how to build strong resume

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Switching Careers? Here’s How to Write a Strong Resume.

Benjamin Laker,
Vijay Pereira,
Abhishek Behl,
Zaheer Khan

Start with a personal statement.

When you’re switching career paths, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on: updating your resume. Crafting a smart resume is key to showing your potential employer why you wish to make a change. While there’s no one right format to write a resume, here are some tips you can follow:

Begin the resume with a personal statement. This is a short description about who you are, your reasons for changing your career, your new goals, how your previous experience can be transferred to the new industry, and why you’re perfect for the job.
Next, instead of highlighting your work experience first, showcase the skills you’ve learned throughout your career. That’s because when changing careers, the hiring managers reviewing your application may not always be familiar with the roles and responsibilities of a different industry.
Below your skills, you can include a more traditional description of your relevant work history. You don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had, especially if you’ve held a number of positions that don’t highlight any essential skills required for this role.
Finally, end with a chronological list of your educational qualifications. You can also include details about any certifications or courses that you may be undertaking that may be relevant to the position you’re interested in.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

Switching career paths and trying something completely new can open you up to exciting opportunities, help you learn new things, and even earn you more money. But it’s not always easy — especially if you’re looking to move into an entirely different field. Apart from doing your research and unearthing opportunities, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on before you make the leap: updating your resume.

Benjamin Laker is a professor of leadership at Henley Business School, University of Reading. Follow him on Twitter .
Vijay Pereira is a professor of strategic and international human capital management at NEOMA Business School.
AB Abhishek Behl is an assistant professor of information management at the Management Development Institute Gurgaon.
ZK Zaheer Khan is a professor in strategy and international business at the University of Aberdeen.

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Resume and Cover Letter
How to Make a Resume:...

How to Make a Resume: Beginner's Writing Guide with Examples

30 min read · Updated on March 22, 2024

Your dream job is one resume away!

Your resume is arguably the most important financial document you'll ever own. And before you think, “Yeah – right” let's consider for a moment. Without a resume, you don't get the job, so you can't pay bills, support a family, go to the big game, have that weekend trip, or plan for retirement. Your resume is the doorway to your future, so let's make sure it's perfect.

Part of making it perfect is remembering that it's a targeted career marketing document – not a chronicle of your life. So, how do you write a resume? In this beginner's writing guide, we'll show you how to make a resume and provide examples of what each section should look like.

Grab a cup of coffee and strap in, because you're about to learn everything you need to know about how to make a new resume!

Table of contents:

The purpose of a resume

Avoid rejection by the ATS

What is your career target?

Build your personal brand, what should your resume look like, how to make a resume – the layout.

How long does it take to put together a resume?

A major resume no-no: typos

How to make your resume more professional

Theory in practice – resume examples

The most basic purpose of a resume is to sell your skills , achievements , and qualifications to prospective employers. This one document can financially make or break you. Let's take a quick look at what being unemployed costs you per day (assuming a five-day workweek):

If you make $40,000 per year, you lose about $155 every day that you're out of work

If you make $50,000 per year, you lose about $190 every day that you're out of work

If you make $75,000 per year, you lose about $288 every day that you're out of work

If you make $100,000 per year, you lose about $385 every day that you're out of work

Clearly, finding out how to make a resume for a job is critical so that you can properly sell your skills, qualifications, experiences, and achievements to prospective employers.

The job market is tough and highly competitive; you have to stand out in a sea of qualified candidates by creating a compelling narrative that tells a story of value, keeping in mind that your resume is supposed to do a few things for you:

Introduce you to a new company

Underscore how your experiences and education are relevant

Showcase how your skills and competencies will benefit the new company's team

Win interviews

Avoid rejection by the ATS

What do you know about applicant tracking systems? Job seeking can be compared to throwing your resume into a black hole. You can go through 100 listings on any job search website and complete the online application with zero results.

Ever had that happen? It's okay, it happens to everyone at some point or another!

The problem is that you're probably not putting the correct keywords into your resume. When you hit “Submit” on an online application, it isn't magically emailed to the hiring manager.

Oh, no!

It goes through a computer system that scans your resume for specific keywords that can be found in the job description posted by the company. And, just so you know, approximately 90% of companies use ATS scans , including everything from mom-and-pop shops to Fortune 500 companies.

The companies use these programs because they just don't have time for a human to go through all the resumes they receive. Depending on the job opening, a company can get between 250 and 500 applicants . Can you imagine being the person who has to sift through all those resumes?

Here is where the ATS steps in. It's designed to weed through candidates to narrow the applicant pool, so that the human hiring manager has a more reasonable resume load to go through. It ranks the remaining candidates in order based on how much of a match they are for the position that's open.

Being overlooked by the ATS is one of the number one reasons job seekers get ghosted by companies.

Once your resume makes it through the ATS and gets into the hands of a hiring manager, don't think they're going to sit down and read each one. Who has that kind of time? You should expect that the first round of resume sorting will consist of them flipping through the stack to pick the ones that stand out within about 6 seconds of glancing at them.

PRO TIP: Put your resume on a table, stand up, and look at it from a little distance. Is it eye-catching? Can you tell the position you're seeking just by glancing at it? Set a timer if you have to, but no more than 10 seconds.

Speaking of eye-catching, don't make the same mistake as a lot of your rival job seekers by being too generic with your resume. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that being non-specific will open doors to more opportunities. The problem is that the hiring manager won't be able to tell exactly where you'll fit within their organization.

The first step in winning an interview is being sure that your resume actually makes it into the hands of a human being at the company you apply to. Start by defining what you want to do.

So the first, and most important, step in crafting the perfect resume is to narrow down your target career path. The more specific you are with this first step, the more response you'll receive from hiring managers because they'll be able to tell exactly how you fit within their organization. There are four areas to focus on as you begin to chart your career path:

Industry: Do you want to work in private sector, nonprofit, government, or public roles?

Geography: This one is more in-depth than choosing rural vs urban. It also includes whether you want to work in a dynamic or static environment.

Company size: You may not think it, but having an idea about whether you want to work in a small company or one with thousands of employees is important.

Role: Saving the best for last, you have to know what position you want.

On the surface, it may seem like these things are only important for the job search aspect of landing a new position, but you have to know what voice to write your resume in, too. Part of that is knowing your audience. When you understand your audience, you can build a personal brand that resonates with what they're looking for in a new staff member.

Now that you've gotten your target career path nailed down, the next step is to brand you. Think of yourself as a product and your resume is the packaging. Companies spend a lot of time on their branding and packaging - you have to do the same thing.

The best place to start is with a career assessment . Taking one of these tests can help you to identify your strengths, what sets you apart from others, and key themes of your professional identity. Just like Nike and Coca-Cola have timeless taglines and catchphrases that succinctly define what they have to offer to consumers, your personal brand has to tell a concise, yet compelling, story. This is where your resume comes in.

Your resume isn't just a piece of paper you give to a hiring manager or upload to a website that says, “I'm interested in this job.” Your resume is a personal marketing tool. You shape that tool with words that describe your experiences and achievements, to impress and grab the attention of the hiring manager.

Unlike Nike's “Just Do It” phrase, your personal brand isn't something you build and forget. It is fluid and should be revisited and refined as you gain new skills, experiences, and achievements. Weave the elements of your brand into every section of your resume.

There is a common misconception that entry-level resumes look different than executive resumes. The reality is that the only difference is how much content is available to write about.

Obviously, someone who has little to no experience will have a short resume – generally one page.

When you start to get up to 10 years of experience, then you've earned the second page, so go ahead and use it.

It's not incremental though

Just because you have 20 years of experience doesn't mean you can have a three-page resume. As you work through how to make a resume, remember that a three-page resume should be avoided, unless you have a lot of career extras like publications, research, patents, publications, or public speaking engagements to talk about.

Other than the number of pages, your resume should use the same format and layout no matter if you're applying to a job as someone fresh out of college or seeking to be the CEO of a company.

Chronological resume

The reverse-chronological is the most popular, traditional, and well-known resume format. Its focus is placed on achievements from your career history and is defined by listing your work history starting with your current or most recent job and working backward 10-15 years.

Employers like this type of resume because it tells them what, when, and where you worked. It's best to use this if your work history is steady and shows growth and development. If you're looking to make a career change, have had frequent job changes, or if you're seeking your first job, this may not be the best format to use.

Pro Tip: You could also get lost in the ATS if your resume is over-designed . Many resume writers will tell you that you need to stand out in the sea of sameness by adding some personality to your resume through design. While that's true, you need to avoid heavily formatted resumes which are often rejected by computer scanners as being illegible.

Functional resume

This resume type focuses more on skills and experiences rather than on your work history. It's more of a “what you know and how you apply that knowledge” than a simple list of where you got the knowledge. It plays down gaps in work history and makes frequent job changes less noticeable. If it isn't done properly, though, it can be confusing for the hiring manager to read and understand. There's also a bit of a stigma behind it, because employers know that job seekers use this style to downplay job-hopping. So, the first thing they do when they get a functional resume is check employment dates. If you can avoid using this style, it's best to do so.

Combination resume

There is another resume format that focuses on skills first and then experience last. It's the combination resume, which is sometimes called a hybrid resume. This is the most complex resume type and the best resume for mid-career professionals who are transitioning into another career or for people who have special skills and a strong track record of accomplishments. These types of resumes do take a long time to read and some hiring managers won't take the time unless they're looking to fill a hard-to-fill position.

Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae (CV) is Latin and means “course of life.” It's a little different from a resume, but some positions require a CV over a resume. The first thing you would notice is that a CV is significantly longer than a resume. A resume is a self-branding document meant to portray your experience and achievements in a concise and easy-to-read format. A CV goes much further into the depth of your education and accomplishments (think publications, awards, and honors) and even has a section for you to include "Areas of Interest."

The best way to describe a CV is that it's a career biography. The biggest significant difference is that a CV is arranged chronologically in a way that gives a complete overview of your full working career. It also doesn't change based on the career or position for which you're applying.

Layout

To make things easier for the hiring manager to digest the content of your resume, it should be laid out in a specific way to ensure that the right information is in the right place.

Hiring managers don't READ resumes. They skim through until they find something that piques their interest and then they stop to read

Contact information

Title

Professional summary , core competencies, experience , education and credentials , awards, certificates, and volunteer work .

Since the reverse-chronological resume is the one that the majority of people will use to apply for jobs, and because it's the format that hiring managers want to see, we'll focus this article on showing you how to make a resume using that style.

Current contact information

Location | Phone | Email | LinkedIn | Portfolio (if applicable)

You can be creative and use bold font in your contact information and even put a border under it to separate it from the body of your resume.

Name: Be sure to list your name the same across all professional documents (e.g., resume, cover letter, thank you note, LinkedIn profile). Don't get hung up with whether to use your legal name (i.e. the name on your birth certificate or driver's license). Write your name in the manner you want people to address you. Also, if you use any abbreviated credentials after your name (e.g. Jane Smith, MD), remember to include them on all professional documents. You can also include any shortened versions of your name in quotations (e.g. Christopher "Chris" Smith). Just make sure to list it the same way everywhere you put your name.
Address: It is no longer customary to include your full address on your resume. There have been instances of discrimination against job seekers based on their address. As far as your address is concerned, all you need is the City, State, and Zip Code. A lot of people leave off the Zip Code; however, hiring managers can query the ATS for all resumes within a radius of a Zip Code. If you exclude the Zip Code or put something like, "Greater New York Metro Area," your resume won't be included in the query.
Phone and email: Put the telephone number and email address where you can easily be reached. Also, be sure that your email address is professional. Using something like [email protected] just won't cut it. The best idea is to use some form of your name. If you're paranoid about having your name in your email address, then you can use some form of the type of position you seek, like [email protected].
LinkedIn URL: You don't have to spell out the entire URL on the contact line. You can put the words “LinkedIn URL” and hyperlink those words. Before you include your LinkedIn URL, be sure that your LinkedIn profile is optimized for the career you want - because you can bet if they have access to it, the hiring manager will look at it.
Portfolio: If you're applying for a position like Graphic Designer or Software Designer, you may have a portfolio of work that you want to make available to someone reviewing your application for employment. Include a hyperlink to the portfolio in your contact information.
Headshot / photo: There is no reason to include a headshot on your resume . Actually, it's seen as taboo and could be the thing that gets your resume rejected, because the hiring manager might assume you think you can get the job based on your looks. However, there are some exceptions, like if you're applying to be a model or actor.

Do you want a hiring manager to be able to tell immediately what type of candidate you are? Put a title at the top of your resume. Center the text on the line, put it in bold font, and put a blank space above and below. The white space and the small amount of words will help it to jump off the page and immediately be noticed. It will also be the first step in helping you stand out in the sea of sameness.

Also, be sure the title on your resume mirrors the title on the job description that you're applying to, but add a bit of panache to it so that it's not too boring. For example, instead of writing “Financial Services Associate,” write “Client-Centric Financial Services Associate Dedicated to Customer Engagement and Revenue Growth.” Just remember to keep it on one line.

The very next thing on the page should always be your Professional Summary. But how do you write a summary for a resume?

It's a three to five-sentence statement about you. Where you've been in your career, where you're going, and how you'll use your experience to get there.

While the professional summary is sometimes referred to as the resume objective , you must remember that the days of writing a resume objective are dead . Never, ever include an objective on your resume. They are a waste of space and don't relay any information that markets you as the best candidate for an open position.

Let's take a look at an example of each:

Sales Representative seeking a challenging position that will use my skills and provide opportunities for growth in a dynamic and rewarding company.

As you can see, the objective is very inward-facing and only talks about what you want out of your career. It provides no value to the hiring manager and eliminates any possibility for them to be able to tell what you bring to the table for them.

Professional Summary:

Ambitious sales professional offering 10+ years' experience in customer retention and aggressive revenue growth. Conquers goals and quotas through a keen awareness of the human buying motive that allows for quickly overcoming objections. Used historical data and consumer trends to reach new customers and grow territory by 24%. Innate ability to work independently or as a member of a cross-functional team.

The best use of resume space is to write a summary of your career. The effectiveness of this summary comes from the fusing of three things:

Relevant keywords – customer retention, revenue growth, and quotas

Hard and soft skills – overcoming objections and working independently

An achievement – 24% territory growth

With this professional summary, the hiring manager will be able to tell in an instant what you have to offer their team.

Even though the skills section of your resume is small, it packs a powerful punch! The skills you list in this section highlight your key abilities and show potential employers what you bring to the table.

It should contain approximately 12 ATS-friendly keywords and phrases that align with the keywords in the job description. Meaning, this is a fluid section that will need to be tailored to every job that you apply to. Technically speaking, your entire resume should be customized to align with each job description. That's one thing that will help you get past the ATS.

Be sure to include a good mix of hard and soft skills because prospective employers not only want to know that you can perform the tasks related to your job (hard skills), but they also want to gain a clear understanding of how you'll fit within the culture of the company (soft skills).

Tips for building your Core Competencies section:

Include skills that are relevant to the job that you're applying to

Avoid creating a laundry list of everything you know how to do – be selective so that the section is more impactful

Group similar competencies together using categories – technical skills, soft skills, and languages

Prioritize your top skills based on their relevance to the job you want

Update frequently

Be consistent with the formatting

Here is a sample Core Competencies list that contains both hard and soft skills:

Core Competencies

This section is meant to show how your career history lends itself to the skills you have that make you the perfect candidate for a given job. There are some general rules of thumb on how to make a resume with a great professional experience section:

Don't go further back than 10 to 15 years

Use no more than 3 to 5 bullets per work listing

Incorporate at least 5 measurable achievements per 10 years of experience (the more the better)

Use stacking for companies where you held more than one role

10-15 Years

The 10-15 years of experience is the most relevant – you can list more than that, but avoid using bullet points for roles over 10 years old. Begin by listing your most recent position first and work your way backward to your oldest position, within that 10-15-year range. If you have 30 years of experience, you can use achievements or skills you learned during that time as talking points during the interview. Listing those older experiences on your resume will only dilute the content.

As you write out your bullet points, keep two words in mind: “so what?” The hiring manager is going to be thinking it, you might as well be thinking it, too. Every time you write something on your resume, think, “So what? Why am I writing this? What value will it bring to my new employer? Will this be THE THING that lands me an interview?"

Achievements

Remove “Responsible for…” from your resume-writing vocabulary. That's because it's crucial that you talk about what you achieved, instead of just what your responsibilities were. Let's face it, there are a lot of things that people are “responsible for” that never get done. So, be sure to talk about things you actually accomplished, as that will be the proof the hiring manager needs to take the next step and call you for an interview.

1. Use numbers whenever possible

The best way to call attention to your career accomplishments is to use numbers. Numbers add credibility to your claims and provide a clear picture of what you bring to the table.

Don't write this:

Conducted cold calls to expand client base

Write this instead:

Increased sales by 15% by making approximately 20 cold calls per day to expand the client base

The latter makes an unmistakable assertion that you had a positive impact, not only in your role but on the company as a whole. You can take it a step further and talk about things like problem-solving skills and how you addressed challenges to lead to team success. These types of soft skills are highly valued by employers and could be the thing that lands you an interview.

PRO TIP: Use the CAR method for building achievement statements into your resume.

2. Use action words to convey accomplishment

A lot of people make the mistake of copying bullet points from the job descriptions of the roles they've held. This practice makes you sound detached from achievements and focuses more on responsibilities. Using passive language is too generic and doesn't allow a hiring manager to see what you'll be able to accomplish in the new role.

It's better to use action language to show that you're an achiever rather than a doer. Here are some examples of action words you can use on your resume:

Worked with others: Advised, Aided, Assisted, Chaired, Coached, Collaborated with, Consulted with, Helped, Instructed, Interacted with, Mentored, Motivated, Supported

Communicated: Addressed, Advertised, Answered, Briefed, Corresponded with, Debated, Explained, Facilitated, Informed, Interpreted, Interviewed, Persuaded, Responded to

Analyzed data: Assessed, Appraised, Audited, Calculated, Computed, Estimated, Evaluated, Forecast, Inspected, Measured, Researched, Surveyed, Tested

Operated equipment: Installed, Maintained, Programmed, Ran, Serviced, Used

Worked with money or contracts: Administered, Appropriated, Authorized, Balanced, Controlled, Directed, Enforced, Financed, Funded, Governed, Invested, Monitored, Oversaw, Purchased

Organized something: Arranged, Assembled, Catalogued, Compiled, Coordinated, Itemized, Routed, Scheduled, Stocked, Tracked

Created: Composed, Customized, Designed, Directed, Established, Founded, Illustrated, Originated, Shaped

Researched: Analyzed, Collected, Criticized, Detected, Diagnosed, Evaluated, Tested

How to make your professional experience section: The formula

There's a formula for writing your professional experience section in a way that focuses on achievements. You'll start by asking yourself these questions about every job you've had:

What was the name of the company?

What was the title of your role?

What dates were you employed? (*Hint: use the MM/YYYY format for your dates)

What did you do every day? (*Example: Leveraged management skills to direct operations of 5 separate but concurrent projects by delegating tasks to staff based on employee acumen and monitoring / controlling budgets)

What is one thing you did at the company that you're really proud of?

What is another thing you're really proud of?

What is one more thing you did that you're really proud of?

When you put all of that together, it should look like this:

Company Name | MM/YYYY to Present

Position Title

Balanced competing priorities on multiple and concurrent projects and program management initiatives using data-driven strategies in Agile environments. Managed key accounts, onboarded new accounts, and oversaw organizational process adoption for nursing facilities, emergency departments, and pharmacies.

Developed $2M Provider Incentive Program that increased community provider partnerships

Saved $800K by using Six Sigma skills to implement DMAIC approach

Coached and mentored 2 direct reports, creating an open environment of communication that facilitated future-facing decision-making

Many people will create separate sections for education history and certifications. That's not necessary. You can include all of it in one section. You can also include extras like relevant coursework , projects, and achievements. These extras can be truly beneficial for your application if you have little to no work experience.

There are some general rules of thumb for the education section:

Spell out acronyms (BS, MS, PhD) and school abbreviations

It is no longer customary to include graduation dates unless you're still in school or graduated within the last year

Never include high school, unless you're still in high school - listing high school doesn't say “ I finished high school, ” it says, “ I didn't go to college .”

List your degree first and then your school, unless you've obtained multiple degrees at the same institution.

Here's what a regular education section looks like:

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

Master of Business Administration (MBA) | ABC University

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) | XYZ University

Six Sigma Black Belt | Council for Six Sigma Certification

If you don't have a lot of experience and need to include some relevant coursework or major projects to inject relevant keywords into your resume, then this is what that would look like:

Relevant coursework: Marketing, Operations Management, Accounting, Corporate Finance

Capstone project: Let a team of 4 to execute a market analysis project to expand the Brooms and Handles company into new regions. Used market and consumer analysis data to identify gaps and achieve a 15% projected revenue increase and a 20% increase in customer satisfaction within the pilot program.

You can include educational information about a degree program even if it's still in progress. Here's what that would look like:

Expected completion: 05/2024

It is important to list what you do outside of work and school. It helps to demonstrate that you're a well-rounded person.

Were you the president of a fraternity or sorority?

Did you get involved with showing new students around campus?

Have you headed a sales team that produced top awards?

Were you an employee of the month?

Do you speak multiple languages?

Did you volunteer for an organization?

Did you perform some major research that ended up being published?

All of these extras allow prospective employers a sneak peek into your life outside of work. They can also go a long way to breaking the ice during an interview, especially if something you do outside work is important or interesting to the hiring manager.

Keep in mind to list only those volunteer positions, projects, or affiliations that are related to your career goals.

How long does it take to make a resume?

If you're going to use the resume wizard that MS Word has, you can slap your information together in a day or two. It will get to employers. The bad thing is that it probably won't get a whole lot of attention.

The "just right resume" can take weeks, because of how much background work goes into it. You'll write it, rewrite it, and write it again, and may even have multiple versions. Ultimately, the exact amount of time that goes into putting your resume together depends on your level of experience, how complex your history is, and the specificity of the job you're applying to.

Entry-level resumes take the least amount of time, simply because there's less information to include

Mid-level resumes take a few days because of the amount of detail in your work history

Executive resumes, or those for specialized positions, can take weeks - especially if you have to do some digging to come up with accomplishments from your previous positions

Updating an existing resume that's well-maintained can be done in just a few hours

While the time spent can seem like a lot, if you're truly marketing yourself for that “just right” position, do you want your resume to say “This was thrown together in a couple of hours using a template” OR do you want it to say “I know this document is important and a significant amount of time was spent on it to make it perfect?”

The first and foremost thing that will get your resume tossed in the garbage can are typos. The number of resumes with errors that are turned in every day to employers across the globe is so astounding that it bears discussing.

You must proofread your resume!

The major problem with typos and grammatical boo-boos is that your eyes will read what you intended to type. So, after you've read through your resume a few times and think it's perfect, get a friend to read it. Make sure the friend is one of those brutally honest types. It's better to get it back marked all over with bright red ink so you can fix it before you send it out, than to send it out and then realize there's a mistake in it.

How to make your resume seem more professional

Lazy words: Do you see words like "etc" or “other duties as required” on your resume? Delete them immediately. If you take shortcuts in the language of your resume, hiring managers will wonder if you'll be taking shortcuts at work.

Cookie cutter resumes: Your resume has to stand out. Because of that, you should avoid throwing something together that you find a sample of online. Make it yours, make it represent you. Many people rely on the resume wizard that comes loaded with MS Word and, while that is a good tool to use to help you remember the sections to include, it shouldn't be the end-all-and-be-all of your resume design.

Specificity: You've had three jobs in the last 10 years and you've listed every detail of everything you've done during your tenure at those jobs. That makes you a Jack (or Jackie) of all trades, but a master of nothing. You have to be specific to the job for which you're applying. What value do you bring to that employer for that job? What achievements can you highlight?

Tailoring: Considering the rampant use of ATS by companies big and small, you have to take the time to customize your resume so that it gets past those scanners. Remember to use relevant keywords from the job descriptions throughout your resume.

PRO TIP: You can check to see how to make your resume better! Have it checked against an ATS and get a free, personalized, and professional resume review .

Theory in practice – 10 resume examples

It's one thing to have someone tell you how to make a resume, it's another thing to see an example – proof that all of this information can come together in a practical way that makes sense.

1. Software Engineer resume example

Click here for an example of a Software Engineer resume.

2. Data Scientist resume example

Click here for an example of a Data Scientist resume.

3. Cybersecurity resume example

Click here for an example of a cybersecurity resume.

4. Digital Marketing Manager resume example

Click here for an example of a Digital Marketing Manager resume.

5. Nurse Practitioner resume example

Click here for an example of a Nurse Practitioner resume.

6. Finance Director resume example

Click here for an example of a Finance Director resume.

7. Attorney resume example

Click here for an example of a Attorney resume.

8. Administrative Office Assistant resume example

Click here for an example of an Administrative Office Assistant resume.

9. Information Technology Expert resume example

Click here for an example of an Information Technology Expert resume.

10. Chief Executive Officer resume example

Click here for an example of a CEO resume.

Now you know how to make a resume for your next job!

It may seem like it takes a lot of work to make a good resume, but if you've followed along this far there are a few things that should be ingrained in you that will help you write a professional resume:

Know what you want to do – be specific

Make your resume with the right format

Use a standard layout, whether you are writing your first resume or 50th

Use action words to make your resume stand out

Quantify your achievements to prove that you have what it takes to succeed in a new role

Tailor your new resume to each job

Double and triple-check for errors, typos, and grammar mistakes

If you're still unsure how to make a perfect resume, TopResume has you covered. Our team of professional resume writers has the know-how and experience to write a resume for you that will win interviews.

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How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide

For most job-seekers, a good resume is what stands between a dream job and Choice D. Get your resume right, and you’ll be getting replies from every other company you apply to.

If your resume game is weak, though, you’ll end up sitting around for weeks, maybe even months, before you even get a single response.

So you’re probably wondering how you can write a resume that gets you an interview straight up.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about how to make a resume, including:

The 8 Essential Steps to Writing a Resume
11+ Exclusive Resume Tips to Up Your Resume Game
27+ Real-Life Resume Examples for Different Professions

….and more!

So, let’s dive right in.

How to Make a Resume (The Right Way!)

Before we go into detail about how you should make a resume, here’s a summary of the most important steps and tips to keep in mind:

Choose a resume format carefully. In 99% of cases, we recommend the reverse-chronological format .
Add the right contact details. Leave your headshot out and make sure to include your job title , a professional email address, and any relevant links. (E.g.: your LinkedIn profile , online portfolio, personal website, etc.).
Write an impactful resume summary. Unless you’re an entry-level professional, always go for a resume summary. If you do it right, it’s your chance to get the hiring manager to go through the rest of your resume in detail.
Pay attention to your work experience section. Take your work experience section from OK-ish to exceptional by tailoring it to the job ad, making your achievements quantifiable, and using action verbs and power words.
Add the right skills for the job. Keep this section relevant by only including the hard and soft skills that are required for the position.
Keep your education short and to the point. Your most recent and highest degree is more than enough for a strong education section. You only need to add more details here if you’re a recent graduate with barely any work experience.
Leverage optional resume sections. Optional sections like languages, hobbies, certifications, independent projects, and others can set you apart from other candidates with similar skills and experience.
Include a cover letter. That’s right, cover letters matter in 2024, and the best way to supplement your resume is by adding an equally well-crafted cover letter to your job application. To make the most of it, check out our detailed guide on how to write a cover letter .

To get the most out of our tips, you can head over to the resume builder and start building your resume on the go as you read this guide.

New to resume-making? Give our ‘7 Resume Tips’ video a watch before diving into the article!

#1. Pick the Right Resume Format

Before you start filling in the contents of your resume, you have to make sure it’s going to look good.

After all, the first thing hiring managers notice is what your resume looks like, and then they start reading it. So, this is your best chance to make a great first impression.

Start by choosing the right resume format.

There are three types of resume formats out there:

Reverse-chronological. This is by far the most popular resume format worldwide and, as such, it’s the best format for most job-seekers.
Functional. This resume format focuses more on skills than work experience. It’s a good choice if you’re just getting started with your career and have little to no experience in the field.
Combination. The combination resume format is a great choice for experienced job-seekers with a very diverse skill set. It’s useful if you’re applying for a role that requires expertise in several different fields and you want to show all that in your resume.

So, which one should you go for?

In 99% of cases, you want to stick to the reverse-chronological resume format . It’s the most popular format and what hiring managers expect to see. So, in the rest of this guide, we’re going to focus on teaching you how to make a reverse-chronological resume.

Fix Your Resume’s Layout

With formatting out of the way, let’s talk about your resume’s layout , which determines the overall look of your resume.

Does it look organized or cluttered? Is it too short or too long? Is it boring and easy to ignore, or is it reader-friendly and attention-grabbing?

Here are some of the best practices you should apply:

Stick to one page. You should only go for a two-page resume if you have decades of experience and you’re sure the extra space will add significant value. Hiring managers in big companies get hundreds of applications per job opening. They’re not going to spend their valuable time reading your life story!
Add clear section headings. Pick a heading and use it for all the section headers so the hiring manager can easily navigate through your resume.
Adjust the margins. Without the right amount of white space, your resume will end up looking overcrowded with information. Set your margins to one inch on all sides so your text fits just right on the page.
Choose a professional font. We’d recommend sticking to a font that’s professional but not overused. For example, Ubuntu, Roboto, or Overpass. Avoid Times New Roman, and never use Comic Sans.
Set the correct font size. As a rule of thumb, go for 11-12 pt for normal text and 14-16 pt for section titles.
Use a PDF file. Always save your resume as a PDF file, unless the employer specifically requests otherwise. Word files are popular, but there’s a good chance they’ll mess up your resume’s formatting.

Another thing you need to consider in terms of your resume’s layout is whether you’re going for a traditional-looking resume template or something a bit more modern :

If you’re pursuing a career in a more traditional industry, like law , banking , or finance , you might want to stick to the first.

But if you’re applying to a tech company where imagination and innovation are valued, you can pick a more creative resume template .

Want to Save Time? Use a (Free) Resume Template

Anyone who’s ever tried creating a resume from scratch knows how boring the formatting can be.

Before you can even start filling in the contents, you need to tweak the margins, adjust font sizes, and make sure everything fits into one page while still looking good.

What if you could skip past all that and still create a compelling resume?

Try one of our free resume templates . They’re pre-formatted, so all you have to do is fill in the contents.

They’re also created in collaboration with recruiters from around the globe, ensuring that the templates are visually appealing and ATS-friendly!

See for yourself how one of our templates compares to a resume created in a standard text editor:

#2. Add Your Contact Information

Now that we’ve got all the formatting out of the way, let’s get into what your resume is all about— the information you put on it .

The first thing you want to do when filling out the contents of your resume is to add your contact information .

This section is pretty straightforward but crucial. Your contact details belong at the top of your resume in a designated resume header , so the hiring manager can easily find them.

Even if everything else about your resume is perfect, that all flops if you misspell your email address or have a typo in your phone number. If the hiring manager can’t contact you, it’s a missed opportunity.

So, double-check, and even triple-check your contact information section and make sure everything is factually correct and up-to-date.

Must-Have Information

Full name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top of your resume.
Email address. Stick to an address that’s professional and easy to spell, like a combination of your first and last name. (E.g.: [email protected])
Phone number. Add a reliable number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
Location. Add your city and state/country. If you plan to relocate for the job or want a remote position, specify it on your resume.

Optional Information

Job title. Add your professional title underneath. Write it down word for word, whether it’s “Digital Marketing Specialist” or “Junior Data Scientist.” Just don’t make up job titles like “Marketing Wizzard” or “Data Manipulator.” They’re not quirky; they’re just unprofessional.
LinkedIn profile . We recommend that you include a link to your updated LinkedIn profile since over 77% of hiring managers use the platform when evaluating a candidate.
Relevant links. Include links to personal websites or any social media profiles that are relevant to your field. For example, a developer could include a Github profile, while a graphic designer could link their Behance or Driblle account, and so on.
Date of birth. Unless this is specifically required in the job ad, the hiring manager doesn’t need to know how old you are. It’s not important for their decision-making, and at worst, it might lead to age-based discrimination.
Unprofessional email address. Your quirky, old high school email address doesn’t belong on your resume. Instead of [email protected] , go for a [email protected] type of address.
Headshot. (USA, UK or Ireland) Depending on the country where you’re applying, it might even be illegal to include a picture of yourself on your resume . While it’s the norm to include a picture in most of Europe and Asia, always check the regulations for each specific country or industry you’re applying to.

All clear? Good! Now, let’s look at what a great example of a resume's contact information section looks like:

#3. Write a Resume Headline (Summary or Objective)

It's no secret that recruiters spend an average of less than seven seconds on a resume .

When you receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications daily, it's physically impossible to spend too much time on each.

So, what the hiring managers do to go through resumes more effectively is to skim through each resume and read it in depth only if it piques their interest.

This is where the resume headline comes in.

Placed right next to (or underneath) your contact information, this brief paragraph is the first thing the hiring manager is going to read on your resume.

Now, depending on how far along in your career you are, your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

So, how do you choose between a resume summary and a resume objective? Here’s all you need to know:

Resume Summary

A resume summary, as the name suggests, is a two to three-sentence summary of your career so far. If done right, it shows that you’re a qualified candidate at a glance and gets the hiring manager to give you a chance.

Here’s what your resume summary should include:

Your job title and years of experience.
A couple of your greatest professional achievements or core responsibilities.
Your most relevant skills for the job.

Here’s an example of a well-written resume summary:

Experienced Java Developer with 5 years of experience in building scalable and efficient applications. Contributed to a major project that enhanced application performance by 25%. Strong background in Spring Framework and microservices. Aiming to apply robust coding skills to develop innovative software solutions at XYZ Tech Solutions.

Unless you’re a recent graduate or amid a career change, we recommend you stick to a resume summary. Otherwise, a resume objective might be a better option for you.

Resume Objective

A resume objective is supposed to express your professional goals and aspirations, academic background, and any relevant skills you may have for the job.

It communicates your motivation for getting into a new field, so it’s the go-to headline for recent graduates and those going through a career change. As with a resume summary, a resume objective should be brief—around two to four sentences long.

So, here’s what it would look like if you’re a student:

Hard-working recent graduate with a B.A. in Graphic Design from New York State University seeking new opportunities. 3+ years of practical experience working with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, creating illustrations and UX/UI design projects. Looking to grow as a designer and perfect my art at XYZ Design Studio.

Or, on the other hand, if you’re going through a career change, it might look more like this:

IT project manager with 5+ years of experience in software development. Managed a team of developers to create products for several industries, such as FinTech and HR tech. Looking to leverage my experience in managing outsourced products as a Product Owner at Company XYZ.

#4. Prioritize Your Work Experience

The most important part of your resume is your work experience.

This is where you get to sell yourself and show off your previous accomplishments and responsibilities.

If you manage to master this section, you’ll know most of what’s there to know about how to make a resume.

There are plenty of good practices for writing your work experience . But before we dive into all the nits and grits, let's start with the basics.

The standard format for each work experience entry is as follows:

Job title/position. Your job title goes on top of each work experience entry. When the hiring manager looks at your resume, you want them to know, at a glance, that you have relevant work experience for the job.
Company name/location/description. Mention the name of the employer and the general location, such as the city and state/country where you worked. In some cases, you may also want to briefly describe the company, like when the organization isn’t particularly well-known.
Dates employed. Add the approximate timeframe of your employment at each company. You don’t need to give exact dates since the standard format for this is mm/yyyy.
Achievements and responsibilities. This is the core of each work experience entry. Depending on your field, you want to list either your achievements or responsibilities. List them in bullet points instead of paragraphs, so they’ll be easier to read.

Here’s a real-life example:

Your work experience entries should always be listed in reverse chronological order , starting with your most recent job and working your way back into the past.

Now that you know how to list your experience, we’re going to show you how to write about it in a way that makes you stand out from the competition, starting with:

Are you a student with no work experience? We’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to writing a resume with no experience here.

Focus on Achievements Whenever Possible

One of the most common resume mistakes is only listing responsibilities in your work experience section.

Here’s the thing—in most cases, the hiring manager knows exactly what your job responsibilities are.

For example, if you’re a sales manager, your responsibilities would be:

Reach out to potential clients over the phone or email.
Maintain relationships with existing company clients and upsell relevant products.
Tracking and reporting on leads in CRM.

Coincidentally, this is also the same list of responsibilities for every sales manager out there. So, 90% of all other resumes probably mention the same thing.

To stand out from the competition, you want to focus on writing achievements in your resume instead. These can be how you helped your previous company grow, reach quarterly quotas, and so on.

Let’s compare how responsibilities hold up next to achievements for the same job:

Exceeded sales team KPIs by 30%+ for 3 months straight.
Generated over $24,000 in sales in 1 month.
Generated leads through cold-calling
Managed existing company clients

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there just aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you’re a warehouse worker .

Your day-to-day responsibilities probably include:

Loading, unloading, and setting up equipment daily.
Packaging finished products and getting them ready for shipping.
Assisting in opening and closing the warehouse.

In fields like this, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself through achievements, so it’s okay to stick to responsibilities instead. You can still make them shine by following the rest of our advice about listing your work experience.

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you work in a warehouse. Your day-to-day responsibilities probably involve:

Loading, unloading and setting up equipment on a daily basis.
Package finished product and get it ready for shipping.
Assist in opening and closing the warehouse.

In such fields, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself, so it’s totally OK to stick to responsibilities instead.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Tailoring is what sets an amazing resume apart from an okay one.

Hiring managers don’t need to know about every single job you’ve ever worked at or every single skill that you have.

They only want to know about your jobs, experiences, or skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a job doing Google Ads, you don’t need to talk about your SEO internship from eight years ago.

By focusing your resume on whatever is important for the specific role, you’re a lot more likely to stand out and catch the hiring manager’s attention.

Let’s take a look at an example of a job ad:

As you can see, we’ve highlighted the most important requirements.

To tailor your resume accordingly, you just need to mention how you meet each of these requirements in your resume.

You can highlight your relevant achievements and qualifications in different parts of your resume, such as:

In your resume summary, where you should recap your years of experience.
Throughout your work experience section, where you should list achievements and responsibilities that reflect your social media marketing experience.
In your education section, where you can let the hiring manager know you have the degree that they’re looking for.

Include the Right Amount of Work Experience

If you’ve got over a decade’s worth of work experience, you’re probably wondering whether all of it belongs on your resume. In most cases, you’d end up writing a novel if you listed everything you’ve ever done, and that’s not how long a resume should be .

If you’re new to the job market, on the other hand, you probably don’t have any experience, and you’re wondering what you could even add to this section.

So, here’s how much information your resume should include, depending on your level of experience:

No experience. If you’re looking for your first job , you won’t have any work experience to fill this section with. So, you can either keep it empty and focus on all the other sections or fill it up with any experience gained in student organizations, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and other projects.
Entry-level. List all your work experience so far. While some of it won’t be relevant, it can still show the hiring manager that you do have some actual work experience.
Mid-level. Only mention relevant work experience to the position you’re applying for. There’s no need to waste space on jobs that aren’t related to what you’re after.
Senior-level. List up to 15 years of relevant work experience, tops. If your most recent experience is as a marketing executive , the hiring manager doesn’t care how you started your career as a junior marketing specialist 23 years ago.

Consider Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

Did you know that over 70% of resumes don’t even make it to the hiring manager ?

Most companies these days use ATS to evaluate hundreds of resumes instantaneously and automatically filter out the ones that don’t meet their criteria.

For example, if a resume doesn’t mention a specific skill or isn’t formatted correctly, the ATS will automatically reject it.

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to make an ATS-friendly resume .

Here are a couple of tips to help you get past those pesky robots:

Stick to one page. Sometimes employers set a limit on how long a resume should be. This means that if your resume is longer than one page, it might get automatically disqualified.
Incorporate keywords. Tailoring your resume to the job helps a ton with beating the ATS. Just carefully read the job description to find hints for what the ATS will be looking for. Then, whenever you find keywords related to your responsibilities and achievements, make sure to include them in your work experience section.
Use an active voice. Passive voice is too vague and unclear, so make sure to use active voice as much as possible when describing your previous jobs. (E.g.: “Managed a team of ten people,” instead of “ A team of ten people was managed by me.” )
Leverage powerful action words. Instead of starting each of your sentences with “was responsible for," make your work experience impactful by using words that can grab attention. Saying that you “spearheaded” or “facilitated” something sounds a lot more impressive than “helped.”

Want to make sure your resume formatting passes the ATS test? Choose one of our tried and tested ATS-friendly resume templates , and you’ll be good to go!

#5. List Your Education

The next section on your resume is dedicated to your academic qualifications. Let’s start with the basics!

Here’s how you should format the education section on your resume :

Program Name. Your major and degree type should be listed. (E.g.: “B.A. in Business Administration” )
University Name. Add the name of the institution. (E.g.: “New York State University” )
Dates Attended. Use a mm/yyyy format for the dates you attended. (E.g.: “08/2008 - 06/2012” )
Location. If your university is less well-known, you can also add the location. (E.g.: “Stockholm, Sweden” )
GPA. Use the appropriate grading system for the country you’re applying to work in. (E.g.: In the USA, it would be “3.9 GPA” )
Honors. Add any honors and distinctions you’ve been given. (E.g.: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude )
Achievements. You can mention interesting papers you’ve written, projects you’ve done, or relevant coursework you’ve excelled in.
Minor. “Minor in Psychology”

Pretty simple, right? Now let’s see what an education section looks like in practice:

This example includes all the necessary information, plus an eye-catching award and relevant classes this candidate has taken.

Resume Education Tips

Now that you know how to list your education on your resume, let’s take this section to the next level.

Just follow these expert tips:

If you’re making a resume as a student and don’t have any work experience yet, you can list your education section at the beginning of the page instead of work experience.
You can add your expected graduation date if you’re still pursuing your degree.
If you already have relevant work experience, just keep this section short and sweet. Recent graduates can expand on their education more and add optional information like projects, classes, academic achievements, etc.
Always list your degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest degree on top. Your highest and most recent degree is usually enough, so if you have a Master’s degree that’s relevant to the job, there’s no need to mention your earlier degrees.
Don’t add your high school degree to your resume if you already have a university degree. It doesn’t have as much weight, and you can use the space for something else.
Only mention your GPA if you had an impressive academic career. Anything below a 3.5 GPA doesn’t need to be on your resume.

Are you in the process of applying for college? Check out our guide to writing a college application resume to wow that admissions officer!

#6. Emphasize Your Know-How in the Skills Section

After your work experience, your skills are the first thing the hiring manager is going to look for. In fact, together, work experience and skills make up 90% of the hiring decision .

So, this is the place where you want to mention all the know-how that makes you the perfect candidate for the job.

There are two types of skills you can include when writing your resume:

Hard Skills. These are measurable abilities. What you can list here can be anything from coding in Python to knowing how to cook Thai cuisine.
Soft Skills. Also known as personal skills, these are a mix of communication skills , personal traits, career attributes, and more. They can include leadership, critical thinking, and time management , just to name a few.

Your resume should always cover both hard skills and soft skills . Here’s an example in action:

Now, let’s discuss how you should list your most important skills on your resume.

There are a few essential steps you need to follow:

Always List Hard and Soft Skills Separately

Your resume should be easy and neat to navigate. The hiring manager shouldn’t have to waste time looking for a specific skill because you didn’t separate it into the appropriate subsection.

So, just create separate categories for your hard and soft skills.

Depending on your field, you could customize the name of your “hard skills” subsection to something like “technical skills," “marketing skills," or something else related to your field.

Let’s look at an example of what skills look like on a project manager’s resume :

Methodologies & Tools

Agile Methodology
SCRUM Framework
Waterfall Project Management
Microsoft Project
Critical Path Method (CPM)
Earned Value Management (EVM)
Risk Management

Soft Skills

Team Management
Conflict Resolution
Negotiation

Tailor Your Skills to the Job

You might have some awesome skills, but the hiring manager only needs to know about the ones that are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant, your gourmet chef skills shouldn’t be on your resume.

Look at the job ad and list at least two to three essential skills you have that are required for the role. Remember—there’s no need to list every skill you have here; just keep it relevant.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design or a related field.
Tech-savvy, with some background in CMS systems such as WordPress.
Thrives in a stressful environment and juggles multiple tasks and deadlines.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Self-reliant, with the ability to manage their own work.
A can-do attitude and an outside-the-box thinker.
Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages.
Basic understanding of Office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

So, the must-have hard skills here are Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages. Other good computer skills to have are WordPress or similar CMS systems.

While you can also mention Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, it’s pretty much assumed that you know how to use them since they’re required for most office jobs.

List Hard Skills with Experience Levels

For each hard skill you list on your resume, you should also mention your proficiency level. This tells employers what they can expect from you and how much training you might need.

Beginner. You have some experience with the skill, whether it’s from some entry-level practice or classroom education.
Intermediate. You’ve used the skill in a work environment with good understanding.
Advanced. You’re the go-to person for this skill in your office. You can coach other employees, and you understand the skill at a high level.
Expert. You’ve applied this skill to more than a handful of different projects and organizations. You’re the go-to person for advice about the skill, not just in your office but even amongst some of the best professionals in your field.

Just make sure to never lie about your actual skill level. Even if you get the job, once you need those skills you exaggerated, it will be pretty awkward for both you and your employer.

Include Transferable Skills

These are the types of skills that are useful for almost any job out there.

Transferable skills can be both soft skills (e.g.: teamwork, creativity, problem-solving skills, and others) and hard skills (MS Office Suite, HTML, writing, etc.)

Whatever job you’re applying to, chances are you have transferable skills from your experience that can come in handy one way or another. So, feel free to include them, even if they’re not specifically required for the position.

Not sure which skills to mention on your resume for your specific field? Check out our list of 101+ essential skills for inspiration!

#7. Leverage Optional Resume Sections

The sections we’ve covered so far are must-haves for any resume. They’re the bread-and-butter for any job application, and if you get them right, you’ll land any job you apply to.

But if you have some leftover space, there are a few optional sections you can choose from to give your resume a boost!

Are you bi-lingual? Or even better – multi-lingual? You should always mention that on your resume!

Even if the position doesn’t require you to know a specific language, it can still come in handy at some point. At the end of the day, it’s always better to know more languages than less.

To list languages in your resume , just write them down and assign them the appropriate level:

Intermediate

You can also use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scales.

As a given, you should never lie about your language skills. You never know—your interviewer might turn out to be fluent in the language or even be a native speaker!

Hobbies and Interests

If you want to spice up your resume, hobbies and interests could be just what you need.

While this section isn’t a game-changer, it can help the hiring manager see who you are as an individual.

For example, if you listed “teamwork” as one of your skills, hobbies like team sports can back up your claim.

And who knows? Maybe you and your interviewer have some hobbies or interests in common!

Volunteering Experience

If you’re the type of person who devotes their free time to helping others while expecting nothing in return, chances are that you’re the type of employee who’s in it for more than just the money.

Seeing volunteer experience on your resume tells hiring managers that you’re a loyal employee who’s after something meaningful.

Several studies show that listing your volunteer experience can boost your chances of getting hired, especially if you have little to no work experience.

Certifications

Hiring managers love candidates who invest in themselves, and that’s exactly what they see when you list certifications on your resume .

If you value continuous learning and strive to expand your skill set, that’s always a plus.

Certifications can also show employers how much expertise you have.

For example, if you’re a Microsoft Cloud Engineer and you specialize in Microsoft Technologies, you should definitely include all essential certifications on your resume, such as the Azure Solutions Architect Expert one.

Awards and Recognitions

There’s no harm in showing off a little on your resume. After all, you want to be a candidate that shines above the rest.

So, if you’ve received any awards or recognitions that make you stand out in your field, make sure to add them.

For example, if you’ve been recognized for your contributions to data science or received a hard-to-come-by scholarship , mention it in your resume. Just keep your entries here relevant to the field you’re applying to.

Publications

Whether you’re a freelance writer or a distinguished academic, publications are always impressive.

If you have any published works (online or in an academic journal), you can add them to your resume. Just make sure to include a link so the hiring manager knows where to check your work!

Are you looking for a career in academia? Check out our guide to writing the perfect academic CV to get started!

Working on side projects can show off your passion for your field. Whether they’re university class projects or part-time entrepreneurial endeavors, they’re relevant.

For example, if you worked on a mock software product as part of a university competition, it shows you went through every step of product creation, from ideation to creating a marketing strategy.

This project also shows off your organizational skills , and if you mention it in your resume, you stand a better chance of landing the job you had your sights set on.

But projects can also be personal, not academic. For example, you might manage an Etsy store where you sell hand-made arts and crafts to customers online. This is a great opportunity to highlight your creativity, management, and customer service skills .

Overall, hiring managers love employees who do cool work in their free time, so projects are always a great section to add to your resume.

Looking to kickstart your career? Check out our guide on how to get an internship for useful tips and real-life examples!

Extracurricular Activities

Every college freshman knows that extracurricular experience can make a difference in their application.

Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience outside of school, extracurricular activities are a great way to show potential employers your skills and give them insight into you as a person. Different clubs and after-school projects can help you gain real-life skills and considerably increase your chances of landing your first job after college.

For example, joining a student government organization can hone your leadership skills and teach you how to work as part of a team.

For example, if you’re part of a student government or public speaking club, these activities can help you hone your leadership and presentation skills.

11+ Expert Resume Tips

You’ve got the gist of how to make a resume. Now, it’s time to make it really stand out from the crowd!

Follow these exclusive resume tips to take your resume game to the next level:

Match the professional title underneath your name to the job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role you’re after helps things go smoother.
Mention any promotions from your previous jobs. Use the work experience entries for them to focus on the achievements that helped you earn them.
Describe your achievements using Laszlo Bock’s formula : accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z . This way, your work experience can go the extra mile and show the hiring manager what you can bring to the table.
Always list your achievements and responsibilities in concise bullet points. This makes your resume more reader-friendly, and it’s more likely that the hiring manager will see your impressive achievements at a glance.
Don’t use personal pronouns like “I” or “me,” and don’t refer to yourself by name. Stick to a slightly altered third person, like “managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.” instead of “he managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.”
Name your resume sections correctly, or it might get rejected by the ATS. Swapping out quirky names like “career history” or “expertise” for “work experience” and "skills" makes it easier for the hiring manager to find what they’re looking for, too.
Prioritize important keywords instead of adding all of them. Make sure the relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences you add all make sense in context, too. Your goal is to get past the ATS and impress the hiring manager.
Focus on transferable skills if you don’t have a lot of relevant work experience. Any extracurricular activities or personal projects can help you stand out here.
Add a strategic pop of color to headings, bullet points, or key elements you want to highlight. It can help your resume stand out, but don’t overdo it—you want the information to be more impressive than the color palette.
Don’t include the line “references available upon request.” Hiring managers already know they can request a list of references from you, so there’s no need to waste valuable space on it.
Make sure your resume is optimized for mobile viewing. Most hiring managers use their mobile phones as often as desktop computers, so save your resume to a PDF file and make sure your formatting stays intact across any device.
Rename the resume file you plan to send so it includes your name and the name of the position you’re applying for. It’s a small detail that can turn into a crucial mistake if you forget it.
Read your resume out loud when you’re done. This is a great way to catch awkward phrases or spelling mistakes you might have missed otherwise.
Use a tool like DocSend to track your resume. You’ll get a notification any time someone opens your resume, and you can see how long they spend reading it.

FREE Resume Checklist

Are you already done with your resume? Let’s see how it holds up!

Go through our checklist for perfecting your resume and see where you stand!

If you missed some points, just go through your resume one more time and perfect it.

And if you ☑’d everything—congrats! You’ve learned all there is to know about writing a resume, and you’re good to go with your job search.

Need to write a CV instead of a resume? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to write a CV with dozens of examples!

9 Resume Templates for Different Industries

Looking to create an effective resume without dealing with the formatting hassle? Just choose one of the templates below.

#1. Traditional Resume Template

Good for traditional industries like finance, banking, law, and manufacturing.

#2. Modern Resume Template

Good for both contemporary and forward-looking industries, including entrepreneurship, medical technology, and engineering.

#3. Creative Resume Template

Good for creative industries, including entertainment, design, and architecture.

#4. Minimalistic Resume Template

Good for experienced professionals in basically any industry who want to let their achievements do the talking.

#5. IT Resume Template

Good for any IT-related profession like software development, cyber security, and DevOps engineering.

#6. Tech Resume Template

Good for the tech industry and everything it encompasses.

#7. College Resume Template

Good for college students and recent graduates alike.

#8. General Resume Template

Good for multiple industries, including HR, education, and customer service.

#9. Executive Resume Template

Good for senior professionals across different industries, including hospitality, marketing, and logistics.

17+ Resumes for Different Jobs

Knowing how to write a resume is one thing, but making a resume that stands out is something entirely different. Without inspiration, even top career experts might stumble on a roadblock or two.

Check out the following effective resume examples for specific jobs to get a better sense of what a good resume looks like:

#1. Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a nurse resume here.

#2. Data Scientist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a data scientist resume here.

#3. Business Analyst Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a business analyst resume here.

#4. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a digital marketing resume here.

#5. Software Engineer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer resume here.

#6. Construction Project Manager Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a construction project manager resume here.

#7. Customer Service Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a customer service resume here.

#8. High School Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a high school resume here.

#9. Student Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a student resume here.

#10. Server Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a server resume here.

#11. Actor Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an actor resume here.

#12. Web Developer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a web developer resume here.

#13. Engineering Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an engineering resume here.

#14. Computer Science Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a computer science resume here.

#15. Architect Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a data analyst resume here.

#17. Remote Job Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a remote job resume here.

#18. Sales Associate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a sales associate resume here.

#19. Receptionist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist resume here.

Want to see more examples? Check out our compilation of 80+ resume examples for different fields .

Administrative Assistant Resume
Bartender Resume
DevOps Engineer Resume
Executive Assistant Resume
Flight Attendant Resume
Graphic Designer Resume
Paralegal Resume
Pharmacist Resume
Recruiter Resume
Supervisor Resume

Next Steps After Your Resume

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to make a resume, it’s time to talk about the rest of your job application.

After all, your resume is only the first step in your job search. To land the job you deserve, you also need to write a captivating cover letter and ace that upcoming interview. Here’s how:

#1. How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter

The companion piece to every resume is the cover letter.

Most job-seekers flinch when they hear that they have to write a cover letter. What do you even mention in a cover letter, anyway? If you were good at writing cover letters, you’d be applying for a job as a writer !

In reality, though, writing a cover letter is very simple once you know its purpose.

Think of your cover letter as a direct message to the hiring manager. It’s your chance to briefly explain why you’re such an awesome fit for the position. And with a few cover letter tips to point you in the right direction, you’ll write the perfect cover letter for your job application.

Just follow this structure:

Add the contact details. Include the same contact information as on your resume, plus additional contact details for the hiring manager, including their name, job title, the company’s name, and location.
Introduce yourself. Start your cover letter by mentioning who you are, what your work experience is, and why you’re interested in the position. Mention a standout achievement or two, relevant skills, and what you’d like to do for the company you’re applying for.
Explain why you’d excel at the job. Find the requirements in the job ad that you meet, and elaborate on how you fulfill the most important ones. Research the company so you know what you like about it, and mention it in your cover letter. Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for the job and confidence that you’ll be a great fit for their team.
Wrap it up politely. Conclude your cover letter by recapping your key selling points and thanking the hiring manager for their time. Then add a call to action, such as “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided phone number so that we can discuss my application in greater detail.” Then, add a closing line and follow it with your full name.

Sounds easy, right? Here’s a real-life example to drive the point home:

Do you need more help perfecting your cover letter? Learn what the most common cover letter mistakes are and check out cover letter examples for all professions here.

#2. How to Ace Your Next Interview

Once you’ve perfected both your resume and cover letter, there’s only one thing left.

It’s time for the final step—the dreaded job interview.

Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert, you probably hate the interviewing process. No matter how experienced you are, it can be nerve-wracking. Sitting there while someone’s prodding into your past experiences and judging you isn’t fun.

But did you know that most interviewers ask the same questions?

That’s right—all you have to do is learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions, and you’ll be an interview away from landing your dream job!

Just check out our complete guide to the 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers and learn how to ace your next interview.

FAQs on How to Make a Resume

Do you still have some questions about making a resume? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions below!

#1. What does a good resume look like in 2024?

For your resume to look good in 2024, make sure it’s organized and clean and isn’t longer than one page.

Be sure to include information that adds value to your application—leave out the focus on your relevant work experience and skills that you can back up, and list as many achievements as possible.

If you’re using a resume template, choose one based on your industry. Conservative industries like law, banking, and business require more traditional resume templates. But if you’re going for an industry like design, architecture, or marketing, you can go for a creative resume template .

Remote work is also big in 2024, so if that’s what you’re after, tailor your resume to match the job you want.

#2. How do you make a resume in Word?

The best way to create a resume in Word is to use a pre-designed Microsoft Word template. To access them, you should:

Open MS Word
Click “file” from the menu bar
Select “new”
Type “resume templates” in the search bar

That said, Word resume templates are generic, hard to personalize, and overall not very stylish.

Want a resume that looks good and is extremely easy to make? Check out resume templates to get started!

#3. How do I write a resume for my first job?

If you’re writing your first-ever resume for an entry-level position, the hiring manager won’t expect you to have any work experience.

However, you can make up for your lack of experience with your skills and academic achievements.

For example, you can take advantage of extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering experiences, and other non-professional experiences. You can use them to highlight the skills you’ve gained and what you’ve achieved so far.

So, your first job resume should have a resume objective, emphasize your education, and replace your work experience with any internships, volunteering, independent projects, or other experiences.

#4. How to make a resume on Google Docs?

You can make a resume on Google Docs by choosing one of their templates and filling it in on the go.

All you have to do is go to your Google Drive’s template gallery, choose your preferred template, fill in your information, and your Google Docs resume is ready to go!

That said, Google Docs templates aren’t the most user-friendly choice. You don’t have much flexibility with the layout and formatting isn’t that easy. For example, you tweak a section to the slightest, and the whole resume becomes a mess.

If you want an easier option, check out our resume builder !

#5. What kind of resume do employers prefer?

Typically, employers prefer one-page-long resumes that follow the reverse chronological format.

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes every day, so they don't have the time to read three-page resumes. Try one of our one-page resume templates so you don’t go over the recommended resume length.

Meanwhile, the reverse-chronological format is the most popular because it draws attention to your most recent jobs and professional achievements, which is the #1 most important thing hiring managers look at when evaluating a resume.

#6. How many jobs should you put on your resume?

You should only include relevant job positions on your resume.

This means that your work experience section should be tailored to the job you are applying for. If you’ve worked five different jobs and they can all add value to your current application, then you should include all five.

If, on the other hand, you’re applying for, say, a customer service position and some of your past jobs don’t have anything to do with customer service, you should skip them.

#7. Should I put my address on my resume?

You can put your location (city, state, or country) on your resume, but you don’t need to put your entire physical address.

Putting a physical address on a resume was the norm back when companies would contact you via mail. In today’s world, everyone communicates via email, which is why adding a correct and professional email address to your contact information section is far more important than putting your physical address.

So, just include your location or-–if you’re a remote worker—specify you prefer to work remotely by writing “working remotely from [location].”

#8. What information should I leave out of my resume?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t include your birthday or your headshot on your resume. This norm varies from country to country but it applies to the USA, Canada, and UK.

If you have plenty of achievements to list under your work experience, then you can leave your basic work responsibilities out of your resume.

In your education section, you should only include your highest and most recent degree. So, if you hold a Ph.D., you can list that and your Master’s degree and leave your Bachelor’s degree and high school diploma out.

Finally, leave out any skills that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for.

#9. Is a resume a CV?

Depending on where you are, a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a resume might be completely different things.

In most of the world, though, including Europe and Asia, they are used interchangeably for the same document. Both CVs and resumes are one to two pages long, and list skills and experiences relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Sometimes more detailed resumes that go over one page are referred to as CVs. These are typically only used by senior professionals, executives, CEOs, etc.

In the USA, however, a CV is a completely different document. Typically, CVs are detailed and comprehensive documents that highlight your entire academic and professional history. They’re often used for academic, scientific, or research positions, which is why this type of CV can also be referred to as an academic CV.

You can create your CV using one of our CV templates !

#10. Should I write my own resume?

Yes, you should always write your own resume.

Your resume is your opportunity to show the hiring manager your communication, writing, and presentation skills . Employers also evaluate you based on how effectively you can convey information about yourself, and there’s no one that can represent you better than yourself.

Writing your own resume lets you introduce yourself authentically. You have the best understanding of your skills and experiences, and you can personalize them to make your resume stand out.

And, as a bonus, the experience of writing your resume yourself can be reflective and insightful, so it might help you understand your professional journey and career goals better.

#11. Can a resume be two pages?

Generally, we strongly recommend that your resume stick to one page.

Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes every day, and keeping your resume to one page increases the odds that they’ll see your qualifications faster.

In some cases, like when you have a lot of relevant experience, your resume can go over two pages. But this exception is reserved for senior professionals with over a decade of relevant experience and tons of skills and achievements that simply can’t fit on one page.

#12. Is a simple resume okay?

Absolutely, a simple resume is often more than okay—it's preferable.

Before your resume even gets to the hiring manager, a complicated layout could get it rejected by the applicant tracking system (ATS). A simple resume template can help get your application straight to the hiring manager.

A clean layout can also make sure that your resume is easily readable and looks professional. This can focus the hiring manager's attention on your work experience and skills without excessive clutter or flashy colors to distract them.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

If you’ve followed all of our advice until now, congrats! You’re probably an expert on how to make a resume.

To recap, let’s go through some of the most important lessons we’ve learned so far...

Use the right resume builder to make the process as smooth as possible. You don’t want to mess around with formatting for hours before even starting to work on your resume!
Focus on your achievements over responsibilities. This can help you stand out from all the other applicants, especially if you back your claims up with data.
Include all the must-have sections, like the resume summary, work experience, education, and skills. Then leverage optional sections if you have leftover space.
Tailor your resume for the job you’re applying for. Everything listed on your resume should be relevant to the specific job you’re applying for, and you should write a new resume for every new job application.
Take the time to perfect your cover letter. It’s just as important as your resume, so make sure you pay as much attention to it!

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How to Write an Effective Resume

September 14, 2020

Download this guide in PDF format

In this guide, you’ll learn how to create an effective resume. You’ll learn strategies for tailoring your resume to the role you’re pursuing, and how to effectively present your skills and experience—whether you’re a new-job seeker or a mid-career professional switching to a new field. You will learn about templates and formats and understand the structure of every core section of a successful resume.

An effective resume needs to present all the important information about you as a professional in a concise and clear way. Format and content are both important. Prior to diving into the details of resume structure, you’ll first want to have a clear understanding of what you are trying to communicate. It’s also important to keep your focus on what matters to the employer and do everything you can to tailor your resume to the role.

Focus on what’s important to the employer

Before writing your resume, try to consider the employer’s point of view. What do they want to know? Answering this question will enable you to focus on the information that is going to be relevant to the employer. This, in turn, increases your chances of getting their attention.

When applying to a specific role, carefully read the job description. This will help you understand specifically what the employer is looking for. If you want to gather additional insights, review multiple job descriptions to see what shows up repeatedly. This will help you gain a broader understanding of the role. Another great way to understand the needs of your potential employer is to schedule networking conversations with industry professionals who can share their experiences and insights.

Keep in mind that focusing on what’s relevant to the employer might mean omitting details about your skills and experiences that are significant to you but are not directly relevant to the role. Deciding what to not include on your resume can be as important as deciding what to include. Irrelevant information might distract or confuse a reader, potentially making them more likely to discard your resume.

Tailor your resume to a role

It is essential that you tailor your resume to each job that you apply for. Even if your target roles have the same general set of requirements—and even if your skills and experience are broadly applicable—you should still adjust the order of your qualifications to match the order on the job description. In this way, you’re putting what’s most important to each employer at the top.

If you can, try to match the language of the job description. For example, if you have a resume built around recruiting, and you are applying for a talent acquisition role, replace “recruiting” with “talent acquisition” on your resume. Shifting to the employer’s terminology can help them relate to you. This approach can also help prevent you from being filtered out by automated software that relies on keywords to match your resume to the job description and to determine whether it should be passed on to a recruiter or discarded.

Tip : Keep in mind that resumes are traditionally written in the third person without the use of personal pronouns.

Different Types of Job Seekers

Your resume strategy will differ at different stages of your career journey. Someone seeking their first role will need to use a different approach than someone looking to make a mid-career switch to a new field. In both of these scenarios, you have to communicate your value despite not having experience in the field, but your strategy will differ depending on what information you have available to share.

You can use the recommendations in this section to understand how to communicate your value to an employer in a way that’s appropriate to your skills and experience.

Career changers

If you are an experienced professional but are looking to start a career in a new field, your background can provide you with a unique perspective, and can potentially help you stand out as a candidate. At the same time, you will need to be conscious about clearly establishing yourself as a qualified professional in your new field. Remember that your application will most likely be reviewed alongside applications from people with directly relevant experience, so you need to make it clear to the employer why they should consider you for the role over those candidates.

Here are some key things to keep in mind as you build your resume:

Focus on your transferable skills and experiences and highlight the advantages of your diverse background .

When describing your past experiences, focus on what’s relevant to your new career, and don’t over-elaborate on less relevant details. For example, if you’ve been managing a restaurant and are now shifting into IT support, your customer service skills will be crucial, while your ability to manage staff won’t be as relevant. If, as a restaurant manager, you maintained your computer network and electronics, that will be important to discuss on your resume as well—even if it was a minor component of your role. Finally, try to point out how your background—despite being in a different field—is actually an advantage. For example, you might highlight how the commercial awareness you developed as a restaurant manager can help you understand business needs when prioritizing your work as an IT support professional.

Adopt the terminology of your new industry.

Get familiar with the language, terms, and jargon of your new industry and demonstrate this familiarity by using industry-specific words and phrases in your resume. This will make it easier for the reader to understand how your experience is relevant for them, and give them confidence about your engagement with your new field. For example, if you’ve run your own business in the past and are now looking for a role in marketing, use terms such as “marketing funnel” and “nurturing leads” when discussing your past marketing activities—even if you weren’t thinking in those terms at the time.

New Professionals

People who are looking for their first job, and who don’t yet have professional experience to describe, might struggle with how to fill their resumes. When this is the case, you can leverage non-professional experiences such as coursework, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and life experiences (travel, caretaking, and more) as a means to demonstrate to the employer how you overcome challenges, solve problems, and achieve results.

It’s important to remember that the employer only knows what’s on your resume. If you think something will help you make your case to a prospective employer, you need to find a way to include that information on your resume. Use sections such as Projects, Volunteer Work, Relevant Experiences as alternatives to Professional Experience for that purpose.

Templates and Layouts

Now that you have an idea of what you want to communicate on your resume, you can start filling out the details. You can design your own resume or use an existing template. There are many templates available online, and you can access them by typing “resume templates” into your favorite search engine. You can also find Google Doc templates by going to Google Docs and clicking Template Gallery at the top right.

Tip: Whether you actually use a Google Doc template or not, it’s a good idea to design your resume in Google Docs. It will enable you to easily share, get feedback, and download your resume in a convenient format.

You can use your personal taste and preferences when selecting a template, but it’s also important to consider the following factors:

Ease of reading : Your resume needs to make a great impression and communicate all your most important information in a very short amount of time. Make sure sections are clearly organized and that the font is easy to read, and use margins and white space to prevent the document from feeling cramped.
Simple design . Your resume needs to be easily comprehended by both humans and applicant tracking systems (ATS)—the software that companies use to store and retrieve candidate information. ATS’s vary, but many cannot parse graphs and other visual elements, meaning that information contained in them will be lost. Simple designs relying on well-organized text are best.
Length. Your resume should be one page, unless you have at least 10-15 years of relevant (not total) experience. Two-column resume templates are appropriate for one-page resumes. Two-page resumes should use the entire width of the page.

Resume Sections

Before you start filling out your resume, you’ll need to decide which sections to include, and in what order. There are core components that should be in every resume. There are also optional components you may want to include, depending on your skills and experience, and the roles you’re applying for. Adjust your template by moving, adding, removing, and renaming sections as necessary.

Core resume sections include contact information, a professional summary, and details about your skills, experience, and education. Make sure to use section labels to help the reader easily navigate through your resume. In terms of order, this will often depend on what you want to highlight to your employer. A recent graduate might want to put their education first, whereas a working professional would lead with their experience. Optional sections could include information on projects, publications, volunteer experience, awards and honors, patents, languages, and more. Let’s take a closer look at each section of a typical resume.

Individual Resume Sections

This is the section at the top of your resume that includes your contact information. Your name is the only part of your resume that should be spelled out in a larger font than the rest of your document. Your contact information should include:

city, state, zip (no street address for privacy purposes)
phone number, email address
LinkedIn profile URL
Optional: personal website, GitHub (for technical roles), portfolio (for creative roles)

The Summary section will always be located at the top of your resume immediately following the Header. It should be brief (3-5 lines) and clearly articulate what makes you a great candidate for the role, as well as what makes you stand out from your competition. The Summary sets the context for the rest of the document by calling out the most important things for the reader to know about you.

While there are many ways to write a summary, consider the following format, focusing on your core expertise, strengths, and what sets you apart from others.

Sentence 1: Describe yourself by role and competencies. This is where you provide your professional introduction. Examples:

Digital Marketing Manager with expert level knowledge of SEO, Social, PPC, and GMB.
Talent Acquisition expert with 4+ years of experience in the medical device industry.

Tip: If you are changing careers, describe yourself using your desired title. For example, if you are shifting from QA Analytics to Project Management, describe yourself as a Project Manager. You can add “with background in QA Analytics” to acknowledge that part of your career.

Sentence 2 : Connect your expertise to your value prop. This is where you define how your unique skills will make you a valuable asset to the company. Examples:

Proficient in creating and editing graphics, figures, and illustrations. Consistently able to create high-quality marketing assets that drive conversions.
Able to source for full range of positions from administrative to executive level. Able to create a seamless recruiting and hiring process for managers, and consistently present top-quality candidates.

Sentence 3: Include a differentiator. You are likely competing against other people with similar skills, so it’s important to provide a clear reason why an employer should select your resume. Examples:

Known for the ability to eloquently present point of view to clients, prospects, and colleagues with expertise, confidence, and clarity.
Consistently noted in performance reviews as being able to present to clients, prospects and colleagues, with expertise, confidence, and clarity.
Received 8 awards for customer service excellence.

Tip : Instead of using the word “Summary” to label this section, use a professional headline to help to set the tone for the rest of the document. For example: “Experienced SEO Manager” or “Android Developer | Medical Devices.”

Immediately below the Summary you should have a list of your core areas of expertise, and your specific skills.

For a non-technical role , include 4-8 short bullets detailing your core skills (also known as Areas of Expertise) organized in two or three columns. To decide what goes on this list, think of what the employer would primarily hire you for. Focus on quantifiable skills like copywriting, agile project management, Google Analytics, or sales funnel management. Keep in mind that skills like communication, time management, and collaboration—which are harder to quantify, and are claimed by most people—are not as effective on a resume.

Tip : When tailoring your resume to a specific role, the Skills section is your first opportunity to line up with the job description.

For a technical role , it’s important to list out all of your relevant technical skills. If you find that your list is too long to list out each item in a separate bullet, then organize your skills by type—software, programming languages, hardware, data analytics, or any other categories that apply.

Professional Experience Section

The Professional Experience section is uniquely important because it tells the story of what you’ve done in your career. For employers, this is a strong indicator of what you will be able to do for them.

The Professional Experience section should list your roles (company, job title, location, employment dates) in reverse chronological order. If you have significant professional experience, limit your resume to the past 10-15 years, as that is what is most relevant to the employer.

Ideally, you want to list three to six roles on your resume that demonstrate progress on your career journey. Under each role, you should list your responsibilities and accomplishments in bullets. Responsibilities describe what you were supposed to do, and accomplishments are the specific outcomes that demonstrate how well you performed your role.

Your most recent role should feature the most detail, with four to six bullets of no more than two lines each. Older roles should provide less information. Begin each bullet with an action verb that puts you in control. Include numbers to show the scope of your role and impact—how many leads did you convert, how much revenue growth did you drive, how many new hires did onboard, how large was the team you managed, and more.

Tip: Avoid chronological gaps in your Professional Experience. If you spent more than six months out of the workforce at any point—whether intentionally (for caregiving purposes or travel) or unintentionally (unemployment)—explain on your resume what you did during that time. Particularly highlight any activities relevant to your professional life, such as independent study, projects, and part-time or volunteer work.

Example

Big Box Story, Service Associate, Middleton, CA 01/2015 – 02/2016

Provided customer service during checkout transactions and assisted customer questions and concerns in a big-box retail
Earned 8 Employee of the Week awards in one year on a team of 100+ associates
Enrolled over 200 consumers in new credit cards within a 15-month time frame (4x average rate)
Received “Certificate of Excellence” for success at upselling to customers

Education Section

In this section, include degrees beyond high-school in reverse chronological order (include your high-school information only if you don’t have any education or training beyond it). For each entry in the Education section, list the degree, institution, location, and date of completion.

Tip : You can include pending or incomplete degrees by marking them as “In progress” or “Incomplete”—if you do so, make sure to include information on the classes/work you did complete.

Finalize Your Resume

Once you’ve completed your resume using the guidance in this document, try to have someone proofread it for you. Recruiters consistently say they will discard resumes with typos, even if the resume is in great shape otherwise.

Tip : Consider asking a few people you trust—especially those familiar with your work—to provide feedback on the content. Don’t feel obligated to incorporate all the feedback you receive, but be open to recommendations that can help enhance the quality of your resume.

In conclusion, please keep in mind that, while there is no such thing as a perfect resume, you can use this guide to create an effective resume that avoids common problems and pitfalls. As you progress in your job search, remember that your resume is a living document. You can make revisions based on any feedback you receive, but try to avoid losing valuable time trying to over-optimize. Focus on your skills and experience, present yourself in the best light possible, and get ready to land that next role!

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10 Ways to Improve Your Resume

Your resume is often a first impression for potential employers. Make it a good one with these tips.

[Featured image] A person with curly hair and glasses works on a resume on a pink laptop computer.

Whether you are creating a resume for your first job or applying for a role in a new company or industry, your resume often creates the first impression an employer has of you, your skills, and your potential. Make that first impression a winning one with a few enhancements and priority updates.

10 winning resume updates

Use these 10 tips to highlight your credentials, qualifications, experience, and accomplishments in one document.

1. Select the best template for your skills, experience, and goals.

While you can build a strong resume on a blank document, consider using a template from a graphic design tool like Canva to build your resume, giving it a more eye-catching appearance.

When choosing the design and layout , think about the following:

The role you’re applying for, and the job description. For example, a graphic designer might choose a bold, colorful template, while someone in accounting or finance might prefer a more traditional or corporate layout.

The aspects of your professional history that are the most relevant

Besides your name and contact information, the sections you'll need include education, previous employment and professional experience, tools you are trained to use, technical skills , certifications and courses you’ve completed, awards you’ve received, and hobbies and interests.

How to position these sections within the template in the most advantageous way

2. Add skills or areas of expertise near or below your name.

Summarize who you are as a professional before providing all of the details. This section can take up two or three lines on your resume and should include your area of expertise, such as “design thinking specialist” or “investigative journalist,” and a list of your most relevant skills.

For each job you apply to, think about which skills the employer would most likely hire you for, and include those. You can often determine what's most important to the potential employer by examining the job listing. Try to keep your skills list specific and quantifiable, for example, "Agile project management" or "Python programming."

Read more: What Skills Should I Include on My Resume?

3. Include a robust and compelling objective.

In addition to conveying confidence in your abilities, this section can demonstrate to employers that you are intentional about your career and the application you are submitting.

A resume objective can expand what you include in your area of expertise section by listing your professional goals and what you’d like to contribute to the company to which you’re applying.

4. Display your online presence.

Near your name and contact information, list any online accounts you have that can showcase your interests, passions, or previous work. The list could include social media, an online portfolio, or your website.

Be sure to remove anything from your online accounts that you don’t want a potential employer to view. Post content that may be relevant to the job you’re applying for or that is your original work.

Read more: How to Use LinkedIn - A Guide to Online Networking

5. Use relevant keywords.

One of the most important things to get your resume seen is to use keywords optimized for the applicant tracking systems (ATS) that recruiters and employers use to find prospective employees. An ATS allows recruiters to process hundreds of resumes for relevant keywords and narrow down the pool of applicants they’ll invite to an interview.

Find the best keywords by:

Reviewing the job listing for keywords

Googling “[industry] keywords” and making a list of the most relevant ones

Using a free ATS to scan your resume for opportunities to optimize your keywords

Using industry-specific terms and jargon also demonstrates your familiarity with your new field.

Read more: Resume Keywords: How to Find the Right Words to Beat the ATS

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6. Use action verbs.

In conjunction with your ATS keyword research, use action verbs , such as “managed,” “implemented,” or “developed,” to describe the tasks you performed or projects you completed in previous roles. Action verbs are a great way to specify your experience and emphasize your technical skills.

Here’s an example a cybersecurity analyst might use: “Implemented a backup system to add a layer of security company data.”

7. Quantify your accomplishments in previous roles.

Include a sentence with your job scope and a bullet list of accomplishment items under each job. Try to be specific and use concrete metrics that demonstrate the impact of your accomplishments. If you boosted social media engagement in your last marketing job , for example, include the percentage of that increase.

A formula for resume success

Use this formula when highlighting your professional accomplishments: "[Action verb] [X] to [Y], resulting in [Z]." Here’s an example a social media marketer might use: “Designed visual content to improve brand awareness, resulting in a 30-percent increase in Facebook conversion.”

8. Include a section for hobbies and interests.

This section can show more of your personality and abilities you did not list in other areas of the resume. Your hobbies and interests can be great conversation starters and position you as a well-rounded employee with versatile skills.

If you're looking for your first job and don't yet have much professional experience, you might turn to your extracurricular activities as a way to highlight key job skills, like problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, or teamwork.

9. Get ahead of concerns.

At the same time that you include details about your professional history and career objectives that employers will find attractive, remain mindful of potential red flags on your resume and address them.

Red flags might include short job durations and gaps in employment in your job experience section. For gaps in your employment history lasting longer than six months, consider including what you did during that time. Caregiving, travel, volunteer work, and independent projects are all opportunities to highlight related, transferrable skills .

Read more: How to Get a Job with No Experience: A Job Seeker’s Guide

10. Eliminate clutter.

Once you have most of the sections filled in, scan the resume for unnecessary details that you can remove. These might include:

Job experience from long ago, particularly if it’s not relevant to the position you’re applying for

Graduation dates

Details from your hobbies and interests section that are the least relevant

Buzzwords like “self-starter” and “hard worker”

Typically, your resume should fit on a single page, unless you have more than 10 to 15 years of related professional experience.

Next steps

As you continue along your career path, treat your resume as an evolving document that you regularly update as you gain experience, skills, and other qualifications. Looking for new skills to add to your resume? Consider a Professional Certificate in data analysis, project management, cybersecurity, or IT support, designed to get you job-ready in as little as three months.

Keep reading

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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Resumes with Impact: Creating Strong Bullet Points

How can you make your resume stand out to an employer?

Use an easy-to-read format and structure that highlights your relevant education and experience.
Develop bullet points or statements to show relevant skills and qualities. Be specific about what you did and how you did it.
Start your bullet points or statements with strong action verbs.
Provide contextual details to inform the reader about the purpose of your work, the scope of the project, and what you produced or accomplished.
Quantify your work and achievements where possible.

Using the STAR method

The STAR method can help you create impactful descriptions for each experience on your resume.

First, read through the posting for a job that interests you. This will help you understand the role and the employer’s needs. Identify the skills and qualities they seek. You can usually find them in the responsibilities and qualifications sections.

Next, use the STAR method to describe the context of your work, your actions, and how your actions had positive impact on the organization.

Situation: What was the situation, problem, or conflict you were facing?

Task: What were you tasked with? What were your responsibilities or goals?

Action: What action did you take? What did you do to solve this problem? (start with action verbs)

Result: What was the result or outcome of your action? How did it benefit the organization? Can this result be quantified?

Follow the STAR method to create descriptions that incorporate the key skills and qualities the employer is seeking. Your ﬁnal statement will start with the action section and include the results section when appropriate.

Skills/qualities you want to show: initiative, organization, analytical thinking, writing, interpersonal skills, problem solving

Situation: The trainees were learning too slowly and could not navigate the company’s data tracking system by the end of the two-week training period. Instead, they were not ready for another two weeks.

Task: Help trainees learn the system faster.

Action: Initiated, wrote, and edited the first training manual for the company’s data tracking system. Successfully presented proposal to use manual to management. Revised training program curriculum to implement new manual. Trainees worked through the manual during the two-week training period.

Result: At the end of the training period, trainees were ready to use the data tracking system two weeks earlier than expected; the training manual was adopted across the company and is still in use.

FINAL STATEMENT FOR RESUME: Initiated, wrote, and edited the first training manual for company’s data tracking system, which cut training period in half, was adopted across the company, and is still in use today.

This example could focus on different skills (communication, persuasion, leadership, training), depending on what’s relevant to the job.

Bullet Point Examples

What, how, and why.

Answer these questions to transform a generic description into an impactful bullet point.

What did you do? What was the situation, problem, or challenge you were facing?
What were your responsibilities or goals?
How exactly did you do it? How did you accomplish your tasks? Did you use any tools, equipment, or computer programs?
Did you work as part of a team or independently?
Why are these actions important? How did they benefit the organization? What was the result or outcome of your actions?
Can you quantify the results? (Note: Not every bullet point on your resume must be results-oriented.)

Generic Description

Public Health Society, Events Coordinator

Responsible for organizing events and panels

In this example, it is not clear what the candidate did to organize events and panels, what skills they used, or what kind of events and panels they organized. Because of this, the writer misses the chance to showcase the skills used to carry out this task.

Strong, Concrete Description

Plan and coordinate panels on public health for audiences of 25–50 undergraduates on a bi-monthly basis
Identify and contact health professionals in the community to participate in panels
Create marketing materials and publicize events through social media

Add context and skills (WHAT was the situation and HOW were the tasks accomplished) to deepen the information provided.

In this example, the first bullet point clearly highlights organizational skills. It also lets the employer know the scope, target audience, and frequency of the events. This efficiently illustrates the candidate’s abilities and experience.

The second bullet point indicates research and interpersonal skills, which were used to secure panelists. It also demonstrates the ability to communicate with professionals outside of the university.

The third bullet highlights a specific business skill and/or the ability to be strategic in marketing, as well as familiarity with using social media for marketing purposes.

Adding Accomplishments and Impact:

Employers review resumes to understand the impact you’ve had on a project, organization, or company. Explain WHY your actions matter; how did your actions affect outcomes? For instance:

Were the materials and publicizing efforts successful?
Did these actions result in reaching a new group of students?

Review each statement you’ve created for your resume. Can you add an accomplishment or achievement? What happened as a result of that action? How did it benefit the organization? You don’t need to add a result to every bullet point on your resume, but it’s helpful to demonstrate achievements when possible.

What does this look like? In the bullet point about marketing materials and social media, this might read:

Create marketing materials and publicize events through social media. Increased attendance at several club programs by 75% (if you have an accurate figure)
Create marketing materials and publicize events through social media. Saw increased attendance at several club programs throughout the year (if you are unable to quantify)

These statements combine the Action and Result sections of the STAR method.

Related Resources

Student working on resume with counselor in CRC

Writing a Resume: Getting Started

If you’re applying for an internship or job, attending a networking event, or seeking a volunteer opportunity, chances are you’ll need a resume. We’ll walk you through the basics.

Your Resume: What to Put In, What to Leave Out

Wondering how to organize the information on your resume? This resource overviews the sections to include on your resume, and what information to include in each of them.

Counselor and student going over resume in CRC

200+ Action Verbs to Spice Up Your Resume

Use varied, strong action verbs to grab the reader’s attention and make your resume stand out to potential employers. This resource includes over 200 action verbs you can use as a starting point.

How to Write a Resume Profile or Summary Statement

If you are in the process of changing careers, craft a powerful summary to highlight your accomplishments and relevant skills. Show an employer, at a glance, why you’re qualiﬁed for the job!

Optimizing Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems

90% of Fortune 500 Companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to manage high volumes of job applications. 75% of candidates are “phased out of consideration” because they don’t pass a screening! Our tips will help your resume make it through ATS.

SVP Experience
Ethical Business Decisions Playbook
Silicon Valley Hiring Guide
Tuition and Financial Aid
GMAT/GRE Waiver
Admissions Requirements
Application Deadlines
How to Apply
Networking Opportunities
Student Success

12 Steps to Create a Strong Resume

Businessman reading resume of woman on his digital tablet during an interview

Making your resume stand out is crucial if you want to get noticed by recruiters and land job interviews. With expert advice on crafting effective content, incorporating keywords, and designing an eye-catching layout, this guide will help you create a resume that showcases your skills and experiences. Learn how to highlight your achievements, tailor your resume to each job, and ensure that your resume makes it past screening software. With these tips, you’ll be prepared to build a strong resume that will capture hiring managers’ attention and position you for advancement and new opportunities.

Your Chance to Shine

A great resume is your first chance to impress potential hiring managers and make an impact. Whether you want to learn how to create a strong resume out of college or are searching for the right resume format for transitioning into a new career, the expert advice provided here will guide you through the initial step of the hiring process—writing a standout resume.

A powerful resume could give you the upper hand over other candidates who may be interviewing for similar roles. Making your resume stand out from the crowd with the latest advanced business management skills is mission-critical when seeking a new job!

It's no easy task to squeeze a lifetime of experiences into one page, but with the right tips you can ace that resume and get your foot in the door for an interview! Read more to learn the best ways to go beyond creating a resume so you can stand out from other job applicants.

A Great Resume Goes Beyond Technical Skills

To paint a compelling career story, job seekers need to be able to effectively highlight their professional achievements in a way that shows:

Resume objective (optional)
Relevant experience
Hard and soft skills
Past jobs/work history
Transferable skills
Interpersonal skills
Volunteer work

Hiring managers bear the heavy responsibility of sourcing the best talent for their organization; from drafting job postings with an accurate job title and job description to then sifting through the many applications that come in from a multitude of job seekers.

Because of this, most companies have started using a resume technology called an Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, to find the perfect candidate for their job search. Incorporating ATS-friendly elements into your own resume can be beneficial, as this helps ensure the robot scanning for keywords is able to read it. These keywords make your resume stand out from other job applicants and highlight those relevant skills and qualifications a recruiter will look for in the recruitment process.

Avoid Submitting One of the 70% of Resumes Hiring Managers Don't See

ATS software streamlines recruitment processes so employers can find just the right hire without wasting time or resources. An astounding 70% of job applications don't make it past ATS screening to hiring managers' eyes. 1

In order to be seen by a top hiring manager for your dream job, you'll need to write a resume that not only gets a hiring manager's attention but also passes the initial screening process of the ATS.

Making sure you don't miss out on any of the opportunities that come your way means crafting a Resume that is tailored to capture keywords. This process should seem somewhat similar to anyone familiar with search engine optimization. Putting in this extra effort will help ensure recruiters actually read and consider your resume by introducing it not just to AI systems but to real people as well.

Applying for jobs these days isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. The days of simple cover letters and using a generic resume template just won't cut it anymore. Today, when submitting a job application through an ATS—like Taleo, which is vastly popular among Fortune 500 companies—you must tailor your application in order to get noticed and score high!

Read the Job Description Carefully—and Apply Accordingly

When applying for a job, it is important to ensure your resume matches the position's specific requirements. Take some time to review each job listing line-by-line and ask yourself if you have clearly outlined in your experience section that you can fulfill what's needed.

Be mindful when crafting or editing your resume; scour through the posting language and be conscious of any potential skillsets or keywords missing from what appears on paper. Not only will this get your resume past the ATS filter, but you will also confirm that you are applying for the job opportunities you're best suited for as well as make your resume stand out for a specific job.

How to Create a Strong Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step one: tailor your resume to the job you're applying for., step two: use keywords and industry-specific language., step three: highlight your achievements, not just your responsibilities., step four: showcase your relevant skills and qualifications., step five: include relevant outside interests., step six: account for any gaps in employment., step seven: keep your resume concise and easy to read., step eight: use a professional and modern design., step nine: include a resume summary or objective statement., step ten: proofread and edit your resume thoroughly., step eleven: get feedback and suggestions from others before submitting., step twelve: update your resume regularly., these basic best practices are a great place to start when building a resume from scratch.

While having a resume is essential, it doesn't have to be bare bones. With quality improvements, you can make your application stand out from the rest and improve your chances of success.

Avoid using a recognizable resume template that your readers may have seen before
Start by designing your layout, then tailor your information to fit its space
Divide your resume into clearly labeled sections: contact information, education, work experience, skills, etc.
Stick to chronological order when listing your education and work experience
Use active verbs to strengthen the descriptions of your job duties

Be sure to keep in mind that a basic resume is not necessarily the best one you can produce, and there is much room to improve on this solid skeleton.

It's Time to Revise Your Resume and Win Over That Hiring Manager

Once you've mastered these resume writing tips, you should be able to craft the perfect resume for any situation, whether you are changing careers to attain your dream job, a recent college graduate, or seeking admission to the graduate program that will take your career to the next level.

Gain Skills at SCU for a Standout First Resume

Expand your horizon of possibilities. Join Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business ' tech-savvy community today!

At SCU, our Online MBA comes with extensive career support so you can build on your college graduate resume with the latest hard skills and more impressive job history for a new skills-based resume that's the envy of hiring managers everywhere.

With these new resume-building skills in mind, consider whether you might use them to apply to the Online MBA from Santa Clara University. Learn more about how to ace the interview for our Master of Business Administration program from SCU.

Connect with an admissions outreach advisor to discuss our innovative MBA. Get on board for success; contact us today!

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

How To Write A Resume
Resume Skills Section
Resume Objective Section
Career Objective Section
Resume Reference Section
Resume Summary Section
Resume Summary Example
Resume Interests Section
Address On Resume
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Resumes are still the most important document in your job search . Generating a professional and interesting resume isn’t easy, but there is a standard set of guidelines that you can follow. As hiring managers usually only spend a short time looking over each resume, you want to make sure that yours has a reason for them to keep reading.

If you’re looking to write a resume, rewrite a resume you already have, or are just curious about resume format, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will go through the steps to writing an excellent resume, as well as offering examples for what sections of the resume should look like.

Key Takeaways:

A resume is a short document that details your professional history in a way that tailors your experience and skill set for the particular job you’re applying for.

Resumes follow a few standard formatting practices, which hiring managers and recruiters expect to see.

Highlighting your work experience, skills, and educational background with relevant keywords can help you get past applicant tracking systems and into more interviews.

How to write a resume

Writing a resume involves using the proper formatting, writing an introduction, and adding your work experience and education. Stuffing your entire professional life into a single page resume can feel overwhelming, but remember that you’re distilling the relevant parts of your professional experience in order to catch the eye of the recruiter .

Formatting your resume. To start, use a word processor such as Microsoft Word or Google docs. Standard resume formatting calls for:

1 inch margins

10-12 point font

A professional, commonly-used font

Additionally, there are three resume formats that are commonly used. Most people should stick with a chronological resume format , but the combination resume format and functional resume format can be effective for more advanced workers or those who have significant gaps in their resume.

Write a resume header . It doesn’t matter if you have the best resume in the world if the hiring manager can’t contact you. Every single resume should include the following contact information:

Your full name. First and last.

Your phone number. Use a personal phone number, and make sure your voicemail is set up properly.

Your email address. Nothing inappropriate — [email protected] is a safe choice.

Location. City, State, Zip Code is fine, but you can include your full mailing address if you think it’s appropriate.

Your social media (optional). LinkedIn is the obvious one you’d want to include, but make sure your profile looks good. If you have an online portfolio , either on a personal blog/website or on a site like Journo Portfolio , feel free to include that here as well.

Your job title. Also optional, but can be useful for applicant tracking systems.

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

Resume objective. A resume objective is the goal of your resume. Since the objective of every resume is to land a job, this is not the most original or impressive opener you can have.

On the other hand, it’s a good choice for an entry-level applicant or someone who is changing career paths . This should be a 1-3 sentence summary of why you’re motivated to get the position you’re applying for.

Who should use a resume objective: Entry-level applicants, career-changers, and recent college graduates.

Resume summary. This is the best opener for most job-seekers. As the name suggests, a resume summary highlights the most salient aspects of your resume.

It should include your current position, how many years of experience you have, some of your biggest achievements, and possibly your career goals. This should be a 1-3 sentence spiel and should include some quantifiable experiences.

Who should use a resume summary: Most job seekers; anyone with quantifiable accomplishments to emphasize and a broad range of skills.

Qualifications summary. A bullet point list (4-6 points is the sweet spot) of your qualifications for the position. It’s best used by applicants going for jobs that require a fixed skill set. It’s not a great choice for entry-level applicants who lack quantifiable achievements.

You’ll notice that a qualifications summary takes up more space than a resume objective or summary, but it can actually save the hiring manager time if you provide a bunch of valuable information right off the top.

Who should use a qualifications summary: Those applying to a job with requirements for certain skills and job-seekers who have a lot of experience in their industry and/or field.

Resume profile. A resume profile is similar to a resume summary, but goes into more detail about your accomplishments at your current or former job, while also telling the reader about your career goals. Think of a resume profile as a section that pulls all the best parts of your work experience section into one place.

Who should use a resume profile: Anyone with significant accomplishments under their belt, expertise in a niche field, or applying to a job in the same industry that they have lots of experience in.

Resume headline. Resume headlines aren’t necessary, but you can include one alongside any of the four types of resume introduction listed above. A resume headline comes between your contact information and the resume introduction of your choice.

Headlines can be used by entry-level applicants and experienced job-seekers alike. The important point is that your headline should be short and to the point. Additionally, you should use title case when writing your resume headline (capitalize words as you would for a book title).

Who should use a resume headline: Any job-seeker who wants to showcase their experience or unique value right off the bat.

Work experience. Your work experience section is the place to let hiring managers know that you have relevant experience that would allow you to handle the job you’re applying for.

If you’re using the chronological resume format, your work experience section would come after your resume summary/objective. In a funcitonal reumse, it would follow your skills section. Either way, work experience should be listed in reverse-chronological order (most recent experience at the top).

When listing your work experience, you should include all of the following information:

Job title. Start by stating the position you held at the company. These are easy cue for the hiring manager to look at and determine whether your past positions would help you succeed at their company.

Company Info. Include the name of the employer, the location where you worked, and perhaps a brief description of the company, if it isn’t a well-known name.

Dates Employed: Use the mm/yyyy format if you want to be sure that most applicant tracking systems (ATS) will pick it up. Whatever format you use for dates, be consistent, or your resume will look sloppy.

Job Description. Don’t just list your job’s responsibilities; hiring managers and recruiters already have an idea of your duties based on the job title. Instead, list your most important and impressive responsibilities/achievements at the job with bullet points. Determine which of these are most relevant for your new role based on the job description.

Ideally, each bullet should be no longer than a single line. However, two lines is acceptable, if used sparingly.

Always start with a strong action verb, followed by a quantifiable achievement and a specific duty. For example: “Developed ad campaigns for clients, increasing sales by an average of 27%.” Each job title should include 3-5 bullet points.

The order that you include this information can be changed around, as long as you are consistent throughout your resume. However, the bullet points detailing your job’s achievements should always be the last item for each entry.

It’s important that you tailor your resume’s work experience section to the job you’re applying for. We recommend reading the job description carefully and highlighting the action verbs in one color and the skills, adjectives, and job-specific nouns in a different color.

Educational background. In almost all cases, your education section should come after your professional history. If you’re a recent college graduate with limited work experience, you may choose to put your educational achievements first.

Like the section on your professional history, educational experiences should come in reverse-chronological order, with your highest level of education at the top. If you have a college degree, you don’t need to add any information about your high school experience. If you didn’t finish college, it’s okay to give a list of what credits you did complete.

Each educational experience can be listed in the following format:

Degree/Program Name College/University Name Dates attended

You don’t need to add anything else, especially if your resume is already impressive enough. But if you’re struggling to fill up the page, or you feel that aspects of your educational experience will help make you a standout, you may consider also including:

Minor. If you think it rounds out your not-exactly-relevant-to-the-job major nicely.

GPA. Only if it was 3.5 or higher. Otherwise, it’s not going to do you any favors to include this.

Honors. Dean’s List, Cum Laude, etc.

Achievements. If you wrote a killer thesis/dissertation that showcases intimate knowledge relevant to the job to which you’re applying, you can include its title and a very brief description.

Extracurricular activities. Only include if they’re relevant. For example, if you’re applying for a management position and you were president of your student government.

Certifications/Licenses. If the job you’re applying for requires/likes to see certain certifications or licenses that you have, you may include them in this section as well.

Skills section. Your impressive skills should be scattered logistically throughout your professional history section, but you should also include a section solely dedicated to highlighting your skill set . Skills can be broken down into two categories:

Hard skills are skills you learn through training and indicate expertise with a technical ability or job-specific responsibility.

Soft skills are your personality traits, interpersonal abilities, and intangible qualities that make you more effective at your job.

Your resume should have a healthy mix of hard and soft skills, as both are essential to job performance. However, since soft skills are harder to prove in the context of a resume, we recommend leaning more toward hard skills. Additionally, whenever you list a soft skill, make sure that it has a correlating item in your work experience section.

For example, if you say you are skilled in collaboration, you should mention a time when a team project was a major success somewhere in your work experience section.

Optional sections. If you still have space left or there’s more you want to show off that doesn’t quite fit in any of the above sections, you may consider adding an additional section covering one or more of the below categories:

Language . Being bilingual is always impressive, and can be included on a resume for any company. Highlight this more if your position involves liaising with international distributors and/or clients. Don’t lie about your proficiency level.

It may be best to not mention it if you’re not particularly proficient speaker . Such as if you took courses in school, or haven’t really managed to gain fluency. It can end up looking like an attempt to inflate your credentials, which you want to avoid.

Volunteer experience . Always a good thing to include. It shows you’re a team player who behaves in a way that promotes the greater good, without thought of personal gain. Especially good for entry-level candidates and those applying for jobs at a non-profit. If you have gaps in your work history, you can also consider including volunteer experiences in your work history section instead.

Personal projects. A personal blog, published works, or a portfolio of your past projects are all good things to include. They show you take initiative, enjoy and take pride in your work, and that you can handle the responsibilities of the job, if relevant.

Certifications/licenses. If you didn’t include these in your education section, this is another good place to list relevant certifications or licenses that you have.

Interests . This is largely just a space filler if your resume is light in other areas. However, if your hobbies are directly related to the job that you’re applying for, it’s not a bad idea to include them. And it might draw a recruiter’s attention if you end up sharing some of the same interests as they do.

If you have several seemingly random items that are valuable, but don’t warrant creating a whole separate section for, you can also make a section called “Additional Experience.” Here you can include all of the above categories in one place. Just make sure that each item is clear and easy for readers to understand.

Resume samples

Now that we have a good idea of how to write a resume, let’s take a look at some example resumes:

Jack Pilgrim Washington , DC 14015 – (555) 444-3333 – [email protected] – www.linkedin.com/jpilgrim Resume Summary Graphic designer with 3+ years of experience creating and implementing promotional materials and social media graphics. Worked with sales and marketing teams to increase inbound calls by 23% YoY through compelling digital media. Adept at planning, managing, and prioritizing multiple deadlines at once, and thrives in fast-paced work environment. Work Experience Creative Designs | Washington, DC Lead Graphic Designer | June 2018-Present Worked with sales and marketing teams to create landing pages, sales proposals, and supporting media elements to drive sales by over $250,000 per quarter Trained, managed, and mentored team of 4 junior designers to fulfill 40+ project orders on a weekly basis Conducted UX research through surveys, usability testing, and data analysis to plan content marketing strategy, driving organic search traffic by 12% Presented proposals, results, and status updates to set of 4-7 clients, ensuring customer satisfaction at or above 95% for 3 years straight Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Junior Graphic Designer | July 2016-May 2018 Translated client needs and branding strategies into design and content strategy, increasing client retention by 22% Reduced project turnaround time by 8% by Utilizing web-based ticket system for completing and archiving finalized pieces Posted digital artwork to network IPTV using web interface to produce high-end info-graphics and other materials Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Marketing Intern | September 2015-July 2016 Assisted marketing team with data collection, analysis, and presentation using Google Analytics Drew up storyboards for new marketing campaigns alongside sales team, increasing brand awareness through social media Wrote 500-1000 word articles to pair with graphical elements on page, leading to a 40% boost in engagement on company website 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

Allison Neederly Chicago, Illinois , 60007 | (333) 222-1111 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/allison.neederly Resume Summary Dedicated customer service representative with 4+ years experience resolving customers’ needs in-person, online, and over the phone. Top achiever at XYZ Inc. with a 100% customer satisfaction rate for Q1 of 2020. Friendly personable, and knowledgable about company’s products and services. Relevant Skills Customer Service Responded to upwards of 200 customer queries daily with XYZ Inc., reducing the average wait time by 56% and increasing customer satisfaction rates by 13% Ability to resolve conflict and create a positive atmosphere for shopping for both new and existing customers through technical proficiency Expert product knowledge and communication skills, and experience training and mentoring new customer service staff Web Chat and Phone Skilled in 3 web chat platforms for helping online customers resolve their queries quickly and accurately Achieved fastest call resolution rate at XYZ Inc., with an average resolution time of under 5 minutes per customer Performed outbound calls for customer satisfaction surveys, as well as writing web-based surveys for 10,000+ customers Troubleshooting Detailed product knowledge allowed for customer technical issues to be resolved at rate within top 5% of all customer service associates at XYZ Inc. Created manual for step-by-step directions for troubleshooting that was implemented for team of 100+ customer service reps Positive attitude took average tech-related negative response from 1/5 stars to 4/5 stars, increasing trust in brands and services 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

Priya Laghari New York, NY | (222) 111-0000 | [email protected] | www.priyabizdev.com Resume Profile Strategy Development: Grew John Deere’s international sales by 13% by tapping into undeserved countries in Southeast Asia Management: Oversaw a team of managers representing marketing, sales, and product teams. Streamlined collaborative, cross-functional communications through agile and scrum management system CRM: Developed, customized, and implemented new customer relationship management database for accounts totaling over $10M in value Work Experience Business Development Manager 01/2015-Present Microsoft | Redmond, WA Developed product strategies and roadmap for Google AdWords, increasing inbound traffic by 26% YoY Reduced time training on new software by 50% for new and existing employees by implement e-learning programs Spearheaded digital marketing campaign worth $1M that saw a return of 200% in first year by qualifying leads earlier in the sales funnel Regional Sales Manager 11/2012-01/2015 Big Things Inc. | St. Louis, MO Managed territory encompassing 29 regional locations with an annual revenue of approx. $55M Worked with C-level executives to plan business strategies, resulting in 20% reduction in overhead costs Increased client retention by 12% in first year by implementing a CRM approach based on account profiling and elevating levels of relationship selling Account Manager 02/2009-11/2012 Solutions Corp. | Chicago, IL Implemented and developed CRM strategic plans, increasing retention of long-term clients by 22% Maintained 50+ accounts totaling over $35M in value Generated leads through one-on-one consultation via phone inquiries, online check-ins, and meeting office walk-ins Relevant Skills CRM: Proficient with Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot; some experience with Keap. Used various CRM software over a decade to successfully manage customer relations and quick to adapt to new software and tools that aid in quality of customer experience. Salesmanship: Negotiated and closed over several deals worth $1M+ and skilled in upselling and cross-selling. Adept at working closely with marketing and product teams to maximize the efficiency of the sales funnel for both inbound and outbound traffic. Presentation: Represented Microsoft Northwest Region at quarterly board meetings, ensuring all stakeholders were kept abreast of new developments and opportunities. Also deliver monthly presentations to big clients and vendors to maintain positive relationship. Data analytics. Expert at integrating data from various analytics platforms, including Google, Microsoft Power BI, 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 Headers Samples:

Tip : Never put your contact info in the header of your document; some applicant tracking systems might miss it.

For more on how to write a resume header:

Resume Header

Resume Titles

Resume introduction examples

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 experience editing content as a member of the UVa Writing Center.

Career Change Resume Objective.

Eager to apply 7+ years of experience with customer success management to make successful outbound B2B calls, deliver customized business solutions to new and existing customers, and provide expert product knowledge in the role of Account Manager for XYZ Inc.

Example Resume Summary Statement.

Accountant with over 8 years of experience in the medical industry. Adept at advising on management of cash deficits, reconciling departmental accounts, and creating new accounts and codes. Coordinated invoice preparation system for ABC that reduced contractor overhead by 19% YoY.

English teacher with a love of language and 6 years of experience teaching high school students. Developed new curriculum that boosted freshman reading comprehension scores by 12% and created after school book club for AP Lit class, resulting in 100% of participating students achieving a 5 on the AP Lit test.

Example Qualifications Summary.

Executive assistant with 5+ years experience helping maintain efficiency in an office of 25 employees Communicated directly with internal and external stakeholders, helping Senior Vice President manage projects worth $5M+ Proactively managed office schedules, identifying and prioritizing changes to ensure client satisfaction Recognized in a company of 500 for “Outstanding Achiever” in May 2019

Example Resume Profile.

Detail-oriented IT Specialist with 4 years of experience overseeing and improving the infrastructure of IT systems. Adept at building and running troubleshooting systems and testing services. Decreased security risk by 47% through continual optimization, while also improving the speed of client portal by 22%. Excellent communicator both internally and for client-facing discussions. Achieved 98%+ customer satisfaction ratings through weekly and monthly check-ins with accounts valued cumulatively at $500,000.

Entry-Level Resume Headline.

Bilingual College Graduate with 80 WPM Typing Speed and Tutoring Experience

Experienced Resume Headline.

Business Development Specialist with 6+ Years 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

Work Experience XYZ Industries | Seattle, WA Marketing Associate | May 2019-Present Delivered weekly presentations to client-base to communicate brand messaging, increasing client retention by 11% Served as liaison between marketing and product teams, resulting in projects finishing 2 weeks early, on average Leveraged Excel skills to create and maintain spreadsheet to track consumer insights, emergent trends, and inform decisions of marketing team through competitive analysis Managed team of 5 contractors to juggle multiple priority projects simultaneously, never missing a deadline Initiated an affiliate referral program that PR team went on to turn into a revenue-generating stream valued at $30,000 annually ABC Corp | Seattle, WA Marketing Intern | September 2018-May 2019 Developed, maintained, and processed 20+ digital consent forms and distributor forms Worked collaboratively with a team of 10 marketing professionals, closely aligning our goals with the PR team Provided data analysis using Google Analytics and performed keyword research to increase blog traffic by 56% over six months Answered up to 50 customer queries by phone and email each week

For more on building the perfect resume work experience section:

Resume work experience section

First resume (no experience)

Examples Of Education Resume Sections

Graduated recently 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

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

Anticipated graduation date (not yet graduated).

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

Older job seeker (graduated 10+ years ago).

University of Chicago | Chicago, Illinois Bachelor of Business Administration

High school graduate (no college degree).

Johnston High School 2016-2020 Head of Computer Club

More on crafting the perfect resume education section:

Education resume section

GPA on resume

Dean’s list

Magna cum laude

Examples Of Skills For Resume

Examples of hard skills include:

Examples of soft skills include:

Here’s more information on how to incorporate skills into your resume:

Resume skills section

Hard skills

Soft skills

Top skills for professionals

Skills-based resume

Resume writing FAQ

What is a resume?

A resume is a one to two-page document that focuses on professional experience, past achievements, education and 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 in determining which applicants get a shot at an interview.

Whether you’re fresh out of college or have 30 years of professional experience, this guide should help craft a resume that stands out from the crowd and get you one step closer to landing your dream job.

What is the format for writing a good resume?

Most people will want to use a chronological or reverse-chronological resume format. This format is compatible with most applicant tracking systems (ATS) and is easy for employers to read. Additionally it helps highlight your experience, which helps prove your qualifications.

How far back should a resume go?

A resume should go back no further than 10 to 15 years. However, it is important that all your information is relevant. Therefore, do not include job experience that is irrelevant to your application, even if it’s fewer than 10 years old. Save that information for later discussions.

Should you personalize your resume for each job?

Yes, you should personalize your resume for each job you apply to. Many recruiters use ATS now, which will search for keywords in a resume and reject those that don’t have them. That means that the skills you choose to highlight as well as your opening, such as your resume summary, should be altered to suit each job you apply to.

You don’t need to rewrite the entire resume for each job, but it does show attention to detail and initiative to make sure that your resume is customized. It also makes it more likely that you’ll get past the first step of the process.

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

Harvard University – Create a Resume/CV or Cover Letter

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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.

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Conflict Resolution Skills for Your Resume and Workplace

Our customers have been hired at: * Foot Note

Conflict resolution skills can foster a productive work environment, improve performance, strengthen relationships, retain employees and even save money.

But what are conflict resolution skills? Why do they matter?

Let’s see conflict resolution skills examples, how to demonstrate them in your resume and how to learn and improve this necessary skill to take your career to the next level.

What are conflict resolution skills?

Conflict resolution skills are managing and resolving disagreements or conflicts between individuals or groups. Conflict resolution is a core skill on its own and also a skill set part of the soft skills we use to work with others.

Conflict resolution is an invaluable asset as it maintains a productive and healthy environment in the workplace. Conflict resolution skills can be applied in a variety of contexts, from resolving disputes between colleagues to negotiating with clients or vendors. By developing and honing these skills, professionals can improve their ability to work effectively with others, build stronger relationships, and achieve better outcomes.

Key conflict resolution skills to include on a resume

Conflict resolution skills in the workplace are an important component of teamwork and leadership. While you can include conflict resolution as its own skill, you can also include other skills to highlight this ability, like:

Active listening
Communications
Decision making
Collaboration
De-escalation
Leadership
Emotional intelligence
Negotiation
Problem-solving
Cultural competence

These examples of conflict resolution skills can be used in your resume and cover letter to highlight the qualifications that make you a great candidate. While we tend to focus on the hard skills an employer uses in the job description, these interpersonal skills often set us apart from other candidates. According to the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2023, “emerging technologies such as generative AI are reshaping workforce demands, and employers are placing greater emphasis on “soft” skills. These skills allow companies to respond to change and are resistant to automation.”

Showcasing conflict resolution skills with action verbs

Action verbs show what you can accomplish — and what you have accomplished! These words empower your resume accomplishments and highlight your relevant job experience — even if you write a resume with no experience .

The action words exemplify how you’ve used these conflict resolution skills on your resume’s work history and your cover letter.

Example: Advised a team member on handling a conflict with a difficult colleague and provided them with strategies for effective communication and conflict resolution.

Pro Tip : Use these action verbs during a job interview to empower your answers.

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Careers that require strong conflict resolution skills

Conflict resolution is a key skill in any career, though in different capacities. However, the careers and industries below require mastery of healthy conflict resolution skills to excel in their craft.

Customer Service Representative
Human Resources Manager
Law Enforcement
Project Manager
Safety and Security
Social Worker

How to develop conflict resolution skills

Workplace conflict resolution skills can be learned. Add more tools to your skill set by exploring how to develop and improve your conflict resolution skills.

Self-awareness: Before you start improving, you must take a genuine look at your emotions and triggers. Being aware of your own reactions and responses is the first step to developing conflict resolution skills.
Seek feedback: Once you figure out your own understanding, ask others how they perceive your conflict management. Combine their answers with your own and start developing a plan on what you should improve.
Work on communication and emotional intelligence:
Resources: Find materials and opportunities to help you improve your skills. These resources will give you a deeper understanding and real life scenarios to learn from. You can seek out:
Articles and books
Online courses
Gamification tools
Practice — You can start personally by helping others develop resolutions. Workshops and training will likely have a section dedicated to practicing real life scenarios

Key takeaways

Conflict resolution involves managing disagreements and reaching a solution that benefits both parties while addressing their needs and concerns.
Conflict resolution is both a core skill and a skill set. It involves the ability to effectively handle disagreements while utilizing various other skills to achieve a positive outcome.
While all careers can benefit from a candidate who successfully uses conflict resolution, for certain industries —like law, security, education and social work— it is a key skill.
You can learn and improve your conflict resolution by working through feedback, resources and introspection.
Action verbs empower your conflict resolution skills in a resume and a cover letter, highlighting how you’ve successfully used them.

Conflict resolution skills encompass the aptitude to recognize, handle, and resolve conflicts or disputes that arise between individuals or groups. It can be referred to as one skill, conflict management, or a skill set consisting of soft skills used to manage and resolve a conflict.

What are the five skills for conflict resolution?

The top five conflict resolution skills are:

Communication
Emotional Intelligence

While this skill set uses many skills, these five encompass the nitty-gritty of finding a resolution for the greater good.

How can conflict resolution skills be honed to navigate workplace challenges effectively?

Hone your conflict resolution skills to navigate workplace challenges effectively by taking a holistic approach. Don’t simply take the problem at face value, take a step back to strategize tackling this challenge.

Use active listening to learn more about the issues, how they repeat themselves, how they are seeping into different areas and the root cause of the issues.
With emotional intelligence, learn more about the triggers beyond the conflict.
Keep channels of communication open to prevent and address issues before they arise.
Foster a culture of feedback to build trust and rapport with colleagues.

How to demonstrate conflict resolution skills on a resume?

To demonstrate your conflict resolution skills on a resume:

Write quantifiable resume accomplishments in your work history section, using strong action verbs to emphasize how you’ve successfully resolved conflicts in the past. For example, instead of simply stating that you have “strong conflict resolution skills,” provide specific examples such as “successfully mediated a dispute between two team members, resulting in improved collaboration and a 20% increase in productivity.”
Highlight any relevant training or certifications you have received in conflict resolution. This can include courses or workshops on negotiation, communication, or conflict management.
Include any leadership roles or positions where you have managed conflicts within a team or organization. This can include being a team leader, project manager, or even a volunteer coordinator.

How to learn conflict resolution skills?

Learn conflict resolution skills through varied channels:

Use reading material, like articles, research papers and books. Find one that interests you, or, even better, find a known and widely accepted literature for your industry
Practice in real life scenarios through gamification, workshops and training.
Seek feedback from your peers and mentors before and after learning. They’ll let you know if your system is working.

If you want to improve your conflict resolution skills, follow the same steps.

How to improve conflict resolution skills in the workplace?

To improve conflict skills in the workplace:

Use a holistic approach. Seek to learn more about the root of the problem.
Become a great active listener and work on improving your interpersonal communication.
Ask for feedback from colleagues and mentors.
Put yourself in the shoes of others involved in the conflict by practicing empathy.
Purse learning for problem-solving techniques and formal conflict management education through training and workshops.

How we reviewed this article

Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process .

HelpGuide.org. Article. Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., Lawrence Robinson and Melinda Smith, M.A. Conflict Resolution Skills
Leaders . Article. Miller, Hannah. Top 18 Conflict Resolution Skills Every Leader Needs
Leaders . Article. Howland, PJ. Conflict in the Workplace and How to Prevent and Resolve It
Harvard Law School . Program on Negotiation (PON) The Program on Negotiation
Champlain College Online . Five Conflict-Resolution Strategies for the Workplace Five Conflict-Resolution Strategies for the Workplace
Harvard Law School . PON Blog. Shonk, Kate. What is Conflict Resolution, and How Does It Work?
Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas . Community Tool Box. Chapter 20. Information on illustrative interventions using various strategies for change. Section 6. Training for Conflict Resolution

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Nilda Melissa is a Certified Professional Resume Writer who has written for The Washington Post and Latina Style Magazine. She has a master's in Journalism from Columbia University and is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

‡ Results derived from a study responded by 1000 participants of which 287 created a resume online.

*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with MyPerfectResume.

How To Build a Strong Resume for VLSI Job Application

May 8, 2024

In the competitive world of VLSI design, a strong resume is your passport to landing your dream job. It’s your first impression, a chance to showcase your technical expertise, experience, and passion for the field. But with so much information to pack in, crafting a compelling resume can feel overwhelming. Fear not, aspiring VLSI engineers! This guide on ‘ How To Build a Strong Resume for VLSI Job Application ’ will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to build a resume that gets noticed by hiring managers/VLSI recruiters.

Know Your Audience and Tailor Accordingly

Before diving in, take a step back. Research the companies you’re applying to. Understand their core focus areas, current projects, and preferred skill sets. Tailor your resume to highlight the specific skills and experiences that align with their needs. This targeted approach demonstrates initiative and increases your chances of grabbing the recruiter’s attention.

The Structure is Key: Building a Clear and Concise Resume

1. contact information:.

Keep it simple and professional. Include your full name, phone number, and email address in a clear and easy-to-read font. Consider adding a link to your professional online portfolio or LinkedIn profile, if not then create a linkedin profile and add a link to your resume.

2. Summary or Objective Statement (Optional):

This brief section (2-3 sentences) is your elevator pitch. Highlight your key achievements, core competencies, and career aspirations. Tailor it to the specific job description, emphasizing skills relevant to the position.

3. Work Experience:

This section is the heart of your resume. List your previous work experiences (including internships) in reverse chronological order. For each position, include:

Company Name, Location, and Dates of Employment: Establish your work history clearly.
Job Title: Be specific and use industry-standard terminology.
Key Responsibilities and Achievements: Here’s where you showcase your skills. Briefly outline your key responsibilities, focusing on projects that demonstrate your VLSI design skills. List down the problem/challenges you faced during the project and how you have solved those. List down the points how you helped the team members during project work. Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Did you optimize a design for power consumption? Did you lead a team in developing a new chip architecture? Use strong action verbs and metrics to illustrate your impact in your resume for VLSI Job Application .

4. Skills and Expertise:

This section allows you to showcase your technical skill set beyond your work experience. Include:

VLSI Design Tools: List the EDA tools (Electronic Design Automation) you’re proficient in, such as Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsys Custom Compiler, or any other relevant tools used for design, simulation, and verification.
Hardware Design Expertise: Highlight your knowledge of digital and analog design principles, logic design methodologies (e.g., RTL, gate-level), and verification techniques (e. g., static timing analysis, functional verification).
Programming Languages: List relevant programming languages used in VLSI design, such as Verilog, SystemVerilog, or Python for scripting automation tasks. You can also include the languages you learnt in your VLSI course .
Additional Skills: Include any other relevant skills that complement your technical expertise, like project management, communication, or teamwork abilities.

5. Education:

List your educational background, including:

University Name and Location: Include the city and state of your university.
Degree Earned: Specify your degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Master of Science in Computer Engineering).
Graduation Year and GPA (Optional): If your GPA is strong, consider including it. However, if it’s lower, prioritize highlighting relevant coursework or projects.
Relevant Coursework (Optional): List specific courses that equip you with essential VLSI design fundamentals (e.g., VLSI Design course , Digital Design, Computer Architecture).

6. Awards and Recognitions (Optional):

Include any academic awards, scholarships, or design competition wins that demonstrate your excellence in the field.

Format and Design: Readability is Paramount

Professional and Easy-to-Read Font: Use a clear and professional font like Arial or Times New Roman. Avoid fancy fonts that might be difficult to read.
Consistent Formatting: Maintain consistent font size, spacing, and indentation throughout your resume. This creates a polished and easy-to-navigate document.
White Space is Your Friend: Don’t cram information. Use white space effectively to create a visually appealing and easy-to-read document.
Proofread Meticulously: Typos and grammatical errors scream unprofessionalism. Proofread meticulously or have someone else review your resume for any errors.

Beyond the Basics: Optimizing Your Resume for the Modern Job Market

Leverage Keywords (Continued): Don’t just stuff keywords. Integrate them naturally while showcasing your skills and experiences.
Action Verbs Are Your Allies: Replace generic verbs like “responsible for” with action verbs that demonstrate your initiative and impact. Use verbs like “developed”, “achieved”, “completed”, “finished”, “presented”, “awarded”, “designed,” “implemented,” “optimized,” “verified,” or “led” to highlight your contributions.
Quantify Your Achievements: Numbers speak volumes! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements. Did you optimize a design for a 15% reduction in power consumption? Did you lead a team in developing a chip that achieved a 20% increase in performance? Quantifiable metrics add credibility and showcase your value.
Link to Your Online Portfolio (Optional): If you have a website or online portfolio showcasing your projects, research papers, or code samples, include a link. This gives hiring managers the opportunity to delve deeper into your skillset and passion for the field. Upload your project work in GitHub & put link your resume.
Keep it Updated: The VLSI industry is constantly evolving. Regularly update your resume to reflect your latest skills, tools, and achievements. You can also apply for VLSI courses online to take your skills to another level.

Crafting a Stellar Cover Letter: The Perfect Complement

A well-written cover letter can significantly enhance your application. Don’t underestimate its power! Here are some tips:

Personalize it: Avoid generic templates. Tailor your cover letter to the specific job and company, addressing the hiring manager by name if possible.
Highlight Your Passion: Briefly express your enthusiasm for VLSI design and why you’re interested in the specific position.
Connect the Dots: Briefly elaborate on specific skills and experiences from your resume that align with the job requirements.
Call to Action: Conclude by reiterating your interest in the position and expressing your desire for an interview.

Final Words: Confidence is Key!

Remember, your resume is a marketing tool. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and convince the hiring manager you’re the ideal candidate. Be confident in your abilities and clearly communicate your value proposition, this will help you in your career in the long run.

By following these strategies, you can craft a compelling resume for VLSI Job Application or a cover letter that will grab the attention of hiring managers and pave the way for your dream VLSI design job. Good luck!

You can also take your career to new heights with ChipEdge, a respected VLSI training institute . Explore our range of courses and pave your path to success today!

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How to Build a Strong LinkedIn Profile: MGA Staff Q&A with Dr. Mary Roberts

Author: Alexandria Brooks Posted: Monday, May 6, 2024 12:00 AM Categories: Faculty/Staff | Pressroom

In today's digital age, LinkedIn has become more than just a platform for networking online; it's a powerful tool for personal branding and career advancement. Whether you're an industry veteran or a new graduate just starting your career, optimizing your LinkedIn profile is essential for making a strong impression in the professional world.

Dr. Mary Roberts, executive director of Middle Georgia State University’s Center for Career & Leadership Development , gives expert tips and strategies for building the perfect LinkedIn profile, enhancing your online presence, and networking virtually.

What information should be included when creating a LinkedIn profile?

When creating your profile, think about your immediate career or business goal and let your information and branding reflect that goal. You should have a professional headshot that is appropriate for your industry and professional details from your work and education that highlight your skills and relevant experiences. You can even include academic projects and volunteer work to highlight your participation in your field or to expand your connections. Similar to your resume and how recruiters use applicant tracking systems, you will want to include keywords that may show up in courses and academic projects so that recruiters using LinkedIn can find you.

As you expand your profile, you can obtain endorsements and recommendations from others who have worked with you. Depending on your field, you may also upload examples of your work or write articles related to your area of expertise. You may find that aspect of LinkedIn helpful if you are using LinkedIn to gain exposure for your business or your freelance career.

What if users lack job experience in their field—or in general?

Similar to your resume , your LinkedIn profile should focus on the skills you have gained from any experience you have had, including volunteer, campus and civic leadership, and academic projects. Even if a past job isn’t in your field, you certainly gained skills that can be used in your future career. Plus, any organization, work, or education experience that you list makes it easier for you to then network with people connected to those same organizations. While you wouldn’t list high school on your professional resume, you can include it on LinkedIn because that experience makes up part of your network.

How do users get the perfect professional profile picture?

Whether you go to a professional photographer or ask a friend with a great cell phone camera, you want to focus on choosing the appropriate setting and attire for your industry. You want to be well-groomed and wrinkle free for your photo. We also take photos in the CCLD on both the Macon and Cochran campuses. We use a standard backdrop but can get more creative with you if you come in with ideas. My advice is to take a look at what others in your industry are posting on LinkedIn.

What are the next steps after creating a LinkedIn profile?

Start connecting with people that you know well, such as faculty, staff, and classmates. If you have past supervisors or colleagues on LinkedIn, you can use the platform to keep up with them professionally. We encourage students to reach out to our staff in the CCLD and connect with us!

Once you have a solid profile and a good number of connections, then you can start expanding your network. For instance, you can use the Alumni Tool by searching Middle Georgia State University to find alumni in your field. However, always add a note when requesting to connect. Let them know you’d like to connect and learn about their career. If they accept your request but don’t respond to your note, send a follow-up note in a week or so to ask for a time to talk via email or phone.

You can also apply for jobs once you have a profile built! If you start applying before your profile is complete, you won’t be taken as seriously. If you are applying for a specific type of job, make sure your profile is matching those opportunities so that employers see that you would be a match.

How do users ensure their profiles reach the right audience?

After you create your profile, you should proactively connect with others in your field. In addition, recruiters are using LinkedIn to find people. By using keywords from your field, then you are more likely to be found by the recruiters in your field. However, you want to use the LinkedIn job board to find opportunities that interest you. If you create an account and forget about it, you won’t have as much success with it. Similar advice can also be applied to your Handshake account.

What are the “dos and don’ts” of LinkedIn?

When you land a job or internship, update your profile so that you have a digital professional presence. If you’re not a social media fan, LinkedIn is different because it tells an employer that you are serious about your career. Update your email address once you graduate so that you can continue to receive LinkedIn notifications when someone wants to connect.

On the don’ts side of things, remember that it’s not like other platforms so selfies, family pictures, and other personal information shouldn’t be posted. LinkedIn is your opportunity to promote your professional side online, particularly in a way that would enhance your career opportunities.

Networking online can be tricky. Any tips?

As with all networking, don’t give up! If someone doesn’t respond, then keep at it until someone does. Be appreciative of the time others give you during the networking process and update that when you land a job or internship. A virtual thank you goes a long way and will keep you in their thoughts for future opportunities.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Zety Resume Builder

What is a resume builder.

A resume builder is an interactive online tool or piece of software that offers different resume templates and allows users to create a resume quickly and easily. Zety resume maker suggests resume tips that can help you build each resume section fast, even if you’re writing a resume with no experience .

In short, online resume creators are a much quicker, more efficient alternative to creating your resume manually. Our resume builder adjusts your documents automatically every time you update your resume . You can swap templates, colors, content, or fonts on your resume dynamically without losing your progress or messing up the resume formatting . Plus, you can always work on an existing resume, as our tool auto-populates your information onto a template you’ve chosen! And it makes sure you create an ATS-friendly resume that includes all the necessary resume keywords and lets the applicant tracking system easily parse your application.

Which resume builder is the best in 2024?

Zety's resume maker is the best resume builder in 2024. It offers more features than any other app of such kind. It also allows you to create as many documents as you want for free, providing:

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Is Zety a free resume builder?

Zety resume builder is free to create resumes, CVs, and cover letters . The app follows the “try before you buy” credo—you pay once you're satisfied with the results. To see if you’re truly satisfied, you can create the entire resume, CV, or a cover letter from A to Z. Once you do that, you can download it for free as a text file or opt for a premium plan, starting at just $1.95, with a 14-day money-back guarantee and download it as PDF or MS Word file.

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With the Zety resume app, you'll no longer be sending resumes unsure of whether they're actually any good. If you follow all the creator's tips, you'll only ever send top-notch job applications!

What is a resume?

A resume is a brief document that gives an overview of your qualifications. It includes information about your work history , education , and professional skills relevant to the job. It also shows your achievements , awards, certifications , and other things that will help you impress the recruiter.

In other words, a resume is a document necessary to apply for any job and to convince your potential employer that you’re the perfect fit for their opening. A unique resume template , an ATS-friendly document, and a perfect cover letter can skyrocket those chances.

What's the best resume template to use in 2024?

The best resume template to use in 2024 is a reverse-chronological resume template , as it’s easy to read or skim through by the ATS software and hiring managers. It’s mostly recommended for experienced candidates. If you’re only starting your career, skill-based resume templates will serve you more.

The resume templates available in our resume maker tick those boxes and are fast and painless to fill out online. They are also entirely customizable (section order, colors, fonts, margins, etc.). All the changes are applied in real-time and visible on a preview. Want to take a look at different styles of resume templates? Here are our best resume templates .

What should I include on my resume?

A resume consists of several parts . Here's what you should include on your resume in 2024:

Contact Details (with a LinkedIn Profile )
Resume Summary or Resume Objective
Work Experience
Education & Diplomas
Professional Skills (consider listing hard skills and soft skills separately)
Additional Information

When building a resume in our resume app, you’ll be guided through each step of the resume creation process and given expert tips and even generated content tailored to the job you’re applying for. After you're done, your resume should be one-page long . But there are exceptions, and sometimes it can be a two-page resume . Find more about an ideal resume length .

What is the best resume format to use in 2024?

The best resume format to use in 2024 is a reverse-chronological resume . It displays your information (e.g., work history and education) from the most recent to the oldest of your qualifications, highlighting the most relevant achievements on your resume .

However, depending on your career path, you may need to pick:

Skills-based resume or functional resume : focus on your skills rather than work experience
Hybrid/combination resume : a clever mix of chronological and functional resumes
Student resume format : focuses on studies, volunteering work, soft skills, and internships over work history
Video resume : for creative candidates and industries (must always be accompanied by an actual resume)
Targeted resume : created with one specific job posting in mind
Infographic resume : for a career focused on graphics and design skills
Simple resume : concentrated strictly on the content

Our online resume maker and all of our templates support these resume formats, so you can try them all and see what works best for you!

Do I need a different resume for every different job application?

Yes, you do! You should make a different resume for every application. Tailoring your resume to each job you apply to can significantly increase your chances of getting hired. Generic resumes simply don't stand a chance against a targeted resume .

For an easy way out, check if the job title and skills section match and are relevant to the job you’re after.

In our resume generator, once you enter the job title you’re pursuing, you’ll get customized suggestions for a list of skills, resume profile , and other areas that can be improved. Also, you can easily duplicate, change, and save every resume you write. That makes it way easier to tailor your resume for each job offer you’re applying for in less than 5 minutes. Now you don't have to mass-send the same resume or spend hours creating a new one for each offer from scratch!

What does an ATS-friendly resume mean?

An ATS-friendly resume is one that is fully and easily scanned and understood by the Applicant Tracking Systems. Format your resume and include relevant keywords to achieve it. Many companies use such software to scan and filter resumes before landing on a recruiter’s desk.

All the templates in Zety resume builder are 100% ATS-compliant. Make your resume using an ATS-friendly resume template , and don’t get rejected.

Are there any good resume examples that I can use?

Yes, there are many great resume examples! See over 500 free resume examples for any job application . There's a guide for everyone, no matter your experience level and industry.

However, even though you can copy and use the available examples, it’s still essential to understand what your future employer is looking for in your resume. Use the examples only as references.

Do I need a cover letter for my resume?

Yes, cover letters are necessary . Your recruiters might need more time to read it carefully, but they will find time to scan them when they consider you as a potential hire.

Submitting a cover letter is one of the best ways to boost your resume and prove just how motivated you are. More than 25% of recruiters consider them critical, and half of them prefer when applicants attach a cover letter to their resume. Of course, a cover letter will only work if it is as tailored and unique as your resume, so it’s important to figure out what a cover letter should say to wow the recruiter.

To learn more about creating a job-winning cover letter, check out our guide on how to write a cover letter . Help yourself with our hundreds of free cover letter examples , or use our professional cover letter templates that match your resume in our resume builder.

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From the military to the workforce: How to leverage veterans’ skills

US employers face multiple challenges when it comes to filling jobs and retaining workers, including a shortage of skilled labor and an aging workforce. To meet the moment in this era of technological change, some companies are broadening their hiring lens beyond the traditional college résumé. They are evaluating candidates on their capacity to learn , their intrinsic capabilities, and their transferable skills.

About the authors

This article is a collaborative effort by Scott Blackburn , Michael Kim, Charlie Lewis , Hannah Oh, and Kallman Parry.

This is where military veterans can make a difference. Veterans represent a source of labor potential that is untapped relative to the breadth of experience and depth of skills that they acquire and develop during their service. Members of the military receive technical training, operate under pressure in austere environments, and develop strong interpersonal skills throughout their service, making them well qualified for numerous civilian occupations. While not every military role is directly transferrable to a civilian job, most skills are—including those that correspond to US industries experiencing labor shortages, such as infrastructure and manufacturing.

And veterans aren’t the only ones who stand to benefit from a longer look by employers: the economic opportunity of unleashing the value of veterans’ work experience through skills-based hiring could reach almost $15 billion over a ten-year period, new McKinsey research shows.

In this article, we explore the complex employment picture for military veterans , including in jobs and industries that will be most affected by automation and generative AI . We look at actions the military can take to help service members prepare for their transition to civilian work. We focus particularly on enlisted veterans, who make up the majority of those shifting out each year but who tend to fare worse in the labor market because employers don’t recognize their technical skills. We then discuss ways that the military and the private sector can close the veteran opportunity gap by improving employment outcomes.

The veteran employment landscape

Military veterans are not a homogeneous demographic, nor is their labor profile. Veterans’ work experiences differ by age, skills, and educational degrees. Our research shows that, in the aggregate, veterans with bachelor’s degrees and those skilled through alternate routes (known as STARs 1 According to the not-for-profit Opportunity@Work, STARs are individuals who are at least 25 years old, are currently active in the workforce, and who have a high school diploma but no bachelor’s degree. ) outearn their nonveteran peers (Exhibit 1).

Veteran STARs are, on average, eight years older and earn $3.91 more per hour than civilian STARs, though they tend to cluster in fewer, technical occupations. The largest veteran STAR group is aged 45 to 54; this cohort has the highest median hourly wage ($26.44) of all STAR groups. The group with the highest median hourly wage overall ($42.58) is made up of veterans aged 55 to 64 and with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The roles with the highest representation of veterans are often analogs of military specialties. These roles include aircraft pilots, flight engineers, and aircraft mechanics and service technicians, as well as detectives and criminal investigators. Veterans are also well-represented in middle- to high-wage occupations that are accessible from low-wage jobs and rarely require an undergraduate degree. These roles include occupational-health and safety specialists and technicians, crane and tower operators, paramedics, and construction and building inspectors.

When viewed as a monolith, veterans are doing relatively well. But when broken down into subsets, many veterans are struggling to find jobs that use, recognize, and compensate them commensurate with their level of military experience. This is especially true for those who have difficulty translating their experience to civilian employment opportunities—in particular, veterans without a four-year degree, who represent 61 percent of all employed veterans. 2 Opportunity@Work analysis of the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) 2021 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) to the Current Population Survey (CPS).

Of the roughly 150,000 active-duty service members who transition from the military each year, 3 Demographics report , US Department of Defense, 2021. approximately 90,500 earn less in their first year after being discharged than they did on active duty, resulting in billions of dollars of lost economic value (Exhibit 2). 4 Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) 2022 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) to the Current Population Survey (CPS), as well as data analysis of the US Census Bureau’s Veteran Employment Outcomes. And while some categories of veterans fare better than others—including former officers, as well as Special Forces and personnel who specialized in intelligence, IT, and cyber operations—veterans across categories are, on average, entering the civilian workforce at lower median wages than they had in the military.

Enlisted service members are disproportionately affected: veteran STARs tend to occupy lower-paying and more physically demanding roles than veterans with bachelor’s degrees, indicating that they may be hampered by not having a four-year degree.

Our methodology

To understand the lost economic opportunity associated with the lower wages for transitioning enlisted service members, we grouped junior enlisted service members who had undervalued occupational skills and noncommissioned officers (NCOs) who had undervalued managerial skills. We identified the one-year postdischarge salary for each category as a baseline, then assigned best-fit skills-based careers to each category. We narrowed the field of choices by factoring in required education, preparation needed, and projected annual job openings. Based on those choices, we identified salaries and calculated projected future earnings. We then determined the economic difference between current and potential salaries for all categories. Top careers included registered nurses; electricians; first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers; industrial-machinery mechanics; and municipal and forest firefighters.

The cohort of enlisted veterans postdischarge excludes occupational groups (intelligence, Special Operations forces, and IT) that earn roughly equal to or greater than their last year of active-duty regular military compensation. The comparison of actual and potential average salary for enlisted veterans postdischarge is based on the latest data set to track income relative to military occupation from the US Census Bureau’s Veteran Employment Outcomes, which covers army veterans who left active-duty service between 2000 and 2015. 1 “Veteran Employee Outcomes,” US Census Bureau, accessed October 24, 2023. Actual earnings are from the Department of Labor; future-earnings projections are based on the 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics annual wage increase and converted to 2018 dollars to match the Department of Labor data set. We also referred to the Department of Defense’s digital employment tool, Occupational Information Network, or O*NET; a 2023 RAND report on service members’ knowledge, skills, and abilities 2 Elizabeth Hastings Roer, Jeffrey B. Wenger, and Jonathan P. Wong, Military-to-civilian occupational matching: Using the O*NET to provide match recommendations for the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force , RAND, 2023. ; and an internal survey of veterans working at McKinsey that matched the RAND findings.

McKinsey analyzed what the total potential loss of annual earnings for a cohort of 90,500 transitioning enlisted service members would mean in terms of lost overall economic potential (Exhibit 3). The research, which combined labor data and a skills-based analysis, found that the economic potential of improving employment outcomes for a single cohort of transitioning veterans could be almost $15 billion over a ten-year period (see sidebar, “Our methodology”). This presents a significant opportunity for the military, the private sector, and not-for-profit organizations supporting veterans as employers seek workers with ready-made skills.

How veterans’ skills apply to jobs—now and in the future

In the broad economic context, McKinsey research on the US labor market shows a disconnect between available jobs and people qualified to fill them. Two industries in particular stand out: infrastructure and manufacturing.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is expected to create hundreds of thousands of additional jobs on projects ranging from roads, bridges, and waterways to clean energy and electric vehicles. However, a labor crunch in construction jobs exists across sectors, occupations, and geographies . In manufacturing, McKinsey analysis suggests that reviving the industry —in which the bulk of employees don’t need four-year degrees—could boost GDP and add up to 1.5 million jobs. 5 “ Delivering the US manufacturing renaissance ,” McKinsey, August 29, 2022.

Veterans map well to these high-demand jobs. To identify the specific actions that can help improve veterans’ employment outcomes in these industries and others, the research matched military specialties and skills to their full spectrum of civilian occupations. The goal was to identify high-potential pathways that are likely to improve veterans’ livelihoods based on skill overlap. 6 To focus the analysis and gain an understanding of the distribution of veterans across occupations, their education attainment levels, and incomes today, we examined employment and demographic data from external sources such as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the US Census Bureau, in addition to analysis from internal sources such as the McKinsey Global Institute. For the purposes of this research, veterans’ livelihood represents their overall well-being, as well as the strength of their means to provide essentials (for example, food, shelter, clothing, healthcare) to support themselves and their families. Our ratings of veterans’ occupational skills were based on a 2023 RAND survey of more than 5,100 veterans and augmented with a small sample of McKinsey veteran employees. For more, see Elizabeth Hastings Roer, Jeffrey B. Wenger, and Jonathan P. Wong, Military-to-civilian occupational matching: Using the O*NET to provide match recommendations for the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force , RAND, 2023.

The analysis found that enlisted veterans are highly rated on occupational skills associated with trades such as electricians, mechanics, and construction professionals. For example, veterans were consistently rated higher on technical skills such as installation, equipment maintenance, repairing, and troubleshooting than the threshold required for the average civilian occupation.

Conversely, enlisted veterans were rated lower on “softer” occupational skills associated with management, sales, and office and administrative-support roles, such as reading comprehension, persuasion, and negotiation, suggesting real or perceived deficiencies in interpersonal skills that are required to succeed in business environments. However, these lower ratings tended to improve with military rank and the accompanying experience that rank brings, as both midlevel and senior noncommissioned officers (NCOs) scored above average on all occupational skills. 7 Melissa A. Bradley et al., Helping soldiers leverage army knowledge, skills, and abilities in civilian jobs , RAND, 2017.

Veterans overall score higher on service orientation, which the analysis defined as “actively looking for ways to help other people,” than the threshold for the average civilian occupation. However, this skill may not fully capture inherent veteran strengths, such as dependability, punctuality, discipline, and integrity.

While the typical veteran tool kit favors technical ability over verbal and written communication, veterans can consider developing and refining their soft skills to allow for better access to high-potential “gateway” roles , while continuing to pursue in-demand occupations that require technical skills. 8 “New research finds workers without four-year degrees not realizing wage gains despite having the skills for higher-wage work; identifies 51 job roles that unlock economic mobility,” Opportunity@Work press release, accessed October 30, 2023. These roles create a bridge between frontline work and destination roles, which require higher-level skills training and academic credentials.

The top 15 occupations that employ veterans today are generally expected to experience strong positive labor demand change and low change-of-work activities in the coming years as digitization and other technological changes take hold (Exhibit 4). These occupations include nursing (expected to experience a 41 percent increase in labor demand); laborers and freight, stock, and material movers (a 26 percent increase); construction laborers (a 22 percent increase); and truck drivers (a 12 percent increase). Veterans can continue to pursue these occupations at even higher rates.

On the other hand, certain occupations that employ veterans are at risk of displacement due to declining job demand and adoption of automation, as well as the acceleration of generative AI in these occupations. This includes retail salespeople (expected to experience a 23 percent decrease in labor demand), supervisors of office and administrative-support workers (a 20 percent decrease), and customer service representatives (a 14 percent decrease).

Transitioning veterans can consider avoiding these roles, and veterans already in these occupations can continue to focus on upskilling, while taking advantage of reskilling opportunities to move into more secure occupations. Veterans looking to move into more senior positions can also use generative AI tools to their own advantage to help boost their capabilities and output.

Veterans looking to move into more senior positions can use generative AI tools to their own advantage to help boost their capabilities and output.

Several gateway occupations offer high potential to improve veterans’ livelihoods, including heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) mechanics and installers, human resources specialists, and industrial-machinery mechanics. However, these occupations are being accessed by less than 2 percent of employed veterans today (Exhibit 5).

Closing the opportunity gap: Actions stakeholders can take

We’ve looked at the skills that many veterans offer and the potential roles that a majority of veterans pursue, including gateway jobs for those without four-year degrees. To carve out better pathways and help make transitions more successful for those who need more support, the military services and employers can consider the following interventions.

The military: Recruit, retain, retrain

The military can address three recruiting and retention challenges by communicating the value of service and how skills developed in the military can translate to future careers.

Reverse declining interest in military service. The US military itself is facing a recruiting crisis that is likely to worsen if the value proposition of employment beyond military service doesn’t improve. 9 Ben Kesling, “The military recruiting crisis: Even veterans don’t want their families to join,” Wall Street Journal , June 30, 2023. The general population is largely unaware of the benefits of service, with 50 percent of young people saying they know little to nothing about military service and its unique professional-development offerings. 10 “Facts and figures,” US Army Recruiting Command, accessed August 29, 2023.

To shift perceptions and to help support candidates on their holistic career journey, the military can train recruiters to promote how service-developed skills can lead to well-compensated civilian careers and improved livelihoods, including how different military specialties map to various civilian occupations. As discussed earlier, there are several high-potential career pathways that are open to veterans that will continue be viable even as AI adoption increases. Recruiters who can communicate the value of military service in the context of these pathways could improve interest levels over the longer term.

The US Department of Defense (DOD) and service branches can launch a public relations campaign that highlights how the military develops desirable skills during service and provides support, education, and training opportunities during and beyond the transition. These programs include the GI Bill, tuition and credentials assistance, leadership academies, military occupation-related training, and SkillBridge, which allows transitioning service members to intern with civilian employers during the last 90 to 180 days of their service. 11 For more, see Army Credentialing Opportunities Online (Army COOL), US Army; “Education and training,” US Department of Veterans Affairs; “Tuition assistance,” US Army; and “What is SkillBridge?,” US Department of Defense, all sources accessed October 23, 2023.

Reduce disparities in commercial-sector employment opportunities . As noted earlier, the military has effective transition programs aimed at increasing the presence of veterans in the tech space and elsewhere. In one example of a successful transition, a naval flight officer looking for a civilian job emphasized her experiences in combat, as a NATO instructor, and in leading teams. Through the DOD SkillBridge program, she found a role focusing on public sector sales at a tech start-up. Starting as a customer success manager, she was promoted three times to a director-level role at the company, which is now a unicorn.

However, in many cases the digital career tools available to those transitioning to civilian work are inconsistent and often focus on literal job translations, neglecting inputs beyond military occupational specialties, such as rank, education, and formal training. For instance, recruiters from the Army and the Marine Corps receive different career recommendations from a widely used digital tool, the DOD’s Occupational Information Network, or O*NET, which transitioning service members are encouraged to use to evaluate potential careers.

Service members with critical skills, such as cyber-operations specialists and unpiloted-aerial-systems operators, are more likely to leave for commercial opportunities after their first enlistment, while other specialties are less in demand because of a lack of clear occupational analogs. The services could adopt reenlistment incentives that amplify the value of more military experience for skill development, rather than providing potentially ineffective financial incentives for service members so they stay for an additional enlistment.

For instance, promoting the long-term NCO tool kit, with a focus on leadership of personnel and resources, could improve both retention and recruiting outcomes. The services could enhance NCO leadership academies to offer upskilling and additional training, which improve the likelihood of employment in civilian occupations that offer increased earning power.

The military could also promote occupations such as nursing, which has a significant labor shortage, with more than 200,000 openings annually . Veterans with experience as medics are well suited for nursing roles. In addition, the military could offer nursing prerequisites on base as a part of its Installation Education Centers and highlight veterans in diverse nursing careers (in intensive care units, emergency rooms, and flight or transport roles).

In another individual example, an air force aerospace medical technician earned his associate’s degree in nursing while in the service, then used the GI Bill to complete his bachelor’s degree in nursing after leaving the air force. He then went on to earn his MBA and is now a healthcare consultant.

Increase job satisfaction rates. Twenty-two percent of active service members report dissatisfaction with their military experience, 12 See “Military-to-civilian occupational matching,” 2023; and “Navy readiness: Actions needed to evaluate and improve surface warfare officer career path,” US Government Accountability Office, June 17, 2021. a percentage that spikes further in certain demographics, such as the 88 percent of female Naval Surface Warfare Officers who leave within their first ten years.

To encourage younger generations to seek out military service as a career, the military can partner with more universities, trade associations, and employers to diversify the service member experience and to allow service members to pursue opportunities outside their specialty while still contributing to the capabilities of their service.

The private sector: Build a talent model around skills

As the United States invests in infrastructure- and climate-related projects, the labor shortage the country is currently experiencing may only grow . And as generative AI and other technologies take off, productivity changes will likely affect the occupations that veterans pursue and the skills that transitioning service members will need to be competitive for employment.

To help expand talent pools , corporate leaders should take note that 60 percent of American workers over the age of 25 don’t hold a four-year degree. 13 “Hire for the skills it takes to do the job,” Opportunity@Work, accessed October 24, 2023. That roughly matches the percentage of those transitioning out of the military who don’t have a bachelor’s degree.

By moving to a skills-based approach, companies can boost the number and quality of applicants who apply to open positions. Internally, they can build skills and retrain their existing workforces to prepare people for new roles. Retention improves when workers find more opportunities to advance internally, McKinsey research shows . 14 Sandra Durth, Asmus Komm, Florian Pollner, and Angelika Reich, “ Reimagining people development to overcome talent challenges ,” McKinsey, March 3, 2023. Skills-based practices have a greater impact when they’re implemented across the whole talent journey, including in sourcing, hiring, and career development.

Companies can also set targets for veteran recruitment and hiring. One company that has pledged to hire veterans is Micron, which is building a $100 billion semiconductor plant in upstate New York. 15 Steve Lohr, “Micron pledges up to $100 billion for semiconductor factory in New York,” New York Times , October 4, 2022. Of the 9,000 people it expects to hire for the plant, Micron is aiming to hire 1,500 veterans, or 17 percent of its workforce. The company has found that veterans are a good fit for the semiconductor industry because of their experience with heavy machinery and technology, along with their disciplined mindset and team-building skills.

In the public sector, US states and local governments that are receiving BIL funding can reserve a portion of jobs for veterans, just as they have for stakeholders such as local construction companies, engineering firms, trade schools, and others.

A hiring strategy that focuses on expanding the pool of potential talent can help communities by creating more and better job opportunities for a broader, diverse pool of workers. It can also provide upward mobility for millions of workers—including veterans—at a crucial time for the US economy.

The military can take more steps to support veterans, particularly enlisted service members, as they navigate the transition to civilian work. Companies can open their hiring practices to consider veterans for a variety of roles, not just those that match perfectly with their military skills. Together, these actions can add billions in value to the US economy as veterans moving into civilian jobs maintain or increase their earning power to support their families and build their communities.

Scott Blackburn is a senior partner in McKinsey’s Washington, DC, office, where Kallman Parry is a senior analyst; Michael Kim and Hannah Oh are consultants in the Southern California office; and Charlie Lewis is a partner in the Stamford, Connecticut, office. All are veterans of the US armed forces.

This article was edited by Barbara Tierney, a senior editor in the New York office.

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How to choose brand colors using psychology

Each color has a different, but immediate impact on our moods and perception of a concept or product. By selecting the right brand color palette, you can influence your audience to feel a certain way about your business or services.

When you learn how to choose brand colors, you can make your business instantly recognizable, and boost brand loyalty, engagement, and sales. Just think… We all know how it feels to see the bright yellow M of a McDonald’s and to instantly think of great, affordable food.

Read on to learn more about color psychology and how you can use this to build your brand color palette. We also look at the tools that will help you save time as you get inspiration.

Table of Contents

Brand colors: Why are they important?

Your brand identity is the personality behind your business; it includes your values, how you communicate, and how your audience feels when they interact with you. Brand colors play a critical role in this, helping to convey the essence of your brand and evoke specific emotions.

Once you have established your brand colors and used them consistently, your audience will be able to identify you in seconds; this will help your business stand out. One study showed that almost 70% of people were able to recognize famous brands based on colors alone.

Understanding color psychology when picking branding colors

Before you can understand how to pick brand colors, you need to know the fundamentals of color psychology. This is the study of how colors affect human behavior, emotions, and perceptions. Studies show that people most often have the same reactions to different colors. For example, research from the University of Mumbai shows that people consistently associate orange and yellow with playfulness and joy.

Take a look at the below table to understand which effects different colors typically have. However, bear in mind that these can change based on the context you use colors are used in and which color combinations you use them in.

These colors are categorized into primary colors (which don’t require any other colors to be made), and secondary colors (made by mixing two primary colors).

Remember that you can also find various shades of each color (for example, pink is a shade of red) and tertiary colors (made by mixing secondary and primary colors). An easy way to pinpoint your perfect shades is to use a color picker tool like Picsart.

Choosing the right brand colors

Ready to help your company stand out? Here we explore how to choose brand colors in three easy steps…

1. Defining your brand identity

Start by asking a few key questions to build out your brand identity. This will help you find colors that match up to its personality and vibe. Consider:

What are your core values?
If your brand was a person, how would you describe them?
How do you want your target audience to talk about your brand?
How do you want your target audience to feel when interacting with your brand?
Are there any cultural or symbolic meanings associated with certain colors that should be considered?

2. Building your brand color palette

After you’ve selected a primary (main) color that you associate with your brand identity, you can start to find the best color combinations . It’s a good idea to stick to between 2 and 4 colors in your branding color scheme as this allows you to create a clean image and have maximal impact on your audience.

As well as a primary color, your brand color palette could include:

A secondary color that complements the primary color.
Accent colors that stand out and provide visual interest.
Neutral colors such as black, white, or gray which add balance and work well as backgrounds.

You can easily find colors that go well together by using Picsart’s Color Wheel . When you select a primary color, it automatically shows you which shades will create a beautiful contrast or well-blended brand image.

3. Testing and finalizing brand colors

It’s important to test how your chosen colors look across various devices, channels, and lighting conditions. This allows you to make sure they’re easy to read and likely to create a great impression on your audience. You can also ensure that your designs are accessible by ensuring sure there’s enough contrast between the text and background color. Learn more about this by reading The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines .

After optimizing your color choices, make sure to write the color codes (alphanumerical representations of the colors) down in brand guidelines. This will allow you to stay consistent in the future to create a consistent brand image. You can use RGB, HEX, HSL, or CYMK code formats or convert between them in our easy tool .

Finding examples of strong brand color palettes

It’s important to research your competitors’ brand color palettes. This allows you to differentiate yourself while still remaining aware of colors that are typically used in your industry due to their particular associations.

For example, medical companies often use the color green to convey vitality and stability. If you were operating in that field, you’d likely want to avoid looking like everyone else, but you might use a color with similar associations, such as blue.

Our tools make it quick and easy to find inspiration. To make the process of finding your competitors’ colors easier, you can extract the colors from an image of their site. Alternatively, you can use our color palette generator to randomly generate a palette or create a beautiful collection of colors based on a primary color of your choice.

If you’re ready to play around and find the colors that make you (and your audience) feel something about your brand, head to our suite of tools. You’ll have a sparkling new visual identity in no time!

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