how to write a strong resume

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

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

Start with a personal statement.

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

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

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

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

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

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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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How to Make a Resume: 2024 Resume Writing Guide

Learn how to identify important resume keywords, format your resume, and write each section in this comprehensive guide.

Your resume is a document that encompasses your entire professional journey, showing where you currently are in your career, how you got there, and where you hope to go next. Since it’s meant to be a concise brief—often condensed to just one page—that can feel like a lot of storytelling for a small space.

To make a resume that fully demonstrates your experiences and goals, it’s important to be strategic with the language, format, and sections you include. In general, there are three broad steps to making your resume:

Identifying keywords and important skills

Choosing a format

Writing each section

In this resume guide, we’ll offer tips and resources to ease you through the process.

Free resume templates

If you’re starting with a blank page, use these free customizable templates for a chronological resume or functional resume to make your resume in a Google Doc. Simply log into your Google account and select the ‘Make a copy’ prompt.

How to write a resume

The key to making an effective resume is keeping your audience in mind. First, consider who the people (and technologies) are that will be reading your resume.

When you’re applying for jobs online, often your first audience member will be an applicant tracking system (ATS) , which is a screening program that uses an algorithm to “read” incoming resumes and sort qualified candidates. After the ATS deems you qualified for a role, a human recruiter—your second audience member—will review your application materials and decide whether to invite you to interview.

Now that we’ve established your likely audience, let’s take a closer look at how to determine the information the ATS and human recruiters may be looking for and how they will best receive that information.

1. Identify keywords and important skills.

You can find a lot of information about a role directly from the job description. Within the listed responsibilities and qualifications, you can get a strong sense of the language and experience that a successful candidate will have on their resume.

As you read a job description, highlight the action words, keywords, and specific workplace and technical skills mentioned. It’s likely that the ATS is programmed to look for the same or similar language as that which appears in the job description, so this analysis can help shape the way you approach writing your resume.

Here are some resources that may help as you research your desired job:

Choosing action words and keywords  

84 Powerful Action Words to Enhance Your Resume

Resume Keywords: How to Find the Right Words to Beat the ATS

Identifying key job skills

What Are Job Skills and Why Do They Matter?

What Skills Should I Include on my Resume?

Transferable Skills: How to Use Them to Land Your Next Job

What Are Technical Skills?

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What’s the Difference?

7 High-Income Skills Worth Learning

Industry-specific job skills

13 Key Marketing Skills to Boost Your Resume

15 Essential Skills for Cybersecurity Analysts

7 In-Demand Data Analyst Skills to Get Hired

7 In-Demand IT Skills to Boost Your Resume

9 Essential Skills for UX Designers

11 Key Project Management Skills

2. Select a resume format.

When it comes to formatting, there are three common types of resumes—chronological, functional, and combination—along with several more specialized options. With your audience in mind, choose the format that best demonstrates how your experience aligns with your desired role’s job description.

If you’re applying for jobs online, ATS software is generally programmed to interpret chronological resumes. The software may still identify important keywords in alternative formats, but potentially less accurately.

If you’re unsure of the resume format you should choose, a chronological resume with standard 1-inch margins, black text, and a common font like Times New Roman or Arial is typically a safe choice.

For more on resume formats, check out these additional articles:

Types of resumes

Types of Resumes: Choosing the Right Format for Your Needs

Chronological Resume Guide: Template and Tips

Functional Resume Guide: Template and Tips

What Is a CV?

CV vs. Resume: What’s the Difference?

3. Write your resume sections.

Guided by your keyword list and format, you’re ready to start filling out your resume sections. You’ll typically want to include sections for your header, work experience, education, and skills, but there are optional sections you can add to amplify the story you want to tell.

Take a look through the below resources for more specific information about shaping each section:

Resume sections

How to Use Resume Sections to Shape Your Professional Story

How to Write a Resume Objective [+ Templates]

How to Write a Resume Summary [+ Examples]

How to Show Promotions on Your Resume: Guide + Examples

How to List Education on a Resume

When Should You Include Your GPA on Your Resume?

How to List Certifications on Your Resume: Guide + Examples

How to Feature and Format Key Skills on Your Resume

Resume checklist

At this point, you are almost ready to submit your resume. Before you do, let’s do one final check. Ask yourself:

Did I write my resume with my audience in mind?

Did I strategically select action words and keywords?

Have I clearly demonstrated my relevant skills and experience?

Are my margins set to 1-inch on all sides?

Is my font easy to read?

Did I include all of the key resume sections?

Did I edit for proper spelling and grammar?

If you can answer “yes” to all of these questions, save your resume as a PDF file with a title that includes your name and “resume.” Check that the file saved correctly, then prepare to submit your resume!

For any lingering questions, check out these additional tips and specific resume guides:

Additional tips and resources

How to Get Your First Job: A Guide

Job Search Guide: Resources for Your Next Career Move

16 Resume Tips to Help You Apply with Confidence

10 Ways to Enhance Your Resume

How to Add Your Resume to LinkedIn

Specific resume guides

How to Make a Resume for Your First Job (+ Template)

How to Write a Resume with No Experience: 5 Tips

How to Write a Standout Resume When You’re a Stay-at-Home Parent

7 Real UX Designer Resumes and a Template

Add a new credential to your resume with a Professional Certificate from industry leaders like Google, Meta, and IBM on Coursera. Learn key skills to prepare for entry-level roles in digital marketing, web development, data analytics, and more. Sign up for a free 7-day trial and start learning today.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How many pages should a resume be ‎.

Most people aim to fit their resume on one page. However, it’s becoming increasingly common for people with 10 to 15 years of experience to extend their resume to two pages. For professionals with more than 15 years of experience, a three-page resume may be acceptable.

Learn more: How Many Pages Should a Resume Be? Guide + Tips ‎

How far back should your resume go? ‎

Typically, the amount of time you include on your resume depends on your relevant job experience. You should include the experience you have that is relevant to the role you’re applying for. However, if you have 10 or more years of work experience, you may be able to shed some of those earlier experiences from your resume so that you can better highlight your advanced skill set.

Learn more: How Far Back Should Your Resume Go? ‎

Should you list references on a resume? ‎

It’s generally not recommended to list your references directly on your resume . Instead, use that space to highlight what makes you a great candidate. As you progress through the hiring process, the hiring manager or recruiter will request your references when they’re ready to contact them.

Learn more: How to List Resume References: Guide and Sample ‎

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

How to Write a Resume (Examples & Guide)

Our customers have been hired at: * Foot Note

Approximately 40% of hiring managers spend less than a minute reviewing a resume. 

To make a lasting impression, you’ll need an eye-catching document that effectively showcases your skills and qualifications.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to make a resume for a job, including:

How to write a resume in 10 steps

1. Gather relevant information.

2. Pick the best resume format.

3. Add your contact information. 

4. Write a resume summary.

5. Make the work history section.

6. Create the skills section. 

7. List your education.

8. Add relevant certifications. 

9. Include optional sections. 

10. Proofread the final product. 

We’ll detail each of the resume writing steps above and provide examples of how to write a resume for popular jobs and special circumstances.

Dive right in with a walkthrough of our  Resume Builder  to learn how to make a professional resume that wins interviews.

Video: Master Resume Building in 3 Minutes with MyPerfectResume

How to write a resume for a job

Chances are, if you write a compelling resume, you’ll be booked for interviews for every job you apply for. But what makes a good resume?

Keep reading! We’ve broken down the instructions for how to create a resume, step-by-step.

Gather your professional information

Preparation is key to writing a resume that stands out. We’ll cover what essential information you should gather before writing your resume to save time and put your best foot forward. 

To ensure a well-prepared resume, carefully examine your relevant qualifications and match them with the requirements of your desired job. 

Take the time to organize a comprehensive list that includes:

• Impressive measurable accomplishments from your previous positions that highlight your achievements and contributions.
• A complete inventory of your soft skills , hard skills and technical skills that match the skills outlined in the job description.
• Detailed information about your previous employers, including their names, dates of employment, locations, job titles and a clear outline of your responsibilities.
• Educational credentials, such as your college degree, certifications or licenses that demonstrate your expertise in specific areas.
• Any volunteer work where you gained skills and experience relevant to the role you are applying for. 
• Notable awards and honors you have received, which further validate your exceptional abilities and dedication.

Review these qualifications against the job description and note where there is a match. Writing a customized resume is a great way to impress employers and secure interviews.

Make me (the hiring manager ) believe your are interested in our job, not just any job. Specifically, try to use the language of the job posting in your resume. This will also make sure your application makes it past any automated screening software designed to toss out irrelevant applicants.  – CJ Johnson, veteran people manager for Silicon Valley startups and unicorns

By planning to include these matching qualifications in your resume, you set yourself up for success.

A compelling, tailored document that effectively highlights your qualifications increases your chances of securing your desired job.

Pick the best resume format for your needs

Now that you’ve prepared your information, it’s time to choose a resume format that effectively showcases your qualifications.

There are three standard formats. Each uses the same resume sections but organizes them differently, so choose one that works best for your work experience level and your professional goals. We’ve detailed each format below: 

Make a resume with My Perfect Resume

Our Resume builder can help you write the perfect resume. Start Now!

Add your contact information

One of the most important aspects of writing a resume is ensuring that your contact information is clearly displayed so that hiring managers can contact you for an interview.  

Check out the examples below to learn what contact information to include, where to place it and how to format it for maximum impact. 

You can also explore our library of 800+ resume examples to draw additional inspiration for ways to display your contact information.

Here’s what to include in your resume contact information: 

• Your full name.
• A reliable phone number.
• Your professional email address.
• Your city, state and ZIP code. 
• A link to your professional social media account, website or portfolio if you have them.

Here is a sample of how to write a resume header:

Kathy Backer | 555-555-5555 | Milwaukee, WI 53209

[email protected] | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-baker/

Write a compelling resume summary

A resume summary is a concise and impactful overview of a candidate’s qualifications, skills and career goals.

According to Simon Murray, co-founder and director of fleet safety and performance company Cameramatics, the best way to create a great resume is to “Craft a captivating professional summary that succinctly highlights your most valuable skills and accomplishments.” 

Murray emphasizes that a resume summary should “hook the reader and entice them to explore your resume further,” avoiding generic clichés while highlighting what sets you apart from other applicants.

Here is an example of a captivating resume summary:

If you are a first-time job seeker, changing careers or returning to work after a long absence, you should write a resume objective instead. 

It is important to note that in modern resume writing, a professional summary or profile section is preferred over a traditional resume objective statement.

If you choose to include an objective statement, ensure that you focus on the company’s needs rather than those of your own. Here’s an example:

The bottom line: Whether you use a resume summary or a resume objective, make it compelling, concise and clear.

Make a resume work history section

Potential employers want to know what they can gain by hiring you, so they will review your resume work history section to see how you have used your skills and knowledge to make an impact on current and previous employers.

For each job, display three to five work accomplishments in bullet points and quantify them when possible. A 2018 survey conducted on behalf of CareerBuilder found that 34% of hiring managers identified a lack of quantifiable results in a resume as an instant deal breaker. 

When you include quantifiable achievements in your resume, employers get a tangible idea of how you’ve positively contributed to the organization or company in past roles. 

For example, a teacher might write: “35% of the senior class improved end-of-semester test scores by 25% within three months.” 

Format this resume section by listing jobs in reverse-chronological order, with the current or latest position at the top. Include your title, the company name and location, the dates of employment and bullet points with your top achievements and responsibilities. For example:

Secretary | BCforward – Milwaukee, WI | 08/2015 – Current

• Conducted thorough research using diverse resources to assist professional staff with routine and special project tasks.
• Provided clerical support to 200 company employees by copying, faxing and filing documents
• Produced accurate office files, updated spreadsheets and crafted presentations to support executives and boost team efficiency

Use action verbs like “Spearheaded project X” or “Oversaw process Y” for impactful resume job history statements.

Resume Action Verbs

• Accelerated
• Administered
• Established
• Coordinated
• Revitalized
• Facilitated

Create a resume skills section to highlight your strengths

When writing a resume, you must include at least one bulleted list of skills, no matter what resume format you use. Include a mix of hard skills and soft skills to show recruiters that you are well-rounded.

When thinking about what to put on a resume skills section , aim for an average of six to eight of your top strengths, as long as they are relevant to the job you want. 

If you are changing careers or applying for your first job without work experience, focus on transferable skills like communication and critical thinking, which can apply to almost any job.

If you are applying for your first job or changing careers, focus on transferable skills like communication and critical thinking, which can apply to almost any job.

List your education accurately

An important step in learning how to write a good resume for a job is learning how to list your education credentials. Here’s what goes on a resume education section:

• If you did not attend college, display your high school diploma or GED. 
• If you attended college or graduate school but did not complete a degree, then add the name(s) of the schools you attended and your courses of study.
• Add your anticipated date of graduation, if you have one. You don’t need to include the graduation year if you graduated more than 10 years ago. 

Every resume education section should include the following information:

• The name of your university, community college or school. Only include high school if you’re a high school student or didn’t attend university.
• Location of the school: Write the city and state.
• The month and year you graduated. If you still haven’t graduated, then write the expected graduation date.
• The type of degree you received or expect to receive and the program. For example, a “Bachelor of Science in Nursing” or a “Bachelor of Arts in English.”

For example:

Columbia University, New York, NY May 2014 Bachelor of Science in Social Work

You may also include:

• Your GPA if it is higher than 3.5, and you just graduated college, or it’s required. Otherwise, you shouldn’t add it.
• Relevant coursework. If you have not graduated or have recently graduated but don’t have work experience, then add a bulleted list of relevant coursework you’ve completed.
• Honors, scholarships and awards such as Dean’s List or Rhodes Scholarship if they were recent. Always provide the full name of the award and the year you received it.

Add relevant certifications, licenses and training

Some jobs, like nursing , accounting and teaching , require candidates to have certifications and licenses. Some job seekers go the extra mile and get additional training or certificates to establish their expertise in their chosen fields.

When making a resume, create a separate resume section for certifications, licenses or professional training you have completed.

Here’s how to make a good resume certifications section for any additional training. 

Directly below your education section, list:

• The title of the certification, course or license.
• Name of the certifying agency or body.
• The date you obtained each certificate. 
• The expiration date of your certificate (if applicable). If you have not yet finished the course, write “In Progress” with the expected date of completion.

Consider the examples below when writing your resume. 

How to write a resume certifications section

Example of current certification:

Lifeguard Certification

American Red Cross, June 2021

Expires: June 2023

Example of “in progress” certification:

First Aid Training (In Progress)

American Red Cross

Expected date of completion: Feb 2024

How to write a resume licenses section

Beauty Operator License

Board of Barbering & Cosmetology

Expires: 2024

Registered Nurse – License #000000

California Board of Registered Nursing

Include optional resume sections if you have them

How do you make a strong resume? Effective resume writing is more than just making sure you have all the basics. Add optional sections, like volunteer work, awards, honors and publications.

If you have published work or have received relevant awards that will help you further highlight your accomplishments, then you should include them — they won’t hurt your chances but help you stand out. 

Only create a separate section for awards, honors, publications or volunteer work if you cannot tie them into other sections of your resume.

• If the award, honor or publication is tied to your degree, you can include it as a bullet point in your education section below the university or high school name.
• You can include it in your work history section as a bullet point if it’s relevant to a specific job.
• If you have the space, create a separate section for awards, honors or publications under your education section. List them as bullet points in reverse-chronological order with the year you received or published them. 

Volunteer work can add value to a resume because it shows that you are willing to help others and have passions outside of work. These traits are impressive to employers and can help you stand out from candidates who do not have volunteer experience. 

Volunteer experience is generally included in a separate section towards the bottom of your resume. Including volunteer experience in a separate section ensures that the focus of your resume is on relevant work experience. 

Format this section the same way you formatted your work history section, with a clear heading (“Volunteer Experience”) and your volunteer position titles with a few bullet points describing your responsibilities. 

However, if you have minimal or no professional experience, you might consider adding relevant volunteer experience to your work history section. Make sure to include “volunteer” in the job title for clarity (i.e., “Volunteer Program Manager”). 

Be highly selective when adding resume sections for optional qualifications. You only have so much space on a one-to-two-page document and everything you add must count!

Below your education section (or certifications section if you have one), write the name of the optional credential followed by one to five bullet points listing the names of the certificates followed by the dates earned or published.

Example of how to format the volunteer experience section on your resume

Volunteer Experience

Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer Builder, 2018-present

• Worked on construction projects to build and repair homes for low-income families.
• Collaborated with a team of volunteers and Habitat staff to complete projects on time and within budget.

American Red Cross, Volunteer Blood Donor Ambassador, 2017-2018

• Assisted with blood drives by welcoming donors, registering them, and providing information about the donation process.
• Helped to ensure a positive donor experience and encouraged repeat donations.

Example of how to make a resume awards section

• George Polk Award for National Reporting (2020)
• Conscience-in-Media Award (2018)
• Clio Awards (2016)

Example of how to create a resume honors section

• Alliance Pipeline Sports Scholarship (2018-2021)
• Pi Sigma Alpha honor society member (2017-2021)

Example of how to write a resume publications section

Publications

• “The Unidentified Bands and Atomic Hydrogen,” Astronomy & Physics, Vol. 650, March 2020.
• “Make the Sun,” Nature Astronomy, 860-862, November 2019
• “The Duality of Black Holes,” Astronomy Now, Vol. 20, June 2019

Proofread, check your formatting and save your final product

Typos and grammatical errors are the most common resume-writing mistakes — and a deal-breaker for about 80% of hiring managers. When making a resume, reread it thoroughly to ensure that you’ve written everything perfectly and that all your dates and company names are correct.

Our Resume Builder has a helpful spell-checking tool that scans your document and lets you know of any mistakes.

Formatting errors are also a big turnoff for hiring managers. You can make a resume easy for them to read by following these simple formatting resume tips:

• Keep it short. A one-page resume is sufficient unless you have more than 10 years of work experience and need the extra room. In that case, it is acceptable for your resume to be two or three pages long.
• Set margins to 1 inch on all sides of your document. If you need to fit additional content onto the page, you can reduce the margins to as little as half of an inch.
• Use appropriate resume fonts , like Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica.
• Stick to a font size between 10-12 points for the body and 14-16 points for the headers.
• Choose between single to 1.5-point line spacing.
• Save your resume as a PDF or DOCX file. Sometimes employers specify in the job description which file type to use; always follow their directions. PDF is a great option if they don’t specify a file format.
• Your resume file name matters! We recommend this formula: “[Your First Name]_[Your Last Name]_[Resume].pdf.” You might consider incorporating the company name or job title into the file name for specificity and to keep your files organized.

And that sums up how to write a professional resume. When you finish downloading your document, it should look like the example below.

How to make a resume free and fast

Start your resume on the right track with a professional resume template. Our expertly designed templates organize your job credentials correctly in all three standard resume formats and they meet the latest applicant tracking system (ATS) requirements. 

Use a professional resume template with our Resume Builder to build a resume in minutes. You can also upload your existing resume to instantly reformat it to one of our templates. 

Our Resume Builder makes it easy to make a resume quickly and easily with the following features:

• Job-specific phrases and skills: No matter the job you’re applying for, we provide the best words to help showcase your job qualifications. 
• Step-by-step guidance: Get expert advice at every step to help you present your best self and get the job. 
• ATS resume checker: Our ATS resume checker scans your resume for common errors and provides personalized feedback on optimizing your resume.
• Easy customization: Write a cover letter for every job application and save as many versions of it as you need. Use our cover letter templates for a matching resume and cover.
• Multiple download formats: Save and export your resume as an Adobe PDF (.pdf), MS Word Doc (.docx) or Plain Text (.txt) file.

Effective resume examples by job title and circumstance

Choose an example to guide you through creating a resume that impresses hiring managers, then use our builder to customize it for your target job.

Examples of how to write a resume for popular jobs

Explore professionally made resume examples to help you learn how to make a resume for a job in almost any industry.

Here are the top 15:

• Data entry clerk
• Entertainment director
• Massage therapist
• Nursing aide
• Operations manager
• Outside-sales representative
• Payroll specialist
• Personal trainer
• Receptionist
• Registered nurse

Samples of how to write a resume for special circumstances

Example of a resume for someone with no work experience

Career change resume sample

Employment gap resume example

Searching for remote jobs? Our sister company, FlexJobs, updates listings daily. Find verified remote jobs—from remote transcription jobs to remote nursing jobs , and everything in between. And, if you’re considering an opportunity in the Great White North, check out how to write a Canadian resume .

Expert resume-writing tips to help you land the job

How do you make a resume that gets past ATS software and wins the hearts of hiring managers? Follow these simple tips for success! Want more tips and tricks from career advice experts? Read about what to put on a resume to get hired fast.

• Create a resume for every job application and customize it for your target job. The best way to do this is to use resume keywords or phrases in the job description and adjust your work experience, skills and summary or objective to the potential employer’s needs. 
• Find time to dedicate solely to your resume. Writing a resume is pretty straightforward, but it takes time and focused effort to make a resume for each job that rises above the competition. 
• Write and don’t stop to correct your resume along the way. When you get it all down, step away for a few hours and return to it with fresh eyes to refine your resume writing. 
• Include only relevant experience in your work history section and required skills that you know are relevant to the job at hand.
• Include up to 10 years of work experience for any job you target. See U.S. resume format best practices for additional guidance from career advice experts. 

Create a matching cover letter 

Nice work! You’ve followed all of our advice on how to write a proper resume. So now you have a great resume and you’re ready to apply for your dream job. Not so fast!

You need more than the perfect resume to get an interview. Your job application isn’t complete without a compelling cover letter to complement your resume. 

A well-written cover letter is vital for providing in-depth information about your experience and career goals. And they are a great way to explain employment gaps and career changes.

Not sure where to start? Explore our professional cover letter examples , then choose an expertly designed cover letter template that catches your eye.

Once you have the perfect template picked out, you can use our Cover Letter Builder to make a compelling cover letter in a matter of minutes.

Key takeaways

• Prepare by gathering information on your past employers and key achievements from each role.
• Select the best resume format to showcase your skills and qualifications.
• Write a customized resume for every job you apply for.
• Include keywords and phrases from the job description throughout your resume.
• Ensure that your resume is error-free by proofreading it thoroughly and asking a trusted friend or family member to review it.
• Use our Resume Builder and professionally designed templates to make a resume in minutes.
• Get inspired by our resume examples for different jobs and circumstances.
• Include a compelling cover letter with your job application.

What should a resume look like?

Your resume should be well-formatted with clear sections, easy-to-read fonts and a professional design. We recommend exploring the professionally made samples on this page, which exemplify what a standout resume looks like. 

As technology advances and the job market becomes more competitive, employers seek candidates with specific skills and abilities. A resume clearly highlighting relevant skills and certifications will likely impress employers and win interviews. 

Additionally, companies are likely to continue embracing remote work in the future. As such, job seekers may need to highlight their experience and skills in virtual collaboration, remote communication and digital tools. 

Check out what your resume should look like for additional tips on optimizing the layout and content of your resume.

How do I write a resume that stands out to recruiters?

Making your resume stand out to recruiters can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can use to increase your chances of getting noticed. Here are a few quick tips: 

• Tailor your resume to the job.
• Use strong action verbs.
• Quantify achievements.
• Keep it concise.
• Include relevant keywords.
• Highlight your unique value.
• Use a professional format.

The easiest and fastest way to make a resume that stands out is to use one of our professionally designed resume templates with our Resume Builder. You can even use your resume to generate a cover letter in our Cover Letter Builder . 

We provide the tools you need and guidance on how to correctly write a resume that highlights your skill set. Plus, you can download your resume in multiple formats and save it to tailor it to your next job. 

What are the basic steps to writing a resume?

Here’s a sample of how to write a resume in a few simple steps:

• Prepare by gathering your information. 
• Choose a format and a resume template.
• Add your contact information to the resume header.
• Write a resume summary or objective statement.
• Make a resume work experience section.
• Create a resume skills section.
• Add your education credentials.
• Include certifications, licenses and training if applicable.
• Add optional resume sections if you have any.
• Proofread, save and send in your application! 

By following these steps, you can create a compelling document that highlights your strengths and increases your chances of getting an interview. We also recommend checking out the best AI resume builders , which can help you make a resume in a matter of minutes. 

How do you make a resume with no experience?

If you don’t have work experience and you’re not sure how to write a resume for the first time, follow these tips:

• Choose a functional resume format. This format is ideal for job seekers without work experience because it focuses on skills over professional history. 
• Write a resume objective under your contact information. Job applicants without experience benefit from objective statements over resume summaries because objectives explain job goals and emphasize essential skills and traits that match the job. 
• Highlight your transferable skills — traits and abilities you can use in various jobs and industries. For example, strong communication skills are just as important for customer service jobs as they are for teaching.
• Lean on your non-work experience as long as it’s relevant to your desired job. Volunteer work, internships, school projects and extracurricular activities can count for work experience if they relate to the target job.

For additional guidance, see our guide on how to make a resume with no experience for expert tips and tricks. 

Where can I make a resume for free?

You can make a resume for free using our Resume Builder. We’ll guide you through every step with prompts and expert insights. 

All you have to do is upload your resume or select a template in our builder, answer a few questions and within minutes, you’ll have a plain text resume that you can download for free.

How do you write a resume on Google Docs?

Here’s how to write a resume for a job application in Google Docs: 

• Go to the Google Docs website and log in with your Google account.
• Click on the “Template Gallery” button in the top right corner of the page. Select the “Resumes” category and browse through the available templates.
• Once you have chosen a template, click on “Use Template” to open it in a new document. Edit the text to include your own information, such as your name, contact information, work experience, education, skills and achievements.
• Once you have finished editing your resume, save it by clicking on “File” and then “Save.” 

For a more user-friendly experience, we recommend using one of our Google Docs resume templates . You can also write a resume from scratch in our Resume Builder and import it into Google Docs. 

We recommend this option, as you’ll benefit from the other features of our Resume Builder, such as ready-made content suggestions and expert writing tips. 

How do you make a resume in Word?

Here’s how to write a job resume in Microsoft Word: 

• Open Microsoft Word on your computer and select “New Document” to create a new document.
• In the search bar, type “resume” and browse through the available templates. Select the template that best suits your needs.
• Once you have chosen a template, begin editing the text to include your own information, such as your name, contact information, work experience, education, skills and achievements.
• Save and download: Once you have finished editing your resume, save it by clicking on “File” and then “Save.” 

We have a variety of Microsoft Word resume templates that you can use. For expert content suggestions and resume writing advice, we recommend writing your resume in our Resume Builder.  

What is the best resume format?

The resume format you choose to follow will depend on your industry, skills and years of experience. One of the best and most commonly used is the chronological resume format , which focuses on professional history. 

Another popular choice is the combination resume which highlights key skills and accomplishments followed by work experience and education. 

It’s always a good idea to tailor your resume format to the specific job you are applying for and to keep it updated and relevant. 

How many jobs should you list on your resume?

It is recommended to list the most relevant and recent jobs that showcase your skills and experience. 

A good rule of thumb is to include the last 10-15 years of your work experience or the 3-4 most recent jobs, whichever is greater. 

If you have minimal work experience, you can also include internships, volunteer work or other relevant experiences that demonstrate your skills and qualifications. See our guide on how to write an internship resume for additional details. 

And, if you’re making your transition to civilian life, our Military to Civilian Resume Guide has the essential resources to help you write your military experience.

How long should a resume be?

Generally, a one-page resume is ideal. If you have more extensive experience or are applying for a position that requires a more detailed account of your qualifications, a two-page resume might be appropriate.  

The exact length of your resume depends on your experience level, industry and the job you are applying for. It’s important to keep in mind that employers typically spend only a few seconds scanning a resume, so it’s essential to make sure that your resume is concise and easy to read. 

Industries such as medicine, academia, science and law might require a lengthier description of your qualifications in the form of a CV. Learn about CVs versus resumes and how to write a CV for additional details.

How has AI and machine learning impacted resume screening?

AI-powered tools can quickly scan and analyze resumes, allowing companies to process more applications in less time. Machine learning algorithms can learn from past hiring decisions and identify patterns in successful candidates, which can help recruiters identify the best-fit candidates.

While these new technologies help employers filter through hundreds of resumes, they can be detrimental for job seekers who do not optimize their resumes to pass automated screening software. 

Luckily, there are several steps you can take to ensure your resume stands out in the era of AI, machine learning and automated resume screening, such as incorporating relevant keywords, customizing your resume for the job and proofreading carefully. 

How can I write a simple resume?

To create a simple resume quickly and easily, we recommend starting with one of our basic and simple resume templates built by professional graphic designers.

You can use our Resume Builder to enter your professional information, eliminating the need to know how to prepare a resume from scratch. 

Focus on presenting the skills and experiences most relevant to the job you are applying for using concise and clear language.

Should I put my address on my resume?

In general, if you are comfortable sharing your address and it is relevant to the job you are applying for, you can include it on your resume. 

However, if you prefer to keep your address private or it is irrelevant to the job, leaving it off is perfectly acceptable. You can always provide your address during the interview process if necessary.

Remember that you only need to include your city and state (and zip code if it is relevant), not your full mailing address.

What should the first sentence of a resume be?

If you choose not to include a resume summary, the first sentence at the top of your resume should be a compelling value proposition that catches the employer’s attention. 

This sentence should highlight your skills, experience and career goals in a concise and compelling way. Here are some examples of effective first sentences for your resume:

• Results-driven marketing professional with 5+ years of experience driving revenue growth and brand awareness for Fortune 500 companies.
• Certified project manager with a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on time and within budget.
• Recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science seeking an entry-level software development role to apply technical skills and gain real-world experience.

In general, the first sentence of your resume should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for and highlight your unique value proposition as a candidate. It should make the employer want to read further and consider you for the position.

How we reviewed this article

Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process .

• CJ Johnson, Consultant and Course Creator. Personal Interview. Consulting By CJ
• Finances Online. Article. 10 Current Resume Trends & Forecasts for 2024 You Should Be Thinking About
• TeamStage. Blog. Job Interview Statistics: Applications and Hiring Rates in 2023
• Recruiter.com. Blog. Recruiters Spell Out the Biggest Deal-Breakers Costing You the Job
• CareerBuilder. Press Release. Employers Share Their Most Outrageous Resume Mistakes and Instant Deal Breakers in a New CareerBuilder Study

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Kellie Hanna, CPRW

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Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with 20+ years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.

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‡ Results derived from a study responded by 1000 participants of which 287 created a resume online.

*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with MyPerfectResume.

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How to Write an Effective Resume

September 14, 2020

Download this guide in PDF format

In this guide, you’ll learn how to create an effective resume. You’ll learn strategies for tailoring your resume to the role you’re pursuing, and how to effectively present your skills and experience—whether you’re a new-job seeker or a mid-career professional switching to a new field. You will learn about templates and formats and understand the structure of every core section of a successful resume.

An effective resume needs to present all the important information about you as a professional in a concise and clear way. Format and content are both important. Prior to diving into the details of resume structure, you’ll first want to have a clear understanding of what you are trying to communicate. It’s also important to keep your focus on what matters to the employer and do everything you can to tailor your resume to the role.

Focus on what’s important to the employer

Before writing your resume, try to consider the employer’s point of view. What do they want to know? Answering this question will enable you to focus on the information that is going to be relevant to the employer. This, in turn, increases your chances of getting their attention.

When applying to a specific role, carefully read the job description. This will help you understand specifically what the employer is looking for. If you want to gather additional insights, review multiple job descriptions to see what shows up repeatedly. This will help you gain a broader understanding of the role. Another great way to understand the needs of your potential employer is to schedule networking conversations with industry professionals who can share their experiences and insights.

Keep in mind that focusing on what’s relevant to the employer might mean omitting details about your skills and experiences that are significant to you but are not directly relevant to the role. Deciding what to not include on your resume can be as important as deciding what to include. Irrelevant information might distract or confuse a reader, potentially making them more likely to discard your resume.

Tailor your resume to a role

It is essential that you tailor your resume to each job that you apply for. Even if your target roles have the same general set of requirements—and even if your skills and experience are broadly applicable—you should still adjust the order of your qualifications to match the order on the job description. In this way, you’re putting what’s most important to each employer at the top. 

If you can, try to match the language of the job description. For example, if you have a resume built around recruiting, and you are applying for a talent acquisition role, replace “recruiting” with “talent acquisition” on your resume. Shifting to the employer’s terminology can help them relate to you. This approach can also help prevent you from being filtered out by automated software that relies on keywords to match your resume to the job description and to determine whether it should be passed on to a recruiter or discarded.

Tip : Keep in mind that resumes are traditionally written in the third person without the use of personal pronouns. 

Different Types of Job Seekers

Your resume strategy will differ at different stages of your career journey. Someone seeking their first role will need to use a different approach than someone looking to make a mid-career switch to a new field. In both of these scenarios, you have to communicate your value despite not having experience in the field, but your strategy will differ depending on what information you have available to share.

You can use the recommendations in this section to understand how to communicate your value to an employer in a way that’s appropriate to your skills and experience.

Career changers

If you are an experienced professional but are looking to start a career in a new field, your background can provide you with a unique perspective, and can potentially help you stand out as a candidate. At the same time, you will need to be conscious about clearly establishing yourself as a qualified professional in your new field. Remember that your application will most likely be reviewed alongside applications from people with  directly relevant experience, so you need to make it clear to the employer why they should consider you for the role over those candidates. 

Here are some key things to keep in mind as you build your resume:

Focus on your transferable skills and experiences and highlight the advantages of your diverse background . 

When describing your past experiences, focus on what’s relevant to your new career, and don’t over-elaborate on less relevant details. For example, if you’ve been managing a restaurant and are now shifting into IT support, your customer service skills will be crucial, while your ability to manage staff won’t be as relevant. If, as a restaurant manager, you maintained your computer network and electronics, that will be important to discuss on your resume as well—even if it was a minor component of your role. Finally, try to point out how your background—despite being in a different field—is actually an advantage. For example, you might highlight how the commercial awareness you developed as a restaurant manager can help you understand business needs when prioritizing your work as an IT support professional. 

Adopt the terminology of your new industry. 

Get familiar with the language, terms, and jargon of your new industry and demonstrate this familiarity by using industry-specific words and phrases in your resume. This will make it easier for the reader to understand how your experience is relevant for them, and give them confidence about your engagement with your new field. For example, if you’ve run your own business in the past and are now looking for a role in marketing, use terms such as “marketing funnel” and “nurturing leads” when discussing your past marketing activities—even if you weren’t thinking in those terms at the time.

New Professionals

People who are looking for their first job, and who don’t yet have professional experience to describe, might struggle with how to fill their resumes. When this is the case, you can leverage non-professional experiences such as coursework, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and life experiences (travel, caretaking, and more) as a means to demonstrate to the employer how you overcome challenges, solve problems, and achieve results. 

It’s important to remember that the employer only knows what’s on your resume. If you think something will help you make your case to a prospective employer, you need to find a way to include that information on your resume. Use sections such as Projects, Volunteer Work, Relevant Experiences as alternatives to Professional Experience for that purpose.

Templates and Layouts

Now that you have an idea of what you want to communicate on your resume, you can start filling out the details. You can design your own resume or use an existing template. There are many templates available online, and you can access them by typing “resume templates” into your favorite search engine. You can also find Google Doc templates by going to Google Docs and clicking Template Gallery at the top right. 

Tip: Whether you actually use a Google Doc template or not, it’s a good idea to design your resume in Google Docs. It will enable you to easily share, get feedback, and download your resume in a convenient format.

You can use your personal taste and preferences when selecting a template, but it’s also important to consider the following factors:

• Ease of reading : Your resume needs to make a great impression and communicate all your most important information in a very short amount of time. Make sure sections are clearly organized and that the font is easy to read, and use margins and white space to prevent the document from feeling cramped. 
• Simple design . Your resume needs to be easily comprehended by both humans and applicant tracking systems (ATS)—the software that companies use to store and retrieve candidate information. ATS’s vary, but many cannot parse graphs and other visual elements, meaning that information contained in them will be lost. Simple designs relying on well-organized text are best. 
• Length. Your resume should be one page, unless you have at least 10-15 years of relevant (not total) experience. Two-column resume templates are appropriate for one-page resumes. Two-page resumes should use the entire width of the page.

Resume Sections

Before you start filling out your resume, you’ll need to decide which sections to include, and in what order. There are core components that should be in every resume. There are also optional components you may want to include, depending on your skills and experience, and the roles you’re applying for. Adjust your template by moving, adding, removing, and renaming sections as necessary.

Core resume sections include contact information, a professional summary, and details about your skills, experience, and education. Make sure to use section labels to help the reader easily navigate through your resume. In terms of order, this will often depend on what you want to highlight to your employer. A recent graduate might want to put their education first, whereas a working professional would lead with their experience. Optional sections could include information on projects, publications, volunteer experience, awards and honors, patents, languages, and more. Let’s take a closer look at each section of a typical resume.

Individual Resume Sections

This is the section at the top of your resume that includes your contact information. Your name is the only part of your resume that should be spelled out in a larger font than the rest of your document. Your contact information should include:

• city, state, zip (no street address for privacy purposes) 
• phone number, email address
• LinkedIn profile URL
• Optional: personal website, GitHub (for technical roles), portfolio (for creative roles)

The Summary section will always be located at the top of your resume immediately following the Header. It should be brief (3-5 lines) and clearly articulate what makes you a great candidate for the role, as well as what makes you stand out from your competition. The Summary sets the context for the rest of the document by calling out the most important things for the reader to know about you.

While there are many ways to write a summary, consider the following format, focusing on your core expertise, strengths, and what sets you apart from others.

Sentence 1: Describe yourself by role and competencies. This is where you provide your professional introduction. Examples:

• Digital Marketing Manager with expert level knowledge of SEO, Social, PPC, and GMB.
• Talent Acquisition expert with 4+ years of experience in the medical device industry.

Tip: If you are changing careers, describe yourself using your desired title. For example, if you are shifting from QA Analytics to Project Management, describe yourself as a Project Manager. You can add “with background in QA Analytics” to acknowledge that part of your career.

Sentence 2 : Connect your expertise to your value prop.  This is where you define how your unique skills will make you a valuable asset to the company. Examples:

• Proficient in creating and editing graphics, figures, and illustrations. Consistently able to create high-quality marketing assets that drive conversions.
• Able to source for full range of positions from administrative to executive level. Able to create a seamless recruiting and hiring process for managers, and consistently present top-quality candidates.

Sentence 3: Include a differentiator. You are likely competing against other people with similar skills, so it’s important to provide a clear reason why an employer should select your resume. Examples:  

• Known for the ability to eloquently present point of view to clients, prospects, and colleagues with expertise, confidence, and clarity.
• Consistently noted in performance reviews as being able to present to clients, prospects and colleagues, with expertise, confidence, and clarity.
• Received 8 awards for customer service excellence.

Tip : Instead of using the word “Summary” to label this section, use a professional headline to help to set the tone for the rest of the document. For example: “Experienced SEO Manager” or “Android Developer | Medical Devices.” 

Immediately below the Summary you should have a list of your core areas of expertise, and your specific skills.

For a non-technical role , include 4-8 short bullets detailing your core skills (also known as Areas of Expertise) organized in two or three columns. To decide what goes on this list, think of what the employer would primarily hire you for. Focus on quantifiable skills like copywriting, agile project management, Google Analytics, or sales funnel management. Keep in mind that skills like communication, time management, and collaboration—which are harder to quantify, and are claimed by most people—are not as effective on a resume. 

Tip : When tailoring your resume to a specific role, the Skills section is your first opportunity to line up with the job description.

For a technical role , it’s important to list out all of your relevant technical skills. If you find that your list is too long to list out each item in a separate bullet, then organize your skills by type—software, programming languages, hardware, data analytics, or any other categories that apply.

Professional Experience Section

The Professional Experience section is uniquely important because it tells the story of what you’ve done in your career. For employers, this is a strong indicator of what you will be able to do for them.

The Professional Experience section should list your roles (company, job title, location, employment dates) in reverse chronological order. If you have significant professional experience, limit your resume to the past 10-15 years, as that is what is most relevant to the employer. 

Ideally, you want to list three to six roles on your resume that demonstrate progress on your career journey. Under each role, you should list your responsibilities and accomplishments in bullets. Responsibilities describe what you were supposed to do, and accomplishments are the specific outcomes that demonstrate how well you performed your role. 

Your most recent role should feature the most detail, with four to six bullets of no more than two lines each. Older roles should provide less information. Begin each bullet with an action verb that puts you in control. Include numbers to show the scope of your role and impact—how many leads did you convert, how much revenue growth did you drive, how many new hires did onboard, how large was the team you managed, and more.

Tip: Avoid chronological gaps in your Professional Experience. If you spent more than six months out of the workforce at any point—whether intentionally (for caregiving purposes or travel) or unintentionally (unemployment)—explain on your resume what you did during that time. Particularly highlight any activities relevant to your professional life, such as independent study, projects, and part-time or volunteer work. 

Example 

Big Box Story, Service Associate, Middleton, CA 01/2015 – 02/2016

• Provided customer service during checkout transactions and assisted customer questions and concerns in a big-box retail 
• Earned 8 Employee of the Week awards in one year on a team of 100+ associates
• Enrolled over 200 consumers in new credit cards within a 15-month time frame (4x average rate)
• Received “Certificate of Excellence” for success at upselling to customers

Education Section

In this section, include degrees beyond high-school in reverse chronological order (include your high-school information only if you don’t have any education or training beyond it). For each entry in the Education section, list the degree, institution, location, and date of completion.

Tip :  You can include pending or incomplete degrees by marking them as “In progress” or “Incomplete”—if you do so, make sure to include information on the classes/work you did complete. 

Finalize Your Resume

Once you’ve completed your resume using the guidance in this document, try to have someone proofread it for you. Recruiters consistently say they will discard resumes with typos, even if the resume is in great shape otherwise.

Tip : Consider asking a few people you trust—especially those familiar with your work—to provide feedback on the content. Don’t feel obligated to incorporate all the feedback you receive, but be open to recommendations that can help enhance the quality of your resume.

In conclusion, please keep in mind that, while there is no such thing as a perfect resume, you can use this guide to create an effective resume that avoids common problems and pitfalls. As you progress in your job search, remember that your resume is a living document. You can make revisions based on any feedback you receive, but try to avoid losing valuable time trying to over-optimize. Focus on your skills and experience, present yourself in the best light possible, and get ready to land that next role!

Keep reading

• How to Ask Your Employer to Pay for Your Degree
• Interview prep: Questions you should ask
• How to answer interview questions with the STAR method

How to Write a Strong Resume (With Examples)

You’re not just writing a resume for a new job . Think of this piece of paper (or PDF in our new digital world) as the most important tool in your campaign for employment. To give recruiters what they’re looking for, you’ll need to understand what they pay closest attention to, how long they spend scanning your qualifications, and how to exceed their expectations. But first – why does this all matter?

Why resumes are important

A resume is the crown jewel of a job application. Why? It’s the first piece of a job application that gets reviewed by recruiters. To move past this phase and onto interviews with potential employers, your resume needs to display your top skills, show your qualifications for the role, and convince the recruiter you deserve that phone call.

What recruiters look for when reviewing your resume

Did you know that most recruiters only spend six seconds looking at you resume ? During that quick review, recruiters are usually thinking:

• Can the applicant fill my need?
• Will the applicant remain with the organization long-term?
• Is the potential employee professional?

Not only are recruiters asking themselves these questions, but they’re also quickly scanning your entire resume. In these six seconds, the four areas that draw the recruiter’s eyes the most are:

• Relevant job titles
• Past work experience
• Current work experience

The heat map below from Business Insider shows recruiters’ eye movements and how quickly they dart around this important piece of paper.

How to write a strong resume

To create a stellar resume, you’ll need to pay close attention to format, education, experience, leadership, and skills.

One page . Keep your resume to one page, but don’t crowd it with too much content.

PDF . Save your resume as a PDF. This will ensure the formatting remains the same.

Negative space . Leave plenty of negative space between sections so recruiters can easily scan without feeling overwhelmed.

Consistency . To ensure your resume stays consistent, use the same type of bullets throughout, begin every sentence with an action verb, and align your text together.

Font . Use a professional font (we’re fans of Arial and Times New Roman) and stick to 12 points for easy readability.

When listing your academic credentials on your resume, be clear, concise, and well-defined. This section should highlight the most pertinent information:

• School and location
• Graduation date
• GPA (if over 3.5)
• Relevant coursework

The work experience section on your resume should relate to your desired career field. Use strong action verbs, concrete details, and quantify your accomplishments. What does this mean? Use numbers to help recruiters picture the impact you had in previous roles. Here is an example:

Before quantifying – Developed a social media strategy focused on school-life balance.

After quantifying – Developed a student marketing campaign focused on school-life balance, yielding a 32% increase in social media engagement.

Start each bullet with a strong action verb followed by clear, concise descriptions. And don’t forget to include work locations, titles, and dates for each role.

Many employers search for candidates with strong leadership experience, regardless of whether the role is in management or not. College students involved with leading student clubs and organizations on campus show commitment, determination, and support of others.  

Here are some examples:

• President of Braven Club
• Director of Student Marketing
• Dance Captain

We also recommend including the leadership skills you develop in these roles.

Skills are one of the best-selling points for candidates with less work experience. And whether your experience is related to your desired role or not, you can still list transferable skills such as customer service or relationship-building.

When listing your professional skills, don’t forget to include soft skills like communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. Employers are interested in the tools and programs you know how to use, but they also want to see that you can work well with others.

Check out Muse’s 250+ Skills for Your Resume

Header & Contact Information

Last but not least, make sure you include a header with your name, phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile URL, and a portfolio website link (if you have one). We recommend placing this bar of information toward the top of your resume – this allows recruiters to quickly see your name and how to contact you.

Now that you’re all caught up on everything you need to create a stellar resume, you’re off to the races!

Check out these other great resources from Braven’s blog:

• How to Leverage Your LinkedIn
• The Power of Storytelling in Your Cover Letter
• Quick Tips to Conquer Your Next Phone Interview
• 5 Tips for a Successful Job Search

© 2024 Braven, Inc. All rights reserved. Braven, Inc is a registered 501(c)3. Non-profit Organization in the United States (EIN: 46-4340594)

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How to write a strong resume for any position

Whether it's referred to as a “general purpose resume,” a “standard resume,” or even the “ultimate resume,” there is a writing guide universal for all resumes . Because regardless of which profession you want to tailor your resume to, the core rules you need to follow stay the same. 

So, let's have a look at the best writing tips, sleek templates, detailed examples, and resume samples submitted by real people, that will help you make your resume shine in any career setting.

In this guide, we'll take a deep dive into crafting a resume that pops. From format to content, we've got you covered. Read on and learn how to:

• Properly format your resume
• Write an impressive resume summary
• Select the right skills for your position
• Write a relevant and concise resume work experience section
• Effectively list your education
• Select the right extra sections for your resume
• Access resources valuable for all job seekers

1. How to properly format your resume

The right format highlights your strengths and makes your resume stand out. There are three main types: chronological, functional, and hybrid. Let's break each one down:

• Chronological format : This is the most common type. It lists your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job at the top. It's best for people with lots of experience in a specific industry.
• Functional format : Ideal If you have gaps in your employment history, you're a recent graduate, or you're changing careers. This type prioritizes skills you have that are relevant to the job you're applying for over your work history. 
• Hybrid format: Also known as a combination resume, this format blends elements from both chronological and functional formats. It emphasizes your skills first, then presents a chronological work history. It's suitable for people with a mix of skills and experiences.

In all formats, keep these in mind:

• Font: Choose a clear, professional font like Arial, Verdana, or Times New Roman. Font size should be 10-12 points.
• Layout : Keep it consistent. If you bold one job title, bold them all. Align your content to the left, and keep margins 1-inch all around. 
• Sections: Clearly label each section (e.g., Summary, Work experience, Skills, Education).
• Length: Keep it to one page if you have less than 10 years' experience. Two pages max if you have more. 

Format is all about readability. Keep things clean, organized, and to the point. It shows potential employers you're professional and have attention to detail. 

And remember, no matter the format you choose, content is king. Convey your strengths convincingly, and you'll be one step closer to landing that interview.

Try our AI Resume Writer and have your resume ready in minutes!

2. how to write an impressive resume summary .

A resume summary , also known as a professional summary, is your elevator pitch. It’s the first thing employers read when they glance at your resume. So, how to make your resume summary attractive for hiring managers?

• Keep it short and sweet: 3-5 sentences are perfect for capturing attention without overwhelming the reader. Stick to who you are, what you bring, and what your goals are.
• Target the job: Tailor your summary for each job application. Use the job description as your guide. Identify key words you can incorporate into your summary.
• Quantify success: Whenever possible, use numbers and data to highlight your achievements. 

Now, let's have a look at some job-specific resume summaries

Software engineer: Seasoned software engineer with 8+ years of experience specializing in mobile app development. Known for creating robust, high-speed code with a user-friendly interface. Seeking to leverage my technical skills to develop innovative software solutions at XYZ company.

Content writer: Passionate content writer with over 5 years of experience in generating engaging and original digital content. Proven track record of increasing website traffic by 60% through SEO best practices. Committed to crafting compelling narratives for XYZ company."

Marketing manager: Dynamic marketing manager with a decade of experience in implementing effective marketing strategies that drive customer engagement and increase ROI by 40%. Demonstrated ability to lead successful marketing campaigns. Seeking an opportunity to apply my market research and strategic planning skills at XYZ company.

But what if you have a lack of work experience ? It can often feel like a hurdle for job seekers, especially recent graduates or people looking to shift careers. However, it's not an impossible obstacle. That's when a resume objective comes into play.

A resume objective is similar to a summary, but focuses on your skills and education , rather than work experience. It defines your career goals upfront and explains why you're ideally suited for the job. It's your opportunity to showcase what you offer a potential employer. 

Here are a few pointers for writing an effective resume objective:

• Be honest about your experience: Avoid exaggerations. Stick to facts about your skills and education.
• Display passion for learning: If you're lacking in experience, show potential employers your eagerness to grow and learn on the job. 
• Keep it Relevant: Customize your objective to match each job application. Pick out key skills required in the job description and explain how you can contribute.

Resume objective example for a recent graduate in digital marketing

Recent marketing graduate with a passion for social media management and content creation. Top of class in digital marketing coursework, with a strong background in SEO strategies and Google Analytics. Seeking an entry-level position at XYZ company to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting and contribute to innovative marketing strategies.

Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and employers understand this concept. It's all about how you present your potential, and a well-written resume objective can do just that.

3. How to choose the right skills to put on your resume

Your skills section is more than a list; it's a mirror reflecting your abilities to potential employers. Here's how to thoughtfully curate your skills for a top-notch resume:

• Know the difference: There are hard and soft skills. Hard skills are technical abilities (like software proficiency), while soft skills relate to your behavior and how you work (like leadership or time management). 
• Match the job description: Review the job description and identify required skills. Reflect those in your resume. 
• Show, don't just tell: Where possible, provide examples or experiences where you demonstrated them.
• Stay honest and genuine: It can be tempting to list every skill you think an employer might want to see, but honesty is crucial. Remember, authenticity outsells exaggeration.

Project manager hard skills examples

• Agile / Scrum methodologies
• Quality assurance
• Cost control and budgeting
• Risk and issue management
• Stakeholder management
• Performance tracking
• Knowledge of specific project management tools (Workfront, Trello, or Asana)

Project manager soft skills examples

• Negotiation
• Decision making
• Conflict resolution
• Adaptability

In an increasingly competitive job market, the skills section of your resume is a key way to distinguish yourself. Be strategic, be specific, and most importantly, be you. Your skills tell a story — make sure it's one worth reading.

4. How to list your work experience and key projects on a resume

Your work experience tells a potential employer what you've done, where you've been, and, most importantly, what you can accomplish for them. Here's how you effectively list that experience:

• Use a reverse chronological order: Start with your most recent job and work backward.
• Be specific: Rather than just listing tasks you've performed, highlight achievements and projects you've completed.
• Quantify accomplishments: Measurable data helps to illustrate the impact of your work. Rather than saying "increased sales" or "improved efficiency," provide concrete numbers like a "20% increase in sales" or "cut processing time by 30%".
• Use powerful adjectives and action verbs: This will make your resume more dynamic. Instead of "responsible for," use verbs like "managed," "led," "executed," or "delivered."

A similar approach works well for the key projects . Highlight the scope, your role and the measurable results.

Let's look at a work experience section example

Marketing Coordinator at XYZ Company

February 2015 - March 2018

• Led a team of 3 in the planning and execution of 6 successful marketing campaigns for key company products. 
• Implemented a new social media strategy, resulting in a 20% increase in engagement and 15% increase in followers within 6 months.
• Coordinated with the sales team to develop a training session on leveraging social media in customer interactions.

Key projects:

• Implemented CRM program for capturing and nurturing leads, resulting in a 30% increase in conversions. 

Remember, your work experience and projects aren't just a rundown of your job duties. They're a way to showcase your abilities, impact, and what kind of employee you'll be. Make that first impression count!

5. How to list education on a resume

A key aspect of your resume, the education section can help potential employers understand more about your background and skills. 

Here's how to approach it: Start with your highest degree first, followed by lower degrees. Include the name of the institution, location, dates you attended, and the degree you earned. If you're still studying, you can put "Expected graduation date."

Now, let's consider scenarios where your education is relevant and where it's not so much:

2. Relevant education 

Let's say you're applying for a graphic design role and you have a related degree:

Here’s how you can list your education

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design , Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI, 2015-2019

• Graduated with Honors
• Completed courses in Illustration, Typography, and Branding
• Led a semester-long project creating a branding package for a local business

In this case, your degree directly relates to the job, showing you likely have necessary skills and knowledge.

2. Non-relevant education

Suppose you're applying for an HR Manager role but your degree is in English Literature:

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature , University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2010-2014

• Graduated Cum Laude
• Completed relevant courses in Organizational Communication and Public Speaking
• Served as Editor-in-Chief for the university's literary journal for two terms

Though it's not directly related, don't worry — you can still leverage it. Highlight the transferable skills you gained during your degree that could be relevant.

 For example, an English Literature degree shows you've likely honed written communication, critical thinking, and analysis — skills that are valuable in many professions.

Remember, your education isn't just about the title of your degree. It's about how the skills and knowledge you acquired during your education make you the right fit for the job.

Find out your resume score!

6. How to choose the right extra sections for your resume

Including additional sections on a resume can provide a fuller picture of your traits and experiences. Here's how to select extras:

• Match the role: Make sure the extra details align with the position you're applying for or add unique value.
• Value-adding information: Extra sections are perfect for spotlighting relevant information that doesn't fit into standard categories.
• Be unique: It's always good to stand out. So, if you have a unique hobby or interest that's appropriate and professional, include it.
• Proficiency level: Only include a skill or interest if you're proficient in it. For example, if you're listing a language, ensure you're conversational or fluent.

By choosing the right extras, you can give potential employers a more comprehensive understanding of who you are, boost your appeal and increase your chances of being selected for an interview.

Some extra sections could include:

• Languages: Listing additional languages you speak is particularly useful for roles in international companies or customers from diverse demographic groups.
• Volunteer work: Show painting a school or planting a community garden. It provides a glimpse into your personal values and character.
• Certifications: For roles that require specific skills, include any related certification courses. For example, list a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification when applying for a project management job.
• Hobbies & interests: Many companies value cultural fit. If you have hobbies or interests that align with the company's culture or mission, include them.

Here’s an example of how to list extra sections on a resume

Certifications

• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute, 2020
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Scrum Alliance, 2018
• Fluent in Spanish and French
• Basic proficiency in German

Volunteer work

• Habitat for Humanity: Lead a team of volunteers in building homes for underprivileged families, 2019 - Present
• Local Food Bank: Regular volunteer, organizing and distributing food donations, 2015 - Present

Hobbies & interests

• Marathon Running: Participated in three national marathons
• Photography: Regular contributor to a local photography club

Remember, a resume isn't just about listing your professional achievements. It's about presenting a comprehensive view of what you bring to the table. Choose your extras wisely.

6. Top resources for all job seekers

Job hunting can feel like navigating a tricky maze, full of twists and turns. But fear not! With the right online tools and support, the process can become much smoother. And for that reason, we've prepared a list of resources to guide you in starting your job search:

• Industry-specific job boards: The first resource you want to explore are job boards that gather postings exclusively for your industry. For example, Dice for jobs in tech or Mediabistro for those looking for a position in creative media. 
• General job search engines: Websites like Indeed , Glassdoor , Monster , ZipRecruiter , or SimplyHired are much broader in focus, aggregating job postings from across all industries. But you can easily customize your search by specifying your location and name of your desired job position. 
• LinkedIn: Networking is king when it comes to job opportunities. And LinkedIn enables you to make connections with potential employers and fellow industry professionals alike. And who knows? If you give your profile some quality attention, recruiters might actually reach out to you on their own accord. 
• Professional associations: These organizations can support job seekers by providing them with job listings, access to networking events, and training programs. There's a professional association for basically any job title, you just need to look for it. For example, there's the American Bar Association (ABA) or the American Marketing Association (AMA).
• Recruitment agencies: Recruitment agencies act like a bridge between job seekers and work opportunities. Feel free to check out websites of Robert Half , Randstad , or Kelly Services .
• Specialized publications: Another thing that all professions share is the necessity to keep up with their latest news and developments. And for that reason alone, you should follow specialized media (blogs, journals, magazines, websites, podcasts) like “ Forbes ,” or “ Nature .”
• Continuous learning: And finally, seek out new challenges in the form of courses and certifications that can expand your skill set and make you a more valuable employee. For instance, you can browse through online learning platforms like Coursera , edX , or Udemy .

When it comes to job searching, the best strategy is to regularly check as many resources as you can get your hands on. There's no other way around it. But even when you're in dire need of new employment, don't start panic-applying for every single job posting that comes your way. Remember, the quality of your job applications always trumps their quantity!

As a rule, if you have less than 10 years' experience, keep your resume to one page. If you have 10-15 years' experience or more, it can extend to two pages. 

No, prioritize recent and relevant experience. Older or less relevant jobs can be omitted to save space.

While not always required, a well-crafted cover letter can give context to your resume and provide more depth to your application.

Generally, you only need to include post-secondary education unless the job specifically asks for high school details.

No, it is not necessary to list references on your resume. It is assumed they are available upon request. Use the space to focus on your skills and experiences instead.

Julia Gergelova

Julia is a professional writer, translator and graphic designer. She holds degrees in translation and interpretation, and has international work experience from a number of different countries in Europe as well as China and Panama. Julia formerly taught academic writing and as a graphic designer contributed to outlets such as  The Business of Business . She has a passion for lifelong learning and good coffee.

Hungry for more?

How to write a professional resume summary [+examples], how to put your education on a resume [+examples], how to describe your work experience on a resume [+examples], let your resume do the work..

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A resume summary statement usually comes right after a job seeker’s contact info and before other resume sections such as skills and work experience. It provides employers with a brief overview of a candidate’s career accomplishments and qualifications before they read further. Because of how early it appears on the document, your resume summary statement (or your CV “profile” in the UK) is one of the first places recruiters and employers look. And without the right information, they’ll doubt that you’re qualified and may move to another resume.

So I got in touch with a select group of professional resume writers, coaches and career experts to get their best resume summary examples you can use and adapt to write a resume summary that stands out and gets interviews.

As a former recruiter myself, I’ll also share my best tips to write your resume summary effectively.

Why the Resume/CV Summary is Important

You may have heard that recruiters only spend 8-10 seconds looking at your resume. The truth is: they spend that long deciding whether to read more. They do glance that quickly at first and may move on if your background doesn’t look like a fit. However, if you grab their attention, they’ll read far more. Recruiters aren’t deciding to interview you in 8-10 seconds, but they are ruling people out in 8-10 seconds. And this is why your resume summary is so crucial. It appears high up on your resume (usually right after your header/contact info) and is one of the first sections employers see. So it’s part of what they’ll see in the first 8-10 seconds.

Your resume summary statement is one of your first (and one of very few) chances to get the employer to stop skimming through their pile of resumes and focus on YOU.

Watch: Resume Summary Examples That Get Interviews

10 resume summary examples:.

These career summary examples will help you at any experience level – whether you’re writing a professional summary after a long executive career, or writing your first resume summary without any experience! After you finish this article you’re NEVER going to have to send out a limp, weak resume summary statement again (and you’ll get far more interviews  because of it).

1. Healthcare Sales Executive Resume Summary Example:

Turnaround & Ground Up Leadership – Concept-to-execution strategies for untapped products, markets + solutions that yield 110% revenue growth – Negotiates partnerships with leading distributors + hospitals—Medline to Centara + Novant Health to Mayo Clinic –  Revitalizes underperforming sales organizations via scalable, sustainable infrastructures emulated as best practice –  C-Level networks of clinical + supply chain leadership acquired during tenures with XXX, XXX and XXX

Why this resume summary is good:

This resumes summary example’s strength lies in the detailed, unique information that has been included. By including revenue stats, names of past employers and partners, the reader right away sees that this person will bring to the role a strong networking ability with key players in his industry, and more importantly can build, grow and revitalize a sales organization, market or product.

By:  Virginia Franco, Founder of Virginia Franco Resumes  and Forbes contributor.

2. 15+ Year Business Owner Resume Summary Statement:

Dynamic and motivated marketing professional with a proven record of generating and building relationships, managing projects from concept to completion, designing educational strategies, and coaching individuals to success. Skilled in building cross-functional teams, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, and making critical decisions during challenges. Adaptable and transformational leader with an ability to work independently, creating effective presentations, and developing opportunities that further establish organizational goals.

Why this is a good summary section:

This is a resume summary statement that was for  a candidate returning to work after having her own business for 15+ years. Because of this, we needed to emphasize her soft skills and what she can bring to this potential position. In addition, we highlighted the skills she has honed as a business owner so that she can utilize these qualifications as a sales professional, account manager , and someone knowledgeable about nutrition, medicine, and the overall sales process.

By: Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish. MBA, Ph.D., CPRW, and Founder of Feather Communications

3. Human Resources Generalist Resume Summary Example:

Human Resources Generalist with progressive experience managing employee benefits & compliance, employee hiring & onboarding, performance management processes, licensure tracking and HR records. Dependable and organized team player with the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently. Skilled at building relationships with employees across all levels of an organization. Proficient with HRIS, applicant tracking and benefits management.

Why this is a good resume summary:

The applicant highlights their experience across a wide range of HR functions from the very first sentence, and continues this pattern throughout the rest of the summary. They then use easily digestible langue to showcase their hard skills (in the first & fourth sentences) and soft skills (in the second & third sentences). They also integrate a variety of keywords to get past automated job application systems , without sounding spammy or without overdoing it.

By: Kyle Elliott, MPA/CHES,  Career Coach and Consultant

4. Social Media Marketing CV Profile Example (UK):

Social media expert with successes in the creation and management of social media strategies and campaigns for global retail organisations. Extensive experience in the commercial utilisation of multiple social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; I build successful social strategies that increase brand awareness, promote customer engagement and ultimately drive web traffic and conversions.

Why this summary is good:

This summary is well-written, short, sharp, and gives recruiters a high-level explanation of the candidate’s core offerings in a persuasive and punchy style. A quick scan of this profile tells you the exact type of social media platforms the candidate is an expert in, as well as the campaigns they have experience running and types of organizations they have worked for. Most importantly, the summary is rounded off by showing the results that this person achieves for their employers, such as increased web traffic and conversions.

Editor’s note: This CV profile summary was written for the UK market… this is a great one to use/copy, but make sure you put it through a spell-checker if you’re applying for jobs in the US (utilisation vs. utilization, etc.)

By: Andrew Fennell, Director at StandOut CV , contributor for The Guardian and Business Insider

5. Marketing Manager Professional Summary Example:

Marketing Manager with over eight years of experience. Proven success in running email marketing campaigns and implementing marketing strategies that have pulled in a 20% increase in qualified leads. Proficient in content, social media and inbound marketing strategies. Skilled, creative and innovative.

This resume summary stands out because it gets straight to the point. By immediately introducing the number of years of experience the candidate has, the HR manager doesn’t need to spend time adding up years. The candidate also jumps right into his or her strongest skill, provides a statistic , then gives additional skills.

By: Sarah Landrum, career expert and contributor at Entrepreneur.com and Forbes

6. Warehouse Supervisor Resume Summary Example:

Warehouse Supervisor with Management, Customer Service, & Forklift Experience –  Dependable manager with 15+ years of experience in warehouse management and employee supervision. –  Skilled at managing inventory control, shipping & receiving, customer relations and safety & compliance. –  Certified Power Equipment Trainer, Forklift Operator and Reach Operator skilled at coaching other staff. –  Promoted to positions of increased responsibility given strong people and project management skills.

The applicant was applying for a warehouse supervisor position that required them to have demonstrated management, customer service and forklift experience. As such, the applicant showcased their experience in these areas with a few keywords in the title, followed by additional details in the accompanying bullet points. Their final bullet shows a record of promotions, while reinforcing the applicant’s customer service and project management skills.

7. IT Project Manager Resume Summary Example:

Experienced Project Manager with vast IT experience. Skills include computer networking, analytical thinking and creative problem solving. Able to apply customer service concepts to IT to improve user experience for clients, employees and administration.

Because this candidate is switching career paths, it’s important he or she take skills used for previous positions and apply those skills to the new job listing. This is a great example because the candidate makes it clear that his or her experience is not in the new field, but that they are still able to bring relevant experience to the table. When writing your resume summary, keep these tips in mind: Use writing that is straight to the point, clear and concise, you’ll have a higher chance of getting noticed by the hiring manager.

8. Career-Changer Resume Summary Example:

Earn trust, uncover key business drivers and find common ground as chief negotiator and identifier of revenue opportunities in sales, leadership and account management roles spanning e-Commerce, air travel and high-tech retail. Navigate cultural challenges while jumping time zones, lead international airline crews and manage corporate accounts to deliver an exceptional customer experience. A self-taught techie sought after as a go-to for complex billing systems and SaaS platforms alike—bridging the divide between technology and plain-speak. – Tenacious Quest for Success + Learning . Earned MBA and BS in just 3 years while working full-time – gaining hands-on experience in research- and data-driven product roadmap development, pricing and positioning. – Results-Driven Leadership. Whether leading Baby Boomers, Gen X or Millennials—figures out what makes teams tick, trains and transforms individuals into top-performers. – Challenger of Conventional Wisdom. Always ask the WHY. Improve the user experience through smart, strategic thinking that anticipates outcomes. Present cases that influence, and lead change that drives efficiency and profitability.

This client was eager for a career change and had moved from role to role and industry to industry. After completing her Master’s degree, she was eager to tie her skills together to land a role – which she did – as a Senior Technology Account Strategist for a global travel company. Although a bit longer than a traditional summary, its strength lies in the details. Without ever getting to the experience section, the reader gets a clear idea of the scope of responsibility, and hard and soft skills the candidate brings to the table.

By: Virginia Franco, Founder of Virginia Franco Resumes  and Forbes contributor.

9. Project Management Executive Professional Summary Example:

15+ years of initiating and delivering sustained results and effective change for Fortune 500 firms across a wide range of industries including enterprise software, digital marketing, advertising technology, e-commerce and government. Major experience lies in strategizing and leading cross-functional teams to bring about fundamental change and improvement in strategy, process, and profitability – both as a leader and expert consultant.

Why this resume summary is good:

“Project Manager” is one of those job titles that’s REALLY broad. You can find project managers earning $50K, and others earning $250K. The client I wrote this for was at the Director level, and had worked for some of the biggest and best tech companies in her city. So this resume profile section shows her level and experience, and the wide array of areas she has responsibility for in her current work. You can borrow or use some of the phrasing here to show that you’ve been responsible for many important areas in your past work.

By: Biron Clark, Founder of  CareerSidekick.com.

10. Startup And Finance Management Consultant Career Summary Example:

Experienced strategist, entrepreneur and startup enthusiast with a passion for building businesses and challenging the status quo. 8+ year track record of defining new business strategies, launching new ventures, and delivering operational impact, both as a co-founder and management consultant. 

Why this resume summary example is good:

This summary was for a highly-talented management consultant looking to break out of finance, and into trendier tech companies like Uber . His track record and educational background were great, so the goal of this summary section was to stand out and show he’s more than just the typical consultant with a finance background. So we emphasized his passion for startups, and his ability to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. That’s something that companies like Uber and other “disruptive” tech companies look for.

14 Resume Summary Examples for Various Industries

Compassionate and effective 5th-grade teacher with experience overseeing the classroom and preparing lessons. Extensive experience encouraging students through positive reinforcement and motivational techniques. Collaborate well with school administration and other members of the teaching team. Ensure all students meet learning requirements, including literacy, social, and arithmetic skills.

2. Teacher’s Assistant

Goal-oriented teacher’s assistant with ten years of experience working with elementary school children. Aid teachers with lesson planning, classroom settings, and group instruction. Model positive behavior and maintain order in the classroom. Willingness to take on additional responsibilities to meet learning objectives.

Tech Industry

3. computer programmer.

Innovative computer programmer with a proven track record of writing high-quality code and supporting team needs with subject matter expertise. Adept in multiple programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and C++. Ability to troubleshoot complex programming issues with inventive solutions. 

4. Cybersecurity Analyst

Dedicated cybersecurity analyst with ten years of experience in online security research, execution, planning, and maintenance. Proven track record of identifying business risks and proactively resolving them. Experience designing and instituting layered network security for large-scale organizations. Train users and other staff members on IT safety procedures and preventive techniques.

Skilled healthcare professional with ten years of experience in patient care, diagnosis, and providing appropriate treatments and medical services. Manage medical staff and resolve complex medical cases with maximum efficiency. Communicate the patient’s condition and treatment plan in easily understood terminology. Remain current with the latest advancements in medicine and research to ensure patients receive proper care.

6. Registered Nurse

Seasoned registered nurse offering comprehensive patient care in emergency room settings. Experience handling diverse patient populations and caring for various conditions. Proven leadership managing nursing teams and other staff. Focus on enhancing patient care and satisfaction through empathetic communication and excellent customer service. 

7. Digital Marketing Manager

Forward-thinking digital marketing manager experienced in all facets of digital marketing, including social media management, PPC advertising, SEO, and email marketing. Proven experience creating comprehensive marketing plans that improve lead prospecting and enhance brand awareness. Up to date with the newest tools available for digital marketing campaigns.

8. Marketing Analyst

Industrious marketing analyst well-versed in analyzing marketing campaign analytics and making recommendations to improve performance. Collaborate with account managers and use KPI metrics to explain the results of marketing initiatives. Meticulous with a strong work ethic and robust communication skills.

Food and Service Industry

Experienced wait staff member capable of managing orders, processing payments, and upselling menu items. Ensure restaurant guests feel welcome with attentive service catered to their needs. Remain current on updates to the menu and assist guests with selecting orders to meet their dietary requirements. Maintain a positive attitude and focus during busy restaurant periods.

10. Hotel Receptionist

Friendly hotel receptionist with extensive experience handling guest check-ins, check-out, and payments. Facilitate a positive guest experience with polished customer service skills and a readiness to address common inquiries and complaints. Collaborate well with other hotel team members, including executive administration and on-site restaurant staff.

Business/Office Jobs

11. financial analyst.

Highly motivated financial analyst with a proven track record of recommending appropriate financial plans based on financial monitoring, data collection, and business strategizing. Experienced in qualitative and quantitative analysis, forecasting, and financial modeling. Excellent communication skills for building and fostering long-term business relationships across the organization.

12. Tax Accountant

Experienced tax accountant with ten years of experience preparing federal and state tax returns for corporations and partnerships. Monitor changes in laws to ensure the organization properly complies with reporting requirements. Assist with tax audits, ensuring the team receives proper supporting evidence for tax positions. Analyze and resolve complex tax issues. Look for available tax savings opportunities for corporations with an aggregate savings of $500K last year. Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.

Sales and Customer Service

13. sales representative.

Enthusiastic sales representative with expertise in identifying prospects and converting qualified leads to paying customers. Provide quality customer service and contribute to team sales success. Offer exceptional communication skills and seek to understand client needs before making the appropriate product recommendations. Continually meet and exceed sales goals. Leverage extensive knowledge of available products to provide appropriate client solutions and enhance customer loyalty and retention.

14. Customer Service Associate

Knowledgeable customer service professional with extensive experience in the insurance industry. Known as a team player with a friendly demeanor and proven ability to develop positive rapport with clients. Maintain ongoing customer satisfaction that contributes to overall company success. Highly articulate, with a results-oriented approach that addresses client inquiries and issues while maintaining strong partnerships. Collaborate well with the customer service team while also engaging independent decision-making skills.

Now you have 24 professional resume summary statements and some explanations of why they’re effective. Next, I’ll share tips for how to write your own in case you’re still unsure how to begin based on these examples above.

How to Write a Resume Summary: Steps and Hints

We’ve looked at 10 great resume summary examples above. As you begin writing a resume summary for yourself, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Read the employer’s job description. Your career summary shouldn’t be a long list of everything you’ve done; it should be a refined list of skills and experiences that demonstrate you’re a fit for their job.
• Mention your current job title if relevant. One common way to begin your resume summary is to state your current job title.
• Explain how you can help employers achieve their goals or solve their problems.
• Consider using bold text to emphasize one or two key phrases.
• Include any relevant metrics and data like dollar amounts, years of experience, size of teams led, etc. This helps your resume stand out.
• Focus on making the employer want to read more. The goal of your resume summary isn’t to show everything you can do, but to grab their attention and show enough that they continue reading.

Creating a Customized Resume Summary

While general summaries are appropriate when applying for jobs requiring similar skills and experience, a customized resume summary can enhance your chances of moving on to the next step in the hiring process. 

That’s because most companies use automated tracking systems (ATS) to review submitted resumes for content directly related to the job posting. If you use keywords and natural language phrases in your summary that interlink to the job description, you’ll have a much higher chance of passing the ATS review.

Let’s look at an example of a resume summary that is customized for the specific job description below:

“Highly motivated social media specialist with strong project management skills. Creative marketer skilled in crafting innovative social media campaigns that resonate with a target audience. Regularly develop compelling copy and social media content to enhance lead generation and brand awareness. Detail-oriented with extensive project management skills that ensure proper prioritization of tasks and projects. Work with various social media management and analytics tools to examine results and make adjustments as necessary.”

This summary directly addresses the key points in the job description but rewrites them so the customization is natural and flows well. It’s personalized for the open role and uses similar terms with a few strategically placed keywords, such as “social media content” and “project management.”  

How Long Should a Resume Summary Be?

As you read the resume summaries above, you probably noticed there are some short single-paragraph resume summary examples and much longer career summaries that are two to three paragraphs plus bullet points. So how long should YOUR professional summary be? If you have relevant work experience, keep your summary to one or two paragraphs. The piece you really want the hiring manager to read is your most recent work experience (and you should make sure you tailored that info to fit the job description). The resume summary is just a “bridge” to get the hiring manager into your experience.

If I were writing my own career summary right now, I’d likely use one single paragraph packed with skills, accomplishments, and exactly why I’m ready to step into the job I’ve applied for and be successful!

Even for a manager resume summary, I recommend a very short length. However, if you’re changing careers, or you’re looking for jobs without any work experience , the summary section needs to stand on its own, and should be longer. That’s why some examples above are a bit longer.

Formatting Your Resume/CV Career Summary

You may have noticed a variety of different formats in the career summary examples above. There isn’t one “right” way to format this section on your resume or CV. However, I recommend either using one or two brief paragraphs, or combining a short sentence or paragraph with bullets. Avoid writing three or four long paragraphs with no special formatting like bullet points. That’s simply too much text for your summary section and will cause recruiters and hiring managers to skip over it in some cases.

Should You Include a Resume Objective?

You do not need to include an objective on your resume, and doing so can make your resume appear outdated. Use a resume summary instead of an objective. Follow the resume summary examples above and focus on discussing your skills, qualifications, and achievements, rather than stating your objective. Employers know that your objective is to obtain the position you’ve applied for, and the resume objective has no place on a modern resume/CV in today’s job market.

Examples of Bad Resume Summaries

Now that we’ve seen a few exemplary resume summaries, let’s look at some that you should avoid at all cost.

1. Typos and Grammatical Errors

“Experienced cashier who knows how to run the register cash. Responsible with the money and can talk with the customer. Knows when to stoc up the invenory and checks it all the time. Can count change and run credit card tranactions. Get the customer happy by good service. I am always cheerful and organized.”

Why this resume summary is bad:

If you read the summary carefully, you’ll notice several spelling errors. The words “stock,” “inventory,” and “transactions” are all spelled wrong. Grammatical errors make the summary choppy and difficult to follow (“Get the customer happy by good service”).  A summary like this probably won’t fly with a company looking for a detail-oriented cashier responsible for managing in-person sales.

2. Lacks Relevant Keywords

“Talented worker with experience managing a team of staff. Creative and responsible with knowledge of organizational processes. Can keep up with the busiest of environments. Stays focused when at work, ensuring prompt task completion. Dependable and willing to collaborate with a team to get things done.”  

In this example, the chef doesn’t use keywords relevant to cooking, restaurants, or kitchens. The summary is very generic and can apply to nearly any job. A manager who receives the application isn’t likely to understand what value the candidate can bring to the restaurant.  To fix the summary, the applicant must rewrite it to include relevant keywords and phrases. 

3. No Numbers to Quantify Achievements

“An experienced and hardworking manager ready to align procedures for maximum revenue and profits. Proven track record of streamlining and strengthening processes, resulting in higher sales and better customer satisfaction. Collaborate well with sales team members, ensuring they have the resources and knowledge to support customer purchases and inquiries. Develop strong rapport with clients and maintain ongoing relationships.”

This isn’t a terrible summary for a sales manager, but it has room for improvement. For one, the first two sentences essentially duplicate each other, mentioning an aptitude for improving processes with the objective of higher sales. The other issue is a lack of quantifying achievements. 

The applicant mentions they have a proven record of increasing sales, but they could strengthen the summary by quantifying their results. For example, they might say, “Proven track record of streamlining and strengthening processes, resulting in a 25% increase in sales over the past year.” The quantifier provides additional credibility. 

4. Not Targeting the Specific Job

“Looking for work in a role that requires great customer service, project management, and communication skills. Able to collaborate with people from diverse and varying backgrounds. Highly organized and reliable worker with a strong work ethic. Responsible and reliable worker you can count on.”

While the candidate lists various skills they have, including customer service and project management, there’s no indication of prior roles held or what position they’re applying for. The summary could apply to numerous positions in a variety of industries. To improve the resume summary, the applicant must specify the job they’re applying for and indicate their prior experience in a similar role, if they have any.

After You Start Getting Interviews, Make Sure to Take Advantage…

If you follow the advice above, you’ll have a great professional resume summary to make your qualifications stand out to employers. But landing the interview is only half the battle… So make sure you go into every interview ready to convince employers that they should hire you, too! If you write a great resume summary example that gets employers excited to interview you, they’re going to ask you questions like, “tell me about yourself” early in the interview to learn more about your background. So make sure you’re prepared with an answer.

I also recommend you review the top 20 interview questions and answers here.

Your resume caught their interest, so naturally, they’re going to follow up with a variety of questions to learn more about your professional background.

The bottom line is: A strong professional resume summary, followed up by other well-written resume sections will get you the interview, but your interview performance is what determines whether you get the job offer!

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

More Resume Tips & Guides

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I would recommend to customise the skills section of your resume, and ensure that it matches the job posting. The higher the number of phrases within the resume matching the job requirements the more are the chances that the recruiter will pick you for the job.

I just wanted to say, “thank you!”. This was very helpful. Instead of jumping from one website to the next there’s so much useful, relevant information right here.

Hi, I have been having trouble creating a resume as My old one is so long, I’ve worked for a government agency for the past 14 years and held multiple positions doing many different duties for each and now I have to relocate to another area where they do not have an agency like mine in my new area within a 3 hour drive, how can I squeeze all my experience and duties on one page and where do I even start, I’m so nervous, it’s been so long since I’ve attempted the job hunt. So I’m wondering, I do not want to cut anything out that may hurt my chances and I can’t afford to have my resume rewritten by a professional. Can you guide me as to where you think would be a good place to start, I’ve been staring at this laptop for weeks trying to decide on a resume template, there are so many. I thank you for your time and any input will help.

Hi, I am a new graduate and do not have any experience in my field which is Nursing. I want to apply for the jobs but I have no idea about what to mention in my resume.

Hi, this article should help with the resume summary, at least: https://careersidekick.com/summary-for-resume-no-experience/

Other than that, you need to put your academic experience. And internships/part-time jobs if you’ve had any.

Dear Biron,, Thanks for sharing the 10 examples of professional summaries in your article, and especially the reasons why they were considered to be good. However, as a HR professional, I would most likely skip over most of them and would not read much past the first or second sentence. The summaries were mostly too wordy and boring, and did not demonstrate ‘oomph’ at first cursory reading. Simply indicating certain skills or behaviors does not give an idea of the level of expertise, and could simply be wishful thinking on the part of the resume writer.

Just goes to show that there are many ways to see what makes a good summary.

I am a chemical engineer and project management professional with 15+years experience. My experience is between process engineering and project management . How can I marry the two in my profile summary?

It’s not about showing everything you’ve done. It’s about showing employers evidence you’ll succeed in their job. You can show a bit of both but focus heavily on what’s most relevant for the jobs you’re applying for right now. 80/20.

This was absolutely helpful and amazing! Thank you very much!

Hello, I am an active job seeker. I hold a law degree from a foreign country and currently in college for an associate degree. My question is, how do I blend both my foreign job experience with that of the United States in my resume. Thank you.

I’d put your work history in chronological order, starting with the most recent up top. That’s what I’d recommend for 95% of people actually. Then it doesn’t matter where you held each job.

And then in your Education section, I’d include your foreign degree and the current degree you’re pursuing in the US, too (for the US degree, you can say “in progress” or “graduating May 2019” for example).

I am 40 years old & B.A degree holder I have experience in many fields.I would like to join any one fields

I am a fresh graduate, who has five years teaching experience and some months customer service representative experience. Pls kindly assist me to put the resume summary together

I’m an active duty service member and finding in a little difficult creating a good transitional summary from 20 year profession in tactical communications to a drug and alcohol counselor. Do you have any recommendations how I should approach this? Any assistance would be helpful. Thanks

Great piece

How to write the CAREER ABSTRACT in resume for ware super visor retail business?

Just wanted to say thank you.Your advise and information was clear and easy to understand , sometimes there is nothing pertaining to what im looking fot in particular, buy you have sermed to cover everything I n a short quick easy to understand method.It will help tremendously.

Thanks! Glad to hear it helped :)

Very informational

What if you have work experience, but the job your going for(teachingeducation) has nothing to do with warehouse work? How should I build my resume?

In the summary, describe yourself and then say, “…looking to transition into ___” (the type of work you want to be doing now).

This is a bit like a resume “Objective”. I normally don’t recommend an Objective section (and I recommend a Summary section instead), however the one time an Objective does make sense is when you’re trying to change industries or make a big change in the type of role you have.

So that’s why my advice here might seem like I’m telling you to combine an Objective with your resume Summary.

Then “tailor” your previous work to be as relevant as possible. Even if you worked in a different industry you can still show things like leadership, accountability, progress/improvement, hard work, achieving goals, strong teamwork skills, etc. You can do all of that in your resume bullets and work history.

Don’t u have Resume Summary of legal secretary/legal assistant?

No, sorry about that. There are hundreds of different professions/job titles, and we aren’t able to include an example for every scenario out there. These resume summary examples are designed to give you a general idea of how to write yours.

The summaries listed are excellent example and have helped me develop a stand out summary for a new position.

Hello, I been trying to land the job of my dreams. I need help with my resume if i want the recruiters in airlines to notice me. I’ve applied before but haven’t had complete success to making it to a face-to Face Interview. It is a career change – yet i feel i am a great candidate bc i have had many customer service and I even attended an academy for that specific position. Can you please tell me what I am doing wrong on my resume ?

what if i never had a job experience?

Great question. If you don’t have any work experience, take one of the formats/examples above and put your accomplishments and qualifications from your academic studies.

Your headline could say: “Motivated Bio-Sciences Graduate With Expertise in ____”.

And then you might talk about accomplishments in school, group projects you worked on or led, etc.

Basically, when you have no work experience, your school/studies BECOMES your recent work. You should talk about that like it’s a job, because that’s the experience you do have.

really amazing article and too useful , thanks

Hi Mr. Clark, I have been out of the work force for about 18+years and I have been a small business owner for the same number of years. However, I want to go back to the work force. But my problem is that, I don’t know how to prepare my resume or resume summary statement. I had a degree in Communication,Arts and Sciences and a postgraduate degree in Public Administration. I’m a bit confused as to how to incorporate all these experiences into my resume. Please can you help?

Hi Dorothy, I can recommend a professional resume writer if you want. But they’re typically not cheap, so it’s something you’d have to be willing to invest in. If not, there’s a lot of free info online about how to “tailor” your resume for specific jobs. I can’t help one-on-one unfortunately, but I’d recommend thinking about which type of jobs you want, and think of what experience you have that is most relevant. that’s what to put on your resume. Your resume isn’t only about you, it’s about them – what do they want/need? (if you want to get a ton of interviews, that’s how to do it :) ).

Can I have a professional resume writer?

I use a similar format when writing my opening statement for my coverletter. How do you recommend differentiating the two? Or is it ok to use largely the same language?

I think it’s okay to use something similar. I might be more brief in the cover letter… it needs to be about them just as much as it’s about you. Whereas the resume is all about you, at least in the summary section. (The later sections should still be tailored to THEIR needs..)

Struggling to write a Summary Statement for a Secretary/Administrative Assistant position. I have 15 years government experience but have been away from the government since 9/1993 and have spent 15 years as a Substitute Teacher after taking off for 10 years to raise my children.

Hiya! I am a mother of three attempting to return to the workforce. I have been a stay at mom for about 13 years, so I have a (large) gap in my employment history; which doesn’t look great. I have a college education and have obtained a few certifications whilst not employed, plus many volunteer hours. I know that I should probably use a functional resume format. Would love some advice on what I should include in my summary statement.

Hi Juniper,

I rarely like functional resumes, but it might be worth trying. I’d “split-test” it (a marketing term). Create two resume styles, send out 50% one way, 50% the other way, and track results for a week.

I’d treat the resume summary statement just like any other resume. Highlight your skills and past wins/accomplishments.

how do i explain long term gaps in employment? leave them out?

Hi Paulette,

Don’t mention them on a resume summary. But do mention the gaps on a cover letter or lower down on the resume. Here’s an article on how to explain gaps in employment:

https://careersidekick.com/explaining-gaps-in-employment/

I am student in civil engineering field. Have 1.5 yrs of work ex. How should i structure my resume. Thanks.

Hello My name is Shataka and I’m a current job seeker trying to land my dream job as a Counselor. I have Master degree in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. My experience lies in many different fields. I’m currently a Substance Abuse Counselor, with a teaching background and over 5 years of social service experience. I guess my question is how would I sum up all my experience to help me find a job as a Counselor.

Comments are closed.

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• Resume Help

How to Write a Great Resume Summary: Examples for 2024

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When recruiters have less than ten seconds to look at a resume, you need something to catch their attention. And that’s what a resume summary can do. I've gathered more than fifty resume summary examples you can take inspiration from. In this guide, I will also teach you what a professional summary for a resume is and how to write one that's effective at grabbing the recruiter's attention. 

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Sample resume made with our builder— See more resume examples here .

 A resume summary is only one sections you should learn how to ace. Read our other guides:

Resume Objective

Experience Resume Section

Education Resume Section

Skills on a Resume

Additional Resume Sections

How to Create a Perfect Resume Header

• Resume Headline

How to Add Contact Information to Your Resume

Resume Sections & Categories

What Is a Resume Summary?

A resume summary statement is a short professional introduction to your resume. It highlights your most valuable qualifications. It helps your recruiter make a quick decision whether you’re the right fit for their company. A good summary for a resume starts with a positive character trait. It includes your job title, key skills, and the highlights of your career.

Sounds a bit too theoretical? Here’s an example summary statement for a resume that will clear your doubts:

Good Resume Summary Example

Experienced PMP with a background in law and 7+ years of experience growing revenue for a Massachusetts-based electronics firm. Seeking to leverage leadership expertise as project manager for Paylocity. Guest speaker at the Northeast Lean Conference in 2014.

See? This example includes all the elements I mentioned in the definition, such as a character adjective, the job title , professional skills , and a sample career achievement . That’s just 3 sentences, but they speak volumes about the candidate.

Using a resume introduction like this is one of the tricks that can help to make your resume more successful . Hiring managers rarely read the whole resume from top to bottom. Instead, they use selective attention to find the information they need. So, a professional summary that uses the resume keywords from the job posting will catch their attention like a charm .

Now, if you want to see more examples of good resume summaries straight away, jump here to the last chapter of this guide: Summary Examples for a Resume.

Who Needs a Professional Summary for a Resume?

Before your keyboard catches fire from your writing speed, take a second to ponder: is a resume summary right for you ? After all, it’s not the only type of resume profile there is. 

You can benefit from a resume summary if:

• You’re a seasoned professional
• You’ve got 1+ years of experience in your profession
• You’ve got a traditional career path
• You’ve got achievements relevant to the job

So, if you’re writing an entry-level resume , a resume with no experience , or a career change resume , you’re more likely to succeed with a career objective instead of a resume summary. There are exceptions, of course—for example, you can write a student resume summary highlighting your academic achievements when you’re applying for an assistant researcher position.

Pro Tip: Before writing your resume summary, make sure all other sections of your resume are ready and polished to perfection. Then you can combine the best statements you put on a resume into your profile summary.

How to Write a Resume Summary

How difficult can it be to write up to 5 sentences about yourself? Well, it may be trickier than it sounds. A professional summary for a resume must not only accurately describe your qualifications for a specific position but also ooze confidence.  People prefer self-confident individuals , so that’s how hiring managers must perceive you.

Follow the tips below to craft a powerful resume summary statement:

1. Tailor Your Resume Summary to the Job Ad

It’s not about writing any professional summary—it’s about writing the one that matches the job. Why? Because only a tailored resume has a chance against automatic screening systems. And when your ATS-friendly resume with a clear-cut resume description reaches a hiring manager, they’ll be way more impressed with it than with a generic one. So make sure your summary statement for a resume mentions the core competencies outlined in the job posting.

2. Use the Evergreen Formula for a Good Resume Summary

Let me show you a simple formula. Once you it, you’ll be able to write a better resume summary than a professional summary generator. Here it goes:

[adjective(s)/strong character trait(s)][your job title][your experience]. Eager to support/help/assist/etc. [company name][what you want to help the employer achieve and how you want to do it]. [your key achievement(s)].

Now, just fill in the blanks with the key skills from your resume , info about your work experience, and throw in a few resume power words to make it sound more impressive.

3. Show Quantifiable Achievements

What sounds more impressive: “Streamlined internal reporting processes” or “Simplified reporting using project tracking software to increase productivity by 27%”? The second example is an achievement statement. It follows the Problem-Action-Result formula, which is perfect for talking about accomplishments.

A good summary for a resume must include a relevant achievement. And the ones involving numbers are the best.

4. Follow the Style Preferred by Recruiters

Your profile summary for a resume must stick to the following rules:

• Skip personal pronouns such as I or my .
• Limit the length of your professional summary to 2–5 sentences.
• Describe yourself using strong adjectives .
• Stay away from resume clichés such as go-getter or hard worker. .

To make it clearer, here’s a terrible summary statement coming straight from a bad resume example :

That is NOT what a summary for a resume should look like . It doesn’t follow the rules, and the tone is overly confident. This applicant is most likely lying on a resume .

Enough learning—let’s see professional summary examples that work.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a professional resume template here for free .

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

50+ Resume Summary Examples for Multiple Jobs

Here’s my neat collection of career summary examples. Use them for inspiration, or simply adjust them to your needs!

Resume Summary Examples for Administrative & Office Jobs

Administrative assistant resume summary .

Dedicated senior administrative assistant with over 7 years of professional experience. Organized travel plans and schedules of 5 senior executives whilst doing general office admin duties. Eager to help ABC Inc. with managing appointments and communications. Also, skilled in accounting and ready to assist in bookkeeping. Devised and implemented 3 office initiatives that helped the company save over USD 10,000 a year.

For more details, go to Administrative Assistant Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Administrative Coordinator Resume Summary

Personable administrative coordinator with 4+ years of experience in the corporate environment. Seeking to utilize organizational and collaboration skills to boost the office efficiency at Orange Trading. Improved wastepaper recycling by 37% and cut office supplies cost by 5% in 2022.

Learn more here: How to Write an Admin Coordinator Resume

Clerical Resume Summary

Meticulous and goal-oriented office clerk with 4+ years of experience in law firms. Eager to support information processing operations at Hartford & Partners with data entry and archiving skills. At BlueDot Law, improved office operations by implementing the use of image-to-text software and reorganizing the filing system. 

For more information, check this guide: Sample Clerical Resume with Tips & Key Skills

Data Entry Resume Summary

Detail-oriented Data Entry Specialist with 2+ years of experience. Eager to support office operations at OutlineCats Ltd. with typing skills and Microsoft Office knowledge. At Fish Tent, spotted inaccuracies in 40+ invoices and helped prevent a loss of over $12,000.

See more: Data Entry Resume Example & Writing Tips

Executive Assistant Resume Summary 

Dependable and devoted executive assistant with over 7 years of professional experience. Keen to support ABC Inc. with excellent organizational and analytical skills. At DEF Inc. optimized travel costs and effectively slashed them by over 30%. Also, saved USD 500K a year by redesigning and implementing a modernized call system.

For more details, go to Executive Assistant Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Office Administrator Resume Summary

Energetic office administrator with 3 years of experience. Excellent Microsoft Office skills and broad knowledge of office equipment. Seeking to implement cost-cutting administrative solutions at Icofly Inc. At NA20X, decreased operational costs by finding new suppliers, leading to savings of $7,400 in 2022.

Learn how to write a resume for office admin jobs here: Resume for an Office Administrator

Office Manager Resume Summary 

Dynamic office manager with over 7 years of professional experience. Seeks to leverage top-notch managerial and organizational skills to boost efficiency at ABC Inc. Managed a team of 5 office assistants in a high-volume retail business. Grew the number of new contracts by 30% a year, and reduced lead times by 45%. Optimized office supplies spending and saved over $50,000 per year.

For more details, go to Office Manager Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Receptionist Resume Summary 

Agile and well-organized receptionist with 6+ years of professional experience in the private and public sectors. Skilled at dealing with sensitive situations and keen to support ABC Inc. with organizational, diplomacy, and communication skills. At DEF Inc., implemented a CRM system with reporting capabilities that contributed to cutting costs by up to 25%.

For more details, go to Receptionist Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Secretary Resume Summary

Dedicated secretary with 5+ years of experience in a business setting. Keen to support administrative operations at WollFrame with excellent organizational and Microsoft Office skills. Praised for efficiency and professionalism at FluffPuff Co. In 2023, introduced calendar management and conference room booking solutions that helped decrease the number of unnecessary in-person meetings for company staff by 9%. 

Learn more here: How to Write a Resume for a Secretary

Virtual Assistant’s Resume Summary

Resilient Virtual Assistant with 3+ years of experience managing social media channels, creating content, and handling travel arrangements for three businesses and over 10 individuals. Excellent time management and communication skills. Eager to boost brand recognition for SoloPet by creating unique Instagram and blog content. In 2023, developed a social media strategy for a fitness influencer which led to an increase in followers from 3,5K to 75K within six months.

See more: Resume for a Virtual Assistant: Sample & Writing Tips

Resume Summary Examples for Business Jobs

Business analyst resume summary.

Inquisitive Business Analyst with 10+ years of experience in shipping industries. Excellent data analysis and management skills. Eager to supply the executive team with strategic analyses and forecasts to aid decision making at OverSeaS. At Oceanique, detected opportunities to boost vessel capacity by 9%, leading to a decrease in operational costs by 12%.

Learn more: How to Write a Resume for Business Analyst Jobs

Business Development Resume Summary

Goal-oriented Business Development Manager with 5+ years of experience in corporate environment. Eager to create market analyses for WizardGrow to detect opportunities for further growth. Conducted market research at CFly Inc. that led to increasing profits by 13% in 2021–2023.

Learn how to write a successful business resume: Resume Example for Business Professionals

Business Intelligence Resume Summary

Creative Business Intelligence Analyst with 4 years of experience in SaaS companies. Keen to utilize analytical skills to support finance and development teams at SaffronSky. At Belugeau, spotted cost-cutting opportunities in sales and marketing operations that led to over $31,800 in savings in 2021–2023.

See more: Business Intelligence Analyst Resume Example & Writing Guide

Project Manager Resume Summary

Seasoned IT PMP with a degree in law and 8+ years of professional experience in growing revenue for a fintech company. Keen to leverage leadership and managerial expertise as a project manager for ABC Inc. Executed a lean training project that led to cutting costs by up to 40% in 6 months.

For more details, go to Project Manager Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Data Analyst Resume Summary 

Disciplined and insightful data analyst with 6+ years of experience analyzing business processes. Eager to leverage big data interpreting and visualizing skills at ABC Inc to drive growth and boost sales results. In current role, identified a major bottleneck, reduced operating costs by over 20%, and saved upwards of USD 500,000 a year.

For more details, go to Data Analyst Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Human Resources Resume Summary 

Meticulous and efficient HR manager with 7+ years of experience. Eager to boost employee retention for ABC Inc. In previous positions, increased employee retention by 20% YOY. Cut recruitment lead time by 30%. Also, improved employee effectiveness by up to 20% and boosted participation in training by 15%.

For more details, go to Human Resource Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Resume Summary Examples for Customer Service 

Customer service manager resume summary.

People-oriented Customer Service Manager with 5+ years of experience in an international company. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Seeking to utilize leadership skills and improve agent efficiency while coordinating the customer service team at White Line Co. Received the Management Excellence award in 2020 for continuously exceeding team KPIs for four consecutive quarters.

Learn more: Resume for a Customer Service Manager: Example & Best Tips

Customer Service Resume Summary

Energetic and optimistic customer service representative with over 3 years of professional experience assisting customers in solving complex issues. Keen to support ABC Inc. in becoming a market leader through proven customer support skills. Awarded Consultant of the Month three times. Helped reduce First Response Time by 20% within the first quarter of employment.

For more details, go to Customer Service Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Customer Success Manager Resume Summary

Efficient customer success manager with 10 years of experience. Eager to collaborate with Sales and Product teams to detect opportunities to increase customer satisfaction and boost sales for True Flow. At FonoGrow, helped increase the company rating on TrustPilot by 26% through changes in CS processes.

Learn how to make a great resume for this profession: Tips for Writing the Best Customer Success Manager Resume

Retail Resume Summary

Personable retail associate with 3+ years of experience in a busy fashion store. Keen to utilize sales techniques and interpersonal skills at LiliCoSlow to strengthen customer loyalty while exceeding sales targets. Recognized as Top Staff Member at Alter Dress for excellent customer service skills and dependability.

See more: Sample Retail Resume & Writing Guide

Resume Summary Examples for Counseling & Social Work

Aged care resume summary.

Personable Aged Care Specialist with 4 years of experience. Certified Nurse Aide. Seeking to support the residents of Boca Raton La Vida with restorative care and a personalized approach to their wellness. In 2020–2023, cared for 150+ geriatric residents of Moon Health Center and received 100% positive feedback from patients as well as fellow staff members.

Learn more here: How to Write a Resume for Aged Care Workers

Caregiver Resume Summary

Empathetic caregiver with 10+ years of experience in assisted living facilities. Certified in First Aid. Keen to improve the quality of life for Ribbon Lane Living patients by providing personalized care plans and supporting their daily activities. At Homes4All, created a successful arts & crafts program attended by 80 geriatric patients.

See more: Caregiver Resume Example & Step-by-Step Writing Guide

Disability Support Worker Resume Summary

Energetic disability support worker with 2+ years of experience with special needs children and teens. Keen to support students’ academic efforts at Emerald Future using personalized activities and teaching aids that match their needs. In 2021–2023, provided 1:1 Math and English tutoring for individuals with learning difficulties, helping them to improve their performance in standardized tests by 37% on average.

Learn how to write a resume for disability workers here: Resume Example for a Disability Support Worker (+ Tips)

Mental Health Counselor Resume Summary

Empathetic mental health counselor with 6+ years of experience. Eager to support the students of Salem Technical University with personalized counseling sessions to decrease the freshmen dropout rate and prevent antisocial behavior. Provided group and individual counseling to 100+ undergraduate students with a 94% satisfaction rate.

See more: Sample Resume for a Mental Health Counselor

Social Worker Resume Summary 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 7 years of professional experience. Eager to help ABC Center’s clients through first-class treatment plan development and assessment skills. At DEF Center devised 35+ plans for treatment and cooperated with 40+ clients to achieve their goals with a 90% success rate in under nine months.

For more details, go to Social Worker Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Resume Summary Examples for Education Jobs

Teacher resume summary.

Dedicated secondary education teacher with over 8 years of experience in devising individualized curricula within state standards. Eager to join ABC School to utilize expert knowledge of English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching methodology, including project- and content-based instruction. Prepared 300+ students for international language certifications with a 99% pass rate.

For more details, go to Teacher Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Teacher Assistant Resume Summary

Enthusiastic Teacher Assistant with 3+ years of experience with high school students. Eager to support the educators at Open Minds Center with lesson planning and one-to-one tutoring. At STEM Workz, created 20 unique lesson plans and helped 30+ students improve their scores in Math and Chemistry.

Learn more: Teacher Assistant Resume Example & Key Skills

Resume Summary Examples for Finance & Accounting

Accountant resume summary .

Disciplined and persistent senior CPA with over 6 years of professional experience. Eager to employ proven account reconciliation and IT skills at ABC Inc. In previous roles, improved DEF Inc’s cloud-computing practices that led to saving as many as 800 hours yearly. Identified and eliminated an issue that saved almost $1 million per year.

For more details, go to Accountant Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Financial Analyst Resume Summary 

Chartered Financial Analyst with over 7 years of professional experience. Seeks to leverage budgeting, cost, and revenue-maximizing expertise for ABC Inc. At DEF Inc. saved USD 3.5M through identifying low-margin transactions. Also, optimized pricing policy at GHI Inc. that boosted customer retention metrics by up to 40%.

For more details, go to Financial Analyst Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Resume Summary Examples for Food & Restaurant Jobs

Bartender resume summary .

Charismatic bartender with over 6 years of professional experience working at high-end clubs in large metropolitan and seaside areas. Thanks to exceptional memory, rapport-building, and storytelling skills achieved a 20% boost in up-selling to all patrons. Holds a Bartending Certificate valid in the vast majority of states.

For more details, go to Bartender Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Cook Resume Summary

Versatile cook with 3 years of experience in busy restaurants. Passionate about fusion cuisine and locally-grown ingredients. Eager to team up with the kitchen staff at Yenocita BBQ to prepare high-quality meals in a timely and organized manner. While at Pollo&Stella, created a signature dish for the summer seasonal menu that received 30+ rave reviews on Google and Yelp.

Learn how to write a resume for a cook here: Professional Cook Resume Example

Fast Food Resume Summary

Dependable crew member with 3 years of experience in a fast-food restaurant. Excellent customer service and time management skills. Seeking to provide personalized service to Pasta&Pizza’s patrons in an efficient and friendly manner. Exceeded sales goals by 22% for two consecutive quarters in 2022.

Learn more: Resume for Fast Food Jobs: Sample & Writing Guide

Server Resume Summary 

Dependable and friendly server with over 3 years of experience waiting on guests at ABC Restaurant. Eager to join DEF Restaurant to offer its guests exquisite dining experience. Served up to 80 guests nightly and made sure all the dishes were delivered in a timely manner.

For more details, go to Server Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Resume Summary Examples for Health & Wellness

Cna resume summary.

Dependable multilingual CNA (BLS and CPR certified) with over 10 years of experience in various healthcare settings. Seeks to utilize proven managerial and patient advocacy skills at ABC Medical Center. At DEF Care Home managed a team of 7+ CNAs. Also, developed and implemented a set of procedures that reduced medication administration errors down to 0.1%.

For more details, go to CNA Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Nursing Resume Summary

Bilingual Pediatric Registered Nurse with 10+ years of professional experience in the ICUs and PICUs of community hospitals. Keen to join the ABC Hospital staff to leverage top-class management experience and patient care skills as a Pediatric RN at DEF Hospital. Thanks to a deep knowledge of hospital procedures and high standards of service consistently scored over 90% in compliance rate assessments.

For more details, go to Nursing Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Massage Therapist Resume Summary

Licensed massage therapist with 4+ years of experience in wellness centers. Knowledgeable about classic bodywork and Eastern modalities. Eager to provide the customers of Flying Orchid Spa with rejuvenating massage sessions customized to target their needs. At previous workplace, built a customer base of 30+ recurring clients through professionalism and personalized care.

Learn more: How to Write a Resume for a Massage Therapist

Medical Assistant Resume Summary

Certified Medical Assistant with over 5 years of professional experience. Eager to use impeccable patient care skills to support excellence at ABC Med. At DEF Med, received 99% positive reviews. Reduced the number of errors by 22% and saved USD 70,000 a year thanks to a good understanding of EHR.

For more details, go to Medical Assistant Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Medical Doctor Resume Summary

Personable family medicine specialist with 8+ years of experience. Excellent customer care and interpersonal skills. Eager to provide patients at Jade Family Clinic with personalized and efficient healthcare. At Health Lion Inc., received 91% satisfaction rating while seeing 20+ patients daily. 

Learn more here: How to Write a Resume for a Medical Doctor

Resume Summary Examples for Hospitality Jobs

Hotel receptionist resume summary.

Resilient hotel receptionist with 3 years of experience in upscale and boutique establishments. Well versed in booking management systems. Eager to utilize customer service skills to resolve all customer inquiries in an efficient and courteous manner while creating a great experience for hotel guests at Nana Coastal Retreats. While at OpuLux Lodgings, provided front-desk services to VIP clients and received a 98% satisfaction rate. 

Learn more: How to Write a Hotel Front Desk Resume

Event Manager Resume Summary

Resourceful Event Manager with 5+ years of experience in corporate environments. Eager to coordinate in-house and public events for Satay Trade Inc. with great attention to detail. Successfully managed a team of 5 to organize a business conference for 200+ guests on very short notice in 2022.

See here: Event Manager Resume: Example, Skills, & Writing Tips

Housekeeping Resume Summary 

Well-organized housekeeping supervisor skilled in deep and daily cleaning. Eager to join the ABC Hotel to help maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and organization. In previous roles, managed six housekeeping staff members at the DEF Hotel and contributed to boosting positive customer reviews by over 45%. Identified and resolved a recurring issue with guest room air conditioning that saved USD 300K.

For more details, go to Housekeeping Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Resume Summary Examples for Industry Jobs

Cnc machinist resume summary.

Detail-oriented CNC machine operator with 4 years of experience. Eager to provide equipment maintenance services and boost production efficiency for Hydra Inc. In 2021, helped decrease equipment downtime by 23% through improvements in routine maintenance operations and staff training.

Learn more: How to Write a Resume for a CNC Machinist

Forklift Operator Resume Summary

Dependable forklift operator with 5+ years of experience. OSHA Forklift Certification holder. Eager to join the warehouse staff at Blue Ship Holdings to support shipping operations and train new forklift drivers. At Pea Dockyards, consistently exceeded loading and unloading targets while keeping a 100% safety record for 2 years.

Learn to write an impressive resume for a forklift operator here: Sample Forklift Operator Resume & Writing Tips

Warehouse Resume Summary 

Qualified warehouse associate with over 7 years of experience. Eager to join ABC Inc. to deliver top KPIs and impeccable organizational skills. As a DEF Inc. warehouse associate achieved picking-packing speeds and efficiency in top 96%. Five-time winner of the DEF Inc. picker of the month.

For more details, go to Warehouse Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Resume Summary Examples for IT & Tech

Software engineer resume summary .

Dynamic and creative software developer with over 5 years of experience in producing robust code for high-volume companies. Eager to support the dev team at CDE Inc. with top-notch coding skills. In previous roles, doubled code-efficiency of ABC Inc., and increased customer retention by 30% among others.

For more details, go to Software Engineer Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Engineering Resume Summary

Ingenious and determined mechanical engineer with over 10 years of experience. Seeks to use first-class production design and process skills to push forward manufacturing excellence at ABC Inc. Boosted production efficiency by 25% at DEF Inc. and consistently delivered to customer needs at over 20% under budget.

For more details, go to Engineering Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

IT Resume Summary

Likable and dedicated IT consultant with over 5 years of experience in a fast-paced fin-tech company. Eager to offer superb analytical and computer skills to help ABC Inc grow its client base. In previous roles recognized for top company-wide quality satisfaction rating (over 99%). Also, reduced client wait time by 20% and boosted client satisfaction ratings by more than 40% in a single quarter. 

For more details, go to IT Resume: Sample and Complete Guide

Resume Summary Examples for Sales

Sales resume summary.

Determined retail clerk with over 4 years of professional experience. Eager to help ABC Inc. boost its KPIs through outstanding customer loyalty-building and sales skills. Constantly received upwards of 90% of positive customer reviews and achieved 30% above average repeat customer scores. Also, runs a popular unboxing channel on YouTube with over 3K of monthly views.

For more details, go to Retail Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Sales Associate Resume Summary 

Insightful sales associate with 5+ years of professional experience in online and print media. Eager to boost DEF Inc’s revenue by at least 40% over the next fiscal year. In previous positions, exceeded quarterly sales targets by 10% every quarter. Maintained a customer retention rate of 90% YOY thanks to which won Salesman of the Year Award in 2018.

For more details, go to Sales Associate Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Cashier Resume Summary 

Likable cashier with over 5 years of professional experience. Seeks to utilize top-class organizational and attention to detail skills to boost efficiency at ABC Inc. At DEF Inc., awarded Employee of the Month four times in a row for accuracy and efficiency. At GHI Inc., worked a streak of 450 days with no sick leave and a 30% higher accuracy score than peers.

For more details, go to Cashier Resume Sample and Complete Guide

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.  Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaways

Here’s how to write a resume summary that’s short yet effective:

• Start with a good personality trait, your job title, and years of experience.
• Follow with specifying what you can do for the employer.
• Throw in a relevant achievement and key skills.
• Make a tailored professional summary for every job application.

Do you have any questions about crafting the perfect resume summaries? Would you like to share your advice with other readers? I'm always happy to hear from you. Give me a shout-out in the comments below!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines . We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

• https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/dist/1/56827/files/2018/08/Selective-attention-filtering-and-the-development-of-working-2muqip9.pdf
• https://www.princeton.edu/~rbenabou/papers/CONFQJE2.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions about Resume Summary Examples

What is a summary on a resume .

A resume summary (also called a resume profile or resume introduction ) is a short and catchy paragraph that sums up your qualifications for a specific job. Its purpose is to catch the reader’s attention and immediately show your value to a recruiter in just 2–5 sentences.

No matter which resume format you decide to use, your resume summary should always go near the top of the page, below the resume header . If your resume template features a sidebar rather than a header, put the summary statement at the top of the main column. 

How to write a professional summary for a resume? 

Here's how to write a professional summary for a resume:

• Start with a character trait plus your job title and years of experience.
• Add a quantifiable career achievement relevant to the position.
• Offer to use your expertise to achieve a specific goal for the company. 
• Weave in a few of your key professional skills relevant to the job ad.
• Always tailor the resume summary to a specific job you want.

These are just the essentials. To make a good resume summary, you should also use action verbs that help to convey confidence, and add resume keywords from the job posting .

What is the best resume summary generator?

You can use a free resume summary generator that’s featured in our resume builder . It will create a professional summary for a resume based on your profession, skills, and work experience. 

You can also try stand-alone professional summary generators available online. However, they can only provide you with a fill-in-the-blank template for your resume summary. This means that you will have to spend extra time personalizing it.

How do you write a summary for a resume with no experience? 

If you’re making a resume with no work experience , such as a recent grad resume , consider writing a resume objective instead of a summary. A resume objective is basically a beginner summary for a resume: it too aims to show your skills and catch the reader’s attention, but it does so using your academic achievements and transferable skills rather than work experience. Objectives also work well for career-change resumes . 

How to start a resume summary? 

Start your resume summary with a positive character adjective, then mention your job title, years of experience, and your expertise. Follow with examples of career accomplishments and key skills relevant to the job. It’s easier to write a good summary for a resume when your other resume sections are completed.

Where can I find more resume summary examples? 

Browse our collection of resume examples for 500+ specific jobs to see resume summaries for various professions. Each sample comes with a writing guide so you can learn exactly how to write a resume for your profession or experience level.

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How to Write Resume Job Description [+ Examples]

• April 18, 2024
• In Resumes & Cover Letters

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

Why is a job description important to an employer

A resume job description is incredibly important for several reasons:

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

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

How to write an effective resume job description

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

Step 1: Include relevant information

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

Step 2: Highlight accomplishments

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

Step 3: Use concise language

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

Step 4: Tailor descriptions to the job

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

Step 5: Follow a reverse chronological order

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

Step 6: Always use bullet points

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

Including relevant keywords in resume job descriptions

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

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

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

Resume job description examples

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

#1. Customer Service Job Description Example

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

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

#2. Executive Assistant Job Description Sample

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

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

#3. Front Office Job Description Sample

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

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

#4. Project Manager Job Description Sample

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

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

#5. Sales Manager  Job Description Sample

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

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

#6.  Supervisor Job Description Sample

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

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

#7. Teacher Job Description Example

Teacher, Manhattan Upper School September 2017 – November 2020

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

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

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How to write an MBA resume and make sure it stands out in the stack

Applying to business school, or an MBA program, can be nerve-racking. You’ll need to lasso together transcripts and test scores, fill out an application, and likely ace an interview—but perhaps the most critical piece of it all is an MBA resume. This important document will list out many of the same elements as a traditional resume, such as your educational background and work experience. 

But an MBA resume also has a different primary function than the typical resume you might submit to try and land a job: It’s designed to land you a spot in an MBA program. If writing an MBA resume feels intimidating, knowing what to put on it, and some other framing tactics, may help calm your nerves.

UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA

Mba resume vs. a job resume  .

As noted, an MBA resume should feel familiar to many prospective business school students. 

“An MBA resume is very similar to a job resume,” says Kaneisha Grayson, the founder and CEO of The Art of Applying , an MBA admissions consultancy. She adds that both types of resumes will, or should, comprise a single page, incorporate clear, professional formatting, and lay out an applicant’s educational and career accomplishments. 

“I’d say one difference between the two is that I advise our clients to put their education at the top—whereas with a job resume, you’d see education at the bottom,” Grayson says. She recommends this variation because an MBA resume’s specific aim of landing an applicant at an educational institution. 

So, in that sense, there may not be a whole lot of differences between an MBA resume and a job resume, but there will be some additional focus on specific aspects of your background, all in an effort to win over an MBA program’s selection or admissions committee. 

How to write an MBA resume

Again, writing an MBA resume shouldn’t differ a whole lot from writing a traditional resume, but you’ll want to try and keep your end goal in mind, which is landing a spot in an MBA program. As you write your MBA resume, keeping that goal in mind should prove helpful, because it can help you parse out the information you’ll want to include, and the things you won’t.

“An MBA resume is very specialized toward the application cycle,” says Ellin Lolis, President and Founder of Ellin Lolis MBA Consulting . So, again, keep the end goal in mind. “Your education section is going to be important,” Lolis says, “but we mostly want to see your career focus.”

As for the nuts and bolts of writing an MBA resume? Keep it simple by deciding what to rope in, what to leave out, and how to structure it all so that it’s easy to read. 

What to include in your MBA resume

The main elements that your MBA resume should include are an education section, a job experience or professional experience section, and a portion that details a bit more about you, personally, such as your hobbies and interests. 

You can leave out photographs, information related to your high school, and even most of your contact information—that’ll be included on your program application, the experts say. 

Again, do your best to keep what you include to one page. The only time you could probably get a pass for using more than one page is if you have extensive professional experience, and are applying to an executive MBA program. A good rule of thumb? “When you have more than seven years of full-time, post-college work experience,” says Grayson. 

How to structure an MBA resume

As for structuring an MBA resume, do your best to contain most elements to the aforementioned sections: Education, professional background and experience, and a section dedicated to your personal hobbies, interests, skills and certifications, and community service work.

List the schools you attended and the degrees you earned, perhaps with any relevant coursework and GPAs in the education section. Your professional section may differ depending on your specific experiences and industries you’ve worked in, but try to frame it as a sort of professional “story,” which can showcase how an MBA can help you take the next step.

Professional background

“Generally speaking, the MBA is not a purely academic degree, as a majority of people are going to earn one to get a better job,” says Lolis. “They’re doing it to boost their career—and at that point, the most relevant thing is your recent job and your professional track record,” she says.

Get into the weeds, too, about your accomplishments. “Don’t just reiterate your job responsibilities,” says Grayson. “Communicate the results of your efforts. Quantifying the results is much more significant and meaningful—describe the impact,” she says.

Hobbies, interests, and more

As for the more personal portion? “One of the main things that’s different from a job resume is that they want you to share some of your hobbies and interests,” Lolis says. “Be very specific,” adds Grayson, “because 90% of people will list ‘travel’ as a hobby. “But that’s not interesting—maybe something like ‘slow traveling to find the best street food.’ That’s interesting.” This, she says, can help spark a conversation, or help your resume stand out from the pile.

In addition to specific hobbies or interests, you might include, add volunteer or community work as well, and perhaps relevant technical or language skills. Again, this may help tip the scales in your favor by showing you have specific know-how related to a given industry or task. Any applicable awards you’ve earned may be good to include, too, as they showcase that you’re capable of excelling in a given area.

Should you customize your resume for each business school?

Experts generally don’t recommend changing up your MBA resume when applying to different schools. Instead, look for specific instructions relayed by the school, if there are any, and make any needed changes accordingly. So, unless you have a really compelling reason, you can probably use the same resume for a number of applications.

Also, don’t go overboard in terms of design to make your resume stand out. “Just stick to traditional formatting,” says Lolis, since that’s what most admissions teams are used to seeing, and are generally looking for. Let the contents of the resume speak for you—not the design.

Where to go if you need help  

For many prospective MBA students, piecing together a resume shouldn’t be terribly difficult, given that it’s mostly the same process as writing a traditional resume. However, if you need help, you can reach out to consultants, or even check out some of the resources schools make available to help you along the process. 

• Consultants : There are many MBA consultancies out there, including the firms that Lolis and Grayson founded. They can help create, review, and critique an MBA resume and get it into shape. 
• Examples and templates : Some schools even make templates available , and example resumes to help students create their own. 

The takeaway  

In all, you should write an MBA resume in the same way you’d write a traditional resume, with some slight variations. The resume should focus on your professional background and previous education, while also detailing some of your personal interests, too. Stick to classic resume formatting as well, and keep it to one page, if possible.

It’s also important, experts say, to use some basic formatting and style—use 11 or 12-point font, a normal font style (Arial, Times New Roman, etc.), and overall, keep it professional. And remember: don’t go overboard trying to score style points with the resume’s design or other elements.

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How to Write a Simple Resume: 10 Steps

Reema Tuqan

Having the perfect resume can guarantee you get the job! It is important to know how to write a simple well-structured resume, as employers and HR directors always surf resumes quickly and that is why your resume needs to be catchy, outstanding, and written well. In this article, we will walk you through how to write a simple resume in 10 simple steps.

1. Compile details and information. 2. Choose resume format. 3. Include contact information. 4. Write a professional summary. 5. Add work section. 6. Add skills section. 7. Add education section.  8. Add certificates section. 9. Add any additional sections.  10. Proofread and revise the resume. 1. Compile details and information: The first step to follow when you want to learn how to write a simple resume is to: compile details and information. Make sure to outline all needed and recent details and information related to your experience and skills. You need to gather and pinpoint all the following: certificates, education levels, career experiences, skills, talents, awards, qualifications, and accomplishments to be all included in the resume before you build it. 2. Choose resume format: The next step you need to follow is to choose the best format for your new resume. There are many available formats nowadays that can be used on Microsoft Office programs or through online applications. Some of the formats to consider are: chronological format, functional format, and combination format. 3. Include contact information: Contact details should be included in the first section usually as it is important for employers to check and contact you for further communication and interviews. Contact information section should have your: full name, mobile/phone number, address, email address, city, and a link to your professional social media accounts. 4. Write a professional summary: It is recommended to write a professional summary at the beginning of the resume that includes your current skills and professional goals. You can customize this professional summary each time you apply for a job so it matches the new requirements.  

5. Add work section: Another important step to work on when you learn how to write a simple resume is to add a work section. In this section you will precisely mention all the companies you have worked with before, the duration of your employment, and the tasks we were required to accomplish. It is recommended to start with the most recent job you have been doing, then list the companies that you previously worked with in a chronological descending order. Try to be concise and direct to the point with each job’s summary. Include 3-4 bullet points for each job’s description only and highlight your great accomplishments. 6. Add skills section: Highlight your skills in this section, the things that you are excellent at, and the things that serve the work you are applying for now. You need to show the potential employers that you are a great fit for the position you are applying for. 7. Add education section: Include all your education levels and certificates accurately. It is important to mention the schools and universities’ names, years of attendance, and exact name of the degrees you have obtained. 8. Add certificates section: In this section, you can include all the certificates and awards you have received previously while you were studying or working. It is important to mention the certificate name, date, and certifying entity. 9. Add any additional sections: You can add finally any additional sections you want to include in your resume after you are done with all the above sections. Include here any awards you have received, publications you have worked on, and volunteer work. 10. Proofread and revise the resume: Finally, the last step to follow on how to write a simple resume is to: Proofread and revise the resume. Make sure you revise your resume more than once and check for any typos or grammatical errors. You can ask someone to check it for you when you are done as new fresh eyes can catch any mistakes easily as well. In this article, we have walked you through how to write a simple resume, we hope all these steps and tips will be useful when you apply for a new job. Good luck!

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