How to Write a Resume

1. Keep your resume concise.

Most employers only take a few seconds to read a resume, so the last thing you need is a resume with mounds of text. Just follow these rules of thumb:

• Shoot for two pages at maximum.
• Focus on skills and work examples that directly address what the job needs.
• Limit your work history to the last 10 years (unless you’re applying to a job that specifically requests more than 10 years’ experience).
• Use punchy phrases and bullet points rather than complete sentences.

To keep your resume neat and succinct, use our Resume Builder tools, where you can preview, adjust and save your document easily.

2. Keywords are key.

Employers will inspect your resume for important keywords that relate to the job, and so will applicant tracking systems (ATS) that recruiters use to scan resumes. To make sure you’re covered on keywords, go through the job description and find phrases and words that spell out what the job requires, including specific tasks, as well as hard and soft skills. Then find experiences and skills of your own that match these keywords, and include them throughout your resume.

Example:

If the job calls for knowledge of online teaching software like Google Classroom, you could use keywords in three different ways in your resume:

• List “Proficiency in Google Classroom” as one of your skills.
• Give an example in your work history section of how you used the app to teach large groups of students.
• Mention Google Classroom as one of your top attributes in the summary statement (e.g., “Enthusiastic teacher well-versed in using Google Classroom to educate elementary students”).

For more advice on how to use keywords to get a passing grade from ATS, check out How to Write an ATS-friendly Resume. Our Resume Builder can also help you find the right job-specific phrases and keywords.

3. Keep your layout straightforward.

You may be tempted to “dress up” your resume using fancy graphics, charts and striking fonts. But doing so runs the risk of confusing recruiters as well as ATS scans. When in doubt, it’s always best to go with a straightforward, easy-to-read design. The one thing you don’t want is employers being unable to find the content they’re looking for because they’re thrown off by unusual fonts or images. For more expert advice on resume layouts, see our special section How to Design a Resume. To make extra sure your layout is employer-ready, you can also base your resume on an expert-designed template.

4. Don’t use too much jargon.

You might want to prove you’re a seasoned professional who knows all the lingo, but loading your resume with too many acronyms and specialized terms can work against you, especially if your resume is being reviewed by a recruiting manager who might not be familiar with the job. If the job posting features a technical term or acronym (e.g., “PostgreSQL” for a software engineer position), you’re probably safe to use it; otherwise, spell out your jargon (e.g., “proficient in government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) software”).

5. Go heavy on action verbs.

When describing your previous or current job experiences, always use active verbs. Stating “Was responsible for project X” is a lot different than stating “Managed project X,” or “Oversaw project X.” Some other examples of action verbs you can use in your own resume:

6. In your education section, focus on honors and advanced courses.

No need to feature your GPA — instead, include any honors or advanced coursework you’ve had that relates to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a geologist position, it’s helpful to note specific courses you’ve taken in college that involve field work or geochemical data review.

7. Create additional sections if needed.

Don’t be afraid to create special sections in your resume to show off your best qualifications. For example, you could create an “Activities” section that points out extracurricular and volunteer activities you’ve participated in, showcasing skills that are useful for the job you’re applying to. Or you can break down your skills section into subcategories, as you can see in our functional format example above.

8. Remember: Your resume should tell a story.

Everything in your resume should be geared towards one purpose: explaining who you are, and why you’re the best fit for the job. Make sure your skills and qualifications are demonstrated through your work accomplishments, and tie everything together in your summary, which should provide a clear overview of your top traits.

9. Review your resume for mistakes before submitting it.

A survey of employers showed that of the most common mistakes applicants make on their resumes, 58% are misspellings. Always take time to perform a resume check, and review all the information you provide for accuracy. If you use our Resume Builder to create your resume, it will scan your document for mistakes and misspellings.

10. Create different resumes for different jobs.

Even if you’re applying for a similar position, each job will have its own unique requirements. Don’t use a “one-size-fits-all” resume — instead, revise each section to reflect what the job is looking for. For example, one administrative assistant position might emphasize heavy usage of Microsoft Office, while another might place a premium on scheduling meetings and assisting executives. Pull skills and experiences from your own background that best match each job, and feature them in your resume. For more insight on customizing your resume, see our article How to Create a Targeted Resume.