resume format english exam

• Different Formats of a Resume

Definition of a resume is a professional document which throws light upon one’s professional and personal details. Effectively, a resume helps a person to apply for a job. Further, a resume contains your work experience, education details, personal information, achievements etc. Best resume templates will help you to create a good first impression when you are applying for a job. Let us discuss the meaning and formats of resume in detail.

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Meaning and definition of resume.

Meaning of Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a brief summary or description of your educational qualifications, previous work experience, soft and technical skills, personal information, etc. Resume is sent to an employer or HR when you are applying for a job.

Chronological, Functional, and Combination Resume are three different formats of Resume. It is really important for Job seekers to understand the right format of Resume and Cover Letter .

A resume is a chance for a prospective employee to elicit his suitability for a job position to the employer. Evidently, a well-written resume can do wonders for the adventures of a job hunt.

Cover Letter is most important for freshers for creating a good first impression while job hunting. Learn how to create an effective cover letter here in detail .

Generally, the following details are common to all types of resumes

• Personal Particulars
• Academic qualifications
• Education qualifications
• Experience section: Functional or chronological
• Additional information that may include languages known and things worth mentioning

Browse more Topics under Resume Writing

• Essential Elements of a Resume
• Cover letters
• Sample Resumes and Exercises

Common Parts Of A Resume

• Contact information: This should include one’s name, address, phone number etc.
• Objective(optional): The objective of a candidate should be in relation to the job being applied for.
• Education section: This section elicits one’s educational qualifications and details. In general, we should limit these details to the major qualifications.
• Experience section: Candidates with experience of working in the field can use this section to their advantage. Generally, the experience is listed in reverse chronological order.
• Skills: This section illustrates the various skills, strengths, and knowledge that the applicant posses, making him competent for the job.
• Projects : To point out the work done in the field of work, a candidate can use the projects section.
• Activities:   The activities section puts forward the applicant’s membership in organizations.
• Honours: Lastly, the honours section can be used to showcase the applicant’s awards, achievements, and scholarships.

Formats of Resume

• Chronological Resume Format – Most commonly preferred resume
• Functional Resume Format – Resume for employees with multiple numbers of skills
• Combination Resume Format – Resume for employees with long work experience and employment history

Three most common formats of resume are Chronological Resume, Functional Resume, and Combination (Hybrid) Resume Format.

Chronological or Reverse Chronological is the most commonly preferred resume format by recruiters and Hiring Managers. Because readability of chronological resume format is easy to understand.

If you have multiple skills then you should go for a Functional Resume.

And employees with an extensive work experience should go for combination aka hybrid format. Because combination format allows showing multiple career achievements and skills.

Chronological Resume Formats

The chronological resume is the most commonly used resume in the professional world. This is primarily because this format of resume is easy to scan and puts emphasis on professional details including work history. As a matter of fact, the work experience of a candidate is listed in reverse chronological format. This makes it one of the best resume format.

In other words, a chronological resume lists out the progression of the applicant’s career from the past to the present. To point out, this type of resume puts emphasis on a candidate’s career.

Hence, such a resume is tailored for candidates with loads of experience. Employers often look for experience, because such candidates need only a little conditioning before working on projects.

A chronological resume is not an alternative for candidates who are beginning their career, changing the field of work, have gaps in career history or have frequently changed jobs.

Download the Chronological Resume format here .

Functional Resume Formats

A functional resume, unlike the other formats of resume, focuses on the skills and experiences that prove the competence of a candidate.

Evidently, it does not emphasize the work history of a candidate. Rather it highlights the skill set developed by a candidate that makes him suitable for selection.

Thus, a functional resume is not suitable for an applicant with little or no work experience. In fact, the functional resume is a nice alternative for the ones who have to skip the chronological resume.

This means a functional resume works well for people who are beginning their career, changing their field of work, have gaps in the work history or have frequently changed jobs.

Download the Functional Resume format here.

Combination Resume Formats

The combination resume lies in the middle of the two extremes, chronological and functional resume. The resume starts with a summary of the skills and strengths of the candidate followed by his work history. As can be seen, neither the work history nor the skillset is the subject matter of the resume.

This means that a combination resume provides just enough information to the employer by mentioning the work history and skillsets in a manner that neither of them gets into the limelight. In essence, this type of resume gets the best out of both the functional and chronological resume.

Download the Combination Resume format here .

Other Types Of Resume Formats

Definitely, the above-mentioned resumes are extensively used in the business world. However, there are some unorthodox ones which have made their way into this list. Some of them are:

Infographic Resume

Targeted resume, non-traditional resume.

Unlike the traditional resume, which uses plain text to display information, an infographic resume can use design elements to display the same information. In fact, these design elements generally include layout, colour, design, formatting, icons, and font styling.

As the name suggests, a targeted resume is a perfectly tailored resume, customized to display only the relevant skills and information to strengthen the candidature of an applicant. Of course, we need more time to build a targeted resume than a commonly used resume.

A non-traditional resume may include elements like photos, graphics, graphs, charts etc. Further, it can be an online resume or a video resume. Such a resume perfectly showcases the candidate’s creativity. Evidently, a non-traditional resume finds most use in creative fields like design, journalism and so on.

 Solved Example on Formats of Resume

Q: What are the different formats of a resume?

Ans:  The types of resume are:

• Chronological
• Combination or Hybrid
• Infographic
• Non-Traditional

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Resume Examples for 2024 & Guides for Any Job [90+ Examples]

In today’s competitive job market, having an impactful resume is more essential than ever. 

However, many job seekers struggle to craft a resume that effectively highlights their skills and experience and, in turn, misses out on potential job opportunities. 

This is where our extensive library of resume examples comes in. 

By looking at examples of resumes for different industries and professions, you can gain great insight into what works and what doesn’t, get inspired to present your own qualifications, and stand out from the competition.

Let’s dive in!

15+ Resume Examples

#1. architect resume example.

Here’s what this architect resume example does right:

• Lists related experience. This resume highlights the relevant professional experience the candidate gained in the field during their internship.
• Mentions achievements and responsibilities. The candidate backs up their claims by going into detail about their achievements and responsibilities. 
• Focus on personal projects. By dedicating a section to their personal projects, this candidate makes up for their lack of work experience and shows off their dedication to the industry. 

#2. Business Resume Example

Here’s what this business-related resume example does right:

• Prioritizes work experience. The work experience section is arguably the most important section in every resume, which is why this candidate has given it a priority by giving it enough resume space and going into detail about their previous positions. 
• Highlights accomplishments. To make their professional experience even more impactful, this candidate has supported all their claims with quantifiable achievements. 
• Lists the right optional sections . The candidate adds more value to their resume by including the organizations, honors, and conferences as optional sections.

#3. Computer Science Resume Example

Here’s what this computer science resume does right: 

• Prioritizes technical skills. Technical skills are essential when it comes to IT-related roles, which is why this candidate has prioritized them over soft skills.
• Keeps the education section concise. With such extensive professional experience in the field, the candidate has opted to keep their education section short. 
• Lists relevant social media profiles. Listing websites like GitHub and LinkedIn is a great way to provide recruiters with additional information about your skills. 

#4. Data Analyst Resume Example

Here’s what this data analyst resume does right: 

• Includes a strong resume summary . This candidate showcases their key skills and qualifications from the get-go, which is much more likely to get recruiters to read their resumes from start to finish. 
• Highlights technical skills. Data analysts work with “big data,” so this candidate prioritizes their quantitative and technical skills over other resume sections. 
• Lists relevant professional certifications . The resume lists the candidate’s most noteworthy professional certificates. 

#5. College Resume Example

Here’s what this college resume example does right: 

• Lists relevant social media profiles. By including their Medium and LinkedIn accounts, this candidate gives the hiring manager a chance to know them more professionally. 
• Highlights achievements . Although they lack work experience, the candidate has listed everything they’ve achieved during their academic career, thus showing they’re a promising candidate. 
• Mentions the right optional sections. Adding hobbies and interests and foreign languages to a resume is a huge plus for a candidate with no work experience.

#6. Customer Service Resume Example

Here’s what this customer service resume does right: 

• Includes both soft and hard skills . Customer service roles require a mix of soft and hard skills, so this candidate has listed both. 
• Mentions quantifiable achievements. To make their achievements more impressive, the candidate has backed up their work achievements with data and numbers. 
• Lists foreign language skills. Foreign languages are a huge plus when you’re working in customer service and this resume does a good job highlighting the candidate’s foreign language skills. 

#7. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Here’s what this digital marketing resume does right: 

• Follows the reverse chronological format . This format is the most popular one worldwide and is easily the safest choice.
• Grabs attention with a resume summary. In a single glance, the recruiter can tell that the candidate is a digital marketing professional with the right amount of experience.
• Lists relevant skills. The digital marketing specialist resume above lists in-demand marketing skills like Google Ads, SEO, and others.

#8. Graduate Resume Example

Here’s what this graduate resume example does right:

• Starts off with a well-written resume objective . The resume objective does a great job of showing off the candidate’s promise and industry-related experience. 
• Includes work experience. The candidate has gained professional experience while they were a student and they’ve made sure to include that in their resume. 
• Takes advantage of optional sections. Sections like volunteer experience, and personal projects and achievements can help make up for the lack of extensive experience in the industry. 

#9. HR Resume Example

Here’s what this human resources resume example does right: 

• Follows the right format. The reverse chronological format lists the candidate’s latest experience and achievements first, which is exactly what recruiters want to see. 
• Highlights professional experience. With so many years in the industry, this candidate has dedicated the biggest part of their resume to their work history. 
• Includes courses and certificates. To make their achievements even more impressive, the candidate has included all their courses and certifications. 

#10. Medical Assistant Resume Example

Here’s what this medical assistant resume example does right: 

• Starts off with a memorable resume summary. The candidate lists their years of experience, skills, and passion for the industry, making it more likely for the hiring manager to read the rest of their resume. 
• Lists the candidate’s certificates. There are many certifications one can obtain in the medical field, and this candidate proves how professional they are by listing theirs. 
• Highlights the candidate’s extensive work experience. Experience speaks louder than a thousand words, which is why this resume example provides the work experience section its due space. 

#11. Project Manager Resume Example

Here’s what this project manager resume example does right: 

• Uses bullet points. The candidate uses bullet points to organize and present the information which makes this project manager resume example look neat and structured.
• Keeps their education section relevant. The candidate only includes their key education details, such as their Bachelor’s degree and a field-related minor.
• Takes advantage of additional sections. The candidate takes advantage of the extra space on their project manager resume by including relevant additional sections, such as their industry-related certifications and academic achievements

#12. Bar Manager Resume Example

Here’s what this bar manager resume example does right:

• Includes relevant social media profiles. Details such as your LinkedIn profile or Instagram handle make you look more professional (as long as they’re work-related). 
• Mentions industry-related skills. Instead of listing a bunch of unrelated skills, the bar manager resume example above only lists industry-relevant skills.
• Quantifiable achievements. This applicant quantifies their achievements as much as possible, showing the bar owner how they stand out amongst other candidates.

#13. Supervisor Resume Example

Here’s what this supervisor resume example does right: 

• Lists relevant contact details . The supervisor resume example above leaves out redundancies like marital status or age and includes relevant information, like a LinkedIn URL. 
• Features as many accomplishments as possible. To really highlight their candidate’s professional experience, the supervisor example lists achievements over responsibilities. 
• Lists the right kind of skills. This supervisor's resume example doesn’t list every skill under the sun. Instead, they keep the section relevant by only listing skills required from a supervisor. 

#14. Teacher Resume Example

Here’s what this teacher resume example does right:

• Mentions industry-relevant skills. The candidate lists all the soft and hard skills a teacher should have. 
• Includes hobbies and interests . By including hobbies and interests, the hiring manager will see the candidate as more than just a resume. 
• Lists volunteer experience. The candidate reinforces their teaching experience by including their teaching volunteer gigs and experience. 

#15. Writer Resume Example

Here’s just what this writer resume example does right: 

• Impressive resume summary. The resume includes a brief but effective resume summary that highlights the candidate’s skills and top achievements.
• Relevant contact details. This writer resume example contains relevant contact information, including the candidate’s name and surname, email address, phone number, location, professional website URL, and LinkedIn URL. 
• Short education section. A writer’s skills and experience matter more than their education. For this reason, this candidate kept their writer resume’s education section short and sweet. 

#16. Web Developer Resume Example

Here’s what this web developer resume example does right: 

• Focuses on technical skills. Technical skills are essential for web development, which is why this candidate has prioritized theirs.
• Grabs attention with their work experience. Their rich work experience, listed in reverse chronological order, shows the candidate is a promising professional.
• Keeps their education section minimal. With such extensive work experience and training, the candidate has kept their education section concise.

65+ More Resume Examples and Guides 

Couldn’t find a resume example for your field? Worry not!

Below you can find a number of other resume examples for different fields and industries:

• Accountant Resume
• Administrative Assistant Resume
• AI Engineer Resume
• Animator Resume
• Babysitter Resume
• Banking Resume
• Bank Teller Resume
• Barbie's Resume
• Barista Resume
• Bartender Resume
• Bookkeeper Resume
• Business Analyst Resume
• Career Change Resume
• Caregiver Resume
• Cashier Resume
• College Application Resume
• College Freshman Resume
• Consultant Resume
• Construction Project Manager
• Creative Resume Examples
• Data Entry Specialist Resume
• Data Scientist Resume
• Dentist Resume
• DevOps Engineer Resume
• Digital Marketing Manager Resume
• Editor Resume
• Electrical Engineer Resume
• Elon Musk's One-Page Resume
• Engineering Resume
• Esthetician Resume
• Europass CV
• Event Planner Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Federal Resume
• Financial Analyst Resume
• Flight Attendant Resume
• Game Designer Resume 
• Graphic Designer Resume
• High School Resume
• Illustrator Resume 
• Interior Designer Resume
• Internship Resume
• Java Developer Resume
• Military to Civilian Resume
• Marketing Executive Resume
• Minimalistic Resume Examples
• Nanny Resume Example
• Nurse Resume
• Office Assistant Resume
• Office Manager Resume
• Operations Manager Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Photographer Resume
• Program Manager Resume
• Real Estate Agent Resume
• Receptionist Resume
• Recruiter Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Restaurant Manager Resume
• Retail Manager Resume
• Richard Branson's One-Page Resume
• Sales Resume
• Sales Associate Resume
• Satya Nadella's One-Page Resume
• Server Resume
• Social Worker Resume
• Software Engineer Resume
• Stay-at-home Mom Resume
• Student Resume
• Student Resume Templates
• Taylor Swift Resume
• Video Editor Resume
• Volunteer Resume
• Waiter/Waitress Resume
• Warehouse Worker Resume
• Web Developer Resume
• Welder Resume

5+ Examples of Resume Templates

Your resume template can play an important role in helping you make a great first impression on the hiring manager. 

Specifically, your industry, work experience, or skills all impact how your resume should look, so make sure to choose the right template when making your resume: 

#1. Traditional Resume

A straightforward format that gives equal importance to all resume sections , emphasizing skills and work experience.

#2. Creative Resume

Land your dream job in the creative industry by using this creative resume template. 

#3. Minimalist Resume

A simple and easy-to-follow resume template. Perfect for more conservative industries which prefer less flashy templates.

#4. Basic Resume

This easy-to-personalize basic resume layout can be ready in under ten minutes through our resume builder .

#5. IT Resume

One of the best resume layouts to choose when you wish to showcase your IT expertise.

#6. Modern Resume 

It can be hard to stand out from the crowd, but this modern resume sample will take care of this.

#7. General Resume

5+ Resume Examples by Career Level

#1. no experience resume .

Are you a student with no experience ? Learn how to write a compelling resume with our guide! 

#2. College Freshman Resume

Learn how to ace your college freshman resume with our comprehensive guide! 

#3. Graduate Resume

Fresh out of college? Write an impactful graduate resume to land your first gig after college. 

#4. Career Change Resume

Going through a career change? Perfect your career change resume to make the transition as smooth as possible. 

#5. Manager Resume

#6. Executive Resume

The Perfect Resume Structure 

Not sure how to structure your resume?

Here’s our tried-and-tested resume layout :

• Choose the right resume format or pick a template. If you’re formatting your resume yourself, follow the reverse-chronological format and make sure to follow the right layout rules. Alternatively, you can use one of our premade resume templates and not have to worry about formatting your resume one bit. 
• Add relevant contact details and make sure they’re mistake-free. You shouldn’t be missing information such as your full name and job title, e-mail address, and where you’re based. Optionally, you can also include some relevant social media profiles, such as your LinkedIn.
• Include a resume summary or a resume objective. Done right, a resume summary will show the hiring manager you’re a relevant candidate from the get-go and have them read the rest of your resume.
• List your work experience, placing special focus on your achievements. Your work experience becomes more meaningful if you include your achievements in your past roles and manage to make them quantifiable.
• Mention your top soft and hard skills. List any skills you have that are relevant to the job you’re applying for in a seperate section. 
• Keep your education section short and concise. Unless you’re an entry-level candidate with little-to-no work experience, keep your education section short and to the point. 
• Leverage optional sections like “Languages,” “Certifications,” or “Hobbies and Interests.” Fill up the rest of your resume space with optional sections that can highlight your strengths and qualifications as a candidate (e.g. foreign languages you speak, certifications you’ve obtained over the years, or your hobbies and interests).

3 Examples of Resume Formats 

#1. reverse chronological resume format.

This resume format highlights your experience and key professional achievements by listing your latest position and acquired skills first. It’s the most popular resume format among recruiters and the one we advise job seekers to use in 99% of cases. 

#2. Functional Resume Format

A functional resume , also known as the skill-based resume, is a resume format that focuses on your professional skill test as opposed to work experience. You’re better off using a functional resume if you’re a recent graduate with no work experience, if you’re switching careers, or if you have a long employment gap . 

#3. Hybrid Resume Format

A combination resume combines the two traditional resume formats: the reverse-chronological resume and the functional resume.

As such, this format places emphasis on a candidate’s skills and work experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Examples

1. Are resume examples helpful?

Resume examples are helpful for several reasons. For starters, they can inspire you to write an A+ resume that meets the industry’s requirements. 

Also, resume examples can show you the best practices for listing your work experience and achievements, can guide you through your resume formatting and can help you understand exactly what the end result should look like.

2. How were these resume examples created?

All our resume examples and resume templates were created in full collaboration with industry-leading HR professionals.

This means that they meet all job market requirements, are modern and impactful, and meet recruiters’ standards worldwide.

3. What if I can’t find a resume example for my job?

While we’ve tried to list as many resume examples as possible for different jobs across several industries, it might happen that you can’t find the resume example that perfectly matches your needs. 

If that’s the case, you can check out our guide on how to write a resume , and learn to create an effective resume regardless of industry.

4. What is the best resume format in 2024?

The reverse-chronological format is still the best resume format in 2024. It remains the most widely used and preferred format by employers and recruiters alike. In this format, you list your work experience in reverse chronological format, starting with your most recent position and working backward.

This format showcases our most recent and relevant experience, making it easier for employers to see our career progression and accomplishments. 

5. Are these resume examples free? 

Yes, most of these resume examples can be used for free in the Basic account, while there is also a selection of templates included in the Premium account. All of them though can be tested for free in our editor. 

6. Do you also have cover letter examples?

Yes, we have an entire article dedicated to cover letter examples for different fields and jobs. Not just that, but you can also find tips on how to write a great cover letter and an FAQ section to answer any question you may have. 

7. Should my resume and cover letter match?

Yes, having a cover letter that’s consistent with your resume in terms of style, tone, and content can be a plus for your overall job application. In a nutshell, a matching resume and cover letter can increase your chances of getting an interview by demonstrating your professionalism, attention to detail, and suitability for the role. 

Conclusion 

And that’s a wrap!

We hope the examples and guides provided in this article can help you create a powerful and effective resume that highlights your unique qualifications and experiences. 

Whether you're a recent graduate, a mid-career employee, or a seasoned professional, there are tips and templates here to help you create a compelling resume for any job.

For more career advice, make sure to check out our career blog . 

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• Résumés & Cover Letters

Résumé Formats

Résumés come in many formats, though they share typical categories of information and features. The three most common formats, which we'll address here, are the reverse chronological résumé , the functional résumé , and the combination résumé .

Reverse Chronological Résumé : This is the traditional format, in which work experience is highlighted and is listed chronologically with the most recent positions listed first. This is a good style for job seekers who already have professional experience in a specific field and who are looking for a new job within the same field.

Functional Résumé : This is a skills-based format, in which specific job skills are highlighted. This is a good style for job seekers without much professional experience, or for those who are looking to move into a new field.

Combination Résumé : This style highlights the job seeker's skills and also provides a chronological listing of experience. An excellent style for foregrounding skills but also providing a work history.

You can (and should) adapt the formats and résumé categories to your own experiences and skills, as well as to the job being targeted. You may want to develop a number of different formats for your résumé, to be used and adapted for different jobs. Don't rely on a single résumé to serve the purpose for all situations: you will need to adapt and revise your résumé and cover letter each time you target a new position.

Typical Categories in a Résumé

Contact information.

Your name and contact information should stand out clearly. Include your name, address, and phone number. You may also include your e-mail address. If your résumé exceeds one page, be sure that your name and contact information are listed at the top of every page.

Objective (Optional)

Your objective should be specific to the job you're targeting. Specify the position, field of work, or skills to be used on the job. Avoid vague statements such as, "I am looking for a challenge" or "I want to work with people." This is where to tell the potential employer, I want to work for you in such and such a capacity, and this is why/these are the skills I can bring to this position . (See sample résumés below.)

Summary of Qualifications (Optional)

Some job seekers substitute a Summary of Qualifications for the Objective. This is a brief description of your background, training, and skills. (See sample résumés below.)

Along with listing your degree (or anticipated degree), recent graduates may also want to include information on curriculum, honors, activities, and study abroad. (See sample résumés below.)

List your title, place of employment, city, state, and dates of employment. Write job descriptions that give evidence that you have the skills the employer wants. (See sample résumés below.)

Activities (Optional)

List activities that are either relevant to this position or can offer the employer a sense of your qualities and qualifications as a job candidate. If you're short on work experience, you may want to provide details of volunteer work or leadership positions you've held in the context of your education or the community. If space is at a premium, you may want simply to list the organizations you're affiliated with and your positions within them. (See sample résumés below.)

Honors/Awards (Optional)

If these are related to your education, you may want to list them above, in the education section of the résumé. If you have a substantial list of honors or awards, a separate category is probably appropriate.

Other Categories (Optional)

The categories in your résumé are used to highlight particular areas of strength or experience. You should create them and adapt them to fit your purposes. Some résumés include categories such as Computer Skills, Related Skills, Leadership, Special Training, Research Experience, Volunteer Work, Internships, etc. Design headings to draw attention to particular, related attributes or experiences.

References (Optional)

Some applicants use "References" as a heading and state "References available upon request." Others don't refer to references in the résumé at all. In either case, it's better to have a separate reference sheet. Most applicants don't provide this with the résumé, but do prepare it to take to a job interview. Employers will ask for references in advance if they want them.

Example of a Reverse Chronological Résumé

Example of a functional (skills-based) résumé, example of a combination résumé.

For additional résumé samples, see the UW Career Center's résumé information .

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Best Resume Formats (With Examples and Formatting Tips)

How to Choose a Resume Format

• Chronological Resume
• Functional Resume
• Combination Resume
• Other Elements

How to Format Your Resume

Maddy Price / The Balance

The right resume format will grab the hiring manager’s attention immediately and make it clear that you’re the best candidate for the job while deemphasizing aspects of your career that you’d prefer not to highlight.

There are three basic types of professional resume formats:

• Chronological
• Combination

Some resume formats will work better than others for your situation. For example, if you have a  gap in your resume , a history of job-hopping, or a career path that’s taken some strange twists and turns, a  functional resume  might be the best choice because it emphasizes skills over linear job experience.

On the other hand, if you can show a clear progression toward your current job opportunity, a  chronological  or combination resume might be the best option.

Your choice will depend on your career level, work experience, and job history. The job description might also make a difference. So, be flexible when choosing a resume format.

If you create several versions of your resume, including a comprehensive, a targeted, and a short teaser resume, you'll have the flexibility to market your credentials quickly and easily.

Which resume format is best for you? We’ll break down the advantages of each type and offer detailed resume layout examples to help you make your decision.

Keep page length in mind as you format your resume. One to two pages is fine for most situations; three or more pages is relevant for senior-level, government, and academic positions.

Chronological Resume Example and Template

The most common resume format is chronological (sample below). It lists your work history in reverse chronological order, with your most recent work history listed at the top. You may also add a summary or objective, and you'll want to include your education and credentials as well.

The advantage of this type of resume is that it highlights a linear progression in your career. In other words, if you've been focused on one type of career and you want to show how you've progressed on that path, a chronological resume is the way to go. It's also standard for some types of jobs, like teaching or government positions.

To create your own chronological resume, you can download the chronological resume template below (compatible with Google Docs and Microsoft Word) or review the example.

Chronological Resume Example (Text Version)

Jennifer Elliot 1890 Grant Street Cleveland, OH 44109 555-123-1234 j.elliot@email.com

Career Summary

Analytical and detail-oriented legal professional leveraging recent JD training and 6 years of law office experience to excel as a Junior Associate Attorney with an established law firm. Well-versed in federal, state, and municipal court filing processes, rules, and deadlines, with direct experience in commercial litigation and specialized training in e-Discovery methodologies. Unparalleled multitasking and time management skills, deftly managing heavy caseloads from initial client intake through all phases of discovery, drafting, pretrial, trial, and appeal.

Professional Experience

US District Court, Cleveland, OH Law Clerk Intern , 2019-Present

• Serve as Law Clerk to the Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
• Perform legal research; draft bench orders, opinions, and memos, carefully verifying accuracy of all citations.
• Communicate with counsel to confirm deadlines and address case management issues.
• Use advanced verbal and written Spanish skills as court translator when warranted.

Hatchett, Garner, and Winn Attorneys, Cleveland, OH Paralegal , 2013-2019

Skillfully managed caseload of ~70 ongoing cases for national law firm specializing in commercial litigation. Scheduled and facilitated client interviews, performed legal research, prepared documents and exhibits for trial, and ensured timely submission of all pleadings and court filings.

• Proactively earned Certified E-Discovery Specialist certification from ACEDS.
• Researched, acquired, and trained firm’s attorneys in use of Symantec eDiscovery Platform.
• Entrusted by senior partners to prepare firm records for inspection during IT and cybersecurity audits.
• Served as Vice President of regional paralegal association (2014 to 2016).

Education and Credentials

Juris Doctor (JD), 2021 Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, OH

Associate of Applied Business in Paralegal-Legal Assisting , 2013 Rhodes State College, Lima, OH

Certified E-Discovery Specialist (ACEDS), 2017

Technical Proficiencies: Microsoft Office Suite, LexisNexis Concordance, Symantec eDiscovery Platform, Westlaw, MyCase Legal Practice Management Software, Clio, and Photoshop.

Functional Resume Example and Template

Functional resumes focus on skills. They are organized by different types of skills or experiences, rather than by chronological work history. Functional resumes are good for people with gaps in employment history or whose work history is not directly related to the job.

With this type of resume, your skills are listed first. List the skill first, and then go into more detail about that skill. Follow your skills with your education and work history.

You can create a functional resume by downloading the functional resume template below (compatible with Google Docs and Microsoft Word) or by following the example.

Functional Resume Example (Text Version)

Jennifer Elliot 1890 Grant Street Cleveland, OH 44109 555-555-5555 j.elliot@email.com

Summary of Qualifications

Analytical and detail-oriented legal professional leveraging recent JD training and 6 years law office experience to excel as a Junior Associate Attorney with an established law firm.

• Legal Affairs : Well-versed in federal, state, and municipal court filing processes, rules, and deadlines, with direct experience in commercial litigation and specialized training in e-Discovery methodologies.
• Communications / Client Relations : Excellent verbal and written communications and legal drafting talents. Easily instills trust and confidence in clients stressed by challenging life events; handles private client data with 100% confidentiality and integrity. Fluent in Spanish.
• Information Management : Technical proficiencies include Microsoft Office, LexisNexis Concordance, Symantec eDiscovery Platform, Westlaw, MyCase Legal Practice Management Software, Clio, and Photoshop.
• Key Strengths : Finely-tuned analytical skills with a dedication to expanding subject knowledge and workplace competencies through continuous training. Unparalleled multitasking and time management skills, deftly managing heavy caseloads from initial client intake through all phases of discovery, drafting, pretrial, trial, and appeal.

Associate of Applied Business in Paralegal-Legal Assisting , 2012 R Rhodes State College, Lima, OH

Serve as Law Clerk to the Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Perform legal research; draft bench orders, opinions, and memos, carefully verifying accuracy of all citations. Communicate with counsel to confirm deadlines and address case management issues.

• Utilize advanced verbal and written Spanish skills as court translator when warranted.
• Researched, acquired, and trained firm’s attorneys in use of Symantec e-Discovery Platform.
• Entrusted by senior partners to ready firm records for inspection during IT and cybersecurity audits.
• Served as Vice President of regional paralegal association (2015 to 2017).

Combination Resume Example and Template

Combination resumes are a mix of the chronological and functional resume formats. They provide a chronological list of one’s work history, but they also have a section that focuses on different types of skills. This format shows employers both your skills and your experience. It's a good choice if you're changing careers or if you have a varied but steady work history.

With this type of resume, you'd start with a section to show your skills. The next section would show your job experience, followed by your education.   You might also include an objective or summary at the beginning. You can download the combination resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Microsoft Word) or review the example below.

Combination Resume Example (Text Version)

Analytical and detail-oriented legal professional leveraging recent JD training and 6 years law office experience to excel as a Junior Associate Attorney with an established law firm. Well-versed in federal, state, and municipal court filing processes, rules, and deadlines, with direct experience in commercial litigation and specialized training in e-Discovery methodologies. Unparalleled multitasking and time management skills, deftly managing heavy caseloads from initial client intake through all phases of discovery, drafting, pretrial, trial, and appeal.

E-Discovery

Technical Proficiencies

• Microsoft Office Suite, LexisNexis Concordance, Symantec eDiscovery Platform, Westlaw, MyCase Legal Practice Management Software, Clio, and Photoshop.

Litigation and Records Management

• Skillfully managed caseload of ~70 ongoing cases for national law firm specializing in commercial litigation. Scheduled and facilitated client interviews, prepared documents and exhibits for trial, and ensured timely submission of all pleadings and court filings.

Legal Research

• As Law Clerk to the Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, performed extensive legal research, carefully verifying accuracy of all citations.

Communications and Outreach

• Utilized advanced verbal and written Spanish skills as court translator when warranted.

Work History

Law Clerk Intern, US District Court, Cleveland, OH, 2019-Present

Paralegal , Hatchett, Garner, and Winn Attorneys, Cleveland, OH, 2013-2019

Resume Formats With Headlines and Profiles

Studies have shown that recruiters spend only seconds reviewing a resume before sorting it to the “yes” or “no” pile and moving on. For this reason, many candidates choose to add a section highlighting their most relevant skills at the top of their resume. There are several ways to do this:

• Resume with headline :  A resume headline (also known as a resume title) is a phrase that summarizes why you are an ideal candidate. It usually appears near the top of your resume. Headlines can be used by a variety of candidates to highlight their best attributes and experience.
• Resume with headline and profile :  Including both a brief headline and a profile can provide the hiring manager with even more information about you.
• Resume with summary statement : A summary statement is a brief paragraph or two along with a short list of your strongest qualifications for the job. It is also known as a summary of qualifications.
• Resume with branding statement : A branding statement is a brief, catchy statement (usually 15 words or fewer) that showcases what you have to offer to a hiring organization.
• Resume with objective : A resume objective is a one to two sentence description of who you are as a candidate and what you are looking for in a position. Some employers prefer a resume profile or summary over a resume objective, but it's up to you to decide which option is best. While objectives used to be standard, today it varies by the industry and position you're applying for. A profile and/or summary statement serves the same purpose and is preferred by many hiring managers.

Employers want to hire candidates who are interested in their specific job opening, not just any job. Customizing your resume every time will make sure that your resume is tailored appropriately.

In addition to choosing a type of resume, you will also need to select a font and font size and make style choices (such as when to use bullets, bold, and italics). Choose a font that's easy to read and professional. Calibri, Times New Roman, Arial, and Tahoma are all good choices for a font.

Keep the font size large enough to be legible. The body should be a 10-12 point font, but you can use a slightly larger font for headings.

It’s also important to be consistent in your style choices. If you decide to bullet your experience, for example, do so throughout. Similarly, once you choose a font, stick with it for the whole resume.

Template for Writing Your Own Resume

Use the following template to generate the information you'll need to include in your resume. Next, you can revise your resume so that it’s in the format you want. It might take a few drafts to get it right, and it's helpful to have someone review your resume for typos and other issues.

Remember that this is only one example of a resume format. It's a starting point. You can add information not included here, including some of the introductory information listed above, and change the order of the resume as long as your contact information stays at the top.

Sample Resume Format

Your Contact Information

First and Last Name Street Address City, State ZIP Phone Email Address

Career Summary (optional)

This customized section of your resume lists key achievements, skills, traits, and experience relevant to the position for which you are applying can serve dual purposes. It highlights your relevant experience and lets the prospective employer know that you have taken the time to create a resume that shows how you are qualified for the specific job .

This section of your resume includes your work history. List the companies you worked for, dates of employment, the positions you held, and a bulleted list of responsibilities and achievements.

City, State Dates Worked

• Responsibilities / Achievements

Company #2 City, State Dates Worked Job Title

In the education section of your resume, list the schools you attended, the degrees you attained, and any special awards and honors you earned. College, Degree Awards, Honors

Skills Include skills related to the position/career field that you are applying for, such as computer skills or language skills.

References There is no need to include references on your resume or even to mention that references are available. Rather, have a separate list of references to give to employers upon request.

Key Takeaways

• The basic types of resume formats include chronological, combination, and functional resumes.
• Choose the best format for your personal and professional circumstances.
• Highlighting your most relevant skills at the top of your resume is a good strategy to showcase your most relevant qualifications for a job.
• Creating several versions of your resume will enable you to quickly and easily market your credentials.

CareerOneStop. " Select the Best Format ."

Monster. " How Long Should a Resume Be? "

Vermont Careers. " Resume Help ."

GCF. " Resume Formats: Choosing the Right One ."

The Ladders. " You Have 7.4 Seconds to Make an Impression ."

CareerOneStop. " Headline and Summary Sample ."

SHRM. " How to Write Powerful and Memorable HR Resumes ."

Monster. " Entry-Level Resume Objective Examples Are Outdated—Use a Career Summary Instead ."

Monster. " The Best Fonts for Your Resume Ranked ."

HubSpot. " Recruiters Reveal the 7 Best Fonts for Your Resume ."

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Home » Job Tips » Resume Writing Tips » Resume Format

Best Resume Formats with Samples, Templates, & Writing Tips

Despite having all the necessary qualifications, landing a job can still be difficult. However, a staggering 68% of candidates who use professional resume writing services are able to secure employment within 90 days after sending out their resumes. Clearly demonstrating how crucial it is to get your resume formatted right.

So in this blog post, we will explore why selecting an appropriate resume format matters and provide useful tips on structuring yours professionally. Learn about different elements which should feature on a good résumé as well as popular formats that you may want to consider using in order elevate your job search prospects.

Table of Contents

What is a Resume Format?

A resume format typically refers to the specific design, layout, and structure of a job seeker’s resume or curriculum vitae. This can include things such as 

• Which parts are included in the document (e.g., contact information, work experience), 
• How much detail is given for each section/item mentioned 
• Where different sections should be placed within it (for example whether your references come after professional skills or education). 

There are various types of commonly used formats including chronological resumes, functional resumes, and combination resumes. Additionally, some employers may require that applicants adhere strictly to particular formatting instructions when submitting their letters for consideration. This enables recruiters to assess submitted documents more efficiently otherwise risk having them discarded without even being read through entirely.

You can also learn more about how to create the perfect resume, by taking this business communication skills course .

Best Resume Format to Get a Job

When selecting a resume format for job applications, you have three popular and effective options available: chronological, functional, and combination. Each one has different benefits that are tailored to the role you’re applying for as well as your individual needs. So take time to explore each resume writing format before deciding which is best suited for you.

1. A Chronological Resume

A chronological resume is a type of resume that lists out an individual’s professional experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with their most recent role. It includes information such as the job title, employers, and dates worked for each position. Typically it will also include contact details, objective or summary statement outlining relevant skillset/experience, and education history at the top of the page.

Chronological resumes are ideal for people whose employment has been steady over time showing progression from one more role to another. However, if you have multiple gaps in your work history or looking to switch careers then a functional or combination-based format may be better suited instead.

2. Functional Resume

A Functional Resume is a type of resume that emphasizes your transferable skills and experience rather than the chronological order of your work history. It typically includes: 

• Your contact information.
• An objective or summary statement.
• A list of key skill areas relevant to the job you are applying for. 
• Details around past employment (while not always necessary). 
• Education/training qualifications attained in relation to this specific position. 
• Additional information which may be useful such as volunteer projects completed or special interests related to the role being applied for.

If you have multiple job gaps, are changing careers with little relevant industry experience, or coming back to work after an extended break, then the functional resume is best.

3. Combination Resume

The combination resume is a type of resume that combines the features and format elements from both chronological and functional resumes. It includes: 

• An objective or summary statement to explain your qualifications for the job in question.
• Details about relevant work experience such as employer name, position titles held, and dates employed.
• Followed by a skills section that summarises any abilities you have pertinent to the role.
• Educational background.

This particular style allows flexibility when deciding how best to present yourself depending on what you think is more important to emphasize for employers. Whether it’s your job history or some specific capabilities/qualifications. Applicants should consider job posting hints to determine desired qualities for the next employee, before creating a hybrid-format document.

What Is the Best Resume Format for Freshers?

If you are a recent or soon-to-be graduate, you may be wondering what is the best resume format for freshers or someone with limited work experience. Focus on your education and knowledge gained through school by providing detailed information about courses taken and topics covered in them. Emphasize the most valuable parts of what you have learned to demonstrate how they apply to the job role.

When creating an effective fresher’s resume, make it short (under one page) yet accurate enough that hiring managers can get a comprehensive understanding of your background from reading it. The type of resume should depend upon individual circumstances as well as requirements listed on job postings. Tailor yours accordingly so its content stands out.

Rules and Elements for Formatting a Professional Resume

Once you’ve chosen the right resume format for you, focus on structuring it properly. It’s important to consider certain elements that are essential in the organization of your resume. They include:

1. Use the Right margins

Margins for professional documents such as resumes or cover letters should be one inch all around. However, if the resume has a lot of empty space you can opt for wider margins but make sure they do not go beyond 1.5 inches in any direction. Lastly, aligning portions left-aligned ensures easy reading while centering certain sections like headers adds some style without sacrificing readability.

2. Use a Professional Font Type

When choosing a font for your resume, it is important to use one that is easy to read and professional-looking. Sans serif fonts like Avenir, Calibri, Gothic Garamond, Georgia Gill Sans, or Helvetica are widely accepted by employers and should be used when possible.

3. Use Readable Font Sizes

In order to make your written content readable, it is important to set an appropriate font size. Generally speaking, this should be between 10 and 12 points, but anything greater could appear unprofessional. If there is a lot of information then start with 10 points and increase as needed. However, avoid reducing the size further than that in order to prevent it from going over one page.

4. Short Length

Keep your resume length to two pages at most. If you are in the early stages of your career, one page may be enough. For every 10 years’ worth of experience that you have, add an extra page; however, don’t exceed 20 years of work history on your resume.

5. Be Consistent

The key to a professional and readable resume is consistency. Once you have chosen your formatting style, use it for all elements within the document such as fonts and date formats. By doing this, you will ensure that readers understand what they are looking at easily without needing any extra explanation or deciphering of different styles used.

6. Emphasize Headers

Bolding, underlining, or increasing the font size of feature section headers can make it easier for employers to quickly find what they are looking for on a resume. Differentiation between these headers and body text needs to be kept professional. Proper stylizing techniques include using ‘bold’ fonts, 12-16 point header fonts, and/or underlining them in addition to applying similar treatments when styling your name and contact information at the top of your CV.

7. Use Bullet Points

Bullet points make it easier for employers to pick out relevant pieces of information from your background. Use bullet points when listing achievements. Avoid using one or two bullet points; instead either list the words in sentence form with other punctuation or don’t use them at all if there are less than three ideas.

8. Get Feedback

After you have completed your resume, it can be beneficial to get another person’s opinion on the format and content. Ask them to look for errors in grammar or spelling as well as readability, consistency, and a professional appearance overall.

It’s essential to find the right resume format when applying for a job. Three popular choices are chronological, functional, and combination formats which offer different advantages based on your career path or goals. Furthermore, it is important that all formatting elements such as margins & font type match in order make an attractive document that can be easily read by recruiters. Keep it concise with headers/bullet points where appropriate too.

Also Read: How to Write Educational Qualification in a Resume .

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Shailja Kaushik has been an Editor with Internshala since March 2023. She loves creative writing and experimenting with different forms of writing. She has explored different genres by working with journals and radio stations. She has also published her poems and nano tales in various anthologies. She graduated at the top of her class with Bachelor's in English and recently completed her Master's in English from the University of Delhi. Her experiments with writing continue on her literary blog.

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Enhancv > Resume Examples > Freshers

The Ultimate 2022 Resume Format for Freshers Guide [Expert samples from over 100,000 users]

Top 5 tactics to create the best fresher resume format:.

• Don’t simply list what coursework and internships you’ve done. It helps a hiring manager if they can learn about the important things you did in those roles (e.g. started ACM student chapter in Mumbai around Artificial intelligence and control theory)
• Make sure that you use the right resume buzzwords and avoid the bad ones
• Modify your resume to match the interests of the organization you are applying to
• Don’t be vague, paint a complete picture of who you are and how you are a good for the job
• Design your resume with care and make sure your most valuable work catches recruiter’s attention
• Don’t build a 10+ page resume just to show everything you’ve ever done. Remember, it is your resume, not your biography

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How to create the best fresher resume format?

Make it one page.

In case you don’t know, there is a generally accepted industry standard on resume page length. Ideally, it should be one page for every 10 years of experience. Given that you’re about to graduate and have just started working, you should really only have a one page resume . A one page resume is not only more organized, but quickly helps a recruiter identify your key skills and shortlist you. Imagine getting 100 ten page resumes every day. Going through that is like reading a 1,000 page book!

Make your resume relevant to the role

Don’t underestimate your skills just because you lack work experience. One technique you can try is breaking down the job into 5 different parts and see how you can reflect in your resume that you have covered some (or all) parts. This increases the relevance of your resume to a hiring manager significantly. For example, to apply for a Junior software engineer role you can easily break it down to 5 parts. First is programming language, second is algorithmic knowledge, third is quality/scalability, fourth is GIT/JIRA (i.e. deployment tools), and fifth is database. Now, if you crafted a resume that reflects you mastering 3 programming languages, being proficient with well known algorithms and having used deployment tools. By doing so, you are creating the exact fresh resume format that a hiring manager is looking for!

Show your experience

A majority of employers out there want to see the difference you can make to their organization. Sadly, most freshers don’t account for this when they craft their resume or even while sending job applications. From your volunteering experience to your internships, try to show what you did and the impact it made. Use exact numbers when possible. If you’ve taken relevant coursework, certifications - make sure you don’t miss these important details. Proactively promoting your experience is often the most important factor to a positive assessment of your resume.

Conduct a resume review

• Spelling and grammar mistakes
• Inconsistent punctuation
• Broken website links
• Incorrect contact information
• Long or unclear sentences

Secure impactful references

References can have a huge impact on your application. They are also a critical part of application tracking systems (ATS) that a vast majority of large organizations use. References in resume formats can be of two types: References of someone within the target organization, and references of a well known industry professional. If you get referred by an existing employee of the organization, your resume has a much higher chance of landing you an interview. And, if you cite the reference of a well known industry professional, your resume will definitely land you an interview.

10 sections recruiters and hiring managers are looking for in a fresher resume format

1. Your Resume Header

Your resume’s header is the first thing that any recruiter will see. Typically, a header has contact information, website link(s), a linkedin profile, and other social links. Make sure that your contact information is up to date, and only add emails that look professional. Ideally, a professional email looks something like '[email protected]'. Also, keep the number of things in your resume format header to a minimum. Your goal is to give recruiters a quick sense of who you are and how to contact you, not overwhelm them with a lot of information.

2. Personal Summary

A personal summary and a fresher resume don’t exactly match all of the time. Almost 90% of freshers write a summary like this in their resume: “My goal is to grow professionally and contribute to your esteemed organization and learn more” This doesn’t work for many reasons. First, this doesn’t say anything about what you really want to do. Second, it fails to convey relevance your resume to the job. And, third, it makes you sound passive and shows a lack of enthusiasm. A better version of a personal summary (for a design related role) would go in depth, connect your skills and goals with the role that you are applying for. Here’s an example: “To become one of the best UX designers in the world by practising minimalism, design systems with optimized onboarding for large scale software products. I have a keen interest in UX research, information architecture, and motion designs which drive my desire to accomplish great things in my career.” As you can clearly see, a hiring manager that looks at this professional summary will now understand who you are and what your motivation is for applying to the role. They will be more likely to take notice and evaluate your resume carefully. Mission accomplished!

• Relevant to the role you’re applying for
• Recognizable within your target industry
• A mix of both soft and hard skills
• Software skills (proficiency with AutoCAD)
• Planning and management skills (Expert in SAP SCS planning)
• Predictive Analytics (Implementing customer lifecycle analytics using Tableau)
• Market research (Identifying the right, most profitable customers)
• Inventory management (keeping record of SKUs and managing demand supply pipeline)
• MS Word and Google docs
• Your typing speed (unless you are applying to be a typist)
• Anything that’s not relevant to the role you are applying for

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4. Your Experience

Underestimating work experience is something that’s common across most fresher resumes. A lot of companies that hire freshers usually look for relevant projects or coursework. A relevant example of experience could be something that you did in your coursework, lab, projects or during your internship and can count as a professional grade working experience.

5. Education

A lot of job requirements clearly demand a level of education (undergraduate, post graduate, PhD). Clearly listing them out in a way a recruiter can quickly understand helps your job application in getting closer to being shortlisted. When you add your education to your resume, make sure to mention the important and relevant coursework in it. For example, if you are a mechanical engineering student, highlighting that you’ve gone through Production Planning helps you to be seen as a more relevant candidate for an Automotive Engineering role.

6. Languages

• English : IELTS CEFR B2
• Tamil : Native Language
• Hindi : Fluent in reading, writing and speaking
• German : Full professional proficiency (ILR scale)

7. Most Proud Of

Did you do something in your college life that you’re incredibly proud of? Adding this section helps you standout from other applicants. After testing it with 100,000+ resume applications, it has proven to be very effective. Freshers can usually add things like a college project, an open source contribution, an achievement in sports, a fellowship, published research papers, etc to name a few.

8. Life Philosophy

So far, most of the sections we’ve gone through were more focused on your work-related skills. But, hiring is also about cultural fit. Take this chance to be more impactful with your resume format. Fortunately, showcasing your life philosophy doesn’t take much. You can simply reflect it by including a quote from a significant figure or a quote that you live by.

9. Certificates and Courses

Often, freshers undergo a number of certification and other courses during college. These courses and certificates can often help you gain first hand experience and prepare you well for your professional career. They are often critical in crafting a winning fresher resume format.

10. References

We spoke about using references and how including them is a part of the best fresher resume format. When you write your references section, ensure to add their name, designation, a contact number and email information.

How to get a referral for the role you want after graduating

As a fresher, you should try to leverage your existing networks to gain job referrals. A job referral is an incredibly powerful way to land a job as referrals often standout from the rest of job applications. If you are unsure on where to get started, your college alumni, your professors and your social network (Linkedin, Facebook, etc) could be the first place. Here’s a detailed guide to getting job referrals (email outreach template included!) that just might come in handy to get job referrals.

Check out our guide on getting referrals for any job you’re applying for.

Trying to land an interview? Check out more winning resume examples for inspiration

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• Resume Writing

Writing a good resume is a prerequisite for getting the job of one's choice. There are many resume writings tips that would certainly help a person in writing his resume. Resume writing is nothing but a form of presentation of a person’s personal, academic, and professional profile, in an organized and formal manner which plays a very important role in job appointments alongside the interview. There are various important points that one must keep in mind while writing a resume, and a few resume writing tips would always help you in putting together a decent resume and increase the chance of getting the job of your choice. You must have sufficient practice of resume writing and proofread the resume before submitting it. 

The Elements of Resume Writing

For effective resume writing, one should always keep certain points in mind which would help in writing a good resume. The first thing to keep in mind is the heading of the resume, which would occupy the topmost part and attract attention before anything else in the document. This part should have the person's name, email address, other contact information, and communication address. While writing a resume, a summary is very important. The summary comprises the various skills and achievements that a person has in the form of a short paragraph with a few sentences. The professional experience follows the summary, which would comprise the experience that a person has in the relevant field. The educational qualifications, hobbies, and skills should also be highlighted. One must always proofread to ensure quality, and make sure the resume is free of grammatical and spelling errors. 

Resume Writing Format

Since a resume contains a lot of information about a person, the format is very important to ensure the information is conveyed in a systematic and organized manner. Resume writing tips would help in deciding the best resume writing template. The three types of resume include combination, functional, and chronological resume, which is accompanied by a cover letter. The chronological resume format is most frequently used which lists the career, and achievements of a person chronologically, from present to past. The functional resume focuses more on the skills of a person than the work experience of that person and is ideal for those who are just starting with their career. The combination resume is as the name suggests a combination of the previous two formats and states the skills as well as the strengths of the candidate and is a balanced view of the two.

Other Types of Resume

There are three additional formats of resumes that are less commonly used. The Infographic resume employs various design elements to display information and uses various layout, colours, and font styles. Targeted resume displays only the required skills and information and is a very specific approach. Other unorthodox resume formats use graphs, charts, etc. to make a resume that can either be in a written or a video format.

Cover Letter

A cover letter must accompany a resume and is a description of the candidate, and his or her interests along with the reasons for wanting to join the particular organization. The cover letter provides an opportunity to the candidates to describe his or her variation in interests, aspirations and preferences. Thereby, it allows the candidate to elaborate upon the information provided in the resume. The cover letter is similar to a normal letter having the contact details, introduction, body, and conclusion.

Resume Writing Example

Following a resume writing example is the best resume writing tip that would help the candidate write a good resume. A resume writing example is as follows.

70 B MG road, Mumbai

Pincode-400702

[email protected]

Objective: To get a job as an engineer at M.S. Chemicals

Education: Carnegie Mellon University. New York

B.Sc. Chemical engineering

Jersey High School, New Jersey

High School Diploma, May 2016

Experience: 

UG research at the University of Houston, 2015.

Have attended various student meetings.

Done various presentations on Chemistry.

Skills: 

Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Origin Lab.

Knows English, French, Hindi.

Used Python to design a racing game.

College reporter of the year-2017

Did You Know?

Some resume writing tips are bound to help you write a proper resume. Firstly, you must carefully choose a resume format and adhere to that format throughout the resume. The application status should also be kept in mind and choose the format accordingly. One should always be honest while writing a resume since providing wrong information may have adverse consequences. 

Solved Example

Q1. Why Does Experience Play an Important Role in Deciding the Resume Format?

Ans: The resume of a fresher would have only academic details while an experienced person would provide career experience alongside academic qualifications.

FAQs on Resume Writing

1. What are the Various Resume Formats?

Answer: The resume format plays an important role in deciding how the information would be presented and understood. The first main format of the resume is the chronological format. In the chronological format, information is presented in chronological order with the work experience remaining in focus. The various jobs and experiences a person has had are presented from the past to the present, in order. A functional resume, on the other hand, focuses more skill than work experience and is the most relevant for people just starting in their profession. The combination resume is a combination of the features of both functional and chronological resumes providing a balanced perspective.

2. What Should be Mentioned in the Resume?

Answer: A resume should have all the necessary details concerning the achievements, qualifications and experience of a person justifying why he or she is best suited for the job. First comes the heading of the resume where the name and contact details of the candidate are mentioned along with the address. The summary follows, which is a small paragraph of not more than five sentences emphasizing on the various achievements and skills of the candidate. After this, comes the educational qualification where the candidates provide his or her academic details. Professional details, the various skills and achievements should also be mentioned in the resume.