RESUME’ – is a detailed personal data/information about the applicant.
Learning how to write a resume takes a certain finesse. Writing a
clear, concise resume’ is a superpower when you’re job searching. While
most people walk up the hiring ladder, you put on your crimson cape and
soar upwards at supersonic speed.
So, how can you make your resume stand out from the crowd? In this
guide, we cover everything you need to know to write a spectacular
resume’ from scratch. Follow the six steps below towards success and
propel yourself to landing your dream job.
Preparation
First things first, you need to do some preparation. Review the job
posting and gather the essentials to ensure that you create a stellar
resume. This step will make the rest of the process much easier.
Start out by looking at the job description and taking note of the
criteria and expertise, the hiring manager has listed. You should then match
your qualifications and experience to the job.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the things that you will need:
Complete list of your work experience and notable accomplishments
Information about previous employers (including company names,
locations, dates, etc)
Extensive list of the hard and soft skills you may include
Educational details for any certificates that you plan to include
Honors, awards, and any voluntary experience that may be relevant
Choosing the right resume format
Resume formats compared: Chronological, functional and combination
There are three main options to consider:
Chronological Format (Reverse Chronological Resume) - Most
popular: This is the most common format, where your work
experience and qualifications are listed starting with the most recent.
It’s typically recommended for most job applications.
Functional Format (Skills-Based Resume): This format
emphasizes your talents and skills rather than your work history. It’s
ideal for those with less experience or those making a career change.
Combination Format (Hybrid Resume): This option combines
elements of both the chronological and functional formats,
highlighting both your skills and work experience.
Selecting the format that best matches your background will help your
resume stand out.
But don’t worry; our resume builder simplifies the process! You can
easily drag and drop sections to rearrange them into your preferred resume
format.
How to make a resume: step-by-step guide
Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to start making your
resume’. In this guide, we will cover six simple steps to help you along the
way, as follows:
1. How to add contact information
2. Writing your professional summary or objective
3. Detailing your work history and experience
4. Including the right skills for the job
5. Showcasing your education well
6. Optional sections you may want to include.
Step #1: Contact information
The first thing that you need to do is add your contact information.
Your resume header acts as a business card, allowing you to quickly share
these details with the hiring manager.
Ensure that you format this section clearly. Your number one priority is
making sure the hiring manager can read this information. Here are the
main elements you should include:
Full name & title. List your first and last name. Plus the role for
which you are applying.
Professional email address. Make sure you use an email address
that is suitable for work. You can use one that has your first and last
name, for example.
Phone number. Use a phone number that you use regularly. You
should also make sure that the answer phone message is suitable for
a professional environment.
Location. You don’t need to list your whole address. This is outdated
and potentially unsafe. List your city and state. Add ' Willing to
Relocate,’ if applicable.
LinkedIn. Include a link to your LinkedIn profile if it’s relevant.
However, you should make sure that it is up to date and active before
you do so.
Portfolio. Include your GitHub or other portfolio links if they are
relevant to the job.
resume header editor in Resume.io builder
Don’t include:
Date of birth. You don’t need to include this, as it can lead to age
discrimination.
Personal details. Marital status, social security number (a common
job scam), passport number, etc.
Photo. Generally not recommended for US resumes due to potential
bias. Exceptions include modeling and acting roles. If added, use a
professional headshot.
Example resume header with an image
Bonus: If you want to stand out from the crowd, you may include a resume’
headline. This is a one-line description that covers your main value to the
hiring manager. For example, “Content writer with specialty in B2B client
services and 5+ year track record”.
Do
James Clark, Accountant
Philadelphia, PA
(267) 216-2188
[email protected]
Don't
James C
6500 Rossey Street
Philadelphia, PA 19119
United States
(267) 216-2188
[email protected]
Step #2: Professional summary or objective
Resume summary generator - resume.io app
Below your header, insert either a professional summary or
an objective. Summaries are ideal for people who have worked in the same
industry for a matter of years.
However, if you are new to the sector—or the job market as a whole
—you should include an objective, instead.
Amanda Augustine
Career Expert, CPCC, CPRW
In summary, a Resume Objective highlights your future goals,
a Resume Profile offers a snapshot of your current qualifications, and
a Resume Summary showcases your career achievements.
It is generally recommended that you use a resume summary rather
than an objective, as the former provides more value to potential
employers. Whichever you select should be placed at the top of your
resume.
Comparison between the resume profile, summary and objective
Whichever you choose, keep it short and snappy. You want to grab
the reader’s attention immediately. Include action verbs to give your
statement more value. You can use the simple past or present tense.
Examples include transformed, excelled, and delivered.
If you have a case of writer’s block, don’t panic. Let’s take a look at
some copyable examples you can use for inspiration:
Adaptable resume objective example
Enthusiastic graduate with a foundation in business principles and a
passion for sales. Ability to cultivate positive relationships with clients,
understand customer needs, and deliver tailored solutions. Excellent
communication and negotiation skills, with a track record of achieving sales
targets. Seeking a role in a dynamic sales team and the chance to grow
within a reputable company.
Mid-level adaptable resume’ summary/profile example
Sales professional with over 5 years of experience in developing and
executing strategic plans driving revenue growth by 17% each year. Proven
track record in cultivating strong client relationships, identifying market
opportunities, and utilizing CRM software.
Senior-level adaptable resume’ summary/profile example
Senior Sales Executive with over 10+ years of experience in leading
high-performing sales teams. Confident in developing innovative strategies
to drive business growth. Proven track record in surpassing sales targets
by 20% each quarter, expanding market share, and cultivating long-term
client relationships. Recognized for strong leadership skills, strategic
planning, and the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve
excellence.
Tips for writing a resume’ summary
Not sure whether to opt for a resume or summary? There’s a right
and wrong time to use each of these. Read our complete guide to help you
make the decision now.
Expert tip
Add some flair to your summary or objective!
Pique the hiring manager’s interest by using creative adjectives.
While these descriptors should be used sparingly, they can make
your personal statement sound more compelling. Take a look at our
ultimate list of 80 of the best resume adjectives now.
Step #3: Work history
When you have perfected either your summary or objective, the next
step is adding your work history.
The golden rule is that you should detail up to 10-15 years' worth of
experience. If you have been in the sector for longer than that, you don’t
need to include older positions.
Use the reverse-chronological order when listing your positions.
Include the basic information for each job: e.g. the company name,
location, your position, and your dates of employment.
Below that, include bullet points that offer more detail. List results-based
points that highlight the impact that you made in each case. Here are some
examples:
“Oversaw initiatives that led to a 40% increase in annual revenue
within the first year.”
“Managed 20 sales professionals to achieve a 95% client retention
rate overall.”
“Boosted customer satisfaction scores by 20% through new sales
approaches.”
Example resume’ employment history section
Take a look at our employment history resume sample below:
Adaptable resume employment history example
Sales Manager at Winthrop and Lee, Boulder
November 2014 - Present
Helped to achieve a 25% increase in sales revenue over the course
of 1 year.
Established sales goals by forecasting annual sales quotas and
projecting expected sales volume for existing and new products.
Effectively monitored competition and appropriately adjusted costs
based on supply and demand.
Managed sales employees and counseled employees based on their
professional growth and productivity.
Sales Manager at Lola & Co, Denver
September 2010 - October 2014
Successfully managed a sales team of 10+ people to meet and
achieve sales goals.
Developed and implemented sales plans to expand customer base
and increase customer retention.
Presented sales, revenue, and expense reports to management
teams.
Researched competition and developed strategies to stand out as a
company against competitors.
Monitored the performance of sales team members and worked to
increase team morale and motivation.
Sales Associate at The Mighty East, Denver
August 2008 - August 2010
Always provided excellent customer service.
Checked prices and promotional rates for customers.
Answered customer questions and concerns.
Helped increase customer retention by striving to create wonderful
customer experiences.
Worked with the mission of the company in mind and served as a
dedicated and enthusiastic part of the sales team.
Step #4: Skills section
resume skills section explained
Winning resumes need a mixture of hard and soft skills. Including both of
these shows the hiring manager that you are a well-rounded candidate.
Hard skills—often known as technical skills—relate directly to the industry
or role. These may involve training you’ve had on the job or how to use
certain systems, software, or tools.
Soft skills—on the other hand, span industries. You can use these in a
wide selection of roles, which is why they are often called transferable
skills. Examples include customer service, communication skills, time
management, organization, and interpersonal skills.
hard skills vs soft skills: Example and comparison
While you may be competent in a wide selection of skills, we
recommend listing 6-8 skills on your resume. Make sure that the ones
you choose align with the demands of the vacancy.
