examples of usa resume

• • Provided essential daily living assistance to over 30 elderly residents, enhancing their quality of life and maintaining dignity.
• • Coordinated with a team of 10 healthcare professionals to develop personalized care plans, resulting in a 40% increase in patient satisfaction.
• • Implemented a new system for tracking and ordering personal care supplies, reducing waste by 15%.
• • Assisted in training 15 new caregivers, focusing on techniques for safe patient handling and emergency response.
• • Conducted monthly health and safety audits, ensuring compliance with state regulations and continuous care improvements.
• • Led a project to integrate new digital tools for documenting vital signs, reducing errors by 20%.
• • Managed daily care tasks for 20+ residents, including bathing, grooming, and feeding, adhering to all health standards.
• • Documented daily care activities and reported any health changes to the medical team, facilitating prompt response to health issues.
• • Facilitated social activities for residents, increasing engagement by 30%.
• • Supported the transport and escort of residents to various appointments, ensuring safety and punctuality.
• • Trained 5 junior caregivers in effective communication and care techniques, improving team effectiveness.
• • Provided in-home care for 10 patients, significantly improving their ability to manage daily tasks independently.
• • Implemented individualized care plans that reduced hospital readmissions by 25% for my clients.
• • Educated families on basic care and safe home environments, enhancing patient support from family members.
• • Assisted with physical therapy exercises as part of post-operative care regimens.

5 US Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

The United States plays a crucial role in global diplomacy, economic leadership, and national security. When crafting your resume, consider highlighting your leadership experience, project management achievements, and relevant certifications. Also, incorporating analytical thinking, effective communication, and adaptability can significantly enhance your profile. Finally, remember to mention specific accomplishments and measurable results that demonstrate your contributions and the impact you’ve made in your previous roles.

All resume examples in this guide

Resume Guide

US resume format

US resume experience

Skills on a US resume

Education and certifications

Resume summary or objective

Additional sections

Key takeaways

Anyone aiming to work in the United States or with US-based companies has to master the format and style of a US resume. International applicants often find it challenging to transition from the application procedures common in their home countries ( mainly involving  CVs ), to the US-style resume. Additionally, US citizens must maintain an updated resume to quickly capitalize on job opportunities.

While resumes and CVs share similarities globally, differences in format, length, and content tailored to industry standards are essential in the US.

American resumes have extra requirements that can mean the difference between getting hired or getting your resume tossed to the side without a second glance.

This guide will help you write a job-winning resume  that fits all the US resume standards. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• The importance of adapting your work experience to American recruitment standards and how it simplifies your job search.
• Tips for optimizing your resume with strategic keyword usage.
• Essential sections to include in your resume and additional sections that can strengthen your application.
• How to effectively present your skills in a US-format resume.
• Strategies for selecting the right content for your resume to ensure it’s concise, relevant, and engaging.

Before we begin, consider saving some of these resume tips for later review.

• How to Write a Great Resume
• Resume Tips and Advice
• Canadian Resume Format
• 1800+ Resume Examples
• Resume Styles: The Best Choice for Your Needs
• Why Can’t I Find a Job?
• How to Know If a Job is a Scam?
• Background Check for Employment
• Chat GPT Resume Prompts
• Cover Letter Examples

Let’s dive in.

How to format your resume for the US job market

Compared to European CVs, American resumes are shorter (up to 2 pages)  and easier to scan. In her book The Culture Map , Erin Meyer explains that the United States is a low-context culture where "good communication is precise, simple, and clear. Messages are expressed and understood at face value."

We can safely say that these communication specifics carry over into the professional context. If you’re coming from abroad and have a work visa, all you need to do is transfer your experience and achievements to a document that's well-organized and easy to understand.

The first step is to choose the right format for your US resume .

Types of US resumes

In the United States, the resume structure largely depends on how you prefer to list your work history. This will be defined by your level of experience. Below are the three most common formats  in a resume:

• Reverse chronological resume : This is the most traditional and commonly used resume format. It lists your work experience in reverse chronological order , starting with your most recent job at the top. It’s the best choice for those with a strong work history and progressive career growth in the same field. It’s also recruiters’ favorite as it allows them to see your career trajectory and longevity in particular roles or industries.
• Functional resume : Also known as a skills-based resume , this format focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your chronological work history. It's particularly useful for people who are changing careers, have gaps in their employment history, or are entering the workforce for the first time. The functional resume emphasizes what you can do and what you have learned, rather than where and when you worked.
• Combination (hybrid) resume : The hybrid layout  combines elements of both the chronological and functional resumes. It starts with a section that highlights your skills and accomplishments (similar to a functional resume) followed by a detailed work history in reverse chronological order. This format is beneficial for those who want to showcase specific skills while also detailing their work history.

Hybrid resumes are best fitted for fields like IT, engineering, science, graphic design, or marketing. They allow you to highlight your practical or technical skills at the forefront.

US resume design

Below are some other crucial components for the overall readability of your document. Again, the idea of clear messaging and precision should be reflected in your entire resume.

• Applicant tracking systems (ATS) .  90% of recruiters use ATS  to scan applicants’ resumes for keyword counting. ATS checks how many keywords from the job description can be found within your resume, thus filtering out unqualified candidates. This implies that you might have what it takes to get the job, but if you don’t manage to show it on your resume, you can get dismissed by a machine.
• Resume margins: Consider margins as the frame of your professional portrait. The ideal margin size  is between 0.5 and 1 inch on all sides. You can play around with this to fit in your content, but be careful. Narrower margins will make your resume look cramped, while a larger size can indicate you don’t have much to say.
• Resume font : Another factor contributing to visual hierarchy, resume fonts  are one of the easiest ways to direct and maintain recruiters’ attention on your resume. The best fonts are Lato, Rubik, Arial, Bitter, and PT Serif, size 10-12 pt. They can pass ATS scanners successfully, which is a big concern for today’s job seekers.
• Resume templates : Most people don’t have the time to build a resume from scratch on a word processor. Ready-made templates  are a great way to create your professional resume, as they’re already optimized for machine and human scanning. All you need to do is decide how to complete them. Enhancv has a range of templates—single-column, double-column, modern , traditional , and creative —that can suit any type of job or taste.
• Resume length : In the United States, the one-page resume  is the preferred format. Two-page documents are reserved for seasoned candidates and C-level executives, but for all other cases, one page should be enough to communicate your strengths clearly and concisely.
• Contact information : Place your details in the resume header  and include your name, professional title, email address, a link to your LinkedIn profile or your portfolio, and US phone number. The header can easily go wrong if you put your high-school email address or if you provide a generic title (e.g. Marketing Specialist instead of, say, B2B Marketing Strategist). Your contact information should be as specific and professional as the rest of your resume.
• Resume photo in the US : We advise you to not put your picture on your resume  unless specifically requested. This is done to avoid discrimination and bias. Additionally, photos may confuse ATS scanners as some graphic elements would.
• US letter size: Don’t confuse it with the standard A4 print setting. The US letter size  is 8.5 x 11 inches and can be pre-determined from the template setting on Enhancv’s resume builder.
• File  formatting and naming convention:  It’s best to save your resume as a PDF  to maintain formatting consistency across different devices and platforms. Name your resume file  clearly. Use your full name followed by your title and the word 'resume'. For example, 'AnnaSmith_Architect_Resume.pdf'. This helps hiring managers easily identify and retrieve your file from hundreds of applications.

Is your resume good enough?

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s sum up what are the essential elements of a resume when looking for a job in the United States.

The top sections on a US resume

• Professional experience detailing your past roles and achievements.
• A skills section that lists core competencies relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• Education and certifications highlighting relevant academic and professional qualifications.
• A professional summary or objective showcasing your career highlights and skills.
• A projects section showing specific projects related to the role.

Any of these sections should be adapted to the specifics of the role you’re targeting and the job you’re applying for. Of course, you can add or prioritize sections that you think are relevant, just make sure you stay direct and to the point. Don’t hesitate to kill your darlings if what you’re writing doesn’t match the job requirements.

What recruiters want to see on your resume

• Relevant job experience to verify capability in similar roles.
• Specific skills that are essential for performing key job functions.
• Educational background that supports the technical knowledge required for the role.
• Certifications that are industry-recognized and pertinent to the job.
• Achievements that demonstrate past success and potential for impact.

Before we dive into each must-have section separately, let’s outline what you shouldn’t include in a US resume:

What NOT to include in your US resume

• Personal information : Details about your date of birth, social security number, gender, nationality, religion, and marital status can lead to biases.
• A headshot : Unless you are applying for a job where your appearance is directly relevant (e.g., acting, modeling), a photo is unnecessary and can lead to discrimination.
• Salary information:  This can be discussed during the interview.
• References:  Employers will ask for them if needed.
• Authorization to work in the US : This is required after you receive a job offer.

How to write your US resume experience section

The biggest challenge when crafting your experience section  is deciding what to include and what to leave out. For many candidates with extensive experience, this can be very frustrating, but the solution is simple:

Feature only those experiences that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

First, research the job description and highlight keywords that indicate the main responsibilities , skills, certification requirements, and overall applicant profile. Then, consider which of those you can relate to and make sure you transfer the same words onto your resume.

The work experience section is a great place to feature major keywords, but don’t limit yourself to just this part of the document. Your whole resume should be strategically populated with terms that will make recruiters nod with appreciation.

Here’s the basic resume experience format:

• Organization name
• Optional: a short description of the company, especially if it’s a startup or an NGO
• Employment dates and location
• 3-6 bullet points describing your duties and achievements, packed with quantified results.

Look at a resume sample of a well-written experience section:

• • Directed the development and market launch of three electric vehicle models, resulting in a 40% market share increase.
• • Implemented cutting-edge battery technology that extended vehicle range by 25% and reduced charge times by 20%.
• • Negotiated key partnerships with technology providers to enhance vehicle connectivity and autonomous driving capabilities.
• • Oversaw a team of 150+ engineers and developers, fostering a culture of innovation and rapid product iteration.

What’s good about those experience entries?

• Action verbs : Each entry starts with an action verb  that enhances the candidate’s profile of someone who drives change within their sector.  
• Buzzwords : Carefully selected industry-specific words  are a strategic way to boost your application (e.g. market share increase, cutting-edge battery, a culture of innovation). Use those in small doses, as putting too many can backfire.
• Quantified   achievements : 3 out of 4 entries provide specific examples of measurable outcomes. This is something you should aim for in your entire resume. Simply listing skills and achievements won’t cut it. Instead, build your credibility by providing concrete evidence for your experience.

Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens to you.

Aldous Huxley

How to quantify impact on a US resume

An effective resume doesn’t leave recruiters guessing. That’s why, you should provide numbers , percentages, and measurable outcomes whenever possible. Below you can find a few ideas on how to do that:

• Include percentage revenue growth achieved under your leadership to demonstrate impact on profitability.
• Detail cost savings through efficiency improvements with specific percentages to show financial stewardship.
• Mention customer base expansion figures to illustrate successful market penetration.
• Highlight the increase in market share to show competitive advancement.
• Quantify the reduction in process times to emphasize efficiency gains.
• Report specific figures on capital raised during funding rounds to underline financial acumen.
• State the exact number of patents filed under your guidance to reflect innovation capabilities.
• Provide the numerical increase in shareholder value to showcase business growth impact.

The same applies to entry-level roles or internship candidates . Learn more in the following section.

How to list skills on your American resume

The key skills for a US resume in 2024 are largely shaped by the current job market. Factors like the post-COVID landscape, ongoing global conflicts, and potential economic downturns are significantly influencing employment opportunities.  

A recent article in Reader’s Digest  highlights this shift: “From tech jobs to health care opportunities to eco-friendly careers, the list is diverse in terms of interests, skills, and education requirements. [...] But according to the experts, they’re recession-proof careers, and some of them are even jobs that might make you a millionaire.”

So, what are the 10 most wanted jobs in the US right now and how do they define the most in-demand skills? Here’s a breakdown.

• Data Scientist : Businesses across various sectors need professionals who can analyze complex data sets to inform decision-making processes.
• Cybersecurity Specialist : With increasing digital transactions and data, the demand for cybersecurity experts to protect against threats is critical.
• Registered Nurse : The healthcare industry continues to experience a robust demand for nurses due to an aging population and the ongoing global health challenges.
• Medical Technologist : Professionals who can handle patient samples and maintain laboratory equipment are crucial in the healthcare field.
• Truck Driver : The logistics and delivery sectors are growing, necessitating more drivers as online shopping becomes increasingly prevalent.
• Translator :  As businesses operate on a global scale, the need for skilled translators to bridge communication barriers is significant.
• Physical Therapist :  An increasing number of individuals seeking rehabilitation services makes this a rapidly growing field.
• Software Developer :  The tech industry's expansion drives the demand for developers to create and maintain software solutions.
• Digital Marketing Specialist :  With the rise of digital commerce, experts in digital marketing are crucial for businesses to reach their target audiences effectively.
• Financial Advisor :  Economic uncertainties have led to a heightened need for professional financial planning and advice.

Based on these insights, we’ve compiled a list of the top technical skills  that you can include in your resume.

The best hard skills for your US resume

• Data analysis
• Project management
• Software development
• Cloud computing (AWS, Azure)
• Machine learning
• Cybersecurity
• Database management (SQL, NoSQL)
• Business intelligence (BI) Tools
• Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Mobile app development (iOS, Android)
• Network administration
• CAD Software
• Financial modeling
• CRM software (Salesforce)
• ERP systems (SAP, Oracle)
• Artificial intelligence
• Blockchain technology
• Graphic design software (Adobe Creative Suite)
• Video editing software
• Automation tools (Ansible, Puppet)

Technical skills are part of the hard skills  group and are normally displayed in a dedicated section on your resume. Make sure you list those that are highly relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Unlike hard skills, which you acquire through training and work experience, soft skills  are developed through communication with others. However, remember that they’re best demonstrated when actually implied and supported with evidence.

For instance, instead of listing problem-solving and teamwork in an isolated section, you can showcase these skills in your experience entries. Like so: “Managed project timelines and coordinated with cross-functional teams to align project goals with business objectives, successfully delivering the project 2 weeks ahead of deadline and under budget by 15%.”

Below are some of the top skills that American recruiters appreciate on a resume:

The best soft skills for your US resume

• Communication
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Conflict resolution
• Team collaboration
• Time management
• Attention to detail
• Emotional intelligence
• Persuasiveness
• Accountability
• Active listening
• Decision-making
• Interpersonal skills
• Stress management
• Cultural awareness
• Negotiation skills

How to list your education and certifications on a US resume

When creating the education section  of your US resume, focus on relevance and only include details pertinent to the job you're applying for. Here you can mention any ongoing or incomplete educational pursuits to demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning . This approach keeps your resume clear and organized and showcases your qualifications effectively for potential employers.

Education should be listed in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent qualifications and following this order:

• Degree or certification obtained
• Name of institution
• Graduation date or expected completion.
• GPA  if it's notably high, or honors received (optional)
• Relevant coursework demonstrating your contributions

This is how a registered nurse’s education section can look:

• • Specialized in pediatric care and completed relevant clinical rotations at UCSF Medical Center.

When listing certifications on a US resume , you should keep in mind two things. Firstly, they need to be relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Secondly, if you’re an international applicant for a US job, be cautious of the following:

• Recognition and equivalency : Verify that your certifications are recognized in the United States or have an equivalent that is appreciated by US employers.
• Accreditation : Ensure that the institution or organization that granted your certification is accredited or recognized by relevant US authorities. This can significantly impact the credibility of your qualifications.
• Translation and conversion : If your certification is not in English, it should be professionally translated. Also, consider converting any metrics (like grades or scores) to a format familiar to US employers.
• Currency and validity : Indicate if your certifications are current, especially for roles that require up-to-date knowledge and skills. Some certifications require periodic renewal or continuing education, which should be clearly mentioned.

Next, list the certifying body and the date, and make sure current certifications are highlighted, especially if they require renewal.

Here are some of the most widely recognized certifications you can see on American resumes.

The best certifications for a professional US resume

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)

Enhancv’s resume builder  offers the flexibility to customize your resume by adding and organizing sections as you prefer. If you have more than two certifications that are relevant to the job you're targeting, it's wise to allocate a specific section for them on your resume. This approach is appreciated by both applicant tracking systems ATS and recruiters.

How to write your US resume summary or objective

You might wonder why we leave this section for the end of each guide. It’s simple. It’s best to write your resume summary or objective when you’ve finished putting together your experience and training background. This allows you to quickly summarize the key points of your career and adjust them to the specific role you’re applying for.

So, what’s the difference between a resume summary and an objective statement?

In the United States, there are two types of personal statements  that provide employers with a brief overview of your qualifications and career goals.

The resume objective is 1-3 sentences long and focuses on how you’re going to add value to the specific job or company you’re applying for. It’s more suitable for candidates with less than 3 years of experience, career changers, and individuals with large career gaps.

Here’s an example of a resume objective for an aspiring professional translator.

Here’s why this is a good resume objective:

• Sentence 1 : The objective starts by framing the candidates’ profile. It clearly states a specialization in Spanish to English translations, highlighting the candidate’s specific expertise .
• Sentence 2 : It aligns the graduate’s educational background and certification with their career aspirations , demonstrating relevance to professional goals.
• Sentence 3:  By expressing a desire to contribute  to the success of a specific, well-regarded firm, the objective showcases the candidate’s intention to apply their skills in a meaningful and impactful way, appealing to potential employers looking for dedicated professionals.

Resume summaries  differ slightly in that they provide more room—up to five sentences—to detail your key skills, achievements, and contributions to past employers. They also serve as an excellent platform to highlight notable successes or certifications, particularly those mentioned in the job description.

Let’s look at a well-written data analyst’s resume summary.

Now, let’s see what makes it a good summary:

• Use of strong adjectives and action verbs:  The summary starts with detail-oriented , an adjective that sets a professional tone  and highlights a crucial skill for a data analyst. Action verbs like leveraging , analyzed , developed , and creating , show proactive involvement in key projects and tasks.
• Quantified metrics: The summary includes specific, quantified achievements such as increased revenue by 15% year-over-year . They provide concrete evidence of the candidate's impact and capability.
• Key skills and certifications:  It mentions proficiency in SQL, Python, and Tableau, which are critical tools for a data analyst. The mention of an "Advanced Data Science" certification from IBM further strengthens the candidate’s qualifications.
• Absence of personal pronouns:  The summary avoids the use of personal pronouns , which helps maintain a professional and focused tone. This style is often preferred in resume writing as it directs attention to the candidate's skills and achievements without personal bias.
• Comprehensive yet concise:  This comprehensive approach ensures that a potential employer quickly grasps the candidate’s qualifications and potential value to the organization.

No matter how far in your career you are, make sure you write a concise and specific personal statement.

Additional sections to include in a US resume

We talked a lot about the importance of being direct and specific when crafting a resume in the United States. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t include any further sections that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. Here are a few suggestions:

• Languages : Proficiency in multiple languages  can be a significant advantage in many roles, especially in international companies or in customer service positions.
• Projects section : Particularly for roles that involve project management or software development, a projects section  can showcase specific examples of what you have accomplished, detailing the scope and the outcome of the projects.
• Hobbies and interests : While not always necessary, this section can help humanize you as a candidate and possibly connect on a personal level with the hiring manager.
• Volunteer work : This can prove your commitment to community, your leadership skills, and your willingness to take on responsibilities outside of professional work.
• Professional affiliations and memberships : Being part of professional organizations  can show your engagement in the industry and your ongoing commitment to professional development.
• Publications : If you have authored or contributed to professional publications , listing these can enhance your credibility and establish you as an expert in your field.
• Awards and honors : Including any relevant awards or recognitions  you have received can highlight your excellence and competitiveness in your field.

Understanding the nuances of US resume standards is crucial for both international applicants and US citizens seeking to optimize their job prospects. Here are the key takeaways from our comprehensive guide on mastering the US resume format:

• Adapt to American standards : Tailoring your experience to meet American recruitment criteria simplifies the job application process and increases your visibility among recruiters.
• Optimize with technology : Utilize strategic keyword usage to ensure your resume stands out and aligns with the job description, increasing your chances of being noticed.
• Include essential sections : Insert vital resume sections such as professional experience, skills, and education. Adding sections like certifications and projects can further enhance your resume by showcasing relevant qualifications and achievements.
• Avoid specific elements : There are things you should not put in your US resume, such as a photo, detailed graphics, fancy fonts, or personal information. This is done to ease ATS scanning and avoid discrimination.

Looking to build your own US resume?

• Resume Examples

15 Surefire Signs That Your Job Interview Was a Success [Plus 7 Signs of a Bad Interview]

How to film a video resume, what to include in your cover letter, how to list patent on resume, are cover letters necessary in 2023, what does a cover letter look like.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Resume Guides
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

USA CV Tips & Format Requirements

Applying for a job in the United States? This guide has the tips, examples, & format requirements needed to write the perfect USA CV. Create your VisualCV today!

Popular American Resume Templates

Digital marketing resume template for american jobs.

Project Management USA Resume Template

Product Management USA Resume Template

Technical Resume Template for USA

Manager USA Resume Template

USA Student Resume Template

Director USA Resume Template

Hospitality Resume Template USA

Modern USA Resume Template

Software Engineering Resume Template for USA

Combination Resume Template USA

Simple USA Resume Template

ATS USA Resume Template

Publick Relations USA Resume Template

How to Format a US Resume?

To format a resume for jobs in US, select the right resume format based on your work experience. Once you choose a resume format type, fill it with information relevant to the job that you are applying for.

The most popular resume formats in US are:

• Reverse chronological resume format
• Combination resume format
• Functional resume format

Reverse Chronological Resume Format for USA

If you are an experienced professional applying for relevant jobs in the US, we would recommend that you use a reverse chronological format.

Here’s a reverse chronological American resume format example:

Combination Resume Format for America

Trying to build a US resume that is more focused on displaying diverse skills? Maybe you want to show a hiring manager how your past skills and work experience is transferable to the job you are applying for.

Here’s what a combination resume format looks like:

Functional Resume Format for US Jobs

Are you someone who has very little or no experience? A functional resume format could just be what you need. With this resume format, it is easier for candidates in the US to display their skills to cover for the lack of experience.

Here’s a functional US resume format example:

USA Resume Formatting Tips for 2024

The top resume formatting tips to follow while writing a resume for an American job are:

• Select the right resume format based on your work experience.
• Keep the length of your resume to 1 page if you have less than 15 years of experience. A two page resume is acceptable if the total work experience exceeds 15 years.
• Use a professional font. Use a serif font for building a traditional US resume and a sans-serif font for a modern US resume.
• Make sure the resume sections have sufficient margins on all sides.
• Use either 1 or 1.15 as your line spacing.

What to Avoid in a US Resume?

Avoid the following mistakes in a US resume:

• Adding photo to a US
• Adding personal information like gender, SSN, religion, age, or nationality.
• Adding your entire address to your resume.
• Eligibility to work within the United States should not be listed on your resume.
• References on a resume are generally not required and only add clutter to it.
• Adding unprofessional email e.g. [email protected].

American Resume Requirements

In America, the term ‘resume’ is much more common than ‘CV’ - in fact, these terms refer to two different things. A ‘CV’ usually refers to a long, detailed document for academics and jobs in academia. In all likelihood, this is not what you will need when applying for a job in America - a simpler, two page resume will do.

Browse our gallery of resume examples here.

How do I write a US resume?

To write a US resume, consider the following golden rules:

• Keep the length of your resume to a maximum of two pages.
• Add the following to your resume: contact details, work history, resume summary/objective, skills and certifications.
• Customize your resume for each job you apply to.
• Add the right set of keywords to pass the ATS

US Resume Tips and rules:

Length: In most cases, two pages is sufficient for your US resume. A one page resume will do if you graduated within the past few years, and a three page resume is acceptable for very experienced job seekers, but be careful - “The longer your resume is, the less likely an employer is to see the parts you want them to see,” according to Alison Green at Ask a Manager . Unless you are very certain, keep it to two pages.

Language: Use standard American English when writing your American resume. Drop those extra U’s: it’s ‘color’ and ‘labor’, not ‘colour’ or ‘labour’.

CV or Resume: In the United States, the term ‘resume’ is more common than ‘CV’. ‘CV’ usually refers to a longer academic document that contains much more information than a regular resume.

Resume template: Browse through our gallery of USA resume templates .

US Resume Format, Order and Layout:

Photo: Most experts recommend that you don't include a picture of yourself on your resume. Your appearance is not relevant to your skills and abilities, and including a picture distracts from the content of your resume and opens the door for discrimination . In fact, some companies will reject resumes with photos outright to avoid any accusations. This rule of thumb has exceptions, however; be sure to do your research before making your decision. If you are applying to a more creative role - perhaps in film, graphic design, or the performing arts - a professional picture may help you to stand out and build your personal brand. Use your discretion when deciding if a CV picture is right for each application.

Personal Information: It is important to include your name, address, phone number, and email address. You can also include a link to your LinkedIn or other social media, but only if you are completely certain that these profiles will present you as professional and hireable. Be sure that any online profiles are up to date and reflective of your goals and professionalism.

Personal Summary: A summary of your qualifications separate from your work experience is optional, but for experienced job seekers it is a great way to provide a snapshot of your history and skillset. According to Lily Zhang at The Muse , summary statements are “usually best for more experienced professionals with years of experiences to tie together with a common theme.” This section should be short and punchy - sell yourself in as little space as possible.

Work experience: Write your work experience in reverse-chronological order, with your most recent position at the top. When writing your work experience, focus on your achievements rather than your responsibilities, highlighting quantifiable information whenever possible. Your work history should be tailored to suit the job you are applying to - use keywords from the job posting, but only if you can back up your claims.

Education: Your educational achievements should also be listed in reverse-chronological order. If you are a recent graduate you can include your GPA, but only if it is high and only if it is relevant to the job. Once you have more years of work experience, your GPA becomes less important.

How to Convert an Indian Resume to an American Resume

To convert an Indian resume to an American resume, follow these steps:

• Change your resume format to either: Chronological, functional or hybrid resume format. The first are a lot more popular in the U.S. as compared to the later.
• Indian resumes follow British language and writing conventions - Instead switch to US grammar and writing conventions. Make sure your resume is easy to read. Avoid using difficult words and expressions that are uncommon in America.
• Reduce the length of your resume summary section. Add your top skills, number of years of work experience and top relevant achievements in it.
• Remove any pictures from your resume to convert it into an American resume.
• List a US City, State along with an American phone number. Apart from your email, remove your Indian contact information.
• Make your resume one page if your work experience is less than 15 years.

And, that’s it! Your Indian resume is now converted to an American resume.

How to Convert an European Resume to an American Resume

To convert your European resume to an American resume, follow these steps:

• Reduce your European resume. While descriptive and long resumes work in the EU, American resumes are usually one page for candidates with less than 15 years of work experience.
• Remove all personal information that’s usually common such as date of birth, marital status, and nationality. In the US, due to anti-discrimination law these details are not required. Furthermore, an ATS might reject a resume that has personal information on it.
• Reduce focus on skills and extracurricular activities. In American resumes, work experience and accomplishments take the priority.
• European resumes are a bit more detail oriented when it comes to the education section. Remove anything that’s not an achievement from your education section to convert it.
• Remove any references that you have on your resume.
• Remove photo (if you have any) from your resume.

Customize Your USA Resume for Each Job

Spray and pray job application using the same generic resume without customization isn’t the best job search strategy in the US. Customize the following in your resume based on each job that you apply to:

• Work history - show relevant skills and experience to the job.
• Summary - shape your resume to show that would make the US based employer feel that you are the perfect candidate for the job.
• Stand out by customizing your skills section to show only relevant or stand out skills.
• When it comes to projects or portfolio, keep it relevant to the role.
• Finally, pick relevant keywords from the job description and add them to your resume

How to Write a Fresher Resume Format for USA

As a fresher in USA, a good resume format would include:

• Header with a resume objective customized for American jobs.
• Education - include your GPA only if it is more than 3.7.
• Skills - include relevant skills only.
• Projects - list your top projects.
• Certification - if your target job requires certifications, list them with the date till they are valid.
• Avoid using reverse chronological resumes.

How to Write a H1B Resume for USA

To write a H1B resume, follow the American resume formats listed above. Showcase achievements and highlight skills using the STAR framework. While creating your resume don’t put a picture, avoid listing personal details, and H1B status.

Contact Information Template for Your US Resume

In every US resume, it is expected that a candidate would list the following contact information:

• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Address (usually in a city, state format)
• LinkedIn Profile
• Personal Website or Portfolio
• Professional Social Media Profiles

Example Contact Information Template for Resume

[First Name Last Name], [Phone Number], [Email Address], [City, State/Province, Country]

Example Contact Information Template for Your US Resume with LinkedIn

[First Name Last Name], [Email Address], [Phone Number], [LinkedIn Profile URL], [City, State/Province, Country]

How to List Work Experience on Your American Resume

To list work experience on your American resume follow these steps:

• Start with your most recent job and work backwards.
• Include the job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.
• Use bullet points to describe your job duties and accomplishments, starting each bullet point with an action verb.
• Focus on your most relevant experience and skills for the job you are applying for.
• Use quantifiable data to illustrate your achievements, such as the number of projects you completed or the amount of revenue you generated.
• Use keywords and phrases from the job description to make your resume more relevant to the job.
• Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements, such as how you improved a process or solved a problem.
• Keep your bullet points concise, clear, and easy to read, using short phrases or sentences.
• Use past tense for previous jobs and present tense for your current job.
• Customize your work experience section for each job you apply for, highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job.

How to List Education on Your US Resume

How to list education on an experienced candidate’s us resume.

• Start with your latest degree and work backwards.
• Include institution name, degree, field of study, and graduation date.
• List additional relevant coursework, certifications, or training in a separate section.
• Consider adding a high GPA or academic honors.
• Keep your education section concise and relevant to the job.
• Emphasize how your education prepared you for the job by highlighting skills and knowledge gained.
• Customize the education section for each job by highlighting relevant education and training.

How to List Education on an Entry-Level Candidate’s US resume

• Start with your most recent degree and work backwards.
• Add a high GPA or academic honors if applicable.
• Highlight relevant coursework or projects if you lack work experience.
• Emphasize how your education prepared you for the job.
• Include internships or volunteer work in a separate section.
• Use industry-specific keywords and bullet points to make the section concise and relevant.
• Customize the education section for each job.

How to List Skills on Your USA Resume

To list skills on your USA resume:

• Create a separate section for your skills and list your skills in it.
• List your skills in summary and work experience sections of your resume. Do so by showing the situations you faced and the skills you used to solve the problem.

There are several ways to list skills on your US resume. Let’s take a look at a couple of them.

Skills on Your US Resume in a Bullet List

If your US resume has a lot of empty space, this is a good way to list your skills. Here’s an example of how to list:

Skills on Your US Resume Without a Bullet List

To list your skills on your US resume without a bullet list, add them with either a comma or a tab on your resume.

An example would to list skills would be: Skill 1, Skill 2, Skill 3, Skill 4, Skill 5, Skill 6, Skill 7, …

How to List Certifications on Your US Resume

To list a certification on your US resume:

• List it in your resume’s header e.g. PMP Certified Project Manager
• Create a separate section for certifications and list them. While listing certifications, list the issuing authority, dates from which the certificate is valid and list an expiration date (if any).

Other sections:

Skills: A list of skills is a great way to supplement your work history. It is a simple and readable way to give an idea of what you excel at.

Volunteer experience: Relevant volunteer experience looks great on a resume. If your volunteer experience is particularly robust, you can include it in your work experience section instead.

References: It is not necessary to include your references on your resume. Simply supply them when asked by an employer.

Conclusion:

A straightforward two page resume is the way to go in America. Strong, active language, achievement-focused work history, and a robust skill set will impress recruiters and employers all across America.

Copyright © 2024 Workstory Inc.

Select Your Language:

• Career Development

US Resume Format: How to Write and Best Practice Examples

13 min read

Are you a foreign national applying for your first job in the US? If so, did you know that the standard US resume format often differs from requirements in other countries? Therefore, you'll want to use the appropriate US resume format to increase your chances of landing a job.

Or maybe you’re a US citizen, searching for your first or next work opportunity. In that case, ensuring your resume is up to par with current US resume formatting requirements is worth the effort.

Regardless of which scenario represents you, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we'll go over the information you need to include on a resume in the US, information you should never include, and best practices to present your information in the best possible light. Tips on how to write your resume, with a sample resume template, are also included to help increase your chances of getting a job in the United States. 

What are the different US resume format options?

There are  three primary types of US resume formats :

The traditional reverse chronological format 

The strategic functional layout

The best-of-both worlds hybrid resume

All of these options include similar information, but with a different layout. This piece will focus on the  reverse chronological resume format , which is the most common and familiar format used in the US.

What to include on a US resume

Here’s the basic information a hiring manager or employer in the US is looking for on your resume:

Name and contact information

Work experience

Qualifications

Generally, the work experience section will make up the majority of your resume when using a reverse chronological format, unless you have little to no work experience. In that case, your education section will take center stage.

You can optimize your resume with keywords tailored to the job position you’re applying for. For more information on what your resume needs to include, check out these resources:

How Long Your Resume Should Be ?

Good Skills to Put On Your Resume

What Does Relevant Experience on a Resume Mean?

What not to include on a US resume

There are several types of information you should exclude from your resume if you want to be a competitive applicant in the US. Don't include any of the following, unless specifically directed otherwise by the employer: 

Personal details . These include your date of birth, gender, religion, country of origin, ethnicity, marital status, or identification numbers, such as your social security number. US employers don’t need or want to see this information during the application stage, since it can lead to discrimination and confidentiality concerns. 

A headshot. Including a photo raises another discrimination issue by identifying your sex, and potentially your age and ethnicity. It also takes up valuable room on your resume that’s better used to describe your suitability. Only provide a headshot or photo if asked to do so, or if you're in a profession that requires it, like entertainment or the performing arts. 

Your full address. Stick to the city or location of where you live, plus the state. Street names or numbers provide too much information and take up space unnecessarily. 

Country prefix. You should include a phone number on your resume, though only if it’s a 10-digit US number. Include your area code but not the country prefix. Example: (555) 555-5555.

References. Only include references if the job posting specifically instructs you to provide them. Most employers will ask for references later in the hiring process if they want them.

Exam scores. Including your ACT, SAT, GMAT, TOEFL, or other test scores on your resume is not standard practice. Hiring managers are more interested in your experience and education.

Resume best practices for US applications

Now that you know the basics of what to include and what not to include for US employers, it's time to dive into some US resume formatting best practices. 

Layout flow

The standard US resume begins with your name and contact information at the top. From there, you'll include your headline, professional profile, core competencies / skills, work experience, education, and certifications, typically in that order. Depending on your circumstances, you may add specialized content, like volunteer experience, awards, publications, and organizational affiliations. 

Formatting standards

Margins, line spacing, font size, font type, and resume length are all considerations to ensure you meet US resume formatting guidelines.

Margins should be set at minimum of a half-inch at the top and bottom and three quarters of an inch on the sides, with the maximum being one inch all around.

Use between 1.15 and 1.5-point line spacing between text and double lines after headings. 

The font you choose should be easy to read. Georgia, Arial, Lato, Helvetica, Cambria, and Calibri are all good resume font options. 

Make the text easy to read. Use a font size of 10 to 12 point for the content that falls under each section of your resume. Titles and headers should be around 14 to 16 point font. 

Use a resume template that already has the formatting set up.

Regarding length, your resume should be  one to two pages in length ,  maximum. If you're early in your career, stick to one page. If you're an experienced professional, two pages is acceptable. Only in rare instances should your resume ever be longer than two pages. You might be able to get away with three pages if you're applying for a high-level senior or executive role, have been asked to list all your past work experience in detail, or are applying for jobs where longer resumes are expected, like academic positions or US federal government jobs.  

Template selection

The template you choose should be modern and ATS-friendly. Simple is best when it comes to the style of your resume. Black and white is standard and it's best to use bullet points with plenty of white space. Resumes with dense sections of content can frustrate the reader, reducing your chances of landing an interview. Avoid using graphics on your resume unless you're in an industry that warrants it, like fashion or graphic design. Even then, be mindful of an employer's  applicant tracking system (ATS) scans .

Employers use applicant tracking systems to streamline the hiring process. One capability of an ATS is rank job applicant resumes. If you want to get your resume to rank highly:

Avoid using designs, images, tables, charts, and fancy designs - clean, simple, and concise is best

Avoid acronyms and spell out abbreviations, so that you maximize the number of keywords in your resume

Send your resume file as a Word or PDF document with standard 8.5 X 11 sizing

Use an ATS-friendly resume template, like one of the 200 examples of  downable ATS-compatible templates  available on ZipJob

Only include information that’s relevant to the job you're applying for

Optimize your resume with keywords relevant to your target role

Keyword inclusion

Keywords not only help your resume to rank highly if it’s scanned by an ATS, but also grab the reader's attention to show you're a viable candidate for the job. Identify keywords to incorporate by reviewing the job posting and looking for the skills and phrases that align with your competencies and past achievements. 

Don’t keyword stuff. Keywords should be included so they’re part of the natural flow of your resume. 

Content development

US hiring managers are looking for the potential value you can add to the organization. Regardless of your titles or positions, you must show what you bring to the table. You want the reader to be able to easily and quickly view your abilities and accomplishments that represent your potential to succeed. 

When developing content for your resume:

Focus on experience and achievements that directly relate to the position you're seeking.

Use numbers to quantify achievements. Quantifiable data is a way to show, rather than tell the hiring manager what you're capable of. It allows them to visualize your potential in the role. For example, "Developed new process to collect customer satisfaction data, increasing customer response rates by 15%” is more informative and intriguing than "Developed process to collect customer satisfaction data."

Use American English with zero spelling or grammatical errors.

Be honest and accurate. Getting caught in a lie can mean losing out on the opportunity or even having an offer rescinded.

Omit details that don't support or add to the narrative.

How to write a resume for US employers

Now it's time to create the perfect US resume to land an interview. Below are five steps with examples to help you along the way. There’s also a full resume template to refer to at the end, so you can see the correct US resume format and flow discussed in each section. 

1. Provide your contact information

The first thing recruiters and hiring managers should see on your resume is your contact information, which includes:

First and last name

City and state

Phone number

Email address

LinkedIn URL

For example:

Phoenix, AZ | 555.555.5555 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/name/

You can opt to leave off the  LinkedIn URL . Alternatively, you can include a URL to your online portfolio or professional website. If you provide a URL, only choose one (LinkedIn is most common) and be sure the page is current and represents you well. 

2. Include a compelling headline and professional profile

The next section of your resume will include your headline and professional profile, sometimes referred to as a summary statement or professional summary. The headline highlights your job title or focus. The professional profile is a brief introduction that emphasizes your key accomplishments and skills and how you can add value to the organization. The goal of your profile is to grab the recruiter or hiring manager's attention and entice them to continue reading your resume.  

Here's an example:

Senior Marketing Director

Dedicated and ambitious marketing and communications leader with a keen understanding of market dynamics that impact regional, national, and international advertisers. Proven record of success in penetrating new market segments and steering account development, with more than 20% revenue growth over two quarters and a 30% increase in accounts in one year. In-depth knowledge of integration best practices across content types and mediums. Expert in creating successful brand strategies for organizations ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500s.

3. Highlight your skills and core competencies

Adding a  core competencies section  to your resume is another way to emphasize that you have the knowledge base to get the job done right. A list of core competencies can grab the attention of hiring managers and also help your resume to rank highly with an ATS. 

As a staple of any good resume, there are two types of skills you can highlight in this section:

Hard skills are the technical skills you possess and can be specific to particular jobs. Microsoft 365, typing, and AutoCAD are examples of hard skills. 

Soft skills are the personal skills you have. They’re necessary to succeed at most jobs and can be transferred between roles and sectors Interpersonal skills, effective communication, and creativity are examples of soft skills.

Some choose to include a core competencies or skills section at the bottom of their resume. However, it’s best to include your list of skills below your profile summary and above your work section so it’s one of the first things the reader sees. Additionally:

Tailor your core competencies list for each job posting. Be sure to include the ones you possess that are outlined in the job description.  

Keep your list short and focused, with about 8 to 10 skills included. 

As an example, an Accounting Specialist might include the following core competencies on their resume:

Certified Public Accountant | QuickBooks | Accounts Receivable | Research | Team Leadership | Accounts Payable | Collections | Customer Service | Tax Accounting | Risk Assessment

4. Showcase your work experience

Unless you have little to no work experience, the work experience section of your resume is most important. In this section, you tell your story and highlight your achievements. The typical US resume format includes the following work details:

Job title. The job title is listed first, allowing the reader to quickly see the positions you've held and how they're relevant to the job. 

Company name and location. List the company name and location below the job title. It's also an option to include a brief one-line summary of what the company does below the company name, if it isn't a well-known organization. 

Dates you held the position . Include the years you held the position to the right of the job title. 

Remit. Include a brief overview of the remit of the role.

Accomplishments. The core part of each job entry you include is the list of accomplishments and achievements. List about five to seven accomplishments for each position held. 

 Here are some pointers for completing the work section of your resume:

Tailor your resume to align with the job description. Review the job description carefully and ensure that any skills and accomplishments you have that meet the job requirements are included on your resume. 

Use powerful action verbs at the beginning of each achievement listed and use different verbs throughout. Led, developed, created, managed, stewarded, designed, built, devised and modeled are examples of strong action verbs. 

The standard is to include 10 to 15 years of work history. The employer is most concerned about recent work history and accomplishments, so there’s no need to go back more than 15 years. 

5. Include your education

Your education follows the work experience section unless you're a recent graduate or have minimal work experience. In that case, your education will come before the work section. Regardless, the essentials to include in the education section are:

Degree title

University name

Graduation year

You might choose to include honors, like Magna Cum Laude, and any minors you achieved, as well. Here’s an example:

Master of Art in Film and Media Production

New York State University, 2022

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration , Minor in Psychology

West Virginia University, Magna Cum Laude, 2020

If you don't have a college degree, you'll include your high school diploma or GED, for example:

High School Diploma

Philippi Colts High School, 2015

When listing a GED, list it as one of the following:

General Education Development Diploma

GED – High School Equivalency Diploma

Consider these tips when completing your education section:

If you have a college degree, don't mention your high school diploma or GED

List your most recent degree first when you have more than one degree

List relevant licenses and certifications below your degree

US resume format example

Create a US resume that sets you apart

Knowing how to format a resume for a job search in the US is half the battle. Now that you know the best practices and steps to create a resume based on US resume formatting guidelines, you can focus on producing a resume that sets you apart from other applicants. 

Want to ensure you have a resume that will land you a job in the United States? Why not submit your resume for a  free review  today? 

Recommended reading:

The Complete Guide to Listing Remote Work on Your Resume

What Does Relevant Experience on a Resume Mean? (+ Tips)

Best Email Subject Lines When Sending a Resume (+ Examples)

Ronda Suder, Professional Writer

With a drive to foster safety and expand possibilities through writing, performing, and working with others, Ronda brings 25 years of combined experience in HR, recruiting, career advice, communications, mental and behavioral health, and storytelling to her work. She’s a certified career coach and holds a Master’s in Human Resources, a Master’s in Film and Media Production, and a Master’s in Counseling and Development. As a writer, she’s covered topics ranging from finance and rock mining to leadership and internet technology, with a passion for career advice and mental-health-related topics. When she’s not at her computer, Ronda enjoys connecting with others, personal growth and development, spending time with her beloved pooch, and entertainment through movies, television, acting, and other artistic endeavors. You can connect with Ronda on  LinkedIn  and through her  website .

Our resume services get results.

We’ve helped change over 30,000 careers.

Get a free resume review today

Our experts will review your resume’s grammar, layout, and ability to pass ATS — all free and delivered straight to your inbox.

US Resume Format: Tips and Examples for 2024

3 key takeaways:

• The US resume format emphasizes concise, achievement-focused content with a clean, professional layout.
• Key sections include contact information, professional summary, work experience, education, and skills.
• Teal’s resume maker can help you write a US resume that's tailored to each job you apply for.

A well-crafted US resume isn't just a formality—it's your ticket to standing out and landing that coveted position. Just listing job duties won't make you memorable; you need to spotlight your specific achievements, demonstrate your impact, and quantify your successes. Understanding the intricacies of the US resume format can set you apart, whether you're an experienced pro or just getting started.

Below you'll learn the essential elements of a US resume and how to craft each section with precision You'll also find great examples to help you create a standout resume.

Looking to create a US resume? Teal's free resume maker was built to do just that. Try it today!

Understanding the US resume format

Creating a resume tailored to the US job market involves understanding some key elements that distinguish it from other international formats.

Here are the primary characteristics:

• Concise and focused: US resumes are usually 1-3 pages long.
• Achievement-oriented content: Highlighting accomplishments is essential.
• Professional layout: A clean and professional appearance is preferred.
• Reverse chronological format: Work experience is most commonly listed from most recent to least recent in reverse chronological order .
• Relevant skills and accomplishments: Emphasis is placed on skills and achievements pertinent to the job.

Standard sections in a US resume

A typical US resume includes the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Target Title
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Certifications
• Optional Sections (e.g., projects, awards and scholarships, volunteer work, leadership roles, publications)

If you're a recent graduate, you can include your academic background with details on degrees earned, institutions attended, and relevant coursework, if applicable. An expansive version of an Education section is more common in other formats like in CV Education sections.

Pro Tip: Unlike some resume builders, every section you need for a complete, comprehensive US resume is part of Teal's platform (along with built-in, step-by-step guidance so you know exactly what you need in each one).

How to create a US resume

Crafting a standout resume is crucial for capturing the attention of hiring managers in the US job market. Here are some key tips to help you create a resume that highlights your strengths and sets you apart from other candidates.

1. Choose the right resume format

Selecting the appropriate resume formatting is crucial for effectively showcasing your qualifications. The three main types are:

• Chronological (most common)
• Functional (skills-based)
• Combination (hybrid of chronological and functional)

When to use each format:

• Chronological : Ideal for those with a consistent work history in a particular field. This is the most popular resume format and highlights your career progression (and is preferred by most US hiring managers and recruiters).
• Functional : Best for career changers or individuals with gaps in their employment history. It focuses on your skills and accomplishments rather than the timeline of your work experience.
• Combination : A hybrid resume format blends chronological and functional elements. Perfect for industries that focus heavily on tools and tech as well as work experience (like SaaS), allowing you to highlight relevant skills alongside your work history.

2.  Opt for a clean design

The visual presentation of your resume is important. A cluttered resume can draw attention away from your achievements and skills.

Follow these design guidelines for good readability:

• Use a clean, professional font (e.g., Poppins, Roboto, Open Sans)
• Set font size between 10-12 points for body text
• Use 0.5 to 1-inch margins
• Incorporate white space for readability
• Use bullet points for easy scanning
• Stick to a consistent formatting style throughout

Leverage resume templates

Using a resume template can save time and ensure a professional look.

• Benefits of using templates : Templates offer consistency, professional design, and compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
• How to customize templates to stand out : Personalize templates by adjusting colors, fonts, and layout to reflect your personal brand while keeping it professional.
• Recommended resources for professional templates : Many online platforms provide customizable templates (like Teal's ATS-friendly resume templates ) that adhere to US resume standards.

3.  Include an accurate Contact section

Your Contact section is the first thing employers see, it's also how they reach you to schedule an interview. Because of this, these details should be up-to-date and accurate.

Your Contact section should include:

• Professional email address
• Phone number
• Location (city and state)
• LinkedIn profile URL (optional)
• Personal website or portfolio (if relevant)

Tips for a professional Contact section

• Avoid using nicknames
• Use a professional email format (e.g., [email protected] )
• Ensure all information is up-to-date and accurate

4. Add a target title

Your target title isn't about stating your last job title. It's about showing you understand the job you're applying for.

Your Target Title section should be tailored to each specific job application, meaning it may change for every job.

One of the first things a recruiter searches for in the ATS is the name of the position they're trying to fill. Including a target title that matches this makes it easier for them to find your resume.

5. Write a strong professional summary

A strong resume summary can grab the attention of a hiring manager and encourage them to read the rest of your resume.

Here’s how to craft an effective summary:

• 3-4 sentences highlighting your key qualifications
• Tailor to the specific job you’re applying for
• Include years of experience, key skills, and most notable achievements
• Use strong action verbs and job-specific keywords

6. Showcase relevant work experience

After your professional summary, you'll incorporate your Work Experience section. Your work history is the heartbeat of your resume. It’s where you make your case and show potential employers what you’re truly capable of.

Here’s how to present it in the most compelling way:

• List jobs in reverse chronological order
• Include company name, job title, dates of employment, and location
• Use 3-5 bullet points per role to highlight key resume achievements that align with the job you're applying for
• Start with strong action verbs (e.g., "Spearheaded," "Implemented," "Optimized")
• Use the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) method to structure your achievements
• Focus on quantifiable results and specific accomplishments
• Incorporate keywords that are relevant to the job

For example:

"Implemented a new customer service protocol, reducing response times by 30% and increasing customer satisfaction scores from 85% to 95%."

7. Include education

Your Education section provides context for your qualifications and can be especially important for recent graduates or those with limited work experience. Here’s how to present it effectively:

• Degrees listed in reverse chronological order
• Institution name, degree earned, and graduation date
• Relevant coursework, academic achievements, or GPA if impressive (3.5 or higher) if you're a recent graduate

Education section for recent graduates

• Place education before work experience if you're a recent graduate or have limited professional experience
• Include relevant projects, thesis work, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate skills applicable to the job
• Highlight academic honors, scholarships, or leadership roles in student organizations

8. Certifications

Certifications help you further align your credentials with the qualifications employers are looking for.

Here are best practices for including certifications in your resume to demonstrate your expertise:

• Keep it relevant: List certifications that are pertinent to the job you’re applying for to show you have the specific skills and knowledge required.
• Provide details: Include the name of the certification, the certifying body, and the date obtained.
• Use a consistent format: Make sure your certification entries follow a consistent format to maintain a professional appearance.
• Prioritize recent and advanced certifications: Highlight the most recent and advanced certifications at the top of this section to emphasize your current qualifications.

9. Showcase your skills

A well-crafted Skills section can set you apart from other candidates. Tailor your skills list to the job requirements, emphasizing those most relevant to the position.

While a Skills section is valuable for showcasing your hard skills, it's also important to sprinkle them throughout your resume (alongside soft skills) to show how you achieved impact.

10. Add optional sections to stand out

Including optional sections can improve your resume and make you stand out in a crowded field. If any of these are relevant to the position you're applying for and add value to your US resume, consider adding sections for:

• Awards and Scholarships
• Volunteer work
• Leadership roles
• Publications

Tailoring your US resume for each application

One of the most important aspects of a US resume is customizing it for the job you're applying to. A tailored resume shows you have the skills and qualifications for a specific job. Incorporating the right information also helps your resume get found by recruiters searching the ATS for specific experience.

Follow these steps to ensure your resume resonates with each job application:

• Identify key requirements and qualifications
• Extract relevant keywords and phrases
• Adjust your professional summary to align with the role
• Highlight relevant achievements (with impact) in your work experience
• Emphasize skills that match the language of the job requirements
• Use Teal's Match Score feature to compare your resume against the job description.
• Improve your alignment by following the keyword suggestions

Common mistakes to avoid in US resumes

While highlighting your skills and experience is important, it's equally essential to avoid common mistakes that can detract from your application.

To ensure your resume makes a strong impression, steer clear of these pitfalls:

• Including personal information (e.g., age, marital status, photo)
• Using a resume objective statement
• Including references or "References available upon request"
• Listing every job you've ever had
• Using passive language or clichés
• Neglecting to proofread for errors

US resume examples for different career stages

Entry-level us resume template.

Mid-career professional US resume sample

Executive-level US resume example

Optimizing your US resume for 2024 job market trends

The job market is evolving, and staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Here’s how to tailor your resume for 2024’s trends to stand out:

Incorporate remote work experience

As remote work becomes more prevalent:

• Highlight virtual collaboration skills
• Demonstrate adaptability and self-motivation
• Showcase achievements in remote or hybrid work environments

Example: "Led a remote team of 10, increasing productivity by 20% through effective virtual communication and project management."

Emphasize digital literacy and tech skills

In an increasingly digital workplace job seekers like you can focus on:

• Showcase proficiency in relevant software and tools
• Highlight experience with digital transformation initiatives
• Demonstrate ability to learn and adapt to new technologies quickly

Example: "Implemented a new CRM system, resulting in a 25% increase in sales efficiency."

Best practices for a winning US resume

Creating a good US resume involves some guidelines to ensure it aligns with modern standards. A well-crafted US resume connects your previous experience to the job you're applying for in a clean format that hiring managers and recruiters are familiar with.

Here are a few tips to consider:

• Use a concise, achievement-oriented format: Highlight specific accomplishments and results to show your value prop clearly.
• Customize your resume for each application: Tailor your resume to emphasize relevant skills and accomplishments that match the job posting, showing your right fit for the role.
• Maintain a clean and professional design: Ensure your resume is well-organized, with clear headings and bullet points, using a professional font to make it easy to read.
• Use strong action verbs: Start bullet points with action verbs to convey your contributions and impact effectively.
• Incorporate relevant keywords: Include industry-specific keywords and phrases from the job description so recruiters are able to find your resume when searching the ATS.
• Keep your resume up-to-date: Regularly update your resume with recent achievements, skills, and experiences to ensure it accurately reflects your qualifications (and so you're never left scrambling when you find an opportunity).

Create a US resume with Teal

Building a standout US resume is key to making a strong first impression. By following best practices—like focusing on concise, achievement-oriented content, tailoring your resume for each job application, and maintaining a clean, professional layout—you can effectively showcase your qualifications and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Teal’s Resume Builder is designed to help you create a US resume that aligns with these standards. With a comprehensive selection of sections, built-in guidance to help you every step of the way, and tools like Match Scoring to ensure your resume aligns with each job you apply for, Teal can help you build your resume seamlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard u.s. resume format.

The standard U.S. resume format includes concise, achievement-focused content with a clean, professional layout. Key sections are contact information, professional summary, work experience, education, and skills, typically presented in reverse chronological order.

What do US resumes look like?

US resumes are usually 1-3 pages long, featuring a clean and professional layout. They highlight achievements and relevant skills, organized in sections such as contact information, professional summary, work experience, education, and skills.

What is the best US resume format?

The best U.S. resume format is the chronological format, which lists work experience in reverse chronological order. This format is preferred by most hiring managers and effectively showcases career progression and key accomplishments.

Related Articles

How to Write a Resignation Letter (with Examples + Templates)

Curriculum Vitae (CV) Format: How To Get It Right [Examples]

What Is a Mini Resume & How To Write One [+ Examples]

How To Create a Scannable Resume: F-Pattern and Z-Pattern

We help you find the career dream..

Guide to USA Resume (Including Format and Templates)

Briony Ranasinghe

Most countries follow the same basic format for resumes but there are always country-specific guidelines that job-seekers must follow. In this article, we’ll guide you through some of the best tips for the US resume.

We are looking at the seven most important sections in the US Resume below.

• US Format Resume

Personal Details Header

Resume profile, work experience, additional sections.

(It is important for you to know that if you are applying for a federal job, this guide may not be for you. See our article on How to write a Federal Resume 2024 instead.)

Looking to build your resume? Cresuma’s Resume Builder has dozens of unique templates that you can use and it is completely FREE.

US Resume Format

The most important aspect of the format of an American resume (curriculum Vitae USA format) is using reverse-chronological order. This means that the most recent experiences are placed above the older ones. For instance, a job that you are currently working is placed above the job that you were doing two years ago.

As a standard practice the US resume is one page long. An experienced professional with more than 15 years of relevant experience might be able to have two pages but it’s best if the resume is only a page. The page should have 1.5 line spacing and a 1-inch margin so that it looks neat and easy to read. Skip using abbreviations and acronyms as they make your resume unreadable and untidy.

Best approaches for US Resume Format

• Use reverse-chronological order.
• Resume should be one page. Can extend to two if an experienced professional.
• Don’t use abbreviations and acronyms.
• 1-inch margin and 1.5 line spacing is the standard US resume format.

Verified US Resume Template/ CV template United States

You can check a CV template United Status below.

The beginning of any resume is the personal details header. The US has strict anti-discriminatory laws, which is great, but also means that you need to pick and choose what details to share. The best practice is to have only your name, email address, and telephone number. If you wish to link to a professional website, portfolio or LinkedIn profile, it is best to make sure they are updated.

Including your photo or home address is a big no-no. If you need to include an address, mentioning just the city and state is enough. Other details to exclude are gender, civil status etc. You should also not mention that you are authorized to work in the US by disclosing your social security number or immigration status. Legally, a company can ask for these details after they have made you an offer of employment but not before.

Best Practices for Personal Details Header

• Include your name, telephone number and email address in the personal details.
• Your address should be limited to the city and state.
• A link to an updated professional website, LinkedIn profile and portfolio can be added.
• Photos, gender, civil status, authorization to work etc. should NEVER be added to your header.

Best Format for Personal Details in USA CV Template

A resume profile is a couple of short sentences that introduce your professional career to a recruiter. If you are a professional, it is essentially a summary of your career so far which is why it is called a resume summary. It is also called a resume objective, if you are beginning your career in the field, it should be a summary of your career objectives and motivation.  These sentences don’t have to be complete but using action verbs can help you to grab the recruiter’s attention and pass ATS screening easily.

Verified Tips for Resume Profile

• Have a couple short sentences summarizing your career or introducing your objectives and motivations.
• Use Action verbs to grab recruiter attention and pass ATS screening.

Want to know what action verbs you can use on your resume? Check out our keyword finder.

Best example of a Resume Profile

Check out one of the ideal objective/ profile summary statement for CV for USA jobs below.

In the US, the most important section of a resume is your work experience.  Your work experience should only include the experience in the previous 15 years most relevant to the job that you are seeking. You should include your job title, company, dates employed in the mm/yyyy format and a few key responsibilities that you have undertaken in this section.

Avoid negative buzzwords and try to prop up your experience by giving figures that show how you succeeded in your role. For instance, as a chef, if you say, “created a new menu,” that does not give the recruiter any idea of how successful you were but if you say, “designed a menu that increased the number of daily reservations by 15%”, the recruiter has solid data on your success in your role.

Important Points for Work Experience

• Must be the most relevant experience of the past 15 years.
• Include your title, company, dates worked in the mm/yyyy format and key responsibilities.
• Avoid negative buzzwords and use figures and awards to show success in your job roles.

Best Format for Work Experience

Denoted below is a resume USA example on the work history category.

Discover the negative buzzwords in your resume. Try Cresuma’s Buzzword Checker.

So, what do you do if your work experience isn’t the best or you are just beginning your career? You highlight your education. You should mention your highest level of education in this section. If you are a college graduate, it is not required to add your high school. The full name of your degree should be stated, followed by the name of the university and the years attended. Don’t list any courses followed or your GPA, it’s unnecessary.

Best practices for Education

• Insert the full name of your degree, name of the college, and years attended.
• It is not necessary to add your high school qualification, if you have attended college.
• Don’t mention your GPA or any courses attended.

Best Education Profile for US Resume

When it comes to United States CV format, you can use the reverse chronological order where you mention the most recent entries in the top.

US jobs listings often mention requirements or skills that the recruiter is looking for. If you have any of the skills that they are looking for, great, list them in your resume. Listing a mixture of hard and soft skills on your usajobs federal resume is an ideal way to let a recruiter know what you can bring to the company, that you couldn’t list in your work experience section.

What are hard skills and soft skills, you may ask.  

• Hard skills are the technical skills related to your field. For example, a developer would list knowledge of JavaScript as a hard skill.
• A soft skill is general skills such as Teamwork.

Some Tips for Skills Section

• Check what skills you have in relation to the job posting and list them.
• List a mixture of hard and soft skills in your resume.

Perfect Template for Skills

You may have some additional space on your resume. What do you fill it with? If you have any certifications or licenses related to your field, this is the ideal space for it.  Or you speak foreign languages that could be useful for your role. Or you have awards related to your field. This is the space for it.  Other additions could be your hobbies or interests, publications or even internships. Just make sure it is relevant to the position you are applying for.

Ideas for additional sections

• Add relevant certifications, awards, foreign languages, publications, internships or hobbies to fill in space on your resume.

Best Format for Additional Sections

Now that you know the format for a US resume, get started on creating your own. If you are afraid that you’ll miss something, try Cresuma’s Resume Builder (USAjobs resume builder). It comes preloaded with demo data that will help you figure out what to add and where.

Here's a fun fact! When you look up for best resume templates either for the USA or for any other country, make sure to write your search engine query correctly, not something like usajobs com resume builder or usajobs federal resume example, so that you can get the best sites popping up ;)

Want to know more about the resume formats for different countries? See our international resume page for more articles. Or try our article on the Best Resume Formats in 2024 to use for any job in the World.

Want more tips on how to create the best resume headline or the best fonts to use in a resume. Check out our career guides .

Good resume examples

Your resume is your number one tool when it comes to landing your dream job.

A good resume will get you noticed by hiring managers and ensure you rack up plenty of job interviews.

But a poor resume will leave you ignored and frustrated.

So, we’ve complied over 350 good resume examples to guide and inspire you to job search success.

Use these examples to create your own interview-winning resume and land the job you’ve always wanted.

Resume templates 

Accounting & Finance

Accounting manager

• Automotive Finance Manager
• CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
• Goldman Sachs
• FP&A (Financial Planning and Analysis)
• Investment Banking Associate
• Senior Associate PWC

Business & Administration

• Entry Level Project Manager
• People Manager
• Remote Customer Service

• Keep it readable – The worst resumes are those that are poorly structured and hard to read, because hiring manager cannot see what is them! Prioritize your resume’s readability by using a clear layout, bullet points , and headings.
• Add quantified achievements – Using cliché phrases like “ hard-working ” or “ data-obsessed ” isn’t going to impress a potential employer. Instead, show off your achievements in your industry using quantifiable data, such as numbers and figures. e.g. “ I saved the company $30,000 in 2 years by implementing a new admin process ”
• Tailor your resume to each job application . Rather than having a set resume for your job search, customize your resume every time you apply for a job, to address the specific needs of each organization you apply to – this will make you seem highly suitable every time.

Construction & Property

Landscaping

Health, Medical & Wellbeing

• Aesthetic Nurse
• BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)
• CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
• Dialysis Nurse
• Entry Level SLP (Speech and Language)
• Hospice Nurse
• IV Infusion Nurse
• Medical Writer
• Nurse Preceptor
• Patient Service Representative
• Postpartum Nurse
• Referral Coordinator
• School Psychologist

Hospitality & Retail

• Apple Specialist
• Amazon Area Manager
• Amazon Process Assistant
• Banquet Server
• Chick-fil-A worker
• Dunkin Donuts
• Executive Chef
• Gas Station Manager
• Luxury Sales Associate
• Retail Supervisor
• Starbucks Shift Supervisor
• TJ Maxx Worker
• Walmart Cashier
• Walmart Stocker

IT (Information Technology)

IT service manager

• Amazon BI Engineer
• Automation Tester
• Azure Data Engineer
• Azure DevOps
• SDET (Software Engineer in Test)
• SOC Analyst (Security operations center)
• Web Application Manager

Junior & Student

New graduate nurse

• Art Student
• Cyber Security Intern
• Entry Level Phlebotomy
• JavaScript fresher
• Legal Intern
• Nurse Practitioner Student
• Pharmacy Intern
• SRNA (Student Nurse)
• Student Esthetician
• Transfer Student
• Making your resume too long – The key to a winning resume is getting the right length. In general, your resume should be one page or two pages long. Anything longer, and you risk losing the attention of busy hiring managers.
• Over-complicating the design – The best way to impress a recruiter is with a solid work history and visible skills. Don’t waste time adding fancy graphs or images to your resume, they will only distract and confuse readers – keep it simple and easy-to-read.
• Adding irrelevant info – The space on your resume is limited. Rather than wasting space talking about your hobbies or interests, prioritize key information, such as your accomplishments or relevant qualifications – and focus on what the employer finds valuable.

Logistics & Travel

• Amazon Driver
• Amazon Warehouse Associate

Manufacturing & Automotive

Public service.

• 911 Dispatcher
• Housekeeping Supervisor
• Shelter Support Worker
• Urban Planner

Sales & Marketing

• Client Services Manager
• Communications Director
• Fragrance sales associate
• SaaS Sales Director

Teaching & Education

• Special Education Paraprofessional

Creative & Arts

10 steps to writing a winning resume.

Browsing our library of real-life winning resume examples will give you a head start on creating your own.

For more guidance on how to create an attention-grabbing resume, check our 9 steps to resume success below…

Do your research

There’s no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to creating an effective resume.

If you want to impress a potential employer, you need to do your research about both the job on offer and the organisation you’re applying to work for.

You want to make sure that your resume reflects the skills and qualities they’re looking for; so, have a look through the job description or advert, and make sure your resume corresponds to the profile they’re searching for.

Armed with the knowledge from your research, you will be in a much stronger position to write a winning resume .

Create a clear professional format

One of the most important things to learn about resume-writing is to prioritize readability.

if your resume format isn’t clear – or worse, chaotic – there’s a good chance the hiring manager or recruiter will become frustrated and simply click through to the next candidate.

Overall, you’ll want to keep your resume clear, and easy to read.

Each section should be formatted like this for best results:

• Font – Use a professional, clean font for easy reading
• Color scheme – While you can pick a color other than black, it’s best to stick with muted color schemes, such as green, navy, or blue.
• Resume length – Your resume should be around two pages long to ensure recruiters will read it in full. Bear in mind that recruiters will look at a resume for only a few seconds during their first encounter with it.
• Split the page up – To enhance the readability of your resume, it’s a good idea to split up the sections in your resume into bite-size pieces
• Clearly define sections – Clear section titles, borders ( horizontal lines ), and bullet points can all help define your resume sections and enhance readability.

Structure your resume correctly

To enhance your resume’s readability, you’ll want to make sure it’s structured correctly – this means splitting up the page into important sections.

You’ll need to include the following as its own section:

• Personal contact information – Here you’ll include your full name, email address, and phone number. You should also include the location you’re based in, but you don’t need to add your full address. You can add a photo here, but it’s optional.
• Resume summary – The introductory paragraph at the top of your resume – this is where you get to stand out and make a good first impression with a recruiter. In your resume summary, you should summarise your work history, your accomplishments, and why you’d be an asset as an employee.
• Work history – This section is where you’ll list your work/jobs history, beginning with your most recent post and listing the rest in reverse chronological order. You don’t need to add every single job you’ve ever had – instead, prioritize your last 3 years of employment.
• Education and qualifications – Next, you’ll list your educational history, beginning with your highest educational qualification.
• Skills or further additional information – If you have any impressive skills or personal ventures (such as a successful website, or if you speak fluently another language) you can these accomplishments here.
• Hobbies and interests (optional) – This section of your resume is not mandatory; in fact, it’s only useful if you’ve not got a lot of work experience or educational qualifications. In most cases, you can leave this out and use the space on your resume for more important information.

Reel readers in with your summary

Your resume summary is your chance to sell yourself to the recruiter in just a few carefully chosen sentences. In short, a resume summary is as its name implies – you’re summarizing your skills, your work history, and your professional achievements. You want to use this section to get recruiters interested in your resume at first glance, so they continue to read the rest of it.

You should use this opportunity to give recruiters an overview of what you can offer employers by summarizing things like:

• Years of experience you have
• Which industries you have worked n
• Your most in-demand skills
• Essential qualifications in your field
• The types of results you achieve for employers.

Keep this section brief and save the details for your work experience.

Wow hiring managers with your work experience

When it comes to listing your work history, you want to be as concise as possible and allow a pleasant reading experience. To achieve this, don’t write large blocks of text – because they are hard to read, there’s a good chance the recruiter will simply skim over it, meaning that any important or impressive information goes unread.

Instead, make use of structuring and bullet points when listing your jobs history . Write your job title, bold it, then follow it up by listing what your role entailed, your day-to-day, responsibilities, and finish up the section with some achievements. For example, as follows:

Outline : Short overview of the job, who you were accountable to, and description of your department or team. Responsibilities : your day-to-day activities and duties Achievements : Any successes you enjoyed during your role.

When it comes to listing your achievements, opt for quantifiable data. For example, show off that you enjoyed a 40% increase in sales, or that you trained over new 500 employees. Use numbers and figures to back up your skills.

When it comes to how many jobs to include in your resume, you should only go back 1-20 years, depending on how much experience you have – focusing on the past 3 years, and summarizing older jobs.

Show employers you are qualified

Employers are always keen to know their candidates’ education history, so make sure to include a well-written education section in your resume.

Even if you believe that your jobs history is more impressive, an effective education section will prove that you’re knowledgeable about your industry, and that you’re academically certified to back it up.

You can add your educational information in reverse chronological order by date, or by listing your most relevant educational qualifications first. For example, if you have a college degree in Biology but you’ve decided to change careers and be a beauty therapist, it makes more sense to list any certifications you’ve achieved in the beauty industry. After all, all an employer wants to know is that you’re qualified to do the job.

Add additional info (only if it will help)

As mentioned above, you can tack on a few hobbies and interests at the end of your resume if you wish. However, you should only do so if your hobbies and interests are impressive or relevant, and if you’ve got too much empty space on your resume (for example, if you’re a student or a recent graduate.)

Hobbies such as awards , charity work, volunteering, running a side-business or website, traveling , or learning valuable skills (such as a language) are all impressive interests, and could be used to beef up your resume and impress your recruiter.

But leave out leisurely hobbies: listing that you enjoy ‘cinema’ ‘Netflix’ and ‘reading’ might not get you rejected, but it isn’t going to add value to your profile.

Proofread before sending

You’d be surprised how often recruiters find typos and spelling mistakes on candidates’ resumes. Not only does it make you seem unprofessional, but it makes your resume appear rushed and poorly thought-out. Make sure to always take the time to proofread your resume before sending it out to recruiters.

It’s also a bad idea to rely on in-built spell checkers alone; basic spellcheckers won’t pick up on inaccurate information, missing words, unfinished sentences, or poorly structured phrases. It’s best to take the time to proofread your resume yourself, to ensure that it is typo and error-free before sending it off.

Tailor for every application

Having a standard resume that you send to every job application isn’t a good idea; the best resumes are those which are tailored to suit the jobs they’re applying for. This is why you need to do your research beforehand, and thoroughly read the job application.

When you really want to impress the hiring manager, you should make sure that your skills directly correspond to those posted in the job advertisement. You can achieve this by spending just a few seconds tweaking your summary and core skills before applying to a job.

Quick tip: When saving your resume, ensure that you use a strong file name to ensure a professional appearance.

How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide

For most job-seekers, a good resume is what stands between a dream job and Choice D. Get your resume right, and you’ll be getting replies from every other company you apply to.

If your resume game is weak, though, you’ll end up sitting around for weeks, maybe even months, before you even get a single response.

So you’re probably wondering how you can write a resume that gets you an interview straight up.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about how to make a resume, including:

• The 8 Essential Steps to Writing a Resume
• 11+ Exclusive Resume Tips to Up Your Resume Game
• 27+ Real-Life Resume Examples for Different Professions

….and more!

So, let’s dive right in.

How to Make a Resume (The Right Way!)

Before we go into detail about how you should make a resume, here’s a summary of the most important steps and tips to keep in mind:

• Choose a resume format carefully. In 99% of cases, we recommend the reverse-chronological format .
• Add the right contact details. Leave your headshot out and make sure to include your job title , a professional email address, and any relevant links. (E.g.: your LinkedIn profile , online portfolio, personal website, etc.).
• Write an impactful resume summary. Unless you’re an entry-level professional, always go for a resume summary. If you do it right, it’s your chance to get the hiring manager to go through the rest of your resume in detail.
• Pay attention to your work experience section. Take your work experience section from OK-ish to exceptional by tailoring it to the job ad, making your achievements quantifiable, and using action verbs and power words.
• Add the right skills for the job. Keep this section relevant by only including the hard and soft skills that are required for the position.
• Keep your education short and to the point. Your most recent and highest degree is more than enough for a strong education section. You only need to add more details here if you’re a recent graduate with barely any work experience.
• Leverage optional resume sections. Optional sections like languages, hobbies, certifications, independent projects, and others can set you apart from other candidates with similar skills and experience.
• Include a cover letter. That’s right, cover letters matter in 2024, and the best way to supplement your resume is by adding an equally well-crafted cover letter to your job application. To make the most of it, check out our detailed guide on how to write a cover letter .

To get the most out of our tips, you can head over to the resume builder and start building your resume on the go as you read this guide.

New to resume-making? Give our ‘7 Resume Tips’ video a watch before diving into the article!

#1. Pick the Right Resume Format

Before you start filling in the contents of your resume, you have to make sure it’s going to look good. 

After all, the first thing hiring managers notice is what your resume looks like, and then they start reading it. So, this is your best chance to make a great first impression.

Start by choosing the right resume format.

There are three types of resume formats out there:

• Reverse-chronological. This is by far the most popular resume format worldwide and, as such, it’s the best format for most job-seekers.
• Functional. This resume format focuses more on skills than work experience. It’s a good choice if you’re just getting started with your career and have little to no experience in the field.
• Combination. The combination resume format is a great choice for experienced job-seekers with a very diverse skill set. It’s useful if you’re applying for a role that requires expertise in several different fields and you want to show all that in your resume.

So, which one should you go for?

In 99% of cases, you want to stick to the reverse-chronological resume format . It’s the most popular format and what hiring managers expect to see. So, in the rest of this guide, we’re going to focus on teaching you how to make a reverse-chronological resume.

Fix Your Resume’s Layout

With formatting out of the way, let’s talk about your resume’s layout , which determines the overall look of your resume. 

Does it look organized or cluttered? Is it too short or too long? Is it boring and easy to ignore, or is it reader-friendly and attention-grabbing?

Here are some of the best practices you should apply:

• Stick to one page. You should only go for a two-page resume if you have decades of experience and you’re sure the extra space will add significant value. Hiring managers in big companies get hundreds of applications per job opening. They’re not going to spend their valuable time reading your life story!
• Add clear section headings. Pick a heading and use it for all the section headers so the hiring manager can easily navigate through your resume.
• Adjust the margins. Without the right amount of white space, your resume will end up looking overcrowded with information. Set your margins to one inch on all sides so your text fits just right on the page.
• Choose a professional font. We’d recommend sticking to a font that’s professional but not overused. For example, Ubuntu, Roboto, or Overpass. Avoid Times New Roman, and never use Comic Sans.
• Set the correct font size. As a rule of thumb, go for 11-12 pt for normal text and 14-16 pt for section titles.
• Use a PDF file. Always save your resume as a PDF file, unless the employer specifically requests otherwise. Word files are popular, but there’s a good chance they’ll mess up your resume’s formatting.

Another thing you need to consider in terms of your resume’s layout is whether you’re going for a traditional-looking resume template or something a bit more modern :

If you’re pursuing a career in a more traditional industry, like law , banking , or finance , you might want to stick to the first.

But if you’re applying to a tech company where imagination and innovation are valued, you can pick a more creative resume template .

Want to Save Time? Use a (Free) Resume Template

Anyone who’s ever tried creating a resume from scratch knows how boring the formatting can be.

Before you can even start filling in the contents, you need to tweak the margins, adjust font sizes, and make sure everything fits into one page while still looking good.

What if you could skip past all that and still create a compelling resume?

Try one of our free resume templates . They’re pre-formatted, so all you have to do is fill in the contents.

They’re also created in collaboration with recruiters from around the globe, ensuring that the templates are visually appealing and ATS-friendly!

See for yourself how one of our templates compares to a resume created in a standard text editor:

#2. Add Your Contact Information

Now that we’ve got all the formatting out of the way, let’s get into what your resume is all about— the information you put on it .

The first thing you want to do when filling out the contents of your resume is to add your contact information .

This section is pretty straightforward but crucial. Your contact details belong at the top of your resume in a designated resume header , so the hiring manager can easily find them.

Even if everything else about your resume is perfect, that all flops if you misspell your email address or have a typo in your phone number. If the hiring manager can’t contact you, it’s a missed opportunity.

So, double-check, and even triple-check your contact information section and make sure everything is factually correct and up-to-date.

Must-Have Information

• Full name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top of your resume.
• Email address. Stick to an address that’s professional and easy to spell, like a combination of your first and last name. (E.g.: [email protected])
• Phone number. Add a reliable number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
• Location. Add your city and state/country. If you plan to relocate for the job or want a remote position, specify it on your resume.

Optional Information

• Job title. Add your professional title underneath. Write it down word for word, whether it’s “Digital Marketing Specialist” or “Junior Data Scientist.” Just don’t make up job titles like “Marketing Wizzard” or “Data Manipulator.” They’re not quirky; they’re just unprofessional. 
• LinkedIn profile . We recommend that you include a link to your updated LinkedIn profile since over 77% of hiring managers use the platform when evaluating a candidate. 
• Relevant links. Include links to personal websites or any social media profiles that are relevant to your field. For example, a developer could include a Github profile, while a graphic designer could link their Behance or Driblle account, and so on.
• Date of birth. Unless this is specifically required in the job ad, the hiring manager doesn’t need to know how old you are. It’s not important for their decision-making, and at worst, it might lead to age-based discrimination.
• Unprofessional email address. Your quirky, old high school email address doesn’t belong on your resume. Instead of [email protected] , go for a [email protected] type of address.
• Headshot. (USA, UK or Ireland) Depending on the country where you’re applying, it might even be illegal to include a picture of yourself on your resume . While it’s the norm to include a picture in most of Europe and Asia, always check the regulations for each specific country or industry you’re applying to.

All clear? Good! Now, let’s look at what a great example of a resume's contact information section looks like:

#3. Write a Resume Headline (Summary or Objective)

It's no secret that recruiters spend an average of less than seven seconds on a resume .

When you receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications daily, it's physically impossible to spend too much time on each.

So, what the hiring managers do to go through resumes more effectively is to skim through each resume and read it in depth only if it piques their interest.

This is where the resume headline comes in.

Placed right next to (or underneath) your contact information, this brief paragraph is the first thing the hiring manager is going to read on your resume.

Now, depending on how far along in your career you are, your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

So, how do you choose between a resume summary and a resume objective? Here’s all you need to know:

Resume Summary

A resume summary, as the name suggests, is a two to three-sentence summary of your career so far. If done right, it shows that you’re a qualified candidate at a glance and gets the hiring manager to give you a chance.

Here’s what your resume summary should include:

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

Here’s an example of a well-written resume summary: 

Experienced Java Developer with 5 years of experience in building scalable and efficient applications. Contributed to a major project that enhanced application performance by 25%. Strong background in Spring Framework and microservices. Aiming to apply robust coding skills to develop innovative software solutions at XYZ Tech Solutions.

Unless you’re a recent graduate or amid a career change, we recommend you stick to a resume summary. Otherwise, a resume objective might be a better option for you.

Resume Objective

A resume objective is supposed to express your professional goals and aspirations, academic background, and any relevant skills you may have for the job.

It communicates your motivation for getting into a new field, so it’s the go-to headline for recent graduates and those going through a career change. As with a resume summary, a resume objective should be brief—around two to four sentences long.

So, here’s what it would look like if you’re a student:

Hard-working recent graduate with a B.A. in Graphic Design from New York State University seeking new opportunities. 3+ years of practical experience working with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, creating illustrations and UX/UI design projects. Looking to grow as a designer and perfect my art at XYZ Design Studio.

Or, on the other hand, if you’re going through a career change, it might look more like this:

IT project manager with 5+ years of experience in software development. Managed a team of developers to create products for several industries, such as FinTech and HR tech. Looking to leverage my experience in managing outsourced products as a Product Owner at Company XYZ.

#4. Prioritize Your Work Experience

The most important part of your resume is your work experience.

This is where you get to sell yourself and show off your previous accomplishments and responsibilities.

If you manage to master this section, you’ll know most of what’s there to know about how to make a resume.

There are plenty of good practices for writing your work experience . But before we dive into all the nits and grits, let's start with the basics.

The standard format for each work experience entry is as follows:

• Job title/position. Your job title goes on top of each work experience entry. When the hiring manager looks at your resume, you want them to know, at a glance, that you have relevant work experience for the job.
• Company name/location/description. Mention the name of the employer and the general location, such as the city and state/country where you worked. In some cases, you may also want to briefly describe the company, like when the organization isn’t particularly well-known.
• Dates employed. Add the approximate timeframe of your employment at each company. You don’t need to give exact dates since the standard format for this is mm/yyyy.
• Achievements and responsibilities. This is the core of each work experience entry. Depending on your field, you want to list either your achievements or responsibilities. List them in bullet points instead of paragraphs, so they’ll be easier to read.

Here’s a real-life example:

Your work experience entries should always be listed in reverse chronological order , starting with your most recent job and working your way back into the past.

Now that you know how to list your experience, we’re going to show you how to write about it in a way that makes you stand out from the competition, starting with: 

Are you a student with no work experience? We’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to writing a resume with no experience here.

Focus on Achievements Whenever Possible

One of the most common resume mistakes is only listing responsibilities in your work experience section.

Here’s the thing—in most cases, the hiring manager knows exactly what your job responsibilities are.

For example, if you’re a sales manager, your responsibilities would be:

• Reach out to potential clients over the phone or email.
• Maintain relationships with existing company clients and upsell relevant products.
• Tracking and reporting on leads in CRM.

Coincidentally, this is also the same list of responsibilities for every sales manager out there. So, 90% of all other resumes probably mention the same thing.

To stand out from the competition, you want to focus on writing achievements in your resume instead. These can be how you helped your previous company grow, reach quarterly quotas, and so on.

Let’s compare how responsibilities hold up next to achievements for the same job:

• Exceeded sales team KPIs by 30%+ for 3 months straight.
• Generated over $24,000 in sales in 1 month.
• Generated leads through cold-calling
• Managed existing company clients

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there just aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you’re a warehouse worker .

Your day-to-day responsibilities probably include:

• Loading, unloading, and setting up equipment daily.
• Packaging finished products and getting them ready for shipping.
• Assisting in opening and closing the warehouse.

In fields like this, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself through achievements, so it’s okay to stick to responsibilities instead. You can still make them shine by following the rest of our advice about listing your work experience.

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you work in a warehouse. Your day-to-day responsibilities probably involve:

• Loading, unloading and setting up equipment on a daily basis.
• Package finished product and get it ready for shipping.
• Assist in opening and closing the warehouse.

In such fields, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself, so it’s totally OK to stick to responsibilities instead.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Tailoring is what sets an amazing resume apart from an okay one.

Hiring managers don’t need to know about every single job you’ve ever worked at or every single skill that you have.

They only want to know about your jobs, experiences, or skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a job doing Google Ads, you don’t need to talk about your SEO internship from eight years ago.

By focusing your resume on whatever is important for the specific role, you’re a lot more likely to stand out and catch the hiring manager’s attention.

Let’s take a look at an example of a job ad:

As you can see, we’ve highlighted the most important requirements.

To tailor your resume accordingly, you just need to mention how you meet each of these requirements in your resume.

You can highlight your relevant achievements and qualifications in different parts of your resume, such as:

• In your resume summary, where you should recap your years of experience.
• Throughout your work experience section, where you should list achievements and responsibilities that reflect your social media marketing experience.
• In your education section, where you can let the hiring manager know you have the degree that they’re looking for.

Include the Right Amount of Work Experience

If you’ve got over a decade’s worth of work experience, you’re probably wondering whether all of it belongs on your resume. In most cases, you’d end up writing a novel if you listed everything you’ve ever done, and that’s not how long a resume should be .

If you’re new to the job market, on the other hand, you probably don’t have any experience, and you’re wondering what you could even add to this section.

So, here’s how much information your resume should include, depending on your level of experience:

• No experience. If you’re looking for your first job , you won’t have any work experience to fill this section with. So, you can either keep it empty and focus on all the other sections or fill it up with any experience gained in student organizations, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and other projects.
• Entry-level. List all your work experience so far. While some of it won’t be relevant, it can still show the hiring manager that you do have some actual work experience.
• Mid-level. Only mention relevant work experience to the position you’re applying for. There’s no need to waste space on jobs that aren’t related to what you’re after.
• Senior-level. List up to 15 years of relevant work experience, tops. If your most recent experience is as a marketing executive , the hiring manager doesn’t care how you started your career as a junior marketing specialist 23 years ago.

Consider Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

Did you know that over 70% of resumes don’t even make it to the hiring manager ?

Most companies these days use ATS to evaluate hundreds of resumes instantaneously and automatically filter out the ones that don’t meet their criteria.

For example, if a resume doesn’t mention a specific skill or isn’t formatted correctly, the ATS will automatically reject it.

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to make an ATS-friendly resume .

Here are a couple of tips to help you get past those pesky robots:

• Stick to one page. Sometimes employers set a limit on how long a resume should be. This means that if your resume is longer than one page, it might get automatically disqualified.
• Incorporate keywords. Tailoring your resume to the job helps a ton with beating the ATS. Just carefully read the job description to find hints for what the ATS will be looking for. Then, whenever you find keywords related to your responsibilities and achievements, make sure to include them in your work experience section.
• Use an active voice. Passive voice is too vague and unclear, so make sure to use active voice as much as possible when describing your previous jobs. (E.g.: “Managed a team of ten people,” instead of “ A team of ten people was managed by me.” )
• Leverage powerful action words. Instead of starting each of your sentences with “was responsible for," make your work experience impactful by using words that can grab attention. Saying that you “spearheaded” or “facilitated” something sounds a lot more impressive than “helped.”

Want to make sure your resume formatting passes the ATS test? Choose one of our tried and tested ATS-friendly resume templates , and you’ll be good to go! 

#5. List Your Education

The next section on your resume is dedicated to your academic qualifications. Let’s start with the basics!

Here’s how you should format the education section on your resume :

• Program Name. Your major and degree type should be listed. (E.g.: “B.A. in Business Administration” )
• University Name. Add the name of the institution. (E.g.: “New York State University” )
• Dates Attended. Use a mm/yyyy format for the dates you attended. (E.g.: “08/2008 - 06/2012” )
• Location. If your university is less well-known, you can also add the location. (E.g.: “Stockholm, Sweden” )
• GPA. Use the appropriate grading system for the country you’re applying to work in. (E.g.: In the USA, it would be “3.9 GPA” )
• Honors. Add any honors and distinctions you’ve been given. (E.g.: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude )
• Achievements. You can mention interesting papers you’ve written, projects you’ve done, or relevant coursework you’ve excelled in.
• Minor. “Minor in Psychology”

Pretty simple, right? Now let’s see what an education section looks like in practice:

This example includes all the necessary information, plus an eye-catching award and relevant classes this candidate has taken.

Resume Education Tips

Now that you know how to list your education on your resume, let’s take this section to the next level.

Just follow these expert tips:

• If you’re making a resume as a student and don’t have any work experience yet, you can list your education section at the beginning of the page instead of work experience.
• You can add your expected graduation date if you’re still pursuing your degree.
• If you already have relevant work experience, just keep this section short and sweet. Recent graduates can expand on their education more and add optional information like projects, classes, academic achievements, etc.
• Always list your degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest degree on top. Your highest and most recent degree is usually enough, so if you have a Master’s degree that’s relevant to the job, there’s no need to mention your earlier degrees.
• Don’t add your high school degree to your resume if you already have a university degree. It doesn’t have as much weight, and you can use the space for something else.
• Only mention your GPA if you had an impressive academic career. Anything below a 3.5 GPA doesn’t need to be on your resume.

Are you in the process of applying for college? Check out our guide to writing a college application resume to wow that admissions officer!

#6. Emphasize Your Know-How in the Skills Section

After your work experience, your skills are the first thing the hiring manager is going to look for. In fact, together, work experience and skills make up 90% of the hiring decision .

So, this is the place where you want to mention all the know-how that makes you the perfect candidate for the job.

There are two types of skills you can include when writing your resume:

• Hard Skills. These are measurable abilities. What you can list here can be anything from coding in Python to knowing how to cook Thai cuisine.
• Soft Skills. Also known as personal skills, these are a mix of communication skills , personal traits, career attributes, and more. They can include leadership, critical thinking, and time management , just to name a few.

Your resume should always cover both hard skills and soft skills . Here’s an example in action:

Now, let’s discuss how you should list your most important skills on your resume.

There are a few essential steps you need to follow:

Always List Hard and Soft Skills Separately

Your resume should be easy and neat to navigate. The hiring manager shouldn’t have to waste time looking for a specific skill because you didn’t separate it into the appropriate subsection.

So, just create separate categories for your hard and soft skills.

Depending on your field, you could customize the name of your “hard skills” subsection to something like “technical skills," “marketing skills," or something else related to your field.

Let’s look at an example of what skills look like on a project manager’s resume :

Methodologies & Tools

• Agile Methodology
• SCRUM Framework
• Waterfall Project Management
• Microsoft Project
• Critical Path Method (CPM)
• Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Risk Management

Soft Skills

• Team Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Negotiation

Tailor Your Skills to the Job

You might have some awesome skills, but the hiring manager only needs to know about the ones that are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant, your gourmet chef skills shouldn’t be on your resume.

Look at the job ad and list at least two to three essential skills you have that are required for the role. Remember—there’s no need to list every skill you have here; just keep it relevant.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design or a related field.
• Tech-savvy, with some background in CMS systems such as WordPress.
• Thrives in a stressful environment and juggles multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Self-reliant, with the ability to manage their own work.
• A can-do attitude and an outside-the-box thinker.
• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages.
• Basic understanding of Office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

So, the must-have hard skills here are Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages. Other good computer skills to have are WordPress or similar CMS systems.

While you can also mention Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, it’s pretty much assumed that you know how to use them since they’re required for most office jobs.

List Hard Skills with Experience Levels

For each hard skill you list on your resume, you should also mention your proficiency level. This tells employers what they can expect from you and how much training you might need.

• Beginner. You have some experience with the skill, whether it’s from some entry-level practice or classroom education.
• Intermediate. You’ve used the skill in a work environment with good understanding.
• Advanced. You’re the go-to person for this skill in your office. You can coach other employees, and you understand the skill at a high level.
• Expert. You’ve applied this skill to more than a handful of different projects and organizations. You’re the go-to person for advice about the skill, not just in your office but even amongst some of the best professionals in your field.

Just make sure to never lie about your actual skill level. Even if you get the job, once you need those skills you exaggerated, it will be pretty awkward for both you and your employer.

Include Transferable Skills

These are the types of skills that are useful for almost any job out there.

Transferable skills can be both soft skills (e.g.: teamwork, creativity, problem-solving skills, and others) and hard skills (MS Office Suite, HTML, writing, etc.)

Whatever job you’re applying to, chances are you have transferable skills from your experience that can come in handy one way or another. So, feel free to include them, even if they’re not specifically required for the position.

Not sure which skills to mention on your resume for your specific field? Check out our list of 101+ essential skills for inspiration!

#7. Leverage Optional Resume Sections

The sections we’ve covered so far are must-haves for any resume. They’re the bread-and-butter for any job application, and if you get them right, you’ll land any job you apply to.

But if you have some leftover space, there are a few optional sections you can choose from to give your resume a boost!

Are you bi-lingual? Or even better  – multi-lingual? You should always mention that on your resume!

Even if the position doesn’t require you to know a specific language, it can still come in handy at some point. At the end of the day, it’s always better to know more languages than less.

To list languages in your resume , just write them down and assign them the appropriate level:

• Intermediate

You can also use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scales.

As a given, you should never lie about your language skills. You never know—your interviewer might turn out to be fluent in the language or even be a native speaker!

Hobbies and Interests

If you want to spice up your resume, hobbies and interests could be just what you need.

While this section isn’t a game-changer, it can help the hiring manager see who you are as an individual.

For example, if you listed “teamwork” as one of your skills, hobbies like team sports can back up your claim.

And who knows? Maybe you and your interviewer have some hobbies or interests in common!

Volunteering Experience

If you’re the type of person who devotes their free time to helping others while expecting nothing in return, chances are that you’re the type of employee who’s in it for more than just the money. 

Seeing volunteer experience on your resume tells hiring managers that you’re a loyal employee who’s after something meaningful.

Several studies show that listing your volunteer experience can boost your chances of getting hired, especially if you have little to no work experience.

Certifications

Hiring managers love candidates who invest in themselves, and that’s exactly what they see when you list certifications on your resume .

If you value continuous learning and strive to expand your skill set, that’s always a plus.

Certifications can also show employers how much expertise you have.

For example, if you’re a Microsoft Cloud Engineer and you specialize in Microsoft Technologies, you should definitely include all essential certifications on your resume, such as the Azure Solutions Architect Expert one.

Awards and Recognitions

There’s no harm in showing off a little on your resume. After all, you want to be a candidate that shines above the rest.

So, if you’ve received any awards or recognitions that make you stand out in your field, make sure to add them.

For example, if you’ve been recognized for your contributions to data science or received a hard-to-come-by scholarship , mention it in your resume. Just keep your entries here relevant to the field you’re applying to.

Publications

Whether you’re a freelance writer or a distinguished academic, publications are always impressive.

If you have any published works (online or in an academic journal), you can add them to your resume. Just make sure to include a link so the hiring manager knows where to check your work!

Are you looking for a career in academia? Check out our guide to writing the perfect academic CV to get started!

Working on side projects can show off your passion for your field. Whether they’re university class projects or part-time entrepreneurial endeavors, they’re relevant.

For example, if you worked on a mock software product as part of a university competition, it shows you went through every step of product creation, from ideation to creating a marketing strategy.

This project also shows off your organizational skills , and if you mention it in your resume, you stand a better chance of landing the job you had your sights set on.

But projects can also be personal, not academic. For example, you might manage an Etsy store where you sell hand-made arts and crafts to customers online. This is a great opportunity to highlight your creativity, management, and customer service skills .

Overall, hiring managers love employees who do cool work in their free time, so projects are always a great section to add to your resume.

Looking to kickstart your career? Check out our guide on how to get an internship for useful tips and real-life examples!

Extracurricular Activities

Every college freshman knows that extracurricular experience can make a difference in their application.

Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience outside of school, extracurricular activities are a great way to show potential employers your skills and give them insight into you as a person. Different clubs and after-school projects can help you gain real-life skills and considerably increase your chances of landing your first job after college.

For example, joining a student government organization can hone your leadership skills and teach you how to work as part of a team.

For example, if you’re part of a student government or public speaking club, these activities can help you hone your leadership and presentation skills.

11+ Expert Resume Tips

You’ve got the gist of how to make a resume. Now, it’s time to make it really stand out from the crowd!

Follow these exclusive resume tips to take your resume game to the next level:

• Match the professional title underneath your name to the job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role you’re after helps things go smoother.
• Mention any promotions from your previous jobs. Use the work experience entries for them to focus on the achievements that helped you earn them.
• Describe your achievements using Laszlo Bock’s formula : accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z . This way, your work experience can go the extra mile and show the hiring manager what you can bring to the table.
• Always list your achievements and responsibilities in concise bullet points. This makes your resume more reader-friendly, and it’s more likely that the hiring manager will see your impressive achievements at a glance.
• Don’t use personal pronouns like “I” or “me,” and don’t refer to yourself by name. Stick to a slightly altered third person, like “managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.” instead of “he managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.”
• Name your resume sections correctly, or it might get rejected by the ATS. Swapping out quirky names like “career history” or “expertise” for “work experience” and "skills" makes it easier for the hiring manager to find what they’re looking for, too.
• Prioritize important keywords instead of adding all of them. Make sure the relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences you add all make sense in context, too. Your goal is to get past the ATS and impress the hiring manager.
• Focus on transferable skills if you don’t have a lot of relevant work experience. Any extracurricular activities or personal projects can help you stand out here.
• Add a strategic pop of color to headings, bullet points, or key elements you want to highlight. It can help your resume stand out, but don’t overdo it—you want the information to be more impressive than the color palette.
• Don’t include the line “references available upon request.” Hiring managers already know they can request a list of references from you, so there’s no need to waste valuable space on it.
• Make sure your resume is optimized for mobile viewing. Most hiring managers use their mobile phones as often as desktop computers, so save your resume to a PDF file and make sure your formatting stays intact across any device.
• Rename the resume file you plan to send so it includes your name and the name of the position you’re applying for. It’s a small detail that can turn into a crucial mistake if you forget it.
• Read your resume out loud when you’re done. This is a great way to catch awkward phrases or spelling mistakes you might have missed otherwise.
• Use a tool like DocSend to track your resume. You’ll get a notification any time someone opens your resume, and you can see how long they spend reading it.

FREE Resume Checklist

Are you already done with your resume? Let’s see how it holds up!

Go through our checklist for perfecting your resume and see where you stand!

If you missed some points, just go through your resume one more time and perfect it.

And if you ☑’d everything—congrats! You’ve learned all there is to know about writing a resume, and you’re good to go with your job search.

Need to write a CV instead of a resume? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to write a CV with dozens of examples!

9 Resume Templates for Different Industries

Looking to create an effective resume without dealing with the formatting hassle? Just choose one of the templates below.

#1. Traditional Resume Template

Good for traditional industries like finance, banking, law, and manufacturing.

#2. Modern Resume Template

Good for both contemporary and forward-looking industries, including entrepreneurship, medical technology, and engineering.

#3. Creative Resume Template

Good for creative industries, including entertainment, design, and architecture. 

#4. Minimalistic Resume Template

Good for experienced professionals in basically any industry who want to let their achievements do the talking. 

#5. IT Resume Template

Good for any IT-related profession like software development, cyber security, and DevOps engineering.

#6. Tech Resume Template

Good for the tech industry and everything it encompasses.

#7. College Resume Template

Good for college students and recent graduates alike.

#8. General Resume Template

Good for multiple industries, including HR, education, and customer service.

#9. Executive Resume Template

Good for senior professionals across different industries, including hospitality, marketing, and logistics.

17+ Resumes for Different Jobs

Knowing how to write a resume is one thing, but making a resume that stands out is something entirely different. Without inspiration, even top career experts might stumble on a roadblock or two.

Check out the following effective resume examples for specific jobs to get a better sense of what a good resume looks like:

#1. Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a nurse resume here.

#2. Data Scientist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a data scientist resume here.

#3. Business Analyst Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a business analyst resume here.

#4. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a digital marketing resume here.

#5. Software Engineer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer resume here.

#6. Construction Project Manager Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a construction project manager resume here.

#7. Customer Service Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a customer service resume here.

#8. High School Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a high school resume here.

#9. Student Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a student resume here.

#10. Server Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a server resume here.

#11. Actor Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an actor resume here.

#12. Web Developer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a web developer resume here.

#13. Engineering Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an engineering resume here.

#14. Computer Science Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a computer science resume here.

#15. Architect Resume Example 

Check out our full guide to writing a data analyst resume here.

#17. Remote Job Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a remote job resume here.

#18. Sales Associate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a sales associate resume here.

#19. Receptionist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist resume here.

Want to see more examples? Check out our compilation of 80+ resume examples for different fields .

• Administrative Assistant Resume
• Bartender Resume
• DevOps Engineer Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Flight Attendant Resume
• Graphic Designer Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Recruiter Resume
• Supervisor Resume

Next Steps After Your Resume

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to make a resume, it’s time to talk about the rest of your job application.

After all, your resume is only the first step in your job search. To land the job you deserve, you also need to write a captivating cover letter and ace that upcoming interview. Here’s how:

#1. How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter

The companion piece to every resume is the cover letter.

Most job-seekers flinch when they hear that they have to write a cover letter. What do you even mention in a cover letter, anyway? If you were good at writing cover letters, you’d be applying for a job as a writer !

In reality, though, writing a cover letter is very simple once you know its purpose.

Think of your cover letter as a direct message to the hiring manager. It’s your chance to briefly explain why you’re such an awesome fit for the position. And with a few cover letter tips to point you in the right direction, you’ll write the perfect cover letter for your job application.

Just follow this structure:

• Add the contact details. Include the same contact information as on your resume, plus additional contact details for the hiring manager, including their name, job title, the company’s name, and location.
• Introduce yourself. Start your cover letter by mentioning who you are, what your work experience is, and why you’re interested in the position. Mention a standout achievement or two, relevant skills, and what you’d like to do for the company you’re applying for.
• Explain why you’d excel at the job. Find the requirements in the job ad that you meet, and elaborate on how you fulfill the most important ones. Research the company so you know what you like about it, and mention it in your cover letter. Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for the job and confidence that you’ll be a great fit for their team.
• Wrap it up politely. Conclude your cover letter by recapping your key selling points and thanking the hiring manager for their time. Then add a call to action, such as “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided phone number so that we can discuss my application in greater detail.” Then, add a closing line and follow it with your full name.

Sounds easy, right? Here’s a real-life example to drive the point home:

Do you need more help perfecting your cover letter? Learn what the most common cover letter mistakes are and check out cover letter examples for all professions here.

#2. How to Ace Your Next Interview

Once you’ve perfected both your resume and cover letter, there’s only one thing left.

It’s time for the final step—the dreaded job interview.

Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert, you probably hate the interviewing process. No matter how experienced you are, it can be nerve-wracking. Sitting there while someone’s prodding into your past experiences and judging you isn’t fun.

But did you know that most interviewers ask the same questions?

That’s right—all you have to do is learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions, and you’ll be an interview away from landing your dream job!

Just check out our complete guide to the 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers and learn how to ace your next interview.

FAQs on How to Make a Resume

Do you still have some questions about making a resume? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions below!

#1. What does a good resume look like in 2024?

For your resume to look good in 2024, make sure it’s organized and clean and isn’t longer than one page.

Be sure to include information that adds value to your application—leave out the focus on your relevant work experience and skills that you can back up, and list as many achievements as possible. 

If you’re using a resume template, choose one based on your industry. Conservative industries like law, banking, and business require more traditional resume templates. But if you’re going for an industry like design, architecture, or marketing, you can go for a creative resume template . 

Remote work is also big in 2024, so if that’s what you’re after, tailor your resume to match the job you want.

#2. How do you make a resume in Word?

The best way to create a resume in Word is to use a pre-designed Microsoft Word template. To access them, you should: 

• Open MS Word
• Click “file” from the menu bar 
• Select “new”
• Type “resume templates” in the search bar 

That said, Word resume templates are generic, hard to personalize, and overall not very stylish.

Want a resume that looks good and is extremely easy to make? Check out resume templates to get started!

#3. How do I write a resume for my first job?

If you’re writing your first-ever resume for an entry-level position, the hiring manager won’t expect you to have any work experience.

However, you can make up for your lack of experience with your skills and academic achievements.

For example, you can take advantage of extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering experiences, and other non-professional experiences. You can use them to highlight the skills you’ve gained and what you’ve achieved so far.

So, your first job resume should have a resume objective, emphasize your education, and replace your work experience with any internships, volunteering, independent projects, or other experiences.

#4. How to make a resume on Google Docs?

You can make a resume on Google Docs by choosing one of their templates and filling it in on the go.

All you have to do is go to your Google Drive’s template gallery, choose your preferred template, fill in your information, and your Google Docs resume is ready to go! 

That said, Google Docs templates aren’t the most user-friendly choice. You don’t have much flexibility with the layout and formatting isn’t that easy. For example, you tweak a section to the slightest, and the whole resume becomes a mess.

If you want an easier option, check out our resume builder !

#5. What kind of resume do employers prefer?

Typically, employers prefer one-page-long resumes that follow the reverse chronological format. 

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes every day, so they don't have the time to read three-page resumes. Try one of our one-page resume templates so you don’t go over the recommended resume length.

Meanwhile, the reverse-chronological format is the most popular because it draws attention to your most recent jobs and professional achievements, which is the #1 most important thing hiring managers look at when evaluating a resume.

#6. How many jobs should you put on your resume? 

You should only include relevant job positions on your resume.

This means that your work experience section should be tailored to the job you are applying for. If you’ve worked five different jobs and they can all add value to your current application, then you should include all five. 

If, on the other hand, you’re applying for, say, a customer service position and some of your past jobs don’t have anything to do with customer service, you should skip them.

#7. Should I put my address on my resume? 

You can put your location (city, state, or country) on your resume, but you don’t need to put your entire physical address.

Putting a physical address on a resume was the norm back when companies would contact you via mail. In today’s world, everyone communicates via email, which is why adding a correct and professional email address to your contact information section is far more important than putting your physical address. 

So, just include your location or-–if you’re a remote worker—specify you prefer to work remotely by writing “working remotely from [location].”

#8. What information should I leave out of my resume?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t include your birthday or your headshot on your resume. This norm varies from country to country but it applies to the USA, Canada, and UK.

If you have plenty of achievements to list under your work experience, then you can leave your basic work responsibilities out of your resume. 

In your education section, you should only include your highest and most recent degree. So, if you hold a Ph.D., you can list that and your Master’s degree and leave your Bachelor’s degree and high school diploma out.

Finally, leave out any skills that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for.

#9. Is a resume a CV?

Depending on where you are, a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a resume might be completely different things.

In most of the world, though, including Europe and Asia, they are used interchangeably for the same document. Both CVs and resumes are one to two pages long, and list skills and experiences relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Sometimes more detailed resumes that go over one page are referred to as CVs. These are typically only used by senior professionals, executives, CEOs, etc.

In the USA, however, a CV is a completely different document. Typically, CVs are detailed and comprehensive documents that highlight your entire academic and professional history. They’re often used for academic, scientific, or research positions, which is why this type of CV can also be referred to as an academic CV.

You can create your CV using one of our CV templates !

#10. Should I write my own resume?

Yes, you should always write your own resume.

Your resume is your opportunity to show the hiring manager your communication, writing, and presentation skills . Employers also evaluate you based on how effectively you can convey information about yourself, and there’s no one that can represent you better than yourself.

Writing your own resume lets you introduce yourself authentically. You have the best understanding of your skills and experiences, and you can personalize them to make your resume stand out.

And, as a bonus, the experience of writing your resume yourself can be reflective and insightful, so it might help you understand your professional journey and career goals better.

#11. Can a resume be two pages?

Generally, we strongly recommend that your resume stick to one page.

Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes every day, and keeping your resume to one page increases the odds that they’ll see your qualifications faster.

In some cases, like when you have a lot of relevant experience, your resume can go over two pages. But this exception is reserved for senior professionals with over a decade of relevant experience and tons of skills and achievements that simply can’t fit on one page.

#12. Is a simple resume okay?

Absolutely, a simple resume is often more than okay—it's preferable.

Before your resume even gets to the hiring manager, a complicated layout could get it rejected by the applicant tracking system (ATS). A simple resume template can help get your application straight to the hiring manager.

A clean layout can also make sure that your resume is easily readable and looks professional. This can focus the hiring manager's attention on your work experience and skills without excessive clutter or flashy colors to distract them.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

If you’ve followed all of our advice until now, congrats! You’re probably an expert on how to make a resume.

To recap, let’s go through some of the most important lessons we’ve learned so far...

• Use the right resume builder to make the process as smooth as possible. You don’t want to mess around with formatting for hours before even starting to work on your resume!
• Focus on your achievements over responsibilities. This can help you stand out from all the other applicants, especially if you back your claims up with data.
• Include all the must-have sections, like the resume summary, work experience, education, and skills. Then leverage optional sections if you have leftover space.
• Tailor your resume for the job you’re applying for. Everything listed on your resume should be relevant to the specific job you’re applying for, and you should write a new resume for every new job application.
• Take the time to perfect your cover letter. It’s just as important as your resume, so make sure you pay as much attention to it!

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

• Federal Resumes Guide for USAJobs

Table of Contents

Introduction

USAJOBS.gov

Writing Strategies

Federal Resume Sample

Introduction to federal resumes.

Searching for a federal job can be a daunting task. The stringent guidelines for both the application process and the formatting of required materials, including the federal resume, can seem overwhelming to first-time applicants and seasoned professionals.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the key steps in the application process, including successfully navigating USAJOBS (the official job-search website of the US government), targeting vacancy postings, and crafting an effective resume that highlights your career accomplishments while aligning with federal resume-writing best practices.

How a Federal Resume Differs From a Private Industry Resume

The main differences between a federal resume and a private sector resume are the length of the resume and the detail involved. While a typical resume should be no more than two pages in length, a federal resume can extend to five pages or more. In addition, federal resumes require more details in regards to references, availability, and expanded job descriptions and accomplishments. Also, readers of your federal resume will be expecting certain stylistic attributes and exact phrasing that mirrors the language of vacancy postings on USAJOBS.gov.

Grade Levels: General Schedule (GS) & Senior Executive Service (SES)

In the federal job arena, there is a highly specific and expected career progression and salary roadmap referred to as the GS pay scale, ranging from GS-1 through GS-15. Applicants are required to meet clearly defined expectations for jobs at each level, and each progressive step includes a raise in salary:

• GS-1 through GS-7: Entry-level positions – If you have recently entered the workforce and have at least a high school diploma and a few months of work experience, you qualify for positions up to GS-2. If you have more than a few months of general experience, you qualify for GS-3 and GS-4 levels. Following this (GS-5 and above), positions require at least 1 year of specialized experience to be considered. Graduates within a specific career field are eligible for GS-5 jobs and qualify for GS-7 if they attained certain grades, test scores, or other criteria while in college.
• GS-8 through GS-12: Mid-level positions –  Jobs within this range typically require master’s degrees or a doctorate for GS-11 grades and beyond. In lieu of a degree, acceptable candidates can qualify with at least 12 months of experience at an equivalent grade level.
• GS-13 through GS-15: Senior managers, high-level technical specialists, physicians –  Positions in this range are typically reserved for top professionals holding advanced degrees. Candidates must be able to demonstrate relevant job experience. At levels 14 and 15, the candidate is eligible to apply for a Senior Executive Service (SES) job.

SES & Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)

SES roles represent executive-level positions across management and policy. These roles are classified above GS-15 in most Executive Branch agencies of the US government. These also represent the highest-level positions below presidential appointments. To qualify for an SES position, one must demonstrate alignment with five ECQs and their key components:

As you’ll see, the questionnaire asks about certain abilities that the ideal candidate would possess that might not be spelled out in the job posting itself, so it’s important to identify these and leverage them in your federal resume.

In addition to specific phrasing of expected abilities and accomplishments, you will want to identify the KSAs that are specific to the position. USAJOBS makes this process easy by highlighting them at the bottom of a vacancy posting with the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section. Remember, these are expected to be written verbatim in a federal resume.

After you have made a list of both the KSAs and phrases you need to incorporate into your federal resume, it’s time to start writing.

Strategies for Writing a Successful Federal Resume

Define Your Core Skills

With your list of KSAs and duty phrases in hand, ask yourself what five high-level responsibilities describe your current role in order to define the key knowledge, skills, and abilities you apply every day and how they align with the information you obtained from the vacancy posting. Once you have compiled this list, brainstorm about specific examples of achievements in these areas and how they support the position you’re applying to as well as its KSAs.

If you are making a transition from military service into civilian service, you will need to translate your experience and accomplishments to align with the language of the vacancy postings. Using the posting language and KSAs as a guide, consider how your accomplishments within the military reflect the skills and abilities required for the position. A good starting point for this information is your performance evaluations.

Formatting & Layout

As with a private industry resume, a federal resume is most impactful when it is organized and highly readable. A main point of difference between the two is that while a private resume can take many forms including functional or creative, the federal resume must be in the traditional reverse-chronological order covering the last 10 years.  Private sector resumes use succinct career highlights and bullets with few details, whereas federal resumes use full phrases, sentences, and paragraphs to cover the informative descriptions and extensive details that support the job qualifications. While a private sector resume is typically limited to 2 pages, a federal resume can average anywhere from 3 pages to 7 or more.

Stylistic Rules

As with private-sector resumes, some general stylistic rules apply to optimize the document:

• Most jobs will have four to six paragraphs, and each should represent a KSA, if possible. “Communication skills” is the most common KSA.
• Each resume should contain one paragraph on “Interpreting Regulations.”
• Repetition aligning with job posting-specific phrasing is encouraged. If you did the work and have the skills, it’s acceptable to repeat these attributes throughout the resume. Avoid exact repetition, and paraphrase when possible.
• Minimize using personal pronouns, and keep articles such as “an” or “the” to a minimum to optimize space.
• KEYWORDS/CORE COMPETENCIES should be used to describe each duties paragraph and are in all caps. Nouns are preferred, but verbs can also be used if that is the language reflecting the vacancy posting.
• Accomplishments should follow the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for a general federal resume or the CCAR (Challenge, Context, Action, Result) format for ECQs within the SES resume.
• Some job announcements will require the full date (mm/dd/yyyy) and salary, supervisor name and phone, and whether or not to contact. It’s important to note that federal resumes will not be considered if required information is missing.
• Certificates usually go under Job-Related Training, but longer programs such as the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) certification will go under education.
• Military, Soldier, Veteran, Marine, etc. are capitalized throughout the resume, which is reflective of Military AP Style.
• All acronyms, except those that are obvious, should be spelled out. This is especially important to elucidate department or industry-specific jargon. Remember that it’s often HR that is reviewing your resume first, not a specialist within your field.
• Font size and spacing should remain the same, except for paragraph spacing.
• Jobs more than 10 years in the past will still be listed but will be presented in the Additional Information section, with the number of years listed instead of dates.

Contact Information & Career Summary

The federal resume presentation begins with your contact information. These details should match your profile on USAJOBS. Following this is the Career Summary which should be crafted to align your experience with the vacancy posting of interest. Also list your citizenship status, current employment status (federal or private sector), the highest GS level you have obtained (if applicable), and any security clearances you have.

If you don’t have the security clearance required by the position, make it known that you are aware of the requirement and are willing to obtain the necessary clearance. You can also use this space to describe any high-level awards you have received or technical skills that are relevant to your desired position. Again, while the private sector resume is intentionally two pages on average, federal resumes are more expansive and inclusive of details.

Following your summary and contact information is a section of bulleted areas of expertise. Again, focus on the keywords that align your strengths and abilities with the requirements outlined in the vacancy posting.

Work Experience

Next, outline your work experience for each agency in chronological order. The federal resume requires exact dates (month/year) of employment as well as hours worked per week and exact details of each position (Series, GS level, etc.). As stated previously, the federal resume is a chronological document that describes your work history in terms of an outline. This means that you should outline your progression of roles within that agency and follow the timeline with a skills-based resume-writing format. You will do this for each applicable agency.

Next, use the list of duties and KSAs that you compiled from the vacancy posting as a template to describe how your career duties and accomplishments demonstrate your success in those areas. In this applicant’s case, the following phrases (among others) were listed on the vacancy posting:

• Logistics and transportation
• Provide oversight and guidance
• Leverage knowledge of organizational development and culture
• Team leader
• Organize and direct teams
• Interpret policy and regulations
• Effective written and oral communication
• Build professional working relationships

Looking at the example below, you can see how the resume entry has been customized to reflect these lists:

As with a private sector resume, you’ll notice the use of bulleted accomplishments to describe specific accomplishments related to the listed and described skills. These should describe both what you accomplished as well as how you did it.

You will go through this process with every agency within your career history, ensuring that you continue to frame your accomplishments and work history around the list of phrases and KSAs that you obtained from your review of the vacancy posting.

It is also customary to list your supervisors as references under each position in your job history. You should also specify whether the HR specialist reviewing your resume can contact them.

Additional Information

After outlining and describing your career history in a way that aligns with your desired position, you will list additional information that is important and relevant, including education, certifications, job-related training, professional affiliations, and publications. This is also where older employment information is listed without specific dates.

Some higher-level applicants (in particular in the GS-14 and GS-15 range) have exhaustive lists of publications that would significantly lengthen the document. In this case, it is perfectly acceptable to present a selected list of representative publications.

More on SES Jobs

The SES level was established in 1978 as part of the Civil Service Reform Act to provide executive management of 75 federal agencies that are managed by the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM). As previously discussed, SES jobs represent the highest-level federal positions second to presidential appointments.

Although the same general rules of writing a strong federal resume apply, SES jobs have more expansive requirements for application. Depending on the vacancy posting, there are three kinds of SES applications:

• Traditional Method: 10-page ECQs in the proper format, technical qualifications (TQs) separate, and federal resume.
• Resume Only: 5-page traditional federal resume incorporating the five ECQs and, if relevant, TQs.
• Accomplishment Record: Resume and narratives responding to specific guidance for each submission.

ECQS and TQs, like KSAs, must be listed verbatim in your documents. The same procedures apply to an SES resume as with a general federal resume, but the scope is larger and the requirements more specific. If the vacancy post you’re interested in requires the traditional method, you’ll need to craft both a traditional resume as well as a 10-page document outlining how your experience aligns with the five ECQs (and TQs if a technically oriented position).

Resume Builder Compatibility

Because some vacancy postings require resume submission via the Resume Builder, it’s important to format your document so that it can be easily converted to Resume Builder style. If you have followed the general federal resume-writing practices outlined in this guide, then the process of converting to a Resume Builder-friendly format is fairly straightforward. When drafting a federal resume, it’s recommended to have two versions ready to go: your traditional federal resume and a simpler document that is ready for the resume builder.

Resume Builder is a simple text-only interface, so it’s necessary to avoid any graphics or fanciful formatting that won’t translate well to the system. Text styling such as italics, bolding, underlining, or bullets also do not register with Resume Builder, so these will need to be adjusted when converting your document. Additionally, you will need to remove detailed information about each position that will need to be entered manually, such as employment dates, hours worked, and pay grade.

REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION

Enter your information to request your free consultation and receive our email series on the secrets to a successful career change.

Free 1 on 1 Consultation

• I accept terms and conditions
• What GS level are you targeting for your next role? * --- Please Select --- GS 7 or lower GS 8 to GS 10 GS 11 to GS 15 SES
• What is your current title or position level? * --- Please Select --- C-Level Vice President Director Manager Partner/Principal Founder Other Executive Other Non-Executive Level
• What is your current income level? * --- Please Select --- less than $50K $50K-$100K $100K-$150K $150K-$200K $200K+
• Immediately
• 6-12 Months
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

An official website of the United States government.

Here’s how you know

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• American Rescue Plan
• Coronavirus Resources
• Disability Resources
• Disaster Recovery Assistance
• Domestic Workers
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Guidance Search
• Health Plans and Benefits
• Registered Apprenticeship
• International Labor Issues
• Labor Relations
• Leave Benefits
• Major Laws of DOL
• Other Benefits
• Retirement Plans, Benefits and Savings
• Spanish-Language Resources
• Termination
• Unemployment Insurance
• Veterans Employment
• Whistleblower Protection
• Workers' Compensation
• Workplace Safety and Health
• Youth & Young Worker Employment
• Breaks and Meal Periods
• Continuation of Health Coverage - COBRA
• FMLA (Family and Medical Leave)
• Full-Time Employment
• Mental Health
• Office of the Secretary (OSEC)
• Administrative Review Board (ARB)
• Benefits Review Board (BRB)
• Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB)
• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
• Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
• Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB)
• Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
• Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ)
• Office of Congressional & Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA)
• Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
• Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
• Office of Inspector General (OIG)
• Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS)
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM)
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy (OASP)
• Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO)
• Office of the Solicitor (SOL)
• Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)
• Ombudsman for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOMBD)
• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)
• Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS)
• Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
• Women's Bureau (WB)
• Agencies and Programs
• Meet the Secretary of Labor
• Leadership Team
• Budget, Performance and Planning
• Careers at DOL
• Privacy Program
• Recursos en Español
• News Releases
• Economic Data from the Department of Labor
• Email Newsletter

Tips for Writing a Federal Resume

Creating a federal resume that brings your qualifications to life and shows that you are a perfect fit for the job can be a challenge. Be sure to demonstrate how your skills, experience, training and education match the employer’s needs. Avoid misspelled words and bad grammar. Following are a few ways to make this easier.

Consider what positions you are interested in and review what qualifications or experience they require by reviewing different types of jobs and job opportunity announcements on USAJOBS . Gather information and begin to build out a description of your knowledge, skills and experience to add to your resume. How you present your skills and experience in your resume will help determine whether or not you are invited to interview for a job.

Attend job assistance training prior to departing the service. Contact your Transition Assistance Center as soon as possible and sign up for a Transition Assistance Program Workshop. If you are not near a Military Transition Center, you may use the services at Transition Assistance Offices operated by the other military services. Use your transition counselors. They have the tools and knowledge you need. If available, get their help in creating your first resume or filling out a draft application. Ask them to critique your work and then make the changes they suggest.

One size never fits all. As you apply for jobs, tailor your resume to the position’s requirements. Study the job opportunity announcement and emphasize the parts of your work history that match the qualification requirements listed there. It is important to portray your knowledge and skills as a match to the requirements of the position and demonstrate the ability to do the job. This is easy to do when you include your results, achievements and accomplishments. Minimize the use of technical jargon or specialized terminology (e.g., military abbreviations) in your resume.

Resumes are generally presented in one of three formats: chronological, functional or a combination of both. Which format you choose will depend, in part, on the type of work you have performed and whether or not you are going to continue in the same field.

• Chronological resumes list work experience according to date, with the current job appearing first. Chronological resumes work well if your career has been progressive and you plan to continue in the same line of work.
• Functional resumes are organized by the skills you have used on the job. Functional resumes work well if you are contemplating a new career, do not have a lengthy work history, or have held a number of different positions because they sell your abilities based on the skills you have acquired throughout your career. Be sure to include relevant volunteer experience.
• Combination resumes both describe your work experience and highlight your skills. Combination resumes usually provide the most comprehensive overview of your career.

Unlike resumes used in the private sector, federal resumes require additional information. For each past job, give the standard information found in most resumes. Your federal resume should include the following:

• Job announcement number, job title , and job grade of the job for which you are applying
• Your full name, mailing address , day and evening phone numbers and home e-mail .
• Country of citizenship , if different from U.S.
• Veterans – Ensure that you attach or upload supporting documentation (e.g., DD214 or Statement of Service if still on Active Duty; SF-15, Application for 10-point preference; and Disability Rating Letter of 30% or more from the VA, if applicable).
• Peace Corps / AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers – If you are a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, you will need to provide your Description of Service (DOS) to claim non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs. AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers
• Persons with Disabilities (Schedule A) – To verify eligibility for employment under the Schedule A hiring authority, you must provide proof of disability issued by a licensed medical professions, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any federal agency, state agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia, or U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Contact the Department’s Selective Placement Coordinators for help with hiring and accommodation requests.
• Veterans – Keep in mind that your military training may count towards qualifications. Use your Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET) document (DD Form 2586) to document your training and education.
• Begin with your current position and list all other positions held in chronological order.
• State the job title, starting and ending dates (including month and year), prior employer's name and address (or write "self-employed," if that applies), and major duties and accomplishments. Include any positions temporarily held.
• Show the average number of hours worked per week or simply state "full-time"; salary or wage earned; supervisor's name, address and telephone number; and whether you’re most recent supervisor may be contacted.
• Veterans - Avoid using military job titles or occupational codes. Instead, look at what you did using your Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET) as a starting point. Employers prefer proven performers, so make sure you know what employers are looking for in comparison to your military work experience.
• Indicate if your current supervisor can be contacted
• Job-related training courses (title and year).
• self-management skills refer to the way you manage yourself on the job (e.g., dependable, resourceful, etc.);
• functional skills are the skills you use on the job or have used in previous jobs (e.g., operate equipment, supervise, analyze, etc.); and
• technical skills relate to specific skills required to perform a described task (e.g., computer programming, accounting, sales, etc.)
• Current job-related certificates and licenses - Make sure you understand the licensure and certification requirements for your job objective.
• Job-related honors, awards, special accomplishments , leadership activities, memberships, or publications.

Once you have spell checked your resume, take a good look at its overall appearance. Is it appealing and easy to read? Is there enough white space? Are the margins appropriate? Have the headings, font and formatting style been used effectively? Keep in mind that your resume is an employer's first impression of you. Make sure it makes the best one possible.

• Review the job announcements carefully for key words
• Use verbs and adjectives (e.g., managed, implemented, created) that match key words identified in the job announcement.
• Eliminate military lingo (use words such as personnel instead of squad or platoon).
• Include your accomplishments; do not be shy, be truthful.
• Focus on the mission of the agency and translate your experiences.
• Your positive attitude and genuine enthusiasm goes a long way.

8 Valuable Phlebotomy Skills For Resume

09 Sep 8 Valuable Phlebotomy Skills For Resume

1. skills in phlebotomy techniques.

You should start by explaining your skills in collecting blood, such as performing venipuncture (drawing blood from a vein) and capillary techniques (taking blood from smaller vessels) and handling blood samples correctly.

List any special equipment you can use, such as needles, tourniquets, and blood collection tubes, and mention any advanced training you’ve received, especially if it’s from a known program like Phlebotomy Training Specialists .

2. Understanding Safety and Cleanliness

To prevent infections, it is important to maintain everything clean and safe in phlebotomy. Explain how you clean and sterilize equipment and how you dispose of medical waste. You should also mention whether you follow safety rules from organizations like OSHA . This tells employers that you take safety seriously, which is crucial for keeping everyone healthy.

3. Talking and Interacting with Patients

Phlebotomists often work with patients who might be scared or nervous about getting their blood drawn. Being able to talk clearly and kindly is very important. On your resume, describe how you help patients feel calm, explain the blood draw process, and ensure they feel comfortable and know what’s happening. This skill is important because it helps patients have a better experience.

4. Keeping Records and Entering Data

It’s important to keep accurate records and enter patient information correctly. Highlight your ability to use medical software and your attention to detail when recording data. This shows you can handle the paperwork part of the job, which is as important as drawing blood.

5. Physical and Mental Strength

Working as a phlebotomist can be tiring, and you must stay alert. Mention your physical stamina and ability to work well even when busy. Employers look for people who are strong and can handle many tasks at once without making mistakes.

6. Adapting and Solving Problems

Adjusting to new situations and solving problems quickly is valuable in any medical job. Give examples of when you faced a challenge and found a solution, like adapting to new rules or fixing a problem during a blood draw. This shows you can think on your feet.

7. Continuing Education and Professional Growth

Keeping up with new information in phlebotomy shows you’re committed to your job. If you have a phlebotomy certification, include this in your resume to show your dedication to learning and following industry standards.

8. Organizational Skills

Being organized helps everything run smoothly. Explain how your skills in organizing supplies and managing schedules have made things more efficient in past jobs. Employers like to know you can manage time and resources well.

Adding these phlebotomy skills to your resume helps you show that you’re a well-rounded candidate with technical and soft skills, making you a great addition to any healthcare team.

If you want to advance your phlebotomy career, Phlebotomy Training Specialists offers resources, practice tests, and educational tools to help you succeed. Check out our site to learn more and take your skills to the next level!

How to Write a Resignation Email (Examples & Template)

• July 15, 2024
• In Resumes & Cover Letters

Writing a resignation email may seem like a daunting task, but with the right template and some helpful tips, you can craft a professional and respectful message that leaves a positive impression. Whether you’re leaving for personal reasons, pursuing a new opportunity, or simply seeking a change, here’s a guide on how to write a resignation email that effectively communicates your decision while maintaining professionalism.

Tips for writing an effective resignation email

Writing an effective resignation email is an important step in leaving your job on a professional and respectful note. Here are some guidelines to assist you in composing a thoughtfully written resignation email: 

Keep it professional and respectful

• Start your email by including the current date and addressing your manager with a formal salutation, such as “Dear [Manager’s Name],”.
• It is important to maintain a professional and respectful tone in all sections of your email. Keep your language polite and avoid any confrontational or negative statements.
• Take this opportunity to express your sincere gratitude for the valuable experiences and incredible opportunities you have had during your time with the company.
• Clearly communicate your intent to resign and include essential information, such as your planned final working day. Keep the email succinct and focused, avoiding superfluous details or justifications.

Be clear and concise in your communication

• Clearly state your intention to resign in the email.
• Use a subject line that clearly describes your message, such as “Notice of Resignation” or “Resignation Effective [Date].”
• Keep the email format brief, straightforward, and focused on the key points.
• Proofread your email to ensure clarity and correct any errors.

Use appropriate language and tone

• Use neutral or friendly language in your email.
• Avoid writing anything that could be interpreted negatively.
• Maintain a positive and grateful tone throughout the email.

Proofread and edit for clarity and errors

• Before sending your resignation email, it is crucial to take the time to carefully proofread it for any grammar and spelling errors.
• Ensure that the tone of the email remains professional and that there are no typos or mistakes.

Follow company guidelines, if applicable

• If your company has specific guidelines for resignations, make sure to follow them.
• Consider delivering the resignation letter in person to your immediate supervisor or manager if it is feasible.

Key elements of a resignation email

• Subject Line: Choose a relevant subject line subject line that effectively conveys the intention of your email. It is recommended to use phrases such as “Notice of Resignation” or “Resignation – [Your Name].”
• Greeting: Address your manager or HR representative by their name and title in a respectful manner. For example, “Dear [Manager’s Name]” or “Dear [HR Representative’s Name]”.
• Statement of Registration:  Begin your email by clearly stating your intention to resign from your position. Be direct and concise in expressing your decision to leave the company. Clearly indicate the effective date of your resignation.
• Gratitude: Show gratitude for the opportunities and experiences during your time with the company. Thank your employer for their support and mention any specific contributions or achievements that you are grateful for.
• Transition Details: Offer your assistance in ensuring a smooth transition. This can include training a replacement, documenting your work processes, or providing any necessary handover information.
• Closing:  Conclude your email with a polished closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best Regards”, followed by your name and contact information. This ensures that your employer can readily contact you if necessary.

Resignation email examples

Example #1: resignation email: personal reason.

Subject: Resignation – Lisa Holm

Dear Ms. Roberts,

I hope this email finds you well. After careful consideration, I have decided to resign from my position at Innovatech, effective July 31, due to personal reasons that require my immediate attention and commitment. I believe stepping down is the best decision for me at this time.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible eight years I’ve spent working in this position. It has been a privilege to contribute to the growth of our marketing team, be part of creating a great product, and collaborate with my amazing colleagues. I have learned so much about marketing strategy and the digital media space, and I will carry these valuable experiences with me throughout my career.

During the next two weeks, I will ensure a smooth transition by completing my remaining duties and providing training to other team members. If there’s anything else I can do to aid in this process, please let me know.

I wish Innovatech continued success, and I hope to stay connected in the future.

Sincerely, Lisa Holmes Grey

Example #2: Resignation email: Better opportunity

Subject: Resignation – Jane Grey

Dear Ms. Taylor,

I am writing to inform you that I have recently accepted an exciting new opportunity that perfectly aligns with my long-term career goals and aspirations. As a result, I will be resigning from my position at Credit Finance, with my last working day being June 31, 2024.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunities and support that I have been fortunate enough to receive during my time here. Working with you, the client management team, and our remarkable clients has been a true pleasure.

In order to ensure a smooth transition, I am currently preparing a comprehensive handoff document. Additionally, I am available to assist with any tasks or provide support during this transition period. Please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything specific you need from me.

Although our professional paths may diverge, I hope that we can stay in touch. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Sincerely, Jane Grey

Resignation email template

Subject: Resignation – [Your Name]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to formally announce my resignation from my position at [Company Name], effective [Last Working Day, typically two weeks from the date of this email].

I am grateful for the valuable opportunities and experiences I’ve had during my time here, as well as the support and guidance provided by the team.

If there is anything I can do to facilitate a smooth transition, please let me know. I am available to discuss any outstanding tasks or projects and provide assistance to the best of my ability.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Resignation email: FAQ

What is a resignation email.

A resignation email is a formal message sent to your employer or manager to inform them of your decision to resign from your current position. It serves as a written record of your resignation and typically includes your last working day and a brief explanation for your departure.

How should I start a resignation email?

Begin your resignation email with a clear and direct statement of your intent to resign. For example, “I am writing to formally resign from my position as [Your Job Title] at [Company Name], effective [Last Working Day].”

What information should be included in a resignation email?

Your resignation email should include:

• A clear statement of resignation.
• Your intended last working day.
• A brief explanation for your departure (optional).
• Gratitude for the opportunities provided (optional but recommended).
• A willingness to assist with the transition, if applicable.

How much notice should I give in my resignation email?

The standard notice period is typically two weeks, but this can vary depending on your company’s policy or your employment contract. Check your contract or company handbook for specific requirements.

What should I do after sending my resignation email?

Follow up with a conversation with your manager to discuss your resignation and transition plan. Ensure you complete any necessary paperwork and transition your responsibilities effectively.

Popular related posts:

• Best Resume Format for 2024 [Pros vs Cons]
• 20+ Best Microsoft Word Resume Templates for 2024
• Thank You Email After an Interview (+4 Examples)
• How to Write Powerful Resume Bullet Points (+ Examples)
• Elevate Your Interview: 7 Strategic Moves for Young Professionals

Get a Resume Expert Writing Help

No time to polish your resume, cover letter, thank-you letter, or LinkedIn? Our resume writing experts are ready to check your documents right now.

• No products in the cart.
• Resume Writing Service
• Free Resume Review
• Resume Templates
• Career Advice