What To Put on a Resume
In today’s competitive job market, a well-crafted resume is crucial. It’s often the first impression you make on potential employers and needs to be compelling enough to secure an interview. More than a list of jobs and degrees, this strategic document markets your skills and experiences effectively. This article explores the essential sections of a resume and offers guidance on crafting each element to create a document that reflects your professional journey.
Key Elements of a Resume
Here’s what you need to make a great resume.
1. Resume header
Clearly present your contact information, including your full name, phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile, and a link to your portfolio, if applicable. This information must be current and correct as it’s how potential employers will reach you. In an age where employers receive hundreds of resumes, ensuring your contact details are accurate is vital for making the shortlist.
Avoid unnecessary details like marital status, age, or a photograph unless specifically requested. These details do not influence your ability to do the job and can sometimes lead to unconscious bias. Keeping it professional and straightforward ensures that the recruiter’s attention remains on your qualifications and experience.
2. Resume summary or objective
This section is suitable for experienced professionals, highlighting their career achievements and potential contributions to the prospective role. For instance: “Seasoned marketing manager with over 10 years of experience in leading successful product launches and managing high-performance teams.”
A resume objective is ideal for entry-level candidates or those changing careers. It outlines your career goals and what you hope to achieve in the role. For example: “Recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science looking to leverage programming skills in an entry-level software engineering role.”
The summary or objective acts as a professional elevator pitch, offering a snapshot of your career and aspirations. Crafting it well can set the tone for the rest of your resume, ensuring the reader is engaged from the start.
3. Work experience
Often the core of your resume, this section lists your professional history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. Each job entry should include the company name, your job title, and the duration of employment. When describing your roles and duties, use action verbs and provide quantifiable results where possible. For example, instead of saying, “Responsible for sales increase,” say, “Implemented new sales strategies that increased regional sales by 25% in six months.”
Focusing on achievements rather than just duties demonstrates the value you’ve brought to previous roles, making a stronger case for your potential contributions to the next employer. Highlight the roles and responsibilities that align most closely with the job description to convey your relevant experience.
4. Education
In the education section, list your degrees, the institutions you attended, and your graduation dates (if you graduated within the last 10 to 15 years). If you’re a recent graduate or have limited work experience, you may also include your GPA, relevant coursework, and honors or awards.
However, if you’ve been out of school for several years, these details become less critical unless they directly relate to the job you’re applying for. For professionals with extensive work experience, listing education can be brief, as it serves to validate qualifications rather than showcase capabilities.
5. Skills
Capabilities are categorized into hard and soft skills. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities such as coding, graphic design, or data analysis. Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance your interactions with others, like communication, leadership, and solution-finding.
Align your skills with the job description to show you’re a match for the role. For instance, if you’re applying for a project management position, highlight capabilities like project scheduling, risk management, and stakeholder communication. Ensure the skills listed are a combination of both hard and soft skills, providing a balanced view of your capabilities.
Here are additional examples of top skills for different industries.
Additional Resume Sections
Certifications and licenses
Essential in many industries, certifications and licenses signal your expertise and commitment to the field. List any relevant certifications along with the issuing organization and the date obtained. This section can significantly boost your resume, especially in fields like health care, information technology (IT), or finance, where certifications are highly valued.
Hobbies and interests
Including hobbies and interests on a resume is optional and should be done strategically. If your hobbies relate to the job or demonstrate valuable skills, such as leadership or creativity, they can provide a fuller picture of your personality and capabilities. It’s crucial to choose hobbies that reflect positively on your professional image.
Languages
Proficiency in multiple languages is a significant asset, especially in multinational companies or roles that require communication with a diverse client base. Clearly state your level of proficiency for each language, using terms like “native,” “fluent,” “proficient,” or “basic.”
Volunteer work
Time you have spent as a volunteer can be an excellent way to demonstrate transferable skills, such as leadership, project management, or teamwork. When listing volunteer work, treat it like your professional experience section: include the organization’s name, your role, and a brief description of your relevant responsibilities and accomplishments.
Customizing Your Resume
Tailoring to job descriptions
Customizing your resume for each job application is critical. This means integrating keywords from the job description into your resume to show you meet the specific requirements of the role. Tailor each section of your resume, from the summary to the skills, to match the job description, demonstrating the most relevant experience and expertise.
Industry-specific examples
Different industries prioritize varying skills and experiences. For example, a tech resume might emphasize programming languages and software development projects, while a health care resume might display patient care experience and certifications. Similarly, a finance resume could focus on risk management and compliance, whereas an education resume might underline curriculum development and student success rates.
Providing industry-specific examples shows that you understand the unique demands of the field and have the specific experience needed to succeed. Emphasizing industry-relevant skills positions you as a knowledgeable and prepared candidate.
Here are additional resume examples for tech, health care, finance, education, and creative fields.
Tips for a Strong Resume
1. Formatting tips
A clean, readable resume is more likely to catch a recruiter’s eye. Use bullet points to make your information easy to scan, and stick to one or two fonts throughout your resume. Ensure consistent spacing and avoid crowding too much information onto the page. Ideally, your resume should be one to two pages long, depending on your experience level.
Moreover, the use of white space effectively can make your resume look professional and inviting. Avoid overly complex graphics or fonts that might distract from the content of your resume.
2. Common mistakes to avoid
Typos and grammatical errors can leave a poor impression. Always proofread your resume and use tools to catch errors. Additionally, be sure that all information is accurate and up-to-date. If discovered, misrepresenting your skills or experiences can harm your credibility. Remember, honesty is the best policy; it builds trust and sets realistic expectations.
Other common mistakes are including too much information, using an unprofessional email address, and not adding a cover letter when it’s requested. Each of these can detract from the overall professionalism of your application.
3. Proofreading and feedback
After you’ve proofread your resume, seek feedback from peers, mentors, or professionals in your field. They can provide valuable insights and catch details you might have overlooked. A fresh pair of eyes can spot inconsistencies or errors you may have missed, and they can offer suggestions for improvement based on their experiences.
Creating a strong resume involves careful attention to detail and a thorough understanding of what employers are looking for. By incorporating the tips and examples provided, you can craft a compelling resume that showcases your skills and experience. Remember, your resume is a living document that should evolve as your career progresses. Tailor it to each job, keep it updated, and let it be a reflection of your professional story.
Here are additional downloadable templates and an interactive resume builder tool.
Frequently Asked Questions About What To Put on a Resume
The most important aspects of a resume are clarity, relevance, and highlighting quantifiable accomplishments. Additionally, use keywords, professional formatting, and error-free writing to effectively communicate why you are the best candidate.
Include your contact information, a professional summary, and a list of your work experience with key accomplishments in reverse chronological order. Add your education, skills, and any relevant additional sections like volunteer work or certifications.
A resume should typically go back 10 to 15 years, focusing on the most relevant and recent experience. If older positions are highly relevant to the job you're applying for, include them, but generally, prioritize more recent roles and accomplishments.
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