How to Write a Resume

In this blog, you will learn how to write a resume.

With all the available online tools, it’s fair to say everyone can write a resume without fuss.

But there’s a difference between a resume that’s written to get a job and one that’s just thrown together.

It’s a jungle out there, and getting a job means making an excellent first impression.

It’s why you should take the time to write a resume that will showcase your skills, experience, and personality in the best possible light.

Here are some tips on how to do just that.

Step 1 – Do some research about how resumes work and what employers want to see.

The idea is to learn as much as you can about what employers are looking for and how to present yourself in a way that they get what they want.

It also means researching the company’s culture, values and what they’re looking for in an employee.

Note: One of the reasons why resumes get thrown out is because they don’t match what the employer is looking for. You’ll never figure out if your resume works if you’re clueless about what the employer wants inside it.

Like a fingerprint, consider a resume as a document unlike any other.

You create one that’s tailor-fitted to the job you’re applying for, and you want to make sure that it shows off all the skills, experience and work ethic that make you a great fit for the role.

Hence, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all template.

It should be made with care and consideration to speak directly to the needs of your target employers.

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Step 2 – Make a list or outline all the pertinent details about yourself.

You can never write an effective resume if you don’t start with a list.

This list serves as your content guide – the ultimate source of all the information you’ll include in your resume, including important details about your qualifications, experience, and skills.

Note: Before you start writing down all the points you want to cover, make sure that they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for.

The last thing you want is a long resume filled with information that won’t add any value to your application.

The list must include the following:

• Skills, i.e., soft and technical
• Work experience, including the number of years in your current position, as well as previous roles
• Education
• Past employers

Although you feel like you can have this list in your head, it’s better to keep all your information in one place.

Also, find time and a quiet place to write it all down, so you focus on the task at hand.

It sounds cliche, but it works.

Most people will never get all the details right if something or someone is distracting them.

Step 3 – Learn all the key components or sections of a resume.

As we said earlier, you can’t rely on a one-size-fits-all document or template when writing an effective resume.

Instead, put in the effort to study and understand the key sections or components of a resume so you can start piecing it all together.

The most important sections of your resume are:

Header – This is where you put your name, address, email and phone number. The header should be placed at the top of your resume, preferably on the left-hand side.

Objective – The objective is a brief statement that tells the employer what you’re looking for in a job. It should be placed right below the header, and it should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for.

Summary – A summary is a great way to introduce yourself to an employer. Think of it as your elevator pitch – a brief, two or three-sentence statement that tells the employer who you are, what you’re good at and what you can do for them. The summary should be placed right below the objective.

Skills – This is where you list down all the skills you have that make you qualified for the job. Depending on how much information you want to include, it can be placed at the top or halfway down your resume.

Education – You should list all your academic achievements here, starting with the most recent one and work your way down the list. It’s usually placed at the end of your resume.

Work experience – This section is where you tell the employer all about the roles you’ve held and how long you’ve worked in each. Place it right below your education unless a job or work experience is relevant to your current target position, in which case it should be placed above your education section.

Certifications and training – If you have any professional certifications or training, this is where you list them down.

Interests and hobbies – Although this is not a required section, some employers like to see it because it gives them an insight into your personality outside of work.

Step 4 – Decide on the best resume format.

You can begin the draft now that you’ve gathered the necessary background information and learned the resume’s key sections.

But you can’t do as much without first deciding on the resume format you will use.

There are three standard resume formats:

• The chronological resume – This is the most common type of resume, and it’s the one that recruiters are most familiar with. As the name implies, this type lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent one and then work your way down.
• The functional resume – This one’s a great format to use if you’re changing careers or have gaps in your work history, as it focuses less on your work experience and more on your skills and accomplishments.
• The combination resume – The combination resume is a mix of both the chronological and functional formats. It starts with a summary of your skills and accomplishments, followed by your work experience in reverse chronological order.

Step 5 – Fill in the contact information.

When writing your resume, the first thing you need to do is fill in your contact information.

This should include your name, address, email, and phone number.

Your name should be placed at the top of the page, in the middle or on the left-hand side.

If you have a middle initial, don’t forget to include it.

Your address should be placed below your name, and it should include the city and state you’re in.

Be sure to incorporate your zip code or country if you’re applying for jobs overseas.

Finally, provide a professional email address that includes your name, and be sure to have at least one professional phone number listed.

Note: Never use an email address that is inappropriate or unprofessional, like anything that showcases a moniker or is sexually suggestive. You also don’t need to include a headshot and your date of birth.

Step 6 – Write the resume summary.

A resume summary is a short paragraph that gives the recruiter an overview of your skills and accomplishments.

It’s typically made up of two or three sentences, and it should go right at the top of your resume.

To write a good summary, you first need to understand what a recruiter wants to see in your resume.

The answer to this question is found by looking at the job posting.

Look for keywords and phrases repeated throughout the posting and make a list of them.

These will be the skills and qualifications that the employer is looking for, so you need to make sure that they’re included in your resume summary.

Once you understand what the employer is looking for, you can start writing your summary.

Begin by stating your years of experience and your current job title, followed by a list of your most important skills and accomplishments.

Keep it short and to the point, and make sure that everything you include is relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Step 7 – List your work experience.

The next step is to list your work experience. Start by providing the name of the company you worked for, followed by your job title and the years you worked there.

Write a summary of your responsibilities in this role.

This may include tasks you were responsible for or any important projects you were involved in.

Finish by writing a brief description of your accomplishments while working at this company.

Don’t forget to include receiving awards, being promoted, or getting positive feedback from clients or customers.

Note: Be sure to write about extracurricular activities that show your skills and work experiences, such as volunteer work, internships, or part-time jobs.

Step 8 – Reveal your skills.

The next step is to list the skills that you have.

This should include both hard and soft skills and any technical or industry-specific knowledge that you may have.

You may format this section differently, but one simple method is to use bullet points and write down each skill on its own line.

Start by writing a short description of the skill, followed by a list of your experiences or accomplishments that relate to this skill.

Step 9 – Highlight your education, certification, and training.

You must also showcase your education, certification, and training.

This includes listing any degrees you’ve earned and any classes or certificates you’ve received.

You can do this by listing the name of the institution you attended, followed by the degree or certificate you earned, and then the year you graduated.

You may also list any relevant coursework you’ve completed and any professional development training or seminars you’ve participated in.

Note: If you’re a recent graduate or don’t have much work experience, you may want to put this section before your work experience section.

Step 10 – Format and proofread your resume.

Once you’ve written all the content for your resume, it’s time to focus on the format.

This includes choosing the right font size and style, setting the margins and using proper punctuation.

You should also take the time to carefully proofread your resume for any errors and make sure that everything is spelled correctly and formatted correctly.

Once you’re happy with how your resume looks, save it as a PDF file so that it stays looking professional when someone opens it.

And that’s it!

You’re one step closer to landing your dream job, and knowing that you’ve written an effective resume means that you can walk into your next interview with confidence.