional context that’s included in the profile,” says Smith. A traditional objective merely states what you’re looking for and maybe a vague reason why. But “the profile goes deeper into who you are and what you do” in addition to what you’re looking for next, connecting your past and present to your future.

Is a resume profile necessary? Who should use it?

Resume profiles can be advantageous for all job seekers, Smith says, especially for those “who are changing either their role or industry.” If you’re a career changer , a strong, explicit resume profile will give you space to tell the reader right up front that, no, you didn’t apply to this job by mistake—this is the next step in your career and here’s why.

Resume profiles are also particularly useful for entry-level job seekers who may need to tie their education and other experiences together more explicitly. If a candidate is writing an entry-level resume , Owens suggests that they “use the profile section to explain what they’re looking for in terms of challenges and learning, and the skills they possess that could potentially add value.”

What to include in a resume profile

Think about what you’d want the person reading your resume to know first. Is it something about your qualifications or your biggest accomplishment? Is it how well you work with others or what your personality adds to a team? This is what should go into your resume profile. You have a few sentences (or bullets) to work with, so don’t restrict yourself to highlighting just one thing.

Here are a few types of information that you can include in a resume profile, according to our coaches:

• Relevant skills and experiences
• Relevant achievements and accomplishments
• Years of experience
• Strengths as a professional (both soft and hard skills )
• Signature traits related to the job
• Personal traits that contribute to your work
• Qualities you’re looking for in your next role, team, or company
• Willingness to relocate (if you’re applying to a job not near the location listed on your resume)

What are recruiters looking for in a resume profile?

Don’t underestimate the power of a good first impression to get someone to keep reading the rest of your resume with interest. “The resume profile has an ability to quickly convince a recruiter that the person is a strong, qualified candidate,” says recruiter and Muse career coach Steven Davis , founder and CEO of Renaissance Solutions .

But recruiting isn’t just about making sure candidates have the right skills, Owens says. Recruiters also need to get a feel for whether the team and work environment will be a good match for the candidate long term.

Candidates’ skills and experiences should be well represented throughout their resumes, so as a recruiter, Owens most often “looked at the profile as a way to get a sense of their work persona and gauge environment fit for the role.”

How to write a profile for a resume : 5 steps

Once you know what recruiters and hiring managers are looking for in your resume profile and what you’d like to portray, you can follow these tips as you write your own:

1. 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

Decide if you want to use either bullet points or paragraph form. Your resume profile can be written as bullet points, but keep in mind that bullet points often take up more space than a paragraph. “To preserve real estate on the resume and attempt to keep it to one to two pages , I always recommend using paragraph format,” Owens says.

3. Consider the position you're applying for

Tailor your profile to the job, but not so much that it’s not true to who you are. If your resume profile is closer to a summary that highlights your key qualifications and accomplishments as they relate to a given job, you should be tailoring it very carefully for each application and incorporating keywords from the job description.

Read more: What it Really Means to "Tailor Your Resume"

However, if your resume profile is more of a personal (but still professionally appropriate) description of yourself, Owens recommends against tailoring it to match each job: “What you don’t want to do is try to tell employers what you think they want to hear,” she says, if it doesn’t reflect who you are. “That’s how you end up in positions where you’re ultimately unhappy.”

4. Quantify your experiences and accomplishments

Whenever possible, quantify your experiences and accomplishments by adding numbers, percentages, and other metrics to your resume profile. Keep in mind that recruiters nowadays not only want to know what you did, but also what you achieved and the exact results of your work.

5. Show some personality

While the rest of your resume won’t let much of your personality shine through, your profile gives you an opportunity for creativity. If you’re applying to a casual company, you can add a splash of personality, but if you’re applying to a more formal organization, it’s best to keep things more buttoned up.

Resume profile: Examples

Want to know what all this advice looks like in action? Check out these 10 resume profile examples for different types of job seekers and professions.

Career changer

Quality-control team lead with 10+ years experience who specializes in making thorough business decisions and leading others through day-to-day operations to achieve excellence. Decided to transition to the outdoor recreation industry during the COVID-19 pandemic after realizing that people, especially children, spend too much time indoors behind computer screens. Excited to bring experience in quality assurance and operations to a management position at an outdoor recreation facility to help people of all ages get outside and enjoy themselves safely.

Recent college graduate or entry-level candidate

Recent magna cum laude animal sciences graduate with a focus on small animal care excited to bring passion and knowledge to a position with an animal shelter or animal-focused nonprofit and learn more about programs that protect animals from euthanasia. As president of the University of Georgia chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, planned, organized, advertised, and managed a fundraiser that brought in over $20,000 in donations to a local shelter while also placing 43 cats and dogs with adoptive families. Proud dog mom of two former shelter pets, Dakota and Miley (pictures available upon request).

Account Executive (Sales)

Account executive who has been making deals since my first lemonade stand at age four for a total of $20+ million in sales. I love the rush of being on a sales team working toward goals—both in exceeding my own targets and in cheering on my teammates and celebrating their wins. In my current role, I’ve discovered that the most satisfying feeling of all was teaching a few of our SDRs to close deals. Seeing how proud they were of themselves as they got better motivated me to seek out a sales training role at a highly collaborative company.

Find account executives jobs on The Muse

A detail-oriented accountant with experience preparing tax and financial reports for charities to be posted publicly online. Evaluated budget (including payroll) for inefficiencies and suggested cost-cutting and time-saving measures that ultimately allowed the nonprofit to put an additional 5% of yearly donations directly into charitable programs. Excited to bring accounting skills to a nonprofit in the public health sector after spending over five years volunteering for public health charities such as the Red Cross and Project N95.

Find accountant jobs on The Muse

Customer Service Representative

An empathetic customer service representative who loves getting to talk to new people every day and help them solve problems. Crafted service approach of finding out what customers’ goals are and what their level of expertise in the product was rather than automatically giving boilerplate advice, leading to a 92% customer satisfaction rating. Avid video game player and designer looking to bring this passion to a customer service role for a gaming company.

Find customer service representative jobs on The Muse

Human Resources Manager

Human resources generalist who oversaw the transition of a 100+ employee company to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adept at dealing with the issues facing fully remote or hybrid workforces, including in hiring, professional development, and conflict resolution. Conceived of and instituted DEI programs for employees working from home. Looking for a position with a company that has a fully distributed or hybrid workforce and is committed to increasing diversity in its hiring pool.

Find human resources manager jobs on The Muse

Marketing Manager

Email marketer with 6+ years of experience gathering data-driven insights to make decisions about marketing campaigns. Conceived, proposed, and executed a campaign for a new headphone line across all marketing channels including email, social, content marketing, and print ads, with a total reach of 30 million impressions leading to over $1 million in sales. A team player who has taken the time to learn what each teammate in 10-person marketing department does and even filled in for them when needed. Excited to find a position in a collaborative work environment that oversees marketing campaigns across multiple channels.

Find marketing manager jobs on The Muse

Office Administrator

• Friendly, organized, and proactive administrative assistant with four years of experience looking to move into an office administrator role
• Saved office over $3,000 per quarter in supplies by creating new inventory tracking document on Google Sheets, showing other employees how to check supply levels and request orders, and comparing the supply sheet to inventory every two weeks to stop duplicate supply orders
• Spent four months filling in for office manager during maternity leave

Find office administrator jobs on The Muse

Project Manager

Looking for a project manager who can save at-risk initiatives and projects and make sure they come in on time and under budget and are fully functional at launch? I’ve held positions in customer care, engineering, product, and communications, so I know how to work with employees in all departments and see a project from multiple angles, ensuring each piece is on track and communicating with stakeholders along the way. I work best in environments where innovation is encouraged and no one expects to wear just one hat.

Find project manager jobs on The Muse

Web Developer

• Back-end web developer with experience using Java, Python, and SQL to develop features for online databases
• Go-to debugger on team of seven engineers
• Developed a site (link) that uses television shows you’ve watched to suggest new shows based on the ratings and recommendations of users with similar watch histories, bringing in an average of 10,000 visitors monthly

Find web developer jobs on The Muse

How to Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024 [31+ Examples]

Plenty of job-seekers spend weeks, and even months, looking for a job. It can be a slow and demoralizing process where you don’t get a single response after dozens of applications.

This is where perfecting your CV can make a real difference.

Your CV is the document that could open the door to your dream job. If you get it right, you can expect interview calls left and right.

But how can you make sure you have a job-winning CV?

Well, we have an answer.

And while it may be a little bit long, it’s worth every second of your time. 

If you want to perfect your CV, you have to grease up your elbows, get your reading glasses, and make sure every little detail is polished to perfection. Once you do that, believe us – it’s going to be worth it.

By building the perfect CV, you’re investing in yourself, and you’re increasing your chances of landing your next gig.

And our article is here to help!

We’re going to guide you through everything you need to know about making a CV, such as:

• The 7 Steps to Writing a CV
• 13+ Helpful Tips to Enhance Your CV
• 19 Real-Life CV Examples for Different Professions

…and much more!

So, let’s get into it.

Do You Need a CV or a Resume?

You might have noticed that when you’re applying for a job, some employers ask for a CV, while others prefer your resume.

But how do the two differ?

The answer depends on where you’re from.

In most of the world, including all of Europe and Asia, a CV and a resume are the same thing and are often used interchangeably. So if you’re applying for a job that asks for a CV, you should know that it’s the same as a resume.

Now, if you’re applying for a job in North America, it’s a bit different.

In the United States , a resume is a one-page summary of your skills and professional experience.

Meanwhile, a CV is a lot more detailed. Curriculum vitae is the Latin term for “course of life,” and it’s meant to include all your experience so far, including all levels of education, publications, projects, and more.

Typically, a CV is only required in the US and Canada when you’re applying for an academic or research position. Unlike a resume, which should only be one or two pages at most, an academic CV can be as long as necessary.

This guide is going to focus on how to write a CV for a regular job search. If you need to write an academic CV for a position in academia, check out our article for that instead.

How to Make a (Perfect!) CV

Most job-seekers use the default Word templates to create their CVs.

The problem here is that those default templates are often bland and don’t make your CV stand out. You want your job application to immediately capture the hiring manager’s attention, not blend in with the rest.

Setting up your CV template is also a very time-consuming process.

You’ll spend hours trying to make your CV’s contents fit within the template’s layout. And then, just when you’re at the finish line, you make one tiny tweak, and the whole thing gets completely messed up.

Now you’re back to where you started, looking for a CV template that’s easier to work with.

So why not take a shortcut?

Just use our CV builder and skip the hassle. Novorésumé lets you create a one-page CV for free, and it’s super easy to customize.

And the best part?

All of our CV templates are created in cooperation with hiring managers from around the world to make sure your CV is industry-ready, stylish, and optimized for the Applicant Tracking Systems ( ATS ) that most companies use.

Here’s how one of our CVs and one made with a regular text editor template compare with each other:

What to Include in Your CV

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. So, what goes into a CV , exactly?

Now, there is no golden rule, and not every CV has the same sections. A lot depends on your level of experience and what exactly you’re applying for.

Let’s look at the most common sections you can choose from.

• Contact information
• CV Summary or objective
• Work experience
• Certifications
• Awards and Honors
• Personal Projects
• Volunteer Experience

We’re going to look at each of these sections and guide you through writing them, step by step.

#1. Choose the Best CV Format

Before you start filling in the contents of your CV, you have to make sure it’s going to be reader-friendly and look good. 

The first thing hiring managers notice is what your CV looks like, and then decide whether to read it. So, this is your chance to make a strong first impression.

This is where your CV format comes in.

Like with resume formats , there are three different formats you can choose from:

• Reverse-chronological. This is by far the most popular CV format among hiring managers worldwide, so it’s the best choice for most job-seekers.
• Functional. This CV 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.
• Combination. The combination CV format is a great choice for experienced job-seekers with a very diverse set of skills. 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 CV.

So, which one should you choose?

In 99% of cases, you want to stick to the reverse-chronological CV format . It’s the most popular format, and it’s what hiring managers expect to see.

For this reason, the rest of this article will teach you how to make a reverse-chronological CV.

And Don’t Forget About Your CV’s Layout

Your CV’s layout is just as important as its format.

The layout is what determines whether your CV looks organized or cluttered, whether it ends up being too short or too long, and ultimately, if it’s boring and unimpressive or attention-grabbing and easy on the eyes.

Here are some CV layout tips you should keep in mind:

• Keep it to one page. You should only go for a two-page CV if you’re sure you can’t summarize yourself on one page. Don’t waste precious space on your CV on your life story – no one’s going to read it!
• Use clear and consistent section headings. Pick a heading and use it for all the section headers so the hiring manager can easily navigate through your CV. Keep the colors and font size consistent so your CV is easy on the eyes.
• Leave ample white space. Without the right amount of white space, your CV will end up looking cluttered with information. Just set your page margins to one inch on all sides so your text fits just right on the page.
• Pick a professional font. We’d recommend sticking to a font that’s professional but not overused. For example, fonts like Ubuntu, Roboto, Lora, or Overpass. Avoid Times New Roman, and never use Comic Sans.
• Choose the correct font size. As a rule of thumb, go for 11-12 pt for normal text and 14-16 pt for section titles. This helps keep your details clear and keeps the hiring manager from having to squint to read your CV.
• Save it as a PDF file. Make sure to save your CV as a PDF file, unless the employer specifically requests a different file format. You don’t want to risk sending your CV in as a Word file and messing up your document’s formatting after you put in all that hard work.

Another thing you need to consider is whether you’re going for a classic-looking CV template or something modern .

If you’re pursuing a career in an industry like law , banking , or finance , you might want to stick to a traditional CV template.

But if you’re applying to a startup where individuality and innovation are part of the company's values, you can pick a creative CV template .

#2. Add Your Contact Information

Once you’ve done formatting your CV, you need to start filling it up with the right information .

The contact information section is easy to fill but important to get right. After all, even if you have the most impressive CV, it’s not going to matter much if the hiring manager can’t contact you.

So, neatly place your contact information at the top of your CV in a designated CV header , so the hiring manager can spot it right away. 

Make sure you triple-check everything in this section so that there are no typos and everything is up to date.

Must-Have Information

• Full name. Place this at the top of the page. The preferred format here is listing your first name and then your family name. (e.g.: John Smith, instead of Smith, John.)
• Email address. Use an email address that’s professional and easy to spell, like a combination of your names. (E.g.: [email protected])
• Phone number. Add a reliable number where the hiring manager can easily reach you. Include the country dial code if you’re applying internationally.
• Location. Add your city and state/country. If you plan to relocate for the job or want a remote position, make sure to specify so on your CV.

Optional Information

• Job title. Include your professional title underneath your name. Write it down word for word, whether it’s “Digital Marketing Specialist” or “Senior Copywriter.” Just don’t make up job titles like “Marketing Wizzard” or use funny job-title buzzwords .
• Social media. As long as it’s relevant, you can add links to any social media or other website that can help your case. For example, having a complete and optimized LinkedIn profile can increase your chances of getting an interview.
• Portfolio. If you’re looking for a job as an illustrator or other artistic position, you should provide a link to your portfolio. On the other hand, if you’re a software developer, you could include a link to your GitHub account instead.

It’s also important to know what information not to disclose on your CV.

This varies from country to country, so make sure to check what the common practices and laws around these are in the specific place where you’re applying for a job.

• Date of birth. Unless this is explicitly requested 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 it could even lead to age-based discrimination.
• Unprofessional email address. Your quirky, old childhood email address doesn’t belong on your CV. Instead of [email protected], use a mature [email protected] email address.
• Headshot. (USA, UK or Ireland) In most English-speaking countries, it might even be illegal to include a picture of yourself on your CV . However, including a picture is the norm in most of Europe and Asia. Make sure to check the regulations for each specific country or industry you’re applying to before sending in your CV.

Now let’s look at an example of what a CV’s contact information section looks like:

#3. Write an Attention-Grabbing CV Headline

Research says that, on average, hiring managers look at CVs for up to six seconds at most!

That sounds a little harsh, right?

You spend days—weeks even—crafting the picture-perfect CV that represents you in a nutshell. 

And what does the hiring manager do?

They glance it over for a few seconds (if you’re lucky!) and move on. 

As unfair as that might be, how exactly are you supposed to capture someone’s attention in a matter of seconds?

This is where adding a brief paragraph at the top of your CV comes in.

Your CV headline should be right next to (or above) your contact information so that it’s the first thing the hiring manager reads.

Depending on your level of experience, your CV headline can be either a CV summary or an objective.

Both your CV summary and objective are your first attempt at grabbing the hiring manager’s attention. Make sure you use clear language so that the hiring manager doesn’t have to read your headline a few times to understand it—because they simply won’t read it.

Think of this as your elevator pitch. You need to convince the hiring manager to give you a shot within those six seconds of skimming your CV. 

But if you’re not sure whether to use a CV summary or a CV objective, here’s a rundown of each:

As the name suggests, a CV summary is a brief recap of your career so far. If you do it right, it can show the hiring manager that you’re a qualified candidate in two to three sentences.

Here’s what your CV summary should include:

• Your job title and the amount of experience you have so far.
• A few of your greatest professional accomplishments or responsibilities.
• Your most impressive skills that match the job.

Now, let’s look at a well-written CV summary:

Professional and creative architect with 10 years experience in developing construction drawings, 3D models, and doing design rendering. Served as a project architect at company X and won an honorable mention as a staff architect at XYZ Construction Awards 2023.

Usually, we recommend that job-seekers with work experience use a CV summary. 

But if you’re a recent graduate , an entry-level professional, or you’re going through a career change, a CV objective might be a better choice.

CV Objective

A CV objective is meant to express your professional goals and aspirations and tie them in with your academic background and any relevant skills you might have for the position.

It’s two to four sentences long, and unlike a CV summary, a CV objective tells the hiring manager what your motivation is, so it’s the go-to CV headline for candidates with no work experience .

Here’s an example of what a student’s CV objective might look like:

Recent graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Finance, equipped with strong analytical and mathematical skills. Eager to launch my career in banking at XYZ Bank, where I can apply my knowledge gained through coursework and internships to help clients achieve their financial goals.

#4. Show Off Your Work Experience (the Right Way!)

You’ve made it this far, and now it’s time to really show the hiring manager that you’ve got what it takes for the job.

Your work experience section is the main section of your CV, and it’s where most hiring managers will jump when looking at your job application. 

It’s also the deciding factor in whether you’ll get hired or not.

So, let’s start by showing you how to format your work experience correctly:

• Job title/position. Your job title goes on top of each work experience entry you include on your CV.
• Company name/location/description. Name the employer and include the general location, such as the city and state/country where you worked. In some cases, you can also briefly describe the company, particularly when the organization isn’t well-known.
• Dates employed. Add the approximate period of time that you were employed at each company. Don’t give exact dates; the standard format here is mm/yyyy.
• Achievements and responsibilities. What you did while employed is the core of each work experience entry. List your achievements and responsibilities in bullet points instead of paragraphs, so they’ll be easier for the hiring manager to read at a glance.

While it might sound straightforward, it can be tricky to sum up your work experience in just a few bullet points.

Most people just list their responsibilities next to the position.

While this approach is okay, it can only take you that far. Hiring managers likely know exactly what your responsibilities and day-to-day tasks were in your previous job. It’s your achievements they really care about.

So, you should take advantage of the work experience section to make it clear how you took the company from point A to point B.

Here’s an example of what a well-written CV’s work experience looks like:

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

CV Tips for Listing Work Experience

• Quantify your achievements. Whenever possible, always include concrete data that backs up your accomplishments. These can be percentages, budget amounts, or the amount of time a specific task or achievement took you to accomplish.
• Tailor your CV to the job ad. Make sure to tailor your CV to the specific job ad. Pay close attention to the requirements and focus on information that shows how you meet the employer’s needs.
• Incorporate keywords. Beating the ATS can take a little more effort. Add enough relevant keywords from the job ad so your CV makes it in front of a hiring manager.
• Use powerful action words. The hiring manager is bored of reading what you “managed” and what you were “responsible for.” Instead, make your CV sound more interesting by using powerful, attention-grabbing words, like facilitated, spearheaded, designed, conceptualized, etc.

Looking to write the perfect ATS-proof CV ? Check out our guide here.

#5. Skills Section on Your CV

Next, it’s time to consider your skills.

Along with your work experience, the skills on your CV make up 90% of the hiring decision .

So, you want to make sure that your skills show that you’re the perfect candidate for the job.

There are two types of skills you should include on your CV:

• Hard Skills. These are measurable abilities that can range from using Photoshop to being able to solve complex mathematical equations. They’re directly related to your tasks.
• 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.

Here’s what your skills section would look like on your CV:

Follow these tips to format this section perfectly:

• Separate hard and soft skills. Keep your hard skills separated from your soft skills to make your CV easier to navigate.
• Tailor CV skills to the job ad. Carefully read the job ad and find out what the employer’s requirements are. Add any of the listed skills that you do have to your CV.
• Add experience levels for hard skills. Categorize your hard skills by proficiency so the employers know what to expect from you and how much training you might need.
• Include transferable skills. Regardless of the job you’re applying for, you probably have tons of skins that can come in handy for the position you’re applying for.

Wondering what skills to mention on your CV? Check out our list of 101+ essential skills for inspiration!

#6. Education Section on Your CV

Another important part is the education section of your CV. 

Here’s how you should format it:

• Program Name. Your major and degree type should be listed first. (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”

Let’s look at what this section can look like in practice:

You’ve got the basics now! Now, here are a few tips to keep in mind to perfect this section:

• If you’re making a CV as a student and don’t have any work experience yet, you can list your education section at the beginning of the page instead.
• 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 CV 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 CV.

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

#7. Leverage Optional CV Sections

So far, we covered the most important CV sections that are mandatory for any job application.

Now, it’s time to take a look at the optional sections that can help you stand out.

Optional CV sections aren’t the biggest game-changers for your job hunt , but they’re a great option if you have some leftover space and want to spice up your application.

These include:

• Certifications. Continuous learning leaves a great impression on hiring managers. If you don’t have work experience in the field yet, showing you’ve taken the first step, such as a Coursera or Google Certificate, can show your genuine interest in the specific field.
• Awards and recognitions. Your CV is the best place to show off. Include any awards or acknowledgments, such as a hard-to-come-by scholarship .
• Publications. Whether you’re a freelance writer or a distinguished academic, relevant publications are always impressive. Make sure to include a link so the hiring manager can read your work.
• Languages. Being able to communicate in more than one language is always a bonus, so include your foreign languages and add your level of proficiency for each on your CV.
• Personal projects. If you worked on a mock software product during university or you run your product review YouTube channel, you can add it to your CV.
• Volunteer experience. Studies show that listing volunteer experience can increase your chances of getting hired, especially if you have less work experience. Volunteering shows you like meaningful work, which means you’re more likely to be a loyal employee.
• Hobbies and interests. While it’s still debated if hobbies or interests should ever make it onto a CV, adding a bit of extra information about yourself can give the hiring manager insight into you as a person and make you stand out. Some hobbies can even back up your skills, such as painting, which proves your creativity.
• Extracurricular activities. If you don’t have much experience outside of school, any clubs and activities you took part in can show employers how you honed certain skills or managed your time.

Trying to write your first CV as a college freshman ? Check out our detailed guide to learn how!

13+ Expert CV Tips

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

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

• Make sure that the professional title underneath your name matches the job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers usually hire for several roles at once, so this can give them a cue about which job you’re after, and help things go smoother.
• Always mention promotions from your previous roles. Your work experience entries should highlight the specific achievements that helped you earn them.
• Use Laszlo Bock’s formula to describe your achievements: accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z . This takes your work experience to the next level and clearly shows the hiring manager how you can contribute to their team.
• List your achievements and responsibilities in bullet points. This makes your CV easier to read, and it’s likelier that the hiring manager will see your impressive achievements while skimming through.
• Avoid personal pronouns like “I” or “me,” and never refer to yourself by name. Try an altered third person, such as “managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.” in place of “I managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.”
• The ATS might reject your CV unless the sections are named correctly.  For example, names like “career history” or “expertise” should be  “work experience” and "skills", respectively. It also makes it easier for the hiring manager to find what they’re looking for when reading your CV.
• Only include important keywords from the job ad , not all of them. The keywords you use, such as relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences need to make sense in context since you want to get past the ATS and impress the hiring manager.
• If you don’t have much relevant work experience, highlight your transferable skills . These can come from personal projects or extracurricular activities and help you stand out from other candidates.
• Use color strategically to make headings, bullet points, or key elements you want to highlight really pop. Just don’t use too much of it – the information on your CV should be more impressive than the design.
• Skip the line “references available upon request.” The hiring manager knows that they can request references from you, so don’t waste valuable CV space telling them they can.
• Your CV should be optimized for mobile devices. Hiring managers tend to use their mobile phones as often as desktop computers, and having your CV saved to a PDF file can ensure that your formatting stays the same across any device.
• Remember to change the name of the CV file you plan to send. It should include your name and the position you’re applying for. Skipping this small detail can leave a bad impression on the hiring manager.
• Try reading your CV out loud when you’re finished writing it. You might notice awkward phrases or spelling mistakes that you would have otherwise missed.
• Tools like DocSend can track your CV. Use it to get a notification whenever a hiring manager opens your CV, and to even track how long they spend looking at it.

3 Types of CVs

If you apply everything we’ve talked about so far, you should have a perfectly well-rounded CV. You’re prepared to take on the job market!

But just in case you aren’t sure what a great CV looks like, here are some examples of different types of CVs that you can use for inspiration.

#1. Graduate CV Example

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

#2. Academic CV Example

Check out our full guide to writing an academic CV here.

#3. Executive CV Example

19 CV Examples for Different Jobs

Knowing how to write a CV is one thing, but making a CV 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 CV examples for specific jobs to get a better sense of what a good CV looks like:

#1. Nurse Practitioner CV Example

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

#2. Data Scientist CV Example

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

#3. Business Analyst CV Example

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

#4. Digital Marketing CV Example

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

#5. Software Engineer CV Example

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

#6. Construction Project Manager CV Example

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

#7. Customer Service CV Example

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

#8. High School CV Example

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

#9. Student CV Example

#10. Server CV Example

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

#11. Actor CV Example

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

#12. Web Developer CV Example

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

#13. Engineering CV Example

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

#14. Computer Science CV Example

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

#15. Architect CV Example 

Check out our full guide to writing an architect CV here.

#16. Data Analyst CV Example

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

#17. Remote Job CV Example

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

#18. Sales Associate CV Example

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

#19. Receptionist CV Example

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

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

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

Next Steps After Your CV

After you’ve got your CV ready, it’s time to focus on other parts of your job application.

Your CV is the first step in your job search, but to land the job you want, you need to prepare a matching cover letter and nail the upcoming job interview.

#1. Write a Great Cover Letter

The best way to complement your CV is by writing a cover letter.

Now, you might flinch at the idea of having to write a cover letter. Unless you’re looking for a job as a writer , you’re probably not too confident in your ability to write a great cover letter.

Thankfully, writing a cover letter is very easy.

Cover letters act as a direct message to the hiring manager. They should be no more than a single page and use between 250 and 400 words . This gives you the chance to explain, in your own words, why you’re the best candidate for the job.

There are plenty of cover letter tips that can help point you in the right direction, so you’ll be able to write the perfect cover letter in no time.

Just follow this structure:

• Include your contact details. Add the same contact information as on your CV, and the contact information of the hiring manager, such as their name, job title, the company’s name, and its general location.
• Present yourself. Start your cover letter by stating who you are, what your relevant work experience is, and what excites you about the position. Include an impressive achievement or two, your crucial skills, and what you can do for the employer’s company.
• Build your case. Check the job ad for the candidate requirements and explain how you meet them. Do research on the company so you actually know what you like about it, and make sure to mention it in your cover letter. Convey your genuine excitement for the opportunity and express your confidence that you can contribute to their mission.
• Conclude it politely. End your cover letter by summarizing how you meet the employer’s needs for a candidate and thanking the hiring manager for their time. Include a call to action, like "Please feel free to contact me at the provided email or phone number so that we may discuss my application in more detail."  
• Finally, add a polite closing line and sign your full name underneath.

Not too hard, right? Here’s a real-life example to show you how a cover letter looks:

Want to perfect your cover letter? Learn about the most common cover letter mistakes and check out cover letter examples for different professions here.

#2. Ace The Job Interview

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations are in order. But you can’t celebrate just yet.

The final gatekeeper standing between you and your dream job is the interview process.

If you hate job interviews, you’re not the only one. After all, having to convince a stranger to hire you isn’t most people’s idea of fun.

Here’s the silver lining: most interviewers ask the same questions.

All you have to do is research what the common questions are and show up prepared.

Some of these common interview questions include:

• Why do you want to work here?
• Why should we hire you?
• Tell me about yourself.
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

These might sound cliche, but they’re popular questions for a reason.

Interviewers want to get to know you as an employee and determine if you’d fit within their company’s culture.

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

Key Takeaways

At this point, you should feel pretty confident about writing your CV.

The whole process might seem a bit intimidating at first, but now that it’s broken down into bite-sized pieces, we’re sure you’ve got it.

Before we let you go and land that dream job, let’s just recap some of our key points:

• Save time by using a free CV builder to create yours with as few obstacles as possible. There’s no need to mess around with formatting for hours before you even get the chance to write your CV!
• The essential information on your CV includes contact information, a CV summary or objective, work experience, education, and skills. If you have space, you can optionally include sections like certifications, awards, languages, hobbies, and interests.
• Responsibilities aren’t as impressive as achievements, so use your CV to focus on those times you went above and beyond at your job instead of just your daily tasks.
• Always tailor your CV to the specific job you’re applying for. Use the job ad as a reference and emphasize the skills and experience you have that match what the employer is looking for.
• Don’t forget to prepare for the rest of the job application process by writing an equally well-crafted cover letter and practicing how you’ll answer the most common interview questions.

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