Resume Examples for 2024 & Guides for Any Job [90+ Examples]
In today’s competitive job market, having an impactful resume is more essential than ever.
However, many job seekers struggle to craft a resume that effectively highlights their skills and experience and, in turn, misses out on potential job opportunities.
This is where our extensive library of resume examples comes in.
By looking at examples of resumes for different industries and professions, you can gain great insight into what works and what doesn’t, get inspired to present your own qualifications, and stand out from the competition.
Let’s dive in!
15+ Resume Examples
#1. architect resume example.
Here’s what this architect resume example does right:
- Lists related experience. This resume highlights the relevant professional experience the candidate gained in the field during their internship.
- Mentions achievements and responsibilities. The candidate backs up their claims by going into detail about their achievements and responsibilities.
- Focus on personal projects. By dedicating a section to their personal projects, this candidate makes up for their lack of work experience and shows off their dedication to the industry.
#2. Business Resume Example
Here’s what this business-related resume example does right:
- Prioritizes work experience. The work experience section is arguably the most important section in every resume, which is why this candidate has given it a priority by giving it enough resume space and going into detail about their previous positions.
- Highlights accomplishments. To make their professional experience even more impactful, this candidate has supported all their claims with quantifiable achievements.
- Lists the right optional sections . The candidate adds more value to their resume by including the organizations, honors, and conferences as optional sections.
#3. Computer Science Resume Example
Here’s what this computer science resume does right:
- Prioritizes technical skills. Technical skills are essential when it comes to IT-related roles, which is why this candidate has prioritized them over soft skills.
- Keeps the education section concise. With such extensive professional experience in the field, the candidate has opted to keep their education section short.
- Lists relevant social media profiles. Listing websites like GitHub and LinkedIn is a great way to provide recruiters with additional information about your skills.
#4. Data Analyst Resume Example
Here’s what this data analyst resume does right:
- Includes a strong resume summary . This candidate showcases their key skills and qualifications from the get-go, which is much more likely to get recruiters to read their resumes from start to finish.
- Highlights technical skills. Data analysts work with “big data,” so this candidate prioritizes their quantitative and technical skills over other resume sections.
- Lists relevant professional certifications . The resume lists the candidate’s most noteworthy professional certificates.
#5. College Resume Example
Here’s what this college resume example does right:
- Lists relevant social media profiles. By including their Medium and LinkedIn accounts, this candidate gives the hiring manager a chance to know them more professionally.
- Highlights achievements . Although they lack work experience, the candidate has listed everything they’ve achieved during their academic career, thus showing they’re a promising candidate.
- Mentions the right optional sections. Adding hobbies and interests and foreign languages to a resume is a huge plus for a candidate with no work experience.
#6. Customer Service Resume Example
Here’s what this customer service resume does right:
- Includes both soft and hard skills . Customer service roles require a mix of soft and hard skills, so this candidate has listed both.
- Mentions quantifiable achievements. To make their achievements more impressive, the candidate has backed up their work achievements with data and numbers.
- Lists foreign language skills. Foreign languages are a huge plus when you’re working in customer service and this resume does a good job highlighting the candidate’s foreign language skills.
#7. Digital Marketing Resume Example
Here’s what this digital marketing resume does right:
- Follows the reverse chronological format . This format is the most popular one worldwide and is easily the safest choice.
- Grabs attention with a resume summary. In a single glance, the recruiter can tell that the candidate is a digital marketing professional with the right amount of experience.
- Lists relevant skills. The digital marketing specialist resume above lists in-demand marketing skills like Google Ads, SEO, and others.
#8. Graduate Resume Example
Here’s what this graduate resume example does right:
- Starts off with a well-written resume objective . The resume objective does a great job of showing off the candidate’s promise and industry-related experience.
- Includes work experience. The candidate has gained professional experience while they were a student and they’ve made sure to include that in their resume.
- Takes advantage of optional sections. Sections like volunteer experience, and personal projects and achievements can help make up for the lack of extensive experience in the industry.
#9. HR Resume Example
Here’s what this human resources resume example does right:
- Follows the right format. The reverse chronological format lists the candidate’s latest experience and achievements first, which is exactly what recruiters want to see.
- Highlights professional experience. With so many years in the industry, this candidate has dedicated the biggest part of their resume to their work history.
- Includes courses and certificates. To make their achievements even more impressive, the candidate has included all their courses and certifications.
#10. Medical Assistant Resume Example
Here’s what this medical assistant resume example does right:
- Starts off with a memorable resume summary. The candidate lists their years of experience, skills, and passion for the industry, making it more likely for the hiring manager to read the rest of their resume.
- Lists the candidate’s certificates. There are many certifications one can obtain in the medical field, and this candidate proves how professional they are by listing theirs.
- Highlights the candidate’s extensive work experience. Experience speaks louder than a thousand words, which is why this resume example provides the work experience section its due space.
#11. Project Manager Resume Example
Here’s what this project manager resume example does right:
- Uses bullet points. The candidate uses bullet points to organize and present the information which makes this project manager resume example look neat and structured.
- Keeps their education section relevant. The candidate only includes their key education details, such as their Bachelor’s degree and a field-related minor.
- Takes advantage of additional sections. The candidate takes advantage of the extra space on their project manager resume by including relevant additional sections, such as their industry-related certifications and academic achievements
#12. Bar Manager Resume Example
Here’s what this bar manager resume example does right:
- Includes relevant social media profiles. Details such as your LinkedIn profile or Instagram handle make you look more professional (as long as they’re work-related).
- Mentions industry-related skills. Instead of listing a bunch of unrelated skills, the bar manager resume example above only lists industry-relevant skills.
- Quantifiable achievements. This applicant quantifies their achievements as much as possible, showing the bar owner how they stand out amongst other candidates.
#13. Supervisor Resume Example
Here’s what this supervisor resume example does right:
- Lists relevant contact details . The supervisor resume example above leaves out redundancies like marital status or age and includes relevant information, like a LinkedIn URL.
- Features as many accomplishments as possible. To really highlight their candidate’s professional experience, the supervisor example lists achievements over responsibilities.
- Lists the right kind of skills. This supervisor's resume example doesn’t list every skill under the sun. Instead, they keep the section relevant by only listing skills required from a supervisor.
#14. Teacher Resume Example
Here’s what this teacher resume example does right:
- Mentions industry-relevant skills. The candidate lists all the soft and hard skills a teacher should have.
- Includes hobbies and interests . By including hobbies and interests, the hiring manager will see the candidate as more than just a resume.
- Lists volunteer experience. The candidate reinforces their teaching experience by including their teaching volunteer gigs and experience.
#15. Writer Resume Example
Here’s just what this writer resume example does right:
- Impressive resume summary. The resume includes a brief but effective resume summary that highlights the candidate’s skills and top achievements.
- Relevant contact details. This writer resume example contains relevant contact information, including the candidate’s name and surname, email address, phone number, location, professional website URL, and LinkedIn URL.
- Short education section. A writer’s skills and experience matter more than their education. For this reason, this candidate kept their writer resume’s education section short and sweet.
#16. Web Developer Resume Example
Here’s what this web developer resume example does right:
- Focuses on technical skills. Technical skills are essential for web development, which is why this candidate has prioritized theirs.
- Grabs attention with their work experience. Their rich work experience, listed in reverse chronological order, shows the candidate is a promising professional.
- Keeps their education section minimal. With such extensive work experience and training, the candidate has kept their education section concise.
65+ More Resume Examples and Guides
Couldn’t find a resume example for your field? Worry not!
Below you can find a number of other resume examples for different fields and industries:
- Accountant Resume
- Administrative Assistant Resume
- AI Engineer Resume
- Animator Resume
- Babysitter Resume
- Banking Resume
- Bank Teller Resume
- Barbie's Resume
- Barista Resume
- Bartender Resume
- Bookkeeper Resume
- Business Analyst Resume
- Career Change Resume
- Caregiver Resume
- Cashier Resume
- College Application Resume
- College Freshman Resume
- Consultant Resume
- Construction Project Manager
- Creative Resume Examples
- Data Entry Specialist Resume
- Data Scientist Resume
- Dentist Resume
- DevOps Engineer Resume
- Digital Marketing Manager Resume
- Editor Resume
- Electrical Engineer Resume
- Elon Musk's One-Page Resume
- Engineering Resume
- Esthetician Resume
- Europass CV
- Event Planner Resume
- Executive Assistant Resume
- Federal Resume
- Financial Analyst Resume
- Flight Attendant Resume
- Fresher Resume
- Game Designer Resume
- Graphic Designer Resume
- High School Resume
- Illustrator Resume
- Interior Designer Resume
- Internship Resume
- Java Developer Resume
- Military to Civilian Resume
- Marketing Executive Resume
- Minimalistic Resume Examples
- Nanny Resume Example
- Nurse Resume
- Office Assistant Resume
- Office Manager Resume
- Operations Manager Resume
- Paralegal Resume
- Pharmacist Resume
- Photographer Resume
- Program Manager Resume
- Real Estate Agent Resume
- Receptionist Resume
- Recruiter Resume
- Research Assistant Resume
- Restaurant Manager Resume
- Retail Manager Resume
- Richard Branson's One-Page Resume
- Sales Resume
- Sales Associate Resume
- Satya Nadella's One-Page Resume
- Server Resume
- Social Worker Resume
- Software Engineer Resume
- Stay-at-home Mom Resume
- Student Resume
- Student Resume Templates
- Taylor Swift Resume
- Video Editor Resume
- Volunteer Resume
- Waiter/Waitress Resume
- Warehouse Worker Resume
- Web Developer Resume
- Welder Resume
5+ Examples of Resume Templates
Your resume template can play an important role in helping you make a great first impression on the hiring manager.
Specifically, your industry, work experience, or skills all impact how your resume should look, so make sure to choose the right template when making your resume:
#1. Traditional Resume
A straightforward format that gives equal importance to all resume sections , emphasizing skills and work experience.
#2. Creative Resume
Land your dream job in the creative industry by using this creative resume template.
#3. Minimalist Resume
A simple and easy-to-follow resume template. Perfect for more conservative industries which prefer less flashy templates.
#4. Basic Resume
This easy-to-personalize basic resume layout can be ready in under ten minutes through our resume builder .
#5. IT Resume
One of the best resume layouts to choose when you wish to showcase your IT expertise.
#6. Modern Resume
It can be hard to stand out from the crowd, but this modern resume sample will take care of this.
#7. General Resume
5+ Resume Examples by Career Level
#1. no experience resume .
Are you a student with no experience ? Learn how to write a compelling resume with our guide!
#2. College Freshman Resume
Learn how to ace your college freshman resume with our comprehensive guide!
#3. Graduate Resume
Fresh out of college? Write an impactful graduate resume to land your first gig after college.
#4. Career Change Resume
Going through a career change? Perfect your career change resume to make the transition as smooth as possible.
#5. Manager Resume
#6. Executive Resume
The Perfect Resume Structure
Not sure how to structure your resume?
Here’s our tried-and-tested resume layout :
- Choose the right resume format or pick a template. If you’re formatting your resume yourself, follow the reverse-chronological format and make sure to follow the right layout rules. Alternatively, you can use one of our premade resume templates and not have to worry about formatting your resume one bit.
- Add relevant contact details and make sure they’re mistake-free. You shouldn’t be missing information such as your full name and job title, e-mail address, and where you’re based. Optionally, you can also include some relevant social media profiles, such as your LinkedIn.
- Include a resume summary or a resume objective. Done right, a resume summary will show the hiring manager you’re a relevant candidate from the get-go and have them read the rest of your resume.
- List your work experience, placing special focus on your achievements. Your work experience becomes more meaningful if you include your achievements in your past roles and manage to make them quantifiable.
- Mention your top soft and hard skills. List any skills you have that are relevant to the job you’re applying for in a seperate section.
- Keep your education section short and concise. Unless you’re an entry-level candidate with little-to-no work experience, keep your education section short and to the point.
- Leverage optional sections like “Languages,” “Certifications,” or “Hobbies and Interests.” Fill up the rest of your resume space with optional sections that can highlight your strengths and qualifications as a candidate (e.g. foreign languages you speak, certifications you’ve obtained over the years, or your hobbies and interests).
3 Examples of Resume Formats
#1. reverse chronological resume format.
This resume format highlights your experience and key professional achievements by listing your latest position and acquired skills first. It’s the most popular resume format among recruiters and the one we advise job seekers to use in 99% of cases.
#2. Functional Resume Format
A functional resume , also known as the skill-based resume, is a resume format that focuses on your professional skill test as opposed to work experience. You’re better off using a functional resume if you’re a recent graduate with no work experience, if you’re switching careers, or if you have a long employment gap .
#3. Hybrid Resume Format
A combination resume combines the two traditional resume formats: the reverse-chronological resume and the functional resume.
As such, this format places emphasis on a candidate’s skills and work experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Examples
1. Are resume examples helpful?
Resume examples are helpful for several reasons. For starters, they can inspire you to write an A+ resume that meets the industry’s requirements.
Also, resume examples can show you the best practices for listing your work experience and achievements, can guide you through your resume formatting and can help you understand exactly what the end result should look like.
2. How were these resume examples created?
All our resume examples and resume templates were created in full collaboration with industry-leading HR professionals.
This means that they meet all job market requirements, are modern and impactful, and meet recruiters’ standards worldwide.
3. What if I can’t find a resume example for my job?
While we’ve tried to list as many resume examples as possible for different jobs across several industries, it might happen that you can’t find the resume example that perfectly matches your needs.
If that’s the case, you can check out our guide on how to write a resume , and learn to create an effective resume regardless of industry.
4. What is the best resume format in 2024?
The reverse-chronological format is still the best resume format in 2024. It remains the most widely used and preferred format by employers and recruiters alike. In this format, you list your work experience in reverse chronological format, starting with your most recent position and working backward.
This format showcases our most recent and relevant experience, making it easier for employers to see our career progression and accomplishments.
5. Are these resume examples free?
Yes, most of these resume examples can be used for free in the Basic account, while there is also a selection of templates included in the Premium account. All of them though can be tested for free in our editor.
6. Do you also have cover letter examples?
Yes, we have an entire article dedicated to cover letter examples for different fields and jobs. Not just that, but you can also find tips on how to write a great cover letter and an FAQ section to answer any question you may have.
7. Should my resume and cover letter match?
Yes, having a cover letter that’s consistent with your resume in terms of style, tone, and content can be a plus for your overall job application. In a nutshell, a matching resume and cover letter can increase your chances of getting an interview by demonstrating your professionalism, attention to detail, and suitability for the role.
Conclusion
And that’s a wrap!
We hope the examples and guides provided in this article can help you create a powerful and effective resume that highlights your unique qualifications and experiences.
Whether you're a recent graduate, a mid-career employee, or a seasoned professional, there are tips and templates here to help you create a compelling resume for any job.
For more career advice, make sure to check out our career blog .
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How to Write The Perfect Resume in 2024 (With Examples)
The ultimate guide to learn how to quickly create a resume utilizing best practices to help you land your next job.
Introduction to writing a resume
We’ve all been there. You’re ready to apply for a new job or looking for a career change, and you haven’t updated your resume in quite some time. Or it’s your first job, and you’re not sure where to start. Resumes are a standard part of the job application process. Not having one - a good one - makes it very difficult to near impossible to land your dream job.
Unless you have some incredible connections that can help you bypass the interview stage, which is pretty rare, we highly recommend you give your resume a second look (or first!).
Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job
Why do you need a good resume?
Your resume is a way for you to market yourself and promote your career experience. Creating a resume lets hiring managers see how you'll bring value to their company.
It's important to know that your resume doesn't need to present all there is to know about you. It should summarize the most important aspects of your professional experience. As well as your education, interests and activities - when applicable. We recommend you tailor your resume to the position you're seeking. This means highlighting specific accomplishments and skills to the job you're applying for.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the following sections to help you craft the perfect resume:
- Understanding the basics of creating a resume
- Breaking down the resume layout and formats
- Maximizing information on your resume to provide the most value
What tools should you use to build your resume?
Tip: Use an online resume builder . Don't use Microsoft Word. Always use an online resume builder. You'll never have to worry about finding files and you can export your resume as a PDF.
So you’re ready to get started on your resume. The most obvious of choices is to open up Microsoft Word, create a new document and get writing. If you haven’t already done this before, formatting in Microsoft Word is a painful experience.
You'll end up with an ugly resume template that has poor legibility and incorrect margins. Or due to the lack of design options, you’ll end up with a resume that looks standard and boring. In both cases, the chances of potential employers overlooking your resume are pretty high!
Crazy isn’t it? You've spent years building job experience but have to use Microsoft Word to tell that story. And if you can’t navigate around complicated tools, it'll lead to poor results. You might miss the opportunity to land your dream job. That doesn’t sound fair, and it isn’t.
Why should you use a resume builder?
Luckily, there are other options that exist. We’ve created the fastest and easiest resume builder available online. With a variety of pre-existing templates that are professional and field-tested. And there’s no messing around with font sizes, margins or colors. We’ve taken care of all that for you.
The benefits of using an online resume builder like the one we’ve created are much higher. Here are some of the top reasons to use a resume builder:
- Hosting your resume online (in the cloud)
- This means you can access your resume at any time and anywhere. Your resume will always be available through our website. You'll never worry about having the right computer programs installed. Or finding files on a messy desktop.
- Creating unlimited resumes at no cost
- We manage it for you and make finding your resumes super easy, so you never have to worry about things getting lost. Go ahead and create unlimited versions of your resumes!
- High-quality resume designs
- This is where we specialize. Our design team has tested the exact elements required for perfecting resume templates. We sweat the details so you never have to. We’ve spent countless hours choosing the most appropriate font and color combinations. Including ones that pass the stress tests of relentless Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
The other benefits of using Easy Resume’s online resume builder are:
- Download your resume as a PDF. We recommend this file format so your resume always looks consistent.
- Share a direct link to your resume. We’ll even host it for you at no cost.
- Get exclusive access to guides, tutorials, and tips from career and industry professionals.
Understanding the 3 types of resume formats
Let’s break down the different types of resumes that employers generally look for.
- Reverse Chronological
- Combination
Tip: When in doubt, use a reverse chronological resume format. - About 95% of resumes use the reverse chronological format. Hiring managers are used to this as it lets employers see how your career has progressed.
1. Reverse Chronological Format
The most common is the Reverse Chronological format. It’s the most used and formatted to tell the story of your work experience in a chronological way. Employers prefer this format, as it gives them a historical overview of your career. Including the different job titles and responsibilities that you’ve had.
When should you use a reverse chronological resume template?
- You have had a lot of prior work experience. This means either the number of jobs or the amount of work experience you’ve had.
- You want to show how your career has progressed. For example, if you started as an associate and worked your way up to a senior-level position. The reverse-chronological format is a great way of showing your progression.
What if you have gaps between your work experience?
This is a very common question that we often receive. It’s usually in the form of:
“I’ve been out of work for 6-7 years after a certain life situation (i.e. having kids). The last job I had was in 2012, but recently I'm starting to apply for jobs again in 2019. What’s the right resume format for someone like me?”
First of all, no worries. This is a very common situation and happens with many people. As a hiring manager, having a gap like this can lead to questions and uncertainty about your resume. Which is why we recommend that you use a combination format.
2. Functional Format
The second type of resume format is the Functional or Skills-Based resume. This can be common for students and recent graduates starting to apply for their first job.
When should you use a functional / skills-based resume template?
- You’re a student or recent graduate applying for jobs for the first time with no prior work experience.
- You’re looking to make a career change.
Reasons why this is common for students and recent grads is due to their lack of prior experience. Given the fact that they’re starting to enter the workforce and apply for their first job. It’s well understood amongst employers that students won’t have a huge depth of work experience. There are other ways to let them know what you can help bring to the role you’re applying for by showcase the list of skills that you excel at.
It usually depends on the role you’re applying for. But there are some common ones that you can try to focus on like: Communication, Organization, Customer Driven, Effective Listener, Teamwork, etc.
What else can you add to your resume besides skills?
We recommend adding some extra activities for your career. Even if you haven’t attained any professional work experience yet. The few ways you can do that as a student is:
- Find internships
- Help volunteer at student-led or non-profit organizations
- Participate in extracurricular activities
- Take on side-projects
Not only will you have more examples of experience to show on your resume. You can show employers how much initiative and leadership you’ve performed on your own. This helps you stand out much better than a candidate who only lists generic skills.
For example, instead of only listing skills like:
- Communication
- Collaborative
An employer might prefer to move forward with a resume that looks like this:
- Summer Intern at XYZ
- Volunteered for non-profit at XYZ
- Ran student organization for XYZ
What if you’re unable to get any kind of experience?
Fear not, your chances towards landing your first job can still be within grasp. We recommend taking an approach that explains the skills you’ve acquired. And how you’ve applied them in real-world settings.
Here’s an example of adding depth to your skill sets:
- Demonstrated effective teamwork and leadership in various class projects by taking the initiative to organize group’s goals, objectives, and tasks.
- Received consistent praise and admiration from course professors and team members as being highly collaborative, an effective communicator and group leader with clear presentation skills and abilities.
- Organization
- Meticulous about even the smallest of details. Always taking the extra effort towards making sure that filenames, folder hierarchy and labeling are descriptive, versioned, tagged and easily discoverable.
- Received constant praise from past and present team members who were able to jump into any collaborative project and accurately trace back previous versions to see how decisions were made.
Do you see how this can be more effective than listing out a set of skills? Taking this approach will let employers know that you’re not only listing skills. But have also demonstrated how you were able to apply these skills and put them into action.
3. Combination Format
The final type of resume that we mentioned earlier is the Combination or Hybrid format. This combines concepts from both reverse chronological and functional/skills-based formats.
We recommend this format for jobs that expect relevant experience and technical skills. An example might be a Graphic Designer who has experience working in design agencies. As well as necessary skills like Branding, Sketching, Illustration, and Adobe Creative Suite.
Take a look at our in-depth guide on how to select the right resume format .
Choosing the best resume template
Now that we know which software to use and the most common resume formats, let’s break down the actual template. This is the make-or-break deal. Picking the right resume template can be the deciding factor if a hiring manager gives you a call. Or if they skip past your resume and never bother to read it.
Our mission here at Easy Resume is to make sure that never happens to you! We’re working hard to make sure your resume is high quality and presented in a way that will impress recruiters.
When speaking with hiring managers, we found that 78% of the time they skip your resume is because of the design. Again, we don’t think that’s fair.
Here’s a checklist to use for your resume
We always use this checklist whenever creating any new resume template.
Use a clear heading structure
Incorrect : Don’t make all headings and body copy the same size.
Correct: Do use typographic hierarchy by using varying heading sizes and font weights.
Use legible, friendly and professional font combinations
Incorrect : Don’t use quirky and eccentric fonts like comic sans or papyrus.
Correct : Do use professional fonts that are easy to read and familiar. Fonts like Georgia, Helvetica, Calibri, and Cambia.
Use an ample amount of spacing
Incorrect : Don’t go overboard with spacing. Using a lot of white-space might spark joy, but not when your resume becomes three pages long because of it.
Correct: Do keep your margins tight but spaced even enough that your text isn’t hugging the borders of the page.
Incorrect : Don’t try to write your entire life story with every single job responsibility you’ve ever had. Recruiters on average spend about 7-8 seconds skimming through resumes. If it's two pages, the chances of them not spending even more than 2-3 seconds reading the second page is pretty low.
Correct: Do keep your information brief, relevant, and clear. If you REALLY need another page, make sure it’s valuable information. Otherwise, choose the right template that can fit the most words on a single page.
Use bullet points
Incorrect : Don’t write very long paragraphs about your work experience. Remember, your resume is a summary and a brief overview of your career. Your resume is not an autobiography of everything you’ve ever done.
Correct: Do use 3-4 bullet points to briefly describe your responsibilities. Feel free to add more bullet points if you have worked at only one or two jobs to fill up some more space.
Overview for writing a resume
Whew, that was a lot of information. Let's quickly summarize what we've learned.
1) Always use an online resume builder, instead of Microsoft Word
- It’s always better to use an online tool instead of Microsoft Word.
- Creating a resume template on Easy Resume will allow you to access your resume at any time. And access to unlimited resumes and a great selection of professional design templates.
2) There are 3 types of resume formats
- Reverse Chronological -This is the most common. Use it if you have a lot of work experience and want to show your career progression over the years.
- Functional - If you lack work experience, use this format to emphasize your skill set. It’s great for students or recent graduates entering the workforce for the first time.
- Combination - If you have a lot of experience and a diverse skill set that is relevant to your job, use this advanced technique. For example, a web developer who has worked at a few technology startups. And has programming skills in languages like Python, PHP, and Javascript.
3) Follow our resume design guidelines
- Utilize clear heading hierarchy, don’t make all fonts the same size. This will help your resume be easy to parse. Remember, recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning your resume. Highlight the most important sections!
- Use legible fonts that are easy to read . Using professional fonts will make your resume more legible. Choose from fonts like Georgia, Calibri, Garamond, Arial, Helvetica, Cambria, Times New Roman, Verdana, Trebuchet, Gill Sans, and Tahoma
- Use white-space conservatively . If you rely too much on white-space, you might end up with a 2-3 page resume. Keep your margins tight but spaced evenly to make it easy on the eyes for the reader.
- Use 1 page . As previously mentioned, hiring managers and recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds. They might look at hundreds of resumes and applications every week. The chances of them reading every single page from top to bottom is pretty slim.
- Use limited amount of color depending on your industry. Hiring managers need to notice the right parts of your resume. Using the right amount of color on your resume can help.
- se bullet points . As previously mentioned, hiring managers and recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds. They might look at hundreds of resumes and applications every week. The chances of them reading every single page from top to bottom is pretty slim.
Resume sections and details
Let’s take a closer look at the resume itself now. Resumes are typically broken down into the common sections:
Common sections to add on your resume
Resumes tend to have some common sections that employers are used to seeing. Here's a list of what's generally expected as best practice:
- Heading / Name
- Additional Contact Info
- Your Objective
- Your Education
- York Work Experiences
- Your Skills
Of course not all people are alike. There’s no one-size-fits-all model for resumes. Depending on your job, you might want to include more unique sections. Remember any information you include on your resume should have valuable insight into your experience. Employers want to know why you would be a great hire.
Other sections to include on your resume
If you don't have enough information for the sections described above, you can try to add some of these sections below. Keep in mind that you should only add it if it's relevant to the position you're applying for.
- Volunteering
- Achievements
- Organizations
- Certificates
- Publications
As you can see, there are many sections to add depth to your resume. So don’t be alarmed if you’re lacking skills or experiences, there are other ways to let employers learn of your potential.
Tip: Only add information that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. As a best practice, always remember that the most valuable details is the information that recruiters are specifically looking for in the job description that you’re applying to.
Let’s break down each of these sections and how to add the most value to them.
Adding contact information
Information about yourself is a critical element for your resume. It provides a brief description of who you are, where you're based and how to get in touch with you.
The most necessary contact information to add on your resume
There are quite a few ways to add your contact details, but here's what's most necessary.
- Your First & Last Name . You may use a preferred name if that's what you'd rather go by. So for example, someone named "Robert" might prefer to go by a nickname like "Bob". You may also optionally include your middle name or initial.
- Your Email Address. Your email address is necessary if employers want to be able to reach you. Email is generally the most common way that recruiters use to get in contact with applicants.
Always use a professional email address.
Incorrect : Don't use an email address that sounds like you're still in grade school. Something like [email protected] will not look professional on your resume.
Correct : If you don't already have one, create a professional email address with your name on a service like Gmail. An email like [email protected] sounds much more professional.
- Your Phone Number. Adding a phone number will let recruiters know that they can also reach you via phone call if that proves to be more convenient for them. If possible, use your work or cellphone number instead of your home number.
- Your Location. Adding your location lets employers know that you'll be able to physically make it to work. It's preferred that you list your city and state. Some people like to add their full mailing address. However, based on our research, we learned that it's not always important to add in your entire street address.
Let employers know where you're based, not your exact address.
Incorrect : Don't list your entire mailing address like 305 Main St, Apt#25. It's not always necessary. If an employer needs to know your mailing address, ask them and only provide if required.
Correct : You can simply list your city state and sometimes zip code, for example: New York, NY 10010. This will let employers know that you live and work in this geographic location. If you need a work visa or are looking to relocate, be sure to call that out.
Secondary contact information to add on your resume
- Your Website or Blog. If you have a website or a blog, feel free to add it on your resume. Having a website can add to the professionalism of your experience.
Unnecessary contact information for your resume
- Your Photo or Headshot. Adding a photo to your resume is a bit of a controversial topic. While it's not always recommended, and most ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) will ignore it - some countries like South Korea may prefer it. However, in most cases, it's not necessary.
- Your Date of Birth. To avoid any kind of age-based discrimination, it's best to leave your birthday out of your resume.
Adding social media profiles
If you have accounts on social networks, you might want to include them depending on how relevant it is. This will let employers know that you're active and knowledgeable about commonly used platforms online.
- Linkedin is the most popular platform for networking amongst professionals. We recommend that you create a Linkedin profile if you don't already have one.
- If you use Twitter for professional reasons, adding your Twitter handle can be a good way to show off your personality and interests for topics that you like to talk about. However, if you use it purely for personal reasons, you shouldn't add it.
Tip: Only add social media profiles if they showcase your professional experience. Normally, you shouldn't add your personal social media profiles on your resume. Unless you're using social media networks like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest to demonstrate your expertise and interests, there's no reason to include them on your resume. For example, if you're a web developer, you might want to include your Github or if you're a designer, you can include a link to your Behance portfolio.
Writing the perfect resume objective
Your resume summary or objective gives employers a very brief overview of your goal and what kind of position you're looking for. It should always be at the very top of the resume. Usually placed directly below your name and contact information. It's always important to leave a great first impression. Remember, hiring managers are spending only 6 seconds scanning your resume.
Here are the key pieces of information that your resume objective should include:
- Your Job Title = e.g. Server
- Your Experience (in years) = e.g. 10+ Years
- Your Achievements = e.g. Managed parties and events upwards of 250+ guests and maintained customer satisfaction rate above 98%
- Your Desired Goal = e.g. Looking for new opportunities to bring expertise to fine-dining establishments
- Your Desired Goal (Personalized) = e.g. Looking to gain new skills and further develop fine-dining expertise at an upscale establishment like Janes Riverside Restaurant
Personalizing your resume objective to the specific company you're applying for can be a great way to make a first impression. We highly recommend tailoring each resume objective to the specific job and company you're applying to.
Follow these tips to write a great resume objective
This checklist will help summarize your experience into a resume objective that leaves a good first impression.
Avoid writing your resume objective in first person.
Incorrect : I am a server and have lots of experience working in various restaurants. I love working with customers.
Correct : Dynamic and engaged server with over 10+ years of experience who loves to provide warm and friendly customer service.
Quantify your achievements.
Incorrect : I worked many catering events and parties, and provided good customer service.
Correct : Managed parties and events upwards of 250+ guests and maintained customer satisfaction rate above 98%.
Be clear about your desired goal.
Incorrect : I'm looking for a new job to get better at managing people and stores.
Correct : Looking for new opportunities to further develop hospitality and personnel management experience at fine-dining restaurants.
Putting all this together, a bad example of a resume objective might be the following:
Bad example of a Registered Nurse's objective
I am an experienced registered nurse, that has worked at large hospitals with experience taking care of patients and providing medical expertise. I'm looking for a position to help grow my nursing career.
Let's turn that into a better example of a resume objective, based on our guidelines:
Good example of a Registered Nurse's objective
Experienced and veteran RN with 12+ years of experience taking care of patient health. Skilled in providing high quality patient care in ER situations under intense pressure. Hired and trained a staff of 27 nurses and nurse assistants. Looking for a new role to bring empathetic care to the patients at Lincoln Hospital.
Take a look at our guide on how to write a killer resume summary or resume objective to learn more.
Summarizing your job experience
Your resume experience section is the most important aspect of your entire resume. It's a summary of your career experience and progression that outlines your responsibilities and achievements.
This is the section that you'll most likely spend most of your time on. It's good practice to make sure you consistently jot down any new experiences you've had, even if you're not looking for a job.
For example, if you recently landed a $200,000 deal by bringing on a new client at your firm, write that down somewhere you can remember. Over time, you'll have dozens of bullet points you can copy over to your resume when you are ready for a new job.
Here's a simple example of work experience
Server, red lobster.
November 2018 - Present • New York, NY
- Greeted incoming guests and directed them to comfortable seating.
- Memorized and informed guests of daily menu specials.
- Made recommendations about food and beverages as well as other services provided by the restaurant.
- Provided exceptional and friendly customer service by taking food and beverage orders and entering them in our PoS system.
- Job Title = e.g. Server
- Company Name = e.g. Red Lobster
- Start & End Dates = e.g. November 2018 - Present
- Location = e.g. New York, NY
- Responsibilities & Tasks = e.g. Made recommendations and answered questions about our food, beverages and other restaurant functions and services.
This is a simple example, but it can be improved by adding more detail.
Follow these guidelines to really maximize your career experience
These principles will make your resume look more professional, relevant and attractive to hiring managers. This is where most job-seekers have the toughest time when writing their resume.
We highly recommend emphasizing your experience section with these guidelines:
- Focus on achievements and outcomes. Instead of just writing about all of the tasks you did. Try your best to quantify some of the most key and impactful achievements you've made at the company. Using actionable verbs can help.
- Use keywords from the job description. If you're applying to multiple jobs, make sure you tailor each resume to the job description . A great way to tailor your resume is to use keywords from the job description itself. Not only will this feel more relevant to recruiters, but it significantly increases the chances of your resume passing an ATS which scans for common keywords.
- List only key responsibilities. Your experience section isn't meant to be a huge list of every single task you've ever done. Try to narrow your responsibilities to the ones that most relevant ones.
Here's a better example of work experience
- Implemented Happy Hour pre-dinner special that drove an extra $7,500 in weekly revenue.
- Trained and onboarded 6 servers to help increase waitstaff.
- Promoted to Team Lead after receiving exceptional feedback from repeat customers.
- Made food recommendations to customers that helped increase ordering by up to 15% for select items.
Adding skills to your resume
Showcasing skills on your resume lets employers understand the variety of your strengths. While skill sets can vary, the best approach is to use keywords from the job description to show how your skills are relevant.
In general, there are two types of skills you should consider adding to your resume.
- Soft or Transferable Skills
- Hard or Technical Skills
What are soft skills?
Soft skills (sometimes known as "transferable skills") are self-developed skills that will be valuable to employers to many different types of jobs. Some examples of these include communication, teamwork, organization and leadership. Listing soft skills is recommended if you're thinking about a career change where your skills would serve both industries.
For example, there might be a job that requires candidates to be very strong in teamwork skills. If you’ve worked in team settings, and enjoy collaborating with other group members, this is a skill that you might want to call out.
Here's a list of common soft skills:
- Taking Initiative
- Problem Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Collaboration
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Decision Making
- Presentation
- Facilitation
What are hard skills?
Hard skills (also known as "technical skills") are specific skills that are learned to perform a certain task or master a craft. These skills are often completed during your job, and sometimes require specific education or training to learn and master. For example, some technical skills can include computers or hardware for jobs like a Web Developer or an IT person.
Adding technical skills to your resume will let employers know how you can solve different challenges using these skills you've acquired. We recommend using your career experience, as described above, to show real examples of how you applied your hard skills at your job. Make sure to keep them relevant to the job you're applying for.
Here's a list of hard skills for specific roles:
Web Developer
- Ruby on Rails
- HTML & CSS
- Cross Browser Testing
Graphic Designer
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Illustrator
- Wireframing
Data Analyst
- Database Management
- Google Analytics
- Microsoft Excel
We have come up with a list of over 100 skills that you can include on your resume .
Listing your education
The education section of your resume is an important call-out for showing your school experience and the degree(s) you've received. It's important that the education section of your resume is relevant to fit the position you're applying for.
Here's an example of the information you should add for your education.
- School / University Name = e.g. Harvard University
- Degree & Major = e.g. B.F.A in Arts & Literature
- Minor = e.g. Minor in Spanish
- Years Attended = e.g. Fall 2004 to Spring 2008
- GPA ( optional ) = e.g. 3.8/4.0 GPA
- Honors ( optional ) = e.g. Magna Cum Laude
The most important information to include is your degree (multiple if you have more than one), the schools you attended and during which dates. If relevant, providing more specific pieces of information like your major and minor can also help.
Tip: Always be truthful on your resume. It's not worth lying on your resume. Employers will quickly find out whether you're telling the truth or lying during an interview if they ask specific questions that you are unable to answer. Same goes for your Education. Employers can request a transcript to verify that your school information is correct.
You'll notice we also added GPA and Honors as optional. For GPA, it's not necessary nor required, and should be generally avoided unless you have a high GPA (greater than 3.8). Adding honors and achievements is also likely to be ignored by recruiters. Only add it if you have plenty of extra space on your resume. Otherwise save that space for more important and relevant information.
Additional sections for your resume
Now that we've learned about the most important sections to add on your resume, let's explore some other ways to demonstrate your full potential to future employers.
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all model. Every person, every situation and every job is different. Your resume should be tailored based on a variety of these circumstances.
Here are some sections you can include on your resume:
Keep in mind, that you should only add these sections if 1) you have extra space or 2) it's very relevant to the job you're applying for.
- Hobbies & Interests. This is a great way to show off your individual personality. Employers often care about maintaining company culture. Showcasing your different hobbies and interests can be a great way for them to get to know you, before even meeting you! Our advice on how to include hobbies on your resumes will be helpful.
- Languages. Do you speak multiple languages? This is a skill that can become useful, even if it isn't required for the job. When listing languages, you may also write a proficiency level (native, fluent, basic) to show how skilled you are at communicating in that language.
- Volunteering Experience. If you spend time volunteering at different organizations, this can demonstrate to future employers that you're mission-driven and passionate about solving problems for others. If you're a student, acquiring volunteer experience can be a great way to substitute (with real impact!) for any lack of work experience.
- Certifications & Awards. Have you received any certifications and awards that celebrates achievements you've made in your career? If it's relevant to the job you're applying to, then this could be a great way to level up your expertise and skills. Take a look at our guide on including achievements and awards on your resume as well as including certifications on your resumes.
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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 ...
A resume is a summary of your career, whether yours is just getting started or has been going on for years. Coming in at around one page in length (two only under specific circumstances), it showcases the jobs you've held and currently hold, the responsibilities you've taken on, the skills you've developed, and the qualities you bring to the table as an employee.
Here are a few key resume-writing tips to help you organize and design your resume. 1. Look for keywords in the job posting The best place to start when preparing to write a resume is to carefully read the job postings that interest you. As you apply for different jobs, study each job description for keywords that show what the employer is ...
Here's what this architect resume example does right:. Lists related experience. This resume highlights the relevant professional experience the candidate gained in the field during their internship.; Mentions achievements and responsibilities. The candidate backs up their claims by going into detail about their achievements and responsibilities.; Focus on personal projects.
A resume summary is a short statement that uses active language to describe your relevant work experience, skills and accomplishments. Read more: 195 Action Verbs to Make Your Resume Stand Out 5. List your soft and hard skills ... Write your professional history section in reverse-chronological order. Start with your most recent job and provide ...
Resume example Consider this sample resume to help you create your own: June Smith 15 Main St., Chicago, IL 11000 | [email protected] | 901-555-1212 Objective Experienced office manager seeking an opportunity to thrive at a mid-sized company Summary of Qualifications • 12 years of experience as an office manager at a small graphic design firm • Deep knowledge of employee management ...
3. Write a convincing resume summary. Writing a summary of your experience and skills at the top of your resume is an effective way to grab the attention of employers. A professional resume summary provides a snapshot of your primary qualifications by emphasizing your most impressive achievements and skills in 2-3 sentences. If you want to ...
Follow these tips to write a great resume objective. This checklist will help summarize your experience into a resume objective that leaves a good first impression. Avoid writing your resume objective in first person. Incorrect: I am a server and have lots of experience working in various restaurants. I love working with customers.
To write a resume with no experience, focus on your transferable skills. Highlighting these will show the hiring manager that you have the talents you need to succeed. How far back should a resume go? Resumes should go back no longer than 10-15 years. What are the 4 C's of resume writing? The four C's of resume writing are clear, concise ...
First things first: let's define a resume.A resume is a summary of your work history, skills, and education. In this respect, a resume is different than a curriculum vitae — more commonly called a CV. A CV is a complete look at your career, covering every aspect of your education, work and experience without the restriction of length.