1. Choose the Right Format
Selecting the right resume format is crucial for presenting your experience effectively. Here are your options:
Chronological
Lists experience in reverse chronological order.
Best for: Experienced professionals with consistent work history
Functional
Focuses on skills rather than work history.
Best for: Career changers, those with employment gaps
Combination
Blends skills and chronological formats.
Best for: Those with strong skills and some experience
2. Add Contact Information
Your contact information should be clear and professional at the top of your resume:
3. Write a Compelling Summary
Your professional summary should be 2-3 sentences highlighting your experience, key skills, and value proposition. This is often the first thing recruiters read.
Weak Summary
"Experienced software developer looking for new opportunities in a challenging environment where I can grow and contribute."
Strong Summary
"Results-driven software engineer with 5+ years of experience in full-stack development. Skilled in React, Node.js, and cloud technologies. Passionate about building scalable applications that solve real-world problems."
4. List Work Experience
For each position, include these elements with quantifiable achievements:
- Company name and location
- Job title
- Employment dates (month/year format)
- 4-5 bullet points using strong action verbs
- Quantifiable achievements with numbers where possible
Senior Software Engineer | Tech Company
2021 - Present
- Led development of new feature used by millions of users
- Improved application performance through optimization
- Mentored junior developers on the team
- Collaborated with product managers on requirements
5. Add Education
List your educational background in reverse chronological order:
- Degree and field of study
- University name and location
- Graduation year (or expected graduation)
- GPA (if 3.5 or higher)
- Relevant coursework (optional)
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University Name | 2020
Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Systems
6. Highlight Skills
Organize your skills into categories for easy scanning:
JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python, SQL, AWS
Leadership, Communication, Problem-Solving, Team Collaboration
English (Native), Spanish (Conversational)
7. Add Optional Sections
Include these sections if they strengthen your application:
AWS Certified Developer, Google Analytics
Personal or professional projects with links
Articles, research papers, books
Non-profit organizations, community involvement
Employee of the Month, Hackathon wins, Scholarships
Additional languages with proficiency levels
Resume Writing Tips for 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a resume be?
Most resumes should be 1-2 pages. Entry-level candidates should aim for 1 page, while experienced professionals may need 2 pages.
What should I include in a resume?
Essential sections include contact information, professional summary, work experience, education, and skills. Optional sections can include certifications, projects, languages, and volunteer work.
How do I make my resume ATS-friendly?
Use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri, avoid tables and graphics, include keywords from the job description, and save as PDF or DOCX.
Should I use a resume template?
Using a professionally designed template can help ensure proper formatting and organization. Choose a clean, simple template that's ATS-friendly.
How far back should my work history go?
Generally, include the last 10-15 years of experience. Older roles can be summarized or omitted unless they are highly relevant.
Should I include references on my resume?
No, references should be provided separately when requested. Use the space for more relevant information.
Free Resume Writing Checklist
Download our printable checklist to ensure your resume includes all essential elements.