A resume is more than a list of your experience and skills. It's your first impression, and it's often what opens the door to new job opportunities, whether you're an experienced professional or just starting out.
A strong resume can be the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked. Here's how to build yours, section by section.
01Your Personal Information
- Name: Make it easy to read, with a clear font in a legible size. Skip decorative fonts.
- Contact information:
- Email: Use a professional email address, not a joking or playful one.
- Phone: Make sure your number is current and reachable.
- LinkedIn: Customize your profile URL, ideally with your full name. You'll find this under the edit option for your public profile, at the top right.
- Location: Include only your city and country, not your full address.
- National ID: Leave out your national ID number and any other personal identification numbers.
Picture: optional but considered
If you include a photo, make sure it's professional, such as a headshot with a plain background and professional attire. Keep it small enough that it doesn't clutter the layout.
02Professional Experience
- Order: List your positions from most recent to oldest, starting with your current or latest role.
- Details: Include the company name, your position and your dates of employment.
- Achievements: Focus on results and impact rather than a list of tasks, using bullet points.
Example: turning general tasks into achievements
Show how well you did something, not just what you did.
03Education
- List accredited studies only, most recent first.
- Include the institution's name, its city and country, the degree or certification you earned, the years you attended, and any honors, such as the dean's list.
04Leadership and Volunteering
Include leadership roles and volunteer work, even if they fall outside your professional career.
- Order: Most recent first.
- Details: Include the organization's name, your role, your dates of participation, and both your accomplishments and duties.
Example
05Skills and Software
- Highlight the tools that are relevant to your role and industry, such as project management, CRM, email marketing, sales automation and design software.
- Don't repeat what you've already listed in earlier sections. This section should complement those bullet points.
Closing Thoughts
An introductory paragraph at the top of your resume is optional, and it's usually best left out. It adds length without showing concrete achievements.
Your resume's main job is to open the door to a conversation. Make your strongest achievements stand out so they spark curiosity and lead to an interview, where you can go into detail.
Let your resume do the talking.
Your resume is the first step toward a lasting impression. Thank you for reading, and good luck putting these tips to work.
Cheers, until next time!