how to make a good resume 2022

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

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

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

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

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

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

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

….and more!

So, let’s dive right in.

How to Make a Resume (The Right Way!)

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

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

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

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

#1. Pick the Right Resume Format

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

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

Start by choosing the right resume format.

There are three types of resume formats out there:

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

So, which one should you go for?

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

Fix Your Resume’s Layout

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

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

Here are some of the best practices you should apply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#2. Add Your Contact Information

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

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

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

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

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

Must-Have Information

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

Optional Information

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is where the resume headline comes in.

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

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

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

Resume Summary

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

Here’s what your resume summary should include:

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

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

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

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

Resume Objective

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

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

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

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

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

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

#4. Prioritize Your Work Experience

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s a real-life example:

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

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

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

Focus on Achievements Whenever Possible

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your day-to-day responsibilities probably include:

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

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

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

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

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

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Include the Right Amount of Work Experience

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

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

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

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

Consider Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#5. List Your Education

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

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

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

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

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

Resume Education Tips

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

Just follow these expert tips:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are a few essential steps you need to follow:

Always List Hard and Soft Skills Separately

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

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

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

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

Methodologies & Tools

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

Soft Skills

• Team Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Negotiation

Tailor Your Skills to the Job

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

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

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

Qualifications:

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

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

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

List Hard Skills with Experience Levels

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

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

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

Include Transferable Skills

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

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

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

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

#7. Leverage Optional Resume Sections

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

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

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

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

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

• Intermediate

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

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

Hobbies and Interests

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

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

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

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

Volunteering Experience

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

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

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

Certifications

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

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

Certifications can also show employers how much expertise you have.

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

Awards and Recognitions

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

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

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

Publications

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Extracurricular Activities

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

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

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

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

11+ Expert Resume Tips

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

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

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

FREE Resume Checklist

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

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

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

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

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

9 Resume Templates for Different Industries

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

#1. Traditional Resume Template

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

#2. Modern Resume Template

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

#3. Creative Resume Template

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

#4. Minimalistic Resume Template

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

#5. IT Resume Template

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

#6. Tech Resume Template

Good for the tech industry and everything it encompasses.

#7. College Resume Template

Good for college students and recent graduates alike.

#8. General Resume Template

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

#9. Executive Resume Template

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

17+ Resumes for Different Jobs

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

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

#1. Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

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

#2. Data Scientist Resume Example

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

#3. Business Analyst Resume Example

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

#4. Digital Marketing Resume Example

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

#5. Software Engineer Resume Example

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

#6. Construction Project Manager Resume Example

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

#7. Customer Service Resume Example

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

#8. High School Resume Example

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

#9. Student Resume Example

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

#10. Server Resume Example

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

#11. Actor Resume Example

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

#12. Web Developer Resume Example

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

#13. Engineering Resume Example

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

#14. Computer Science Resume Example

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

#15. Architect Resume Example 

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

#17. Remote Job Resume Example

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

#18. Sales Associate Resume Example

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

#19. Receptionist Resume Example

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

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

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

Next Steps After Your Resume

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

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

#1. How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter

The companion piece to every resume is the cover letter.

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

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

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

Just follow this structure:

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

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

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

#2. How to Ace Your Next Interview

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

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

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

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

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

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

FAQs on How to Make a Resume

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#5. What kind of resume do employers prefer?

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

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

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

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

You should only include relevant job positions on your resume.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#9. Is a resume a CV?

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

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

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

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

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

#10. Should I write my own resume?

Yes, you should always write your own resume.

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

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

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

#11. Can a resume be two pages?

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

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

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

#12. Is a simple resume okay?

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

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

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

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

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

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

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

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What to Put on a Resume in 2022 (with Examples and Tips)

If you have ever written a resume, you have probably found yourself wondering whether or not you are including the right information. There are many elements that make up a strong resume and several formats to choose from. In this guide, we will help you determine exactly what to include on your resume in 2022!

What are the different types of resume formats?

The first step to deciding what to put on your resume is to choose a resume format .

Different formats serve different purposes. The 3 basic resume formats are:

1) Reverse-Chronological

‍ The reverse-chronological resume is the most standard resume format and hiring managers will generally expect to see resumes this way. This type of resume focuses mainly on showcasing your work experience .

Applicants list their most recent and relevant job first. This is then followed with previous jobs in reverse-chronological order to help show your career history & progression.

2) Functional ‍

The functional resume is the preferred format for applicants with little to no experience . Rather than focusing on work experience, this format emphasizes other sections such as your skills or education.

‍ A hybrid resume combines elements from both the reverse-chronological and functional formats. This works best for applicants who may have some work experience but not enough to fill an entire resume.

There is also an alternative to the resume known as the Curriculum Vitae , more commonly called the CV, which slightly differs from a traditional resume.

In the United States, a CV is primarily used for job applications in the fields of science and academia.

This type of document is much longer and more in-depth than the standard resume as it focuses heavily on achievements , skills and other relevant information like degrees, publications, coursework and certifications.

CVs are also the standard format used in international locations, especially in Europe. For applicants applying to jobs outside of the U.S. and Canada, creating a CV will be a necessity.

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

Which formats work best for different types of roles?

Generally speaking, you will want to use a reverse-chronological resume whenever possible.

Hiring managers and employers are not accustomed to seeing functional and hybrid resumes as often. This can be off-putting as it may not immediately meet their expectations especially if it isn't relevant for your background and the role.

However, you can absolutely make a functional or hybrid resume work in your favor. The key is to tailor every resume you write to fit the parameters of the specific job.

If you are applying to an entry- or intermediate-level job, you can use any of the 3 basic resume formats. Once you begin applying to higher-level jobs, then you may want to consider switching to a multi-page or CV format.

Check out our guide on How to Write a Two-Page Resume for more information on when and how to use a multi-page format. ‍

What do I need to add to a resume?

A standard resume should always contain the following key sections:

• ‍ A Personal Header: This will include your name and contact information.
• ‍ Work Experience: An overview of your past jobs and professional experiences. ‍
• Education: The level of education you have completed and any degrees earned.
• ‍ Skills: Any skills or proficiencies that make you especially qualified for the job.

These four elements make up the basic framework of a resume. However, there are several additional sections you can include as well, such as objectives, certifications or awards. ‍

What do I include in the key sections of a resume?

In this section, we will provide you a clear breakdown of what information to put in each section of your resume.

We'll also cover additional sections to consider including to make your resume stand out even more.

1) Personal Header

Your personal header introduces you to the employer. This is where you will list your name and contact information on your resume .

There are 5 key pieces of information to include within a personal header on your resume:

• Your Name = e.g. "John Smith"
• Your Phone Number = e.g. "(212) 123-4567"
• Your Email Address = e.g. "[email protected]"
• Your Website = e.g. "easyresume.io"
• Your Location = e.g. "Brooklyn, New York" Read our guide on how to include your location or address on your resume . ‍

You may be wondering. Should you include your LinkedIn Profile?

Yes, and if you have not taken the time to optimize your LinkedIn profile, we recommend doing so.

LinkedIn is particularly helpful for applicants who are new to the workforce and are looking to network with other professionals, and most hiring managers will see this as a proof of your credentials.

Depending on the position you are applying for, it may also be useful to include links to your other professional social media accounts. LinkedIn and other social media platforms can serve not only as networking tools but as online portfolios as well.

For example, if you're a wedding photographer , you may want to include a link to your Instagram or Pinterest page.

2) Work Experience

Your work experience section is where you will detail your past roles and responsibilities. It includes your:

• Job Title (Position) = e.g. "Server"
• Company = e.g. "The Olive Garden"
• Start Date = e.g. "June 2020"
• End Date = e.g. "March 2021" (or "Present" if it's your current job)
• Location = e.g. "New York, NY"
• Work Responsibilities &  Achievements = e.g. See the following: • Organized the weekly staff schedule for a staff of over 20 servers • Completed daily bookkeeping using QuickBooks • Addressed customer questions and complaints with compassion and efficiency

When crafting this section, there are 3 key factors to keep in mind:

A) Relevance

How relevant are the jobs you are including to the job you are applying for? Are there keywords or skills you can emphasize that help to relate them more directly?

B)  Timeliness

‍ How recently did you hold the position you are including? Do you have any very recent jobs that you can include?

C) Longevity

‍ How long did you hold your previous positions for? Do you have any examples of jobs you stayed at for a long time?

What if you have no relevant or limited work experience?

If you have limited work experience, you may need to include entries that are not as relevant as you would like. In this case, find ways to tie your role and responsibilities back into the new position you are applying for.

You want to make your job entries as relevant as possible to the job you are applying to.

In this example, imagine the applicant is applying for a role as an office assistant . Their most recent job was a position of a shift-lead at a restaurant.

The following would be incorrect:

Shift Lead , The Olive Garden New York NY • June 2020 – March 2021 • Served over 10 tables at a time, providing excellent customer service • Determined when to send other staff members home • Led opening and closing tasks for the restaurant

Why is this wrong? Well, although each of these descriptions may be true, they do not highlight the applicant’s transferable skills.

The goal should be to emphasize how their role as a shift lead gave them the skillset to be an office assistant.

Here's a correct way of doing this:

Shift Lead , The Olive Garden June 2020 – March 2021 ‍ • Organized the weekly staff schedule for a staff of over 20 servers • Completed daily bookkeeping using QuickBooks • Addressed customer questions and complaints with compassion and efficiency

In this corrected example, you can see that the applicant has highlighted their most relevant skills and responsibilities.

The role of Shift Lead may not be directly related to the role of Office Assistant. Yet, the applicant has made it relevant by emphasizing their management and office duties within the restaurant.

Your work experience section is one of the most crucial elements of your resume. Get extra help crafting this section with our guide on How to Describe Work Experience on a Resume in 2022 !

3) Education

Unless you are writing a CV, you will want to keep your education section as short and concise as possible.

The key pieces of information to include in this section are:

• Your school or university   = e.g. "Georgetown University"
• Your degree (when applicable) = e.g. "BFA, English" ‍
• Your dates attended (when applicable) = e.g. "Georgetown University"

You'll want to add your highest level of education that you've received, this can be a college or university.

However, even if you lack higher education, it is still important to include this information. Omitting an education section altogether may seem suspicious to hiring managers.

Applicant Tracking Systems look for education sections on a resume. Excluding this section could worsen your chances of having your resume approved by ATS software. You can learn more about adding your education on your resume in our helpful guide .

Continue reading to see how to properly format an education section on a resume:

In this example, the applicant is currently in college. They need to relay to the employer when they will graduate and in what degree program

This would be an incorrect way of showing this:

Education I am currently a student at a local university in Chapel Hill, NC. I will graduate later this year with a double degree. My current GPA is a 3.5 and I am a part of the Honors Society.

Why is this wrong? When writing your education section, it's important to be as specific as possible and to list out your details so it's easy to read. You always want to include the exact name of the university and the date you will be graduating. Additionally, you should use bullet points to organize your information.

This is a more correct way of formatting your resume:

Education ‍ University of North Carolina Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC Expected Date of Graduation: May 15, 2021 • Bachelor’s Degree in Business; Double-Major in Business and Finance • Cumulative GPA: 3.6 • Member of the Honors Society

A quick note on GPAs. Typically, you should only include your GPA if the employer has specifically requested it or its higher than a 3.5 average. Otherwise, it may be unnecessary information that takes up space and won't significantly help your case.

4) Skills and Proficiencies

Your skills and proficiencies section will vary in size depending on what format you have chosen.

In a reverse-chronological resume, the skills section will be smaller and more succinct. In a functional or hybrid resume, this section may be larger and more emphasized.

The key to creating a strong skills section for your resume is to focus on both hard and soft skills.

Hard skills are quantifiable proficiencies, such as the ability to use programming languages.

Soft skills are more abstract proficiencies, such as the ability to communicate clearly or work well in a team.

Here are a few examples of Hard Skills:

• Copywriting
• Bilingual in English and another language
• Programming Languages (Python, JAVA, etc.)
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Cybersecurity
• SEO Marketing

Here are a few examples of Soft Skills:

• Time Management
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Networking Skills
• Problem-Solving
• Independence

Additional Sections to Include

If you do not have enough work experience or skills to fill an entire resume, you may need to add in some extra sections.

Additional sections that are good to consider adding include:

A) Resume Objective or Summary

‍ 1-3 sentences that outline the job title you are seeking and your career goals. Place this below your personal header. Read our guide on adding your resume summary .

B) Achievements and Awards

Listing key achievements on your resume can be a great way to signify your effectiveness as a teammate. You can do this by showcasing academic or work-related accomplishments. Examples include awards such as Employee-of-the-Month or inclusion on a Dean’s List.

C) Certifications ‍

It can be helpful to include relevant certifications you earned through supplemental training.  Some jobs may even require specific certifications for applicants to qualify for the position.

D) Unpaid Experience

‍ Unpaid experiences can include volunteer work, community service, and internships . These are great to include when you lack more professional work experience . ‍

E) Hobbies ‍

Adding hobbies and interests on your resume can help to humanize you more to employers. They also can give hiring managers more to ask you about during an interview to get a sense of your personality.

What should I not include in my resume?

There are a few pieces of information that you should generally omit from a resume. These include: ‍

1) Full Mailing Address

‍ Physical addresses are no longer a staple of resumes. This is because employers will contact you primarily through phone or email. Read our article on Should I Put My Address on My Resume? for more information on when and how to include an address on your resume.

2) References

‍ Including references on your resume can take up a lot of space and be distracting. Wait for the employer to specifically request references before providing them. See our guide to learn when it is an appropriate time to include references on your resume .

3) Personal Social Media Accounts

‍ Never include your personal social media accounts. It is a good idea to keep personal accounts private while job hunting.

4) Multiple Phone Numbers

Including more than one phone number is not necessary. Include only the number you use the most often and be ready to answer the employer’s call!

5) Unprofessional Email

Many of us have personal email accounts with custom usernames. However, if your email is [email protected] , that will likely turn an employer off.

Use only professional emails on your resume, like [email protected] ‍

What do I include in my resume if I’m a first-time job-seeker or have little experience?

Writing a resume without work experience can be tough.

The key to overcoming this challenge is to use a different resume format that shifts the focus away from employment history like we mentioned earlier in this article.

As a first-time job seeker or someone with limited experience, you will want to focus much more heavily on your skills, education, and certifications so you choose a functional resume format.

Also, if you are still currently in school, make sure to mention this on your resume. You may even want to create a larger education section that details your academic accomplishments.

Need extra help writing a resume with minimal work experience? Read our guide on How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience (with Examples). ‍

Final Takeaways

When writing your resume, it is important to include all the best information about yourself.

Here are 5 key takeaways on what to include on your resume in 2021:

• Always tailor your resume to fit the job you are applying for
• Choose a resume format that will best fit your needs and experience level
• Include both hard and soft skills within your skills section
• Omit overtly personal information, such as personal social media accounts
• Always use bullet points to make your key sections more organized and readable

Easy Resume is here to help you create the perfect resume. Be sure to take a look at our entire collection of free guides and career advice for even more examples and tips!

Browse more resume templates that fit your role

Ed is a co-founder of Easy Resume. His background in scaling teams at tech startups over the last decade has given him extensive experience and knowledge around how to hire top talent and build successful teams. He enjoys mentoring, coaching, and helping others reach their career goals. When he's not writing about career-related advice, he's playing with his dog, Lilo, or going on long hikes in upstate New York.

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More advice that will accelerate your career path, 15+ key healthcare skills to list on your resume in 2022 (with examples).

Healthcare is a massive and important industry that contains all sorts of professionals. To land a job in healthcare, you must understand what relevant skills employers are searching for. In this guide, we will cover key healthcare skills to include on your resume and why doing so is so important.

15+ IT Skills to List on Your Resume in 2022 (With Examples)

IT is a massively growing industry with tons of potential for professional growth. It’s no wonder why so many applicants are flocking to these jobs! In this guide, we will cover what IT skills are and offer you examples of some of the top skills to include on your resume.

50+ Key Technical Skills to List on Your Resume in 2022 (With Examples)

Including technical skills on a resume is an absolute necessity. These types of skills show employers your quantifiable qualifications. In this guide, we will cover exactly what a technical skill is and some of the best examples to include on a resume.

20+ Key Computer Skills to List on Your Resume in 2022 (With Examples)

With the world becoming more digitally focused, having strong computer skills is more important than ever. In this guide, we will cover what computer skills are and which ones are best to include on your resume.

Read our how-to guides on making your resume perfect

How to write a resume header.

Your resume header is the very first thing an employer will see. Not only does it need to contain the correct information, but it needs to stand out as well! In this guide, we will teach you how to write the ideal header for your resume.

How to Write Your Resume in Reverse-Chronological Order

When setting out to write the perfect resume, choosing a format is an important decision. Reverse-chronological resumes are the standard format, so knowing how to craft one is key! This guide will teach you how to write the best reverse chronological resumes.

How to List Contact Information on Your Resume in 2022

Learn how to format contact information on your resume and what information to share with the hiring manager.

How to Write a Two-Page Resume (with Examples & Tips)

Don't know whether you should write a one-page or two-page resume? Find out when it is appropriate to write a two-page resume and learn how to write it correctly.

Professional resume templates to help land your next dream job.

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Switching Careers? Here’s How to Write a Strong Resume.

• Benjamin Laker,
• Vijay Pereira,
• Abhishek Behl,
• Zaheer Khan

Start with a personal statement.

When you’re switching career paths, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on: updating your resume. Crafting a smart resume is key to showing your potential employer why you wish to make a change. While there’s no one right format to write a resume, here are some tips you can follow:

• Begin the resume with a personal statement. This is a short description about who you are, your reasons for changing your career, your new goals, how your previous experience can be transferred to the new industry, and why you’re perfect for the job.
• Next, instead of highlighting your work experience first, showcase the skills you’ve learned throughout your career. That’s because when changing careers, the hiring managers reviewing your application may not always be familiar with the roles and responsibilities of a different industry.
• Below your skills, you can include a more traditional description of your relevant work history. You don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had, especially if you’ve held a number of positions that don’t highlight any essential skills required for this role.
• Finally, end with a chronological list of your educational qualifications. You can also include details about any certifications or courses that you may be undertaking that may be relevant to the position you’re interested in.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

Switching career paths and trying something completely new can open you up to exciting opportunities, help you learn new things, and even earn you more money. But it’s not always easy — especially if you’re looking to move into an entirely different field. Apart from doing your research and unearthing opportunities, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on before you make the leap: updating your resume.

• Benjamin Laker is a professor of leadership at Henley Business School, University of Reading. Follow him on Twitter .
• Vijay Pereira is a professor of strategic and international human capital management at NEOMA Business School.
• AB Abhishek Behl is an assistant professor of information management at the Management Development Institute Gurgaon.
• ZK Zaheer Khan is a professor in strategy and international business at the University of Aberdeen.  

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What’s the Best Resume Format in 2022?

Mass remote work. All-digital hiring processes. Advances in upskilling and reskilling. So much about the workforce ecosystem has been in flux for the past year-plus, is it any surprise that resume best practices are evolving as well?

To help you understand what's new, what isn't—and stand out from the competition—we've broken down the three highest-impact resume formats for 2022:

• Reverse-Chronological Resumes
• Functional Resumes
• Combined Resumes

Actionable guidance. Downloadable templates. Tips to help you optimize for the latest hiring tech. This is the definitive resume playbook for 2022.

1. Reverse-Chronological Resumes

The most widely used resume format among job seekers today, reverse-chronological resumes are also probably the easiest for recruiters and hiring managers to understand at a glance—which is itself an advantage. What's more, starting with your most recent experience, then working backward in time, helps frame your career within a narrative of growth and progression.

In other words, don't be put off by the fact that this resume format is so common, because it can be used to present your candidacy as anything but.

Structurally, these resumes consist of three parts, enumerated in the following image. You should also download our reverse-chronological resume template if you're looking for more detailed, hands-on guidance.

1. Start with your name and contact information (which should be pretty straightforward), type in the role you're applying for (make it an H1) and move on to the candidate statement. This is where you should try to connect your experience, interests and areas of expertise to the role in question. Keep it succinct (two or three sentences).

2. Next, summarize—two or three sentences max—your day-to-day responsibilities in the role, keeping the details at a fairly high level and saving specific accomplishments for the bullet points below. Try to make the tone and voice consistent with what you wrote earlier in your candidate statement.

3. Finally, wrap up. This section is where you should provide a quick summary of relevant details around education, certification or training you have received.

2. Functional Resumes

Less common than reverse-chronological resumes, functional resumes offer something else entirely: a more narrowly focused and curated window into your professional experience. By dialing down the gestalt and dialing up the details, this resume format not only highlights skills and proficiencies but connects them to outcomes and applications.

In a nutshell, a functional resume announces, "This is what I do best, and this is exactly where and how l'll contribute value."

So that's the upside.

The downside is that there are other things functional resumes don't do especially well. For example, when did you take on additional responsibilities at work? At what point were you rewarded with a promotion? Details like these get lost on a purely functional resume, since there's no overarching, high-level view of your career.

In other words, while this is definitely the best resume format for some candidates, it's important to recognize that it come with strengths as well as weaknesses. To make that more concrete, let's zoom in and look at this resume format in more detail.

1. Again, jotting down your name and contact information is the first piece of the puzzle. Next, write the name of the job you're applying for, followed by a short candidate statement, which answers the vital "why" questions: Namely, why should you be called up for an interview? Why are you the right candidate for this job?

2. This is where you can break down your most directly relevant work experience for the job at hand. Emphasize dollars-and-cents value, or quantitative benefits you've delivered in the past, as much as possible. You want your skills to stand out.

3. Close with relevant information about certifications, education or training you have received.

3. Combined Resumes

Some candidates will decide on a third course, the combined resume, a hybrid of the two resume formats we've covered so far. It's a way of laying out your overall career trajectory while also foregrounding your most relevant skills and areas of expertise. The former gives recruiters and hiring managers a sense of where you're coming from (and where you might be a good culture fit for the organization); the latter highlights how you'll contribute value.

Given the rise of agile workforce—and an increased reliance on contractors for project-based work in general—it stands to reason that this resume format going to become more popular in the future. So if you think this is the right format for you, good! Just be sure to adequately document your previous work experience. For example, including names of companies, dates worked, titles held and other details matters a lot. Otherwise, those omissions could look suspect in the eyes of a prospective employer.

1. Note that this one looks a lot like a functional resume, but with one notable addition (see number three). As before, start with your name, the job you're applying for and your candidate statement.

2. Call out projects, skills and experiences that are relevant to the job you're applying for, doing your best to quantify deliverables—for example, the budget, timeline for completion or number of stakeholders involved—wherever possible.

3. Document your work history, adhering to the organizational principles of a reverse-chronological resume—that is, starting with your most recent work experience and working backward in time from there. Be sure to include dates. Keep this as succinct as possible.

4. Finally, be sure to include information around certifications, education or training that you have received.

Join Our Team Today!

Ready to put your new resume skills to the ultimate test? Check out all of the ways you can join our team at Johnson & Johnson —and while you're at it, be sure to sign up for our Global Talent Hub , as well. The latter is a great way to stay in touch, learn more about our culture and even get updates about jobs that might interest you in the future.

More From Forbes

5 ai resume builders you should try in 2024.

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A resume builder should not be used as a magic wand, but it can certainly reduce anxiety in the job ... [+] search process and help you process your thoughts, skills and experiences in a way that will resonate with the recruiting team

In your quest to create the perfect resume, no doubt you've encountered several AI (artificial intelligence) applications all supposedly guaranteeing the same promise: to be able to save you time, worry, and stress, and generate a shiny new document that will get you past the gatekeepers and secure an initial interview.

If you've never used a generative AI tool before, you might be concerned and initially apprehensive.

And you should be.

After all, you don't want to take any chances and wreck an entire application that has already taken considerable painstaking effort.

With the plethora of options you have to choose from, it might be overwhelming to know which resume builders are worth your money (if you do need to pay anything at all) and which ones have the highest chances of success.

But as long as you follow these guidelines to make your resume with AI, you'll be on the right track:

How To Find A Good Resume Builder

When looking for a resume builder, you will need to carefully weigh up several factors including:

• Ease of navigation and user experience
• Your budget and pricing options available—including any free trials or free plans you might be able to take advantage of
• Trustpilot and Product Hunt reviews, Reddit discussions and reviews, and even asking your professional connections on LinkedIn
• Value for the price
• Comparison of features and customization options—customization is extremely important for your resume to be effective
• ATS compatibility

This Popular Google App Will Stop Working In 3 Days How To Migrate Your Data

Google suddenly reveals surprise android update that beats iphone, 3 body problem already dethroned in netflix s top 10 list by a new show.

A note on ATS compatibility: Applicant tracking systems are becoming more modernized, and as such, some features that would have been rendered unreadable and disqualify you from a position (such as double columns) are now accessible thanks to updated parsing technology, according to an Enhancv study .

However, it's worth bearing in mind that according to the study, a resume built with Canva or Microsoft Word tends to fare better overall without double columns—a 93% success rate compared to an 86% success rate for double columns.

At the same time, using a different software such as Google Docs yields an impressive 99% success rate, regardless of whether the resume was created with a single or double column.

5 AI-Powered Resume Builders

Below are five positively-reviewed AI-powered resume builder tools you can use to make your application truly stand out to hiring managers. Some, such as Enhancv, are tested against ATS software (applicant tracking systems that recruiters use to help screen candidate resumes) to ensure full compatibility:

• Resumaker AI

How To Use A Resume Builder

Whichever resume builder you decide to use from the list above, it's essential to understand that AI is not a quick fix. While it certainly provides much needed assistance as you figure out how to make a resume that truly stands out to employers, you will need to ensure that you double check the final output for grammatical issues, spelling mistakes, inconsistencies, needless repetitions, and a lack of human flow in the writing style—all of which can be obvious tell-tale signs that your resume was written by AI.

Additionally, while AI can help with formatting and readability, you need to ensure that the final document reflects who you really are and is one that you are personally happy and comfortable with.

Using a resume builder doesn't take away from the fact that you need to sell yourself effectively. AI will only provide impetus to what you already have. An AI-powered resume builder won't do the selling for you. This means quantifying your achievements where possible and using this data to feed the resume builder.

Resume builders will also help you identify keywords to help you beat ATS—but you'll need to check over these to ensure they apply to you, and look out for any other resume keywords which are familiar terms in your industry so you can highlight the right keywords to catch the attention of recruiters.

Finally, it's essential to note that resume builders will not take away the necessity for mental effort. You still need to closely study job descriptions and highlight relevant experience, education, skills (including soft skills) and certificates that you possess, so that you can input these into the tool.

This is because resume builders may sometimes include skills that are not relevant to you, in an effort to match with the job description for the role you wish to apply for, so you'll need to ensure that you review these for accuracy. Also, some may only focus on your last role, so you'll need to add extra experiences to bulk up your resume and provide deeper context into your skills and experience.

Resume builders offer incredible features such as customization options, free trials, and assistance ... [+] with keywords.

Overall, crafting the perfect resume that actually gets you hired comes down to a combination of your personal input and self-belief in your abilities, and the complementary augmentation of artificial intelligence tools. Job searching can be an exhausting process, so utilize these resume builders to make your efforts easier and give you greater piece of mind—edging you closer to your dream job.

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How to Make a Good Resume In 2024

Home Blog others How to Make a Good Resume In 2024

There are many recommendations for creating a resume that can impress companies. Should you write it on a single page? Do you put a summary at the top? Do you include personal interests and volunteer opportunities? And how can your resume stand out, especially if the hiring manager receives a large number of applications? There are many more questions, like what to add and what not. You might have questions like how to make a resume for your first job. It is where you start and create an impression, and you get rejected and demotivated when you add one thing wrong.

So, this could be your finest opportunity to make a strong first impression, so get it right. Here are the most important tips for how to make a professional resume   before you start your first job:

• Choose the right resume format.
• Write an impressive summary.
• Add the right contact details.
• Give a detailed explanation of your work experience.
• Add the main skills of your job role.
• Explain about your education in short.
• Add some additional sections.
• Include a cover letter or portfolio link below.

Now, these are just some basic tips. Let’s dig into the details and learn how to make a good resume   that can help you get a job easily. But before starting, I want to let you know why making a resume is important. Let’s check that first.

Why a Well-Crafted Resume Is Important

The answer is simple: a resume is important to get a job. When you write your resume correctly, you'll receive responses from every other organization you apply to. And if it isn't made correctly, you'll be waiting weeks and won't receive any response. So now you probably might be thinking how important it is:

• To create a good first impression.
• It is written proof of your experience to get noticed by a recruiter.
• It highlights your skills and qualifications to determine your job role.
• It helps you stand out from the competition.
• You can show your achievements to outline what you can give to the company.
• It will help you move forward with the hiring process in the company.

Now that you know the importance of a resume, I will take you further to know how to write a good resume. Scroll down to find out how to create a professional resume.

How to Make a Good Resume

Here is a step-by-step process of how to make a good resume:

1. Choose the Right Resume Format

Before you add content to your resume, make sure it has everything and is attractive you want to show to your employer. The first thing hiring managers notice is how your CV appears, and then they begin reading it. So, start by selecting the appropriate resume format. There are three kinds of resume formats available there:

• Reverse-chronological - It is the most used resume format worldwide, making it the greatest option for the majority of job seekers.
• Functional - This resume format highlights your skills rather than your professional experience. It is a wonderful choice if you are just starting in your profession and have little to no experience in any sector.
• Combination -  The combination resume style is ideal for experienced job searchers with a diversified skill set. It is helpful if you're searching for a job that requires experience in a variety of sectors.

Here are some formatting tips after you decide the format of your resume:

• Stick to a single page. You should only use a two-page resume if you have decades of experience and believe the extra space will offer considerable value.
• Create clear section headings. Select a heading and utilize it for all section headings so that the hiring manager can quickly navigate your resume.
• Without the appropriate margins and quantity of white space, your resume may appear packed with information. Set your margins to one inch on both sides so your content fits perfectly on the page.
• Use fonts that are easy to read and professional yet are balanced. For instance, Arial, Ubuntu, Roboto, and Overpass. Set the appropriate font size according to the section name and content inside it. As a general rule, use 11-12 point font for normal text and 14-16 points for section titles.
• Make a PDF file of your resume after saving it. Word files are popular, but they have a high probability of causing formatting issues on your resume.
• Keep your resume creative rather than traditional.

2. Add Correct Details

Now that you have chosen the perfect resume template add details to it. When you are adding content to your resume, you should start by adding your contact information. It is an important part of your resume. Your contact information should be at the top of your resume, in a resume heading, so the hiring manager can easily read it.

Even if everything else on your resume is flawless, it all falls apart if you misspell your email address or have a typo in your phone number. The hiring manager won't be able to contact you, and you will miss an opportunity. So, double-check your contact information area to ensure that everything is accurate and up to date. Here are some things you should add as your contact in your resume:

• Full name - Your first and last name should be clearly visible at the top of your resume.
• E-mail address - Use a professional and easy-to-spell address, such as your first and last name. Example: [email protected].
• Telephone number - Provide an accurate phone number where the recruiting manager may easily reach you. Reach the contact number once to see if any number needs to be corrected or correctly added.
• Location - Enter your city and state/country. If you want to relocate for the work or prefer a remote role, include that on your CV.
• Job title - Add your professional title below. Write it down exactly like a junior content writer or SEO content writer. Just don't come up with titles like "content lover" or "content changer." They're simply unprofessional.
• LinkedIn profile - You can also add your LinkedIn profile link at the bottom of the CV, as more than 77% of hiring managers utilize the platform to evaluate candidates.
• Relevant links - Include portfolio, personal websites, or social media profiles related to your expertise. For example, a content writer can add a link to their content uploaded on the website.

3. Write a Summary After the Headline

Everyone knows that recruiters spend very little time on each resume, which is why you should know how to make a good resume. When recruiters receive hundreds and thousands of applications per day, it is impossible to check every CV. So, to browse through resumes more effectively, hiring managers read only the summary part to check if the candidate is reliable for a post or not. A summary is a brief line underneath your name, which is written on top.

Depending on your career stage, your resume headline can be a resume summary or a resume aim. For example, I am an experienced content writer with 5+ years of experience writing content in many different forms and niches. Helped many companies rank their content through my writing and basic SEO skills. Strong background in WordPress and SEMRush.

4. Write Your Experience

Work experience is the most important aspect of your resume. Here, you can promote yourself and highlight your prior accomplishments and responsibilities. If you write this part perfectly, you'll know almost everything there is to know about creating a resume. Here is the simple format for each work experience entry:

• Job title - Your job title appears at the top of each work experience section. You have to add relevant work experience so that the recruiting manager can see and understand it perfectly.
• Company name and location- Mention your employer's name and location, such as the city, state, or nation where you worked.
• Dates of employment - Include the approximate month and year for your employment at each organization. You do not need to provide specific dates because the typical format for this is mm/yyyy.
• Achievements and duties - Here, you have to add your responsibilities and achievements to explain what you did in your past company. List them in bullet points rather than paragraphs to make them easier to read.

You can add your experience details like this:

5. Add Education Details

The following section is dedicated to your academic qualifications in your resume. Check out what you can add to it:

• Degree name - Your major and degree type should be specified. (E.g., "B.M.M in bachelor of mass media/communication")
• University name - Include the name of the institution. (Example: "Gujarat University")
• Dates of attendance - Use the mm/yyyy format for the dates you attended. (E.g., "08/2009 - 06/2013")
• Certificates - In this section, you can also add the details of any online free courses with a certificate , if you’ve done any.

6. Create a Skills Section

After your work experience, the hiring manager will focus on your skills. Work experience and abilities account for 90% of the recruiting decision. Here, you should highlight all your skills that qualify you for the position. You can list two sorts of abilities in your resume:

• Hard skills - If you are a developer, you can add from simple HTML to PHP and MySQL.
• Soft skills - Other than that, as a developer and also other than developer, you add communication abilities, leadership skills, critical thinking, time management, etc.

Always make different sections to add hard and soft skills.

7. Add Interest Section

The areas we've discussed so far are essential for every resume. But if you have some extra space, there are a few optional sections you may add to your resume to help it stand out, like:

• Hobbies and interests
• Languages are known with an appropriate level
• Certificates such as KnowledgeHut online courses with certificates , awards, etc

Top Resume Examples

A strong CV is more important than anything in today's competitive employment market. However, many job seekers need help to create a resume that effectively shows their talents and expertise, leading to missed opportunities. It is where resume templates come in. Here are the best free resume templates for you:

To stand out and get a job in 2024, ask yourself how to make the perfect resume for you and put your thoughts together; make sure your resume is well-organized, clean, and no more than one page. Take your time and learn how to make a good resume. Make sure to include material that provides value to your application. Focus on relevant work experience and talents that you can back up, and mention as many accomplishments as feasible.

If you're using a resume template, select depending on your industry. Job industries like law, banking, and business require more traditional resume styles. However, if you are applying to industries such as design, architecture, or marketing , you can use a creative resume template.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can choose the format you prefer for your resume. But remember to choose according to your industry and job post to get easily selected.

In general, limit your resume to one page. Hiring managers review hundreds of resumes daily, and reducing your resume to one page improves your chances of getting noticed sooner. If you have many years of experience, your resume can be longer than two pages.

A resume is only one page long, whereas a CV might be two to three pages long, depending on your experience level.

Abhresh Sugandhi

Abhresh is specialized as a corporate trainer, He has a decade of experience in technical training blended with virtual webinars and instructor-led session created courses, tutorials, and articles for organizations. He is also the founder of Nikasio.com, which offers multiple services in technical training, project consulting, content development, etc.

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