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Writing a resume can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. All you need is the right approach to highlight your strengths so you stand out to hiring managers as an exceptional candidate.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to writing an effective resume. From choosing the best format to tailoring your content for each job, you’ll learn what recruiters look for and how to present your qualifications with confidence. Let’s get started.

How to Make a Resume in 8 Steps

A resume highlights relevant skills and achievements using tailored language and readable bullets. When done correctly, it should scan well with applicant tracking systems (ATS), and catch the attention of hiring managers.

Let’s take it step by step: 

    1

    Research the job

    Employers use ATS to screen applications and find the most qualified applicants. To write an ATS-passing resume, read the job description carefully to understand what the employer seeks. 

    Including keywords from the job post is critical to passing ATS scans and catching recruiters’ eyes. Here’s how to research the job:

    • Look for specific skills, industry knowledge, or past experiences that you can mention in your resume.
    • Look for skills or responsibilities listed under “required” or “preferred.” 
    • Prioritize words and phrases in bold, underlined, italicized, or highlighted fonts. 
    • Try to match the same tense and sentence structure in your resume. 
    Pro Tip

    Pro tip:

    Run your resume through our ATS Resume Checker. We engineered this tool to check your formatting, phrasing, and descriptions to give you ATS-optimized suggestions! 

    2

    Choose the right resume format

    Three main resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination.

    Your resume format dictates how your information is organized and varies depending on your experience level. There are three main formats to choose from: 

    • Chronological resume:

      The reverse-chronological format emphasizes your career progression by placing your work experience section at the top of your resume. It is best for candidates with over 10 years of consistent work experience.

    • Functional resume:

      The functional format highlights your skills section and sets your work history further down the page. It is best for career changers, those with employment gaps, freelancers, and recent graduates. 

    • Hybrid/combination format:

      Candidates with less than five but more than three years of experience benefit from the hybrid format. This resume format lends equal space to your skills and work experience sections.

    3

    Add your contact information

    Close-up of a resume headers visible on the screen.

    Your resume header should always have the following:

    • First and last name
    • Phone number
    • Professional email
    • City, state, and ZIP code

     

    Carefully read the job description and add this optional information as needed:

    • Personal website
    • Digital portfolio
    • Social media handles
    • License number or professional memberships, like a nursing license

     

    Here's an example:

    Tamara Smith
    Austin, TX
    (512) 555-5555
    tamara.smith814@example.com 

    4

    Write a professional summary or resume objective

    Example of a CV summary and objective section

    Since hiring managers have limited time to review your resume, you want to grab their attention with a compelling three- to four-sentence introduction. There are two types of intros:

    • Professional summary: Concisely outlines the experience, top skills, and accomplishments that make you the right fit for the role. It’s best for seasoned professionals. 
    • Resume objective: Recommended for career changers or recent graduates, it gives an idea of who you are and your career goals and mentions any relevant skills or coursework that prepared you for the role. 

    How to write a resume summary:

    1. Read the job description to identify the employer’s needs and required skills. 
    2. Summarize who you are as a professional, what you excel at, and the value you can bring.
    3. Focus on measurable results or specific expertise rather than general traits.

    Here's an example:

    Dedicated and innovative sous chef with 8 years of experience in high-volume, fine dining environments. Proven track record of delivering exceptional culinary creations, maintaining high kitchen standards, and leading a team focused on efficiency and creativity. Adept at menu planning, inventory management, and maintaining impeccable hygiene standards. Passionate about culinary arts and committed to enhancing guest satisfaction through exquisite dishes and memorable dining experiences.

    How to write a resume objective:

    1. Mention two or three skills, certifications, or areas of expertise that prepare you for the role. If you’re new to the field, focus on transferable skills.
    2. Show how your skills and goals connect to the employer’s needs. 
    3. Explain how the role aligns with your long-term career plans.

    Here's an example:

    Enthusiastic and creative recent graduate with a degree in communications and a strong foundation in digital media and content creation. Seeking to leverage academic knowledge and hands-on experience gained through internships and freelance projects to contribute to a dynamic team. Eager to apply skills in social media management, video production, and copywriting to help a forward-thinking company grow its online presence and engage audiences through innovative and compelling content.

    5

    List relevant skills

    Close-up of a resume skills section visible on the screen.

    ​​Use bullet points to highlight six to eight skills under your skills section. Remember to mix both soft skills and learned hard skills: 

    • Soft skills define how you interact with others and handle yourself in the workplace. For example, interpersonal skills and communication help you work effectively in a team.
    • Hard skills are gained through experience or education. They are specifically about the job knowledge you have. 
    • Technical skills are specialized hard skills that demonstrate your expertise with certain tools. For example, a UX designer should have proficiency in Figma and Axure RP, which are critical tools for the job. 

    Soft skills examples:

    Hard skills examples:

    • Customer service
    • Inventory management
    • Adobe Acrobat
    • Google Analytics
    • Upselling techniques

    Technical skills examples:

    • POS systems
    • Inventory software
    • Coding language
    • Content management systems
    • CSS frameworks

    6

    Write your work experience section

    Close-up of a education with bullet points section visible on the screen.

    List your work history chronologically, with your most recent job first.

    Each entry should include your job title, your company’s location, and your dates of employment. Be selective about what you include. Focus on relevant roles. Follow these steps:

    1. Create a bulleted list of short, detailed sentences to describe your job duties and accomplishments. 
    2. Add numbers and data to quantify your achievements and help hiring managers see the impact of your work. 
    3. Use action verbs and powerful language to convey initiative.

    Work experience example:

    Event Producer
    BrightWave Productions | New York, NY
    June 2021–Present

    • Produce and manage 45+ corporate and entertainment events annually, ranging from 150 to 2,500 attendees.
    • Negotiated vendor contracts that reduced event costs by 18% while maintaining quality standards.
    • Implemented new project management workflow, cutting planning time by 25% and improving cross-team communication.

     

    Assistant Event Producer
    Starline Events | New York, NY
    January 2019–May 2021

    • Coordinated logistics for 60+ live and virtual events, including conferences, galas, and product launches.
    • Managed on-site staff of 10–25 people per event and improved post-event satisfaction scores by 30%.
    • Streamlined budgeting and invoice tracking to eliminate reporting errors and deliver all events under budget.

    7

    Include your education

    Example of the education section in a CV with degree information

    For your education section, start with your highest degree. Then move on to subsequent degrees and diplomas.

    Add the degree name, school name, location, and graduation or expected graduation date. Only share your high school or GED if that’s your highest level of education.

    You can also add the following information: 

    • Relevant coursework (if you have less than three years of experience)
    • Certifications, with the institution’s name
    • Licenses, with the institution’s name 
    • Honors or awards

    Here’s an example:

    Pharm.D.
    Cambridge Business Institute | Hempstead, NY
    June 2025

    B.A., Chemistry
    University of Florida (UFHealth) | Gainesville, FL
    July 2020

    8

    Add optional resume sections

    Beyond the basics, these additional sections can highlight your strengths and make your resume more memorable to employers:

    • Volunteer work:

      Highlight volunteer experience if you have space on your resume and it’s relevant to the role you seek. List the name of the company or organization, job title, and dates.

    • Internships:

      To add your internship experience, write the formal title, company, location, and date. List the responsibilities you had and include any achievements.

    • Certifications:

      Certifications demonstrate your skills and industry knowledge and can boost your resume. Include the name of the certification, the awarding organization, and the date you earned it or when it expires.

    • Languages:

      Highlighting your language skills can demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively across diverse teams and markets. Include each language along with your proficiency level—such as fluent, conversational, or beginner—to give employers a clear sense of your capabilities.

    • Memberships:

      Joining industry-specific associations shows your commitment. Include the name of the organization and the date your membership started.

    • Awards:

      An accomplished professional is an employee who goes above and beyond their job duties. Write the award title, organization, and date you earned it.

    • Professional development:

      Continuing education and training workshops indicate a candidate is constantly looking to grow. Add the course and institution name, and the date of completion.

    5 Resume Examples by Job Title

    Check out all these resume examples to see how other job seekers highlight their skills and achievements.

    Customer success manager

    Customer Manager Example Resume JH
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    School administrator

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    Machine operator

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    Interior designer

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    Mortgage consultant

    Mortgage Consultant Example Resume JH
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    How to Write a Resume FAQ

    How do I write a simple resume?

    A simple one-page resume must include the following: 

    • A resume objective or professional summary
    • Work experience section
    • Skills list
    • Educational background

    Those four sections give you the basics to create a simple yet professional resume. 

    How do I format a resume?

    Remember, your resume format depends on your experience level. Choose between a chronological, functional, or hybrid format. All formats should follow the standard resume layout: 

    • 1-inch margins
    • Bullet points 
    • Clear resume headings 
    • Plenty of whitespace 

    Our resume templates cover that. Just pick one you like and add your information! 

    How do I make my resume stand out?

    Employers look at resumes for an average of only six or seven seconds. For this reason, keep your resume short. Highlight relevant skills and experiences with metrics. Quantifying your achievements with numbers and data is one of the most effective resume strategies.

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    JobHero has published in-depth career guides, and resume and cover letter articles since 2014. We aim to share job-seeking tools and empower job seekers throughout their careers! Visit our Editorial Process to see how our authors research, write, and revise our articles.

    Natalia Merced

    Natalia Merced

    CPRW, Career Writer

    Natalia is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches and has worked in the career industry for more than two years providing comprehensive guidance on resume writing and job search strategies for individuals across diverse career paths. She holds a master's degree in counseling psychology and a bachelor's degree in public relations and advertising and is passionate about helping job seekers present their professional story effectively through well-crafted resumes and cover letters that demonstrate their value, skills, and experience to potential employers. Some of her work has been featured on JobHero's resume examples career center.

    Read more articles by Natalia Merced
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