In this article, we will show you how to write a resume, with examples, so that you can create an attractive, effective, and professional resume. We will discuss the correct way to include various important parts of a resume such as work experience, skills, education, and personal information. Whether you are applying for a job for the first time, or want to update your resume to give your career a new direction, the tips and examples in this guide will make your resume attractive to the employer and help you get a better job.
1. Key elements of a resume
The key elements of a resume are the information that effectively presents your professional experience and skills. It is the first thing an employer looks at when applying for any job. A good resume shows the employer that you are the right candidate for that job. The key elements are as follows:
- Contact information – It should include your name, address, phone number and email ID.
- Resume summary – Your short profile that describes what you do and what your strengths are.
- Work experience – Details of previous jobs, your responsibilities and your contributions.
- Education and certifications – Mention your educational qualifications and any other certifications.
- Skills – Special abilities that make you eligible for that job, such as computer skills, language skills, etc.
Including these elements correctly makes your resume strong and attractive.
2. Choosing the right format
The format of the resume determines how your information will be presented. Choosing the right format makes it easier for the employer to read and understand the resume. There are generally three types of formats:
- Chronological Format – In this format, your work experience is placed in the order of time. This is the most common format, which is good for those who have continuous and uninterrupted work experience. In this, your recent work experience is shown first and the old experience is shown later.
- Functional Format – In this format, your skills and abilities are given prominence, rather than your work experience. This is good for those who do not have work experience or who have gaps in their career. Here, more attention is given to your skills and achievements than work experience.
- Combination Format – It is a mixture of both types of formats. It presents your skills and work experience together. It is suitable for people who want to show both aspects, such as those who have good experience as well as good skills.
Choosing the right format depends on your career and type of experience. For example, if you have a lot of work experience, a chronological format may be best, while if you have recently made a career change, it would be better to choose a functional format.
3. Writing a Resume Summary
Resume Summary is a short introduction that briefly describes your professional experience, skills, and goals. It is an important part of your resume, as it attracts the employer first. An effective resume summary presents you as a suitable candidate for that job.
It is based on some main points:
- Brief and Effective – The resume summary should be written briefly and effectively in 2-4 lines. Its purpose is to tell the employer who you are and what key abilities you have.
Mention of skills and experience – It should mention your main skills and professional experience that are suitable for that job. For example, if you are a marketing professional, you can talk about your marketing skills, data analysis, or campaign management. - Goals or Objectives – Mention what kind of work you are interested in and where you want to reach. This helps the employer understand what your long-term plan is and what your priorities are.
Example:
Dedicated and result-oriented marketing professional who has run digital marketing campaigns for major brands for 5 years. Proficient in social media, SEO, and content marketing, and adept at implementing data-driven strategies to boost sales growth.
This type of summary presents a clear and attractive picture of you to the employer and motivates them to read the resume further.
4. Highlighting Work Experience
Work experience is the most important part of the resume, as it tells the employer where and what type of work you have done before. It is proof of your skills and ability, and shows whether you are suitable for that job or not. It is very important to present work experience correctly.
Here are some key points that will help in highlighting work experience effectively:
- Job Title – First of all, write a clear and accurate title of the job you have done. This helps the employer to quickly understand your role.
- Company Name and Location – Also clearly write the name and location of the company in which you worked. This helps the employer to know in which sector and industry you have worked.
- Dates of Employment – It is important to tell how long you worked in that company. Include the start and end dates.
- Key Responsibilities and Achievements – Here you mention your responsibilities, such as what work you did and what kind of results you achieved. Write it in action words, such as “driven,” “managed,” “developed,” etc. Also, if you have achieved certain achievements, such as exceeding the target or successfully completing a project, then include it as well.
- Quantifiable Results – Whenever possible, show the results of your actions in numbers. For example, “Increased sales by 20%,” or “Successfully completed 10 projects with the team.” This helps the employer understand what you achieved.
Example:
Software Developer, ABC Company – Mumbai, India
January 2019 – December 2022
- Developed custom web applications that increased company efficiency by 30%.
- Led a 5-member team and completed projects ahead of schedule.
- Worked on client-facing software solutions that improved customer satisfaction by 15%.
Thus presenting work experience in a clear, concise, and result-based manner helps to impress the employer.
5. Showcasing Education and Certifications
Your education and certifications play an important role in a resume because they show your academic background and your qualifications in a particular field. It tells the employer if you have the educational qualifications required for the job.
Here are some important points that will help you present this section correctly:
Educational Qualifications
- First, list your highest educational qualification, such as a degree, diploma, or certificate.
- Include the name of the university or college, the name of the degree, and the year (when you received it).
- If you have completed a specific or prestigious course, mention that as well.
Certifications
- Mention certifications you have obtained in a particular field, such as technical skills, linguistic abilities, or other professional qualifications.
- This shows that you have upgraded your skill set and are dedicated to continuous learning.
- Along with certifications, mention that they have given you expertise in a specific field.
Relevant Academic Projects
- If you have some special academic projects that may be relevant to that job, include them as well.
- This helps the employer understand what you have learned practically during your studies.
Example:
B.Tech (Computer Science), XYZ University – Delhi, India
2016 – 2020
- Scored 75% marks.
- Major Subjects: Data Structures, Software Development, Networking.
Certifications
- Data Science – Coursera (2021)
- Python Programming – Udemy (2020)
Presenting education and certifications in this way on the resume gives the employer a clear understanding of what educational qualifications you have and how you have upgraded your skills.
6. Including Relevant Skills
Mentioning your skills in the resume shows that you are suitable for that role and in which areas you have trained or gained experience. Selecting and presenting the right skills clearly tells the employer that you can be valuable to the company.
Skills can be divided into two major categories:
Soft Skills
These are the personal qualities that are necessary for success in any workplace, such as:
- Communication Skills
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork
- Leadership Skills
- Time Management
These skills are mentioned in the resume in such a way that it shows the employer that you can be a good team player or an effective leader.
Hard Skills
These are specific technical or work-related skills you acquire through specialized training or education, such as:
- Computer programming (e.g. Python, Java, C++)
- Digital marketing (SEO, SEM, Social Media Marketing)
- Data analysis (Data Analysis, Excel, Tableau)
- Graphic design (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Project management (Project Management Software, Agile)
Hard skills refer to your technical knowledge and expertise. These are listed prominently on a resume to let employers know you have the skills they’re seeking.
To display skills correctly:
- List skills under a heading – such as “Key Skills” or “Technical Skills”.
- Link skills to professional experience or projects – for example, “Expertise in SEO – 2 years of experience at XYZ Company”.
- Describe skills in detail during interview – You should list your key skills in the resume, but you can elaborate on these skills during the interview.
Example:
Key skills:
- Communication skills: Effective reporting and collaboration with the team.
- Data analysis: Excel, Google Analytics, Tableau.
- Project management: Agile, Scrum, Trello.
Showcasing skills in this way on the resume makes it clear how qualified you are for that job and what your strengths are.
7. Mentioning Achievements and Awards
Your major achievements and awards in the resume demonstrate your skills and quality of work. It tells the employer that you have excelled in your work.
- Numerical achievements: Such as 30% increase in sales.
- Professional awards: Such as Employee of the Year award.
- Leadership or innovation: Such as Completed the project ahead of time while leading the team.
- Social contribution: Such as Participated in volunteer work.
Example:
Increased sales target by 25%.
Received ‘Employee of the Year’ award in 2021.
This makes your resume more effective.
8. References
Mentioning references in the resume helps the employer to believe that the information provided about you is correct and authentic. References are people who can give information about the quality of your work, skills and your behavior at the workplace.
- No need to include references – Most companies do not consider it necessary to include references in the resume, but in some cases it can be included.
- Select person for reference – Select people with whom you have worked and who can know well about the quality of your work, such as old bosses, colleagues or professors.
- Provide references only when required – If the employer asks for references, provide them separately, not in the resume itself.
Example:
References available, when required.
This keeps your resume concise, and lets the employer know that references are available.
9. Tailoring the Resume
It is very important to tailor the resume to each job. This ensures that your qualifications and experience are in line with the specific requirements of the job.
- Study the job requirements – Read the job description carefully and see what skills and qualifications the employer is looking for.
- Include relevant experience and skills – Tailor your experience and skills to the job. Feature what is important prominently.
- Use key words – Include the words given in the job description in your resume. This makes the resume easily recognizable by ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).
Example:
If the job requires “data analysis”, include it prominently in your resume and show your experience in this direction.
This makes your resume more attractive and effective.
10. Proper Resume Formatting
It is important to keep the resume formatting simple and professional so that the employer can easily understand your information.
- Clear and organized layout – Make the resume neat and easy, so that the employer does not have any difficulty in reading.
- Brevity and clarity – Present the information in a concise and clear manner. Avoid complex language.
- Selection of professional font – Use simple and professional fonts like Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman.
- Just one page – If you are at a beginner stage in terms of experience, try to cover the resume in one page.
Example:
Highlight only 1-2 lines and simplify the information by using bullet points.
This helps the employer understand your resume quickly and they can read it easily.
11. Proofreading the Resume
Any error in the resume, such as typing or grammatical mistakes, can affect your professional image. Therefore, it is important to proofread it.
- Spelling and grammar check – Read the resume several times or use a grammar check tool to remove any errors.
- Contact information check – Make sure your name, email, and phone number are correct and up to date.
- Have someone else review – Have a friend or colleague read the resume to catch any mistakes.
Example:
Proofread the resume once on your phone or computer and then have another person read it before finalizing it.
This will make your resume look professional and error-free.
12. Sending a Cover Letter with the Resume
Sending a cover letter with the resume gives you the opportunity to present your eligibility more effectively. It helps the employer to understand your personality and your interest for that job in a better way.
- Customized cover letter – Customize the cover letter for every job and explain why you are suitable for that particular job.
- Attractive introduction – Present yourself in the cover letter in a concise and professional manner, which will interest the employer.
- Resume summary – Summarize the key points of the resume in the cover letter, such as your major achievements and experience.
- Enthusiasm for the job – Write clearly in the cover letter your enthusiasm for the job and why you want to work in that role.
Example:
Dear [employer name],
I am applying for [position name] at your company and I believe that my experience and skills make me a good fit for this role.
The cover letter completes your resume and gives the employer a complete view of you.