The 10-Step Guide to Writing a Winning Resume

In today's competitive job market, your resume is your golden ticket to landing your dream job so absorbing as many resume tips as possible is invaluable. It’s also worthwhile to understand some of the most common resume mistakes other job hunters are making.

With 40% of hiring managers spending less than a minute on each resume, creating an eye-catching document that effectively illustrates your skills and qualifications is crucial.

Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned professional, this guide will help you write a resume that makes an impact. We'll walk you through the 10 essential steps to crafting a compelling and professional resume that grabs attention and opens opportunities.

This is not a one-time read—consider it a resource to refer to and revisit as you refine and update your resume over time.

Ready to get noticed and secure that interview?

Well then, your resume needs to demonstrate that:

• You’re an ideal candidate for the position.
• Your skills will contribute to the company's profitability.
• You have the expertise to address the company's challenges.
• You’ll provide value that justifies your salary.
• Your achievements are quantifiable and proven.

Let’s get to it.

Step 0: Writing a resume with AI

Using ChatGPT for resume writing in 2024 can be a good idea. The AI provides quick, tailored suggestions and helps refine content, ensuring clarity and professionalism. It’s particularly beneficial for structuring, optimizing keywords, and overcoming writer’s block. However, it might lack personal nuances and specific industry insights.

Always review and customize the generated content to reflect your unique experiences and personality accurately. This hybrid approach leverages AI efficiency while maintaining a personal touch creating a sort of resume cyborg.

Here’s how to make use of AI in resume writing, who can benefit the most, and some best practices to follow.

Who benefits from AI resume writing?

• Job seekers in competitive fields: In industries where keyword optimization is crucial, such as IT, finance, and healthcare, AI can help identify the terms most likely to catch a recruiter’s eye.
• Career changers: AI can suggest how to emphasize transferable skills and downplay irrelevant experience, making it easier for those shifting industries.
• Recent graduates: With limited work experience, graduates can benefit from AI guidance on structuring resumes and highlighting academic and extracurricular achievements.

Tips for using AI in resume writing

• Choose the right tool: Select an AI resume builder that aligns with your industry needs. Enhancv uses AI to offer personalized resume templates, real-time content suggestions, design enhancements, and performance analytics, optimizing job applications.
• Customize AI suggestions: Use AI recommendations as a starting point. Personalize these suggestions to reflect your unique experiences and voice.
• Keyword optimization: AI tools can analyze job postings and suggest keywords to include in your resume, helping it pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Best practices

• Balance AI and personal input: While AI can provide a strong foundation and structure, ensure your resume reflects your personal career narrative and professionalism.
• Review and edit: Always review AI-generated content for accuracy and relevance. Edit any sections that don’t perfectly represent your skills or experiences.
• Keep up-to-date: AI tools are continually updated. Regularly check for new features or updated algorithms that might improve your resume further.

Want to see AI in action? Check out our AI-powered resume generator below!

Interesting statistics

• Usage and success: Surveys indicate that approximately 45% of job seekers who use AI resume tools report quicker job placements.
• Gender disparity: Men are 81% more likely than women to use AI for recruitment tasks.

AI in resume writing not only simplifies the creation process but also improves the effectiveness of your resume. Whether you are a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or transitioning between careers, AI tools can provide customized assistance to help you shine in a crowded job market.

Always complement AI insights with personal checks to maintain authenticity and relevance to your career goals.

Step 1: Gather your information

Before diving into the actual writing, get familiar with all the different resume types and resume outlines available to you. Then it’s time to gather all your necessary information to ensure a smooth process and avoid missing important details.

This preparation helps you align your qualifications with the job requirements, setting the stage for making a standout resume.

Think about all of the resume sections and what exactly you want to put on your resume. Have a look at our list below.

When gathering your information, include all potential details and make sure that what you gather reflects the requirements of the particular job offer you’re applying for. You can later trim what’s not relevant for the specific job.

Step 2: Pick the best format

Now that you’ve prepared your information, it’s time to choose a resume format that effectively utilizes your qualifications. The format you choose plays a crucial role in making a great first impression, as it determines the overall layout and organization of your resume.

There are three standard resume formats, each designed to suit different professional backgrounds and goals:

Reverse-chronological resume

The reverse-chronological resume is the most popular and widely used format, favored by recruiters for its ease of skimming and effective presentation of the most relevant experience first. It lists your work experience from the most recent job backward, emphasizing your career progression and professional achievements.

This format is ideal for job seekers with a consistent work history and no significant employment gaps, perfectly showcasing steady growth and advancements within their field. However, it may not be suitable for those with employment gaps or unrelated work experience.

Functional resume

The functional resume format highlights your skills and education over work history, making it particularly useful for those with employment gaps, limited experience, or career changers. Ideal for entry-level candidates and recent graduates transitioning to new fields, this format focuses on the abilities that enhance team value.

However, while it showcases job-specific skills as key assets, it might present challenges for traditional recruiters in assessing skills in action.

Combination (Hybrid) resume

The hybrid resume format (or combination) combines the best features of chronological and functional layouts, placing skills before work history to highlight your capabilities while emphasizing relevant experience. Ideal for seasoned professionals with over ten years in the field, this format supports career advancement or transition, catering to those with diverse expertise, employment gaps, or those shifting into new roles.

It offers a well-rounded presentation of your qualifications and achievements, making it perfect for roles that require multifaceted skills.

Selecting the appropriate format depends on your unique career path and the job you're targeting. Most job seekers benefit from the reverse-chronological format due to its popularity and recruiter preference.

Choose the right format and present your information clearly—you’ll make a strong first impression and increase your chances of landing an interview.

More on resume formatting and layout

Creating a visually appealing and organized resume is crucial for making a strong first impression. Take the time to thoroughly examine all the resume parts and what aspects you could benefit from.

Here are key design elements and best practices that apply to each format above:

Layout and organization

• Resume length: Stick to a one-page resume unless you have at least a decade of experience. If so, a two-page resume may be acceptable. If you’re finding it hard to keep it under a page, check out our many strategies to help shorten your resume.
• Section headings: Use clear, consistent resume headings to help hiring managers easily navigate through your resume such as: “Employment History”, “Education”, “Skills Section”, etc.
• Resume margins: Set 1-inch margins on all sides to ensure your resume isn’t overcrowded with information.
• Spacing: Use single or 1.15 line spacing and add an extra line before and after headings to keep the layout clean.
• Columns: Utilize a two-column structure to efficiently organize information, especially useful in hybrid resumes where you present skills and work history side by side.
• Simple layouts: Avoid complex resume layouts, graphics, and special characters that might confuse ATS software.
• Icons: Using icons on a resume can improve readability, emphasize key sections, and make it visually appealing and memorable—don’t use anything too fancy, though!
• Lines: Lines in a resume help separate sections, enhancing readability and organizing information clearly, making it visually appealing and professional.

Fonts and colors

• Professional resume fonts: Choose legible, professional fonts like Rubik, Lato, Montserrat, Raleway, Exo 2, and Volkhov.
• Font size: Use 10-12 pt for the body text and slightly larger for headings to ensure readability.
• Subtle colors: Use subtle colors on your resume to highlight sections—avoid overly bright or distracting colors.

File format

• PDF format: Always save and submit your resume as a PDF unless the employer requests otherwise. This format preserves the layout across different devices.
• Naming convention: Use a clear, professional naming convention like FirstNameLastNameResume.pdf to make your resume easily identifiable.

Resume header

• Contact information: Be sure to clearly state your name and give a professional email address as well as a current contact telephone number. Including an exact address is unnecessary, but do list the city and state you live in.
• Links: Include links to your professional website, online portfolio, LinkedIn profile, and other relevant social media.
• Photo: In the US, photos are usually omitted to avoid bias, unless specifically requested.
• Resume headline: This is a brief phrase or sentence that states your professional identity and key qualifications. Place it just below your name and contact information to serve as an attention-grabbing introduction to your resume.

What’s ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)?

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) enhance the recruitment process by storing and organizing resumes, making it easier for recruiters to access and review candidate information. ATS improves team collaboration by enabling sharing of candidate notes and feedback, and quickly accessing contact details and resume data.

Improving small formatting details to boost ATS compatibility involves adhering to some straightforward, ATS-friendly practices.

Here’s how you can optimize these elements:

Date formats

• Consistency: Use a consistent date format throughout your resume. Common formats include “Month Year” (e.g., June 2021) or “Month/Year” (e.g., 06/2021). Avoid switching between formats.
• Clarity: Place dates on the right side of your work experience entries to maintain a clean, organized look that’s easy for both ATS and human readers to scan.

Punctuation in lists

• Simplicity: When listing skills or duties, use simple commas or semicolons to separate items, which are generally well-understood by ATS systems. Avoid using complex punctuation or special characters that might confuse the ATS.
• Consistency: Like with date formats, choose one style of list punctuation and stick with it throughout the document.

Bullet symbols

• Standard bullets: Use standard bullet points such as solid circles, squares, or hyphens. These are universally recognized by ATS systems.
• Avoid fancy bullets: Steer clear of unusual bullet styles or symbols that might not be recognized by the ATS, which could result in important information being overlooked.
• Avoid nesting bullets: Don’t use nested bullet points as they can complicate the ATS parsing process and may lead to misinterpretation or omission of key information.

By focusing on these formatting details, you can improve the ATS compatibility of your resume, ensuring that your qualifications and experience are correctly parsed and appreciated by potential employers' tracking systems.

There are a lot of ATS myths out here, such as using a two-column resume, or a modern design. They can make you feel a little insecure about the whole thing, so give our post on busting ATS myths a read and regain that confidence.

Choose the right resume builder—choose Enhancv!

There are hundreds of resume builders out there, but most are just advanced versions of Microsoft Word. Enhancv is the first human-centric, performance-based resume builder.

Our intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes creating a resume easy. Professionally designed templates and backgrounds balance personal and professional presentation.

Enhancv catches typos and grammatical errors, offers content suggestions, and tailors resumes for specific jobs. Professionally selected fonts ensure readability and attractiveness.

Our resumes are optimized for ATS, ensuring seamless application through tracking systems. Enhancv adheres to industry guidelines, spotlighting your achievements, character, and professional expertise.

It wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t mention our neighbors up in Canada and Europe. Let’s check out what’s done differently for job applications there.

Traditional US resume format vs Canadian & Europass CV

What’s the difference between a Canadian and an American (US) resume?

While the Canadian resume format and the US traditional resume are similar, key differences include using Canadian spellings (e.g., "behaviour," "labour"), the metric system (e.g., "300 kilometers"), and the DD/MM/YYYY date format. Graphic elements are typically reserved for graphic design roles in Canada. Adapting these aspects shows your readiness to integrate into the Canadian job market.

What’s the difference between a Europass CV and an American (US) resume?

The Europass CV, often misconceived as the default CV format for Europe, is primarily utilized for applications to European institutions. It’s a standardized, detailed format that includes comprehensive sections like language skills and personal details (e.g., date of birth).

In contrast, US resumes are concise, flexible in format, and emphasize professional experience while generally excluding personal information for privacy reasons. It's important to adapt these aspects to suit the respective job markets, recognizing the specific requirements of each region.

Enhancv can help you craft a perfect Europass CV with our AI-powered, ATS-friendly Europass CV templates.

Step 3: Craft an attractive resume header

A resume header is important because it serves as the first impression, providing essential contact information and setting the tone for your application. It helps hiring managers quickly identify your resume, ensuring they have your contact details at a glance. A well-crafted header also adds a professional touch, making your resume look polished and organized.

The first thing to think about when it comes to your resume header is your contact information.

Contact information

One of the most important aspects of writing a resume is ensuring your contact information is clearly displayed at the top, making it easy for hiring managers to contact you for an interview. This section is crucial—if employers can't reach you, you won't get an interview. Double-check to ensure all your contact details are included and accurate.

Tips for your header

• Don’t write your full address on your resume; only your city, state, and zip code.
• Don’t use a work number—only your personal phone number.
• Don’t add a resume photo of yourself unless it’s an acting or a modeling position. This can lead to bias or discrimination.
• Avoid adding information such as date of birth, as it could lead to ageism.
• Make sure your email address is appropriate, simple, and free of nicknames. An unprofessional email address is one of the most common resume mistakes.

Here’s a pretty common example of a header with contact information:

Include a resume headline for extra impact

A resume headline is a brief, optional phrase highlighting your professional identity and key qualifications. Placed high in your resume, ideally between the contact information and resume summary, it grabs attention and quickly conveys your suitability for the role, making your resume shine to hiring managers.

Here are a couple of example headlines to inspire you:

Aim for a finished header that looks like this:

Step 4: Write a resume profile

Recruiters spend around 7 seconds scanning your resume, so a brief but impactful opening statement is crucial. Positioned right after your contact information, this statement can be a resume summary or an objective. But what’s the difference, and which should you use?

Let’s explore how to craft a clear and concise resume profile that highlights your qualities and aligns with the role, making you stand out as an attractive candidate with a professional yet engaging personality.

What’s a resume summary?

Let’s begin with a resume summary. It’s a short, impactful statement using active language to describe your relevant work experience, skills, and accomplishments.

Purpose

• A concise overview of your work experience, focusing on how it relates to the role you’re seeking.
• Key qualifications, professional achievements, and skills relevant to the job.
• Uses numbers to display tangible outcomes and incorporates keywords from the job description.

Ideal candidates

• Perfect for those with more than a few years of relevant experience.
• Recommended for those who want to show off their qualifications and achievements quickly and effectively.

What to include

• Your job title and years of experience.
• A couple of your greatest professional accomplishments or core responsibilities.
• Your most relevant skills for the job.

Here’s a typical formula for a resume summary followed by an example for a candidate applying for an executive assistant position:

[Soft skills to describe you as a professional] + [job title and years of experience] in [area of expertise as stated in the job description]. Adept at [two or three of your best, job-relevant hard skills]. [One impressive career accomplishment and any other skills or qualifications.]

What’s an objective statement?

An objective statement is a brief declaration of your career goals and the type of position you’re seeking. It provides insight into the qualities and skills you can transfer to the company.

Purpose

• Communicates your immediate professional goals or objectives and how you plan to achieve them in the role you're applying for.
• Displays your enthusiasm and motivation for entering a new field, which is especially relevant for those undergoing a career change or entering the workforce.

Ideal candidates

• Perfect for students, recent graduates, or individuals with limited professional experience.
• Beneficial for career changers transitioning into a new industry who need to highlight relevant transferable skills.
• Useful for those relocating and looking to establish their career intentions in a new job market.

What to include

• Briefly mention job-relevant skills and qualifications that can compensate for a lack of formal experience.
• Include concrete and quantifiable details to strengthen the statement.
• Keep the objective statement to two to four sentences, ensuring it's concise and to the point.

Overall goal

The overall goal of a resume objective is to showcase how you can contribute to the potential employer’s success, considering your current skill set and professional aims. It should clearly outline what you can bring to the table, even if your experience isn’t extensive.

Have a look at a tried and true formula for an objective statement and an actual example from an entry-level graphic designer who uses it:

[Your profession] + [education or experience and top skills] seeking [desired job and company] to [your goals] with [professional skills and knowledge required in job description]. [Mention two or three soft skills and any additional qualifications].

In short, whether you opt for a resume summary or an objective statement, both serve as powerful tools to immediately communicate your qualifications and intentions. Choose the one that best aligns with your experience level and career goals to make a strong first impression on potential employers.

Step 5: Create your work experience section

The work experience section is a vital part of your resume, where potential employers gauge your suitability by reviewing how you've applied your skills and knowledge previously. It provides proof to support your qualifications highlighted in your resume headline, summary, and skills section. This is often the most scrutinized part of your resume, making it essential to master.

Let’s first consider what goes into an entry for this section.

Structure and content

• Reverse-chronological order: List your jobs in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent. Include the job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.
• Job title: Place this at the top of each entry to quickly communicate your role. Consider bolding or slightly enlarging the font to make it stand out.
• Company details: Follow with the company's name and location. If the company isn’t well-known, a brief description might be necessary.
• Employment dates: Specify the month and year you started and ended your tenure to provide a clear timeline.
• Key responsibilities and achievements: For each position, list three to five bullet points. Focus on notable achievements rather than routine job functions. Use action verbs to convey your effectiveness and involve quantifiable results whenever possible.

So now you know what the skeleton of a professional work history entry is—but what are some ways to produce excellent content?

Writing style and focus

Each job entry should combine a clear list of responsibilities with standout results that align with the targeted job. Optimize each entry to reflect the skills and experiences most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Rather than listing every task you performed, highlight instances where you added value, such as leading projects or initiatives that resulted in positive outcomes.

Here’s an example of how a work experience entry should look like—pay particular attention to the bullet points.

Let’s go through some things that this example did well:

• Quantifies success: Each bullet point includes specific metrics, demonstrating the tangible impact of the candidate’s efforts.
• Highlights relevant skills: The entry emphasizes skills critical to the role, directly aligning with common requirements for digital marketing positions.
• Showcases collaboration: It mentions collaboration with cross-functional teams, showing the candidate's ability to work effectively in team settings and contribute to comprehensive marketing strategies.
• Focuses on key responsibilities: The bullet points concisely summarize major responsibilities and achievements without unnecessary detail, making it easy for hiring managers to quickly understand the candidate's capabilities and contributions.
• Uses strong action verbs: The entry starts each bullet point with dynamic verbs, which convey a proactive and impactful approach to responsibilities.

Work experience based on career stage

Your work experience section should be tailored according to your career level. Whether you're entering the job market for the first time or you're a seasoned professional, each level has different expectations and requirements for showcasing your background.

Without work experience

If you're entering the job market with a lack of formal work experience, consider utilizing a functional resume format that emphasizes skills and experiences over chronological work history.

Include participation in student organizations, extracurricular activities, internships, and volunteer work to demonstrate your involvement and responsibilities in projects relevant to your desired role. Illustrate transferable skills acquired through these activities, such as leadership and project management, to underline your capabilities to potential employers.

Check out thе work experience section below for a candidate who’s looking for their first job.

In this functional resume format, the candidate uses their involvement in volunteer work, student government, and an internship to show applicable skills and responsibilities.

This method showcases their potential to fulfill job requirements despite the lack of formal work experience, emphasizing transferable skills and proactive involvement in relevant projects.

Related templates and guides for those of you just joining the workforce:

• High School Student Resume Examples & Guide
• College Resume Examples & Guide

Entry-level

Detail all work experiences on your resume, including part-time and temporary positions, focusing on key responsibilities and achievements in each role. For positions more relevant to the job you're applying for, offer detailed descriptions and emphasize how these experiences have prepared you for the position.

A chronological resume format is recommended for those with straightforward career paths and relevant work experiences.

The following is a good example of an entry-level work history section.

This resume section is structured in a chronological format, listing each job from the most recent to the oldest. It includes both directly relevant experiences (like the marketing internship) and less relevant roles (like the barista job), each described with a focus on achievements and skills that might be appealing to a potential employer in the field the candidate is applying to.

This method showcases a well-rounded entry-level candidate who brings valuable skills and experiences from various roles.

Related templates and guides for those of you just getting started in your new career:

• Entry-Level Resume Examples & Guide
• Intern Resume Examples & Guide
• Intern & Entry-Level Resume Examples

Mid-level

When crafting your resume, focus on detailing job experiences that directly relate to the position you're applying for, emphasizing responsibilities and accomplishments that match the job's requirements. For less relevant roles, mention them briefly to fill gaps in your work history without allocating much space.

For a mid-career resume, consider using either a combination format, which merges chronological layout with highlights of relevant skills and accomplishments—ideal for those with diverse experiences—or a reverse chronological format, best suited for those with a clear, direct career path and relevant work experience.

Have a look at this example of a professional history section for somebody looking for a job mid-career.

This format and structuring technique ensure that the work experience section is optimized to make the candidate appealing for mid-level marketing roles, highlighting growth, leadership, and direct contributions to business success.

Senior-level or C-level

For senior roles, it's best to limit your work history to the most recent and relevant 15 years, starting each entry with dynamic action verbs to effectively convey leadership and impact. Emphasize positions that demonstrate significant contributions to strategic decision-making and leadership, showcasing your capacity for handling high-level responsibilities.

A chronological resume format is recommended to clearly and concisely represent your progression to high-level roles.

Below is an example of a candidate applying for a high-level position.

This format and content style effectively convey a senior candidate's capability to handle high-level responsibilities and make significant contributions to organizational success.

Related templates and guides for those of you hunting for management or senior-level positions:

• Executive and Management Resume Examples
• Executive Resume Examples & Guide
• CEO Resume Examples & Guide
• CTO Resume Examples & Guide

What about if you’ve decided to change careers? If you find yourself in this position, here are some tips on what you should do when it’s time for you to list your work experience.

Career changers

When transitioning to a new career field, emphasize transferable skills such as project management, collaboration, and strategic planning. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experiences from different sectors, showcasing applicable competencies through detailed descriptions of the skills and challenges involved.

Opt for a functional or combination resume format to prioritize these relevant skills and experiences over chronological work history, enabling prospective employers to more clearly recognize your potential in the new field.

Here's an example of a work experience entry for a career changer aiming to transition from a marketing background into project management within the tech industry. This entry uses a combination resume format to shine a light on transferable skills and relevant experiences.

This approach allows the career changer to present a compelling case that their past experiences, although in a different industry, are valuable and directly applicable to their new career aspirations.

Here are some examples and more tips for writing a career changer resume:

• Career Change Resume Examples & Guide

We’ve already mentioned throughout the article the importance of tailoring your resume to the job offer you’re applying for. So let’s take a closer look at that in the context of your work history section.

Tailor your work history entries to the job description

Tailoring your resume to the job description is a critical step in creating a resume that stands out to hiring managers.

Here's how to effectively target your resume to enhance your chances of landing an interview:

Understanding keywords

• Incorporate relevant keywords: Enhance your resume by including keywords directly from the job description. These can cover specific duties, skills, qualifications, and qualities needed for the role. Strategically using these keywords helps ensure your resume resonates with recruiters, showcasing your suitability and increasing the chances of your application getting noticed.

Strategically include work experience

• Select appropriate content: When detailing your work history, reference the job description and incorporate as many relevant keywords as possible. Focus on aligning your duties and key achievements with the requirements and responsibilities listed in the job posting.
• Manage resume length: Depending on your level of experience, adjust the length of your resume. If you have extensive experience, a two-page resume is acceptable. However, keep the content relevant to the role, avoiding unnecessary details about older positions or unrelated academic achievements.

Focus on relevance

• Underline pertinent information: Tailoring isn’t just about adding keywords—it’s about focusing on the experiences and skills that are most relevant to the job. Concentrate on positions and responsibilities that align closely with the posted role to demonstrate your suitability.
• Education section tailoring: In the education section, clearly highlight any degrees or certifications that meet the job requirements, reinforcing your qualifications for the position.

Best practices for effective tailoring

• Concise and relevant descriptions: Use clear and concise language to describe your experiences. Avoid overloading your resume with every job or skill you’ve ever had; instead, focus on what’s most relevant to the specific role you’re applying for.
• Dynamic content: Start each bullet point in your work experience with strong action verbs and quantifiable results to draw attention to your achievements and impact.

By meticulously tailoring your resume to the job description, you ensure that every section of your resume, from the work history to education, is optimized to show your best fit for the role.

Tailoring tips in action

Let’s now visualize the tips from above. Firstly, let’s study an actual job ad looking for an accountant to join their team.

Now let’s target our work experience section directly toward this job offer.

Tailoring strategies used:

• The resume includes specific keywords from the job description such as "financial reporting," "monthly account reconciliations," "volumetric actualization," and "journal entries," ensuring it aligns closely with the job requirements.
• Showcases strong analytical skills, detailed financial knowledge, and advanced Excel capabilities, which are all explicitly requested in the job post.
• Each bullet point is concise, focusing on achievements and responsibilities that demonstrate the candidate’s capability to handle the responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
• Starts bullet points with dynamic action verbs like "Analyzed," "Managed," "Streamlined," and "Executed," which emphasize the candidate’s proactive approach to their roles.

Step 6: Formulate a skills section

Crafting a skills section on your resume is essential because it highlights your core competencies clearly and concisely. Presenting both hard and soft skills proves that you’re a well-rounded candidate.

Skills-based hiring is increasingly favored by employers. According to LinkedIn, 69% of professionals believe verified skills are more important than a college degree, and 77% of hirers are investing more in hiring based on skills and competencies​ Therefore, prominently listing your skills can help you stand out and make a strong case for your candidacy.

Additionally, a well-crafted skills section enables you to tailor your resume to the specific job by including relevant skills that match the job description, significantly increasing your chances of landing an interview. It’s an opportunity to display the specific competencies that set you apart from other applicants.

What types of skills are there?

There are two main kinds of skills—hard and soft. Let’s have a look at each.

Hard skills

Hard skills, also known as technical skills (associated with technical tasks and technology-related fields), are specific abilities or knowledge that you can learn and measure through education, training, or hands-on experience.

These skills, such as coding in Python, using Photoshop, or managing a cash register, are valuable to employers because they demonstrate your ability to handle job-specific tasks and meet role demands.

To effectively emphasize your hard skills on a resume, consider adding measurable achievements. For instance, show how your Microsoft Office skills increased team productivity, discuss the volume of code you write and debug weekly, or showcase how your UX design enhancements improved user engagement. This approach not only shows your proficiency but also quantifies your impact.

Where to put hard skills on your resume

The placement of hard skills on your resume depends on the resume format and the job you’re applying for.

• Dedicated skills section: Most commonly, hard skills are listed in a dedicated section titled "Skills" or "Technical Skills," typically placed after the summary or objective statement and before the work experience section.
• Work experience: You can integrate hard skills into your job descriptions within the work experience section to show how you’ve applied them in previous roles.
• Summary or objective: Mentioning key hard skills in your resume summary or objective can immediately highlight your qualifications.
• Projects or portfolio: For roles requiring specific technical expertise, including a projects or portfolio section where you can elaborate on the hard skills used in each project can be beneficial.

Here’s an example of a hard skills section:

A few tips on formatting a hard skills section

• Use bullet points: List each skill as a bullet point for easy readability.
• Prioritize relevance: List the most relevant skills for the job at the top of the section.
• Be specific: Instead of listing vague skills, be specific.
• Keep it concise: Avoid clutter by listing only your most relevant and strongest skills.
• Consistent formatting: Ensure that the formatting of your skills section matches the rest of your resume for a polished look.
• State your experience levels: This tells employers what they can expect from you and how much training you might need.

Soft skills

Soft skills, also known as personal skills, are self-developed, life-learned attributes such as social skills, adaptability, leadership, critical thinking, and time management. These qualities make you a great team player and contribute to professional success by fostering good teamwork and a positive work environment.

Data shows 69% of professionals think verified skills are more important than a college degree, underscoring their importance in the hiring process. The right soft skills on a resume not only display your ability to work well with others but also enhance your overall appeal to recruiters, making them a crucial aspect of your job application strategy.

Where to put soft skills on your resume

A separate section for soft skills on your resume can be less effective because these skills are best demonstrated through specific examples in other sections, providing context and making them more credible.

Listing soft skills in the summary (or objective) and work experience underscores them without overwhelming the reader, maintaining a clean layout. Additionally, integrating soft skills into job descriptions shows how your technical and interpersonal skills work together, offering a comprehensive view of your abilities.

By incorporating soft skills throughout the resume, you create a more holistic and compelling picture of your qualifications.

Now let’s integrate these skills into an example resume summary and work experience entry.

Many of these skills are industry-specific—especially if we talk about technical ones. However, there are many that can be applied across multiple fields and are indispensable for those changing careers. Let’s have a look at those.

Transferable skills

Transferable skills are universal abilities that can be applied across different departments and industries. They include soft skills, like communication and critical thinking, which aren’t specific to any industry, and hard skills, like proficiency in MS Office or HTML, which, although industry-specific, can be utilized in multiple fields.

These skills are crucial during career changes, whether transitioning to a new role within the same organization or moving to a different industry. Transferable skills ensure you don't start from scratch and can be adapted on your resume to match job postings effectively.

For those changing careers or entering the job market without much experience, focusing on transferable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity can significantly improve job prospects.

How to tailor your skills

To make your resume stand out, create a skills section that includes keywords relevant to the employer and is tailored for each job application. Carefully review the job description to identify keywords and skills the employer values. Highlight these skills, particularly those you’ve successfully demonstrated in the past.

Remember that the wording of the same skill can vary between job descriptions, so it's crucial to customize each resume to the specific job. Also, avoid including irrelevant skills—for example, if you’re applying for an accounting position, omit unrelated skills like gourmet cooking.

By using the job ad as a reference and incorporating the relevant skills, you can create a resume that effectively showcases your qualifications and fit for the position.

Step 7: Building your academic history

Including an education section on your resume is crucial for a few key reasons. First, it shows employers you have the academic training needed for the job. It can also be especially helpful if you're a recent graduate or switching to a new industry with limited work experience. Most jobs require some level of education, and employers look for this information.

To list your education correctly, start with your highest level of education and then add any other degrees or diplomas. Generally, your education section should come after your work experience. However, if you’re applying for a job that requires extensive education, like in medicine, law, or academia, you might need to provide more details.

How to construct an education entry

Learn to craft compelling education entries that highlight your academic achievements, relevant coursework, and skills to impress potential employers.

Here are the essential building blocks of a good academic entry:

Must-have information

• Degree or certification name: Write the full name of the degree or certification, including your major and minor.
• Institution name: Be sure to have the name of the university, college, or school.
• Location: Write the city and state of the institution.
• Graduation date: Mention the month and year you graduated. However, just the year will suffice and keep it concise.

Optional information

• GPA: Include your GPA on your resume if it’s higher than 3.5 or if it’s required by the employer.
• Honors and awards: List any honors, scholarships, or awards (e.g., Cum Laude, Dean’s List, Rhodes Scholarship).
• Relevant coursework: Provide a bulleted list of relevant courses as well as any continuing education, especially if you have limited work experience.
• Certifications and licenses: Add any relevant certifications or licenses.
• Extracurricular activities: Mention relevant clubs or organizations you participated in.
• Leadership positions: Illustrate any leadership roles you held.
• Academic projects: List significant projects or papers relevant to the job you’re applying for.

By including these elements, you ensure that your education section is comprehensive, relevant, and tailored to the job you’re applying for.

Presumably, you’d like to see some specific examples. Below we’ll analyze a few different situations and the best education entry for each.

Education section for a high-school student

For a high-school student's resume, the education section should be prominently placed at the top if there is limited work experience, or just after the objective statement.

Include the name and location of the high school, expected graduation date, any relevant coursework, GPA (if it's 3.5 or higher), honors, awards, and extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership or pertinent skills.

Being concise yet specific about your academic achievements and relevant skills, and presenting them in a clear, structured format, not only underscores your suitability for the position but also enhances your professional presentation.

Here’s an example:

Education section for a college student or recent graduate

In crafting the education section of a resume for a college student or recent graduate, include the college name and location, degree, graduation date, relevant coursework, GPA (if 3.5 or higher), honors, and awards. Emphasize internships, projects, and extracurriculars pertinent to desired job skills.

Position this section prominently at the resume's top if your work experience is limited—otherwise, place it after the work experience section. Be sure that the presentation is concise, specific, and well-structured to effectively display qualifications and professionalism.

Education section for an experienced professional

For an experienced professional, include the name and location of the college, degree, and graduation date, omitting the date if it has been over ten years. Place this section towards the bottom, after the work experience and skills sections, to underline professional experience first.

Ensure conciseness by listing only the most relevant academic achievements, thereby streamlining the resume and emphasizing extensive professional experience to make a strong impression on potential employers.

While some individuals can list certifications and licenses within their education entries, others may need to create separate sections to guarantee these qualifications are illustrated effectively.

Step 8: Adding relevant certifications and licensure

Hiring managers appreciate candidates who invest in their professional development. Listing certifications on your resume demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and skill expansion, which can make you a more attractive candidate.

Certifications and licenses on your resume are particularly crucial for professions such as nursing, accounting, and teaching, where specific credentials are often required. Additionally, job seekers who obtain extra training or certificates showcase their expertise and dedication to their chosen fields.

Creating a separate section for certifications and licenses ensures these important qualifications are prominently displayed.

Essential elements of certifications and licensure on a resume

Certifications

• Certification name: Clearly state the full name of the certification.
• Issuing organization: Include the name of the organization that awarded the certification.
• Date earned: Mention when you earned the certification.
• Expiration date (if applicable): Note if the certification has an expiration date.
• Certification number (if applicable): Provide the certification number if relevant or required by the industry.

Licensure

• License name: State the specific name of the license.
• Issuing authority: List the name of the body that issued the license.
• License number: Provide the license number, which is often required for verification.
• Date issued: Mention the date when the license was issued.
• Expiration date: Include the expiration date of the license.
• State or region (if applicable): Specify the state or region where the license is valid, especially important for professions like nursing or teaching.

Including these essential elements ensures that your certifications and licenses are clearly and effectively presented to potential employers.

Let’s have a look at some examples of certification entries to better illustrate:

A current certification for a graphic designer

An “in progress” certification for a chef

An entry from a licensure section from a nurse

Step 9: Leverage optional resume sections

Nail the must-have sections to secure any job, but use leftover space wisely by adding optional sections such as:

• Language proficiency
• Hobbies and interests
• Volunteering
• Awards and honors
• Projects
• Publications
• Professional associations
• References
• Cover Letter

These elements can highlight your achievements and make your resume stand out, especially if they align with the job's requirements.

Some elements can be included in various other areas of your resume making separate sections for them redundant and just a plain waste of space. So, be selective to maintain a concise, impactful resume.

With that said, let’s go through each of these additional topics to see why, how, and where.

Language proficiency

Listing language skills on your resume is a great idea because it showcases your ability to communicate in diverse environments, which is highly valued by employers.

To list language skills, create a "Languages" section and include each language with your proficiency level (e.g., Fluent, Conversational, Basic). Place this section near the bottom of your resume, after your skills or education sections, to ensure it's easily noticed but doesn't overshadow more critical qualifications.

For example:

Hobbies and interests

Displaying your hobbies and interests on a resume can emphasize your personality, demonstrate cultural fit, and highlight transferable skills. Place this section at the bottom of your resume. Format it with a clear heading like "Hobbies and Interests," and list a few relevant activities that reflect positive traits or skills applicable to the job.

Have a look:

Volunteering

Having volunteer experience on your resume is beneficial as it showcases your commitment, skills, and interests outside of work, making you more attractive to employers. Include it in a separate "Volunteer Experience" section at the bottom of your resume or within your work history if you lack professional experience.

Format it similarly to your job entries, with clear headings and bullet points describing your roles and responsibilities. This approach ensures your volunteer work is prominently and effectively displayed.

Here’s a good example of how it should be done:

The same tips and strategies apply to volunteer entries as do work experience ones. As you can see from the example, they use action verbs to start each bullet point and when possible they quantify their achievements.

Awards and honors

Listing awards and honors on your resume demonstrates your achievements and sets you apart from other candidates. Place them in a dedicated "Awards and Honors" section, formatted in reverse-chronological order. If tied to your degree or job, include them as bullet points in the education or work history sections. This approach makes your resume more impressive and compelling to employers.

Below is an example of an awards section:

Projects

A projects section on your resume shows your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities, making your application shine to employers.

Include project titles, a brief description, your role, and key achievements. Place this section below your work experience or education, depending on which is more relevant to the job you’re applying for. This structured presentation shows your practical skills and accomplishments clearly.

Here’s what a project entry should look like:

Publications

Placing publications on your resume showcases your expertise and contributions to your field. Place them in a dedicated "Publications" section below your education or work experience. Format each entry with the title, publication name, date, and any co-authors. This highlights your knowledge and research skills, making you an outstanding candidate.

List them as so:

Professional affiliations

Professional associations can be listed in a "Memberships" or "Affiliations" section near the bottom of your resume. Include the organization name and membership dates, and emphasize any leadership roles like board member or committee chair. This section can also feature other relevant professional groups, showcasing your industry involvement and leadership experience.

Here’s such a section:

References

Providing references on a resume is a great idea as it gives employers credible endorsements of your skills and work ethic. To do it, list your references on a separate page with their name, title, company, and contact information.

Mention "References available upon request" at the bottom of your resume. This keeps your resume concise while indicating your preparedness to provide references when needed.

A matching cover letter

A perfect resume needs a compelling cover letter to complete your job application. A well-written cover letter provides in-depth information about your experience, and career goals, and is also a great way to explain employment gaps and career changes. Most employers need more than a resume to decide, making your cover letter essential.

To ace your cover letter, tailor it to the job ad, starting with a captivating introduction. Mention the company's name, highlight your achievements, and explain why the position is perfect for you.

Conclude enthusiastically with a strong call to action. Keep it concise, no longer than one page. A great cover letter matching your resume gives you an advantage over other candidates.

Step 10: Proofread your resume

You're almost there, but don't send it off just yet!

Proofreading your resume is crucial to ensure it's free of typos including spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, which can make a negative impression on hiring managers. It also helps verify that all details, such as dates, company names, and contact information, are accurate. A well-proofread resume demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism, increasing your chances of making a strong impression and securing an interview.

A professional resume writer can help you proofread and consolidate your resume. Here at Enhancv, you can take advantage of our expert coaching services as well!

A two page resume may be acceptable if you’re applying for high-level positions or industries like health care or academia. Also, be sure to personalize your email with the name of the person reading your resume. Sending a resume is much more compelling when you avoid To Whom It May Concern.

In conclusion

Writing a resume can be a challenging task, but following these 10 steps will guide you toward success. By meticulously crafting each section, showcasing your skills, and tailoring your resume to each job, you're setting yourself up for career advancement. Stay confident, keep refining, and remember that your dedication to presenting your best self will pay off. Good luck!