Getting an interview is a race against time: dozens of job seekers have already written their resumes and applied for *the* job of their dreams.
How beat them and land that position?
Let’s get started with our step-by-step guide on how to make a perfect resume.
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-to-add content with just one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
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Sample resume created with our builder: See more sample resumes here.
One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:
[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. Same thing.To get started, watch our video to get the basics of writing a resume right:
Our guide to writing a resume for any job. However, for maximum efficiency, it is ideal to make a resume for your specific situation. Check out some of our guides, they may apply to you too:
- No Experience Resume
- Entry Level Resume</li
- Student Resume
- College Student Resume
- Internship Resume
- College Application Resume
- Teen Resume
- Resume for a part-time job
- Resume with employment gaps
- Career change resume
- Military to civilian resume
- Federal Resume
- US Resume
- Canadian Resume
- 500 Job Specific Resume Examples
In case you wondered! What the US and Canada call a resume, most of the rest of the world calls a curriculum vitae (CV). South Africa, India, New Zealand and Australia tend to use the terms resume and CV interchangeably. For more information, you can learn the differences between a resume and a CV.
If you are an international reader, please switch to:
- How To write a CV for a job in 7 easy steps: (15 examples)
- Biodata format for a job in India
Do a resume for the first time? Not sure how to get past each of the points listed above? No problem. Click on any of those links to read our tips on that particular step and get examples of how to do it correctly.
How to write a resume
- Choose the right resume format
- Add your contact information and personal details
- Start with a heading statement (resume summary or resume objective)
- Indicate your relevant work experience
Pro Tip: There are several studies theorizing relationships between resume cues and applicant personality and hiring ability, further influencing hiring judgments through resumes. Be careful what information you choose to include!
2. Add your contact information and personal details
A career diplomat knows what information should be disclosed and what is best hidden.
Similarly, there are basic elements that you should include in the contact information section, but you should also know what not to put on a resume:
Contact information to include on a resume:
- Name: First name, last name (middle name optional) .
- Phone Number: Personal cell phone is preferred over home phone number.
- Email Address: Your today’s preferred medium of communication communication.
- LinkedIn URL: include your LinkedIn profile (hiring managers will spy on you anyway).
Contact information to omit:
- Date of birth: Adding your date of birth could lead to age discrimination. Add only if necessary, such as for jobs that serve alcohol, for example.
- Second Email or Phone Number: A second email address, mailing address, or phone number Your phone will just confuse them (and you).
- Photo/Photography: In the United States, resume images and profile photos are generally not recommended.
Contact information that is optional:
- Home address: Leave your address off your resume, unless required.
- Resume Title
- Personal Website
Personal websites and social media can now be included in a resume header:
Specific marketing tips? Maybe. But employers will look for you online anyway, so keep that in mind.
To make sure you get the right personal details on your resume, take a look at our resume contact information guide.
Pro Tip: Give them a professional email address, not the old high school name (gossipgirl212xoxo@…) or an outdated email provider (…@hotmail.com). Studies have shown that a formal email address is much more recruitable than an informal one.
3. Start with a headline statement (resume summary or resume objective)
Do you know that most Tinder users have little patience? And does it take a witty statement or provocative image to keep someone from swiping left?
Well, the employer flips through resumes just as quickly. In less than 7 seconds, as our HR stats report shows, hiring managers scan your resume and make an initial decision. That means your resume summary statement/resume objective statement is likely to get the most view time since it sits at the top of the page.
You’ve got to write a statement that paints a compelling picture of your candidacy. After all, what is the purpose of a resume if not to give the best impression of your influence as a candidate? The only question is: which one should you choose?
Here’s how to write a resume profile that will make the recruiter swipe right:
What is a resume summary statement?
Do you have enough relevant experience? Choose the resume summary statement that will condense your skills and qualifications related to the position.
Let’s take a look at how to write a professional (or not) resume, with the right stuff and the wrong thing. examples for clarity:
Difference? Evil focuses on daily duties, not achievements. Right gives evidence of the IT consultant’s resume skills, accomplishments, and experience.
Pro Tip: The “Right” resume summary above also mentions the company by name. your name. This is a great way to make sure your resume feels personalized, rather than just sending it out to every company.
See more examples of resume summaries.
What is a resume objective statement
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Choose the resume objective statement if you don’t have any work experience or at least none related to the position you’re applying for (entry level applicants, career changers, students, etc.). You’ll argue that while you don’t have experience with this role, you do have experience relevant to it and transferable skills from other areas.
Let’s look at another set of good/bad examples of writing an objective. for a resume:
In the right one, we use some transferable skills from the previous company and some proud resume accomplishments…with numbers. Remember: numbers speak louder than words! The wrong one isn’t displayed long enough to grab the hiring manager’s attention.
Feel free to explore more factual resume examples, and for experienced candidates, a summary of qualifications is also worth considering.
Pro Tip: If you noticed, the two “wrong” examples above used the first person. Avoid this on your resume.
When making a resume in our builder, drag
Senior level applicants, such as executives and managers, must list up to 15 years of relevant work experience with powerful action verbs to submit each bullet . period.
Mid-level job applicants should include detailed descriptions of relevant positions and a brief mention of any other positions.
Entry-level candidates should list and describe all paid work, highlighting in particular the most relevant responsibilities and accomplishments.
First-time job seekers with no work experience can still include other backgrounds, such as a role in a student organization, internships, or volunteer experience, to complete their section of experience.
As you learn to write a resume, remember that the best resume templates will highlight your experience and eligibility. Don’t hide it with the wrong order, a boring resume design, or a characterless template. With dozens of great resume examples, templates, and styles, Zety is the best online resume builder.
Make a resume in no time with our resume builder app and 20 great templates.
Experienced a streak of unemployment? Don’t worry! Consult our guide: How to explain gaps in your resume.
5. Reference your education correctly
Many people treat the education section as an afterthought, but you shouldn’t. It is an essential part of the structure of your resume.
How to include your education on a resume:
- Place your highest degree first.
- List any other degrees in reverse chronological order.
- Omit high school information if you completed a college.
- List credits completed if your education has not finished (some college on a resume is better than nothing).
- Add any relevant courses, list honors on your job application, or mention any awards you received (eg, making the dean’s list).
- End with relevant extracurricular activities.
Simple, what? Hey? Here’s a brief look at how to include education on a resume:
As for mentioning your GPA on a resume, it’s only a good idea if you recently graduated and your GPA was high enough to impress employers: at least 3.5. Otherwise, just leave it out of your app.
Want to know how to create an education section on your resume if you have a GED or didn’t graduate? Not sure about the proper resume education format? Check out our article on how to put education on a resume.
Pro tip: Don’t lie on your resume or in the education section of your CV. A credit below a diploma is not a diploma. Also, don’t round up your GPA. Still, many business degrees don’t necessarily improve job prospects.
6. List Relevant Skills That Fit the Job Ad
Your skills are crucial to making your resume relevant to the position ( and attractive to employers) ). A good resume uses the job ad as a reference and includes resume keywords to show that you are a good fit for the job.
What are hard skills? and the soft ones?
Hard skills are specific skills and knowledge (eg, Photoshop, using a cash register).
Soft skills are self-developed and life-learned attributes (eg, social skills, adaptability).
Combined, these make up a set of skills, which is the goal of a job seeker. range of skills and abilities.
Pro Tip: Don’t include irrelevant skills! An IT resume doesn’t need to reveal her veterinary skills, and a resume for a chef doesn’t need to include her ability to use Photoshop.
What skills to put on a resume?
Remember the job description you had on hand earlier? Read it through again, paying attention to any specific skills it mentions. If you have any of them, great – those are the keywords to put on your resume! That will not only make your resume more ATS-compliant, but it will also show recruiters that you’re the right candidate for the job.
In case you want more For guidance, here is a list of some common skills to include on a resume:
- Communication skills: These can include social skills, non-verbal communication, listening skills, and interpersonal skills.
- Technical skills: knowledge required to perform specific tasks, such as computer or office skills.
- Job-specific skills: particular skill that the company specifically requires.
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- Leadership Skills and Management Skills: Ability to be a good manager, leader, and supervisor.
- Critical Thinking Skills: Ability to make your own decisions based on thought and take initiative . It includes analytical skills, decision-making skills, and problem-solving skills.
- Organizational Skills: An ability to plan, organize, and carry out initiatives.
- Transferable Skills: For career changers, these are skills you’ve learned that can be transferred to your new position .
Pro tip: Don’t just Google “skills for an [industry] resume” and return the results. Take the time to tailor the skills list on your resume to the job opening, as we mentioned above.
How to list skills on a resume?
There are several ways to list skills on a resume. For most, a simple skills section listing 5-6 key skills and your proficiency level is enough:
For specific job titles and technical skills, you may want to list your particular knowledge per item, to give them specific details on the skill areas you excel at:
Pro Tip: Not every skill on a resume is worth mentioning! Saying you can use Microsoft Word is like bragging about being able to use a fork.
7. Include Additional Important Resume Sections
Here’s the thing: Everyone’s job resume includes the above sections. But what does a resume need to include to be personalized?
Make your resume unique by including additional information. Additional sections of your resume can show just about anything about you, from your proud accolades to the languages you speak fluently and more.
Here’s how to make your resume stand out with additional sections:
Hobbies and Interests
You may not think your love of baseball and being an assistant coach in Little League would be of interest to a potential employer. However, listing your hobbies and interests subtly demonstrates your ability to work well in a team, and coaching can verify your leadership and management experience.
Volunteer work
Volunteering increases employability, according to studies. For most job seekers, listing any volunteer experience as one of the extra sections of your resume is a great way to show your commitment and values. It also lets them know that you don’t just care about money. For entry-level or first-time applicants with no experience, volunteer work is an excellent substitute.
Internship Experience
Listing internships on your resume is only okay if you just got out of school, had one or two other jobs, or haven’t been on the market for more than 4-5 years. .
Certifications and Awards
Did you get certifications, licenses to brag on your resume? If they’re relevant to the job and industry, include them!
Did you place first in a chili cook-off at the state fair? If you are looking to be a cook, it will definitely help you. Likewise, a food safety certification or food handler card that you already have would surely be in your favor.
Languages
Do you speak another language? Awesome! Listing language skills on a resume only expands your usefulness as an employee, particularly in international corporations or locations where there is a large population that speaks that second language. Please list the language, the international variation (Latin American Spanish, for example), and your levels of fluency in the language.
Projects
You can include projects as a separate section if you’ve done a lot, or just list one or two under each job description.
Publications
Have you written articles for a blog, newspaper or scientific journal? Mention those posts on a resume. If your published material is not online, create a short bibliography of the work you would like to see recognized.
Also, if you have created graphic designs or other creative creations, or if your list of publications or projects is too long to include on a resume, consider creating an online portfolio to document it all. Link to it from the contact section, in this case.
8. Complement your resume with a cover letter
You definitely need to send a cover letter. Your cover letter or job application letter allows you to expand on things to keep short on your resume. Plus, it lets you easily speak in normal sentences!
Sounds like a stretch? Think again. Most employers think that a resume is not enough to make a decision.Follow our guide on how to write a cover letter (either an inexperience cover letter or an internship cover letter) and you’ll have it all done quickly and smoothly.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an edge over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter generator here. Here’s what it might look like:
See more cover letter templates and get started to write .
9. Review, save and email your resume the right way
You’re almost there, but don’t send it yet. Here are some resume best practices to keep in mind, so you can be sure you’ve written the perfect resume:
Proofreadingorg, your resume and cover letter are entering a sea of similar emails from other job seekers who are fighting for the same position as you.
Find the name of the person who will read your resume and personalize your email with that information. Submitting a resume is much more compelling when you use Dear Susan instead of To Whom It May Concern.
Key Takeaway
That was super detailed, we know. Here are some general tips for writing a resume:
- Stay relevant: Every element of your resume should demonstrate that you are the best possible candidate. .
- Custom: Make a resume specifically for a specific job and company to apply to. Name the company and choose skills that relate to the open position.
- Choose the right things: use an active voice, write a headline for your situation, and don’t include unnecessary things. details.
- Be consistent: Follow the same format, styles, colors, and conventions throughout your resume.
- Double check >—Do not submit your resume until you are sure there are no typos or errors. Ask a friend for help or review a resume critique.
- Create an online resume – Use Zety’s easy-to-use resume wizard to write your cover letter and resume in no time. Little time. There are over twenty sample resumes and templates to guide you. And, with the hints and tips she provides along the way, you know you’ll have a great resume that will land you the job of your dreams! We think it’s the best resume builder out there.
Have a question about writing a resume? Not sure how to make the perfect work experience section on your resume or how to create a list of skills or accomplishments on your resume? Reach out to us in the comments below and we’ll answer your questions. Thanks for reading and good luck writing your resume!
Frequently Asked Questions About Writing a Resume for a Job
What is a resume?
A resume, also known as a resume or CV, is a document that summarizes a background professional and academic of the person, relevant skills and achievements. Typically used to introduce yourself and your qualifications to a potential employer when applying for a job.
Need a specific type? Zety prepared hundreds of resume examples, from an entry level resume to a software engineer resume to a video resume. Visit our page to find yours.
How to make a resume for a job?
First, read the job ad carefully to select key words for your resume that will help you pass the job tracking software trial. candidates. Next, create resume sectionsnecessary to introduce yourself, your qualifications, and your strengths. The sections are:
- Personal data
- Professional or objective summary
- Employment history
- Education
- Skills
- Other, such as awards, certificates and licenses, or languages
Depending on industry and experience, you will have to think about which additional sections work best. But you definitely can’t write a resume without the other five. You can save yourself the worry by using our resume builder.
How to write a resume for the first time?
Write your first resume with transferable skills in the skills and resume objective sections. In the employment history portion, add examples of accomplishments that demonstrate your qualities as a valued employee, such as curiosity, eagerness to learn and help, and developed communication skills. Internships and volunteer placements fit right in there. And most importantly, place your academic achievements right below the objective to highlight your educational progress.
How to write a good resume that will impress recruiters?
An impressive resume is a resume that reads well and looks good. So, before you get down To write down the nitty-gritty details of your professional and academic accomplishments, take care of the format and design of the resume.
Only then move on to adding the greatest successes in each section: resume profile , experience, education and skills. But, the extra parts make the strongest impression, so don’t forget to include awards, certifications or licenses, or extracurricular activities on your resume. Let’s say you are an achiever, not a doer.
What is the format of a resume?
The chronological format is the most popular resume format, suitable for all job seekers: an entry-level position, a specialist or an executive. By choosing it, you decide to showcase your career progress.
The functional format, or skills-based resume, best presents you when switching careers. It focuses on your skill set and puts work history on the back burner.
The blended format, also known as hybrid, is a well matched mix of chronological and functional formats. It is the most complex to write, as it includes a skills summary and an extended experience section, which is suitable for high-level positions.
How to make a Resume in Word ?
You can save yourself the trouble and use a pre-made Word resume template. But if you’re pretty experienced with text formatting (and a lot of time), start building your resume in Word. Create a clean layout, choose a font that reads well, and limit the number of graphic elements on the page so as not to saturate the ATS. Then, add the main and additional sections of the resume in an order appropriate to the format of the resume. Save it to a Word or PDF file at the end, noting the recruiter’s instructions.
Or, if you need a top-notch resume that’s done in minutes and looks better than any Word resume, choose one of Zety’s resume templates, add your information and get that job.
What does a good resume look like in 2023?
In 2023, it should make an even stronger impression than in previous years. Use a modern resume template and include the most important sections: personal information, summary or objective, work history, education and skills. Add your best achievements in each section and count them. Show your future employer that you have made an impact and will continue to deliver results.
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