What is a Resume?
A resume is a one or two-page document that summarizes your work experience, education, skills, and achievements. Think of it as your personal marketing brochure—it tells employers why you're the right person for the job.
Unlike a CV (curriculum vitae), which can be much longer and includes everything you've ever done, a resume is short and focused. It highlights only the most relevant information for the specific job you're applying for.
How to Build Your Resume: Step by Step
Follow these 6 simple steps to create a professional resume. We'll walk you through each section.
Add Your Contact Information
Start with your name at the top in a larger font. Then add your phone number, professional email address, and city/state. You don't need to include your full street address anymore—just the city is fine.
What to include:
- Full name (use a slightly larger font)
- Phone number (one you actually answer)
- Professional email (firstname.lastname@email.com works best)
- City and state/country
- LinkedIn profile URL (optional but recommended)
Tip: Avoid using your work email or unprofessional email addresses like "partyguy2005@email.com"
Write a Professional Summary
Your summary is a 2-3 sentence pitch at the top of your resume. It should grab attention and make the recruiter want to keep reading. Focus on your years of experience, main skills, and what value you bring.
Example summary:
"Results-driven marketing manager with 5+ years of experience growing brand awareness and driving customer engagement. Increased social media following by 200% and led campaigns that generated $2M in revenue. Looking to bring strategic thinking and creativity to a fast-growing tech company."
Pro tip: If you're new to the workforce or changing careers, use an "Objective" instead—focus on your goals and what you can offer.
List Your Work Experience
This is the most important section. List your jobs in reverse order (most recent first). For each position, include your job title, company name, dates, and 3-5 bullet points describing what you did.
How to write great bullet points:
- Start with action verbs: "Managed," "Created," "Increased," "Led"
- Include numbers when possible: "Managed team of 12" or "Increased sales by 35%"
- Focus on achievements, not just duties
- Keep each bullet to 1-2 lines
- Tailor bullets to match the job you're applying for
Example:
Marketing Manager | ABC Company | Jan 2021 - Present
- Led a team of 8 marketers to execute multi-channel campaigns across social, email, and paid ads
- Increased website traffic by 150% through SEO improvements and content strategy
- Managed annual marketing budget of $500K with 25% cost savings
Add Your Education
Include your highest degree first. Add the degree name, school name, location, and graduation year. If you're a recent graduate, you can add GPA (if 3.5+), relevant coursework, or honors.
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of California, Berkeley | May 2022
GPA: 3.7 | Dean's List | Relevant coursework: Data Structures, Machine Learning
Highlight Your Skills
Create a skills section with 6-10 relevant skills. Read the job description carefully and include skills that match what they're looking for. Mix hard skills (technical abilities) with soft skills (interpersonal abilities).
Hard Skills (examples):
Soft Skills (examples):
Review, Format, and Download
Before sending your resume, give it a final polish. Check for typos, ensure consistent formatting, and save it as a PDF to preserve the layout.
Final checklist:
- Proofread for spelling and grammar errors
- Check that dates and formatting are consistent
- Keep it to 1 page (2 pages max for senior roles)
- Use a professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica
- Save as PDF to preserve formatting
- Name your file: FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf
Choosing the Right Resume Format
There are three main resume formats. Choose based on your experience level.
Chronological
Best for: Most job seekers
Lists work experience from most recent to oldest. The most common and preferred format by employers.
Functional
Best for: Career changers, gaps in employment
Focuses on skills rather than work history. Good if you are switching industries.
Combination
Best for: Experienced professionals
Highlights both skills and work experience equally. Great for senior roles.
Making Your Resume ATS-Friendly
Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before a human ever sees them. Here's how to make sure yours gets through:
Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using the same resume for every job
✓ Tailor your resume for each position
❌ Including irrelevant work experience
✓ Only list relevant jobs and skills
❌ Writing long paragraphs
✓ Use bullet points for easy scanning
❌ Forgetting to proofread
✓ Always check for typos and errors
❌ Using an unprofessional email
✓ Create a simple firstname.lastname email
❌ Making it too long
✓ Keep it to 1-2 pages maximum
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my resume be?
For most people, one page is ideal. If you have 10+ years of relevant experience, two pages is acceptable. Never go over two pages.
Should I include a photo on my resume?
In the US, UK, and Canada, it's best not to include a photo. In some European and Asian countries, photos are expected. Check local norms.
What if I don't have work experience?
Focus on education, internships, volunteer work, projects, and transferable skills. Everyone starts somewhere!
Should I include references on my resume?
No. "References available upon request" is also unnecessary. Employers will ask for references separately if needed.
How far back should my work history go?
Generally, include the last 10-15 years of relevant experience. Older positions can be summarized briefly if relevant.
Is it okay to use a resume template?
Absolutely! Templates save time and ensure proper formatting. Just make sure to customize the content for each job.