Your resume is your first impression with potential employers, so it’s essential to include the right elements. Understanding what to put on a resume can make the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked.
Your contact information should be at the top of your resume. Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile. Make sure your email address is professional.
The professional summary is a brief statement that highlights your key qualifications and career goals. This section should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for, focusing on how your skills and experiences make you a perfect fit.
List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Include the job title, company name, location, and dates of employment. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements in each role. Focus on quantifiable results and specific accomplishments.
| Job Title | Company | Location | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Manager | ABC Corp | New York, NY | Jan 2018 – Present |
| Responsibilities | Led a team of 10 in developing marketing strategies, increasing sales by 20% through innovative campaigns. | ||
Include your educational background, starting with the most recent degree. List the degree earned, school name, location, and graduation date. You can also include relevant coursework, honors, and awards.
| Degree | School | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science in Marketing | XYZ University | Los Angeles, CA | May 2017 |
| Honors | Graduated with Honors, Dean’s List for four semesters. | ||
Highlight your relevant skills that match the job description. Use a mix of hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal abilities). Be honest and specific about your proficiency levels.
Include any certifications or training that are relevant to the job. This can include professional certifications, technical training, or industry-specific courses.
If applicable, include volunteer work that demonstrates your skills and dedication. Describe your role, the organization, and the impact of your contributions. Volunteer experience can be particularly valuable if it is related to the job you are applying for.
List any professional organizations you are a member of, especially if they are relevant to your industry. This shows your commitment to staying current in your field.
Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile. Ensure your email address is professional.
A professional summary is a brief statement that highlights your key qualifications and career goals. Tailor it to the job you are applying for and focus on your most relevant skills and experiences.
List your work experience in reverse chronological order with job titles, company names, locations, and dates of employment. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements.
Yes, if it is relevant to the job you are applying for. Volunteer work can demonstrate your skills and dedication.
Include a mix of hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal abilities). Be specific about your proficiency levels.
Yes, listing professional affiliations shows your commitment to staying current in your field and can enhance your credibility.
Knowing what to put on a resume is crucial for making a strong impression on potential employers. By including the essential components and tailoring your resume to the job, you can increase your chances of landing an interview and advancing your career. Remember to focus on relevant experiences, highlight your achievements, and maintain a professional format.
Your resume is like a movie trailer for your professional life. It should be attention-grabbing, informative, and leave the audience wanting more (that “more” being an interview, of course!). But unlike a movie trailer, your resume needs to convey a lot of information in a concise and impactful way. So, what exactly should you put on this all-important document?
The Essential Elements of a Stellar Resume
A strong resume strikes a balance between being informative and easy to read. Here are the key sections you should include:
Contact Information: This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised! Make sure your contact information is front and center, including your full name, phone number, professional email address, and (optional) LinkedIn profile URL.
Summary Statement (or Objective): This is your elevator pitch. In two to three sentences, summarize your qualifications and career goals. Tailor this section for each job application, highlighting the skills most relevant to the position.
Work Experience: This is the heart of your resume. List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. For each role, include the company name, job title, dates of employment, and bullet points outlining your accomplishments. Use strong action verbs to quantify your impact whenever possible.
Skills Section: Don’t bury your skills! Showcase your most relevant skills in a dedicated section. Use a mix of hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal skills) that align with the job requirements.
Education: List your educational background, including your degree(s), major, university name, and graduation year. If you have relevant coursework or academic achievements, you can mention them here as well.
Beyond the Basics: Highlighting Your Value
Here are some additional tips to make your resume shine:
Keywords: Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Carefully review the job description and weave relevant keywords throughout your resume, particularly in your summary statement and work experience sections.
Formatting: First impressions matter! Maintain a consistent and professional format throughout your resume. Use clear headings, easy-to-read fonts (think sans serif fonts like Arial or Calibri), and strategic use of white space for improved readability.
Proofread Ruthlessly: Typos and grammatical errors are a major turn-off for employers. Proofread your resume meticulously before submitting it. Consider having a trusted friend or career counselor review your resume for any areas for improvement.
Crafting Your Compelling Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you know the essential elements, let’s break down the process of building a compelling resume:
Gather Your Information: Before diving in, collect all the relevant information you’ll need. This includes your work history, education, skills, and achievements.
Tailor for Each Job: A generic resume is a recipe for rejection. Tailor your resume for each position you apply for. Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific job requirements.
Quantify Your Achievements: Did you increase sales by 20% in your previous role? Or streamline a process that saved the company time and money? Put those numbers on your resume! Quantifiable achievements demonstrate your impact and value as an employee.
Example: Putting It into Action
Let’s imagine you’re applying for a graphic designer position. Your summary statement might highlight your 3+ years of experience in graphic design and proficiency in industry-standard software. Your work experience section would then detail your accomplishments in previous roles. For example, you could mention how you designed a new marketing campaign that resulted in a 15% increase in website traffic. Your skills section would showcase your expertise in graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator) and relevant soft skills like creativity and communication.
The Takeaway: Showcase Your Awesomeness
Your resume is your chance to tell your professional story and convince employers you’re the perfect candidate for the job. By crafting a compelling resume that is **clear, concise
Crafting a resume that captures the attention of hiring managers is crucial in today’s competitive job market. Knowing what to put on a resume can make the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked.
Your contact information should be at the top of your resume and include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile. This ensures employers can easily reach out to you for further steps.
A brief summary that highlights your skills, experience, and career goals. This section should be tailored to the job you’re applying for and should make a compelling case for why you are the best candidate.
List your work experience in reverse chronological order. Include job titles, company names, locations, and dates of employment. Use bullet points to detail your responsibilities and achievements, focusing on quantifiable results.
Include your educational background, starting with the most recent degree. Mention the institution’s name, degree obtained, and graduation date. If you have relevant coursework or honors, include them as well.
Highlight the skills that are most relevant to the job. This can include both hard skills, like software proficiency, and soft skills, like communication and teamwork.
Customize your resume for each job application. Use keywords from the job description to ensure your resume passes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and reaches human eyes.
Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your achievements. For example, “Increased sales by 20% in six months” is more impactful than “Responsible for increasing sales.”
Keep your resume to one or two pages. Employers often have limited time to review each application, so make sure your resume is clear and concise, highlighting your most significant accomplishments.
| Job Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | Manages recruitment processes and reviews resumes to identify potential candidates. |
| Career Counselor | Assists individuals in developing their resumes and preparing for job searches. |
| Recruitment Consultant | Provides expertise in hiring processes and helps candidates improve their resumes. |
| Professional Resume Writer | Creates and optimizes resumes for clients to enhance their job search success. |
| Talent Acquisition Specialist | Focuses on sourcing and attracting top talent through resume reviews and interviews. |
| Job Placement Specialist | Works with job seekers to refine their resumes and secure employment opportunities. |
| Employment Specialist | Assists clients in creating effective resumes and finding suitable job placements. |
| Resume Coach | Provides personalized guidance on resume writing and job search strategies. |
| HR Manager | Oversees hiring processes and evaluates resumes to identify qualified candidates. |
| Job Search Strategist | Develops job search plans and helps clients craft impactful resumes. |
| Entry-Level | Mid-Level | Senior-Level | Executive-Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resume Writer | Senior Resume Writer | Resume Manager | Director of Resume Services |
| HR Assistant | HR Specialist | HR Manager | Chief HR Officer (CHRO) |
| Recruiter | Senior Recruiter | Recruitment Manager | Vice President of Talent Acquisition |
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