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Your resume is the best tool that you have for telling a potential employer about yourself, and indicating your interest in a specific job. It is often the first thing an employer or recruiter will see, so it is important that it contains certain key elements. However, it also needs to be tailored to the job you want. For example, if you are applying for an administrative assistant position, you would want to emphasize computer and communication skills in your resume. On the other hand, if you were applying to be a software engineer, your focus might be more on the languages you can code and systems you have used.
Any resume should include things like:
Before you review the content of a resume, it is important to note that there are different types of resumes. The format of your information will vary depending on the type of resume that is best for the job.
Resumes can be chronological, functional, or a combination. A chronological resume lists your employment history in order, with the most recent position first. This is the most common type of resume, and the type most often preferred by employers, because the most relevant and recent information is at the top of the document. A functional resume focuses on skills and experience and is often used by people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history; these individuals may want to emphasize their most relevant activities rather than their most recent ones. Some applicants use a combination resume, which works as a hybrid of the chronological and functional resume by providing a chronological work history and a separate list of skills.
While the format may vary, every resume contains the same key information. You may need to customize a little based on the desired job, but it helps to prepare a basic version of each component so that you are ready to modify and send your resume quickly when it is needed.
The six key components of every resume are:
| Type | Length | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | 3-4 sentences | "Highly motivated and results-driven professional with 5+ years of experience in project management and team leadership. Proven track record of successfully managing multi-million dollar projects, leading cross-functional teams, and delivering projects on time and within budget. Strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Seeking a challenging role in project management where I can utilize my skills and experience to drive success." |
| Objective | 1 concise sentence | "Experienced recruiter seeking the opportunity to join a team of experienced HR professionals so I can learn and grow my skills." |
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Examples of soft skills include:EXAMPLE
Examples of hard skills include:It is a good idea to start with a solid chronological resume. You can then take any steps needed to draft different versions or formats if necessary. The following images show examples of the different types of resumes with the components we’ve discussed. You can do a search online to find examples of each kind of resume.
When you do find a job of interest and want to submit your resume, there are some best practices that you will want to consider as you focus on your writing.
| Best Practice | Description |
|---|---|
| Use Keywords |
As you read a job posting, carefully review the job description to identify key words. These terms can help you better understand what skills the employer might be seeking in an ideal candidate. For instance, if you’re applying for a job as a project manager, an employer might list keywords like “time management,” “project management tools,” “problem-solving” or “negotiation” in the job description. Pay close attention to anything listed in the sections labeled “Requirements” or “Qualifications.” If you have the skills that employers are looking for, make sure to add the exact same terms in the experience or skills sections of your resume. |
| Review Examples |
As you work on your own resume, a great way to get inspiration and make sure you are on the right track is to review examples. When you search for resume examples online, you will want to focus on those from the same industry or job type as the job you are hoping to get. As you consider resume samples, it is important that you don’t view them as a template or something to be copied. They are meant to serve as models to give you ideas and show you best practices in action. |
| Use a Readable Font | You should use a basic font like Arial or Times New Roman. Keep your font size between 10 and 12 points. Selecting a clear, readable font will help make your resume appear more professional. |
| Use Straightforward and Confident Language |
Your resume should be written using straightforward and confident language. This means using power words, such as “achieved,” “earned,” “completed,” or “accomplished.” You also want to keep things as concise as possible. For instance, you may have a job description that reads: “As a realtor at Marks Realty, I managed multiple listings at once across the county, and helped other team members by showing their listings to my clients.” This example could be shortened and strengthened in the following way: “Managed multiple listings and demonstrated teamwork.” |
| Recommend Using One-Inch Margins and Single Space | You should use a one-inch margin size on all sides of your resume with single spaces between the lines. You may set your margins with at least half an inch on every side, however, the norm is one inch. You have a bit more flexibility than with business letters and can extend them a little if it helps fit the content on one page. The purpose of using standard margins is to make sure that your resume will print correctly if someone chooses to print it. If the margins are very small, the text might get cut off on a printout. If you have too much white space, you might consider making your lines spaced by 1.15 or 1.5. |
When you organize your resume, you want to set a road map that leads the employers to the key moments of your career.
It's critical to point out skill sets that are unique to you. Remember, your goal isn’t to fit in with the rest of the crowd. You want to stand out in your job search. As you’re crafting the content for your resume, reflect on the insightful details that you can add to separate yourself from the competition. Be exceptional and be different; that’s what’s going to get you hired.
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Editing and proofreading your resume are the two final steps you need to complete before sending your resume to an employer. Make sure that you take your time with these important tasks! All the hard work that you put in could be thrown away if you have typos and grammatical errors in your resume.
Your resume should be mistake free. It’s a tangible example of your work ethic and attention to detail. This snapshot of your professional experiences and skills should have an organized flow. Lead with the relevant and meaningful information first, but make sure it makes sense to your reader as well. Many employers review dozens of resumes, and they're looking for reasons to add yours to the no pile. A minor error can mean the difference between getting the phone call to interview, and never hearing back from an employer.
The following tips will help you with editing and proofreading:
