How to create a resume that gets you the job you want. This guide will help you create a resume that is both professional and easy to read.
How do you create a resume? Are you unsure how to master each of these points? No worries. You can click any link to see our tips and examples on how to complete that step.
Difference? Wrong is focused on daily tasks, not achievements. Right provides evidence that an IT consultant's resume includes skills, accomplishments, and experiences.
Tip: In the "right" summary of the resume, we also included the company name. This is a great way for your resume to feel personal and not just sent to all companies.
We used transferable skills from our previous companies and proud achievements on our resumes to create the Right One. Remember that numbers speak louder then words. The wrong one isn't convincing enough to keep the hiring manager's eye.
You can also explore resume objectives. For experienced candidates, a summary if qualifications is also available.
Tip: You may have noticed that both of the "wrong" examples used the first-person. This should not be on your resume.
Drag & Drop bullet points and skills to create a resume using our builder. Then, auto-fill any boring parts. What is the spelling of your name? Check. Get a template for your professional resume.
After you are done, Zety will score your resume and give you the best advice on how to improve it.
1. Select the right resume format
It is not enough to just put your information in a simple resume template and then start to write a resume. Instead, choose from the standard resume formats. Reverse-chronological format Pros: Traditional resume style, familiar to potential employers. Cons: A very common and not the most creative format for creating a resume. Combination Pros This is a great resource for career changers and experienced professionals looking to highlight transferable skills. Cons: Not a common type and not as well-known, so not recommended for job seekers at entry-level. Functional format (skills based) Pros Entry-level job seekers can emphasize their skills over a lack of experience. Cons:HR managers might think you are hiding something. Check out this article to learn more about which resume format is best for you.- Examples of common resume formats.
- The classic resume layout, is a chronological resume .
- The combination resume or a chronological-functional resume.
- The functional resume is focused on skills.
- High quality resume designs will make it easier to choose.
2. Include your contact information and personal details
Career diplomats know which information should be shared and which information is best kept private. You should know what to leave out of a resume .Contact Information for a Resume:
- Name: First name, last name (middle name optional).
- Phone Number A personal cell phone is preferable to a home number.
- Email address: The preferred method of communication today.
- LinkedIn URL Add your LinkedIn profile. Hiring managers will spy on it anyway.
Contact Information to Be Left Out:
- Birth Date: Ageism could be caused by adding your birthdate. You should only add if necessary, like for jobs that involve alcohol.
- Additional Email or Phone Number: Adding a second email, mailing address or phone number to your account will confuse them (and yourself).
- Headshot/Photo: It is not common for to upload resumes and profile photos in the United States.
Contact Information that Is Optional:
- Your home address should be left off your resume unless you require it.
- Resume title
- Personal web
3. Begin with a Heading Statement (Resume Summary, Resume Objective).
Do you know how Tinder users are so impatient? It takes a clever statement or provocative photo to convince someone not to swipe left. Employers flip through resumes in a similar speed. Our HR statistics report reveals that hiring managers can scan your resume in less than seven seconds and make an initial decision. Your resume summary/resume goal statement will get the most attention since it is at the top of your page. A statement should portray a positive image of your candidacy. What purpose does a resume serve other than to present your potential as a candidate's clout? The only question is: which one should you choose? This is how to create a resume profile so that recruiters are impressed. What is a Resume Summary Statement? Have you got enough relevant work experience? Select the summary statement for your resume that summarizes your job-related skills and qualifications. Let's look at the right and wrong examples to show how to create a professional summary.| RIGHT |
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| A reliable and trustworthy graphic designer with over 4 years experience in fast-paced global marketing firms. According to an internal review, I achieved the highest quality satisfaction rating for my company (99.76%). I am looking to grow professionally in the DeZine group. |
| Wrong |
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| Since 2004, I have been a graphic design professional. Apart from my extensive knowledge in various software and design programs I can also manage some difficult customer accounts. I am able to work well even under extreme pressure and meet tight deadlines. |
What is a Resume Objective Statement
If you don't have any work experience or are a student, you can use the objective statement to your resume. Your resume objective statement will argue that even though you have no experience in this job, you have relevant experience and transferable skills from different areas. Let's take a look at some other examples of resume objectives that are good and bad.| RIGHT |
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| Experienced customer support specialist with over 3 years' experience in large computer hardware companies. Attained the highest levels in quality (97.3%) and build spec knowledge (100%). As an entry-level IT technician, I am looking to grow my career with BQNY. |
| Wrong |
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| I am a customer service specialist who is eager to be a field technician. Although I have never worked in the field, my coworkers say that I have the ability to learn quickly. Because I prefer being outdoors for work, I'm more motivated than sitting behind a desk. |
4. List Your Relevant Work Experience & Key Achievements
The resume experience section can be described as the main course of a resume. It contains the most important elements to include on a resume such as your work history and achievements. Let's now look at the different components of the perfect resume experience section.Formatting a Resume: Work Experience Section
This is how you should format your employment history for the job experience section.- Job title: This should be at the top of every entry in your work history, so it is easy for potential employers find and scan. It can be bolded or increased in size.
- City, State, Company:On line 2, include the name of your previous employer and the city and state where you worked.
- Dates Worked:Thirdly put the timeframe for your employment. You can either add the month or both the month, but you don't have to specify the exact days.
- The Key Responsibilities. Don't list every task in your job history. Concentrate on the most important duties for the new job.
- The Key Achievements : This is often overlooked but extremely important. Employers are able to tell what they did, but not how they did it.
- Keywords It is important to include keywords in your resume throughout the experience section. (We'll discuss this more shortly).
Customizing Your Resume Work Experience
Robots are taking over. As modern hiring practices evolve, companies of all sizes are turning to applicant tracking software (ATS) for help. ATS software automates recruitment processes in the initial stages. How? They search for keywords and assign a score to each candidate. tailoring your resume is a must. Your experience section will be where you do the most. You can create an ATS-friendly resume by going back to your job description and looking for resume keywords that relate to your responsibilities. You can include any duties that you have performed in your job description bullet points. How long should a resume be is also an important part of tailoring your resume. A one-page resume and a two page resume have their pros and cons. However, it is best to avoid any longer. Don't use tired words like "responsible ...")" in your resume job experience section. Instead, use power words and action verbs to keep them interested. To describe your current job , use past tense. Passive voice is too evasive and vague. Active voice is better for resume writing. It's concise, direct, and clear.| Wrong |
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| I managed the growth team. |
| RIGHT |
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| Team manager for growth. |
What Work Experience Should You Include in a Resume?
A resume should not go back more than 10-15 years. However, the longer your resume is, the less experience you need. If you are a highly-experienced candidate, don't try to squeeze everything into a one-page resume template. Executives and managers should list at least 15 years of relevantwork experiences with strong action verbs to introduce each bullet. Mid-level job seekers must include detailed job descriptions for relevant positions, and a short mention of any other jobs. Entry-level candidates must list and describe all paid work. Particularly, they should highlight the most important responsibilities and accomplishments. Job seekers who are new to the job market but have no previous work experience may still add other experience such as volunteer, student, or internship experience to complete their experience section. Remember that the best resume templates will help you highlight your qualifications and experience. It's not enough to hide your experience with a bad order or a boring resume layout. Zety is the best online resume builder. Our resume builder app makes it easy to create a professional resume. 20+ amazing templates are also available. Are you experiencing unemployment? Don't worry! Take a look at our guide How to explain gaps in your resume.5. Refer to your Education Correctly
The education section is often overlooked. It is an integral part of your resume structure.How to list your education on a resume:
- Place your highest degree first.
- List any other degrees in reverse-chronological order.
- If you have completed a university, skip the high school information
- Mention credits that you have completed if your education is incomplete ( some college on resume is better then none).
- Include any relevant coursework or list honors in your job application. Mention the awards you have received (e.g. being on the Dean's List).
- Complementary activities are recommended.
6. Place relevant skills that match the job ad
Your skills are key to making your resume attractive to employers and relevant to the job. A good resume refers to the job advertisement and includes keywords for your resume to show that you are a good match for the job.What are Hard Skills and?
Hard Skills are skills and knowledge that require specific abilities (e.g. Photoshop or using a cash register). Soft Skills are life-long attributes that can be self-developed (e.g. social skills, adaptability). These skills are combined to create a skill set. This is the job seeker's collection of abilities and skills. Pro Tip: Don't list irrelevant skills! Your veterinary skills are not required in an IT resume. A chef resume should not include your ability to use Photoshop.What Skills Should You Include on Your Resume?
Do you still have the job description? Pay attention to the specific skills it mentions. If you do have any of these skills, those are the keywords that you should use on your resume. This will make your resume easier for ATS to read and also show recruiters that it's the right person for the job. Here's a list of common skills that you can add to your resume.- Communication skills - These can include non-verbal communication and social skills. Listening skills are also available. Interpersonal skills
- Technical skills--Knowledge necessary to perform certain tasks, such as computer skills and clerical skills.
- Specific skills for a job--Personal prowess that the company requires.
- Leadership skills, management skills - Ability to be a leader, manager, and supervisor.
- Ability to think critically--Ability make independent, thought-based decisions. Includes analytical skills and decision making skills. Problem-solving skills.
- Organizational Skills--A talent for organizing, planning, and seeing through projects.
- Skills that are transferable - These skills can be transferred to a new job for career changers.
How to list skills on a resume?
A resume can include a list or skills in many ways. A simple skills section with 5-6 key capabilities and your proficiency level will suffice for most people. You may list specific job titles or technical skills by listing your knowledge per item. This will give them details about the areas in which you excel.7. Add Additional Resume Sections
These sections are mandatory on all job resumes. What should a resume contain to make it personal? Add additional resume information to make your resume stand out. You can include additional sections to your resume that showcase everything about you, including your proud accomplishments and languages you speak. Here are tips to make your resume standout with additional sectionsHobbies & Interests
It is possible that you don't think your passion for Little League coaching and baseball would make you a good candidate for a job. But listing your hobbies clearly demonstrates your ability to work in a team. The coaching can also prove your leadership and management skills.Volunteer Work
Volunteering boosts employability, studies find. Listing any volunteer experience in your resume is a great way for job seekers to demonstrate your commitment and values. This also shows them that you care more than just about the money. Volunteer work is a great option for applicants with no experience or entry-level positions.Internship Experience
Listing internships in your resume may not be allowed if you are fresh out of college, have had one or more jobs or haven't been in the market for over 4-5 years.Awards and Certifications
Have licenses or certifications that you can show off in your resume? Include them if they're relevant to your job or industry. First place in the chili cook-off at state fair It will be an asset if you are aspiring to become a chef. A food safety certification or food handler license would also be a great asset. Languages Do you speak another language? Impressive! Impressive! You can list the language, including international variations (e.g. Latin American Spanish) and your fluency level.Projects
You can add projects to a separate section , if you have done many of them or just mention a few below each job description.Publications
Are you a blogger, journalist, or a scientific journal author? On a resume , mention these publications. You can also create a brief bibliography of works that you would like to be acknowledged if your published material is not online. You might also consider creating an online portfolio if you have any experience in designing graphics or other creative creations. In this instance, you can link to it via the contact section.8. A Cover Letter can be added to your resume.
A cover letter is required. You can expand on the things you have not included in your resume with a cover letter or job application letter. It allows you to communicate fluently with normal sentences . Sound like an overkill? You might be wrong. Employers believe that a resume alone is enough to make a hiring decision. You can follow our guide on how to create a cover letter, or a letter without experience, or a letter for internship. This will make it easy and quick.9. You can proofread, save, and email your resume the right way
It's almost done, but don’t send it yet. These are the best resume tips to remember so that you can be sure you have created the perfect resume.Double-Check
Before you send out your resume or CV draft, double-check it. Scanning your resume, cover letter, and email is a good idea. Use a tool such as Grammarly. Ask a friend or family member for a triple-check. It's better to be safe than sorry. Pro Tip Take a look at our guides resume tips or resume errors to avoid for more information. Proofreading your resume can be difficult because you have probably stared at it for hours. You are more likely to make a typo in your job title if you spend too much time rewriting and fiddling with bullet points. It doesn't matter how much experience you have, your attention to detail will be lacking. Therefore, it is worth looking at your resume with fresh eyes. Brittney Ross Grammarly Head Proofreader How do you spell resume? Although it's still a matter of dispute, we believe that "resume", without accents, is the best option.Check your Online Presence
Do you remember when we talked about social media and LinkedIn in the contact section back then? You should make sure your online presence is clean before a recruiter or hiring manger has the opportunity to review your employment history and look at your resume. This means that offensive posts should be removed and private information made private. While you are at it, update your LinkedIn profile to make sure it is complete and up-to-date. Tip: Do not send emails to the company's general public address unless you are asked. If you are unable to find the personal email address for the HR manager, it is best to do so.Save your Resume
Do you prefer PDF or Word Doc? Check out the job advertisement. Resumes in are the best because they preserve all formatting and structure. If the company asks candidates to submit resumes using Microsoft Word.doc format is a better option. Create your resume in Word , and send it as requested. How do you name your resume file? It's easy: Include your name, job title and the word Resume separated by hyphens. Referring to other people? These references should not be included on a resume. However, you can include a page with a resume. Tip: Before you email your resume, make sure to check the job description. If they require applicants to include a specific subject in their email subject lines. If they don't, you can still use the job title and, if necessary, your name. Then, include the word "resume."Make it Legible
If the employer is unable to read your document, it will be useless. These points will make it easier for them to scan the document.How Should a Resume Look?--Formatting
- The best resume Font - A standard font that will display correctly on most computers, such as Cambria, Calibri and Arial. No cursive!
- Single-line spacing is best, with 11pt font for regular text and 12pt font for line spacing. For section titles, increase font size to 14pt-16pt. Do not make your resume margins too narrow. Make them equal across all sides.
- Bold text is used to emphasize particular words and phrases. Italics are used for supporting text. It is best to avoid underlining as it can make the resume look cluttered.
- Alternating serif for sansserif in section headings can complement the standard font. You can, for example, pair the Arial font (sans serif) or Calibri Font (sans serif) with Times New Roman font.
- If you are printing your resume, make sure you get the best resume paper . This will give your resume an extra professional look.
Be Consistent
Your resume draft should be consistent, as is your consistency as a future employee. You can format your dates however you like, such as 31 December, December 31, 12-2020 or 32 Dec. Follow the same guidelines throughout. You can find icons to help you introduce each section or just skip them. Do not use the wrong verb tenses, or switch between them. Use the past tense if it was a job you have done in the past. Use the present tense if you are listing a current job. No matter what, be consistent with them throughout.How to Email Your Resume the Right Way
If you send your resume to [email protected] with your cover letter, you are joining a sea of similar emails from job seekers looking for the same position. Personalize your email by identifying the name of the person reading your resume. Sending a resume can be more engaging if you use Dear Susan rather than To whom it May Concern.Key Takeaway
We know that this was extremely detailed. Here are some general tips to help you create a resume.- Keep it relevant - Every item on your resume must prove that you are the most qualified candidate.
- Tailor - Create a resume for a specific job or company. Pick the job title and the skills you have that are relevant to it.
- Select the right stuff - Use active voice and write a heading statement that describes your situation. Don't add unnecessary details.
- Be consistent - Use the same formatting, styles and colors throughout your resume.
- Double-check - Don't send out your resume before you are sure there aren't any typos or errors. Ask a friend or go through a Resume critique.
- Create a resume online - Use Zety's quick resume builder to create your cover letter or resume in no time. There are more than 20 resume templates and examples to assist you. With the help of the advice and tips it provides, you can have a great resume to land your dream job. It's our favorite resume builder.
Common Questions About How to Create a Resume for a Jobs
How do you make a job resume?
To begin, carefully read the job advertisement and identify keywords that you will use to build your resume. Next, create the sections that present you, your qualifications and your strengths . These sections are:- Personal details
- Objective or summary
- Employment history
- Education
- Skills
- Other, such as awards or certificates, licenses, and languages