How to Write a Resume: The Ultimate Guide to Landing Your Dream Job

1️⃣ Gather Relevant Information

Gathering data relevant to your desired role enables a smooth resume-writing process and the inclusion of all important details. Carefully review your qualifications and create a comprehensive list that includes:

• Soft skills, hard skills, and technical skills
• Job titles, dates of employment, and key duties
• Impressive measurable accomplishments
• Educational credentials that demonstrate your expertise
• Volunteer work that helped you develop skills and experience relevant to the job
• Notable awards and honors you received

Once gathered, create a master resume or master file, which you can use as a basis to tailor and edit all relevant data. 

2️⃣ Choose the Right Format

There are three different resume formats you might use, each organized differently to highlight your selling points best.

• Chronological: This resume format emphasizes an individual's work experience, making it ideal for those with a strong work history and professional achievements.
• Functional: The functional resume format focuses on the individual's skills, training, and education. It is an excellent formatting choice for those entering the workforce or changing careers.
• Combination: A combination or hybrid resume combines the functional and chronological styles to highlight your skills and work experience if you want to advance in your career.

3️⃣ Add Contact Information

Clearly display your name and contact information at the top of your resume so recruiters know exactly how to contact you for a job interview. Contact information should include your phone number and email address. Your name and job title should be in a bolder and larger font than the rest of the document text. You may also include a link to your professional online portfolio.

4️⃣ Write a Compelling Resume Summary

Write a concise and impactful resume summary that gives an overview of your skills, qualifications, and career goals and conveys your professional personality. Hiring managers may only review your resume briefly — display your most attractive qualities as a candidate so recruiters feel compelled to explore your resume further.

5️⃣ Add a Persuasive Work Experience Section

It should include a comprehensive summary of your past job roles, which in turn should have the following:

• Job title
• Employer name
• Dates of employment (if it's less than 4 years old, add months as well)
• Company location (city, state)
• Primary job responsibilities related to the job you're applying for (put measurable achievements first)
• Noteworthy accomplishments 

6️⃣ List Your Education Credentials

Unless you are a high school graduate looking for an internship or a summer position, we don't recommend you include your secondary education data on your resume. Your education section should include:

• Name of the college or university
• Location of the school
• Year of graduation (or the expected graduation date)
• Degree received
• Coursework (if relevant to the role you are seeking)
• Relevant achievements, such as awards, scholarships, and honors

7️⃣ Use a Skills Section to Highlight Your Strengths

There are three categories of skills you might include on your resume, including:

• Hard skills: Hard skills are typically gained through coursework and work experience, such as computer skills, email and social media marketing, or risk management and identification.
• Soft skills: These cannot always be taught and are generally traits that help individuals excel in the workplace. Examples include attention to detail, creativity, and adaptability.
• Technical skills: Technical skills include specialized knowledge and expertise in certain areas that allow you to perform specific tasks well. These skills may include using specific tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Java.

8️⃣ Highlight Accomplishments in Optional Resume Sections

If you have relevant accomplishments that might catch the recruiter's attention, include them in a section on certifications, licenses, and training. Specify its title, when you received it, and a brief description. You can also create an awards, honors, and volunteer work section if you have achievements relevant to the desired job.

✅ Include keywords related to your target job: Recruiters typically use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter through resumes and narrow them down to applicants that meet the job position's needs. To help ensure the hiring manager sees your application, include keywords related to your desired job, often found in the job description itself.

✅ Dedicate time to form and proofread your resume: You may make a good impression on the company by proofreading your work and dedicating time to tailor your resume for each job.

✅ Make the resume scannable and ATS-friendly: You can make it easier for the ATS to understand your resume by incorporating good formatting, such as using consistent spacing and alignment; avoiding complex headers, tables and graphics; and using words and headings that are easily recognizable to the ATS.

✅ Get help from a professional resume writer: If you lack time to work on a resume or need assistance forming a compelling one, professional resume writers may help you create one that accurately and appropriately outlines your professional background.