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How to Create a Resume
Writing a professional resume is the key to getting a hiring manager’s attention and your foot in the door for your desired job. Marketing your experience and best accomplishments and skills in such a competitive market starts with organization. Here’s how to make your resume stand out with a great resume format.
Choose the right resume format
A resume format is how the information on your resume is organized, which can vary depending on your experience level. There are three main resume formats from which to choose.
- Chronological format: Highlights your career progression by listing your experience chronologically. Recommended for candidates with over 10 years of consistent work experience.
- Functional format: Highlights your skills, education and volunteer experience over a lack of extensive work experience. Ideal for those with zero to three years of experience, like recent graduates, freelancers and those exploring new careers. This format gives you the strategy of how you make a resume with no experience.
- Combination/hybrid format: Highlights your skills and work history equally. Works best for job seekers with three to nine years of experience.
Once you choose the format right for your experience level, you can start filling in your resume sections.
Add your contact information
At the top of your resume, add your first and last name, phone number, professional email address and city, state and ZIP code. Consider adding a LinkedIn profile URL or an online portfolio link.
Tamara Smith
(512) 555-5555
Tamara.Smith814@――――‐.com
Write a professional summary or resume objective
Since hiring managers have limited time to review your resume, you want to lure them in with a two- to three-sentence introduction. There are two types of intros: a professional summary and a resume objective.
Key differences:
- Professional summary: A resume summary briefly outlines how your experience and skills align with the role. Best for seasoned professionals and candidates applying for a similar industry role.
- Resume objective: A resume objective should give the hiring manager an idea of who you are, what they can expect from you and what you hope to accomplish by getting hired. Suitable for career changers and recent graduates.
Steps to an effective resume summary:
- Read the job description to identify the employer’s needs and required skills.
- Write down your most marketable accomplishments, work experiences and skills that align with this role.
- Highlight your best selling points in two to four sentences.
Here is an example:
Experienced forklift operator with 5+ years of experience optimizing loads to ensure operational efficiency, streamlining organization and logistics. Proficiency in operating technical machinery and RF scanners. My mathematical aptitude and strong organizational skills have been the foundations of my career success.
Steps to a good resume objective:
- Keep your objective straightforward.
- Tailor it to the role you seek.
- Highlight your most marketable traits in one to three sentences.
Here is an example:
Cybersecurity analyst with 10+ years of experience identifying potential vulnerabilities in the company’s network. Delivers a proactive approach to security measures to detect and avoid possible attacks.
List relevant skills
Include skills on your resume listed in the job description. Choose hard and soft skills related to the role when including your skills.
- Hard skills are gained through experience or education. They are specifically about the job knowledge you have. Examples could be computer software skills or technical expertise.
- Soft skills define how you socialize with others and handle yourself in the workplace. For instance, being a team player or problem-solver are key soft skills employers value.
PRO TIP:
Mix hard and soft skills for a perfect balance! Here’s what an employer looks for:
Examples of Hard Skills
- Adobe Acrobat
- Creative Cloud
- CRM platforms
- Research
- Data engineering
- Google Analytics
- Sales funnel management
- Coding languages
Examples of Soft Skills
- Leadership
- Active listening
- Enthusiasm
- Adaptability
- Confidence
- Problem-solving
- Conflict resolution
Write your work experience section
List your employment history in reverse-chronological order, with your most recent job first. Each work experience entry should include your job title, company location and dates of employment. Add a bulleted list of phrases describing your job duties and accomplishments. Quantify your accomplishments with numbers or metrics to create credibility and enhance your candidacy.
Successfully produced events for audiences of between 1,200–7,500 attendees.
Worked with over 100 vendors in design, production and staging.
Managed 15 breakout productions, experiential activations, and event logistics on a monthly basis.
Assisted with contracting over 50 approved vendors, including negotiation, contracting and invoicing.
Tracked, maintained, reported and reconciled budgets of vendor contracts quarterly.
Ensured accuracy and quality control for logistics and inventory daily.
Booked artists for mayoral fundraising event, raising over $15,000 in funds within 20 hours.
Consistently maintained fundraising goals according to the financial needs of clients.
Implemented organizational best practices with regard to recruiting and managing high-level volunteers, revenue generation activities, and expense and fiscal controls
Include your education
List your highest level of education first, then subsequent degrees and diplomas. Add the expected graduation date if you are still in the process of completing your degree. List your school’s name if you only have a high school diploma. However, if you have completed a university degree, including information about high school is unnecessary.
Add additional resume sections (optional)
- 1Volunteer work
Highlight volunteer experience if you have space on your resume and it is relevant to the role you seek. Create a section titled Volunteer Experience. List the name of the company or organization, job title and dates.
- 2Internships
To add your internship experience, write the formal title, company, location and date of your internship. List the responsibilities you had and include any achievements or accomplishments.
- 3Certifications
Certifications demonstrate your skills and industry knowledge and can really boost your resume. To list certifications on your resume: include the name of the certification, the name of the awarding organization and the date you earned your certification.
Add Value With a Cover Letter
Complement your resume with a well-written cover letter to boost your application. Begin your cover letter with your contact information, including the date and greeting. Research the name of the hiring manager for a personal touch.
Use your opening paragraph to outline how you are the ideal candidate for the role and a second paragraph to highlight relevant skills and quantifiable accomplishments.
Last, use your closing remarks to show your availability to discuss your application and thank them for their time and consideration.
Not sure how to start? Our Cover Letter Builder is designed to help you create a professional cover letter in just minutes. Browse our cover letter templates and personalize with ready-made content developed by our design experts.
Double-Check Your Resume
Submitting an error-free resume is critical. Proofread your resume to ensure your resume is clean and free of typos.
Follow these four tips to avoid mistakes in your resume and cover letter:
Zoom in and magnify the text of your document to make it easier to spot typos.
Use a spell-checker or Grammarly to spot errors and suggest improvements. Our Resume Builder has a built-in spell-checker to ensure your resume is perfect.
Place your resume and cover letter side-by-side and read each out loud. You will hear the flow and transitional phrases by reading your resume aloud.
Have a friend read your resume for a fresh set of eyes.
How to Make a Resume FAQ
How to make a good resume?
Job seekers looking for new positions in 2023 must write a resume catering to the company's needs. Revamp your resume to show how your career accomplishments and goals add value.
Wondering how to prepare a resume? Start with one of our professional resume templates. They’re easy to follow — simply fill in the blanks with your information.
JobHero features templates designed to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS). This means that your resume can be easily scanned by the software used by recruiters to identify the best candidates.
How to make a resume for a first job?
Start by reviewing the job description. Then list your skills that match those listed in the job ad. By doing this, you are tailoring your skills and qualifying for an entry-level position.
Next, you will organize your skills, education and any extracurricular activities. Use a functional resume format because it focuses on your skills rather than work experience.
If you’re nervous about the process or want an expert to guide you, JobHero features a Resume Builder that provides step-by-step guidance to help minimize the stress of writing and
How to make your resume stand out?
Employers look at resumes for an average of only six or seven seconds. For this reason, keep your resume short and concise.
Highlight relevant skills and experiences with metrics. One of the most effective resume strategies is quantifying your achievements with numbers and data.
Quantified accomplishments are far more credible than vague statements and are the best way to make your resume stand out.