How To Make A Resume (With Examples)

Before you meet with an employer to present your case as the ideal candidate for a position, they will review your resume. It’s essential to effectively communicate your experience, skills, and achievements on a single-page resume.

Without a well-crafted and professional resume that captures the attention of hiring managers, your chances of landing interviews or job offers will significantly diminish.

Key Takeaways:

• Your resume should include the following sections:

  • Resume objective/summary

  • Work experience

  • Skills

  • Education

• Tailor your resume to specific job openings and conduct research on the company to incorporate relevant keywords.

• Maintain relevance by including information that directly aligns with the job description.

How to Create a Professional Resume

Whether you’re crafting your first resume or updating an existing one, starting the process can feel overwhelming. Many individuals view resume creation as a tedious task, often putting it off until the last minute.

However, by following a structured approach, you can make the process smooth and efficient.

1. Choose a resume format and layout structure. The format and layout of your resume is the first aspect noticed by potential employers. The layout creates a visual impression, allowing for creativity while remaining professional. The format refers to how you present the information within your resume or CV.

   There are three primary resume formats available:

   • Reverse-chronological order: Highlights work experiences in order from most to least recent.

   • Functional/skill-based: Emphasizes skills over specific work history.

   • Combination: Integrates chronological work history with skills outlining.

   Of these options, reverse chronological order is the most widely used and recommended for most job seekers.

2. Boldly include your name and contact details. Your name and contact information should be immediately visible at the top of your resume, using a larger font size for emphasis.

   Examples of Contact Details to Include:

   • Full name

   • Email

   • Website

   • LinkedIn profile

   • Mailing address (optional)

   • Phone number (optional)

3. Craft a resume objective. Your resume objective should be a brief summary (around three sentences) that outlines your career aspirations and previews the content of your resume. Many employers skim through numerous applications and utilize the objective to assess whether your resume deserves further review.

   Investing time in writing a compelling resume objective will significantly enhance your chances of being fully read by hiring managers.

4. Detail your professional experience. Following the chosen format, the professional experience section is typically where you begin. This section demonstrates to employers that you possess the experience necessary for success in the role they are hiring for.

   The professional experience section should include:

   • Your job title

   • The company name

   • Location

   • Employment dates

   • Description of your responsibilities

   • Accomplishments in the role

5. Highlight your skills. Alongside your work history, showcasing relevant soft skills and hard skills can enhance your resume’s appeal to potential employers. Review the job requirements to identify which skills to emphasize in your resume.

   In this section, include both hard skills—specific technical abilities relevant to the job—and soft skills—transferable qualities that contribute to workplace success.

6. Outline your educational background. Your educational qualifications can significantly influence a hiring manager’s perception of your potential as an employee. This is especially crucial for recent graduates with limited professional experience.

   Information to Include in the Education Section:

   • The name of your school

   • Degree title

   • Field of study

   • Dates of enrollment and graduation

   • Grade point average (GPA)

   • Notable awards or achievements

7. Incorporate optional sections. For applicants with limited professional experience or gaps in their work history, adding an optional section can help create a more comprehensive resume. This section should contain information relevant to your accomplishments and the job for which you are applying. Possible inclusions are:

   • Awards

   • Volunteer experience

   • Hobbies and interests

Examples of Resumes

1. Example #1 – Experienced Applicant:

   Harvey
   Michaels
   Product Manager

   Harvey Michaels
   379 King St.
   Portland, OR, 48820
   195.557.2975
   HarveyMichaels@Gmail.com

   Passionate product manager with over 10 years of experience in launching various brands. Seeking a position to leverage leadership and project management skills while contributing to a team-oriented environment.

   Skills

   Product Strategy
   Research
   Management
   Microsoft Suite
   Product Development
   Task Prioritization
   Time Management
   Team Collaboration

   Experience

   Green Mountain Company / Senior Product Manager
   September 2017 – September 2020, Portland, OR

   • Led marketing and product teams of over 20 employees

   • Analyzed sales data to inform product strategies

   • Implemented risk management strategies

   • Set and tracked team goals

   • Provided constructive employee feedback

   • Developed product positioning strategies

   Pace Bank / Product Manager
   January 2012 – September 2017, Portland, OR

   • Conducted market potential analysis

   • Managed product placement, marketing, and demographic targeting

   • Oversaw product lifecycle considerations

   • Collaborated with a team of seven product managers

   Blank Space, INC. / Junior Product Marketer
   January 2009 – January 2012, Portland, OR.

   • Gained an understanding of company products and their benefits

   • Created product marketing strategies within a supervised team of 10

   • Coordinated with other departments on product production

   • Evaluated marketing project success metrics

   Education

   The University Of Washington / Master Of Business Administration
   September 2005 – September 2009, Seattle, WA
   The University Of Washington / Bachelor’s Degree In Marketing
   August 2001- August-2005, Seattle, WA

2. Example #2 – Entry Level Applicant:

   Leslie Martin
   New York, NY | 584.224.8555 | LeslieMartin@gmail.com| Linkedin.com/in/LeslieMartin | LeslieMartin.com

   SUMMARY

   An enthusiastic and motivated recent graduate from New York University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. Seeking a position to further develop coding skills and gain professional experience.

   PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

   January 2018 – January 2019
   Software Development Intern, BTQ Group, New York, NY

   • Selected for an internship program from a pool of 3,500 competitive applicants based on academic performance and professional potential

   • Collaborated closely with engineers to ensure quality assurance in project outcomes

   • Contributed to code development for websites and applications

   • Began as an unpaid intern for the initial three months, then transitioned to a paid position with long-term prospects

   March 2014-January 2018
   Restaurant Manager, Casey’s Diner, New York, NY

   • Promoted from a waitressing position to restaurant manager after demonstrating commitment over two years

   • Managed weekly staff scheduling

   • Handled payroll documentation

   • Conducted bookkeeping tasks

   • Oversaw hiring and training responsibilities

   • Awarded four raises throughout employment, amounting to a $10,000 salary increase

   VOLUNTEER WORK

   April 2015-April 2017
   Reading Instructor, America Reads Organization, New York, NY

   SKILLS

   Productivity Tools, Web Development, JAVA, Problem-Solving, Communication, Creativity, Dependability

   EDUCATION

   Graduation Year-2019
   New York University, NY
   BA, Computer Science, GPA=3.9
   Academic Honor Roll

Tips For Creating A Professional Resume

1. Consider keywords. Most employers utilize an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter resumes, discarding those that do not meet specific criteria.

   These systems help narrow the applicant pool to those who fit the required qualifications. To improve your resume’s chances of passing through an ATS, incorporate keywords from the job listing into your resume.

2. Stick to relevant information. A common mistake when creating a resume is making it excessively lengthy. Given that recruiters are busy and have short attention spans, they may only skim the first page of a lengthy resume.

   Focus on including only the most relevant information that showcases your suitability for the job.

3. Customize your resume for each job application. Each position will have unique requirements and expectations. While it may be tempting to distribute the same resume broadly, this approach can hinder your chances of securing an interview.

   Tailor your resume to reflect the skills and qualities relevant to the job you are applying for to enhance its competitiveness.

4. Conduct research. To create a compelling resume, research what makes a resume effective. Numerous online resources (like Zippia) can assist you in crafting the perfect resume.

   Read articles for tips and explore templates and examples of strong resumes.

5. Consider hiring a resume writer. If crafting a resume isn’t your forte, consider hiring a professional to assist you.

   Rates for resume writing services vary widely, from budget-friendly options to premium investments in your career. A skilled resume writer can alleviate job-search stress and enhance your application’s visibility.

   Examples of Websites to Hire Resume Writers Include:

   • Upwork

   • TopResume

   • ZipJob

6. Proofread meticulously. After investing time in crafting your resume, it’s crucial to proofread before sending it out. Carefully review your resume multiple times to identify and correct any errors or typos, ensuring a polished final product.

Expert Opinion

Author

Sky Ariella

Sky Ariella is a professional freelance writer, originally from New York. She has been featured on websites and online magazines covering topics in career, travel, and lifestyle. She received her BA in psychology from Hunter College.