How to Build a Resume (Resume Writing Guide 101)

This guide for how to write a resume solves the biggest problem with your resume.

Namely...

You send it to 300 job offers and—

Silence.

Why?

Because most resumes show the wrong info.

They make the hiring manager think, Hmmm. Not a fit.

Let’s put a stop to that in 6 easy steps:

How to write a resume:

1. Check out resume examples that match your career.

2. Pick the right resume template.

3. Choose the perfect resume format.

4. Write a resume summary that gets attention.

5. Add experience, education, and other resume sections.

6. List achievements that prove skills shown in the job ad.

Now let me show you how to make a resume that makes the phone ring.

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I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”
Patrick

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My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
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Professional Resume Template

Now here’s how to create a resume like that:

1. Select the Best Resume Format

This will make or break you:

Your professional resume format must show competence at a glance.

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format. It puts your most relevant selling points first.
• Use the best resume fonts in 10–14pt with 1-inch margins. Add plenty of white space and eye-friendly headings.
• Write a one-page resume unless you’ve got 2+ pages of jaw-dropping accomplishments.
• Put a resume header at the top. List your name, phone number, and email. Add portfolio and social media links. Don’t add a street address or photo.
• Next add a resume summary, then work experience, then education.
• Add resume extras like certifications, professional organizations, and additional activities.

Not sure about the reverse-chronological resume format? Here are your options:

Resume Formats

1. Reverse-chronological format. Familiar to employers. Your best bet.

2. Combination format. For career changers. Highlights transferable skills.

3. Functional format. Helps emphasize skills. May look like you’re hiding something.

Expert Hint: Save your resume as a PDF unless the job ad says not to. PDF resumes don’t lose their formatting when you send them. They’re also machine-readable in 2019.

2. Start with a Powerful Resume Summary or Objective

This is terrifying:

Most hiring managers spend six seconds with each resume.

They don’t read. They skim.

Why?

That’s how long it takes to decide you’re just another clone.

Your resume summary (or resume profile) must convince them otherwise in seconds.

How to Write a Resume Summary

1. List one adjective (efficient, resourceful, productive) and—

2. Job title (graphic designer, sales representative)

3. Key certification if you have one (PMP, CPA, CFA)

4. Years of experience (2+, 8+)

5. How you’ll help (provide customer service excellence)

6. A couple skills that match the job offer (Photoshop, layout design)

7. Best 2–3 achievements (delivered 280+ projects, signed $100K in new work)

These resume summary examples show how:

General Resume Summary Examples 

No contest.

Only the first of those resume samples will get past the gatekeepers. It shows accomplishments that prove key skills.

What if You’ve Got No Experience?

How to make a resume with no experience?

Write a resume objective and show achievements from:

• Freelance work
• Personal projects
• School projects
• Volunteering (even if it’s only a day or two)
• Transferable tasks from unrelated jobs
• Consulting Work
• Pro bono work

This entry-level resume example sparkles:

Entry-Level Resume Objective Example

Perfect.

That sample resume objective shows you can do the job—even though you’ve never held the title.

But—

Shouldn’t you talk about your goals in an entry-level resume objective?

Nope.

To get hired, show you’ll help reach organization goals instead.

Expert Hint: To save time, write your resume summary or resume objective last. That way, you can fill it with the best achievements from your resume.

3. Write a Resume Job Description that Convinces

Most resume job descriptions fail.

They say what the candidate did.

But not how well.

You need to pick the perfect few accomplishments.

Then hold a yardstick up to them to show they’re towering.

To match your resume to the job description:

1. Highlight the skills and responsibilities in the job offer.

2. Choose accomplishments from your past that show you rule those things.

These sample resume job descriptions show how:

Professional Resume Job Description—Example

Job ad wants these resume skills: (1) leadership (2) vendor management (3) sales. 

The second of those resume skills section examples chokes. The first is sweet music to the hiring manager.

Plus—

Those % and $ and other numbers show your skills are Hulk-sized.

How to Write a Resume When You Have No Experience

No experience for a resume? Don’t panic.

Your freshers resume can still land interviews.

Focus on achievements, like this beginners resume sample:

Job wants these skills: web design, wireframing, Photoshop, InDesign, infographics.

Skills to Put on a Resume

Caution:

Never copy-paste resume skills from the internet.

Hiring managers see through that like the break-room window.

But here are the top resume soft skills, according to a 2017 NACE study:

• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Computer Skills
• Technical Skills
• Problem Solving
• Critical Thinking
• Self Motivated
• Active Learning
• Dependability
• Perceptiveness
• Decision Making
• Customer Service
• Listening
• Persuasion
• Adaptability
• Work Ethic
• Analytical Skills
• Detail Oriented
• Organizational Skills
• Foreign Languages

What about hard skills for resumes or technical skills?

You know, skills like budgeting, sales funnel management, project planning, or programming?

You’ll need those resume keywords too. But you won’t find them in an online guide. Hiring managers list them in the job posting.

Expert Hint: When should you write a functional (skills) resume? Almost never. It’s better to write a chronological resume that proves your skills in context.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

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Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Use the ResumeLab builder now.

4. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

Surprise:

Even your resume education section has to sell.

It has to make the hiring manager say, interesting.

How to write education on resume:

1. State your degree and college.

2. Cite the years you were in school.

3. Show your GPA if it’s recent or impressive.

4. List school accomplishments that fit the job.

See this professional resume example:

Resume Education Experience Example

Shiny.

That resume sample proves your passion caught fire years ago.

Expert Hint: Is your resume work history too thin? Show your education like a series of jobs. List positions and projects, and stock them with achievements.

6. List Certifications on Your Resume

Danger:

If employers miss your certification, they may toss your resume.

So—

How to write certifications on a resume:

Put crucial certifications in four places:

1. Near your name.

2. In your resume summary.

3. In your job descriptions.

4. In a special Certifications section near the top.

Is that overkill?

Nope.

It makes life easy for the busy hiring manager.

This resume certification section sample shows how:

What about non-vital certifications?

How to Show Lesser Certifications on a Resume

To show non-central certifications on a resume:

1. Create a certifications section lower on your resume.

2. In bullet points, list certificates and licenses that fit the job.

3. Ditch certs this employer doesn’t care about.

Expert Hint: Got a CompTIA A+ certification? That’s great—if the job will benefit from it. If not, save the resume space for something more appropriate.

7. Complete Your Resume With Other Necessary Sections

Question:

What does the hiring manager want?

A piece of paper? Or a great employee?

Use additional resume sections to show you’ll fit like a custom Kenneth Cole.

These resume examples show good from bad:

Additional Resume Sections—Example

Those first successful resume examples nail it. They’ll make employers hope you don’t have other offers.

On a resume, include:

• Conferences
• Publications
• Podcasts
• Volunteer work
• Portfolio link
• Projects
• Awards
• Commendations
• Classes

But—

Make sure they relate to what the job ad wants.

Expert Hint: Send a resume cover letter too. If you're wondering if you need a cover letter at all, just know that according to our study over 80% of recruiters believe that cover letters are important.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

Here’s a recap. How to write a resume:

1. View resume examples for your career.

2. Choose a professional resume template.

3. Pick the right resume format.

4. Write a powerful resume summary.

5. Add experience, education, and vital extra resume sections.

6. List achievements that prove you’ve got the skills they want.

Got questions on how to make a resume? Not sure how to do a resume for your career? Need to know what to include in a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.