In today’s competitive job market, having a well-written resume is not just an option—it’s a necessity. Whether you are a fresher looking for your first job, a professional aiming for a promotion, or someone switching careers, your resume acts as the first impression for recruiters. A strong resume can help you land an interview, while a poorly crafted one may prevent you from getting noticed.
How to Make a Resume
But how do you create a resume that truly stands out? This guide will take you through every detail of how to make a resume, step by step.
1. What is a Resume?
A resume is a professional document that summarizes your skills, experience, education, and achievements. It is usually one to two pages long and serves as a snapshot of your career. Recruiters use resumes to decide whether you are a suitable candidate for an interview.
A good resume should:
- Be clear, concise, and easy to read
- Highlight your most relevant achievements
- Use a professional format
- Be tailored for each job application
2. Resume vs. CV: What’s the Difference?
Many people confuse a resume with a CV (Curriculum Vitae), but they are different:
- Resume: A short (1–2 pages) summary of skills, experience, and education.
- CV: A longer (2–5+ pages) detailed record of academic background, research, publications, and achievements.
In most countries (like the USA and Canada), employers prefer resumes. In academic and research fields (like Europe and India), CVs are more common.
3. Types of Resumes
There are four main types of resumes. Choosing the right one depends on your background and the job role.
(a) Chronological Resume
- Lists work experience in reverse order (latest first).
- Best for candidates with consistent job history.
(b) Functional Resume
- Focuses on skills rather than work history.
- Useful for freshers, career changers, or people with employment gaps.
(c) Combination (Hybrid) Resume
- Mix of chronological and functional style.
- Highlights both skills and job experience.
(d) Targeted Resume
- Customized for a specific job.
- Focuses only on the experience and skills relevant to that role.
4. Resume Format & Structure
A professional resume typically follows this structure:
- Header (Contact Information)
- Full name
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- LinkedIn profile / Portfolio link
- Professional Summary / Objective
- A short 2–3 sentence statement about who you are and what you bring.
- Work Experience
- List jobs in reverse chronological order.
- Include: Job title, company name, duration, and key achievements.
- Education
- Degree, university, year of graduation.
- Add certifications or relevant courses.
- Skills
- List technical and soft skills relevant to the job.
- Additional Sections (Optional)
- Projects
- Internships
- Achievements & Awards
- Languages
- Hobbies (only if relevant)
5. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Resume
Step 1: Choose the Right Format
Select chronological, functional, or combination format depending on your career stage.
Step 2: Write a Strong Header
Your contact information should be clear and professional. Example:
John Smith
+1 123-456-7890 | john.smith@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith | Portfolio: johnsmithportfolio.com
Avoid using unprofessional email IDs like coolboy123@gmail.com.
Step 3: Write a Professional Summary / Objective
- For experienced professionals: Use a summary.
- For freshers: Use an objective.
Example (Professional Summary):
“Result-driven Digital Marketing Specialist with 5+ years of experience in SEO, content strategy, and PPC campaigns. Skilled in driving traffic growth and improving ROI. Seeking to leverage expertise at XYZ Company.”
Example (Fresher Objective):
“Motivated Computer Science graduate seeking an entry-level software engineering role to apply coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and passion for technology.”
Step 4: Add Work Experience
For each job, include:
- Job title
- Company name
- Duration (Month/Year – Month/Year)
- Key responsibilities and achievements
Use bullet points, not long paragraphs.
Use action verbs like developed, implemented, managed, designed, increased.
Example:
Marketing Executive | ABC Corp | Jan 2020 – Present
- Increased website traffic by 40% through SEO and content marketing.
- Managed $50,000 annual budget for ad campaigns.
- Designed and executed social media strategies, boosting engagement by 30%.
Step 5: Highlight Education
Include your degree, institution, and graduation year.
Example:
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
University of Toronto, Canada | Graduated: 2022
Step 6: Add Skills
List 6–10 skills relevant to the job.
Example:
- Technical: Python, SQL, Excel, Google Analytics, Project Management
- Soft Skills: Leadership, Communication, Problem-Solving, Teamwork
Step 7: Add Extra Sections (if needed)
- Projects: Mention significant academic or work-related projects.
- Certifications: Online courses (Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning).
- Awards: Scholarships, employee of the month, etc.
6. Resume Writing Tips
- Keep it short and focused (1–2 pages max).
- Customize for each job (use keywords from the job description).
- Use professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman.
- Use bullet points for clarity.
- Proofread for grammar and spelling errors.
- Avoid unnecessary personal details like religion, marital status (not required).
- Save in PDF format for sending via email.
7. Resume Optimization for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)
Many companies use ATS software to filter resumes before a recruiter even sees them. To pass through ATS:
- Use keywords from the job posting.
- Avoid graphics, tables, or fancy designs.
- Stick to standard fonts.
- Use clear section headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills.”
8. Resume Samples (Outlines)
Example Resume for a Fresher:
[Header – Contact Info]
Objective: Motivated engineering graduate seeking an entry-level software development role.
Education: B.Tech in Computer Science, Delhi University (2023).
Projects: Developed a mobile app for online learning (React Native).
Skills: Java, Python, HTML/CSS, Problem-Solving.
Internship: Web Developer Intern at XYZ Tech (3 months).
Example Resume for Experienced Professional:
[Header – Contact Info]
Professional Summary: 8+ years of experience in project management and team leadership. Proven record of delivering projects on time and under budget.
Work Experience:
- Project Manager, ABC Ltd (2019–Present)
- Managed $2M project portfolio with 95% on-time delivery.
- Led a cross-functional team of 15 employees.
- Assistant Project Manager, XYZ Pvt Ltd (2015–2019)
- Reduced project delays by 20% by implementing Agile methods.
Education: MBA, Harvard Business School (2014).
Skills: Project Management, Agile, MS Project, Communication.
- Reduced project delays by 20% by implementing Agile methods.
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using long paragraphs instead of bullet points.
- Including irrelevant information (like hobbies not related to the job).
- Spelling or grammar errors.
- Using the same resume for every job.
- Writing “Resume” or “CV” at the top (not needed).
Conclusion
Creating a resume may seem overwhelming, but if you follow the right structure and tips, it becomes simple. Remember, your resume is your personal marketing tool. It should highlight your strengths, match the job description, and convince the employer to call you for an interview.
By using the step-by-step guide above, you can confidently craft a resume that stands out in 2025 and beyond.
FAQs About Resume Writing
Q1: Should I add a photo to my resume?
- In most countries (USA, Canada, UK), photos are not recommended. But in Europe and Asia, photos are sometimes accepted.
Q2: How many pages should a resume be?
- For freshers: 1 page.
- For experienced professionals: 2 pages max.
Q3: Should I include references?
- Not necessary. You can simply mention: “References available upon request.”
Q4: Can I use free resume templates online?
- Yes, but make sure they are ATS-friendly and not overly designed.