How to Make a Resume | What To Include & Tips
A resume is a summary of your professional qualifications that you send when applying for a job. It’s the first document a recruiter or hiring manager will review, and they’ll usually only spend a few minutes doing so.
Therefore, if you want to get noticed by employers, you have to know how to make a resume that is relevant, concise, and professional. These are some best practices you can follow to do this, outlined in ten tips.
How to make a resume
Making a resume that stands out doesn’t start with writing your resume. It requires planning and analysis beforehand, to make sure you structure your resume in a way that makes your qualifications shine.
1. Choose the right resume format
There are three main resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination.
| Chronological | Functional | Combination | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it focuses on | Past work experience | Skill set | Skill set and work experience |
| When to use | You have relevant experience in the industry you’re applying to. | You’re applying for an entry-level position, changing career, or trying to minimize a career gap. | You’re making a slight career change or you have a diverse work history where the relevancy to the job you’re applying for isn’t very clear. |
Chronological is the most common format, and is the safest bet if you’re not sure which format to choose.
2. Add your contact information
Your resume contact information should include your full name, phone number, and email address. You can also choose to add your city and state, LinkedIn profile, and a website or portfolio link, if relevant. Nowadays, a street address isn’t necessary unless specifically requested by the job posting.
You can save space by including your contact information on one line, separated by vertical lines. You can bold your name and/or make it slightly larger than the rest of the resume text.
Anna Richardson
Boston, MA | (617) 555-2424 | annarich@email.com | linkedin.com/in/annarichardson88
3. Tailor your resume to the job description
You should always tailor your resume to the job description of the position you’re applying for. This goes for all sections of your resume, especially work experience and skills. The purpose of a resume is to highlight your qualifications that are relevant to the desired role.
Incorporate keywords from the job posting throughout your resume. This shows recruiters you’ve paid careful attention to what they’re looking for.
Moreover, many companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen applications. This software uses artificial intelligence to decide who might be a good candidate for the role.
Including keywords from the job posting increases your chances of passing this first screening. You don’t have to always match keywords exactly, but the closer you can get without sacrificing naturalness, the better.
- Exquisite written and verbal English skills.
- Experience in user-focused writing for digital interfaces including work in software, digital agencies, or other relevant product areas.
When making her resume, Anna should weave in some of these keywords.
So, instead of saying “Crafted copies to make digital environments more intuitive for users,” she should use, “Crafted and refined user-focused writing for digital interfaces.” Likewise, in her Skills section, instead of “spoken and written English,” Anna should include “written and verbal English.”
4. Write your resume summary
A resume summary, also called a “professional summary,” is a brief statement at the top of your resume that helps employers quickly understand your qualifications.
In 2–4 sentences, highlight your most relevant skills, experience, and career goals. If you’re an entry-level candidate, consider focusing on your career objectives. Regardless, keep your resume summary concise and tailored to the job you’re applying for.
How far back your resume should go depends on your level of experience and the details of the job posting.
Here’s a resume summary example for a digital content writer.
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented content writer with 5+ years of experience crafting user-focused digital content. Skilled in UX writing, SEO optimization, and brand storytelling. Passionate about creating clear, engaging copy that enhances user experience and drives engagement.
5. Detail your work experience
Your resume work experience section—also called “work history”—should always be relevant to the job you’re applying for. This means that if you’re applying for multiple jobs, you should have multiple copies of your resume.
For each past job in your resume work experience, include your title, the company, location, and dates worked. Then write 3–7 bullet points detailing your main achievements.
Whenever possible, include quantifiable results (e.g., “increased retention by 30%). Use numerals to help these results stand out.
She realizes her first draft doesn’t show the true impact of her work, so she rewrites it to include a quantifiable result:
- Spearheaded the optimization of onboarding copy to help improve the initial user experience.
- Spearheaded the optimization of onboarding copy, resulting in a 25% reduction in drop-off rates during the initial user experience.
When writing your resume work experience section, you should incorporate keywords from the job posting, as mentioned in Tip 2. Also, use action verbs for strong, dynamic language. Some good action verbs for a resume are:
- Coordinated
- Streamlined
- Drove
- Implemented
- Collaborated
UX Designer
Innovate Digital | Boston, MA | 2020 – 2024
- Coordinated with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to develop a seamless e-commerce checkout flow, reducing cart abandonment by 30%.
- Streamlined the design-to-development handoff by introducing Figma-based design documentation, cutting iteration time by 20%.
- Drove the UX research process, conducting surveys and interviews that led to data-driven design improvements.
- Implemented a new onboarding experience for a mobile app, increasing user activation by 35%.
- Collaborated with marketing and development teams to design landing pages that improved conversion rates by 15%.
6. Highlight your skills
Your resume skills section is the place for you to show off which skills make you a great fit. Skills for a resume come in two types:
- Hard skills, which are more technical and usually acquired through experience (e.g., “UX copywriting” or “Figma”).
- Soft skills, which are interpersonal and personality-based (e.g., “organized” or “adaptable”).
When deciding what skills to put on a resume, think about what’s most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Review the job posting, and analyze what skills they mention. Try to incorporate skill-related keywords into your resume.
In most cases, you should include a mix of hard and soft skills, although for more technical jobs, consider including more hard skills than soft.
UX/UI Design | Figma | Adobe XD | Sketch | Wireframing & Prototyping | Interaction Design & Microinteractions | UX Copywriting | Design Systems | Accessibility (WCAG) | HTML/CSS | Advanced Spanish
7. Include your education
A resume education section should include your degree, the institution, and the year you graduated (or, if you’re still a student, when you expect to graduate).
You could also include the following when relevant to the job you’re applying for:
- Specific coursework or theses
- GPA or Latin honors
- Extracurriculars or leadership positions
- Competitive scholarships or grants
- Semesters abroad
In general, think about how valuable your resume education section is to an employer. If you’ve just graduated and are looking for your job, your education section will be more important than if you’ve already been working for various years.
Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design & UX
Technical University of New York | New York, NY | 2015 – 2018
8. Consider adding additional sections
If you have space left on your resume, you may want to add some of the following sections:
- Awards
- Licenses and Certifications
- Volunteer Work
- Training
- Publications
These sections can help supplement a shorter resume—especially if you’re just starting a career— or be particularly relevant to certain industries. For example, if you’re a lawyer, you may want to include “Licenses and Certifications” to show where you’re admitted to practice.
Whatever the case, be highly selective with the optional sections you include. Anything that goes on your resume should improve your candidacy for the job you’re applying for.
9. Review your resume’s length
The ideal resume length is 1–2 pages, depending on how much experience you have. As a rule of thumb, if you’ve been working less than five years, stick to one page. If you’ve been working for five years or more, feel free to go over.
Nevertheless, remember to only focus on relevant experience. If you find that your resume is too long, analyze what information isn’t so important to the specific job application and remove it.
10. Proofread and save your resume
Having a document with spelling and grammar errors is a common resume mistake you should avoid. Some tips for proofreading your resume are:
- Ask a friend or family member to read it for you.
- Read it backwards, which can help you spot errors you miss otherwise.
- Use QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker, which will point out any spelling or grammar errors and help you correct them.
Save your resume as a PDF unless the job posting specifically requested otherwise. Using PDF format will ensure that your resume looks the same on all devices.
- resume.pdf
- anna-richardson-resume.pdf
Doing this shows you’re detail-oriented and will also help recruiters find your resume more easily.
Resume example
Below is a fictional resume example for Anna, a UX designer looking for a new role.
Anna Richardson
Boston, MA | (617) 555-2424 | annarich@email.com | linkedin.com/in/annarichardson88
Professional Summary
User-focused UX Designer with 5+ years of experience crafting intuitive digital experiences. Skilled in user research, prototyping, UX writing, and design systems, with a track record of improving engagement and usability. Passionate about streamlining processes and driving data-informed design decisions.
Skills
UX/UI Design | Figma | Adobe XD | Sketch | Wireframing & Prototyping | Interaction Design & Microinteractions | UX Copywriting | Design Systems | Accessibility (WCAG) | HTML/CSS | Advanced Spanish
Work Experience
UX Designer
Innovate Digital | Boston, MA | 2020 – 2024
- Coordinated with product managers, engineers, and stakeholders to develop a seamless e-commerce checkout flow, reducing cart abandonment by 30%.
- Streamlined the design-to-development handoff by introducing Figma-based design documentation, cutting iteration time by 20%.
- Drove the UX research process, conducting surveys and interviews that led to data-driven design improvements.
- Implemented a new onboarding experience for a mobile app, increasing user activation by 35%.
- Collaborated with marketing and development teams to design landing pages that improved conversion rates by 15%.
UX Design Intern
Pixel Labs | New York, NY | 2019 – 2020
- Assisted in wireframing user flows for a mobile health app, improving navigation.
- Conducted user research through surveys and interviews, gathering insights that shaped feature updates.
- Collaborated with senior designers to refine UI components and copies.
- Designed and tested microinteractions, enhancing user engagement and accessibility.
- Presented findings and design recommendations to stakeholders, contributing to a 15% increase in user retention.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design & UX
Technical University of New York | New York, NY | 2015 – 2019
Certifications
Google UX Design Professional Certificate (2022)
Nielsen Norman Group UX Certification (2021)
How to make a resume with no experience
If you don’t have any work experience, try using a functional or academic resume format. Think about what in your life most closely relates to the job you’re applying for and highlight that.
| Format | Functional | Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Focuses on | Skills | Education |
| When to use | You have employment experience that’s relevant to the job posting | Your education is directly relevant to the job |
| Structure | Contact info | Contact info |
| Summary | Summary | |
| Skills (detailed) | Education (detailed) | |
| Work or volunteer experience (optional) | Publications (optional) | |
| Education | Skills | |
| Optional sections | Honors & Awards (optional) |
Here are a few tips about how to make a resume with no experience:
- Write a strong Summary to show why you’re interested in the job.
- Include more details about Skills, like subgroups and examples of when you’ve demonstrated them.
- Include more information about your education, like coursework or projects.
- Include volunteer work, extracurriculars, or personal projects if relevant.
- Always send a cover letter, which can give context to your resume and show your enthusiasm for the role.
This fictional example of a resume from a recent graduate can help you get an idea of how to make a resume with no experience.
Reggie James Carter
Pittsburgh, PA | reggiejcarter@email.com | (123) 456-7890 | linkedin.com/in/reggiejc
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented and highly motivated recent graduate with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Passionate about data analysis and eager to apply statistical knowledge and Python expertise to real-world business challenges.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Data Science
Allegheny Technical University | Pittsburgh, PA | 2020 – 2024
- 3.8/4.0 GPA
- Relevant Coursework: Data Visualization, Machine Learning, Python for Data Science, Statistical Analysis
- Work Study: Assisted with data visualization for web and brochures produced by the Communications Department.
Projects & Experience
Data Science Intern (Volunteer)
Code for Change | Remote | Summer 2023
- Analyzed 5,000+ survey responses to identify trends in public transportation use, improving city planning recommendations.
- Streamlined data-cleaning processes with Python, reducing processing time by 30%.
- Collaborated with a team of four to create a dashboard in Tableau, enhancing data accessibility.
Volunteer Data Analyst
Pittsburgh Community Food Bank | Pittsburgh, PA | Spring 2023
- Collected and analyzed donation trends to help the nonprofit improve food distribution efficiency by 15%.
- Designed an Excel-based reporting system that reduced manual tracking errors.
Skills
Python (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-Learn) | SQL & Data Querying | Machine Learning Models | Data Visualization (Tableau, Matplotlib, Seaborn) | Statistical Analysis | Cloud Platforms ( AWS, Google Cloud) | Microsoft Office & Google Workspace | Attention to Detail | Adaptability | Collaboration
How to make a cover letter for a resume
A cover letter complements your resume by providing a personalized introduction to hiring managers. The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight your qualifications, enthusiasm, and fit for the role.
Like your resume, a cover letter should be customized for the job posting. That said, a cover letter and a resume differ in a few key ways.
| Cover letter | Resume | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Explain why you’re the best candidate | Summarize your qualifications |
| Format | Cover letter format recommends contact info, a greeting, a few paragraphs, a complimentary close, and your name | Distinguishable sections with bullet points where needed |
| Length | Cover letter length should usually one page, though there may be exceptions to this | 1–2 pages depending on years of experience |
| Tone | Professional and confident, tailored to company culture | Objective and direct |
Some tips on how to make a cover letter for a resume are:
- Think about what information you’ve included in your resume and how it relates to the job posting. Then choose the most relevant examples and provide greater detail in your cover letter.
- Keep your letter concise and engaging. You have a limited amount of time and space to capture your reader’s attention.
- Show your enthusiasm for the company. Do research and find specific things to mention.
- Include a call-to-action at the end of your letter, like asking for an interview.
Below is an example cover letter to accompany the fictional data science resume that appears above.
Reggie James Carter
Pittsburgh, PA
reggiejcarter@email.com
(123) 456-7890
Dear Maeve Braxton,
I am excited to apply for the Data Analyst position at Data Innovators Inc. As a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Data Science from Allegheny Tech, I am eager to apply my analytical skills and passion for data-driven decision-making to support your company’s success.
During my internship at Code for Change, I analyzed over 5,000 survey responses to uncover key insights that improved city planning recommendations. By streamlining data-cleaning processes using Python, I reduced processing time by 30%, allowing the team to focus on strategic analysis. Additionally, I collaborated with a group of four to develop a Tableau dashboard that significantly enhanced data accessibility for stakeholders, showcasing my ability to work effectively in a team setting.
My volunteer experience at Community Food Bank further honed my analytical skills. I collected and analyzed donation trends to help the organization improve food distribution efficiency by 15%. I also designed an Excel-based reporting system that minimized manual tracking errors, demonstrating my attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence.
I am particularly drawn to Data Innovators Inc. due to your commitment to harnessing data to drive innovative solutions for urban challenges. I admire your recent projects on sustainable development and would be thrilled to contribute my data analysis expertise to support such impactful initiatives.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my background and skills align with the needs of your team.
Best regards,
Reggie James Carter
Frequently asked questions about how to make a resume
- What is the KIS formula for resume writing?
-
The KIS formula for resume writing refers to “Keep It Simple.” This formula emphasizes clarity, conciseness, and relevance to make sure your resume makes an impact.
When using the KIS formula to make a resume, keep it short, structured, specific, relevant, and error-free.
QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help with that last one, finding any spelling or grammar errors in your resume before you send it out.
- How can I make my resume one page?
-
Some tips for how to make a resume one page are:
- Focus on your experience and achievements that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for.
- Include various elements on one line (e.g., past job titles, companies, and dates of employment).
- Choose a professional, clean template.
- Reduce margins slightly.
- Consider different resume formats.
Keep in mind that resume length is generally one page, but can be more in some contexts.
You can also use QuillBot’s Paraphraser to find different and more concise ways to convey your intended meaning.
- How can I make my resume ATS friendly?
-
Some tips for how to make a resume ATS-friendly are:
- Use a simple template, and avoid images and graphics.
- Use standard headings (e.g., “Work Experience”).
- Choose a standard, readable font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) that’s between 10–12 points.
- For bullet points, use standard characters instead of fancy symbols.
- Use keywords from the job posting throughout your resume (e.g.,in your summary or objective section).
You should also make sure your resume is free of spelling and grammar errors, so that the ATS’s AI can easily read it. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you do just that.
- How do I make a resume on Google Docs?
-
Here’s how to make a resume on Google Docs:
- Choose a template compatible with Google Docs.
- Decide which resume format is best for you.
- Personalize the template. Focus on relevant experience and keywords from the posting when crafting your resume.
- Create copies in Google Drive for different job applications. This will let you tailor each to the specific job posting.
- Download it as a .doc or PDF file to share with the company.
Before downloading, remember to proofread your resume for spelling and grammar errors. QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help you do this for free.
