How to Build a Resume

Your resume is arguably the most valuable piece of paper for your career, but this document can be daunting for many. Maybe you’re unsure how to fit all your information onto one page or how to format and write your resume properly. 

A resume talks about your career, whether you’re just starting or have been working for years. The one-page summary notes the jobs you’ve held and currently hold, the responsibilities you’ve taken on, the skills you’ve developed, and the qualities you bring to the table as an employee. 

The following are five steps to start building a resume that can show employers that you are the best fit for their position.

Use a Business Format

Your resume format tells an employer that you can follow directions and communicate effectively and concisely. Your resume format is the first test of your experience before a potential employer even reviews your document. 

A professional resume format should always reflect the expectations of your audience. Therefore, include a header with your name in a more prominent font than the surrounding text and the rest of your contact information nearby. You should use an easy-to-read font, like Times New Roman, and space content so employers can clearly and quickly scan each section. 

Remember that when potential employers review your resume, they frequently check through it quickly. So, make important information stand out using bold text for job positions and section headers.

Many websites, including Zety, have examples of resume templates that users can download at no cost. 

Add Your Contact Information

The first item on your resume should be your contact information. At the top of the page, cite your first and last name, phone number, and email address. You should use an email that appears professional and clean. You can also include your professional networking platform page or an online portfolio link (such as LinkedIn). 

Including a link to an online professional profile gives your potential employer more information about you and is a good addition to your contact information. 

Although adding your physical address to your resume is less necessary than it used to be, if you choose to add this to your resume, include your street address, house number, block number, city, state, or zip code. 

Include a Professional Summary

Your professional summary should accurately display your positive qualities clearly and concisely. These statements illustrate what makes you an attractive candidate for the position you are applying for. 

You should include a resume summary if you have more than three years of professional experience, as the accomplishments you’ve earned in that time should allow you to create a compelling and impactful statement. 

But a resume objective may be a better option if you have fewer than three years of experience.

An effective resume summary follows this formula: Professional Title (if relevant) + Key Experiences (with the total number of years worked) + Top Achievements (preferably measurable results) + Top Skills/Expertise/Unique Values (relevant to the job and industry).

Add Your Work Experience

When applying for a job, the number one thing most recruiters want to know is if you can do it right. And one way to know that for sure is to look at your past work experience, so make this component easy for them to find. 

The work experience section of your resume provides detailed information about your work history, including job titles, job descriptions, and achievements. Quantify your accomplishments using numbers, percentages, and dollars earned or saved.

When listing your previous job roles, you should follow a reverse-chronological order. Ensure your resume is easy to follow by following the standard work experience format:

Job Title and Position
Company Name / Description / Location
Dates Employed
Responsibilities and Achievements

Include Your Education

Most jobs require at least some education. Therefore, this section is one of the first sections employers generally seek on your resume. If your education is particularly relevant to the position or includes any credentials required for the job, it may quickly set you apart from other candidates.

First, list your highest level of education completed, then your subsequent degrees and diplomas. 

Additionally, you can also choose to include any active licenses or certifications. When entering a
degree or diploma you are currently completing, add the date you began pursuing it and leave the end date blank.

The information you should include in your resume education section includes: 

• The name of your school
• Location of your school
• The degree you obtained (if applicable)
• Your field of study
• Graduation year (if applicable)
• Your GPA (Note: You may not want to include this if it’s not above 3.4)
• Any relevant honors or academic recognition, coursework, activities or other achievements obtained during your education

Try to keep this section around 15–30 words.

Overall, a good resume opens doors. It can grab potential employers' attention, highlight your strongest qualities, and land you a job interview.

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