How to Write a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Pick the right format first

Most people should use a reverse-chronological resume: your most recent job first, then earlier roles. Recruiters expect it and applicant tracking systems read it reliably. A hybrid format, which opens with a skills section, can help career changers. Read the full comparison in our resume format guide.

Keep the layout simple: one or two columns, clear headings, a readable font between 10 and 12 points, and consistent spacing. Fancy graphics, text inside images, and tables can confuse screening software.

2. Write a clear header

Your header should include:

• Full name, in a larger font than the rest of the page
• Phone number and a professional email address
• City and country (a full street address is no longer expected in most countries)
• A LinkedIn URL, portfolio, or GitHub link if it supports the role

Tip: Photos, date of birth, and marital status are expected in some countries and discouraged in others, such as the US, UK, and Canada. Follow the norm for the country you are applying in.

3. Add a short professional summary

Two to four lines at the top that say who you are, what you are good at, and what you want next. Mention your years of experience, your core skills, and one result. Skip vague phrases such as "hard-working team player". See resume summary examples for every career stage.

4. List your work experience with results

For each role, give the job title, company, location, and dates (month and year). Under each, write three to six bullet points. The strongest bullets follow a simple pattern: action verb + what you did + the result.

Numbers make results believable: money saved, time reduced, people managed, customers served. If you cannot share exact figures, use ranges or relative change. Our list of resume action verbs helps you start each bullet differently.

5. Add education, skills, and optional sections

• Education: degree, institution, and graduation year. Add grades, honours, or relevant coursework only if you graduated recently.
• Skills: a focused list of hard skills that match the job, grouped by type (for example, Languages, Tools, Methods). See how to list skills on a resume.
• Optional: certifications, projects, publications, volunteering, and languages, when they support the role.

6. Tailor it to every job

A single generic resume rarely performs as well as one adjusted for each posting. Mirror the job description's key skills and titles where they truly apply to you, reorder bullets so the most relevant come first, and cut what does not help. Our guide to tailoring a resume to a job description shows a quick routine.

7. Proofread and export

1. Read it aloud, then read it backwards line by line to catch typos.
2. Check dates, job titles, and company names for consistency.
3. Save as PDF unless the employer asks for Word, and name the file clearly, for example "Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf".
4. Open the PDF on your phone to confirm it reads well on a small screen.

Resume checklist

• One to two pages, depending on experience
• Contact details are correct and clickable
• Every bullet starts with a verb and most show a result
• Skills match the job description
• No spelling mistakes, no personal pronouns, no outdated information