Why a Resume Matters
A resume is a concise, strategic document that presents your education, experience, and skills in a format designed to attract employer attention. Because recruiters may only glance at your resume for 30 to 60 seconds, your presentation must be clear, targeted and easy to scan.
Choose the Right Format
There are three common resume formats:
- A chronological format lists work experience in reverse‑chronological order and is ideal if your history shows steady growth.
- A functional format emphasizes skills over dates and is useful if you’re changing careers or have gaps.
- A combination format blends both and works when you have solid experience AND relevant skills you want to highlight.
Select the format that presents your story most clearly and aligns with your job target.
Structure & Essential Sections
A well-structured resume typically includes the following sections:
- Contact information – your name, phone, professional email, location (city/state) and optionally a link to your portfolio or LinkedIn.
- A summary or objective – a short tight opening that frames what you bring to the role (summary) or where you’re headed (objective).
- Work experience – list your most relevant roles, including company name, job title, dates and bullet‑point achievements. Use action verbs.
- Education – degree, institution, dates; if you’re early‑career, you might also include relevant coursework or honors.
- Skills – both technical (hard) and interpersonal (soft). Tailor these based on the job description.
- Optional sections – certifications, awards, volunteer work, interests (only if they reinforce your candidacy).
Formatting & Layout Tips
To ensure your resume reads smoothly and looks professional:
- Aim for a one‑page layout if you have fewer than about 10 years of experience; two pages may be acceptable beyond that.
- Use a clean font (10‑12 pt) with margins of at least 0.5 inches.
- Use bullet points rather than long paragraphs. Avoid “I” statements or first‑person pronouns.
- Be consistent in tense: present tense for current roles, past tense for prior roles.
- Use white space effectively; make it easy on the eyes and scannable.
Writing Impactful Content
Your content is the heart of the resume. Focus on:
- Tailoring each version of your resume for the job you’re applying to, reflecting keywords and traits found in the job description.
- Using action verbs and quantified results: “Managed a team of 6,” “Increased revenue 12%,” etc.
- Emphasizing transferable skills, especially if you’re changing roles or industries.
- Avoiding generic buzzwords (“team player,” “hard worker”) and instead offering concrete achievements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Including irrelevant or outdated experience just to “fill space.” Focus only on what supports your candidacy.
- Using exotic templates, graphics or fonts that may not render well or may confuse applicant tracking systems.
- Forgetting to proofread for spelling, grammar and consistency. Errors undermine your credibility.
A Final Checklist Before You Send
- Is your name and contact info clearly at the top?
- Does the summary/objective reflect your value and direction?
- Are your roles listed in a logical order, with achievements rather than just duties?
- Have you tailored keywords and skills to match the job target?
- Is formatting clean, consistent, and easily readable?
- Did you proofread and remove fluff or irrelevant content?
- Do you have a PDF version ready and can you easily update it for future applications?
Take the Next Step
Once your resume is polished and ready, don’t forget to craft a strong cover letter that complements it. If you’d like to generate a compelling cover letter quickly, consider using the AI‑powered tool at letterlab.io.