How to Write a Resume for a Job (Examples & Guide)

Learning how to make a resume stand out is your first step toward getting closer to the opportunities you want.

Think of your resume as your professional highlight reel. It’s your chance to show off your skills, your wins, and all the things that make you, you. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how to write each section of a resume, choose the best format, avoid common mistakes, and create an optimized resume that helps you stand out to recruiters and pass applicant tracking systems (ATS), the software many employers use to organize and screen resumes before a recruiter reviews them.

How to Create a Resume in 9 Steps

Writing an effective resume doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right approach—and the right tools—you can create a resume that highlights your strengths and gets noticed by recruiters.

Whether you’re writing your first resume or updating an existing one, learning how to highlight your strengths effectively is one of the most valuable career skills you can develop. 

We’ve mapped it out for you in nine easy steps. Let’s start! 

Step 1: Gather Your Resume Information

Start writing your resume by gathering your work history, education, skills, and accomplishments. Having everything ready before you begin makes writing your resume faster and helps you avoid forgetting important accomplishments. 

✅ Include:

• Work experience: Job titles, company names, locations, dates, and key responsibilities
• Achievements: Results you accomplished at work that show your abilities
• Skills: Hard and soft skills tailored to the job
• Education: Degree, school name, graduation year, and honors
• Certifications & awards: Relevant titles, licenses, issuing organizations, and dates
• Volunteer work & extracurriculars: Roles, organizations, and contributions
• Profiles & portfolios: LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or GitHub profile (when relevant)
• Publications & speaking engagements: Published articles, presentations, conference talks, or media appearances relevant to your field.

Step 2: Choose the Right Resume Format

Formatting your resume the right way is key to highlighting your best qualities. These are the three main resume formats: 

• Chronological format: Best for experienced candidates. This format places your work history at the top of your resume and highlights career growth over time. It’s ideal for job seekers with a consistent employment history who want to showcase their career progression.
• Functional format: Best for recent graduates and career changers. This format highlights skills over work experience by organizing qualifications into skill categories. It can help job seekers with limited experience or employment gaps emphasize what they can offer.
• Combination format: Best for mid-level workers. This format combines elements of chronological and functional formats by highlighting both skills and work experience. It works well for candidates who want to showcase relevant skills alongside a strong work history.

If you’re unsure which resume format to choose, use a chronological resume. It’s the preferred format for most employers and works best with ATS software.

Step 3: Create Your Resume Header

A strong resume header is straightforward. You just need to include the following details: 

• Full name
• Job title
• Phone number
• Professional email
• City, state, and zip code
• Networking profile or digital portfolio, if applicable.

Avoid including personal information, such as your full street address, date of birth, marital status, or a photo unless it’s customary in the industry to which you’re applying. Double-check that your email address sounds professional (for example, FirstName.LastName@email.com) and that your phone number includes a current voicemail greeting. 

Step 4: Write Your Professional Summary

A strong resume summary quickly highlights your most relevant skills, experience, and achievements. Since recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds scanning a resume, the top section is prime real estate.

Tailor your resume summary to each job by incorporating relevant skills and keywords from the job description whenever possible. Highlight your strongest qualifications, career wins, and the value you can bring to the employer. Aim for three to four sentences that showcase what you do best.

Use this simple formula to write a resume summary:

Check out this resume summary example: 

If you’re a recent graduate or are changing careers, use a resume objective instead! Focus on your skills, goals, and what you can bring to the company.

Use this formula to write a resume objective:

See how it works in this example:

📣 Why this matters: Only 38.11% of resumes created in 2024 included this section—meaning you can instantly stand out by adding one.

Step 5: Describe Your Work Experience

Your goal for your work history section should be to show how your experience matches the target job. Add only relevant past roles with your job title, company names, and employment dates. Focus on measurable accomplishments instead of simply listing responsibilities.

Write your job duties in bullet points, starting each bullet point with a strong action verb. If applicable, include work achievements. Whenever possible, quantify your impact using percentages, dollar amounts, time saved, revenue generated, or customer satisfaction improvements. 

Take a look at this example: 

Here are some examples: 

Step 6: Present Your Educational Background

Your education section helps employers trust your background. Employers typically expect education to appear in reverse-chronological order, with your most recent degree listed first. Be sure to include the school’s name, where it’s located, and your graduation date. 

If you’ve recently graduated, your education section can appear above your work experience. 

Check out this example:

If you have limited work experience, you can add more details, such as: 

• Completed credits (if you haven’t graduated yet)
• Relevant coursework that shows your industry knowledge
• Awards or honors you’ve earned
• Extracurricular activities
• Academic projects or memberships

Step 7: List Relevant Skills

When learning how to do a resume, creating an impressive skills section is a must. Carefully review the job posting and identify keywords you can include. Then, list six to eight soft and hard skills that match the job description, show you’re a well-rounded candidate, and improve your chances of passing ATS screenings.

Examples of common hard skills employers look for include data analysis, project management, software proficiency, technical writing, and digital marketing. Common soft skills include communication, leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and time management. The best skills to include are those that match the job description.

Your resume isn’t a biography—it’s a marketing tool. Prioritize experience and skills that align with the job you’re applying for. This keeps your resume impactful and makes it easier for recruiters to see why you’re the right fit.

Dominika Kowalska

 Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Step 8: Boost Your Resume With Bonus Sections

A standard resume covers work experience, education, and skills. But how do you make your resume stand out? By adding extra sections that show your unique qualifications: 

Here are some bonus sections you can include: 

• Awards: Show you’re a top performer.
• Certifications: Prove you know your stuff.
• Memberships: Let employers see you’re part of professional groups.
• Language skills: Excel in global workspaces.
• Publications: Share your thought leadership. 
• Volunteer work: Show you care. 

Step 9: Proofread & Submit Your Resume

Your resume looks great, but is it perfect? Before hitting send, polish it like a pro to avoid mistakes that could cost you the job. 

Read your resume from top to bottom to make sure formatting, dates, and verb tense stay consistent throughout.

✅ Final resume checklist:

• Review formatting: Ensure everything is clear, structured, and easy to read. 
• Check for completeness: Make sure all essential sections are included. 
• Scan for errors: Use our Resume Checker to instantly scan for errors. 
• Get a second opinion: Ask a friend or mentor to review for clarity. 
• Personalize your email: Address the hiring manager by name—skip “To Whom It May Concern.”
• Save a tailored copy: Keep a separate version of your resume for each job application.

Following these nine steps will help you create a resume that’s easy for recruiters to scan, optimized for ATS, and tailored to the job you want. 

Ready to get a jump on your resume writing? Try Zety’s Resume Builder today! You can create and edit your resume in just a few minutes on any device.

Resume Examples for Inspiration

Now that you know how to write a good resume, let’s see what the results can look like! Below are professional resume examples. Use them as inspiration when writing your own resume. 

1. IT Specialist Resume Example

This IT specialist resume demonstrates how to combine technical skills, measurable accomplishments, and a concise professional summary into an ATS-friendly format. Notice how each achievement uses action verbs and quantifiable results. 

Use this resume template

2. Manager Resume Example

This manager resume example shows how to highlight leadership experience, measurable achievements, and career progression in a clear, ATS-friendly format. Notice how each accomplishment uses action verbs and measurable results to demonstrate leadership, business impact, and career growth. 

Use this template

3. Office Administrator Resume Example

This office administrator resume demonstrates how to organize administrative experience, technical skills, and accomplishments into a professional resume that employers can quickly scan. Strong action verbs and quantifiable achievements highlight organizational skills, attention to detail, and the administrative experience employers are looking for.

Use this template

4. Sales Associate Resume Example

This sales associate resume example highlights customer service skills, sales achievements, and product knowledge using concise, accomplishment-driven bullet points. It also shows how measurable results, such as exceeding sales goals or improving customer satisfaction, can help demonstrate your value to employers while improving your chances of passing ATS. 

Use this template

Recruiters spend mere seconds on an initial resume scan, so keeping it concise is crucial. A well-structured template helps you format your resume efficiently, ensuring it stays within the ideal length—one page for less-experienced candidates and up to two pages for seasoned professionals.

Caio Sampaio

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

💯 Resume templates = glow-up made easy. Skip the stress and focus on what really matters—showing off your skills. Our resume templates have clean designs, smart layouts, and all the right sections built in. Just fill it in, and you’re good to go! 

Tips to Boost Your Resume

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

• Stick to professional resume fonts like Calibri, Verdana, or Arial. Use 10–12 point size for text and 14 points for headings.
• Use 1-inch margins and single or 1.5 line spacing.
• One-page resumes are ideal for most job seekers. Use two pages if additional experience or accomplishments strengthen your application.
• Avoid overloading your resume with buzzwords—keep it clear and specific.
• Add keywords from the job description to help your resume pass ATS scans.
• Use strong action verbs and measurable accomplishments throughout your work experience. 
• Review your resume for spelling, grammar, formatting, and consistency.
• Unless stated otherwise, save your resume as a PDF to keep formatting intact.
• Name your file Job-Title-Resume-Your-Name.pdf for clarity. 

Create a Cover Letter That Gets You Noticed

Many hiring managers value cover letters, yet many job seekers skip them. That gives you an opportunity to stand out.

A strong resume tells employers what you’ve accomplished. A cover letter explains why you’re the right fit for the role. Submitting both allows you to highlight your qualifications and show genuine interest in the position.

✅ How to write a strong cover letter:

• Tailor it. Like your resume, every cover letter should be tailored to the specific job and company. 
• Start strong. Grab attention with a compelling cover letter introduction.
• Make it personal. Mention how you can add value to the company’s needs.
• Prove your fit. Highlight key achievements that align with the role.
• End with impact. Use a confident call to action—suggest a date for an interview.
• Keep it short. Make it one page max—anything longer may not be read.

Key Takeaways

Here’s how to make a good resume that gets interviews: 

• Gather all relevant career details: experience, education, skills, and more.
• Choose the right format to highlight your strengths.
• Keep your contact information professional and up to date.
• Write an eye-catching summary or objective.
• Showcase job duties and achievements in your work experience.
• Add numbers and percentages to prove your abilities.
• Use your education section to back up your experience.
• Tailor your skills to match the job requirements.
• Elevate your resume with extra sections.
• Create a matching cover letter to share your career story. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you write a simple resume?

A simple resume includes your contact information, a professional summary or objective, work experience, education, and relevant skills. Use a clean, easy-to-read layout with clear headings and bullet points to make your qualifications easy for recruiters to scan.

Customize your resume for each job by highlighting the experience and skills that best match the job posting. Keeping your resume focused and relevant can improve your chances of getting noticed by both recruiters and ATS.

What are the seven basic steps to write a resume?

The seven basic steps to writing a resume are:

1. Gather your career information.
2. Choose the right resume format.
3. Add your contact information.
4. Write a strong resume summary or objective.
5. Describe your work experience with measurable achievements.
6. Include your education and relevant skills.
7. Proofread and tailor your resume before submitting it.

Following these steps can help you create a professional resume that highlights your qualifications and aligns with the position you’re applying for.

How do you start writing a resume?

Start by gathering your work history, education, certifications, skills, and key accomplishments. Having everything organized before you begin makes it easier to choose the right resume format and write compelling descriptions of your experience.

Once you’ve gathered your information, review the job posting to identify important qualifications and keywords you can naturally include throughout your resume.

What are the three C’s of a resume?

The three C’s of a resume are commonly described as clear, concise, and customized. Your resume should be easy to read, focused on your most relevant qualifications, and tailored to the specific job you’re applying for.

While there isn’t a single official resume formula, following these principles can help you create a stronger, more effective resume that captures employers’ attention.

Should I customize my resume for every job?

Yes. Tailoring your resume for each position helps recruiters quickly identify your most relevant qualifications and can improve your chances of passing ATS.

Even small updates, such as revising your professional summary, adding keywords from the job posting, or emphasizing the most relevant accomplishments, can make your resume more competitive.

Should a resume be one page?

For most job seekers, a one-page resume is ideal, especially if you have fewer than 10 years of experience. A concise resume helps recruiters quickly identify your qualifications and is often easier to review.

A two-page resume may be appropriate if you have extensive experience, technical expertise, publications, or leadership accomplishments that are directly relevant to the role. Regardless of length, every section should add value and support your application.

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