How to Write a Good Resume

Crafting a standout resume is essential for landing your dream job. Follow these actionable steps, tips, and examples to make your resume shine.

Introduction

Your resume is your first impression to a potential employer. A well-crafted resume can open doors to interviews and job offers, while a poorly structured one may end up in the discard pile. Whether you’re writing your first resume, refreshing an old one, or using our free resume builder, this guide will provide valuable insights to help you succeed.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps to create a successful resume, highlight common mistakes to avoid, and provide actionable examples to inspire your own.

Steps to Create a Successful Resume

  1. Start with a strong professional summary that highlights your key skills and career goals.
  2. Tailor your resume to the job by using keywords from the job description.
  3. Organize information clearly with sections like Professional Summary, Skills, Work Experience, and Education.
  4. Quantify your achievements with numbers and results where possible (e.g., "Increased revenue by 20%").
  5. Use action verbs like "Developed," "Implemented," and "Achieved."
  6. Include clear contact information: phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile.
  7. Ensure ATS (Applicant Tracking System) compatibility by avoiding graphics and using standard fonts.
  8. Proofread thoroughly to eliminate grammatical and typographical errors.

Why Your Resume Matters

Employers often spend only a few seconds scanning resumes, so it’s vital to make an immediate impact. A good resume is more than a list of your jobs and skills; it’s a snapshot of your professional identity, highlighting how you can add value to an organization.


Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not tailoring your resume: Customize your resume for each job to show you’re the perfect fit.
  • Using generic phrases: Avoid clichés like “Team player” or “Hard worker.” Instead, use specific examples to demonstrate these qualities.
  • Failing to quantify achievements: Numbers make your achievements more tangible and impactful.
  • Ignoring formatting: Stick to a clean, consistent layout to ensure readability.
  • Submitting without proofreading: Even a small typo can leave a poor impression.

Examples of Resume Snippets

Below are examples of well-structured resume sections:

Professional Summary

"Seasoned marketing professional with 10+ years of experience driving revenue growth through data-driven strategies."

Work Experience

Marketing Manager at GAB16 Media, Jan 2018 - Present
- Developed a digital marketing campaign that increased web traffic by 50%.
- Led a team of 8 to achieve a 20% growth in customer acquisition in 2022.

Work Experience

Software Engineer at GAB16 Software, Jan 2024 - Present
- Increased platform uptime to 99.9% by configuring health checks and automated deployments.
- Implemented a failover mechanism using the outbox pattern for Azure Service Bus message queues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I include in a professional summary?

Your professional summary is a concise opening statement that captures your key skills, achievements, and career goals. It should be tailored to the job you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a software engineering position, you could highlight your experience in scalable systems and mention relevant accomplishments like, "Developed a microservices architecture that improved scalability by 50%."
Avoid generic statements like "Hard-working professional" or "Team player." Instead, focus on quantifiable results and specific skills.

What is ATS compatibility in resumes?

ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) are software tools used by employers to screen resumes. They scan resumes for relevant keywords, experience, and formatting to decide which candidates to prioritize. To ensure ATS compatibility:

  • Use standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.
  • Avoid using graphics, tables, or unusual layouts.
  • Incorporate keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume.
  • Use clear section headers like "Work Experience" and "Skills."

Ensuring ATS compatibility increases your chances of passing the initial screening and getting your resume seen by a hiring manager.

Should you include a photo on your resume?

Whether or not to include a photo on your resume depends on cultural and industry norms. In some countries such as the United States and the UK, it's thought that including a picture can induce bias in the hiring process. However, in some other countries, like Germany or France, including a professional photo is more common.
For a detailed perspective on this topic, read Should You Include a Photo on Your Resume?.

Should you tailor your resume for the specific job posting?

Absolutely. Tailoring your resume shows employers that you’re a perfect fit for the role. To do this effectively:

  • Analyze the job description for keywords and required skills.
  • Emphasize relevant achievements and experiences that match the job.
  • Rearrange or reword sections of your resume to prioritize the most pertinent details.

Tailoring your resume makes it more likely to pass ATS filters and resonate with hiring managers, increasing your chances of landing an interview.

What format/order should I use for my resume?

The most widely used and effective format is the Reverse Chronological Order. In this format, your most recent experiences are listed first. Here’s how to structure it:

  1. Contact Information: Your name, email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile should be prominently displayed at the top.
  2. Professional Summary: A brief section highlighting your key skills, career goals, and accomplishments.
  3. Work Experience: List jobs starting with the most recent, including job titles, employers, dates, and notable achievements.
  4. Education: Include degrees, certifications, and institutions, starting with the most recent.
  5. Skills: Showcase your technical, professional, and soft skills relevant to the role.

This format is preferred because it highlights your most recent and relevant experiences, which are typically of the greatest interest to employers.

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