How to Make a Resume: A Beginner’s Guide

A resume is a short document that summarizes your skills, education, and work history. Whether you’re trying to advance your career or switch jobs for more money, the goal of your resume is simple: make it easy for a hiring manager to see why you’re qualified for the job – ideally within a few seconds of scanning the page.

Before you write anything, pick a format. The format determines how you organize your information, and the right choice depends on your work history.

Reverse-chronological

This format lists your most recent job first, then works backward. This is the most common resume format, making it the safest choice for most people.

If you’ve held steady jobs without major gaps, go with reverse-chronological. It’s straightforward and familiar for recruiters.

Functional

A functional resume puts your skills front and center instead of your job history. This format can work if you’re switching careers or have employment gaps you’d rather not highlight.

Here’s the catch: many hiring managers are skeptical of functional resumes. They may wonder what you’re trying to hide. Use this format only if your situation truly calls for it.

Combination

A combination resume blends both approaches. You’ll list key skills at the top, then provide a chronological work history below.

This format works well when your job titles don’t fully capture what you can do. It gives you room to highlight abilities that might otherwise get overlooked.

Your contact section goes at the very top of the page. Keep it clean and easy to read – this is how employers will reach you for interviews.

What to include

Here’s what recruiters need to see at the top of your resume:

• Your full name: Make it slightly larger than the rest of your text so it stands out
• Phone number: Use one reliable number where you can take calls
• Professional email: Something like [email protected] works well
• City and state: Your full street address isn’t necessary anymore
• LinkedIn URL: Include this if your profile is complete and current

What to leave out

Skip your photo, birth date, and marital status. In the United States, including personal details like age or family status can introduce bias into the hiring process. Most employers don’t want to see them anyway.

This section sits right below your contact information. Think of it as your elevator pitch – you have two or three sentences to grab a hiring manager’s attention. Here’s the difference between a professional summary and an objective, and when to use each.

Professional summary

A summary works best if you have work experience worth highlighting. Focus on your biggest wins and the value you can bring to the position.

Here’s an example: “Customer service professional with 5 years of experience in retail banking. Increased customer satisfaction scores by 23% through faster response times and personalized service.”

Notice how specific that is? Numbers and concrete details make a summary memorable.

Resume objective

An objective statement works better if you’re new to the workforce or changing careers. Instead of past achievements, focus on what you want to accomplish and the skills you can bring to the role.

Here’s an example: “Recent graduate with strong communication skills seeking an entry-level role in financial services where I can apply my analytical abilities and help customers reach their goals.”

Objectives are about potential. Show employers what you’re capable of, even if you don’t have the professional experience to prove it.

Your work experience section carries the most weight. This is where you prove you can actually do the job you’re applying for.

List each position in reverse chronological order. For every role, include your job title, company name, location, and the dates you worked there.

Focus on achievements

Here’s where most people go wrong: they list job duties instead of accomplishments. Anyone can say they “answered customer calls.” What makes you different is the results you achieved in each position.

Compare the difference:

• Weak: “Responsible for handling customer inquiries.”
• Strong: “Resolved 50+ customer inquiries daily with a 98% satisfaction rating.”

Action verbs and specific numbers transform a boring bullet point into proof of your value. Whenever possible, quantify what you did.

Tailor to the job description

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS, to filter resumes before a human ever sees them. An ATS scans for keywords that match the job posting.

Read the job description carefully. If it mentions “customer relationship management,” use that exact phrase in your resume rather than a synonym like “client relations.” Matching the language increases your chances of getting past the automated filter.

Your education section tells employers about your academic background. For most people, this section comes after work experience.

Include your degree, major, school name, and graduation year. If you graduated recently and earned a GPA above 3.5, you can include that as well.

Recent graduates can move education higher on the page, especially if their work experience is limited. Once you have a few years in the workforce, your education becomes less of a focal point.

A dedicated skills section helps hiring managers quickly see what you offer. It also gives you another chance to include keywords that ATS software looks for.

Hard skills vs. soft skills

Hard skills are technical abilities you can measure – things like Excel proficiency, fluency in Spanish, or experience with specific software.

Soft skills are interpersonal qualities like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. While employers value soft skills, they’re harder to prove on paper. Your achievement bullets in the experience section are a better place to demonstrate them.

If you have room left on the page, consider additional sections that can help you stand out. Include them only if they genuinely add value to your application.

Certifications and licenses

Professional certifications show you’ve invested in building your expertise. List the certification name, the organization that issued it, and the date you earned it.

Volunteer work

Volunteer experience can fill gaps in your employment history and show what matters to you. It’s especially useful if you’re new to the workforce or pivoting to a new field.

Languages

Language skills can set you apart in many industries. List each language along with your proficiency level – native, fluent, conversational, or basic.

A single typo can send your resume straight to the rejection pile. Hiring managers often see spelling and grammar errors as signs of carelessness.

Formatting basics

Don’t choose a fancy font or ramble on for pages about your experience. Here’s the best way to format your resume.

Final review

Read your resume out loud. You’ll catch awkward phrasing and errors your eyes might skip over when reading silently.

Then ask someone else to review it. A fresh set of eyes often spots mistakes you’ve missed after staring at the same document for hours.

Check that your formatting stays consistent throughout – the same font, the same bullet style, the same date format for every entry.

A strong resume opens doors to better opportunities and higher earning potential. Take the time to craft a document that truly represents what you can do, and update it as your career grows.

Every job application moves you closer to your financial goals. Whether you’re looking for your first position or aiming for a promotion, a polished resume helps you put your best foot forward.

Once you’re hired, learn how to transfer your 401(k) to your new job.