How To Write A Resume In 7 Steps (With Examples)

Resumes remain an essential component of your job search in 2026. Crafting a professional and engaging resume can be challenging, but following a standard set of guidelines can simplify the process. Since hiring managers typically spend only a brief time reviewing each resume, it’s crucial to ensure that yours captures their attention immediately.

This article provides a step-by-step guide to writing an exceptional resume, along with examples to illustrate what each section should encompass.

Key Takeaways:

• A resume is a concise document that showcases your professional history, tailored to highlight relevant experience and skills for the specific job you’re pursuing.

• Resumes adhere to standard formatting practices that hiring managers and recruiters expect.

• Utilizing relevant keywords to emphasize your work experience, skills, and educational background can help your resume navigate applicant tracking systems (ATS) and increase your chances of securing interviews.

How to Write a Resume

Creating a resume involves proper formatting, writing a compelling introduction, and detailing your work experience and education. While it might seem daunting to condense your professional history into a single page, remember that the goal is to distill the most pertinent information to capture the attention of the recruiter.

1. Format Your Resume. Begin by using a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Standard resume formatting includes:

   • 1-inch margins

   • 10-12 point font

   • A professional font commonly used in business settings

   Three resume formats are commonly used today. While most individuals should opt for a chronological resume format, the combination resume format and functional resume format can be effective for seasoned professionals or those with notable gaps in their work history.

2. Create a Resume Header. Even the best resume is ineffective if the hiring manager cannot contact you. Every resume should include the following contact details:

   • Your full name. Both first and last.

   • Your phone number. Use a personal number, ensuring your voicemail is professionally set up.

   • Your email address. Opt for a professional email format, e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com.

   • Your location. Listing just your city and state is acceptable, but including your full address can be beneficial in some contexts.

   • Your social media (optional). Include your LinkedIn profile and ensure it is polished. If you have an online portfolio, consider adding that as well.

   • Your job title. This is optional but can assist applicant tracking systems.

3. Write a Resume Introduction. You have four options for your resume introduction: a resume objective, summary statement, profile, or qualifications summary. For most job seekers, a resume summary statement is the most effective choice. Regardless of the introduction type, avoid first-person pronouns (I/me/my).

   • Resume Objective. A resume objective states the goal of your resume. While it may seem generic, it can be useful for entry-level applicants or career changers. This should be a brief 1-3 sentence summary of your motivation for applying.

     Who Should Use a Resume Objective: Entry-level candidates, career changers, or recent graduates.

   • Resume Summary. This is ideal for most job seekers. A resume summary emphasizes key aspects of your qualifications, including your current position, years of experience, notable achievements, and career goals, all within 1-3 sentences.

     Who Should Use a Resume Summary: Most applicants with quantifiable accomplishments.

   • Qualifications Summary. This is a bullet-point list (4-6 points) detailing your qualifications relevant to the role. It’s best suited for applicants targeting positions requiring specific skill sets, but less effective for those at entry-level.

     Who Should Use a Qualifications Summary: Applicants with extensive industry experience or specific skill sets.

   • Resume Profile. Similar to a summary, a resume profile offers more detail about your accomplishments and career aspirations, consolidating the best parts of your work experience into one section.

     Who Should Use a Resume Profile: Candidates with significant achievements or expertise in a specialized field.

   • Resume Headline. While not mandatory, a resume headline can complement your introduction, succinctly presenting your unique value proposition. Use title case for your headline to ensure clarity.

     Who Should Use a Resume Headline: Job seekers wanting to highlight their experience or unique traits immediately.

4. Work Experience. This section is crucial for demonstrating your relevant experience. If you’re using the chronological format, it follows your introduction. In a functional resume, it comes after your skills section. List your experiences in reverse chronological order.

   Include the following details for each position:

   • Job Title. Clearly state your position at the company to help the hiring manager assess your fit.

   • Company Info. Provide the employer’s name, location, and a brief description if it’s not widely recognized.

   • Dates Employed: Use the mm/yyyy format for better ATS compatibility. Maintain consistency in your date formatting throughout.

   • Job Description. Highlight your most significant responsibilities and achievements using bullet points, focusing on those most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Start each bullet with a strong action verb, followed by quantifiable results. For instance, “Developed ad campaigns that boosted sales by 27%.” Aim for 3-5 bullet points for each role.

   Tailor your work experience to align with the job description, emphasizing relevant skills and achievements.

5. Educational Background. Typically, your education section should follow your work history. If you’re a recent graduate with limited experience, you may choose to place this section first.

   List your educational experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest degree. If you hold a college degree, omit high school details unless they are particularly relevant. If you haven’t completed your degree, you can list relevant coursework.

   Each educational entry can be formatted as follows:

   Degree/Program Name
   College/University Name
   Dates Attended

   Consider including:

   • Minor. If it complements your major effectively.

   • GPA. Include only if it’s 3.5 or higher.

   • Honors. Such as Dean’s List or Cum Laude distinctions.

   • Achievements. Notable projects that showcase relevant knowledge.

   • Extracurricular Activities. Only include if they are relevant to the position.

   • Certifications/Licenses. Relevant certifications can also be included in this section.

6. Skills Section. Highlight your skills prominently. Skills can be categorized into:

   • Hard Skills are technical abilities gained through training, demonstrating expertise in job-specific tasks.

   • Soft Skills refer to interpersonal traits that enhance your effectiveness at work.

   Strive for a balanced mix of hard and soft skills, leaning more towards hard skills since they are more quantifiable. Whenever mentioning a soft skill, ensure there is corresponding evidence in your work experience section.

7. Optional Sections. If you have additional information to showcase, consider adding sections for:

   • Languages. Bilingualism is a valuable asset, especially in roles involving international communication.

   • Volunteer Experience. This showcases your commitment to helping others and can be particularly beneficial for entry-level candidates.

   • Personal Projects. Including a personal blog, published works, or a portfolio demonstrates initiative and passion for your field.

   • Certifications/Licenses. If not included in the education section, list relevant certifications here.

   • Interests. Relevant hobbies can enhance your resume if they relate to the job.

   If you have various items that don’t fit neatly into a single category, consider creating an “Additional Experience” section to consolidate them.

Resume Samples

Now that you have a solid understanding of how to write a resume, let’s explore some example resumes:

1. 

   Chronological Resume Example

   Jack Pilgrim

   Washington, DC 14015 – (555) 444-3333 – jackpilgrim@gmail.com – www.linkedin.com/jpilgrim

   Resume Summary

   Graphic Designer with over 3 years of experience in creating and implementing promotional materials and social media graphics. Collaborated with sales and marketing teams to increase inbound calls by 23% YoY through compelling digital media. Skilled in managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

   Work Experience

   Creative Designs | Washington, DC
   Lead Graphic Designer | June 2018-Present

   • Collaborated with sales and marketing teams to create landing pages, sales proposals, and supporting media elements, driving sales by over $250,000 per quarter.

   • Trained and mentored a team of four junior designers to fulfill over 40 project orders weekly.

   • Conducted UX research through surveys and usability testing, enhancing content marketing strategies and driving organic search traffic by 12%.

   • Presented proposals and results to clients, maintaining a customer satisfaction rate of 95% or higher for three consecutive years.

   Happy Place | Alexandria, VA
   Junior Graphic Designer | July 2016-May 2018

   • Interpreted client needs and branding strategies into design and content strategies, leading to a 22% increase in client retention.

   • Streamlined project turnaround by 8% using a web-based ticket system for tracking completed projects.

   • Posted digital artwork to network IPTV, creating high-end infographics and other media.

   Happy Place | Alexandria, VA
   Marketing Intern | September 2015-July 2016

   • Supported the marketing team with data analysis and presentation using Google Analytics.

   • Developed storyboards for new marketing campaigns, increasing brand awareness through social media.

   • Authored articles that boosted website engagement by 40%.

   Education

   Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, Georgia
   May 2016
   Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

   Skills

   • Adobe Creative Suite

   • Typography

   • HTML/CSS

   • WordPress

   • Collaboration

   • Organization

2. Functional Resume Example

   Allison Neederly

   Chicago, Illinois, 60007 | (333) 222-1111 | allison.neederly@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/allison.neederly

   Resume Summary

   Dedicated Customer Service Representative with over 4 years of experience in resolving customer needs across various channels. Recognized as a top achiever at XYZ Inc. with a 100% satisfaction rate for Q1 of 2020. Friendly and knowledgeable about company products and services.

   Relevant Skills

   Customer Service

   • Handled over 200 customer queries daily, reducing average wait times by 56% and improving satisfaction rates by 13%.

   • Effectively resolved conflicts while creating a positive shopping atmosphere.

   • Expert product knowledge and communication skills; trained and mentored new customer service staff.

   Web Chat and Phone

   • Proficient in three web chat platforms for quickly and accurately assisting online customers.

   • Achieved the fastest call resolution rate at XYZ Inc. with an average handling time of under 5 minutes.

   • Conducted outbound calls for customer satisfaction surveys, gathering insights from over 10,000 customers.

   Troubleshooting

   • Resolved technical issues efficiently, ranking within the top 5% of customer service associates at XYZ Inc.

   • Created a troubleshooting manual that was adopted by a team of over 100 customer service representatives.

   • Transformed average negative responses from 1/5 stars to 4/5 stars, enhancing brand trust.

   Work Experience

   XYZ Inc. | Philadelphia, PA
   Customer Service Associate
   New Look Global | Burlington, VT
   Junior Customer Service Representative
   L.L. Bean | Burlington, VT
   Sales Associate

   Education

   University of Vermont | Burlington, VT
   May 2012
   Bachelor of Arts in Humanities

3. Combination Resume Example

   Priya Laghari

   New York, NY | (222) 111-0000 | priya.laghari@gmail.com | www.priyabizdev.com

   Resume Profile

   • Strategy Development: Increased international sales by 13% for John Deere by targeting underserved markets in Southeast Asia.

   • Management: Oversaw a team of managers from marketing and sales, enhancing communication through agile management practices.

   • CRM: Developed and implemented a new customer relationship management database for accounts valued over $10M.

   Work Experience

   Business Development Manager
   01/2015-Present
   Microsoft | Redmond, WA

   • Formulated product strategies for Google AdWords, boosting inbound traffic by 26% YoY.

   • Cut training time on new software by 50% by introducing e-learning programs.

   • Spearheaded a $1M digital marketing campaign, achieving a 200% ROI in the first year.

   Regional Sales Manager
   11/2012-01/2015
   Big Things Inc. | St. Louis, MO

   • Managed a territory of 29 locations, generating approximately $55M in annual revenue.

   • Collaborated with C-level executives to devise business strategies, reducing overhead by 20%.

   • Enhanced client retention by 12% through a CRM approach focused on relationship selling.

   Account Manager
   02/2009-11/2012
   Solutions Corp. | Chicago, IL

   • Implemented strategic CRM plans, increasing long-term client retention by 22%.

   • Maintained over 50 accounts valued at more than $35M.

   • Generated leads via consultations and online check-ins.

   Relevant Skills

   • CRM: Proficient in Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot, with a decade of experience in leveraging CRM tools for customer relations.

   • Salesmanship: Closed multiple deals exceeding $1M, with expertise in upselling and cross-selling.

   • Presentation: Represented Microsoft at quarterly board meetings, ensuring stakeholder awareness of developments.

   • Data Analytics: Expert in integrating data from analytics platforms like Google Analytics and SAP BusinessObjects.

   Education

   Colgate University | May 2008
   MBA

   Fordham University | May 2006
   Bachelor’s Degree in Business

   For more resume examples and templates:

   • Resume examples by job

   • Google Docs resume template

   • Resume templates

   • Resume builder

Resume Header Samples:

For more on writing a resume header:

• Resume Header

• Resume Titles

Resume Introduction Examples

1. Entry-Level Resume Objective:

   Recent graduate with a Bachelor’s in Marketing from the University of Virginia seeking an entry-level role in content marketing. Excellent copywriter with 2+ years of experience editing content as a member of the UVa Writing Center.

2. Career Change Resume Objective:

   Eager to apply over 7 years of customer success management experience to deliver customized business solutions as an Account Manager for XYZ Inc.

3. Example Resume Summary Statement:

   Accountant with 8+ years of experience in the medical field. Skilled in managing cash deficits, reconciling accounts, and creating new accounts. Developed a streamlined invoice preparation system that reduced contractor overhead by 19% YoY.

   or

   English teacher with a passion for language and 6 years of high school teaching experience. Designed a new curriculum that increased reading comprehension scores by 12% and established an after-school book club resulting in 100% of participants achieving a 5 on the AP Lit exam.

4. Example Qualifications Summary:

   • Executive Assistant with 5+ years of experience supporting an office of 25 employees.

   • Communicated with stakeholders to assist the Senior Vice President in managing projects worth over $5M.

   • Proactively managed office schedules, prioritizing changes to ensure client satisfaction.

   • Recognized as an “Outstanding Achiever” in a company of 500 in May 2019.

5. Example Resume Profile:

   Detail-oriented IT Specialist with 4 years of experience improving IT infrastructure. Skilled in troubleshooting and service testing, decreasing security risks by 47% and enhancing client portal speed by 22%. Achieved over 98% customer satisfaction ratings through regular check-ins with accounts valued at $500,000.

6. Entry-Level Resume Headline:

   Bilingual College Graduate with 80 WPM Typing Speed and Tutoring Experience

7. Experienced Resume Headline:

   Business Development Specialist with 6+ Years of Experience Scaling Start-Up Tech Teams

For more on resume introductions:

• Resume Objective Statement

• Resume Summary Statement

• Resume Summary Statement Examples

• Qualifications Summary

Sample Resume Work Experience Sections

1. 

2. Work Experience

   XYZ Industries | Seattle, WA
   Marketing Associate | May 2019-Present

   • Delivered weekly presentations to clients, increasing retention by 11%.

   • Served as a liaison between marketing and product teams, ensuring projects finished two weeks ahead of schedule.

   • Utilized Excel to track consumer insights and trends, guiding marketing team decisions through competitive analysis.

   • Managed a team of five contractors, successfully juggling multiple priority projects without missing deadlines.

   • Initiated an affiliate referral program that became a revenue stream valued at $30,000 annually.

   ABC Corp | Seattle, WA
   Marketing Intern | September 2018-May 2019

   • Developed and processed digital consent forms for distributors.

   • Collaborated with a team of ten marketing professionals to align goals with the PR department.

   • Performed keyword research using Google Analytics, increasing blog traffic by 56% over six months.

   • Handled up to 50 customer queries weekly via phone and email.

For more on building an effective resume work experience section:

• Resume Work Experience Section

• First Resume (No Experience)

Examples of Education Resume Sections

1. Recent Graduate from a 4-Year Program:

   Western Illinois University | Macomb, Illinois
   May 2020
   Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | Minor in Psychology
   3.95 GPA magna cum laude
   Dean’s List all semesters

2. Two Degrees:

   Fordham University | Bronx, New York
   April 2016
   Master of Chemical Engineering
   Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, New York
   April 2014
   Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

3. Anticipated Graduation Date:

   DePaul University | Chicago, Illinois
   Bachelor of Arts in History – Degree anticipated May 2021
   Current GPA: 3.8

4. Older Job Seeker (Graduated 10+ Years Ago):

   University of Chicago | Chicago, Illinois
   Bachelor of Business Administration

5. High School Graduate (No College Degree):

   Johnston High School 2016-2020
   Head of Computer Club

For more on creating a strong education section in your resume:

• Education Resume Section

• GPA on Resume

• Dean’s List

• Magna Cum Laude

Examples of Skills for Resume

1. Examples of Hard Skills Include:

   POS Systems	CRM Software
   Microsoft Office	Technical Writing
   HTML/CSS	Auditing
   Coding Languages	A/B Testing
   Agile Software	Cloud Computing
   SEO/SEM	AdWords
   Google Analytics	CMS like WordPress
   Data Modeling	Microsoft Visual Basic
   Adobe Creative Suite	Data Mining
   UX Design	Video Production

2. Examples of Soft Skills Include:

   Leadership	Problem-Solving
   Organization	Decision-Making
   Communication	Work Ethic
   Active Listening	Negotiation
   Time Management	Innovation
   Creativity	Patience
   Collaboration	Critical Thinking
   Reliability	Empathy
   Adaptability	Attention to Detail
   Conflict Resolution	Integrity

For more guidance on integrating skills into your resume:

• Resume Skills Section

• Hard Skills

• Soft Skills

• Top Skills for Professionals

• Skills-Based Resume

Resume Writing FAQ

1. What is a Resume?

   A resume is a one to two-page document that focuses on professional experience, past achievements, education, certifications, and specific skills tailored to the job you’re applying for.

   Almost every job application requires a resume, and hiring managers use them as a first impression to determine which applicants deserve an interview.

   Whether you’re fresh out of college or have decades of experience, this guide will help you create a resume that stands out and brings you closer to landing your dream job.

2. What is the format for writing a good resume?

   Most candidates should utilize a chronological or reverse-chronological format. This format is ATS-friendly and easy for employers to read, effectively highlighting your experience and qualifications.

3. How far back should a resume go?

   A resume should typically cover the last 10 to 15 years of experience. However, ensure that all included information is relevant to the position you’re applying for.

4. Should you personalize your resume for each job?

   Yes, customizing your resume for each application is essential. Many recruiters utilize ATS to search for keywords, making it crucial to tailor your skills and opening statements to align with each specific job.

   While you don’t need to rewrite your entire resume, taking the time to personalize it showcases attention to detail and initiative, increasing your chances of progressing past initial screenings.

References

1. State of New York Department of Labor – Resumes, Cover Letters, and Job Applications

2. Harvard University – Create a Resume/CV or Cover Letter

Author

Matthew Zane

Matthew Zane is the lead editor of Zippia's How To Get A Job Guides. He is a teacher, writer, and world-traveler that wants to help people at every stage of the career life cycle. He completed his masters in American Literature from Trinity College Dublin and BA in English from the University of Connecticut.