How to Make a Resume in 2024 (Guide + Examples)

Creating a resume in 2023 is a vital step in your job search journey. With evolving job markets and the increasing importance of digital presence, it’s crucial to craft a resume that stands out. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions and examples to help you create a resume that effectively showcases your skills and experiences.

How to Write a Resume

Prepare to Write Your Resume

Preparing to write a resume is an essential step in your job search, involving careful planning and organization. The process begins with understanding the primary purpose of a resume: to market your professional skills and experiences to potential employers. It should highlight your most relevant achievements, skills, and experience tailored to the job you’re applying for.

Start by gathering all necessary information including your personal details, work history, educational background, skills, certifications, awards, and any relevant volunteer experiences. This comprehensive compilation ensures that you have all pertinent details at your disposal. Additionally, it’s crucial to research industry-specific keywords and analyze job descriptions to identify the skills and experiences most valued in your field. This insight helps in tailoring your resume to meet the expectations of potential employers and pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Choose the Best Resume Format for Your Needs

Deciding on the right format for your resume is crucial, as it can significantly impact how your skills and experiences are perceived by potential employers. The decision should be based on your work history, industry, and the type of job you’re applying for. Here are some key points to consider:

Chronological Format:

This is the most traditional and widely accepted format. It lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. It’s ideal if you have a consistent work history with progressive experience in your field. Choose this format if:

Functional Format:

This format focuses on your skills and experience, rather than your employment history. It’s beneficial if you’re changing careers, have gaps in your employment, or are a recent graduate with limited work experience. Opt for this format if:

Combination Format:

As the name suggests, this format combines elements of both chronological and functional resumes. It allows you to showcase your skills and qualifications up front, followed by a reverse chronological employment history. This format works well if:

Remember, the layout should also be clean, professional, and easy to read, with a clear structure that guides the reader through your professional story. The format you choose should ultimately emphasize your strengths and downplay any weaknesses in your work history.

Add Your Contact Information

Adding contact information to your resume is a straightforward yet essential part of the resume writing process. It should be clear, accurate, and professionally presented. Here are the key elements to include:

• Name: Start with your full name, typically formatted in a larger font size at the top of the resume. This is the most prominent piece of information and serves as the header of your resume.
• Phone Number: Provide a current phone number, preferably a mobile number where you can be reached directly. Ensure the voicemail associated with this number is professional and clear.
• Email Address: Include a professional email address. Ideally, this should be a combination of your first and last names. Avoid using unprofessional or outdated email service providers.
• LinkedIn Profile: If you have a LinkedIn profile, include the URL. Ensure your profile is updated and reflects your professional image. LinkedIn is increasingly used by recruiters and employers to verify candidates’ professional backgrounds.
• Personal Website or Online Portfolio (if applicable): If you have a personal website, professional blog, or online portfolio, include the URL. This is particularly relevant for professionals in creative fields, IT, or those who maintain an active professional blog or portfolio.
• Location: You can include your city and state if you wish, but full addresses are no longer necessary and can be omitted for privacy and security reasons. Mentioning your location can be important if the job is location-specific.

Remember to place your contact information at the top of your resume, where it is easily visible. Avoid adding personal information such as your date of birth, marital status, or a photograph, as these are not required and can lead to unconscious bias. The goal is to provide potential employers with the necessary information to contact you easily while maintaining a professional appearance.

Write a Resume Summary

Adding a resume summary to your resume is a strategic way to immediately grab the attention of an employer and highlight your most relevant qualifications and career goals. Here’s how to effectively add a resume summary:

• Position it at the Top: Place your resume summary at the top of your resume, right under your contact information. This ensures it’s one of the first things a recruiter sees.

• Keep it Concise: Aim for about 3-5 sentences. Your summary should be a brief overview of your professional background, not a comprehensive narrative.
• Highlight Your Experience: Start by mentioning your years of experience and the main industries or fields you’ve worked in. For instance, “Seasoned marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in the digital advertising sector.”
• Showcase Your Expertise: Pinpoint your key skills and areas of expertise that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. This could include specific technical skills, management experience, or particular areas of knowledge.
• Include Achievements or Metrics: Where possible, quantify your accomplishments. For example, “Successfully led a team to achieve a 30% increase in sales over two years.”
• Tailor to the Job: Customize your summary for each job application. Reflect the language used in the job description and focus on the skills and experiences that align most closely with the requirements of the position.
• Professional Tone and Language: Use professional language and a confident tone. Avoid jargon or overly complex sentences, and keep the summary clear and straightforward.
• Optional: Career Goals: If relevant, briefly mention your professional goals, especially if they align with the opportunities the position or company can provide. For example, “Seeking to leverage my expertise in international market analysis in a fast-paced environment at a global financial firm.”

A well-crafted resume summary acts as an elevator pitch for your candidacy. It should encapsulate your professional identity and make a strong case for why you’re the ideal candidate for the job. Tailoring it to each application enhances its relevance and impact.

Make a Resume Work History Section

Adding work experience to your resume is essential in showcasing your professional background and achievements. Start by listing your experiences in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent job. 

For each position, include your job title, the company’s name, the dates of employment, and the job’s location. Detail your key responsibilities and accomplishments, prioritizing those that align with the job you’re applying for. It’s effective to quantify these achievements with specific figures to provide a clear impact of your contributions. Use bullet points for clarity, starting each with a dynamic action verb to make your experiences more compelling. 

While it’s important to provide a thorough overview, avoid overcrowding this section with older or less relevant roles. Consistent formatting throughout is crucial for a professional presentation.

This section of your resume is not merely a list of past jobs but a strategic display of how your experiences make you an ideal candidate for the role at hand.

Create a Resume Skills Section to Highlight Your Strengths

Adding skills to your resume is a crucial step in showcasing your qualifications and suitability for a job. Here’s a structured way to do it:

Remember, the skills section of your resume is your opportunity to make a strong first impression, so be accurate and honest in your self-assessment.

List Your Education Accurately

When crafting a resume, the education section is a vital component, particularly for recent graduates or those applying for roles where specific educational qualifications are paramount. It serves as a testament to your academic achievements and relevant knowledge, and can significantly boost your candidacy, especially when work experience is limited. Here’s a guide on how to effectively list your education on a resume:

• Start with the Most Recent Education: Begin with your most recent educational experience. This could be a degree, diploma, certificate, or any relevant coursework.
• Include the Name of the Institution: Clearly state the name of the university, college, or educational institution where you studied.
• Specify Your Degree: Mention the degree you obtained, such as Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, etc. If you’re still in school, you can note your expected graduation date.
• Add the Graduation Year: Include the year of graduation if you’re a recent graduate.
• Mention Your Major and Minor: Specify your major and, if applicable, your minor. This is especially important if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• Include Relevant Honors and Awards: If you graduated with honors (like summa cum laude) or received any significant awards, include these as they highlight your academic achievements.
• Add Your GPA (If Beneficial): Include your GPA if it’s strong (usually 3.5 or above) and if you’re a recent graduate. Otherwise, it’s often best to leave it out.
• List Important Courses or Projects: If relevant, list key courses or projects that are particularly pertinent to the job. This is especially useful for recent graduates with limited work experience.
• Format Consistently: Ensure that the education section of your resume matches the overall format and style. Consistency in font, size, and layout is important for a professional look.
• Keep it Concise: Be brief and only include information that adds value to your resume. Avoid unnecessary details.

The way you present your educational background can make a significant difference in how recruiters perceive your profile. It’s not just about the degrees you’ve earned; it’s about presenting them in a way that aligns with your career objectives and highlights your suitability for the roles you are pursuing. A well-structured education section can effectively complement your skills and experience, making your resume stand out in a competitive job market.

Add Relevant Certifications, Licenses, and Training

Including relevant certifications, licenses, and training on your resume is vital for several reasons. These credentials demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills, enhancing your credibility and showing commitment to professional development.

They are essential for meeting specific job requirements, especially in specialized or regulated fields. Having these qualifications can provide a competitive edge in the job market, distinguishing your resume from others with similar educational backgrounds or work experiences. Additionally, they are beneficial for career transitions, helping bridge skill or experience gaps. Certifications and licenses also help in passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which scan for specific keywords.

Overall, these credentials are powerful tools that validate your expertise and dedication to your profession, making your resume more appealing to potential employers.

Here’s a guide to effectively include them:

• Create a Separate Section: If you have multiple certifications, liscenses and/or trainings, create a separate section for them. This helps to clearly distinguish them from your education and work experience.
• Use the Full Titles: Write the full title of each certification, liscense and/or training. Abbreviations might not be understood by all employers or might not pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filters if they scan for full titles.
• Include the Issuing Organization: Mention the name of the organization or institution that issued the credential. This is important for credibility.
• State the Date: Include the date you received the credential. If it expires, also include the expiration date. This shows employers that your knowledge is current.
• Mention Any Special Requirements: If the credential required special training, coursework, exams, or ongoing education, you may briefly mention this, especially if it’s impressive or relevant to the job.
• Prioritize Relevance: List the most relevant credentials to the job you’re applying for first. This ensures that the most applicable qualifications catch the employer’s eye immediately.
• Consider Location: If you have just one or two credentials, and they are highly relevant to the job, you might include them at the top of your resume. Otherwise, they typically go after education and work experience.

Remember, the goal is to present your certifications, liscenses and/or trainings in a way that’s easy to read and relevant to the positions you’re applying for. This can significantly enhance your resume by highlighting your specialized skills and knowledge.

Include Optional Resume Sections if You Have Them

Incorporating awards, honors, and publications on your resume is a great way to showcase your accomplishments and set yourself apart from other candidates. Here’s a summary of how to include these elements:

• Create Separate Sections: If you have multiple items in each category, it’s beneficial to create separate sections titled ‘Awards and Honors’ and ‘Publications’. This helps in organizing your resume and makes it easy for the employer to find relevant information.
• List Awards and Honors: Include any relevant awards or honors you have received. Mention the name of the award, the granting organization, and the date it was received. Prioritize awards that are relevant to the job you are applying for. This could include professional recognitions, academic honors, scholarships, or community service awards.
• Include Publications: For publications, list the title, co-authors (if any), publication name, and publication date. If you have numerous publications, consider listing the most relevant or recent. For academic or research positions, more comprehensive listings are appropriate.
• Be Selective: Choose awards, honors, and publications that are most relevant to the job. This ensures your resume is tailored and concise, highlighting your most impressive and applicable achievements.
• Provide Context if Necessary: Briefly describe an award or honor if its significance is not immediately clear. This can be especially helpful for less well-known awards.
• Consider the Resume Length: If adding these sections makes your resume too lengthy, prioritize the most impressive or relevant items, or consider creating an addendum or a portfolio for additional details.

By highlighting awards, honors, and publications, you effectively demonstrate your achievements and expertise. These elements can significantly strengthen your resume by showcasing your recognition in your field and your contributions to professional knowledge or practice.

Proofread, Check Your Formatting and Save Your Final Product

Proofreading, checking formatting, and saving your final resume are crucial final steps in the resume-writing process. Here’s a summary of how to do this effectively:

• Proofread Carefully: Go through your resume meticulously to check for any grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. Even minor mistakes can create a negative impression. Pay special attention to names, dates, and technical terms.
• Check for Consistency: Ensure consistency in formatting throughout the document. This includes font size and type, text alignment, bullet point style, and spacing. Consistency makes your resume look professional and easy to read.
• Read Aloud: Reading your resume aloud can help catch errors or awkward phrasing that you might miss when reading silently.
• Seek a Second Opinion: Have someone else review your resume. A fresh pair of eyes can catch errors you might have overlooked and provide feedback on the overall flow and clarity.
• Check for Relevance and Clarity: Ensure that the information on your resume is relevant to the job you’re applying for and is presented clearly. Remove or edit any parts that do not directly contribute to your candidacy for the specific role.
• Verify Contact Information: Double-check your contact details, including your phone number and email address, to ensure they are correct and current.
• Save in Multiple Formats: Save your resume in multiple formats. A PDF format is generally preferred as it maintains the formatting, but some employers may request a Word document. Having different formats at hand is convenient.
• Choose a Professional Filename: Name your file professionally, typically including your name and the word ‘resume’. For example, ‘JohnDoe_Resume.pdf’. This makes it easy for hiring managers to find and remember your resume.
• Back-Up Your Resume: Save a copy of your resume in a cloud storage or an external drive. This ensures you have a backup in case of any technical issues.
• Test Emailing and Printing: Send the resume to yourself as an email attachment to check how it appears to the recipient. Also, print it out to see how it looks in hard copy, as some employers might prefer printed versions.

By thoroughly proofreading, ensuring consistent formatting, and saving your resume in the appropriate formats, you make sure that it presents you in the best possible light to potential employers. These steps are vital in making a strong, professional first impression.

Expert Resume-Writing Tips to Help You Land the Job

Creating a resume that stands out from the competition involves a blend of strong content, strategic formatting, and personal branding. Here are some tips to make your resume stand out:

By following these tips, you can create a resume that not only catches the eye of hiring managers but also effectively communicates your strengths and suitability for the role.

Create a Complementary Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter that complements your resume effectively involves several key steps. Start with a strong, attention-grabbing opening, clearly stating the position you are applying for and expressing your enthusiasm for the role. Tailor the content to the specific job and company, demonstrating how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements and company culture. Use your cover letter to elaborate on key achievements or experiences from your resume, providing more context or anecdotes that showcase your qualifications.

Additionally, address any career gaps or changes positively, focusing on the skills and experiences gained during these periods. Maintain a professional tone and clear structure, making your letter easy to read. Conclude with a call to action, such as expressing your eagerness to discuss the role further in an interview. Ensure your cover letter is concise, fitting on a single page, and proofread it thoroughly to eliminate any errors. Finally, match the format of your cover letter with your resume, using the same font, margins, and header to create a cohesive and professional appearance. This approach ensures your cover letter adds depth to your resume, highlighting your suitability for the role and setting you apart from other candidates.

How to Make a Resume for a Job: Important Takeaway

Creating an effective resume is a critical step in the job application process. Here are five key takeaways for a page on how to write a resume:

• Tailor Your Resume to the Job: Customize your resume for each position you apply for. Use keywords from the job description and focus on experiences and skills that are most relevant to the role. This increases the likelihood of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and catching the employer’s attention.
• Highlight Achievements Over Duties: Instead of simply listing job responsibilities, emphasize specific achievements and quantify them wherever possible. Use metrics and data to demonstrate the impact of your work. This approach showcases your value and effectiveness in previous roles.
• Keep It Concise and Organized: Aim for a clear and concise resume, typically no longer than one or two pages, depending on your experience level. Use a logical format with well-defined sections, consistent font, and a layout that is easy to read. This helps hiring managers quickly find the information they need.
• Include a Mix of Hard and Soft Skills: Employers look for a balance of hard (technical) and soft (interpersonal) skills. Tailor the skills you list to match the requirements of the job, and provide examples of how you’ve applied these skills in a professional setting.
• Proofread and Review: Errors in a resume can be a major red flag to employers. Carefully proofread for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. It’s also helpful to have someone else review your resume to catch mistakes you might have missed and to provide feedback on the overall presentation and content.

These key takeaways provide a foundational guide for writing a resume that effectively communicates your qualifications, aligns with the needs of employers, and stands out in a competitive job market.