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Frequently Asked Questions About TrueCV

What is truecv.

TrueCV is a professional services company that specializes in resume writing, interview preparation, and LinkedIn profile makeover services. Our team of experienced writers and career coaches work with job seekers to craft customized, professional resumes that highlight their strengths and accomplishments, and help them prepare for successful interviews.

Why should I use TrueCV?

You should use TrueCV's resume writing services because our team of expert writers has years of experience crafting customized, professional resumes that highlight your strengths and achievements, and help you stand out from other job applicants. We use a personalized approach to ensure that your resume is tailored to your unique skills and goals, and we offer a range of additional job search-related services, including interview coaching and LinkedIn profile optimization, to help you land your dream job

What is the process for getting a resume written by TrueCV?

• Choose the service you want and complete the online order form on our website.
• Our team will connect with you and ask for your current resume and information on how you want your new resume to be crafted.
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30 Resume Writer Interview Questions and Answers

Common Resume Writer interview questions, how to answer them, and example answers from a certified career coach.

In the world of job searching, a well-crafted resume can make all the difference between landing an interview or getting passed over. As a professional resume writer, you play a pivotal role in helping clients present their skills and experiences effectively to potential employers. Now, as you get ready for your own interview for a resume writer position, it’s time to put your skills to test.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of common interview questions specifically tailored for resume writers. This article will give you insights into what employers are looking for and how best to showcase your writing prowess, strategic thinking, and understanding of recruitment processes.

1. Can you describe your understanding of the role of a Resume Writer?

The interviewer is probing your comprehension of what a resume writer does. This question is designed to evaluate your understanding of the job role, beyond just writing. It includes aspects like understanding client needs, industry trends, and job market dynamics. It’s also about assessing your ability to create compelling resumes that highlight the candidate’s skills, experience, and achievements in a way that appeals to potential employers.

Example: “A Resume Writer plays a crucial role in crafting documents that effectively showcase an individual’s skills, experiences, and achievements. They need to understand the applicant’s career goals, gather relevant information, and present it in a compelling way. A key part of this role involves staying updated on current hiring trends and knowing what employers look for in resumes across various industries. This job also requires excellent writing and editing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to create personalized content for each client. Furthermore, they must be able to provide constructive feedback to clients and work collaboratively with them to improve their resume.”

2. Please share your experience with resume writing. How many resumes have you written till date?

Asking this question, potential employers want to gauge your expertise and experience in the field. The number of resumes you’ve written can provide insight into your understanding of industry trends, your ability to cater to a variety of career levels and industries, and your overall familiarity with the task. It’s not just about the quantity, but also the quality and diversity of your work.

Example: “I have been writing resumes professionally for about five years now. In that time, I’ve written approximately 1000+ resumes across various industries and career levels. My approach is tailored to each individual’s needs, focusing on highlighting their unique skills and experiences in a way that aligns with the job they’re targeting. This requires staying updated with current hiring trends and understanding what recruiters look for. I also provide constructive feedback to help clients improve their personal branding which has proven effective in helping them secure interviews.”

3. How do you ensure that a resume is tailored to the specific needs and goals of a client?

Resume writing is an art of personalization. Employers are looking for candidates that fit their specific needs, and as a resume writer, your job is to make your clients appear as that perfect fit. This question is asked because it’s important for the interviewer to understand how you approach the task of understanding a client’s unique career objectives, experiences, and skill sets, and how you translate that understanding into a compelling and tailored resume.

Example: “To ensure a resume is tailored to the client’s needs and goals, I start with an in-depth consultation. This helps me understand their career aspirations, skills, experiences, and the specific roles they’re targeting.

Post-consultation, I conduct research on industry trends and job descriptions to align the resume with potential employers’ expectations.

I then highlight relevant skills, accomplishments, and experiences that match the target role. The use of keywords from the job description ensures ATS compatibility.

Continuous communication throughout the process guarantees the final product meets the client’s satisfaction. It’s not just about writing a resume, but creating a personal brand for the client.”

4. How do you stay updated with the latest trends in resume writing and job hunting?

As a resume writer, you’re not just responsible for creating a document that details a client’s work history. You’re also tasked with staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving job market. Employers want to know that you’re proactive in staying informed about the latest trends in resume writing and job hunting. This could involve understanding changes in hiring practices, knowing what recruiters are currently looking for, and being aware of innovative formats or platforms. This shows you’re committed to providing the most current and effective service to your clients.

Example: “I stay updated with the latest trends in resume writing and job hunting through a variety of methods. I regularly read top career advice blogs, participate in professional development webinars, and engage with industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Additionally, I subscribe to several newsletters from leading career services companies. These resources provide insights into what employers are currently looking for and how best to present that information on a resume. I also use online tools such as Jobscan to understand the role of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in the hiring process.”

5. Explain how you would handle a client who disagrees with your resume suggestions.

This question is asked to gauge your interpersonal skills and your ability to handle conflict. As a resume writer, you’re expected to collaborate with clients and provide expert advice. However, there may be times when a client disagrees with your suggestions. Your ability to navigate these situations speaks volumes about your professionalism, patience, and communication skills.

Example: “In such a scenario, I would first ensure the client feels heard and understood. It’s crucial to respect their perspective as it’s their resume we’re working on.

Next, I’d explain my suggestions more thoroughly, providing clear reasons backed by industry trends or hiring manager preferences. This can help them understand why certain changes might be beneficial.

If they still disagree, I’d propose a compromise that incorporates both our views. After all, creating an effective resume is a collaborative process.

Lastly, if there’s no agreement, I’d respect their decision. My role is to guide and advise, but ultimately, the final say rests with the client.”

6. What strategies do you use to highlight a client’s skills and achievements on a resume?

The crux of a resume writer’s job is to effectively showcase a client’s skills and accomplishments, helping them stand out in the competitive job market. While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to resume writing, hiring managers are interested in your strategies for customizing and tailoring resumes to individual clients and specific job applications. It’s your ability to paint a compelling picture of a candidate’s professional background that they’re really curious about.

Example: “To effectively highlight a client’s skills and achievements, I use targeted language that aligns with the job description. This involves using relevant keywords and industry jargon to catch the attention of hiring managers.

I also prioritize information based on relevance and impact. High-impact achievements are placed at the top of each section to immediately draw attention.

Quantifying accomplishments is another strategy; it provides concrete evidence of a client’s capabilities. For example, instead of saying “improved sales”, I’d write “increased sales by 20% in Q1”.

Lastly, I ensure the layout is clean and professional, making it easy for recruiters to find key information quickly.”

7. How do you handle the challenge of writing a resume for a client changing career paths?

The essence of a resume writer’s job is to showcase a client’s strengths and potential, even when the career path isn’t a straight line. For those clients changing careers, the task becomes trickier. The interviewer wants to see if you have the skills and the creative knack to highlight transferable skills, align past experiences with future goals, and craft a narrative that makes the career change seem like a logical, beneficial step.

Example: “When writing a resume for a client changing careers, I focus on transferable skills. These are abilities that can be applied across various job sectors. I highlight these in the professional summary and experience sections.

I also emphasize any relevant training or education they may have pursued to prepare for their new career path. This shows commitment and initiative towards their chosen field.

Tailoring the language of the resume to match the industry they’re transitioning into is crucial. It demonstrates an understanding of the sector’s terminology and expectations.

Lastly, I make sure to craft a compelling cover letter explaining the career change. This provides context and further showcases their passion and suitability for the role.”

8. Can you describe a situation where your resume writing skills made a significant difference in a client’s job search?

This question aims to assess your effectiveness as a resume writer. It’s not just about creating a visually appealing document, but crafting a narrative that significantly improves a client’s chances of landing their dream job. Your ability to recount specific instances of success demonstrates your expertise and the potential value you bring to your clients.

Example: “One client I worked with was a seasoned professional seeking executive-level positions but had an outdated resume. It lacked modern formatting and didn’t highlight their significant achievements effectively.

I revamped the layout, making it more visually appealing and easy to read. I also rephrased their experiences into accomplishment-focused statements, quantifying results wherever possible.

Post-revision, the client reported a substantial increase in interview calls and eventually secured a high-ranking position within a month. This instance reaffirmed how impactful well-crafted resumes can be in job searches.”

9. How do you incorporate keywords into a resume without it seeming forced or unnatural?

The art of writing a resume isn’t just about showcasing a person’s skills and achievements. It also involves knowing how to make that resume stand out in the sea of applications, many of which will be scanned by applicant tracking systems. These systems often search for specific keywords related to the job description. Therefore, hiring managers want to know if you have the acumen to naturally incorporate these keywords into a resume, without making it look like a grocery list of skills. This demonstrates your understanding of how these systems work and your ability to craft a resume that is both human and machine-friendly.

Example: “Incorporating keywords into a resume involves understanding the job description and industry jargon. The trick is to weave these terms naturally into your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. For example, if ‘project management’ is a keyword, instead of stating “Experienced in project management”, you could say “Led a team of 5 in managing multiple projects resulting in successful on-time delivery”. This approach not only includes the keyword but also demonstrates its practical application. Remember, it’s about maintaining authenticity while ensuring that the resume aligns with what the employer is looking for.”

10. How would you handle a client with a large employment gap?

Gaps in employment can be a red flag for some hiring managers, and as a resume writer, it’s part of your job to help clients present these gaps in the best possible light. Interviewers want to see that you can approach this challenge with creativity and sensitivity, reassuring your client while also developing a strategy to minimize potential negative impacts.

Example: “When handling a client with a large employment gap, I would focus on highlighting their skills and accomplishments that align with the job they’re applying for. It’s crucial to present the gap as a period of personal growth or professional development. If the client engaged in relevant freelance work, took courses, volunteered, or even handled a significant life event during this time, these can be strategically included in the resume. A well-crafted cover letter can also help explain the situation in a positive light. The goal is to shift the hiring manager’s attention from the gap to the candidate’s potential value to the company.”

11. Can you share your process for gathering information from a client to write their resume?

As a resume writer, you are essentially going to be a storyteller, weaving together the most compelling parts of a client’s career into a document that will make employers take notice. To do that effectively, you’re going to need to gather a lot of information from your clients about their career history, skills, and goals. This question gives potential employers insight into your fact-finding process and how you use the information you gather to create a strong, effective resume.

Example: “To gather information from a client for their resume, I start with an in-depth consultation. This involves understanding the client’s career goals and aspirations.

I then request for any existing resumes or CVs they have, to review their work history, skills, and accomplishments. If there are gaps, I probe further by asking targeted questions.

Next, I research the industry and specific roles they’re interested in. This helps me identify key skills and qualifications that should be highlighted.

Lastly, I collaborate closely with the client throughout the process. Their feedback is crucial to ensure accuracy and satisfaction with the final product.”

12. What is your approach to writing a resume for a client with little to no work experience?

The essence of this question lies in your creative problem-solving abilities. Just as every job seeker is unique, every resume you write will be too. The interviewer wants to know if you’re capable of thinking outside the box to highlight a client’s strengths, even if traditional work experience is lacking. Can you leverage their skills, volunteer work, or education to create a compelling resume? That’s what they’re looking to find out.

Example: “In such cases, I focus on the client’s skills, education, and relevant activities. Even without formal work experience, they may have transferable skills from school projects, volunteering or extracurricular activities.

I would highlight their academic achievements, coursework related to the job they are applying for, and any leadership roles in clubs or organizations. Additionally, I’d include any certifications or training programs they’ve completed.

The key is to present these elements effectively to demonstrate potential value to an employer. Tailoring the resume to each specific job application can also increase its effectiveness.”

13. How do you ensure that the resumes you write are ATS-friendly?

As an aspiring resume writer, it’s essential to understand that many companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter out resumes that don’t meet specific criteria. This question is designed to test your knowledge of ATS and your ability to write resumes that will make it past these initial screening systems. Your answer will show that you stay current with industry trends and that you’re capable of creating effective, modern resumes.

Example: “To ensure resumes are ATS-friendly, I focus on keyword optimization. This involves tailoring the resume to include relevant keywords that match the job description.

I also avoid using complex formatting like tables or graphics as these can confuse ATS systems. Instead, I use standard fonts and bullet points for clarity.

Another strategy is to include a skills section where specific technical and soft skills related to the job can be highlighted. This increases the chances of the resume passing through the ATS filters.

Finally, I always save the document in an ATS-friendly format such as .docx or .pdf.”

14. How do you handle the pressure of multiple deadlines?

In the fast-paced, deadline-driven world of resume writing, there’s no time for procrastination. Clients often need resumes prepared quickly to meet job application deadlines, and as a resume writer, you’ll need to juggle multiple tasks at once. Hiring managers want to ensure you can manage your time efficiently and produce high-quality work under pressure.

Example: “In managing multiple deadlines, I prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance. I use project management tools to keep track of all assignments and deadlines. This helps me visualize the workload and allocate time effectively.

I also believe in open communication. If there’s a risk of not meeting a deadline due to unforeseen circumstances, I communicate this proactively to relevant stakeholders.

Lastly, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for handling pressure. Regular breaks and self-care activities help me stay focused and productive.”

15. What is your process for proofreading and editing resumes?

The devil is in the details when it comes to resume writing. A single typo, punctuation error, or awkwardly worded sentence can make a difference in whether a candidate gets an interview or not. Consequently, hiring managers want to ensure that you have a meticulous, foolproof process for proofreading and editing resumes to maintain high standards of quality and accuracy.

Example: “My proofreading and editing process for resumes is systematic. I begin by checking the overall structure, ensuring that it follows a logical order and includes all necessary sections such as education, experience, skills, etc.

Next, I focus on content accuracy, cross-referencing information provided with any supporting documents to ensure consistency. This step also involves verifying job titles, dates of employment, and responsibilities.

I then scrutinize grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors using both manual methods and software tools.

The final stage involves fine-tuning the language and style. Here, I aim to make sure the resume is concise, uses action verbs, avoids jargon, and maintains a professional tone throughout.

Throughout this process, I always keep in mind the specific industry or role the resume is targeted towards, tailoring the document to highlight relevant skills and experiences.”

16. How do you manage client expectations regarding the outcome of their job search?

Navigating the job market can be a stressful process, and your potential clients might be coming to you with high hopes that your services will land them their dream job. As a resume writer, it’s your responsibility to manage these expectations. This question is designed to assess how you communicate with clients about what they can realistically expect from your services and how you handle situations when those expectations may not be met.

Example: “Managing client expectations involves clear communication and transparency. I would start by understanding their career goals, desired job roles, industries of interest, and experience level.

Based on this information, I can provide a realistic outlook on what they can expect from their job search. If their expectations are too high or misaligned with the market reality, it’s my responsibility to guide them towards more attainable goals.

Regular updates about the progress of their resume writing process is also crucial. This way, clients will be aware of any changes or improvements made, which helps in managing their expectations effectively.

Overall, honesty, regular feedback, and setting achievable targets are key to managing client expectations in their job search.”

17. Can you discuss a time when you had to handle a difficult client? How did you manage the situation?

As a resume writer, you’re bound to encounter a variety of clients with different personalities and expectations. Some may be tough to please, or have unique demands. This question allows hiring managers to understand your problem-solving skills and how you handle challenging situations. It provides a glimpse into your client management abilities and your dedication to providing excellent customer service, even when faced with adversities.

Example: “I recall working with a client who was dissatisfied no matter how many revisions I made to their resume. To manage this, I initiated a detailed discussion about their expectations and preferences. This helped me understand their perspective better.

After getting clarity, I revised the document again while explaining my approach and reasoning behind each change. This created transparency in our communication which eventually led to a satisfactory result for the client. The situation taught me that clear communication and understanding client’s needs are crucial in delivering quality service.”

18. How do you handle feedback and revisions from clients?

This question is important because it evaluates your ability to collaborate effectively with clients. As a resume writer, you’re not just creating a document, but a powerful tool for your client’s career progression. It’s essential that you can incorporate their feedback and make revisions as necessary, showcasing their skills and experiences in the best possible light. This question also probes at your ability to handle criticism and maintain a professional attitude.

Example: “I value feedback as it helps me improve my work and meet the client’s expectations. When I receive revisions, I carefully review them to understand what the client wants. If something is unclear, I ask for clarification rather than making assumptions.

Each revision is an opportunity to learn more about the client’s preferences and needs. Therefore, I handle them with patience and professionalism. My goal is always to deliver a resume that not only meets but exceeds the client’s expectations.”

19. What is your experience with writing cover letters and LinkedIn profiles?

As a resume writer, your expertise isn’t limited to crafting compelling resumes alone. Your potential employer wants to gauge your proficiency in creating engaging cover letters and optimizing LinkedIn profiles—essential parts of a holistic job application package. Your ability to effectively write these will demonstrate your understanding of personal branding and your capacity to help clients stand out in a competitive job market.

Example: “I have extensive experience in crafting compelling cover letters and LinkedIn profiles. I understand that both need to effectively communicate a candidate’s skills, experiences, and value proposition.

In writing cover letters, my focus is on tailoring the content to match the job requirements while highlighting unique achievements of the individual. I ensure it’s concise yet engaging, prompting the recruiter to explore the resume further.

For LinkedIn profiles, I emphasize creating a strong headline, detailed summary, and showcasing key accomplishments. Keywords are strategically placed for optimization. This approach not only enhances visibility but also makes the profile appealing to potential employers.

Overall, my goal is always to create documents that enhance personal branding and increase opportunities for job seekers.”

20. How do you measure the success of the resumes you write?

The primary goal of a resume is to secure interviews for the job seeker. So, when hiring a resume writer, employers want to make sure you have a clear understanding of this objective, and that you’ve developed methods to gauge the effectiveness of your work. By asking this question, they are hoping to assess how you track the results of your work and your ability to adapt based on feedback or changing job market trends.

Example: “The success of the resumes I write is primarily measured by client feedback and their subsequent job placement. If a client secures an interview or job offer after using a resume I’ve crafted, it’s a clear indication that my work has been effective. However, I also value ongoing communication with clients to understand how well the resume represents them and aligns with their career goals. This involves soliciting their thoughts on the final product and making adjustments as necessary for optimal results.”

21. Can you describe your experience with various resume formats and when you would use each one?

The essence of a resume writer’s job is to create resumes that stand out and effectively communicate an individual’s skills and experiences. Hiring managers want to ensure you’re familiar with the different types of resumes—chronological, functional, combination, etc.—and know when to use each one. Your ability to select the right format based on a client’s career history, the job they’re applying for, and their future goals is critical to your success in this role.

Example: “I have worked extensively with three main resume formats: chronological, functional and combination.

A chronological format is ideal for individuals with a strong work history in the same field. It allows showcasing career progression and stability.

The functional format focuses on skills rather than employment history. I recommend it for candidates changing industries or those with gaps in their employment history.

Combination resumes blend both formats. They highlight relevant skills while also detailing work experience. This format suits professionals with diverse skills across multiple job roles.

Understanding the candidate’s background and career goals helps me choose the most effective format.”

22. How do you handle clients from diverse industries and job levels?

The core of a resume writer’s job is to effectively articulate a client’s skills, experiences, and accomplishments in a way that is both compelling and relevant to their target job. Yet, each client is unique, coming from different industries and job levels with varying career goals. This question is asked to assess your ability to adapt your writing and consultation style to cater to each client’s specific needs, while also demonstrating your versatility and understanding of different job markets and industry-specific lingo.

Example: “Understanding the client’s industry and job level is crucial in resume writing. I approach each client as an individual, taking time to research their specific sector, understanding its nuances, trends, and key skills required.

For clients at different job levels, I adjust my strategy accordingly. For entry-level clients, I focus on highlighting transferable skills and academic achievements. Conversely, for senior executives, I emphasize leadership abilities, strategic initiatives, and quantifiable results.

Communication plays a vital role too. By actively listening and asking targeted questions, I can extract necessary information that may not be readily apparent. This allows me to craft a personalized, effective resume regardless of the client’s background.”

23. What is your approach to writing a resume for a client targeting a highly competitive industry or role?

As a resume writer, your task goes beyond simply creating a document that summarizes a client’s career history. You’re also expected to understand the nuances of different industries, roles, and job markets, and to tailor your work accordingly. If a client is targeting a highly competitive role, for instance, you need to show that you can craft a resume that will help them stand out in a crowded field. That’s why interviewers want to hear about your approach to these kinds of challenges.

Example: “Understanding the competitive nature of the industry or role, my approach would be to create a bespoke resume that highlights the client’s unique skills and experiences. I’d focus on quantifiable achievements, demonstrating how they’ve made a significant impact in their previous roles.

I’ll also ensure it aligns with industry-specific keywords and trends. This includes researching the target industry thoroughly to understand what employers are looking for.

The layout will be clean and professional, ensuring easy readability. The content will be concise yet powerful, making every word count. It’s crucial to grab attention quickly due to the high number of applicants typically seen in competitive fields.

Lastly, I’d provide guidance on tailoring cover letters for specific roles, as this can further differentiate the client from other candidates.”

24. Can you discuss a time when you had to overcome a significant challenge in your role as a Resume Writer?

As a resume writer, you’ll be dealing with a diverse range of clients, each with their unique career history, aspirations, and challenges. This question is designed to test your problem-solving skills, your ability to adapt to different situations, and your dedication to delivering the best possible service to your clients, no matter how complex the task may be.

Example: “One significant challenge I faced was when a client with an unconventional career path approached me. They had multiple gaps in their employment and a mix of different roles that didn’t follow a clear progression.

Understanding the unique value they brought required deep conversations to identify transferable skills and achievements, as well as creative formatting to present this information effectively on the resume.

The result was a compelling document that highlighted their versatility and adaptability. This experience honed my ability to tell diverse career stories, making me more effective at helping clients overcome potential red flags in their job search.”

25. How do you handle the confidentiality and privacy of your clients?

Trust is a significant pillar in the industry of resume writing. Clients entrust you with their private information including their career history, personal details, and sometimes even their vulnerabilities and insecurities. Maintaining this confidentiality is not just ethically correct but also legally important. This question is designed to assess your understanding and commitment to maintaining high standards of professional confidentiality.

Example: “Maintaining client confidentiality and privacy is paramount in a role like Resume Writer. I handle this by ensuring all information shared with me is used solely for the purpose of creating or enhancing their resume.

I never share any personal data with third parties without explicit consent from the client. All documents are securely stored and deleted once they’re no longer needed.

Furthermore, I make it clear to clients that their information will be handled with utmost discretion. This helps build trust and ensures a comfortable working relationship.”

26. What is your experience with digital tools and software used in resume writing?

It’s a digital age, and the field of resume writing isn’t exempt from it. As a resume writer, you’re expected to not just be good with words, but also proficient in various digital tools and software. This proficiency can range from being able to use Microsoft Word or Google Docs to create a clean, professional-looking resume, to more specialized software for creating visually appealing resumes, or even Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many employers use to screen resumes. Thus, hiring managers want to know if you have the necessary technical skills to perform your job efficiently and effectively.

Example: “I have extensive experience with various digital tools and software used in resume writing. I am proficient in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Adobe InDesign for creating visually appealing resumes. I’ve also utilized job-specific keyword optimization tools to ensure the resumes pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Additionally, I’ve worked with platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed for understanding market trends and tailoring resumes accordingly. My familiarity with these tools helps me create effective, personalized resumes that stand out.”

27. How do you ensure that your resumes stand out in a sea of applicants?

The essence of being a resume writer is the ability to make clients’ applications shine brighter than the rest. Your potential employer wants to see that you have the creativity, writing prowess, and understanding of current industry trends to craft resumes that will grab the attention of hiring managers and recruiters, and ultimately, land clients their dream jobs.

Example: “To ensure a resume stands out, I focus on customization. Understanding the job description and tailoring the resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences is key.

I also pay attention to keywords that align with the role, ensuring they are present in the resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Visual appeal is another factor. A clean, organized layout helps make information easily digestible.

Lastly, quantifying achievements provides concrete evidence of capabilities. It’s not just about stating what you’ve done, but demonstrating the impact it had.”

28. What is the most complex resume project you have worked on and how did you handle it?

The essence of this question is to gauge the depth of your experience and your problem-solving skills. Resumes can range from relatively straightforward to highly complex, depending on the person’s career history, job level, industry, and more. Through this question, the interviewer wants to understand your ability to handle various complexities and craft compelling resumes under challenging circumstances.

Example: “The most complex resume project I handled involved a client with an extensive career spanning multiple industries. The challenge was to present his diverse experience in a coherent and compelling manner without overwhelming potential employers.

I tackled this by focusing on transferable skills and achievements that reflected the job he was targeting. I also used a functional format to highlight his skills upfront, followed by a chronological listing of his work history. This approach allowed me to showcase his versatility while maintaining clarity. It required detailed discussions with the client and careful crafting of content, but the result was a well-received resume that effectively communicated his unique value proposition.”

29. How do you handle situations when a client is not satisfied with your work?

Being a resume writer isn’t just about crafting compelling career narratives. It’s also about managing relationships and ensuring customer satisfaction. Even the best writers face situations where their work doesn’t immediately meet the client’s expectations. In such cases, it’s important to show your potential employer that you can handle criticism, adapt to feedback, and turn a dissatisfied client into a satisfied one.

Example: “When a client is dissatisfied, I first ensure to listen carefully to their concerns. Understanding their perspective helps me identify the root cause of dissatisfaction.

Next, I apologize for any inconvenience caused and assure them that their satisfaction is my priority. If the issue lies in the content or style of the resume, I offer revisions until they are satisfied with the final product.

Lastly, I use such instances as learning experiences to improve my skills and avoid similar issues in the future. It’s all about maintaining professionalism while ensuring client satisfaction.”

30. Can you discuss your understanding of the role of social media in job hunting and how you incorporate that into your resume writing process?

The digital age has significantly changed the way job hunting and recruitment works. Social media has become a key player in both areas, often serving as the first point of contact between potential employers and job seekers. Employers want to know that you, as a professional resume writer, are not only aware of this shift but also know how to leverage it effectively. That means creating resumes that take into account a client’s online presence and how it can be used to enhance their career prospects.

Example: “Social media has become a crucial tool in job hunting. It is used for networking, showcasing skills and personality, researching companies, and even finding open positions.

As a resume writer, I incorporate social media by ensuring the client’s online presence aligns with their resume. This includes optimizing LinkedIn profiles to match resumes, suggesting appropriate content for professional Twitter or Instagram accounts, and advising on digital etiquette.

Moreover, I highlight any significant online achievements that can strengthen a candidate’s profile. For instance, a well-received blog post or a project showcased on Behance could be included under accomplishments.

In essence, my goal is to create a cohesive personal brand across all platforms, enhancing a candidate’s appeal to potential employers.”

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How To Make A Resume 101 (Examples Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

If you are reading this article, I think it is safe to say that we can call you a “job seeker”, correct?

But what kind of job seeker are you?

Are you looking for a change of pace from your everyday job?

Are you just starting out in the workforce?

Maybe you’re a seasoned veteran trying to make the leap up the chain of command?

Or perhaps you’re just fed up with the way things are going (or not going) with your career and it’s time for a change?

Well, no matter what stage you are in your career, you’re going to need to know how to write a good resume for a job interview … and we are going to show you how! So start by downloading our Free “Perfect Resume” Checklist that will help you overhaul your resume and will get you more interviews.  Click here to get the “perfect resume” checklist

What Is a Resume?

Don’t laugh.

Believe it or not, some people (especially those who are completely new to the workforce) have never seen a resume before, let alone written one.

If you’re one of those people, this section is for you!

So what is a resume?

A resume   is a document used by job seekers to help  provide a summary of their  skills , abilities and accomplishments .

In other words,  a resume is typically a short and quick way for a job seeker to introduce themselves to a potential employer. (In North America a resume should not be confused with a CV . Check out our blog post on the difference between a CV and a resume if you’re interested.)

Resumes are normally submitted to hiring managers along with a cover letter (Need help writing a cover letter? Check out our article How To Write a Cover Letter 101 ), usually via email or on online job posting.

Sounds pretty easy, right? Just take a piece of paper and put some basic info on it and “wham, bam, thank you, ma’am, I’m right for the job and can start tomorrow,” right?

Unfortunately (or fortunately, which I’ll explain later) it’s not that easy.

In fact, writing a bad resume is much easier than writing a good one…and trust me, there are lots of bad ones out there…which is why you want to make sure you have good one…no wait, a GREAT one so when employers look at it, they say, “Heck yes, bring this kid in for an interview!”

Why Do I Need a Resume?

I know the (company CEO, boss, hiring manager, owner’s dog walker who works on Tuesday’s and they’ve totally promised me a job no matter what.)

If that’s true, then hey, you probably don’t need a resume…you’re essentially guaranteed the job already… but what about when that job ends?

Betcha no matter how great your hookups are right now, at some point in your career, you’re gonna need a killer resume, and luckily we’re here to tell you how to create a resume.

And not just any resume… a professional resume .

For those of us who don’t have direct connections to killer jobs, a resume is essential to getting your foot in the door.

Employers use resumes as a way to quickly screen potential applicants , selecting only the individuals they feel are right for the position, so making sure your resume is in tip-top shape is absolutely vital.

Here, let me walk you through a quick little scenario and we’ll see just how important those little pieces of paper actually are:

Imagine you’re a hiring manager and it’s your job to find the perfect candidate for an open position with your company.

You’ve trolled the usual job listing sites and posted what you’re looking for and the response has been…overwhelming.

Your desk is COVERED with resumes. Pile after pile. Stack after stack.

All you need is that one qualified person, but as you look through the piles of paperwork, you feel your stomach starting to knot up. These resumes are a mess. Most of them are sloppy, with spelling errors, confusing headings, and lists of qualifications that have absolutely NOTHING to do with the job at all. You need an IT specialist and a third of these resumes have things like ‘underwater basket weaving specialist,’ and ‘professional poodle groomer’ listed under relevant skills. How is that relevant?

You call maintenance and ask them to empty your trash can, again. It’s filling up too quickly with all these rejected candidates.

You continue to slog through the pile of papers, your eyes growing heavy with each rejection. You’re sleepy, you’re bored, and you’re frustrated. Does NOBODY really qualify for this job?

And then you see it. A single resume that’s clean, crisp and clearly written. The font is professional, the layout is well organized and thoughtful and the qualifications are…gasp…actually on target! You smile as you read it, your heavy eyes suddenly snapping open in excitement as you realize you’ve got someone here who might actually be able to do the job!

You carefully set that resume to the side, a bright yellow note stuck on top of it: “ Interview THIS one. ”

Then you turn back to your unending mountain of resumes. Back to the slog.

Okay. Story time is over…back to reality. How would you like to be that hiring manager?

No fun, eh? Absolutely not!

Unfortunately, odds are, your current resume is probably buried in that mountain of not quite right resumes…or worse yet, in the trash waiting to go out with the next trash run.

Wouldn’t you rather be the one with the yellow “Interview THIS one” sticky?

Okay, then… it’s time to give you all the resume help you need! That’s why we created this fantastic (and free) Resume Checklist for you to use to make sure your resume stand out against your competition.  Click here to get the “perfect resume” checklist .

In this article, we’ll show you SECTION 1 , “How to Build a Resume” or proper resume format and SECTION 2 , “How to Write a Resume.”

Section 1 – How To Make a Resume (or Proper Resume Format)

Good resume writing (and proper resume format) is an art form and can make the difference between getting lost in the pile and being invited in for an interview.

(Here’s the good news. We’ve dedicated an entire blog article just to resume format and the best practices for 2017 and beyond! Click here to head over to that article now! )

The problem is, a lot of people don’t see it as an art form…rather an obligation. Most people look at writing a resume as just something you have to do to get a job.

There’s no time put into it. No thought. And certainly no enthusiasm.

Just a bunch of stuff thrown on a page with the expectation that if the company really want to hire you, they should be able to look at that mess and pull what they need out of it and bring you in based off of that.

Reality check!

Research has proven that hiring managers only bring in about 1 person per 200 resumes received .

Those are some pretty miserable odds!

Time to step up your game and go from one of the 200 to that one out of 200!

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Okay, so we just finished telling you that writing a resume is an art form and that you need to stand out. BUT (there’s always a “but” isn’t there?) this doesn’t mean that you should paint your resume in water colors or build a resume diorama out of Play-Doh and Legos.

In fact, you should know that a lot of companies today are using Applicant Tracking Systems to help them screen resumes and find the best candidates.

How does this work exactly?

Well, a piece of software analyzes your resume for certain keywords and gives you a score based how well your resume matches a predetermined list of keywords chosen by the company you’re interviewing with.

There are a few things you can do to ensure your resume gets past the software and into the hands of hiring managers, which Lifehacker does a nice job of outlining here .

In the meantime, here are our best practices to follow when it comes to formatting your resume.

Resume Fonts

Of course you want your resume to stand out, but for the right reasons…and you have to understand that it starts with the very first second someone looks at it.

Your resume is a marketing tool to sell you to an employer and that means making sure it clearly represents you in a professional manner.

Notice the word professional. That’s what this is. PROFESSIONAL .

This isn’t a time for artistic expression or a place to make a personal statement using gimmicks or tricks..and that means say goodbye to cartoon fonts.

No. Comic. Sans.

I repeat. DO NOT EVER USE COMIC SANS.

Look at it. It’s ridiculous.

Who is ever going to take that font seriously? Nobody. That’s who.

You get, on average, 10 to 20 seconds to make a first impression with your resume… so make it count!

If your resume is sloppy or has unprofessional font, odds are those 20 seconds are going to end with you in the trash.

For anyone with a basic word processing program, it’s easy to see there are hundreds of fonts out there to choose from and picking the right one can be difficult. We’ve already discussed Comic Sans (no) but what fonts are good ones to use?

There are two categories of font. Serif and San-serif .

Serif fonts are stylized fonts with tails and other (subtle) decorative markings. Examples of serif fonts include Times New Roman . They are perceived as being reliable, authoritative, and traditional.

Other serif fonts include: Bell MT , Bodoni MT , Bookman Old Style , Cambria , Goudy Old Style , Calibri , Garamond, and Georgia .

San-serif fonts are also often used and are characterized as being simpler and no-frills. San-serif fonts include Helvetica and Arial and are associated with being clean, universal, modern, objective and stable.

Examples of san-serif fonts include: Verdana , Trebuchet MS , Century Gothic , Gill Sans MT , Lucida Sans , and Tahoma .

No matter which font you use, the biggest consideration you have to keep in mind is legibility .

You need to make sure that your typeface is easy on the eyes and shows up well both in print and on screen, regardless of formatting or size.

Another consideration to keep in mind is that not everyone has the same operating system on their computer so unique or gimmicky fonts that look great on one computer system might show up as absolute nonsense on another.

Also, remember in today’s increasing digital age that most resumes are first scanned by an automated applicant tracking software program and any form that can’t be read will be automatically discarded!

Which one is right for you? It’s up to you really, but if you really want a recommendation then I suggest keeping it simple and going with  Helvetica . It’s the perfect combination of style and clarity.

Mike's Tip:

Resume layout & formatting.

Okay, now that you’ve got your font picked out, it’s time to focus on your resume formats (or layouts).  Don’t worry if you can’t remember all of this stuff, because we summarize it all on our “Perfect Resume” Checklist we made for you.  Simply click here to get your copy .

The first rule of layout is, keep it clean and clear. You want a resume that’s easy to read and easy to follow.

Again, remember, you get 10-20 seconds to catch a hiring manager’s eye so handing in something that’s messy, unorganized or confusing is going to end up in the trash.

Margins – Keep your margins to ½ to 1 inch on all sides of the paper, especially if you’re sending your resume to anyone you think might print it out. The last thing you want is to have a printer crop your resume and leave off important information!

Font Size – With the exception of your name which can be larger, you want to keep your font size at between 10 and 12 point. Keep in mind that some fonts are larger and/or smaller than others so an Arial 12 is larger than a Times New Roman 12. Ideally you want your resume to be a single page so feel free to tweak your font size a bit to make it fit (some programs allow you to adjust sizes by half points) but remember, keep it readable! Don’t sacrifice legibility in order to get everything on the page .

Spacing – Generally single spacing works the best, with a blank line between each section of content.

Paper – If you’re printing out your resume make sure to use a laser printer or inkjet printer that produces high-quality results. Use off-white , ivory or bright white paper and always stick to the standard 8 ½ X 11 paper in the highest quality you can afford. Make sure if there is a watermark on the paper that it’s facing the correct way and whatever you do, keep it readable. Don’t cram so much on the page that it’s crowded or confusing!

Resume Categories

Resumes are really nothing more than a bunch of specific categories that quickly outline who you are and what you’ve done and can do. Making sure your categories are well organized is a quick way to help put you in the “yes” pile and keep you out of the “trash” pile.

One of the biggest problems with many resumes is they lack focus and clarity. Double check yours and make sure your categories are well defined and organized.

Header – Start your resume off with the most important information first: your personal information! Include your full name, phone number, email and personal branding website if you have one . It’s also appropriate to include your permanent mailing address, but this can be optional.

Objective or Resume Summary – Depending on what sort of job seeker you are and what job you’re applying for, you will have to choose between an objective statement (what your employment goals are with the company you’re applying to) or a resume summary (a quick recap of your skills and experiences that highlight your value to a potential employer.) Regardless of whether you include an objective or a summary, keep this short and sweet (no more than a sentence or two.)

• For our in-depth article on how to write a resume objective, click here .
• For our in-depth article on how to write a resume summary statement, click here .

Experience/Qualifications – This part is all about your work history and should not only include who you worked for but what you did and how long you did it. Include the title you held and a quick bulleted list of responsibilities and/or duties. This is listed in reverse chronological order with your most recent job first .

Skills & Abilities – This section is a quick outline of the skills to put on a resume that relate to the position/career you’re applying to. These can include things like computer skills , technical skills , language skills , anything that can help make you the perfect candidate!

References – Including references is no longer a requirement. It’s a good idea to have references, but the days of listing them at the bottom of your resume is a thing of the past. Instead, have them as a separate list, and if requested, you’ll be able to provide it. Check out our article on professional reference letters if you need more info. (If you need a character reference, check out our article .)

Interests – This category is a tough one. Not every resume should include an interests section…this isn’t Facebook and your potential IT employer probably doesn’t need to know you spend your weekends dressing up as a troll warlord and reenacting great battles… Interests and hobbies can be a double-edged sword and listing something that has nothing to do with the job you’re applying for can not only waste valuable resume space but can also make you seem unfocused or scattered. HOWEVER…there are times when including interests can help you out…especially if they’re related to the job you’re applying for and show interest outside of the office, such as volunteering for an organization you know the corporation is already involved in (do you research first)! This category should be carefully considered before you add it. Weigh the pros and cons very seriously.

Types of Resumes (And 3 Resume Samples)

There are three major types of resumes: chronological, functional and combination (sometimes called targeted or hybrid), and we’ve included a description of each below along with some good resume examples.

Chronological Resume

Chronological resumes are the most commonly used layout and is exactly what it sounds like, a chronological listing of all your work history with your most recent positions listed first.

Employers tend to really like this type of a resume because it’s easy for them to quickly see what jobs you’ve held and how long you’ve held them. It also often includes an objective or career summary as well as education, certifications, and special skills.

For job seekers with a strong working background, this is a great way to showcase what you’ve done!

Here is a great chronological sample resume:

Source: Vault.com

Functional Resume

Functional resumes focus more on skills and experiences rather than on chronological work history and are perfect for people who are changing careers or have a gap in their work history as they focus attention on specific skills and capabilities.

Rather than displaying a timeline of your work history, the functional resume focuses on the actual skills you possess and highlights what you know rather than when you did it.

If you’re applying for a job with specific skills or clearly defined requirements and/or traits, this is the one you want to choose!

Here is a great functional sample resume:

Combination Resume

Combination resumes are exactly that, a combination of chronological and functional. A combination resume lists both your skills and experiences as well as your employment history in chronological order.

The idea is to not only highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the job you’re applying to, but also provide your potential employer with a chronological record of the jobs you’ve held in the past.

Because this type of resume is essentially two different types mashed together, it’s typically broken into two parts. The first part is your functional resume section and highlights your skills, achievements and qualifications and the second part is your timeline of work experience.

Although more complicated to pull together and keep cohesive and clear, this type of format is effective when used by an applicant who wants to show off the most relevant skills while still documenting work history. It’s also a great way to explain gaps in work history as well as career changes.

Here is a great combination sample resume:

So How Long Should A Resume Be?

Once upon a time the fast and hard rule was keep your resume to one-page MAX! Job seekers who found their resumes exceeding the one page limit were forced to either cut out valuable information or tweak their formatting, font sizes and/or margins to make it work, often resulting in either difficult formatting or incomplete histories.

Nowadays the rules are a little more relaxed and the new rule is: Your resume should be long enough to entice the hiring manager to call you in for an interview.

Confused? Don’t be.

First off, your resume is an introduction to who you are…give them enough information to get them comfortable, but brief enough that they’re left wanting more (and call you in for an interview!)

This isn’t a novel. It isn’t a 10-page dissertation on who you are or a 20-page essay on everything you’ve done from your first moments on earth to the moment you sent it to the company.

It’s a career marketing tool and should be used exactly like any good advertising is used…to build excitement, pique curiosity, and encourage the viewer to ask “ Okay, I like this so far…what else? ”

Remember our hiring manager from story time at the beginning of this article? Remember, they’re looking through hundreds, if not thousands of resumes and the last thing you want to do is to hand them a long document they’ll have to pour over to get the info they need.

Be concise . Be brief . Be clear . Be professional .

The best way to determine how long your resume should be is to follow these simple rules:

If you have less than 10 years of experience, are in the middle of a career change, or held multiple positions with one single employer, keep your resume to one page.

If you have more than 10 years of experience, your field is technical or engineering related and you need space to list all your skills and qualifications then two pages is appropriate.

And only in the most rare of situations, usually scientific or academic fields where extensive lists of publications, speaking engagements, professional courses, licenses or patents are normal, can you have a resume three or more pages long…

Okay, got all that? Ready to move onto Section 2 – “How to Write a Resume?”

If you haven’t already, now would be a good time to get your free Resume Checklist. It will help to have it open as you go through the next section!  Click here to get it now .

Section 2 – How To Write a Resume

Now that we have a general idea of what a resume should include, let’s look at how to write one that helps you stand out from the crowd.

Again, let’s go back to our poor beleaguered hiring manger toiling away over mountains of unfocused resumes…and while we’re there, I’m going to let you in on a little secret.

Out of all of those resumes, there are hundreds of qualified candidates…people who would probably do an amazing job and would be great additions to any company.

Sure, there are those in that pile who have NO business applying for the job…but I guarantee there’s a big chunk of applicants who are qualified and would be great hires…problem is, their resumes…well…suck.

Luckily yours…doesn’t. In fact, yours is brilliant and you are the perfect candidate! You’re the answer to the hiring manager’s prayers. You’re the reason they post jobs and slog through piles of paper poo and when they finally stumble on your little nugget of job history gold, jump to their feet in excitement and yell “Bring this one IN!”

Or at least, if you follow these guidelines and rules, you will be!

Tailoring Your Resume

No, we don’t mean tailoring like getting a nice suit and having it professionally fitted to you (not a bad idea for interview wear, but that’s a different post for a different time.) but tailoring as in making your resume absolutely perfect for the job you’re applying for.

Job hunting is exactly that, hunting…and if you’ve ever done any sort of hunting, you know each and every animal requires different skills. And before you get all upset and tell me “Hey, I’ve never hunted an animal and I never plan on doing it and your analogy is horrible,” let me TAILOR this even further down.

Have you ever tried to get an animal to come to you?

Have a cat? Have a dog? Have a bird? Even a fish?

Each one requires a different approach and what works for one won’t work for another.

Ever tried to entice a horse to come to you with a juicy steak? How about tossing some hay to a tiger and wondering why it isn’t eating? Of course not! That’s because you tailor what you’re doing to the situation you’re in.

Give the steak to the tiger and the hay to the horse!

Cats typically respond well to string and lasers. Dogs love to chase balls. And job hunting is exactly the same!

If you’re sending out the exact same resume to 500 job listings, then you’re not doing it right.

Odds are, you’re not getting many interviews either, and you’re probably wondering what’s wrong with all those hiring managers.

Is it possible all 500 are idiots and can’t tell how amazing you are and how you’re incredible and they’re totally missing out by not hiring you?

Possibly, but I doubt it.

Tailoring means making sure that every resume is unique and specifically written to appeal to the hiring manager for the job you’re applying to. That means if you send out 500 resumes for 500 job listings, each and every one of those 500 resumes will be different.

Exhausting? Hell yes.

Worth it? When you get the job of your dreams…you bet!

The problem is, each job is different and what each hiring manager is looking for is different. There is no physical way to satisfy each and every employer’s individual hiring requirements using just one blanket resume.

If you want to catch the attention of the hiring manager, you have to give them what they want. You need to invest the time into each application and ensure that your resume is tailored to each employer and the job you’re applying to.

Of course, we’re not saying you have to write 500 resumes from the ground up…it IS okay to start with a basic resume that lists your skills and qualifications…but you have to make sure you customize it for each job you apply for.

Let’s start with our categories from the previous section, shall we?

Header – Again, this is your basic personal information. It’s your name and contact info and really shouldn’t change.

Objective or Resume Summary – Again, you need to decide which one will work for you…an objective statement or a resume summary . We recapped the difference between both in the above section. The key here is be concise and clear. One to two sentences MAX.

Experience/Qualifications – This is where WORK EXPERIENCES go. Include anything you’ve done for which you’ve been paid. This includes full-time and part-time work as well as anything you did that qualifies for self-employed work.

Make sure for each job you list:

• The name of the company or organization where you were employed.
• The city and state for that company or organization.
• Your last position and/or title you held while there.
• Your employment period for each job in Month/Date format
• A brief description of your duties and responsibilities in a short, bulleted list

The hardest part about writing this section is making sure that you list your contributions to the company while still being concise and clear, as well as accurate.

Highlight the relevant information that relates directly to the job you’re now applying for and cut out any clutter that might add unnecessary length to your resume.

Speaking of length, keep your bullets short and sweet.

Wrong : “Daily I worked hand in hand with the company’s most important clients assisting them with problem-solving and ensuring that they were happy and satisfied with our work.

Right : Worked daily with high profile clients to solve problems.

Do not include unpaid , volunteer or charitable work in this section. If you feel you have an unpaid experience or volunteer job that a hiring manager would find valuable, consider creating a new category labelled “Relevant Experience” or “Other Experience” and be sure to include the same identifying information you include for your “Experience/Qualifications” lists.

Skills/Abilities – Every employer is looking for specific resume skills and abilities for the job they’re trying to fill. Your job (while you’re trying to get a job) is to make sure you fit what they’re looking for. These are the job specific skills and should be tailored (there’s that word again!) for each application you submit. But did you know there are skills to put on a resume  that are almost universally valued by potential employers???? Those skills go HERE in this section.

Skills like:

Communication (listening, verbal and written) – This is the number one skill mentioned by employers when asked what they valued in an applicant.

Computer/Technical Literacy Skills – Almost every job these days requires some level of computer proficiency including basic word processing, spreadsheets, and emails.

Interpersonal Skills – Basically how well you work in a team and your ability to relate to co-workers.

Planning/Organization Skills – How well you can design, plan, organize and execute projects and tasks within a specific time frame. Can also apply to goal setting and achievement.

This is just a small sampling of what can go in this section. For a more in-depth look at what to put in this section, check out our previous blog all about it here!

Education – This one, much like your personal information, is pretty straight forward. You want to list your education in reverse chronological order (degrees or licenses first followed by certificates and advanced training).

If you include your college information, list only the school, your major and distinctions and or awards you’ve won. If you’re still in college or a very recent grad , include your GPA ONLY if it’s over a 3.4.

Dropped out or had to leave school because of extenuating circumstances but still want to include the fact that you went? No worries! List the field you were studying, then the school and then the dates that you attended.

If you’re listing just schooling, keep the title of this section “Education.” If you’ve graduated, are including other training, and or other certifications, try to include that in the title. Examples can include “Education and Training,” or “Education and Licenses.” Make the title fit what you’re listing…

Awards – This section is NOT for school-related awards. Include those in your education section. Rather, this section is for awards received, commendations or praise from senior sources. Make sure to mention what the award was for if you can.

Affiliations – If you are affiliated with an organization, guild or club that is relevant to the job you are applying for, the go ahead and include it. Include leadership roles if appropriate. It’s also a great idea to include any sort of affiliation or membership to any organization that might increase your appeal as a prospective employee to an employer.

For almost anything you want to include on a resume, there is a category to help organize it. We’ve listed the most popular above but feel free to do your own research online, especially if what you’re trying to include is unique or hard to categorize.

Action Verbs and Power Words

Speaking of unique, the primary goal of your resume is to make you stand out from the rest of the people applying for the same job and another way to make that happen is to use action verbs and power words (also referred to as “resume verbs”).

Action verbs and power words are exactly that…they’re words that help catch a hiring manager’s eye and give you an edge. After reading hundreds of resumes, many using the same words and phrases, it’s nice to have one that stands out and one of the best ways to do that is by incorporating action verbs and power words!

You’re not exaggerating and you’re certainly not lying, you’re just swapping out old and tired words for ones that are a bit more…dynamic and exciting!

When listing skills , accomplishments, or job described, try using the most impressive words you can think of (without overstating what you actually did).

Were you a leader of a project ? Instead of saying “Led,” use one of these words:

Chaired, controlled, coordinated, executed, headed, operated, orchestrated, organized, oversaw, planned, produced, programmed.

Did you pull a project from conception all the way to completion? Instead of saying “developed, created, or introduced,” try:

Administered, built, chartered, designed, devised, founded, engineered, constructed, established, formalized, formed, formulated, implemented, spearheaded, incorporated, initiated, instituted, introduced, launched, pioneered.

Are you an organizing wizard? Are you increasing productivity ? Sales ? Efficiency? Use these words to really hit home how dynamic you are:

Accelerated, achieved, advanced, amplified, boosted, capitalized, delivered, enhanced, expanded, expedited, furthered, gained, generated, improved, lifted, maximized, outpaced, stimulated, sustained.

Did you achieve something ? Did you hit your goals? Try these words:

Attained, awarded, completed, demonstrated, earned, exceeded, outperformed, reached, showcased, succeeded, surpassed, targeted.

This is just a small selection of action verbs and words you can use to spice up your resume and help you stand out in the crowd. (Need more? Head over to our blog article “68 Dynamic Action Verbs to Enhance Your Resume.” )

Grab your thesaurus and go through your resume…find words that are common and pedestrian and swap them out!

Wow, that’s a ton of information…can you just distill all this epic awesomeness down into a top ten list of tips for creating a resume??

Drum roll, please…

Here Are Our Top 10 Resume Tips

If you’re one of those people who likes to skim through an article or if you plan on coming back for a quick review before your interview, here are our best resume writing tips.

1) Tailored

You’re bringing steak to the tigers with your resume. The employer can look at it and know immediately that not only are you qualified but that you’ve done your research into what the job is and what they’re looking for in an employee. Your goal s are clear as are your skills , areas of expertise and or body of experience .

2) Aesthetically Pleasing

Remember what we said about a resume being a work of art? It should be clean, concise and have a simple structure that invites a reader to glance at it and immediately know what they’re looking at. It’s balanced and flows between sections smoothly. It’s not crowded, the margins are clean, and the font is professional. It’s also devoid of ANY ERRORS . No missing periods, no misspelled words, no grammar issues. It’s also correct and the information included is current and accurate.

3) Complete

That means everything you need to include is included, including (but not limited to) your name, current phone number and accurate email address, a listing of all the jobs you’ve held (in reverse chronological order), educational degrees (including any certifications and the highest degree achieved – again in reverse chronological order) and any targeted information that will help a hiring manager realize you are the perfect candidate.

The easiest way to make sure you remember all of this is to keep track using the “Perfect Resume” Checklist we made for you. You can simply check off the boxes as you complete them. Click here to your “perfect resume” checklist .

4) Accurate

Jobs listed also include your title, the name of the company or organization you worked with, the city and state where you worked and the years you were employed. The bulleted lists are summarized in a clear way that highlights the key ideas without taking up too much space.

And PLEASE! No fibs. Hiring Managers can easily verify anything you put on your resume, and getting busted lying isn’t exactly a winning formula for getting job offers.

The hiring manager can look at your resume and immediately know what you’re applying for and what you bring in value to the company. It’s clear and concise. There’s no confusion as to what your profession is and what you can do.

One page to two pages max, depending on your field, level of experience and skill set. Don’t bore people with details, keep them wanting more…but also learn the balance between not saying enough to saying just enough.

7) Relevant

Never include anything on a resume that might turn off an employer including political or religious affiliations, anything controversial, or that could be taken in a negative light.

8) Professional

This includes font, layout, and paper as well as content. Again, this is for a job and should be used as such. This isn’t a platform for personal statements or a novel detailing every job you’ve ever had since birth to present. It’s printed on high-quality paper in an appropriate color and is clean of any smudges, tears or wrinkles.

Every time you apply for a new job, check your resume to ensure that it’s not only targeted, but also current. Make sure your dates are correct and that you include the most up to date information (this is especially important if you’ve changed your phone number or contact email!)

10) It Is YOURS

That’s right…it might seem strange to say this, but the number one thing you have to remember when applying for any job is to be honest! Use action verbs and power words to give your resume life, but don’t let yourself get carried away and overstate your skills, positions, or abilities. Remember, they’re hiring you …and the last thing you want is to get a job you can’t do.

11) BONUS TIP – Your Resume Contains A Link To Your Personal Website

We’ve been seeing an interesting trend in 2017. Job seekers who add a link to a personal branding website are getting more job interviews and in turn getting more job offers. The fact is, having a simple personal website that highlights your skills and more importantly your personality go a long way to creating a three dimensional persona for the hiring manager . A personal website makes you stand out when compared to all the other candidates who just hand in a resume and cover letter. To find out more check out this blog post .

What Not To Put On Your Resume

Don’t title your resume “resume.” The hiring manager should know what it is just by looking at it. If they don’t, then it’s not a resume and you should re-read this article.

Don’t “fluff” your sentences with unnecessary words. Remember, short and sweet.

Don’t include salary requirements or information. For more info on how to discuss your salary and when and how to bring it up, check out our blog on “When to bring up Salary.”

Don’t list why you left your last job or jobs…and on that same topic, don’t trash former employers…ever…

Don’t include personal information beyond your name and contact. They don’t need your age, race, marital status, sexual orientation or hobbies.

Don’t include a photo of yourself. Unless you’re an actor and applying for a role…otherwise, it’s just creepy.

Don’t get sloppy. Double-check for errors. Then check again.

Resume Templates

Now, we imagined that you’d like some resume templates to help you build a resume, so we combed the internet for some job-specific free resume templates that you can use as a guiding tool.

Customer Service Resume

Administrative Assistant Resume

Teacher Resume

Nursing Resume

Receptionist Resume

Medical Assistant Resume

Project Manager Resume

Cashier Resume

NOTE : These are templates, meaning they are a good place for you to start. But keep in mind that other applicants will also have access to these templates so you don’t want to copy them exactly. Don’t forget you want to stand out among the other applicants, not blend in!

Putting It All Together

So there you have it! How to make a resume …or better yet, how to make an AWESOME resume! Just remember that no single resume is right for every job…make sure to keep it short, sweet, and relevant.

Now re-read this article, but as you do, go through your old resume and see where you can make improvements . Clean it up , pare it down , punch up your action verbs and make it the best possible resume you can…

And above all…good luck!

FREE : "Perfect Resume" PDF Checklist

Ok the next thing you should do is download our handy "Perfect Resume" Checklist PDF ".

In it you'll get a 38 point checklist that will let you overhaul your resume and make sure you aren't missing any critical components.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE "PERFECT RESUME" CHECKLIST

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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Choose Your Language:

7 Resume and Interview Preparation Tips to Stand Out

Updated on May 22, 2023

Receiving a call back after applying for a job  is an exciting and rewarding experience — but getting one can be difficult. You can have great skills and transferable experience, but if your resume and cover letter aren’t up to par, you might not get past a recruiter's initial review.

It’s important to focus on the details because a solid resume can get you in the door of your next job opportunity, and strong interview skills will help you leave a memorable impact on the hiring manager.

Consider these seven resume preparation and interview tips below as you prepare for your next job opportunity.

Resume Preparation Tips

1. tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for.

The average recruiter reads approximately 500 resumes a week, so the ideal resume is concise and easily scannable. Many job seekers however make the mistake of retelling their entire work histories.

Instead, you should tailor your resume to each job you’re applying for and aim to keep it to one page. Be sure to connect the dots from the job description to your resume by only including information that’s relevant to the position.

Start by reviewing the job posting for keywords and experience requirements. Recruiters often use resume-scanning technology to look for candidates based on keywords within their resumes, so it’s a best practice to use those keywords to describe your experience whenever applicable.

If this is your first job resume after graduating  without much work experience, try to tailor your education and soft skills to the keywords and job description.

For example, if proficiency with Excel is important, then be sure to call it out on your resume if you have the capabilities. Be honest, but feel free to include relevant experience — even if it isn’t a focal part of your current job responsibilities.

Another tip when describing your experience and qualifications is to avoid vague claims such as: “demonstrates exceptional leadership and sales skills.” Instead, include specific examples detailing how you demonstrated those skills.

If possible, include performance metrics , such as: “increased regional sales by 15%”. Also, explain how you got it done and how you positively affected the company. That way you’re showing the true impact of your work and why it’s relevant for your (hopefully!) new employer.

Overall, be sure to highlight the most relatable aspects of your work experience, and hone in on job tasks that align with what the employer is looking for.

2. Resume Formatting and Style Tips

The order and structure of your resume are also important to keep in mind. Most recruiters spend about six seconds reading a resume and focus mostly on headers.

Aim to keep your resume length to one page and be sure to provide the most relevant information near the top of each job and/or skill you have listed. Write succinctly while emphasizing keywords from the job post as they relate to your experience.

In terms of structure, the classic reverse chronological resume is a good format to call attention to your most recent employment. You can also consider a functional or combination resume format if you’re looking for alternatives:

• The functional resume calls to the forefront areas of expertise instead of work history by using skill categories, such as “risk management abilities” (instead of job titles) as the main headers.
• A combination resume is a hybrid between the reverse-chronological format and functional format. It highlights key skills, certifications, and education while including your most relevant employment experiences.

Finally, stick to the basic principles of writing well. Use the active voice when describing your skills and experience and keep descriptions concise and scannable. The majority of your resume will likely use the past tense, but current jobs and responsibilities should be written in the present.

In terms of pronouns, resumes are typically written in the third person (i.e., the she/he/it/they perspective). However, The Wall Street Journal points out that first-person (i.e., the I/we perspective) resumes are rising in popularity. Some recruiters, however, prefer that applicants exclude the use of pronouns (in which case you would write “Seeking to pursue a career in finance” instead of “I’m seeking to pursue a career in finance”).

Whichever approach you choose, make sure you’re intentional and consistent throughout your entire resume to enhance readability and showcase your professionalism.

Interview Preparation Tips

3. do your research to ace the interview.

A great way to make an impression at an interview is to display your knowledge of the company. It shows that you're interested in the business and eager to learn more.

Review their social media and website to learn about company history, goals and culture, and come prepared with questions for the employer.

You’ll stand out as an exceptional candidate  if the employer recognizes that you’re truly seeking to understand the company and if the position is a good fit for you, and vice-versa.

For example, you could start by asking about how the job opening came up and what changes they’ve recently experienced in their business, the role’s day-to-day responsibilities, or what departments you might collaborate with. The important thing is to show curiosity.

It’s also important to understand what you can bring to the company by analyzing which areas of the position you’re most qualified for — and areas you’re less experienced — so you can smoothly navigate through questions as they come up.

You’ll be less likely to become caught off guard by tricky questions that assess skills or knowledge where you lack expertise if you’re aware of — and have practiced — speaking to any underdeveloped capabilities and highlighting your capacity for learning and growth.

4. Practice Makes Perfect

Even if you’re experienced at interviewing, you should practice common interview questions before meeting with the recruiter or hiring manager. Have an elevator pitch ready to master some of the more common interview questions , such as: “Tell me about yourself.”

The best way to approach this question is to talk about your experience in the same way you prepared your resume — by overviewing key details that are most relevant to the position.

You’ll want to talk about your work experience and briefly overview your educational background while starting to connect the dots to why they make you a great fit for the role. Then lead into your future goals by tying in how the job works into your plans for career growth. This question also provides a way to break the ice, so feel free to be personable and talk about some of your nonwork-related interests.

Practice with a friend if you can, and even if you’re alone, try speaking out loud in front of a mirror. It can be easy to become nervous or even thrown off by a question, so you’ll want to have some of your more straightforward answers memorized along with a few examples to provide for situational interview questions.

5. Master Difficult Interview Questions

Prepare for your interview by practicing responses to common “gotcha” questions . These can sometimes be curveballs for even the most prepared and qualified job candidates. You’ll also want to practice responding to some of the trickier behavioral questions, such as: “What would you do if you made a mistake and had to start a project over from scratch?”

There’s no one right way to answer these questions but think about what the employer could be looking for in a response. They’re likely screening for someone who will stay cool under pressure with integrity, honesty and a strong work ethic.

If you’ve experienced a similar situation that you handled well, be sure to weave in the example while showing how you would take ownership of the mistake and do what’s needed to complete the project on time without sacrificing quality. A great approach to mastering these questions is to practice the STAR behavioral interview technique.

Finally, if the interview calls for it, prepare to bring or virtually show examples of your work to supplement your answers (especially those that pertain to your quality of work and attention to detail). If the interview is in person, bring your physical portfolio along with a USB flash drive to share. If you’re a writer, bring individual writing samples that might be relevant to leave behind. You can also email additional examples of work that pertain to questions that came up as a follow-up after the interview.

6. Be Polite, Authentic and Confident

Making a good impression by being friendly and polite is important to mastering an interview. Make sure you’re cordial to everyone you talk to — from the security guard at the door (if the interview is on site) to the person conducting the interview.

With companies now recruiting for hybrid and remote jobs, you may find yourself in a completely virtual interview . While these virtual meetings may not require you to be on site, it’s still important to be punctual. Join your virtual meeting a few minutes early to validate any links that were provided and test your internet connection, camera and mic.

Be confident with your body language and smile before, during and after the interview . If you’re nervous, you could practice breathing or even simple stretching exercises to release any tension in your body.

During the interview, be authentic. An interview is a chance for the employer to get a feel for who you are. Don’t change your personality to fit what you think the company is looking for, and don’t be afraid to talk about your hobbies and interests if the opportunity arises. Employers want to know if you can do the job, but they often like to get an idea of who you are on a more personal level as well.

Although it’s completely normal to feel nervous, you can be confident as well. Remember that you’ve been chosen to interview for the job because the company is interested in you and what you could bring to the position.

Use your responses to interview questions as a chance to show the interviewer that you’re proud of your professional development. Your confidence in your skills and experience will translate into assurance for the interviewer that you’re the right person for the job.

7. Follow Up and Send a Thank-You Note

The initial follow-up occurs during the interview: Be sure to re-express your interest in the position and ask about next steps. Also ask for business cards or contact information from the interviewers.

Within 24 hours of the interview, send a thank-you note or email to each interviewer. Make sure the letter is personal by overviewing important details that were discussed during the interview and reminding them why you’re a great fit. You can also use the follow-up as an opportunity to send over any additional work samples that would be relevant to back up your claims or showcase skills that came up during the interview.

The process of applying for a job can be difficult, but diligent preparation, understanding the company and practice in making the case for why you’re a great fit for the role will set you up to impress.

If you’d like to learn more about resume and interview best practices or career readiness tips , connect with an Aston Carter recruiter  today.

*Originally published on May 18, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you bring your resume to an interview.

Yes, always come to your interview with a few physical copies of your resume. This demonstrates preparedness even if your interviewer doesn’t ask for it.

How do you present your resume in an interview?

Your resume should be one page in length and provide an overview of your experience. As you walk through your education and work experience, you should try to connect the dots between your skills and the job description of the role you’re applying for. Try to be more specific about what you accomplished and provide examples and performance metrics that support your claims.

What’s the best resume format for an interview?

The classic reverse chronological resume is a good format to call attention to your most recent employment if you’re a seasoned professional. You can also consider a functional or combination resume format if you’re looking for alternative formats.

If you’re a recent college graduate applying to your first job , consider highlighting your education, internships, extracurricular involvement, and skills that resonate with the job description you’re applying to.

Should you send a thank you email after an email?

Yes, absolutely. You should send a thank you note within 24 hours after your interview to thank each person for their time and consideration. Remember to ask for business cards or contact information from the interviewers during your interview.

A thank you email is also a great opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position and send along work samples that would be relevant to back up your claims or showcase skills that came up during your interview.

Join our Talent Community to receive updates on jobs that match your skills, goals and interests.

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My experience with Nick D

My experience with Nick D. As a coach exceeded my expectations. He went above and beyond his job description to assist me with landing an important position. (Which was successful.) I plan on keeping in touch with him as he is truly a master of his craft and you just never know when you will need assistance in the future! A true GEM💎

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My TopInterview session was excellent. I jumped right into the role play...and answered the questions I would get in an upcoming interview. I received critique and feedback, tools and hints, and came away feeling relaxed.

Top Interview was an outstanding…

Top Interview was an outstanding service for me. My coach Crystal is absolutely fantastic, assertive, direct, and very seasoned. In addition to the role play, I received detailed feedback and guidance as to how to best tackle challenges during interviews for executives' roles. Very pleased with topInterview!

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Our Expert Interview Coaches are certified in a variety of industries and have a wealth of professional experience. Your coach is specifically selected for you based on your industry, role, and experience to offer you the most relevant interview advice.

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With TopInterview's expert coaching, you'll develop customized strategies to help you shine as a job candidate.

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Who will I be working with, and how are they qualified?

We recruit coaches that hold a variety of degrees and certifications including MBA, MA, CWDP, and SPHR certification. They've spent years as HR Directors, Recruiters, and Consultants for small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and Nonprofit Organizations.

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10 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

• Vicky Oliver

Use this guide to stand out from the crowd and land the role you want.

Interviews can be high stress, anxiety-driving situations, especially if it’s your first interview. A little practice and preparation always pays off. While we can’t know exactly what an employer will ask, here are 10 common interview questions along with advice on how to answer them. The questions include:

• Could you tell me something about yourself and describe your background in brief? : Interviewers like to hear stories about candidates. Make sure your story has a great beginning, a riveting middle, and an end that makes the interviewer root for you to win the job.
• How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations? : Share an instance when you remained calm despite the turmoil. If it’s a skill you’re developing, acknowledge it and include the steps you’re taking to respond better to pressure in the future.
• What are your salary expectations? : Before you walk in for your first interview, you should already know what the salary is for the position you’re applying to. Check out websites such as Glassdoor, Fishbowl, or Vault.com for salary information. You could also ask people in the field by reaching out to your community on LinkedIn.

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

Resignation numbers have remained abnormally high in the U.S. between July 2021 and October 2021, with millions of Americans quitting their jobs  — which also means there are millions of new openings up for grabs. If you’re entering the market for the first time, or just looking to make a change, use this guide to prepare for your next interview.

• Vicky Oliver is a leading career development expert and the multi-best-selling author of five books, including  301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions , named in the top 10 list of “Best Books for HR Interview Prep.” She’s a sought-after speaker and seminar presenter and a popular media source, having made over 900 appearances in broadcast, print, and online outlets.    

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Prepare for your Job Interview Using Your Resume

You have spent time  writing a winning resume  and applying for jobs, now it is time for the final stage, the job interview. They can be nerve-wracking and there are many traps that candidates fall into during the process.

However, correctly  preparing for a job interview  can significantly improve your chances of success. If you can anticipate which questions will be asked, you will not be caught out by surprise questions and be able to give considered answers.

It is vital to understand the  importance of the resume in the interview . Knowing how to  prepare for your first job interview  by using the job description and your  professional resume , can improve your performance in the interview.

By this stage, you should have already produced an attractive,  professional-looking resume . If not, use a  resume builder  to make sure it is up-to-scratch.

Research the company

Doing some homework on the company is essential . Go onto the company’s website and find out as much as you possibly can about them before the first interview. If you appear not to know anything about the company it will seem like you’re uninterested in the job.

Definitely don’t rely just on the company website research though. Look them up online – read articles about them or written by them, watch YouTube videos about the company made by third parties or videos of the company’s executives. Check out their social media profiles – what message are they trying to put forth? What are they posting and tweeting? Can your experience be relevant to one of their current initiatives?

Researching the company ahead of time will help you target your answers to fit what the employer is looking for, it will also help you to ask some insightful questions in the latter stages of the interview.

Prepare answers for resume based interview questions

First of all, make sure you  know your resume backwards . Familiarize yourself with every detail including job titles, dates, and responsibilities. If you get these details mixed up in the interview it will give the wrong impression.

Secondly, the trick is to imagine you are the employer looking at your resume. Often  employers   follow the resume in a job interview  or prepare the interview using the resume.

What questions would you ask? Have you got any unexplained gaps on your resume? By anticipating the job interview questions it will be easy to prepare answers.

Thinking of a good answer to an interview question is easy when you have time and are not under pressure. Try to  anticipate as many of the questions as possible  to avoid finishing the interview wishing you had answered a question differently.This is a key part of how to prepare for a job interview.

Analyze the job and match your skills

Read carefully through the job posting  and identify the required skills, attributes, and  work experience . Use the keywords in the text to help you. Then make a comprehensive list of all the qualities required by the employer.

Using your resume, think about your strengths and how they match those wanted by the company. Think of specific, tangible examples when you have demonstrated  skills  and abilities and  prepare yourself to talk about them . Make sure you use STAR format when preparing these examples.

The interviewer will ask you to give examples of when you have shown certain qualities. This preparation technique of  using your resume to prepare for a job interview  will help you to answer job-specific interview questions.

Practice the job interview using your resume

The main thing you want to avoid is being caught out and having to rack your brains for job interview answers. Review  typical job interview questions  and spend time practicing answering them. Follow our  top job interview tips  to make sure you are fully prepared.

Think about  how to answer job interview questions about your resume  and focus on your strengths. It is important to practice actually speaking your answers too. This will help you to give more concise answers in the actual interview and it will give you confidence.

Ask someone you know to give you  a mock job interview  using your resume and the list of questions you have prepared. If it is a phone interview, do it over the phone or if it is a video interview, do it via Zoom or Google Hangouts to practice.

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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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Resume Writing Guide

A resume is typically an employer’s first introduction to you. First impressions are crucial to establish yourself as professional, capable, and motivated. A strong resume demonstrates your transferrable skills, communication abilities, and achievements. A consistent, detailed, and concise resume can help your resume get noticed by recruiters. By formatting your resume professionally, you increase your chances of earning the interview.

Resume Components

Contact information, phone number.

Use a phone number you can answer readily, such as your cell phone. If you have a voice mail set-up, make sure it sounds professional with your name and the best times to contact you.

Your e-mail address should be professional. While you are enrolled at UMass Amherst, your UMass e-mail will work well. After graduation, consider creating a new e-mail address that contains your name. 

Always include phone and email, but consider if listing your address is helpful or harmful. Employers may give preference to people who are closer geographically - if you are applying from far away, they may be unsure whether you are serious about moving.

Additionally, while your city and state are helpful to list, you do not necessarily need to include your street address. Employers will need it to hire you, but it is not required to provide during the job application process.

Objective/Summary

This section is most useful when you hand your paper resume out at a career or networking event - unless you have something specific to highlight, consider leaving it off your resume. A cover letter will do a better job conveying your why, as well as your key abilities. When you submit electronically, many Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) will often skip the summary section and look for those key words to be in the body of your document instead.

For currently enrolled students, you will list your current degree first, and then work backwards in reverse chronological order. During your first few years of college, consider including your high school until you run out of space.

In addition to your college education, you may also highlight   study abroad or domestic exchange programs . When discussing these programs, think about including the following experiences to highlight your transferable skills: 

Class projects

Volunteering/internships/research applicable to your field

Independent travel

Learning to work with a more diverse group of people than you had previously been exposed to

Resolving conflicts based on misunderstandings of cultural differences

Learn new activities, languages, hobbies, or skills

Education Section Example 

University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Fall 2024 - Present)

Bachelor of Arts, Major: English

GPA (if over 3.0 and you feel comfortable sharing)

Relevant Coursework: 3-5 courses max

Awards (when including awards, include the reason for receiving it. Example: "21st Century Leadership Award for high academic achievement in first year")

Senior Project: (optional)

Portfolio of work (optional)

There are many types of experiences: volunteer, paid, unpaid, work study. If the experience is relevant and taught you transferrable skills, find a way to include it.

• For each experience, include name of organization, your title or role, location, and dates
• Action verbs (samples below) to help you write accomplishment statements, which prove you have the skills you say by leaning into outcomes and successes
• Consider using multiple experience headings, such as: research experience, industry experience, or relevant experience. This can be a good way to move more relevant experiences up higher on your resume, even if they happened further in the past.
• Quantifying your work can demonstrate your aptitude. Answering questions such as "How many?",   "How much?", and "How often?" will help recruiters understand the extent of your skills.  
• Avoid “responsibilities included" and writing in a passive voice - using action verbs will make this easier.

Experience Example

Leverage, Incorporated: Boston, MA (September 2025 - Present)

Computer Science Intern

• Developed an algorithm that identified patterns in white collar crime in the financial industries across the United States. Implementation of this program reduced company losses by 17% compared to the previous quarter.
• Collaborated with supply chain division to design new packaging based on reduction of carbon footprint, leading to increased production distribution while reducing energy usage.
• Established a training program to help connect interns with mentors at the organization and was awarded the Innovative Intern of Quarter for these efforts

This section is typically for "hard" skills, which are skills that can easily be measured. Soft skills (such as interpersonal skills) are better described in bullet points of your experience section so they can have the context they require. For a skills section, depending on your targeted field, you may add computer, language, laboratory skills, or performances. For languages, put your level of fluency (e.g., proficient, advanced, fluent, native).

Skills Example

Computer: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign), Data Analysis (R-Studio, SPSS)

Resume Formatting and Layout

The average reading only spends 20 seconds reading a resume. Before that, an applicant tracking system may be utilized to select which resumes get reviewed by a human being.  Make sure your resume is easy to read and stands out. 

No single format works for everyone: the only rule is that you need to be honest, factual, and relevant

One page is ideal (especially for internships) and for students ages 18-25

Keep a longer master resume for future opportunities

List everything in reserve chronological order; start with your most recent experience work backwards

Use a legible sans serif  font size, keep it readable, 11 is a good place to start

1 column is better than 2; when you have two columns the reader may jump around and miss key information

No icons or images as they cannot be read by applicant tracking software

How Many Resume Versions Do I Need?

There is a big difference between customizing your resume for a specific position/industry versus creating different documents for each application.

• If you are applying to jobs in drastically different industries, you will want to customize resumes for each industry. For example, a psychology major applying to jobs in Human Services as well as Human Resources will want to highlight different experiences and skills for each, and potentially format their resumes different as a business setting holds different expectations for job criteria compared to a mental health setting.
• If you're pursuing a few different roles, but they're all related to one discipline or field, then you will not need multiple versions of your resume. However, you will still want to tweak each resume you send out based on the specific job description. 

Specialized Resumes/Sections

While resumes may follow the same general format, depending on your experience and industry, there may be other considerations to help your resume stand out.

Design Resumes

Design resumes can differ from traditional resumes in several tangible ways, reflecting the unique skills and creative nature of design professions.

Your document is an indication of your style aesthetic and may not need to conform to the same rules and standards as other professions.

Visual Layout

Design resumes often incorporate creative layouts that display the designer's skills in typography, layout, and visual communication.

• Infographics: Use of icons, graphs, and other visual elements can represent skills, experience, and achievements.
• Color and Typography: Thoughtful use of color and font choices creates an aesthetically pleasing document that aligns with your personal brand.

Content Presentation and Customization

Direct links to online portfolios or examples of work, are often included as part of the resume. Incorporation of personal logos, custom icons, and other branding elements that reflect a designer's style may be added here.

File Format and Compatibility

Designers create their resumes in online spaces varying from Latec to Adobe to Canva. While many resumes are shared as PDFs, design resumes especially should be shared in this format to preserve visual integrity across different devices.

Unique Layouts

Non-traditional formats such as infographics, timelines, or modular layouts may be acceptable.

Interactivity

For digital resumes, elements of interactivity can be incorporated, such as clickable links, hover effects, and embedded multimedia.

The most important rules still apply to ALL resumes; clean neat formatting, with consistency in where the reader will access key information continues to be your driving force.

Designers should contact their career centers to discuss what resume style might best suit their professional goals.

Digital Resumes

A digital resume is an electronic version of a traditional resume that highlights an individual's professional experience, skills, and achievements using digital formats.

Either shared as a PDF or hosted on a personal website, this format allows for enhanced interactivity and multimedia integration. Digital resumes often feature creative layouts, embedded links to portfolios, and interactive elements such as hover effects or animations.

They enable candidates to visually demonstrate their technical and design skills, making them particularly popular in creative and tech industries. The goal of a digital resume is to highlight qualifications, but also provide a dynamic and engaging avenue for potential employers to assess a candidate’s capabilities.

Student Athletes

As a UMass athlete, you learn incredible transferable skills in areas such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. You also spend more time at your activity than most, so make sure they see all your greatness in action.

“Effectively managed communications between 24 team members, served as liaison connecting team and coaching staff, and effectively resolved intra-group conflicts.”

“Excellent time management skills. Balanced a 30+ hour practice, training, competition, and travel schedule while balancing full academic course load.

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20 Unique Interview Questions to Ask Employer to Be Memorable (+Questions to Avoid)

• Julia Mlcuchova , 
• Updated June 28, 2024 11 min read

What's the point of preparing unique interview questions to ask an employer ? Well, the standard questions about your day-to-day duties and company policies help you understand the basics. But why be basic when you can be so much more?

Think about it this way: basic questions call for basic answers. On the other hand, unique questions can help you uncover details about the employer and the job position that generic ones simply can't. 

So yes, asking questions is key, but asking unique questions? Now, that’s the secret ingredient that makes your job interview truly memorable !

Wondering how to prepare yours? In that case, keep reading our article and learn: 

• Why it’s important to ask questions in an Interview;
• How to prepare your unique questions;
• 20 Unique questions to ask employer;
• And our tips on how to pass job interviews with flying colors.

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

Why ask unique questions in a job interview

How to prepare unique interview questions to ask employer in 5 steps, 20 unique interview questions to ask employer, questions about company culture, questions about the role, questions about the team, questions about leadership and management, unique interview questions you should avoid asking, 5 (unique) tips for acing your job interview, key takeaways: unique interview questions to ask employer.

Let's imagine you're in a job interview, and everything's going smoothly. And then, the interviewer asks if you have any questions.

Instead of seeing this as a challenge, try to look at it as your golden opportunity to shine .

Because these are the top 5 reasons why asking unique questions can truly elevate your interview game:

• Learn more about your potential workplace. Firstly, you need to realize that job interviews are a two-way street. Of course, the employer and hiring manager are there to grill you with questions. But it’s also your chance to flip the script and see what skeletons are hiding in their closet. 
• Show genuine interest. Secondly, asking unique questions shows that you've done your homework. Show them that you’re not just winging it with questions you found on a quick Google search (cough). But, that you've put a real effort into getting to know more.
• Demonstrate your critical thinking. Thirdly, you can take this as an opportunity to show off your soft skills . Remember the critical thinking and problem-solving skills you've included in your resume ? Well, put them into practice! Because the ability to ask the right questions is a great way to prove that you have both.
• Get the interviewer on your side. Interviewers get bored answering the same old questions over and over again. But your unique questions can shake things up and make the conversation more interesting for them too. As a result, this can help you build a stronger connection with the interviewer.
• Stand out from the other job candidates. And finally, asking unique questions is one of the best ways to leave a lasting impression. Because when you ask unique, thoughtful questions, you show that you're not just another applicant — but someone who goes the extra mile.

Recruiters spend a significant amount of time preparing for job interviews, which makes them ready for the most basic candidate questions. Therefore, by asking more unique questions, you’re more likely to receive honest, thoughtful answers instead of rehearsed responses.

Yes, we know — job interviews can sometimes feel like real pressure cookers. And the need to ask unique questions certainly doesn't make it any easier.  

And that's exactly why we've prepared this simple guide for you — to alleviate some of that pressure and give you something solid to work with.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare unique interview questions to ask employer:

First, you need to check out the employer’s website, LinkedIn page , news articles, and social media profiles. Look for any mentions of recent projects, achievements, challenges, company values, and goals. All this information will give you useful pointers.

Secondly, think about what’s most important to you in a job and a company. So that your questions can focus on your personal and professional priorities such as: your career growth, the company culture, and the work environment you might be entering. And remember, this is your time!

For example, instead of asking “Is this team collaborative?” try something like “Can you describe a recent project where the team worked closely together?” . Generally, open-ended questions encourage detailed responses and help make your conversations more engaging.

Because this will give you enough time to write down all the potential questions, prioritize them, pick the best 3-5, and start practicing asking them out loud.

Finally, while it’s good to have a plan, remember to be natural! Pay attention to the interviewer’s answers. And if something interesting comes up, don’t be afraid to follow that thought. Keep in mind that active listening and reacting makes the conversation engaging and meaningful for both parties.

And now we're getting to the good part!

In case you need a bit of help preparing your questions, feel free to draw inspiration from the following:

Company culture can significantly impact your job satisfaction and overall happiness at work. 

Besides, understanding the culture helps you figure out if you’ll fit in and thrive there. It can also reveal how the company treats and values its employees.

• Can you describe a time when the company had to adapt to a significant change? How was it handled?
• What are some company traditions or events that employees look forward to each year?
• Can you tell me about a recent team project that you’re particularly proud of and explain why it was successful?
• How does the company celebrate employee achievements and milestones?
• Can you describe a time when the company made a significant change based on employee feedback?

Prepping for a job interview?

AI interview questions generator will help you practice answering the most common interview questions for your job position.

Another topic of discussion you shouldn’t miss is the job position itself. 

So, try to gauge things like performance expectations , how you can contribute to the company’s success, and whether the position aligns with your skills and career goals.

• Reflecting on those who have held this position before, what made the difference between the ones who were good and those who were really great at the job?
• What’s one thing you’re hoping a new person can bring to the role?
• Can you tell me about a challenging project someone in this role recently tackled and how they approached it?
• How does this role contribute to the company’s overall goals and mission?
• How has this role evolved over the past few years, and how do you see it changing in the future?

Chatting about the team and their dynamics during a job interview is a must!

After all, it will help you understand how the team operates, what their collaboration style is like, and whether you'll fit in. 

• What are the backgrounds and expertise of the team members?
• Can you tell me about the team's working style and how they collaborate on projects?
• What are some of the team’s proudest accomplishments?
• How does the team support work? Especially during remote work or challenging times?
• How are team members encouraged to bring new ideas to the table?

A quick question — what's worse than an annoying colleague ? Our bets are on a terrible boss !

Questions about leadership and management can give you a peek into how the company operates and how leaders engage with their teams. 

• How does the leadership team set and communicate the company's goals and vision to the employees?
• What qualities does the leadership team admire most in their employees? And how do they recognize them?
• How do leaders here balance the need for results with employee well-being?
• How do leaders in the company stay approachable and in touch with all levels of employees?
• What is one quality or action of your team leader that has impressed you the most? (Careful! Only ask this question if the person interviewing you is a member of your future team. And only if they're not the team leader .. obviously.)

We've already underlined the importance of unique questions in making you stand out from the competition. 

But be careful not to stand out for the wrong reasons ! In other words, don't make your unique questions … well, too unique. 

Because the last thing you want to achieve is making the interviewer question their own career choices. 

So, let's dive into some "unique" questions you should absolutely avoid asking (unless you're fine with being a walking red flag):

• Don't ask about salary or benefits too early. Yes, money matters. But asking about it too early in the interview process is like diving into dessert before the main course. It sends the message that you're more interested in the paycheck than the job itself. The golden rule is: don't discuss your salary expectations unless invited to by the interviewer!
• Avoid irrelevant and inappropriate questions. And please, please , don't try to be forcefully funny! In their quest for uniqueness, people sometimes think that it's a good idea to blurt out “quirky” questions. For example: “If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?” Cringe! Well, worse than cringe really — it’s off-topic and weird. 
• Don't ask questions that would make the interviewer uncomfortable. Keep in mind that interviews are professional settings. So, have some respect! Because asking personal questions can make the interviewer feel like you're overstepping boundaries. You're a professional, remember? 
• Ditch questions with obvious answers. Because asking about information that's available online is a waste of time. Plus, it can make you seem unprepared, careless, or indifferent. And it doesn't do any wonders for your supposed attention to detail either. 

Just so you have an idea what we're talking about there, consider these “unique” questions: 

• Can you tell me about the salaries within the team?
• What’s the company’s stance on aliens and UFOs?
• What's your opinion on officer romance? Any chance? 
• How long has the company been around?

Surely, you're well aware of the basics such as: bring printed versions of your resume , put your phone on mute, and spit out that chewing gum before entering the room. 

But have you heard about these 5 psychological tips:

• Maintain eye contact to seem more intelligent. Yes, a strong eye contact isn't just a sign of confidence! A study by Murphy, Hall, and Colvin proved that people who can keep a consistent eye contact while speaking with others come across as more intelligent. But remember to blink! 
• Boost our confidence by recalling a time when you felt powerful. Another hack worth trying is thinking back on a situation where you held power over other people . A study by Columbia University suggests that this tactic may help you channel your confidence and use that energy in a job interview. 
• Visualize your success before you enter the interview room. Similarly, Psychology Today recommends trying something called “optimistic visualization”. In summary, imagining yourself succeeding in the upcoming interview calms your anxiety and boosts your self-belief. 
• Mirror the interviewer's body language to make them like you more. This is also known as the “ chameleon effect ”. Basically, we feel more positive emotions towards people who mirror our body language. So, when the interviewer leans forward, consider doing the same. But once again, don't overdo it!
• Dress for the job you want. Finally, you should choose your clothes based on the type of job you're applying for. For example, big corporations and companies with long traditions tend to be more conservative (formal style and neutral colors). On the other hand, startups and small businesses generally value individuality and creativity. So bring out your statement glasses! 

All in all, there's a good reason why you should try making your questions unique. Well, several reasons really. For example: 

• getting more honest answers, 
• showing genuine interest in the role, 
• demonstrating your critical thinking, 
• learning more about your potential workplace, 
• getting the interviewer to like you better, 
• and making yourself stand out from the other job candidates. 

To learn valuable insights about the company culture, job position, your future team, and leadership and management methods, consider these unique interview questions to ask employer:

• What qualities does the leadership team admire most in their employees? And how do they recognize them? 

And while you're here, why not take this opportunity to learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions ? For instance, you can zoom in on the following:

• What is your greatest weakness ?
• Tell us about yourself?  
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Why should we hire you?

Julia has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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How to Respond to an Interview Request Email (Plus Examples)

Responding to an Interview Request

Examples of interview request replies, tips for responding to an interview request, resources for interview preparation, respond to an interview request faqs.

Your hard work is paying off, and you received an interview request email! Now, how do you respond professionally to get off to a great start in the next steps of the hiring process?

Just like resume templates and cover letter generators give you a solid base to start with, so can a good step-by-step process for how to respond to an interview request email.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the whole process. We’ll start with essential details you must consider for your response, then provide real-world examples that have worked well for other job seekers, and finish by answering common questions. By the end, you’ll be equipped to form a top-notch response to every invitation to interview.

How you respond to an interview request sets the tone for the next steps of the hiring process. You want to ensure your response is prompt and professional while displaying enthusiasm about the opportunity. Let’s review the steps and necessary information you need to structure your response effectively.

Respond promptly

You should respond to interview invitation emails within 24 hours to make a good first impression.

Modern hiring processes are fast-paced. Most applications are filled out online, and many job recruiters communicate with applicants via email for quicker responses. Therefore, while you should put some effort into your reply to an interview request, it’s also important to respond quickly to show eagerness and respect for the hiring manager’s time.

The hiring manager might even have an immediate vacancy they must fill. For example, an opening in an IT team could slow down diagnostic and troubleshooting processes for computer errors, affecting the whole company. So, it’s not uncommon for hiring managers to feel a need to make a decision quickly. Acting too slowly could lead to missing out on great opportunities.

Use a professional greeting

As you may have seen in cover letter templates , a professional greeting is essential at the start of all correspondence.

You always want to address the hiring manager by name, so the message feels specific to them. So, avoid any generic greetings like “Dear sir/madam.” Instead, go with something like “Dear Ms. Adams” or “Hello Mr. Parker.” Beginning with “dear” or “hello” are both safe choices to maintain professionalism.

If you’re looking for something more gender-neutral, you could also address the hiring manager by their first and last name, such as “Dear Evelyn Matthews.”

Show appreciation

Once you get to the interview, hiring managers will ask you questions like “ Why do you want to work here? ” since they want to bring in new employees who are excited about the role and the organization’s mission.

You can use your response to an interview request to immediately begin showing your enthusiasm and appreciation for the opportunity. For example, you could end your email by saying:

“Thank you, and I’m excited to discuss further on Tuesday how my market research skills can help you connect with your customers’ health needs at Lifeline Wellness.”

Confirm your availability

If you’ve ever researched how to respond to a job offer , you probably found it best to confirm specific details like your start date and any negotiated terms. You want to take a similar approach when accepting an interview through email.

You should confirm the date, start time, and location of your interview somewhere in your message to avoid confusion and reinforce that you’re planning to attend the meeting.

If you’ve already been given the meeting’s details, it’s best to write this as a statement, such as:

“I’m confirming that I’m available to meet over Zoom on Wednesday the 19th at 2 p.m. EST.”

You could also try to incorporate the confirmation into your message naturally, saying something like:

“I’m looking forward to discussing in more detail how I can contribute to your innovative IT team during our Zoom meeting on Wednesday the 19th at 2 p.m. EST.”

Ask for clarifications if needed

When you’re unsure about any of the interview’s details, it’s always best to ask beforehand so you’re prepared. Knowing all the necessary information can help job seekers feel less nervous ahead of an important interview. Some common clarifications you could ask for are:

• What will the interview format be? Will it be a one-on-one interview or a panel interview in front of a hiring committee? Will the topics be informational about the job’s responsibilities or situational on how you’d handle real-world problems?
• How long will the interview be? It’s good to know an estimated length to ensure the interview’s duration fits your schedule.
• Is there anything I need to bring to the interview? Some companies might want you to bring a copy of your portfolio or resume to the interview. It’s good to know ahead of time to avoid looking unprepared.

You can also ask about any other details you’re unsure of, like the meeting’s location or start time. Even if they gave you the information before, hiring managers don’t mind repeating it to avoid scheduling errors.

Close with a professional sign-off

The way you end your interview acceptance email is just as important as how you begin it since it’ll make the final impression on a hiring manager before they meet with you.

It’s a good idea to close out by thanking them for the opportunity to interview. Then, use a professional sign-off. Good formal sign-offs are “sincerely,” “thank you,” or “best regards.” These are all safe choices that will reinforce your professionalism.

Lastly, end with your first and last name and include contact information, like your phone number, so they can get in touch with you.

Proofread your email before sending

A response to an interview request that’s full of grammatical errors will detract from your professionalism. To avoid making a poor first impression before your interview, proofread your email thoroughly before sending it. You could run it through a grammar checker or have a trusted friend or colleague review it to help with this step.

Just like resume examples and resume builders are building blocks to success that’ll help you land an interview, examples of interview request replies will have a similar impact. Let’s review some real-life scenarios with examples of how you can respond to each.

Confirming an Interview

Subject line: Plant Technician Interview Request

Dear Mr. Martens,

Thank you for considering me for the plant technician role at General Mills. I’m excited to move on to the next steps in the hiring process and discuss further how my abilities in material handling and power tools can fit into your fast-paced manufacturing processes.

I’m available to meet with you at your Brooklyn office on Monday, June 10th, at 11 a.m. Thank you, and I look forward to discussing further how I can contribute to your team’s success as you continue striving to provide your customers with the highest-quality food products.

Best regards, Kyle Thomspon

347-590-2367

[email protected]

Conflicting Schedules

Subject line: Interview for Scientific Project Manager Position

Dear Ms. Richards,

Thank you for inviting me to interview for the scientific project manager position at the University of Delaware. Unfortunately, I won’t be available to meet on Tuesday, June 11th. I will be available on Thursday, June 13th, or Friday, June 14th, between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. either day. Please let me know if any of those days or times work for your schedule.

Thank you again for considering me for your analytical research team, which seeks to advance biomedical solutions. I’m excited to discuss further how my capabilities in team leadership and following OGC regulations will fit into the role.

Sincerely, Jacob Peterson

302-546-1423

Confirming a Virtual Interview (With Clarification)

Subject line: Interview Confirmation for ESL Instructor Role

Dear Ms. Garrison,

Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the ESL instructor role with the Lansing School District. I’m confirming my availability to meet with you via Microsoft Teams on Friday, June 14th, at 12 p.m. EST. Could you please provide the platform’s details and any specific instructions I need to know to log into the meeting?

I’m eager to discuss how my curriculum planning and small-group instruction experience will fit in with your literacy program. Thank you for the opportunity to move on to the next steps of joining your forward-thinking educational team.

Sincerely, Elizabeth Kirkdale

517-989-3245

Request to Call

Subject line: Availability to Discuss Social Media Coordinator Role

Dear Mr. Jackson,

Thank you for requesting a call to discuss the responsibilities of your social media coordinator role with the Kansas City Royals Baseball Club, as you’re seeking to reach new fans on social platforms.

I’m available to meet for a phone call on Wednesday, June 12th, at 9 a.m. Please let me know if this time works for you or if there’s an alternate day or time that would be better.

I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to the Kansas City Royals’ growing social media presence and make an impact on our local baseball-loving community.

Thank you, Paige Tyson

816-987-6543

Declining an Interview Request

Subject line: Interview Request for Personal Trainer Role

Dear Mr. Benson,

Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the personal trainer position at Planet Fitness. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to move forward with another opportunity and will be withdrawing my application. I appreciate your time and considering me for your health-focused team, and I wish you the best of luck in finding the right candidate for the role.

Best regards,

Natasha Stevenson

765-435-3678

Now that you have the proper structure and some examples of how to respond to an interview request, let’s cover some tips that’ll help you make the right impact with your response.

Don’t change the subject line

When you receive an interview request through email, you shouldn’t change the subject line when you respond. It’s usually best to respond directly to the email the hiring manager sent you rather than creating a brand new email thread.

Using the same subject line helps hiring managers keep their inboxes organized and will ensure your response stands out when they receive it. After all, most business decision-makers have busy schedules with lots of conversations they need to manage, so anything you can do to keep things organized is essential.

Thank the hiring manager

Always thank the hiring manager for the opportunity somewhere in your message. This will reinforce your enthusiasm for the role and immediately set a positive tone for your interaction.

A good way to make this stand out is to craft a thank-you sentence that sounds specific and personal to each job.

Rather than just saying, “Thank you for the opportunity,” you can expand on this a bit more by saying something like, “Thank you for considering me for the fifth-grade teacher role at Mayville Academy, where I can help make learning more engaging for students.”

Provide your availability

In today’s fast-paced hiring processes, hiring managers want to minimize the time they spend scheduling interviews. Therefore, be specific when you detail your availability for an interview.

Providing an exact day and time or a range of times during the day that all work for you will help streamline this process. That way, you can handle the scheduling process in a couple of quick messages and show how you’ll communicate effectively on the job.

Keep your tone professional

Maintaining a professional tone in your email will show that you’re serious about the opportunity and set a positive tone for how you’ll conduct yourself in the workplace.

It’s always best to be more formal in initial messages with hiring managers since you’re just introducing yourself to them. Later, as you move on to the next steps of the hiring process and potentially get hired, you can narrow in on the tone they use in the workplace and start matching that to fit in with their culture.

Ask questions about the interview

Don’t hesitate to ask questions you have about the interview. Hiring managers like seeing this as it shows your interest in the role and preparedness for the interview. Whenever you communicate well and do what it takes to be successful, it signifies you’ll do the same once you’re hired and join the workplace.

If you feel like interviews are nerve-wracking , you’re not alone. Many professionals have ups and downs in this process, especially as you’re beginning a new career or reaching for higher opportunities.

Fortunately, this is a skill you can work on and grow over time, and several resources are available to help. Let’s review some of the steps you can take to prepare before your interview after you’ve accepted the request.

Company research

You probably took this step while writing your cover letter and tailoring your resume to the position’s needs. However, when you apply to several companies, it’s common to forget some details by the time you hear back with a request to interview.

Before the scheduled day of your meeting, take some time to review the company’s website and social media profiles, where they discuss aspects like their mission, recent projects, or industry trends. Having this information in the back of your mind will help you customize your responses to stand out during the interview.

Role-specific preparation

Every role you apply to has specific needs, and requirements can vary for each company you interview with. Review the job description again and find ways to align your skills and experiences with the role’s requirements.

The company might use specific software where you can express your expertise, or they might discuss a problem that you’ve solved before. Adding those extra details to your answers during the interview will make you stand out as the perfect fit for their current needs.

Mock interviews

Practicing before the interview can help you prepare for common questions and gain confidence in communicating your skills.

To prepare for this process, you can perform mock interviews with a trusted friend, family member, or colleague. Additionally, if you’re a college student, many campuses have resources in their student services department to help you prepare for interviews and may even allow you to do mock interviews with advisors.

If you don’t have anyone to practice with, you could also try recording yourself answering common questions and note where you could improve your responses.

It’s best to respond within 24 hours to all interview requests through email. A quick response shows respect for the hiring manager’s time, that you’re enthusiastic about the role, and ensures you don’t miss out on any opportunities during fast-paced hiring processes.

Your response to an interview request should include a professional greeting, a show of gratitude for the opportunity, a list of when you’re available to meet, any questions you have, and a professional closing. The examples listed above in this article will help you format your response to make a great impression.

When declining an invitation to interview, keep your message brief and be grateful for the opportunity. Include a short explanation for your decision, such as saying you accepted a role with another company. You can also wish the hiring manager success in their search for the right candidate.

When a hiring manager sends you a request to interview via email, it’s best to reply to them in an email rather than calling. Some hiring teams prefer a written record to ensure clarity, and having it written down can help organize your records, too. That said, if their message specifies you should call to confirm, follow those instructions instead.

Yes, it’s okay to politely ask for an extension to respond to an interview request. When asking for more time, you should explain your reasoning, such as if a family emergency came up or you’re sick. It’s also a good idea to provide a timeline when they can expect to hear from you so there’s no confusion on either side.

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• Use ChatGPT for a Resume
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• Letter of Introduction
• Find Your Dream Job

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Resume (With Examples!)

Your resume is arguably the most valuable piece of paper for your career. But this document can be daunting for many. Maybe you’re not sure how to fit in all your information onto one page. Maybe you’re not sure about the right way to format and write your resume. Maybe you don’t even know what the heck a resume is!

Whatever your concern, we’ll break down everything you need to know about making the perfect resume, from scratch.

What Is a Resume?

What are employers looking for in a resume.

• Pick Your Format
• Start With Your Basic Information
• Add in Your Work Experience
• Consider Including Volunteer Work or Other Experience
• Don’t Forget Your Education
• Top It Off With Some Skills and Interests
• Write a Resume Summary Statement (if Relevant)
• Tailor It to the Job (and the ATS)
• Edit and Refine It

What Are Some Examples of a Good Resume?

A resume is a summary of your career, whether yours is just getting started or has been going on for years. Coming in at around one page in length (two only under specific circumstances), it showcases the jobs you’ve held and currently hold, the responsibilities you’ve taken on, the skills you’ve developed, and the qualities you bring to the table as an employee. Together, those things make it super easy for any hiring manager to see your qualifications and fit for a role.

For all the work you may put into writing one, hiring managers actually spend very little time—mere seconds in many cases—looking at your resume. But despite this sad fact, it’s safe to say that creating a great resume (rather than hastily throwing one together) still matters.

“If you miss the mark, your resume may never be read. Even worse, you might be removed from the applicant pool by a computer before a human even knows you exist,” says Muse career coach Heather Yurovsky , founder of Shatter & Shine. So you want to get it right because, as she explains, isn’t the goal to “spend less time looking for a job and more time in a role you love?”

You might be wondering if you can lean on your LinkedIn profile instead of writing a resume. The answer, sadly, is no. Most hiring managers still expect you to submit a resume, even if they also look at your LinkedIn. Even if you don’t need a resume for a job you’re applying for now, you’re going to need one at some point in your career—they’re not anywhere close to going out of style. So it’s best to always have one at the ready should an opportunity pop up.

And although LinkedIn has plenty of benefits, a resume has one clear advantage: While your LinkedIn is usually a broader picture of your career trajectory, your resume gives you the opportunity to tailor your career story to a specific role or company (more on that later).

Oh, and you’ve probably heard of something called a CV? It’s slightly different from a resume , and usually more common with academics and job seekers outside the U.S.

Hiring managers look for three things on your resume, “What did you do? Why did you do it? And what was the result?” says Muse career coach Martin McGovern , owner of Career Therapy. “If you can answer all three of these questions in...your resume bullet points, you’re going to be on the right track.”

Clear, easy-to-understand language is key. “The truth is that most resumes make no sense. They are stuffed with jargon, they are too technical, and they are filled with redundancies. Try to read a resume that isn’t yours and you will quickly realize that it feels like an alien wrote it,” McGovern adds. Put yourself in the shoes of a recruiter who has no idea how your role works—how can you make your resume accessible to them?

The hiring manager also cares about more than just you and you alone—they care about you in relation to them. “Hiring managers want to see if a candidate matches the requirements” of the role they’re hiring for, Yurovsky explains. “Your resume should paint this picture so the hiring manager not only knows what day-to-day responsibilities you can handle, but why you, above other[s], bring value to their organization.”

How Do You Write a Resume?

Whether you’re someone who’s never written a resume in your life, or you need a nice, thorough refresher on the process of creating one, follow these steps to go from a blank page to a complete—and dare I say beautiful—document.

Related: This Free Worksheet Makes It Easy to Create (or Update) Your Resume

1. Pick Your Format

Before you start typing one single thing, you have to decide what you want the overall resume to look like.

Resume builders can be helpful for this step—they’ll take all your basic information and organize it for you, eliminating some of the legwork. You can also use a pre-made outline, such as one of these free Google Docs templates .

But it’s often safest to start with a clean slate all on your own and eventually upgrade to a more advanced layout. (If you'd still like a place to write all the relevant information before you get started, check out our resume outline .) This allows you to course correct, edit and re-edit, and choose a resume format that best fits your particular situation (after all, not everyone has a career trajectory that’s easy to compartmentalize).

In general, you’re most likely to cover and/or include sections on the following:

• Your work experience
• Your non-work experience, including professional organizations, community involvement, or side projects
• Your education and certifications
• Your skills (specifically hard skills) and interests

So how do you format and organize all of that information?

By far the most common (and safest, if you’re not sure which route to take) option is reverse chronological order . This means you organize your experiences from most recent to least recent. So your work experiences would go above your education, and your current role would go above previous roles you’ve held. This of course has its exceptions—maybe you went back to grad school between jobs, or your most recent role is irrelevant to the job you’re applying for. So the whole page may not be exactly in reverse chronological order depending on your situation. It’s just a guideline.

There’s also something called a functional or skills-based resume . This is used pretty rarely, mainly with career changers and those with limited or complicated work histories. It gets its name because it’s primarily about listing your skills rather than experiences, and showcases them above your work history and education.

You can also opt for a combination resume , which is a mix between a reverse chronological resume and skills-based resume. It highlights your skills at the top, but allows just as much room below to cover your job and school experience.

Use caution when choosing these two formats: “Combo and skills-based [resumes] can be hard to follow, because [they force] the reader to hunt for connections between your skills and experience, and [don’t] provide the full context of your work,” says Muse Career Coach Angela Smith , founder of Loft Consulting. “I’ve also heard a lot of recruiters say that they automatically discount skill-based resumes because they feel the candidate is trying to hide something. I don’t necessarily believe that, but I think it’s important for job-seekers to know that perception is out there.”

2. Start With Your Basic Information

Your contact information should always go at the top of your resume. In this header you’ll want to include anything that could be helpful for a recruiter to get in touch with you. Usually, this means adding in:

• Your full name (preferably the name you use across the web)
• Your phone number
• Your personal email address

You might also choose to include other basic information, such as your LinkedIn or personal website URL, your GitHub (for technical roles), your social media profiles (if relevant to the job), or your address. If you’re looking to move for a job, you may choose to leave out your address or write “open to relocating” to better your chances of getting an interview.

The key is to make this part as clear as possible. If a hiring manager can’t reach you, there’s no point in perfecting the rest of your resume.

3. Add in Your Work Experience

This section will most likely be the bulk of your resume. Even if you’re changing careers, employers still want to see where you’ve worked, what you’ve done, and the impact of that work to get a sense of your background and expertise.

Your “Work Experience” might be one entire category, or you might choose to break it up into “Relevant Experience” and “Additional Experience” to highlight the jobs that are most important for hiring managers to focus on. Either way, you’ll almost always want to have your most recent experience at the top and your older experience down below.

Within your work experience, you’ll want to include each official job title, the company (and possibly its location), and the years you worked there. Below that, you’ll add in two to four bullet points explaining what you did in that job, the skills you built and exercised, the tools you used, and the results of what you did. If you accomplished a lot during your time there, focus on the responsibilities that made the most impact or you’re the most proud of, as well as the ones that best align you with the job you’re applying for (more on that in the following sections). It’s key here to list, if relevant, quantitative as well as qualitative accomplishments.

For example, you might write:

Associate Accountant, Finances and Co., Ann Arbor, MI September 2017 – Present

• Manage billing and invoicing for more than 50 clients, ensuring the deadlines and needs of our enterprise partners, including Big Company and Super Star Org, are met
• Collaborate closely with sales, account management, and project management teams on project setup, maintenance, and invoice management
• Assist in the streamlining of invoicing guidelines and procedures through documentation and the implementation of new software, resulting in an average two-week decrease in total time spent per client

Your resume bullets should be in past tense if you’re referring to past jobs and present tense if you’re talking about your current roles. In addition, your bullets should always start with a strong action verb that best describes what you did. And if you have examples of your work, consider hyperlinking them here as well.

If you have a ton of experience and this category is starting to run long (read: over one page), consider kicking out your oldest jobs unless they’re super relevant to the job you’re applying for, or extra impressive for your field.

Not sure where to start? “It’s helpful to do a brain dump and create a document that has everything and anything you consider as experience or an achievement,” says Yurovsky. From there, she explains, you can start to whittle down what is and isn’t important. And you can refer to this document later if you ever decide to update your resume for a specific role.

Need more specific advice on listing your work experience on your resume? Check out these additional resources:

• When you’ve held multiple jobs at the same company: 2 Jobs, 1 Company: How to Show Multiple Positions on Your Resume
• When you’re not sure what your accomplishments are or how to explain them: Resume Revamp: How to Turn Your Duties Into Accomplishments
• When you want to spruce up a boring or insignificant job: How to Make Your Most Boring Jobs Sound More Interesting on Your Resume
• When you’re considering fudging a job title: The Answer to “Can I Change My Job Title on My Resume to Make It More Accurate?”
• When you’ve had a bunch of short-term gigs: How to List Temporary Jobs on Your Resume

4. Consider Including Volunteer Work or Other Experience

Anything you’ve done that’s not work experience—your side gig, volunteer work, special projects—can be hosted under clearly-labeled sections (“Volunteer Experience” or “Activities,” for example). Depending on how robust your work experience is, these things may be worth including, particularly if they’ve helped you level up your skill set or better align you with your dream job. Plus, they make you look that much more well-rounded, passionate, and hardworking.

If you’re a recent grad, you might also build out a section for on-campus activities, such as clubs, organizations, or leadership experience. This can be a great supplement if you’re lacking in the jobs department. You can frame these just as you would professional jobs—including your title, the organization’s name, and bullets describing what your role was and what you accomplished.

Read More: This Is Exactly How to List Volunteer Work on Your Resume

5. Don’t Forget Your Education

If you’re still in school or just graduated, your education can go at the top of your resume, but for pretty much everyone else, this goes near the bottom. Most people include their school, graduation year (for folks less up to about a decade out of school), major, and degree. Brand-new grads might also write in their GPA, honors and awards, study abroad, thesis, or other notable achievements. But keep this section super simple, as you don’t want it to take up too much space over your work experience.

It’s possible you have unique education experience, such as taking an online course or certification. If you did this specifically as a way to boost yourself within your industry, definitely include it. Again, list everything more or less reverse chronologically—so a grad school degree would go above an undergrad degree, and a more recent relevant online course would go above that.

Learn more about the ins and outs of listing your education on your resume:

• How to (and How Not to) List Education on Your Resume
• How to List Online Courses on Your Resume the Right Way (Because Yes, There Is a Wrong Way)

6. Top It Off With Some Skills and Interests

The skills section of a resume gets a bad rap, but it’s just as important as the rest of the stuff you include. It’s a quick list a recruiter can scan to see if your skill set aligns with what they’re hiring for. And it’s super ATS-friendly (ATS stands for “applicant tracking system,” the robot that in some cases reads your resume before a human does) because it allows you to add in keywords the machine is scanning for.

Usually this section goes at the bottom of your resume, but in special cases—such as a skills-based resume or when someone’s switching fields—you may place it further up.

What exactly do you throw in here? You’ll want to list any hard skills and applications you’re familiar with (Photoshop, SEO, JavaScript, to name a few examples), and, if relevant, your level of expertise. Avoid including soft skills here, like time management or public speaking—save those for your bullet points instead.

Be strategic when filling in your skills. Don’t list things you actually couldn’t do at a high competence level (I’m looking at those of you who say you’re “great” at Excel), and maybe nix skills that are completely irrelevant to the job you want. For example, you may not even need to include Excel if you’re applying for say, a design position, unless it’s listed as a job requirement.

Maybe you’re thinking, I’m a really good volleyball player, but that’s not a “skill,” right? No, it’s not, but it is a hobby. Adding in a hobby section at the bottom of your resume is underrated, and frequently a smart choice. It can be a great conversation starter with a hiring manager, and it can show that you’re a good culture fit—or a culture add—for the company. Also, it’s just a nice way to add in some of your personality. So tack on a bullet point listing out some of your interests, such as hiking, rowing, or crafting (no more than five to seven work-appropriate verbs), and you’re all set here.

7. Write a Resume Summary Statement (if Relevant)

You may have heard of a resume summary statement . They’re not super common, but they can be useful to include near the top of your resume if you’re looking to add clarity or context to your resume. If you’re a career changer, you might find a summary statement helpful in explaining your leap and tying your experience to your new path. Or if you’re a more experienced professional, you can use a summary statement to highlight a theme that brings your career trajectory together.

Overall, you probably won’t need a summary statement if your career is pretty linear and your bullet points do a great job of emphasizing what you have to offer in terms of skills and experience. But if you think it makes sense to include one, “Take the time to think about what the person reading your summary wants to know before you write it,” says McGovern. “Good summaries explain why you do what you do and how it can help. For instance: Merging a background in ABC, I help companies improve XYZ through 123. Summaries shouldn’t be any more complicated than that.”

So, taking McGovern’s example, you might say:

Merging a background in social media marketing and PR with seven years in the consumer tech space, I help companies improve their internal and external communication and brand awareness through data-driven, quality content and strategies that align with the modern trends of the space.

Yurovsky adds that “you don’t want your summary statement to be a dense paragraph with too much information. You want it to be easy to read, concise, and memorable. Almost like a tagline.”

Read More: 3 Resume Summary Examples That’ll Make Writing Your Own Easier

8. Tailor It to the Job (and the ATS)

Once you have your resume written out—you’ve broken down your work experience, tagged on some activities and additional experiences, and listed out your skills—it’s important to go back to the job description (or multiple job descriptions, if you’re applying to several similar jobs) and make sure that what your resume says matches up with the kind of candidate the employers are looking for. In other words, tailor it .

Let’s explain further. You’ll want to begin by tackling the ATS . This means combing the job description to see if individual words and phrases line up. What skills are they asking for, and have you listed them (so long as you actually have them)? What words are they using to describe their ideal hire, and do you use similar language in your resume?

Next, take a bird’s-eye view. If you were the hiring manager for the role, where on your resume would your eyes be drawn to? And what would you be looking for? Whatever you think will be most important for the recruiter, make sure it’s near the top of your resume, or otherwise emphasized.

Finally, dig into the role and responsibilities of the job. Does your resume reflect similar experience? If not, is there a way you can spin it so that it’s clear you’re capable of doing the job (and doing it well)?

These articles can help you if the word “tailoring” makes you start to sweat:

• What It Really Means to “Tailor Your Resume”
• Your Guide to Making Unrelated Experience Look Relevant on Your Resume
• A Cool Trick: How to Spin 1 Resume Bullet 5 Different Ways

9. Edit and Refine It

Please, please don’t just write your resume and shoot it out without giving it a second glance. Hiring managers may not spend hours browsing it, but if there’s one thing that sticks out more than anything else it’s a glaring typo.

The best approach? Write a rough draft, then leave and come back to it later with fresh eyes to give it an edit.

Cover the basics: Is your contact information correct and updated? Are you using the right verb tenses? Does everything look consistent and accurate in terms of spelling and grammar?

Then do some cutting if your resume’s quite long. It’s no longer a hard-and-fast rule that all resumes must be only one page—but consider it a smart guideline for most applicants, especially if you've got less than 10 years work experience. The exception is if you’re very senior or very established in your career; in this scenario, a two-page resume isn’t completely out of the question. Everyone else, read this article for advice on how to cut your resume down.

Formatting-wise, it’s key to consider a couple things. First, what font are you using , and is it legible (for a human and a robot)? When in doubt, go with one of these simple, but sleek, options: Arial, Arial Narrow, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, or Helvetica.

Second, are you going to save it as a Word document or PDF ? Neither option is wrong, although a PDF helps ensure that your formatting is maintained, no matter what type of computer the hiring manager uses to open the document.

Third, is your resume formatted in a way that it’s skimmable? If it’s feeling crowded or overrun with words, read this: 12 Tiny Changes That Make Your Resume Easy for Recruiters to Skim .

Once you’ve given it a few good looks, it may be worth sending it to a friend or colleague (or even a career coach ) to get a second opinion. Don’t just have them edit it for spelling and grammar—they should dig into your bullets and offer feedback on whether or not your resume is showing you in the best possible light (it’s smart to also send them the job description for something to compare it to).

Here’s the thing: Your resume won’t ever look exactly like someone else’s, nor should it. How you choose to format it, organize your information, and talk about specific experiences depends not just on your career path, but on your field, the job you’re applying for, the company that job is at, and more.

So there isn’t a universal way to do a resume. But there are common themes. To give you some context as to how yours might turn out, here are three examples of different kinds of resumes.

The Most Popular: A Reverse Chronological Resume

As previously mentioned, a reverse chronological resume is preferred by many coaches and HR experts, mainly because it’s super readable. When everything’s in a clear order, it’s easy to skim and even easier to draw lines between experiences.

Who it’s good for: Just about everyone—from students applying to internships all the way up to senior-level executives (with an optional resume summary statement)

Download an Example Chronological Resume for a Software Engineer

The Unorthodox Route: A Functional or Skills-Based Resume

Rather than listing out your experience in reverse chronological order, a functional or skills-based resume has bullet points that reflect how each of your skills is demonstrated by the work you’ve done over the course of your career. At the bottom, you’ll include everything else, such as your education, job history, professional achievements, community involvement, and other technical skills. This is a good option if you have a somewhat all-over-the-place work history and want to tie everything together neatly.

Who it’s good for: Career changers whose work experiences may not appear to be relevant and people with an abundance of temporary jobs or gaps in their work histories.

Download an Example Functional Resume for a Project Manager

The Creative Angle: An Infographic Resume or Resume Website

This resume type is characterized by how it’s formatted visually. You may choose a reverse chronological order or skills-based style to organize your information, but also use graphics, colors, unique fonts, and even multimedia elements to help that information pop. Keep in mind that any creative resume is still likely subject to an ATS—and certain elements may be unreadable by a robot. So consider going this route only if you know a human will be reading your resume (and that said human might enjoy it).

Who it’s good for: People applying to creative roles (designers, editors, writers, marketers, video producers, for example), startups, or fun companies, or to jobs where a creative resume is encouraged, if not required.

Download an Example Infographic Resume for a Designer

Not a designer but want your resume to look just as pretty as this example? Check out these articles:

• 5 Sites to Create an Awesome Infographic Resume (Even if You’re the Least Creative Person Ever)
• How to Build a Resume Website That Will Impress Every Hiring Manager Who Sees It
• 5 Digital Tools That Will Make Your Resume Infinitely More Beautiful

Your resume is a living, breathing document. So while you won’t go through this whole process every time you apply for a job, you should be thinking about all these things as you go to update your resume for your next career step. You might decide later on to switch up the order, or remove or add things, or even get creative and try out a whole new format. If you’re not getting the calls back you expect, you may decide to scrap it and start over —and that’s totally OK.

Regardless of where this piece of paper goes and how it grows, when you give it the care and attention it deserves, you set yourself up for success. And you’ll make it that much more likely that you’ll land an interview and get the chance to prove to the hiring manager—over the phone or in person—what you’ve got to offer.

More From Forbes

20 interview tips to get yourself on the shortlist for a job.

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Your application made it past the applicant tracking software and you've landed an interview for your dream job. Now you just need to make a lasting impression and stand out as one of the top candidates for the role.

In today's crowded job market, this can be easier said than done. To help, 20 Forbes Human Resources Council members offer their best tips for nailing a job interview. From showcasing your unique potential impact to mastering the art of storytelling, these strategies will put you on the hiring manager's shortlist.

1. Understand What You Bring To The Table

Understanding who you are as a candidate and what you bring to the table is critical. Knowing your potential, particularly around skills and aspirations that might not be immediately obvious from your resume, is one way to capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. Come to the interview ready to present your whole self. - Caitlin MacGregor , Plum

2. Show Your Understanding Of Company's Long-Term Plans

Go beyond the company’s website and recent news. Review its long-term strategic plans, annual reports and industry forecasts to understand where the company aims to be in five to 10 years. Initiate discussions about its vision and how you can contribute. Ask insightful questions demonstrating your understanding of the company's strategic direction and express genuine interest in being part of its journey. - Katrina Jones

3. Use Specific Examples Of Relevant Skills And Experiences

To stand out in a crowded job market, candidates must thoroughly research the company and the role. By showcasing specific examples of their skills and experiences that align with the job requirements, candidates demonstrate their genuine interest and suitability for the position. This sets them apart and also increases their chances of being shortlisted. - Kshitij Jain , Joveo

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Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, 4. demonstrate your enthusiasm and passion.

Candidates looking to stand out should demonstrate their enthusiasm and passion for the role, industry and specific company. Seeing this energy and excitement can be the make-or-break factor for many hiring managers who seek employees they know will integrate well into the business and align with its values. Do your research and be prepared to answer questions about why you've applied. - Alex Gillespie , Gillespie Manners

5. Utilize The STAR Method To Talk About Your Accomplishments

One way to help stand out in the job interview process is to have a compelling story. A common framework for developing your stories is the STAR method (situation, task, action, result). Doing so both organizes and emphasizes your professional accomplishments in a meaningful way. Once you've compiled your stories, you can then share those that most align with the job for which you are interviewing - Dr. Timothy J. Giardino

Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?

6. Show Interest During The Process

For candidates to stand out in the interview process, they need to: 1. Show their interest throughout the process by engagement, enthusiasm and advanced preparation of the role and company; 2. Take the time to follow up with the TA or hiring manager to express their interest and excitement for the opportunity, and convey how they can use their experiences to contribute to the company and team's success. - Janet Vardeman , Avanade

7. Demonstrate How You Could Positively Impact The Organization

Being able to demonstrate how what you will do in this role can have a positive impact on the broader strategic aims of the organization will be a huge advantage. For example, how could you deliver this role effectively to have a positive impact on their wider sustainability aspirations? How could you embed their ethos of equity, diversity and inclusion into your outputs and results? - Charlotte Sweeney OBE , Charlotte Sweeney Associates (CSA)

8. Highlight Your Soft Skills

To stand out, showcase your soft skills. In addition to technical abilities, soft skills like communication, teamwork and adaptability are crucial. A LinkedIn report found that 92% of talent professionals and hiring managers agree that candidates with strong soft skills are increasingly important in today's job market. - CJ Eason , JobFairGiant.com

9. Research The Company Thoroughly, Then Articulate Your Value Proposition

Potential candidates can stand out by thoroughly researching the company and tailoring their responses to align with the organization's values, strategic plans, goals, challenges and so on. Candidates should articulate their unique value proposition by highlighting relevant skills, experiences and accomplishments that directly relate to the job description and company's mission. - Vinamre Gupta , Moody's Corporation

10. Tailor Both Your Resume And Cover Letter

Tailor both your resume and cover letter to the position. That means reading through the core skills listed on the job post and highlighting the experiences that support your ability to perform the role. A tailored resume can also make a highly positive impression on a recruiter by signaling your interest in the role. - Niki Jorgensen , Insperity

11. Relate Your Skills To The Job

Candidates need to read job postings to see how their skills and knowledge relate to the needs of the company. This way, it can be highlighted on their resumes and cover letters (if applicable) and can be readily discussed during interviews. Finding the right resume keywords is important due to AI and programs reviewing resumes as well. - Erin ImHof , CertiK

12. Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Standing out in an interview often means showcasing soft skills such as resilience, problem-solving, a growth mindset and communication through real-life examples of past achievements that align with the company's goals. Candidates can also make a strong impression by preparing thoughtful questions that demonstrate their knowledge about the company’s culture and recent developments. - Tia Smith , Cognizant

13. Ensure Your Social Media Profiles Are Up-To-Date

Ensure that your LinkedIn and other professional social media profiles are up-to-date and reflect your professional persona. Include endorsements, publications, projects and other professional achievements that can verify your capabilities and fit. - Britton Bloch , Navy Federal

14. Submit Personalized Applications And Display Initiatives Throughout

Candidates can stand out by demonstrating unique soft skills, relevant personal projects and a strong understanding of the company’s challenges and industry trends. Submitting personalized job applications tailored to each position and displaying initiative throughout the hiring process are key strategies to make the shortlist. - Laura Spawn , Virtual Vocations, Inc.

15. Remember To Be Yourself

Be yourself. Nobody can do that as well as you. And the more you are yourself, the more you will stand out. Many will do the research and ask thoughtful questions, but only you can be you, and that has to be your secret sauce for success! - Dr. Lisa Toppin , Input to Action

16. Leverage The Recruiter Connection For Insights

I say lean on recruiters to be the resources that they are. Ask good questions from the beginning to see what hiring managers are looking for and ways you can showcase your skills to be a more appealing candidate. Clarify any take-home assignments. Leverage that recruiter connection as a major insight into the hiring process. - Ursula Mead , InHerSight

17. Use Real Examples Over Hypotheticals

Create bespoke examples tailored to the role and the organization. Candidates can stand out by doing homework; however, that homework should translate into ensuring that answers and examples are as bespoke to the hiring organization as possible. It is far more engaging and helpful to have conversations about real examples instead of strictly operating in the diaspora of hypotheticals. - Jon Lowe , DailyPay

18. Showcase A Genuine Passion For The Company's Mission

Be the "why" candidate. Research the company and showcase a genuine passion for its mission. Practice common interview questions for the role. Be the "why" candidate. Research the company and showcase a genuine passion for its mission. Practice common interview questions for the role. Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to highlight relevant skills and experiences. Ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest. Follow up with a personalized thank you note reiterating your interest and key qualifications. - Subhash Chandar , Laminaar Aviation Infotech Group

19. Demonstrate Tangible Impacts You've Had In Previous Roles

In today's competitive job market, candidates can stand out by demonstrating tangible impacts they've had in previous roles, tailored specifically to the challenges and opportunities of the hiring company. Effective storytelling in interviews, showcasing problem-solving skills and aligning with the company's values resonates with hiring managers. - William Stonehouse , Crawford Thomas Recruiting

20. Position Yourself As An Asset And Use Company Buzzwords

Become an interview strategist. Speak their language; research the company and its competitors. Use their buzzwords to show you understand their goals. Quantify your impact; don't just list skills. Use numbers and examples to showcase results (e.g., increased sales by 20%). Be a strategic weapon; explain how your personal brand beats the competition. This positions you as an asset, not just a candidate. - Michael D. Brown , Global Recruiters of Buckhead

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Resume writing - Interview Preparation by Crescendo Global

over 1 year ago

by Crescendo Global

Your job application’s success is determined by one thing only: How strong is your resume?

You might have achieved a ton of accolades in your career, however, portraying them in the right manner is the key. Understand how your experience can be beneficial for the role and what skills to highlight. 

Points to be noted for writing a resume: 

1. Total years of experience 

2. Add relevant years of experience in the skills 

3. Use the right keywords 

4. Chronological order 

5. Duration should be in years 

6. Projects worked in 

7. Stakeholders and Clients 

8. Additional responsibilities 

9. Highlight industry/ domain exposure 

10. Customize your CV according to the job description 

11. Highlight Key Skills in a separate column 

12. Updated contact details 

13. Resume should not be longer than 2 pages 

14. Check formatting and grammatical errors

 Highlighting the right skill sets and using the right keywords makes it easier for your application to get selected. Here are 5 ideal resume formats to use (coming in straight from our recruiters)- Click here to download

About Crescendo Global

At Crescendo Global , we help people & organizations find a common purpose. We specialize in Senior level and Leadership hiring for our clients across India. We have built a culture of people passionate about changing other people’s lives. We focus on employee growth & learning and believe in the power of teamwork to do great things. Here, you have the opportunity to have a greater influence than many individuals do in their lifetime. Crescendo Global takes pride in uniting people through celebrations.

Our Useful Links –

Homepage - https://www.crescendo-global.com/

Job Pages - https://www.crescendo-global.com/jobs

Blog Page - https://www.crescendo-global.com/blog

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US!

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/crescendo-global

Twitter - https://twitter.com/CrescendoIndia

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/crescendoglobal/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CrescendoGlobal

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How to Get an Big Data Engineer Internship in 7 Steps

A Big Data Engineer designs and manages systems that handle large volumes of data. This role is vital in industries like Tech, Finance, and Healthcare , where data-driven decision-making is key. Big data engineers ensure data is collected, stored, and processed efficiently. An internship in this field provides practical experience and deepens your understanding of data systems. It also opens doors to full-time roles and career advancement.

How to Get an Internship as a Big Data Engineer

This article will cover developing relevant skills, creating a strong resume, building a portfolio, networking with professionals, applying to internships, and preparing for interviews.

Table of Content

Step by Step guide to get Internship On Big Data

Step 1: build your foundation, step 2: develop relevant skills, step 3: gain hands-on practice, step 4: create a strong resume, step 5: network with professionals, step 6: apply to internships, step 7: prepare for interviews.

Securing an internship in big data can be a great way to gain hands-on experience in a rapidly growing field. Here’s a structured guide with steps and tips to help you land that internship:

• Educational Background: Ensure you have a strong understanding of computer science fundamentals, statistics, and mathematics.
• Relevant Courses: Take courses in data science, machine learning, databases, and programming languages like Python, R, Java, or Scala.

To secure an internship as a big data engineer, you need a robust set of technical skills. Start by mastering programming languages such as Python , Java , and Scala , which are essential for handling big data. Familiarity with big data frameworks like Hadoop and Spark is also crucial. Understanding database technologies, including SQL and NoSQL, is necessary for managing large datasets effectively. Online courses and certifications can help you gain these skills and make you a strong candidate for internships.

Key skills to develop include:

• Programming Languages: Focus on Python, Java, and Scala, which are widely used in big data. These languages are fundamental for developing and maintaining big data applications.
• Big Data Frameworks: Gain hands-on experience with Hadoop and Spark to manage and process large datasets. These frameworks are essential for distributed data processing and analysis.
• Database Technologies: Learn SQL for relational databases and NoSQL for non-relational databases like MongoDB and Cassandra. Understanding both types of databases is crucial for handling various data storage needs.
• Data Processing Tools: Familiarise yourself with tools like Apache Kafka for real-time data processing and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tools for data integration. These tools are essential for managing data flows and ensuring data quality.
• Cloud Platforms: Understand how to use cloud services like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for big data storage and processing. Cloud platforms provide scalable and flexible resources for handling large volumes of data.
• Projects: Start personal or open-source projects that involve data analysis, processing, and visualization. Kaggle competitions are a great way to practice and showcase your skills.
• Hackathons: Participate in hackathons related to data science and big data to enhance your problem-solving skills

A well-crafted resume is essential for showcasing your qualifications and experiences. Your resume should highlight your educational background, relevant coursework, and any practical experience in big data. Ensure that your resume is well-organised, easy to read, and free of errors. Using a professional format and including relevant keywords can help your resume stand out.

To make your resume compelling, include the following sections:

• Contact Information: Ensure your name, phone number, and email address are easily accessible. Include a link to your LinkedIn profile or GitHub repository if applicable.
• Objective Statement: Write a brief statement summarising your career goals and what you aim to achieve in the internship. This helps employers quickly understand your aspirations and suitability for the role.
• Education: List your academic qualifications, starting with the most recent. Include the name of the institution, degree obtained, and graduation date.
• Experience: Detail any internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work related to big data or data engineering. Highlight your responsibilities and achievements in each role, using action verbs and quantifiable results where possible.
• Skills: Include a section dedicated to your technical and soft skills. Focus on those relevant to a big data engineer role, such as programming languages, big data frameworks, and database technologies.
• Certifications and Training: Mention any additional certifications or training programs you have completed. This could include courses on big data, data science, or specific software tools.
• Projects: Describe any independent or academic projects where you applied your big data skills. Provide details on the objectives, methodologies, and outcomes of these projects to showcase your practical experience.

Networking with professionals is vital for securing a big data engineer internship. Building connections can open doors to opportunities and provide valuable industry insights. Start by attending industry events, joining relevant online communities, and participating in workshops. Networking helps you learn from experienced professionals and stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in big data.

To effectively network with professionals, consider the following strategies :

• Attend Industry Events: Participate in conferences, meetups, and seminars related to big data. These events offer opportunities to meet professionals, learn about industry developments, and share your own insights.
• Join Online Communities: Engage with online forums and social media groups focused on big data. Platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, and Kaggle host active communities where you can connect with industry experts.
• Informational Interviews: Reach out to big data professionals for informational interviews. Ask them about their career paths, daily responsibilities, and advice for entering the field. This can provide valuable insights and help you build connections.
• University Alumni Networks: Connect with alumni from your university who are working in big data. Alumni can offer guidance, mentorship, and potentially refer you to job opportunities within their companies.
• Participate in Workshops and Hackathons : Join workshops and hackathons to hone your skills and network with peers and industry professionals. These events provide hands-on experience and opportunities to collaborate with others in the field.
• Utilise LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals, follow companies, and join groups related to big data. Engage with posts, share your own content, and participate in discussions to build your online presence.

Applying to internships is a critical step in securing a position as a big data engineer. It requires careful preparation and strategic effort to ensure your application stands out. Start by identifying companies that offer big data internships and researching each one thoroughly. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight the skills and experiences that match the job description. Applying to a wide range of internships can increase your chances of success. It is also important to follow up on your applications to show your enthusiasm and interest.

To effectively apply to internships, consider the following steps:

• Research Companies: Identify companies with big data internship programs. Look into their business model, products, and company culture to ensure a good fit. In India, companies like TCS, Wipro, and Infosys offer relevant internships.
• Tailor Your Application: Customize your resume and cover letter for each internship. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description. Use keywords from the job listing to pass through applicant tracking systems.
• Utilise Job Boards: Use job search platforms such as Naukri, LinkedIn, and Internshala. These sites often have a wide range of internship listings and allow you to set up job alerts.
• University Career Centres: Take advantage of your university’s career centre resources. They often have exclusive listings and can provide guidance on your application materials. Institutes like IITs and NITs frequently have connections with top companies.
• Networking Contacts: Leverage your professional network for referrals and recommendations. Connections within a company can improve your chances of landing an interview. Reach out to alumni or professionals you met at industry events.
• Follow Up: After submitting your application, follow up with the hiring manager. A polite email expressing your continued interest can keep your application top of mind.

Preparing for interviews is a crucial step in securing a big data engineer internship. It involves understanding the company, practicing common interview questions, and showcasing your skills effectively. Practicing your responses to common interview questions can boost your confidence. Additionally, being able to discuss your resume and portfolio in detail is essential for making a positive impression.

To prepare effectively for interviews, consider the following steps:

• Research the Company: Understand the company’s mission, values, products, and services. Knowing recent news or developments about the company can also be beneficial. This demonstrates your genuine interest and helps tailor your answers to align with the company’s goals.
• Practice Common Questions: Prepare answers for common interview questions like “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want this internship?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Practicing these responses can help you communicate more clearly and confidently.
• Showcase Your Skills: Be ready to discuss your resume and portfolio in detail. Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you have applied your skills in previous roles or projects.
• Mock Interviews: Conduct mock interviews with friends, family, or mentors. This can help you get used to the interview format and receive constructive feedback. Mock interviews can also reduce anxiety by familiarising you with the interview process.
• Prepare Technical Questions: Review common technical questions related to big data, such as algorithm explanations and coding challenges. Practice solving problems on platforms like GeeksforGeeks, LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills.

Additional Tips

• Stay Current: The field of big data evolves rapidly, so keep learning about the latest trends, tools, and technologies.
• Soft Skills: Work on communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Big data projects often require collaboration across different teams.
• Internship Goals: Set clear goals for what you want to achieve during your internship. Whether it’s learning new technologies, working on a specific project, or gaining industry experience, having goals can help you stay focused.

Securing a big data engineer internship requires preparation and strategic effort. Focus on developing relevant skills and creating a strong resume. Build a compelling portfolio to showcase your abilities. Network with professionals to open doors to opportunities. Apply strategically and prepare thoroughly for interviews. Following these steps will help you land an internship and start your career in big data.

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Election latest: PM insists UK is better off than in 2010 - as Farage says he 'doesn't want to know racists'

Rishi Sunak says Labour would cause "irreversible damage within just 100 days of coming to power" led by Sir Keir Starmer. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage faced questions from Trevor Phillips on racist comments made by a Reform canvasser.

Sunday 30 June 2024 12:20, UK

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Hats in support of Donald Trump and Union Flag jackets were spotted at the Reform UK rally at the NEC in Birmingham this afternoon.

Dozens of people have gathered to watch Reform UK leader Nigel Farage address the major campaign event, bidding for votes ahead of Thursday's election.

A group of students from the Warwick University Conservatives Association have been condemned for an "utterly abhorrent" video in which they sing a Nazi marching song.

The clip, taken at a chairman's dinner at the Warwick Conservatives Association two weeks ago, shows members singing "Erika" - a song used by the SS and the armed forces of Nazi Germany.

In a statement, the Union of Jewish Students condemned a "blatant and unchallenged support for Nazism".

It said: "The blatant and unchallenged support for Nazism at the Warwick Conservatives Association 'chairman's dinner' is utterly abhorrent. 

"Glorification of the Nazis has no place in our society, especially on campus. It is in no way acceptable and must be widely condemned. 

"We expect swift and decisive action from the University of Warwick and the Conservative Party. 

"Actions must have consequences.”

Additionally, a spokesperson for Warwick University said: "We have been made aware of this video and the allegations surrounding it, which are extremely troubling.

"Behaviour like this is reprehensible and we are disappointed to see our students involved.

“The University is reviewing the material disclosed to us via our reporting service and has notified the Student's Union. 

"We have requested a meeting with the Jewish Society (Jsoc) to assist with our review.”

Our live poll tracker collates the results of opinion surveys carried out by all the main polling organisations - and allows you to see how the political parties are performing in the run-up to the general election.

With under a week to go, the Tories and Labour have taken a drop, while support for Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats is on the rise.

Read more about the tracker  here .

Pledges and promises are coming thick and fast from every party as the general election approaches. 

Struggling to keep up with who is saying what?

Here is a summary of where the main parties stand on major issues.

For a more in-depth look at what each party has pledged, scour our  manifesto checker ...

A speech by Nigel Farage was interrupted by a banner showing a smirking Vladimir Putin with the caption "I [heart emoji] Nigel".

Campaign group Led By Donkeys carried out the stunt as the Reform UK leader spoke on stage at the Columbine Centre in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex.

Footage posted on social media showed the banner slowly descending from the ceiling showing the Russian president with his thumb up.

Upon seeing the banner, Mr Farage - the Reform UK candidate for Clacton - said: "Who put that up there? Someone at the Columbine Centre needs to get the sack."

It comes after Mr Farage received widespread criticism for claiming earlier this month that the West and NATO "provoked" Russia's war on Ukraine.

Watch below...

Rishi Sunak was asked if it was a mistake for him to say at the start of the campaign that he has respect for Nigel Farage.

It comes in the wake of controversy over racist comments about Mr Sunak made by a man alleging to be a Reform UK canvasser.

Mr Farage, the leader of Reform UK, claims he is an actor.

Asked about his respect for the politician, Mr Sunak says there are views of his "that he's been right to highlight".

"Where I agree with someone's policies, I'll happily say that."

However, Mr Sunak says again that the racist remarks made about him were "wrong".

"I was keen to call it out."

The prime minister is also asked: "When was the last time you were wrong?"

He jokes: "If you talk to my wife and daughters they would say on a regular basis."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has today insisted that the UK is now a better place to live in than it was when the Conservatives took office in 2010.

He told the BBC: "It's a better place to live than it was in 2010.

"Of course I understand that the last few years have been difficult for everyone."

He cited the pandemic and the war in Ukraine driving up energy bills, insisting "we are now on the right track".

It was put to him that the country has become poorer by many measures since 2010, and public services are worse.

"I just don't accept that," Mr Sunak replied, citing education and saying "our schoolchildren are now the best readers in the Western world".

Former spokesperson for Tony Blair, Alistair Campbell, has speculated that "next week PR [proportional representation] will be on the agenda". 

"Because if you have Labour getting a massive majority with fewer votes than [Jeremy] Corbyn, Lib Dems doing really well with fewer votes and Charles Kennedy, Nick Clegg, and Reform getting millions of votes but a few seats, people are going to go, 'oh, hold on a minute'," he says.

The UK has a first-past-the-post system, where the candidate who gets the most votes in a constituency wins - no matter the size of their vote percentage. 

Proportional representation is a type of system in which the number of seats a party wins more closely corresponds with the percentage of the vote it won. 

Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips has finished now, but we'll be continuing with our live politics coverage here.

John Swinney also indicated his party would continue to press for a second referendum on Scottish independence even if they faced significant electoral losses.

"The issues that people are concerned about in Scotland today - the cost of living crisis, the cuts in public services and our public spending, the implications of Brexit - these are all decisions that were arrived at [in] Westminster," he said. 

"If Scotland was an independent country, we could take a different course." 

Mr Swinney also said that the economic consequences of Brexit amounted to "a very significant change in circumstances that I believe alone merits the right of the people of Scotland to decide their own future". 

The SNP leader also acknowledged the party has had a "tough time" in recent months.

He said he "became first minister to essentially strengthen the party and to build a relationship with the electorate". 

"We are building that trust as a unified and cohesive political party and it's unified and cohesive political parties that win elections."

Next up with Trevor Phillips is John Swinney, the leader of the SNP.

Trevor begins by asking about the issue of postal ballots having not arrived before people in Scotland head off on their summer breaks.

School holidays have already started in large parts of Scotland.

Mr Swinney says this is a "serious issue".

"We've had significant reports of people who were planning to vote by post, who had applied properly for a postal vote before the deadline 19 June and those postal votes have not arrived with people.

"Some of them have now left the country, and they have been disenfranchised by the timing of the election, which is something I deeply regret."

The Scottish first minister says the situation is "illustrative" that there was "no thought" given to the fact the election would take place during Scottish school holidays.

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