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Job-winning simple resume templates

Embrace simplicity! Our simple resume templates blend ease and professionalism: perfect for the no-nonsense, efficient job seeker.

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Simple resume templates.

A clean and timeless presentation that stands out in almost any situation.

Simple or basic doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, sometimes a simple resume template is the best approach for a variety of positions. Our simple styles keep the focus on your accomplishments , experience , education , and everything in between to write your resume . After all, shouldn’t you be the star of the show?

Just because your resume template is simple doesn’t mean your resume has to be. In general, it’s best to leave off “obvious” or “expected” skills like MS Word or internet research. Same goes with unrelated, outdated or irrelevant experience.

Simple templates are versatile and work well across a variety of fields and job titles . In fact, some hiring managers prefer these stripped-down designs because it allows them to really evaluate the candidate’s qualifications. So check out this classic collection of templates and don’t be afraid to keep things simple!

When to pick a basic or simple resume template

Basic or Simple templates are best for situations where your experience needs to speak for itself. Candidates applying for positions in transport and logistics , maintenance and repair , retail or food service can all benefit from simple resume templates. A basic or simple template sends the message that you’re a clean and organized candidate who’s ready to get the job done.

While professions involving physical activity and labor can benefit from a simple layout, these templates are also great for students and those applying to entry-level positions. Before you go bold with loud colors and untraditional fonts, you may want to test the application pool waters with a simple template that keeps the focus on your experience.

To make the most out of your basic template, make sure to keep the writing clean and professional. Since you don’t have many pictures or colors to catch a recruiter’s eye, you’ll want to use strong action verbs that accurately capture your accomplishments. As always, proofreading your resume for grammar and spelling errors is a must.

Top 5 why choose a simple layout

• You are looking for a clean and streamlined resume
• You work in a technical or physical field
• You want to keep the focus on the content of your resume
• You are applying for an entry-level position
• You are a student or new to the workforce

What makes a simple resume/ CV template

A simple or basic resume template is defined by a clean and consistent look with strong lines separating categories and leading the eye through the template. Most of these templates use a grayscale color scheme to create a subdued feel where the focus is on the actual content of the resume. Compared with other types of free templates, simple resumes place more emphasis on the body of the resume instead of the top.

The importance of a visual elements in your resume is as important as its content. Effective job searches start with visually striking, technically functional and a content-optimized Resume

Top 10 parts of a simple resume template

• Limited color scheme
• Timeless, classic feel
• Smaller header and more focus on resume body
• All sections of roughly equal size
• No icons or text flourishes
• Strong lines to separate sections
• Less space for headshot or logo
• Traditional font styles
• Great balance of white space to text
• A lot of room to add many lines of experience

Free to download and use in Microsoft Word, as a PDF, or in Google Docs

The power of a simple resume template is that it allows you to focus on your unique qualities and get hired in the shortest amount of time possible. So don’t get hung up on the last step. Once you choose your perfect template, try out our easy-to-use builder tool to add your work experience, soft skills, hard skills and achievements. Our builder tool has already been tested by thousands of satisfied customers who have found their dream jobs hassle-free.

Finish your application strong by choosing the right file format to keep your resume consistent no matter how you send it. Within our builder tool, you can download your resume as a MS Word or Google Doc version completely free. You can also download your resume as a PDF. 

When you’re ready to submit your resume, you want to be sure that the format you created is the format the hiring manager sees. That’s why our templates give you the option to download your resume as a PDF or Word docx file without changing the formatting. A PDF guarantees your resume will look the same on any screen or device. However, docx files are requested by some online application systems and are useful if you need to adjust your resume offline. Our docx file downloads match the exact layout of the PDF, so whichever file type you choose you can rest assured that a perfectly formatted resume is in your hands.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to find the best resume templates, add your personal touches and land your dream position in a few easy clicks! Don't forget to add matching simple cover letters to your resume. Each CV template has a matching cover letter template you can use to send along with your resume. Benefit from having access to the best resume examples and an easy to use system that does the work for you!

Create a great resume from scratch with the assistance of our resume builder that walks you through the process.  With the help of our experts, Resume.io breaks down the right formula for writing your resume with our writing guides/writing tips. Our Resume.io mission is to help job seekers grow careers. We love helping people stand out in their job search and get hired faster. Feel free to check out our Youtube resume template video show you the way to your new job. 

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How to Write a Simple, Effective Resume (+20 Examples)

Updated: August 28, 2024

Published: October 04, 2023

A great resume can help get you noticed by prospective employers. But what makes a resume “great”? How do you catch recruiters’ attention, encourage them to read your resume, and ultimately call you for an interview?

Two words: Simple and effective.

In this piece, we’ll offer a step-by-step guide to writing a simple, effective resume . Then, we’ll showcase 20 examples of what this looks like in practice. Ready to level up your resume-writing technique? Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

How to Write a Simple Resume

20 simple resume examples.

While resume specifics vary depending on the type of job you’re looking for and the experience required, there are seven steps that apply in any circumstance to help your resume stand out.

1. Pick a format.

Before you start writing, pick a format that suits both your personal style and works for the position being offered.

For example, if you’re applying for a graphic design position, it may be worth including images on your resume that help highlight your skills.

If the job you’re after is a highly technical engineering role, meanwhile, you may want something more straightforward.

Regardless of the format you choose, the goal is simplicity. Don’t clutter the resume with extraneous information or conflicting colors. Instead, let your experience and interest speak for themselves.

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2. Start with your contact information.

No surprise here — prospective employers need to know how they can contact you. Despite the necessity of this contact data, however, it’s not uncommon to see it missed on resumes or left until the bottom of the page.

Best bet? Put your details — including name, phone number, and email address — at the top of the page as a header.

3. Include an overview.

Next is an overview of your professional profile . This may include details about your current position along with any titles or degrees you hold.

Depending on the role, you may also want to include links to digital portfolios or work you’ve published online.

4. List your education and experience.

Education and experience are up next.

This should be a simple list of your educational history, including any degrees or certificates you’ve earned and when you earned them, followed by a list of your previous work experience.

Bullet points work well here: Each bullet point represents a different job and includes details such as job title, responsibilities, and how long you were employed.

5. Speak to your skills.

Now it’s time to talk about your skills as they relate to the job being offered.

Wherever possible, use keywords from the job advertisement itself. This is because many companies now use automated resume analysis and tracking systems that may prioritize these keywords.

6. Highlight any relevant certifications.

Make sure to mention any relevant qualifications or certifications.

For example, if you’re applying with an IT security firm, you could highlight certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) qualification.

7. Add any relevant details.

Finally, add any other details that are relevant to the job, such as volunteer experience in a related field or any professional accolades for your work.

Simple, effective resumes offer the best chance of getting noticed, but there’s no one-size-fits-all template when it comes to design.

Here are 20 simple resume examples .

1. Modern Initials (Word)

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Resume templates to create a killer resume for your job application.

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Resume templates

Put your best qualities on display with professional, customizable resume and cv templates. no matter your line of work or length of professional history, you'll find resume and cv templates that'll help you get the gig..

Download free resume templates

Land your dream job with free, customizable resume templates. Showcase your potential to recruiters and stand out from other candidates with a professional template. Whether you're applying to corporate positions or creative roles, go with a sleek design or show your creativity with bold colors .

Resumes don't need to look boring—add flair to your professional experience with a creative resume template. There are plenty of resume designs to choose from, like simple resume templates and modern resume templates. Each resume template is fully customizable in Microsoft Word , so you can personalize each design element and add your own text. Using a template also makes it easier to customize your resume for each position you apply to.

Print out as many copies as you'd like or download the template for free to share digitally when applying online. These professional resume templates are perfect for any stage of life or career. Whether you're a high school student, actor, or seeking a career in nursing, you can find any format for any job type.

There are also a variety of free CV (Curriculum Vitae) templates to choose from. A CV is often longer than a resume and contains an in-depth look at your education and professional accomplishments. Like our resume templates, these CV templates are also customizable in Word.

Remember, your next job is only a template away! Once you've customized your resume, explore free cover letter templates to help you land the job.

• Simple Resume Templates

Use a foolproof, simple resume template that focuses on your skills and strengths. To begin, select a resume design, type over the text and replace it with your own.

A modernized Harvard template featuring a sleek design favored by recruiters and an optimized structure for enhanced ATS performance.

Double Column

A popular two-column resume template, free of charge, ideal for various roles, such as programming and marketing.

Single Column Refined

A traditional, simple resume template perfect for someone who's just starting out their professional career.

Single Column

The well-known single-column template with a traditional, yet time-tested layout. Perfect for conservative industries.

A resume template that neatly shows your experience and education in a timeline fashion. Great for experienced people with lots of experience.

The classic resume that everyone loves. Simple, yet effective layout that's perfect if your resume will go through an ATS.

In This Guide:

What is a simple resume, when to use a simple/basic resume, what sections to include in a simple/basic resume, tips for building a simple/basic resume, basic resume formatting tips, teacher simple resume, new grad simple resume, customer service representative simple resume, accountant simple resume, content writer simple resume, administrative assistant simple resume, legal assistant simple resume, pharmaceutical sales simple resume.

If you're looking for a timeless, evergreen template, the simple or basic resume is your top choice. Candidates can use this clean, minimalist format to curate what matters most to the job - their relevant experience.

One of the biggest benefits of using the basic template is that your resume becomes easy to scan.

What is more, simple resume formats are an ideal choice for candidates, regardless of their experience level.

This organized layout offers industry professionals an efficient and streamlined approach to:

• present their experience, especially for industries where your professional track record speaks for itself;
• highlight basic skills that are important for new to the workforce candidates (e.g. students, interns, etc.).

The simple resume template is a clear and concise way to format your resume .

The basic design aims to draw attention to your professional qualities and achievements. Thus presenting them in a systematic and easy-to-read fashion.

This minimalistic and orderly approach should help you stand out in a crowd of professionals who have invested in fancy design, instead of relevant content (in the form of their experience).

What characterizes the simple resume is the lack of clutter in intricate formatting.

This specific resume design excludes over-the-top elements; bright and energetic colors; and fancy, unreadable fonts.

By keeping the design simple, you'd cut to the chase to provide recruiters with a simple, yet very effective overview of your experience.

Speaking of your professional expertise, the basic resume template works perfectly well with all three best-practice formats.

Select the one that fits your experience best:

• reverse chronological - arranging your experience in a chronological manner, starting with your latest role;
• functional/ skill-based - shifting the focus from your experience to your strengths and unique skill set;
• hybrid - balancing both skills and expertise.

Usually, candidates opt to present their professional experience via a double-column, simple resume that includes their:

Dedicate some resume space to highlight the specifics of your experience - awards, strengths, and accomplishments.

This would also help you to make a more personable impression on the recruiters.

Use the simple resume template to:

• save time - creating and updating your resume within the blink of an eye;
• highlight your experience - your content and essential information take center stage;
• create an easy-to-read experience - thus following a structured, clean logic and presentation;
• leave a more professional impression.

Use the basic resume formatting to organize qualifications with a focus on your career.

The minimalist, simple resume presentation hints at a variety of soft skills you possess, e.g. organization and presentation.

The basic design offers endless opportunities for professionals across different industries and niches.

No matter the job you're applying for, your experience level, or the competition for the role - a simple resume could allow you to stand out .

What is more, this basic template is perfect for both:

• recruiters - as the format is easy to scan over;
• ATS (or Applicant Tracking System) - the software, used to assess candidate profiles, could easily match different sections of your resume to job criteria.

So, when should you use this easy resume template?

Use the simple resume format when your experience is self-explanatory and relevant to the role

You have all the relevant skills that just don't need a fancy presentation.

With basic resume formatting, you'd show recruiters that you have what it takes for the job.

Candidates within these two fields benefit the most from a simple resume template:

• labor-focused - e.g. construction; transportation and logistics; maintenance and repair; etc.
• traditional or technical roles - e.g. automotive and aviation; education; law; medicine; etc.

Use the simple resume format to show how your experience aligns with basic job requirements

Just about to kick off your career , you’re a student, intern, or entry-level professional.

With your application, you'd like to show that you cover the core requirements of the role.

Utilize the simple resume format to spotlight your professional work ethic and your unique skill set.

The basic resume template allows you more time to get creative and perfect your resume content.

Make sure your resume includes at least six of the below sections to curate the specifics of your experience.

Ensure that your simple resume header is clear, professional, and includes up-to-date information, like your:

Your headline is the perfect opportunity to communicate your current role and expertise.

E.g. "AI developer perfecting the code of ChatGPT"

Alternatively, you could keep your headline simple and include the exact job position you're applying for.

Career summary or objective

Let's build up your resume further with a minimalistic approach to your summary or objective statement .

Write a resume summary when applying for more traditional roles where experience and skills are key.

Use the resume summary as an overview of your key qualifications, qualities, and achievements - and how they'd match the job.

Meanwhile, the objective statement is one of the best choices out there for entry-level professionals.

Candidates can align their best skills to the job while offering a more long-term perspective of their career goals.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to keep it concise (up to three sentences) and to use active language .

Professional experience

​​When writing your resume experience section , always make sure that it's easy to read (and is clear for recruiters).

You can do so by aligning your work history to the job advert and selecting only the most relevant items.

The resume experience is basically your proof - it's what backs up your credentials, career goals, and success.

Using the basic resume template, list all relevant roles, followed by:

• company name
• location (city/ state or city/ country)
• start-end dates
• achievements.

Opt to organize your experience items based on how applicable it is to the job.

Also, instead of creating a never-ending list of responsibilities, curate items that detail your success backed up by hard / soft skills and outcomes.

Bullet points that correspond the most with the advert should be listed closer to the top.

One of the best ways to ensure that all relevant job keywords are part of your resume is via the skills section to showcase:

The education section is especially important for entry-level candidates, who may not have as much experience that ties them to the industry.

We suggest you use it as a coherent bridge: between the role you're applying for and your professional capacities.

List the most recent or advanced degree first, working in reverse chronological order, and include:

• name of the institution
• degree obtained (pursuing)
• location (city/ state)
• graduation dates.

A simple rule of thumb: always consider the relevancy of your education to the role.

Take for example the following scenario: you are applying for a job in operation management and logistics.

But, after high school, you decided it was not the best time to continue your education.

You should definitely leave your high school diploma out of your resume.

Instead, focus on all certificates you happen to have that pertain to the job.

Achievements / Awards

A clear basic resume template also curates your career highlights with either your achievements (strengths) or awards .

These two (or three) specific sections bring recruiters’ attention to:

• achievements/ strengths - the array of skills (you have grown over time) that make you a strong candidate;
• awards - unique accomplishments within your industry or field that help you stand out.

The first tip to achieving a timeless, classic feel of your simple resume is this - be consistent all through.

The basic template shifts the focus from design to the actual resume content. So, be mindful of even the smallest design elements you decide to include.

Furthermore, when building your next simple resume, consider these four aspects.

Simple Resume Design

The design needs to be clean and straightforward.

All sections need to be efficiently organized while avoiding cluttered layouts , many decorative elements (e.g. icons ), and excessive use of graphs.

Within your basic resume, include the five standard sections that allow hiring managers to determine whether you qualify for the job. Those include:

• Summary (or Objective)

Basic Resume Fonts

The end goal of your resume is for you to land the job - that's why you should prioritize legibility over creativity.

The simple template allows you to do just that.

Use classic, easy-to-read fonts (e.g. Bitter and Oswald), as they are more widely accepted for professional presentations.

The font size of your basic resume content should be between 10 - 12 points. You should use a bit larger font size for your name (14 - 16 pt); resume section headings, like Experience and Education, and headline (12 - 14 pt); and subheadings like job titles, company names, etc. (11 - 12 pt).

If you decide to spice up your simple resume with text in bold, italics, or underlined - do so to emphasize vital information.

Make sure that no matter the font you select, it does not take away the focus from your expertise.

Simple Resume Colors

Including colors on your resume that are too bright and contrasting may distract the recruiters. Thus, making your profile seem cluttered and unprofessional.

Simple resume templates avoid any over-the-top color combinations by sticking to a limited palette.

Most often, basic resume colors are neutral with:

• one primary color - this is usually in the grayscale, and
• one accent color - highlighting key information, like achievements.

If you decide to use different colors throughout your resume, do so sparingly and ensure that there is consistency all through your design.

Basic Resume Layout

The simple resume layout should be clean, easy to read, and polished.

How you order different resume sections is key to achieving a minimalistic and professional resume.

First off - stay clear of complex layouts.

As, when your resume is scanned by the ATS , a fancy layout could deceive the software. Hence, misaligning job requirements with, let's say, your education or hobbies section.

Next, select between a single- or double-column format to effectively utilize resume space. The single column can be an excellent choice if you happen to have less professional experience.

Your resume shouldn't be longer than two pages . In most cases, the one-page format is entirely sufficient. But, if you happen to have more than a decade of relevant experience , curate it via the two-page format.

Now that we've laid out the basics of the simple resume template design, let's dive deeper into the rabbit hole with four more key tips.

Find out more about the importance of white space, active language, simple fonts, and the right colors.

Use white space

Keep your resume easy to scan and orderly by avoiding large blocks of text.

By incorporating plenty of white space, you would:

• create a clean and uncluttered layout;
• draw attention to separate resume sections;
• structure the resume with clear boundaries;
• emphasize essential information.

The white space of your simple resume should be used to achieve an aesthetically pleasing, timeless, and professional design.

Focus on short and quantifiable sentences for your experience sentence

Have you heard of the KISS principle: keep it short and simple?

Apply KISS when listing the experience bullets within your resume.

Curate short sentences that include:

• action verbs - to better pace your resume;
• hard skills - competency using particular software;
• soft skills - to display personal skills;
• results of your efforts.

Whenever possible, use numbers to show the more tangible outcomes of your success.

Choose simple fonts

Clean and timeless fonts sustain your simple resume's readability and order.

Generally, hiring managers have high regard for these professional fonts:

• Times New Roman

A simple font could help you accent what makes your experience unique.

Use the right colors

An effective, simple resume format presents your qualifications using subtle and consistent colors .

Some popular color combinations for your basic resume template include a white background with

• navy blue, dark red velvet, or dark green text - to create a sense of sophistication;
• text in earth tones - adding a sustainable twist to your resume;
• black text combined with a pop of color - use a lively, energetic color (e.g. orange or pink) to highlight key elements;
• text in the monochromatic color scheme - different shades of the same color (e.g. red) to emphasize important resume sections.

When in doubt if colors would shift the focus away from your experience, stick with the grayscale palette.

The classic, timeless black text on a white background provides a clean and professional look.

Meanwhile, having gray text on a white background is a subtle and elegant design.

This simple, elegant one-column design provides hiring managers with the right amount of information to better understand the teacher's experience.

The top one-third of the resume includes all mandatory information:

• all relevant, professional contact details in the headline ;
• industry keywords and an array of soft skills listed in the summary .

The focus is then shifted to the teacher's experience . Each role offers an overview of the key skills and results achieved, e.g.:

• interdisciplinary collaboration - higher student engagement;
• data-driven interventions - improved student proficiency;
• personalized approach - increased performance.

If recruiters are looking for the unique value this professional offers, they need to look no further than strengths.

This resume section clearly pinpoints the areas in which the individual excels.

Other relevant sections are used to showcase the teacher's academic background ( education and language skills ).

Finally, hiring managers can discover even more relevant skills, listed at the bottom of the resume. They are included as keywords to ensure that all job requirements are covered.

This new grad resume shows what you could do if you don't have much professional experience .

The basic resume uses bright colors to accent key information (headline, roles) and design elements (icons).

After the resume musts (headline and summary), the candidate curates the following information to fill in the lack of experience:

• strengths - what is the unique value of working with this newly graduate person;
• internship - to highlight relevant industry know-how;
• education and languages - to showcase how the candidate has grown professionally in the last few years.

The skills section is built on technical ones that are relevant to the industry.

Achievements are added for a more personalized element to the application.

A single-column, grayscale colors, not a single graphic in sight. The basic candidate resume's main superstar is the professional narrative or experience.

Within the example, we find industry buzzwords within the headline, followed by the candidate's life philosophy. This approach is to help the customer service representative show more personality.

The resume summary offers a quick snapshot of experience, achievements, and skills.

If you want to further highlight your skill set, the strengths section could be subsequent. The candidate uses it to spotlight industry skills (e.g. communication, problem-solving, and organization).

Note how each experience bullet is formatted with active language to demonstrate success.

Languages and soft skills play a vital role in the customer service world. They should thus have a prominent role in your simple resume.

Achievements (e.g. promotions, awards, and higher education degrees) feature more noteworthy information to support the candidate's application.

This accountant resume is another excellent example of the basic resume template design. The candidate has listed all information with colors in the grayscale, while section names stand out in blue.

The top one-third of the resume may be short but offers insights on candidate certifications , skills, niche areas of expertise, and success.

The quote is a bit more outside-the-box approach, giving a bit more character to the candidate's resume.

This simple resume is split into two columns , curating specific information to answer why employers should hire this candidate.

Within the left-hand column, they'd find listed:

• experience - short bullets that demonstrate achievements;
• education - all relevant higher education degrees;
• language proficiencies - to show a breadth of communication skills;
• awards - as proof of work success.

The simple resume right-hand column lists:

• strengths - focusing on key soft skills that boost the candidate's performance;
• skills - both hard and soft skills to match the job requirements;
• achievements - tangible results, proven with numbers.

Who says you have to go all out with your resume design if you're applying for a role within a creative field?

The design of this basic content writer resume features:

• headline, icons , companies, and institutions highlighted in electric blue;
• key resume sections organized in a double-column format;
• plenty of white space to ensure the resume's readability .

Notice how the strengths, skills, and achievements sections are curated. In the left-hand column, you'll discover a snapshot of the candidate profile with tangible outcomes and industry keywords.

Moving on to the experience bullets - the resume uses a "skill + results" formula to create a further sense of credibility. If the candidate lists “wrote 300 articles” - this won't provide context to anyone assessing the resume.

Finally, the two awards listed in the resume celebrate the candidate's success within the industry.

The basic resume colors are in a monochromatic scheme with:

• dark purple highlighting key information (name, skills, past roles);
• lighter purple is used for secondary elements (headline, quote, company names, institutions, icons).

After assessing the initial information, at the top of the resume, recruiters' attention is immediately drawn to the strengths and experience sections.

Both are formatted to feature skills and perceptible achievements - vital for organizational success and/or professional growth.

This double-column simple resume goes on to spotlight other relevant sections like

The candidate's achievements are once more backed up with tangible results.

The simple resume ultimately reveals the unique value of working with this candidate and her professional interests.

There's nothing better than a quick summary that gets to the point in two sentences. The simple resume allows recruiters to have a quick overview and understand if the candidate's profile aligns with the job requirements.

What is more, the legal assistant builds up her case by investing in different resume sections like:

• strengths - hinting at success within a particular skill;
• experience - proving niche, industry knowledge into how a legal firm works;
• skills - including other job requirements as listed in the advert;
• languages - showing an ability to communicate internationally.

The resume achievements section can be a nice feature of how you go above and beyond in your day-to-day work.

Finally, let's talk about the design. Its key elements include legibility, one-column formatting, and vital elements (skills and company names) in pink. This minimalistic approach helps the candidate stand out .

This simple pharmaceutical sales expert resume has a clean and orderly approach to presenting the candidate profile.

It kicks off with the headline, summary, and life philosophy - which align industry buzzwords with the candidate's mindset.

What is more, the double-column resume offers recruiters insights into the candidates':

• specific skill set - most prominent in the experience and strengths sections;
• academic background - listing relevant higher education degrees and languages;
• career highlights - achievements and awards spotlight the candidate's soft skills and professional bests.

The basic resume format achieves the perfect balance in the design, with ample white space to highlight key career moments.

The resume helps specific information stand out in an ocean blue color while sticking with the timeless black-and-white combination for the rest of the text.

Frequently asked questions about simple resume templates

How do i make a simple and attractive resume, how do i format a basic resume template, how to download a free simple resume template.

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Basic Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

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How To Write a Basic Resume

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Basic Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Jennifer Smith 123 Bay Street, Orlando, FL 32789 [email protected] 123-456-7890

Resume Objective

Food service manager with 15 years of experience seeking ,a position in ,a high-volume fast food restaurant. Qualifications include strong leadership skills, the ability to thrive in hectic environments and Foodservice Management Professional certification.

Professional Experience

Assistant Manager, Burger World, Orlando, FL – January 2010 – present

• Count drawers, verify safe contents, create deposits and make bank runs
• Create a weekly schedule based on hourly sales and employee availability
• Prepare burgers, fries, nuggets and onion rings using restaurant equipment
• Implement and monitor safety guidelines to promote employee safety
• Transform frustrated customers into satisfied guests by following company recommendations

Shift Manager, Yummy Nuggets and Fries, Orlando, FL – January 2005 – January 2010

• Counted drawers and assembled deposits for the night manager
• Achieved daily labor and production goals by helping the restaurant cut expenses as needed
• Provided top-notch customer service while taking orders and handling customer complaints
• Launched an employee appreciation program which included weekly and monthly incentives for top crew members
• Calm Under Pressure
• Strong Leadership Qualities
• Excellent Customer Service
• Certified Restaurant Manager

Certifications

• Foodservice Management Professional Certification from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
• ServSafe Certification

William Jones 9898 West Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034 [email protected] 1999-555-1234

Certified medical assistant seeking a position in a pediatric office where I can utilize my clinical and front desk training. My strong written and verbal skills promote effective communication between patients and coworkers, and I am compassionate and dependable.

Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting Rockwood College of Health and Wellness, Redwood City, CA – September 2016 – June 2018

Volunteer, Wildwood Home for Young Mothers, Location –  December 2017 – present

• Provided care for infants and toddlers while their mothers attended school
• Created meals for 20 to 25 household members with donated goods
• Hosted health and nutrition classes for pregnant and parenting teens on a weekly basis
• Provided one-on-one mentoring sessions for young mothers
• Hosted kid-friendly game nights on a monthly basis

Volunteer Patient Care Representative, Wildwood Hospital, Location – October 2016 – March 2017

• Organized files and other documents for front desk staff
• Provided companionship for young patients, including babies, toddlers and school-aged children
• Helped kids decorate their hospital rooms to make long-term stays more comfortable
• Delivered letters and packages to patients
• Compassionate
• Clinical and Front Desk Training
• Medical Assistant Certification
• Medical Assisting Degree
• Experience Volunteering with Babies , Toddlers and School-Aged Children
• Certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants
• CPR and First Responder Training

Sarah V. Johnson 555-123-45671 [email protected] 1987 Center Street Richmond, VA 23173

Event manager with 12 years of experience seeking a mobile marketing manager position with Perfect Promos for You. Qualifications include a BA in Marketing Management, field experience promoting well-known brands such as Cool Cola and Crunchariffic Cereal, a CDL license and an outgoing personality.

Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Management Florida State College, Miami, FL – September 2003 – June 2007

Promotional Marketing Manager On-the-Go Promos | March 2015 – present

• Distributed samples of food and beverages at events across the nation
• Promoted brands using marketing campaigns tailored toward target demographics
• Drove and maintained a box truck
• Assembled and removed displays quickly for events
• Ordered and monitored inventory for promotional goods required for successful marketing campaigns

Brand Ambassador Mobile Marketing Masters | August 2007 – March 2015

• Promoted products and brands at nationwide events, including baseball games, football games and concerts
• Distributed product samples to adults approximately 18 to 45 years old
• Collected email addresses, phone numbers and addresses from consumers
• Maintained the correct traits and attire required to honor each brand’s identity during in-field marketing promotions
• Field experience managing marketing promotions
• BA in Marketing Management
• CDL licensing
• Physically able to assemble and remove product displays
• Comfortable promoting products at crowded events
• Outgoing personality
• COL license
• Official Brand Ambassador (OBA)
• Certification from Marketing Managers USA

Gather your experience, skills, and education information to create a basic resume. Make a list of your recent jobs and what you did at each. Think about the value you brought to those organizations, and brainstorm a list of skills you have relevant to the job you want.

Then, use a resume template to present all that information professionally. In this guide, you’ll learn more about compiling your work history and other facts to catch a hiring manager’s attention.

1. Summarize your basic qualifications in a dynamic profile

The start of a strong resume is a professional profile that introduces you and shows why you’re the best candidate for the position. You can include details such as your years of experience or most impressive skills.

The professional summary is usually a few sentences long and should contain keywords from the employer’s job posting when possible.

Profile Example 1

Profile example 2, 2. add your basic experience with compelling examples.

Consider your value to past employers and how you can describe those results in your work history section. Use the format “action verb + accomplishment + metric” if possible.

For example, if you worked as a retail sales associate in a clothing store, you might write, “Participated in seasonal sales competition and placed third or higher every year.” Or, if you were an administrative assistant, you might say, “Implemented scheduling app to reduce double bookings and increase customer satisfaction by 20%.”

Professional Experience Example 1

Professional experience example 2, 3. list any education and certifications relevant to basic experience.

In nearly all cases, give basic details on your education . If you’re applying for jobs that don’t require a college degree, employers may still want to see that you’ve graduated high school or have some trade school experience.

Brainstorm and add any certifications or training you have related to your field. For example, if you’re applying as a barista, a Coffee Diploma from the Specialty Coffee Association illustrates your knowledge and experience and may help you stand out from other applicants.

• [Degree Name]
• [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Graphic Design
• Temple University, Philadelphia, PA – June 2016
• [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
• UX Design Professional Certificate, Coursera, 2018

4. List your basic experience-related skills and proficiencies

Employers often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to find the most relevant resumes for a position, and those programs look for certain skills and phrases.

For example, if you’re applying for a bank teller position, you might want to include that you have accounting and customer service skills.

Some common skills that apply to numerous industries and positions are listed below to provide some inspiration.

How To Pick the Best Basic Resume Template

To quickly format a professional resume, start with a template. Choose one without many design elements, as simple templates are easiest to work with. They also tend to translate into various digital application processes better.

Consider your comfort level with software programs when you select a template. If you’re used to working in Microsoft Word, for example, choose a template for that program instead of one designed for Google Docs.

Templates that let you create resumes in word processing programs make it possible to use spell checkers and other editing tools to ensure your resume is free of problematic typos.

Frequently Asked Questions: Basic Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for basic resumes -.

Action verbs make your resume more engaging and easier to read. Start sentences with these compelling verbs to pull in the reader, and vary them in the bulleted lists of your professional experience section to create additional interest.

The right action verbs also position you as a confident candidate who gets work done. For instance, writing “organized Google Docs processes to support 10% increase in efficiency” is stronger than simply listing “Google Docs management” as a responsibility. 

If you’re not sure what types of action verbs to include in your resume, consider pulling from the list below.

How do you align your resume with a job posting? -

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fastest-growing occupations from 2022 through 2032 include wind turbine service technicians, nurse practitioners, data scientists, statisticians, and information security analysts. Whether you’re applying to one of these positions or any other type of job, you can increase your chances of success in even the most competitive markets by including the right keywords and skills on your resume.

Read the job posting for your desired position, paying close attention to the wants and needs of the employer. Use those terms in your resume when they overlap with your experience.

What is the best basic resume format? -

In general, the best format to choose for any resume is a combination format. It puts emphasis on both work history and skills, making it easier to pass through ATS.

Easy-to-scan skills help hiring managers understand whether you’re a qualified candidate, and a professional work section in reverse chronological order helps you tell a compelling story about your experience. Choose a format that provides room for other critical details, such as your education.

Dress your resume to impress with a professional cover letter. This accompanies your resume and explains why you’re a good fit for the position in more detail than bullets in a resume allow. You can start with our administrative assistant cover letter examples to understand what they look like before you create your own.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Check Out Related Examples

Barista Resume Examples and Templates

Combination Resume Examples and Templates

Modern Resume Examples and Templates

Build a Resume to Enhance Your Career

• How Many Jobs Should You List on a Resume? Learn More
• How To Build a Resume Learn More
• How To List a Degree on a Resume Learn More

Essential Guides for Your Job Search

• How to Write a Resume Learn More
• How to Write a Cover Letter Learn More
• Thank You Note Examples Learn More
• Resignation Letter Examples Learn More

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Blog Graphic Design 15+ Simple Resume Examples for Job Search Success 

15+ Simple Resume Examples for Job Search Success 

Written by: Krystle Wong Aug 30, 2023

Imagine you’re a recruiter scrolling through mountains of resumes every day, and you’re looking for that one resume that grabs your attention from the get-go. This is where creating a simple resume comes into play. 

In a world where attention spans are shorter than ever, the need for a resume that grabs your eye in seconds is real. To help you create a resume that stands out in a world full of information overload, I’ve curated a list of simple resume templates across different industries that not only catches the eye but also gets you that foot in the door. 

Remember, it’s not just about what you say on your resume — it’s also about how you say it. So, if you’re ready to discover how to stand out with the power of a simple resume, I’m about to uncover why less can truly be more when it comes to wowing the decision-makers in the hiring process.

Click to jump ahead:

What is a simple resume? 

15+ simple yet impactful resumes that stand out, what should you include in a simple resume, 9 formatting tips for creating a simple resume, 8 common mistakes to avoid in a simple resume, simple resume faqs, create a simple yet impactful resume with venngage.

A simple resume is a streamlined and concise document that presents your qualifications, work experience, education and skills in a clear and straightforward manner. It’s designed to quickly provide hiring managers with a snapshot of your professional background and suitability for a job. 

When designing a simple resume, avoid excessive embellishments, intricate designs or lengthy descriptions, focusing instead on presenting key information in an easy-to-read format.

A simple resume is particularly effective when applying for roles that prioritize clear communication and straightforward qualifications. It allows recruiters to quickly assess whether your experience aligns with the job requirements and decide if you’re a suitable candidate for further consideration.

Designing a resume that speaks the language of a specific industry can significantly enhance your chances of standing out. Let’s explore how to create effective resumes for different sectors while incorporating design elements that resonate with the below fields:

Simple resumes for freshers

Simple resumes for software engineers, simple resumes for high school students, simple resumes for teachers, simple resumes for customer service, simple resumes for marketers, simple resumes for professionals.

If you’re a college student on the hunt for your first job, a clean and modern college resume template that spotlights your educational achievements, relevant coursework, internships and any volunteer experiences is crucial. 

Opt for a CV design that exudes professionalism and enthusiasm, utilizing subtle colors and an easily readable resume font . This approach underscores your potential and readiness to contribute to the industry.

Customize these free simple resume templates to get started: 

When it comes to the tech realm, showcasing your coding languages, technical expertise and significant projects takes center stage. Choose a tech resume template with a modern and tech-oriented aesthetic, aligning with the field’s dynamics. Take a look at this basic resume template for software engineers:

Design-wise, consider integrating minimalistic icons or graphics that symbolize programming elements. Stick to a monochromatic color scheme with subtle variations. This adds a modern touch while keeping the focus on your expertise.

For high school students embarking on their career journey, emphasizing academic achievements, extracurricular activities and part-time jobs is essential as a beginner in the workforce. Additionally, pursuing awards for high school students can further enhance their resume as they begin their careers.

Use a simple high school resume template with clearly defined sections and employ bullet points to convey responsibilities and accomplishments succinctly. Inject vibrant colors and playful icons in your curriculum vitae that represent your interests to add a touch of personal flair and maintain a clear hierarchy with a clean font.

While you want to add creative flair, avoid overloading your resume with complex graphics. Browse our selection of resume selections and pick a creative resume template to infuse your application with a touch of uniqueness while maintaining a clean and professional appearance.

Get started by customizing a simple resume sample below:

In the realm of education, highlighting your teaching qualifications, classroom experiences and innovative approaches is key. 

Select a teacher resume template that reflects professionalism and organization, mirroring the expectations of the field. When it comes to design, integrating subtle elements like a discreet border or a muted color palette imparts a sense of structure and expertise.

For those focusing on customer service roles , spotlighting your communication skills, conflict resolution abilities, and past customer service experiences can help ace your interview. 

Opt for a template that resonates with a customer-centric approach, projecting your commitment to exceptional service. Consider integrating design elements that suggest interaction, such as speech bubbles or icons. 

No idea where to start? I’ve got you covered with these basic resumes that are simple yet impactful:

In the dynamic world of marketing, your resume should reflect your creativity and innovative approach. Pick a template that exudes vibrancy, showcasing your marketing skills, successful campaigns and quantifiable achievements. 

For marketers, tangible numbers and metrics lend credibility to claims of success, allowing them to present themselves as data-driven professionals who deliver tangible results. Consider using simple infographics such as bar charts in your resume to visualize growth and progress, making it easy to compare your accomplishments.

To enhance the design, consider incorporating subtle graphical elements like icons or arrows, indicating strategies or progress. Select a color palette that aligns with your brand aesthetics while ensuring readability, creating a harmonious balance between flair and professionalism.

Venngage makes designing your resume a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and gallery of data visualization tools . Pick from a diverse range of charts, graphs and icons to ensure that the design remains clear, simple and consistent with your resume’s overall aesthetic.

For professionals, your corporate resume design should exude a sense of expertise and maturity. Choose a template that radiates professionalism, allowing your skills, certifications and leadership roles to take center stage. 

Maintain a clean and organized layout, utilizing consistent spacing and fonts to ensure ease of reading. Consider incorporating subtle design elements like headers or lines to separate sections, contributing to a streamlined appearance that captures your experience and qualifications succinctly.

Here are some basic resume examples you can refer to for your professional resume:

Regardless of your industry, always remember that the design of your resume should align with the nature of the role and your personal style. The goal is to present your qualifications and experiences in a visually appealing and easy-to-digest manner, ensuring that your resume stands out while maintaining a clean and simple aesthetic.

In a world where attention spans are short and first impressions are crucial, the art of creating a simple yet impactful resume has never been more important. So, what should you include in this succinct document that can leave a lasting impression? Let’s break down the essentials: 

Contact information

Your resume’s header should prominently feature your contact information, allowing employers to reach out easily. Include your full name, a professional email address, a phone number and optionally, your physical address. 

Professional experience

Detail your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Each entry should include your job titles, the company’s name and the dates of your employment (including the month and year).

In concise bullet points, outline your key responsibilities and notable achievements. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible to showcase the impact you made in each role.

Provide comprehensive information about your educational background. Include the degrees you’ve earned (e.g., Bachelor of Science), your major and minor (if applicable), the institution’s name and your graduation date or anticipated graduation date. 

If you received any honors, awards or completed relevant coursework, consider including these details to showcase your academic achievements.

Highlight your pertinent job skills in a dedicated section. This might encompass technical proficiencies, language abilities, software expertise and any relevant certifications you hold. Tailor your skills to match the requirements of the job you’re applying for with a simple functional resume.

Achievements or awards (optional)

If you have notable accomplishments or have been recognized for your contributions, you can showcase them in this section. Highlighting achievements underscores your commitment and capabilities to potential employers.

Projects (optional)

If the role you’re applying for aligns with specific projects you’ve worked on, consider including a section outlining these projects. Describe your role, responsibilities and outcomes, illustrating how these experiences are relevant to the position.

Professional references (optional)

While you don’t need to provide contact details for references on your resume, you can mention that references are available upon request. This signals your willingness to provide additional information if requested.

Crafting your simple resume with these sections in mind ensures that you present a comprehensive and relevant overview of your qualifications to potential employers. Each section serves a purpose in showcasing your skills, experiences and achievements in a concise and impactful manner.

When creating a simple resume, the basic resume format plays a crucial role in presenting your information clearly and professionally. Here are nine formatting tips to help you craft an effective and visually appealing resume:

1. Use a clean and professional font

Opt for fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. These resume fonts are widely recognized, easy to read and convey a professional tone.

2. Stick to a consistent formatting style

Maintain consistency in your formatting style throughout your resume. This includes headings, subheadings, font sizes, and text alignment.

3. Use bullet points for scannability

Use bullet points to list your responsibilities, achievements and skills. Bullet points break up text, making it more scannable and allowing recruiters to quickly identify key information.

4. Avoid excessive use of bold or italics

While it’s acceptable to use bold or italics to emphasize certain points, avoid overusing these formatting options. Too much emphasis can create visual clutter and detract from the content.

5. Keep the resume to one page if possible

Aim to condense your content to fit on a single page. However, if you have extensive experience that’s relevant to the job, it’s acceptable to extend to a second page.

6. Utilize white space

Incorporate ample white space around your text and between different sections. White space enhances the overall visual appeal and makes your resume easier to navigate.

7. Include hyperlinks (if applicable):

If you’re submitting a digital resume or sharing it online, consider including hyperlinks to your professional social media profiles, personal website or portfolio . Ensure that the links are relevant to your job application.

8. Save as a PDF

Save your resume as a PDF file — this ensures that your formatting remains consistent regardless of the device or software used to open it.

9. Tailor your resume

Customize your resume for each job application by highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences. Tailoring your resume demonstrates your suitability for the specific position.

Remember, a well-formatted resume enhances readability and leaves a positive impression on recruiters and hiring managers. Lucky for you, Venngage makes customizing your resume design a five-finger exercise. All you have to do is to pick your desired template, customize it and you’re ready to start applying for your dream job. 

Creating a simple yet impactful resume requires careful attention to detail. Steering clear of common pitfalls can make a significant difference in how your qualifications are perceived by potential employers. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

1. Overloading with information

While aiming for simplicity, resist the urge to cram excessive information onto your resume. Stick to the most relevant and recent details to ensure that your resume remains easily readable.

2. Omitting key keywords

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description to increase the chances of your resume passing through the initial screening. However, ensure that the incorporation feels natural and not forced.

3. Neglecting customization

Avoid the temptation of using a generic resume for all applications. Tailor your resume to each job by highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific role.

4. Lack of quantifiable achievements

Elevate your accomplishments by including quantifiable results. Numbers and metrics provide tangible evidence of your contributions, making your resume more compelling.

5. Using unprofessional email addresses

Use a professional email address for contact purposes. Avoid using email addresses that are too informal or might give the wrong impression to potential employers.

For example, you can create a visually engaging infographic using icons or symbols. Each icon can represent an achievement, and you can vary the size or color to represent the magnitude of the accomplishment. 

Don’t worry about having to search the web for royalty-free icons to add in your resume — Venngage allows you to look like a designer without being one with polished illustrations and multi-purpose free icons to elevate your business designs. Browse our gallery of customizable infographic resume templates that can effectively demonstrate how your skills and experiences intersect.

6. Spelling and grammar errors

Proofread your resume meticulously to catch any spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes. These errors can undermine your professionalism and attention to detail.

7. Inconsistent formatting

Consistency in formatting is crucial. Maintain uniform fonts, bullet styles, alignments, and overall layout throughout your resume to ensure a polished and cohesive look.

8. Personal pronouns

Keep your resume concise and objective by avoiding the use of personal pronouns such as “I,” “me,” or “my.” Instead, use a direct and impersonal tone to convey your qualifications.

Steering clear of these mistakes can help your simple resume effectively showcase your qualifications, professionalism, and attention to detail. By presenting your information thoughtfully and professionally, you increase your chances of making a positive impression on potential employers.

Are there industries where a simple resume is more appropriate?

Yes, industries that value clarity and quick information absorption, like tech and healthcare, often find simple resumes more suitable.

Can I customize a simple resume for different jobs?

Absolutely, customizing a simple resume by highlighting relevant skills and experiences for each job increases your chances of being noticed. You can always use resume builders or pre-made templates to customize your resume with ease.

Is it possible to add a personal touch to a simple resume?

You can add a personal touch through the content you choose to emphasize and the way you present your achievements in a simple resume. Additionally, consider including a concise “Profile” or “Summary” section that succinctly reflects your career aspirations and values, injecting a touch of personality into your professional presentation.

How do I tailor a simple resume for a specific job?

To tailor a simple resume, focus on skills and experiences directly relevant to the job, adjusting keywords and highlighting accomplishments aligned with the role. Incorporate relevant volunteer work, passion projects or unique accomplishments that demonstrate your character and dedication. 

Can I customize a simple resume example to match my skills?

Yes, you can customize a simple resume example to showcase your skills and experiences effectively, ensuring it aligns with the job you’re targeting.

To customize a simple resume example to align with your skills, tailor your bullet points to showcase how your skills were applied to solve specific challenges or achieve results in previous roles. 

How do I make my simple resume stand out?

Make your simple resume stand out by showcasing quantifiable achievements, using keywords from the job description and maintaining a clean, organized format.

Are simple resumes suitable for all industries?

Simple resumes are generally suitable for most industries, but certain creative or highly specialized fields might prefer more elaborate formats.

What’s the difference between a simple resume v.s a traditional resume

A simple resume prioritizes clarity, key achievements and relevant skills, while a traditional resume might include more detailed job descriptions and potentially a career objective or summary.

What is the best simple resume format?

The best simple resume format is typically the chronological or combination (hybrid) format. The chronological resume lists work experience in reverse order, while the combination format combines skills and experience. Choose the format that effectively presents your qualifications and aligns with your career goals.

Should I include a cover letter with a simple resume?

While not mandatory, including a tailored cover letter with a simple resume can provide additional context and showcase your enthusiasm for the position.

Now that you have your resume ready, what about going the extra mile to put your best face forward with impressive cover letters? Design one in just minutes with Venngage’s cover letter maker today!

Whether you’re a fresh graduate, an experienced professional, or transitioning between industries, the art of simplicity in resume design can help you stand out in a crowded job market. The goal of a simple resume is not only to present information but to make a memorable impression that lingers in the minds of recruiters and employers.

While it sounds like a lot of effort, designing a resume can be real simple. If you’re looking to create a simple yet impactful resume, Venngage’s resume builder can be your secret weapon. Follow these five steps to craft a standout resume:

Step 1: Choose a template

Begin by selecting a clean and professional resume template from Venngage’s template library. Opt for a template that aligns with the level of simplicity you’re aiming for.

Step 2: Enter your information

Replace the placeholder text in the template with your own information. Include your contact details, professional summary or objective, work experience, education, skills, and any additional sections you want to highlight (projects, awards, etc.).

Step 3: Customize the design

Adjust the colors, fonts and layout to match your personal style while maintaining a clean and professional appearance. Don’t worry if you’re no designer — Venngage’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to rearrange sections and elements.

Step 4: Highlight achievements

Use visual elements like icons, charts or progress bars to showcase your achievements and skills. Be sure to incorporate quantifiable results to make your accomplishments stand out.

Step 5: Save and share

Once you’re satisfied with your resume, save it as a PDF or image file. Venngage allows you to download your design in various formats by subscribing to a Premium or business account. Alternatively, if you’re applying digitally, share your resume online for free with a shareable link. 

As you embark on your job search journey, remember that your resume serves as your first impression to potential employers. 

By drawing inspiration from these easy resume examples and tailoring them to your unique skills and experiences, you’re equipped to create a resume that not only captures attention but also resonates with the essence of who you are as a professional. 

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Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Resume (With Examples!)

Your resume is arguably the most valuable piece of paper for your career. But this document can be daunting for many. Maybe you’re not sure how to fit in all your information onto one page. Maybe you’re not sure about the right way to format and write your resume. Maybe you don’t even know what the heck a resume is!

Whatever your concern, we’ll break down everything you need to know about making the perfect resume, from scratch.

What Is a Resume?

What are employers looking for in a resume.

• Pick Your Format
• Start With Your Basic Information
• Add in Your Work Experience
• Consider Including Volunteer Work or Other Experience
• Don’t Forget Your Education
• Top It Off With Some Skills and Interests
• Write a Resume Summary Statement (if Relevant)
• Tailor It to the Job (and the ATS)
• Edit and Refine It

What Are Some Examples of a Good Resume?

A resume is a summary of your career, whether yours is just getting started or has been going on for years. Coming in at around one page in length (two only under specific circumstances), it showcases the jobs you’ve held and currently hold, the responsibilities you’ve taken on, the skills you’ve developed, and the qualities you bring to the table as an employee. Together, those things make it super easy for any hiring manager to see your qualifications and fit for a role.

For all the work you may put into writing one, hiring managers actually spend very little time—mere seconds in many cases—looking at your resume. But despite this sad fact, it’s safe to say that creating a great resume (rather than hastily throwing one together) still matters.

“If you miss the mark, your resume may never be read. Even worse, you might be removed from the applicant pool by a computer before a human even knows you exist,” says Muse career coach Heather Yurovsky , founder of Shatter & Shine. So you want to get it right because, as she explains, isn’t the goal to “spend less time looking for a job and more time in a role you love?”

You might be wondering if you can lean on your LinkedIn profile instead of writing a resume. The answer, sadly, is no. Most hiring managers still expect you to submit a resume, even if they also look at your LinkedIn. Even if you don’t need a resume for a job you’re applying for now, you’re going to need one at some point in your career—they’re not anywhere close to going out of style. So it’s best to always have one at the ready should an opportunity pop up.

And although LinkedIn has plenty of benefits, a resume has one clear advantage: While your LinkedIn is usually a broader picture of your career trajectory, your resume gives you the opportunity to tailor your career story to a specific role or company (more on that later).

Oh, and you’ve probably heard of something called a CV? It’s slightly different from a resume , and usually more common with academics and job seekers outside the U.S.

Hiring managers look for three things on your resume, “What did you do? Why did you do it? And what was the result?” says Muse career coach Martin McGovern , owner of Career Therapy. “If you can answer all three of these questions in...your resume bullet points, you’re going to be on the right track.”

Clear, easy-to-understand language is key. “The truth is that most resumes make no sense. They are stuffed with jargon, they are too technical, and they are filled with redundancies. Try to read a resume that isn’t yours and you will quickly realize that it feels like an alien wrote it,” McGovern adds. Put yourself in the shoes of a recruiter who has no idea how your role works—how can you make your resume accessible to them?

The hiring manager also cares about more than just you and you alone—they care about you in relation to them. “Hiring managers want to see if a candidate matches the requirements” of the role they’re hiring for, Yurovsky explains. “Your resume should paint this picture so the hiring manager not only knows what day-to-day responsibilities you can handle, but why you, above other[s], bring value to their organization.”

How Do You Write a Resume?

Whether you’re someone who’s never written a resume in your life, or you need a nice, thorough refresher on the process of creating one, follow these steps to go from a blank page to a complete—and dare I say beautiful—document.

Related: This Free Worksheet Makes It Easy to Create (or Update) Your Resume

1. Pick Your Format

Before you start typing one single thing, you have to decide what you want the overall resume to look like.

Resume builders can be helpful for this step—they’ll take all your basic information and organize it for you, eliminating some of the legwork. You can also use a pre-made outline, such as one of these free Google Docs templates .

But it’s often safest to start with a clean slate all on your own and eventually upgrade to a more advanced layout. (If you'd still like a place to write all the relevant information before you get started, check out our resume outline .) This allows you to course correct, edit and re-edit, and choose a resume format that best fits your particular situation (after all, not everyone has a career trajectory that’s easy to compartmentalize).

In general, you’re most likely to cover and/or include sections on the following:

• Your work experience
• Your non-work experience, including professional organizations, community involvement, or side projects
• Your education and certifications
• Your skills (specifically hard skills) and interests

So how do you format and organize all of that information?

By far the most common (and safest, if you’re not sure which route to take) option is reverse chronological order . This means you organize your experiences from most recent to least recent. So your work experiences would go above your education, and your current role would go above previous roles you’ve held. This of course has its exceptions—maybe you went back to grad school between jobs, or your most recent role is irrelevant to the job you’re applying for. So the whole page may not be exactly in reverse chronological order depending on your situation. It’s just a guideline.

There’s also something called a functional or skills-based resume . This is used pretty rarely, mainly with career changers and those with limited or complicated work histories. It gets its name because it’s primarily about listing your skills rather than experiences, and showcases them above your work history and education.

You can also opt for a combination resume , which is a mix between a reverse chronological resume and skills-based resume. It highlights your skills at the top, but allows just as much room below to cover your job and school experience.

Use caution when choosing these two formats: “Combo and skills-based [resumes] can be hard to follow, because [they force] the reader to hunt for connections between your skills and experience, and [don’t] provide the full context of your work,” says Muse Career Coach Angela Smith , founder of Loft Consulting. “I’ve also heard a lot of recruiters say that they automatically discount skill-based resumes because they feel the candidate is trying to hide something. I don’t necessarily believe that, but I think it’s important for job-seekers to know that perception is out there.”

2. Start With Your Basic Information

Your contact information should always go at the top of your resume. In this header you’ll want to include anything that could be helpful for a recruiter to get in touch with you. Usually, this means adding in:

• Your full name (preferably the name you use across the web)
• Your phone number
• Your personal email address

You might also choose to include other basic information, such as your LinkedIn or personal website URL, your GitHub (for technical roles), your social media profiles (if relevant to the job), or your address. If you’re looking to move for a job, you may choose to leave out your address or write “open to relocating” to better your chances of getting an interview.

The key is to make this part as clear as possible. If a hiring manager can’t reach you, there’s no point in perfecting the rest of your resume.

3. Add in Your Work Experience

This section will most likely be the bulk of your resume. Even if you’re changing careers, employers still want to see where you’ve worked, what you’ve done, and the impact of that work to get a sense of your background and expertise.

Your “Work Experience” might be one entire category, or you might choose to break it up into “Relevant Experience” and “Additional Experience” to highlight the jobs that are most important for hiring managers to focus on. Either way, you’ll almost always want to have your most recent experience at the top and your older experience down below.

Within your work experience, you’ll want to include each official job title, the company (and possibly its location), and the years you worked there. Below that, you’ll add in two to four bullet points explaining what you did in that job, the skills you built and exercised, the tools you used, and the results of what you did. If you accomplished a lot during your time there, focus on the responsibilities that made the most impact or you’re the most proud of, as well as the ones that best align you with the job you’re applying for (more on that in the following sections). It’s key here to list, if relevant, quantitative as well as qualitative accomplishments.

For example, you might write:

Associate Accountant, Finances and Co., Ann Arbor, MI September 2017 – Present

• Manage billing and invoicing for more than 50 clients, ensuring the deadlines and needs of our enterprise partners, including Big Company and Super Star Org, are met
• Collaborate closely with sales, account management, and project management teams on project setup, maintenance, and invoice management
• Assist in the streamlining of invoicing guidelines and procedures through documentation and the implementation of new software, resulting in an average two-week decrease in total time spent per client

Your resume bullets should be in past tense if you’re referring to past jobs and present tense if you’re talking about your current roles. In addition, your bullets should always start with a strong action verb that best describes what you did. And if you have examples of your work, consider hyperlinking them here as well.

If you have a ton of experience and this category is starting to run long (read: over one page), consider kicking out your oldest jobs unless they’re super relevant to the job you’re applying for, or extra impressive for your field.

Not sure where to start? “It’s helpful to do a brain dump and create a document that has everything and anything you consider as experience or an achievement,” says Yurovsky. From there, she explains, you can start to whittle down what is and isn’t important. And you can refer to this document later if you ever decide to update your resume for a specific role.

Need more specific advice on listing your work experience on your resume? Check out these additional resources:

• When you’ve held multiple jobs at the same company: 2 Jobs, 1 Company: How to Show Multiple Positions on Your Resume
• When you’re not sure what your accomplishments are or how to explain them: Resume Revamp: How to Turn Your Duties Into Accomplishments
• When you want to spruce up a boring or insignificant job: How to Make Your Most Boring Jobs Sound More Interesting on Your Resume
• When you’re considering fudging a job title: The Answer to “Can I Change My Job Title on My Resume to Make It More Accurate?”
• When you’ve had a bunch of short-term gigs: How to List Temporary Jobs on Your Resume

4. Consider Including Volunteer Work or Other Experience

Anything you’ve done that’s not work experience—your side gig, volunteer work, special projects—can be hosted under clearly-labeled sections (“Volunteer Experience” or “Activities,” for example). Depending on how robust your work experience is, these things may be worth including, particularly if they’ve helped you level up your skill set or better align you with your dream job. Plus, they make you look that much more well-rounded, passionate, and hardworking.

If you’re a recent grad, you might also build out a section for on-campus activities, such as clubs, organizations, or leadership experience. This can be a great supplement if you’re lacking in the jobs department. You can frame these just as you would professional jobs—including your title, the organization’s name, and bullets describing what your role was and what you accomplished.

Read More: This Is Exactly How to List Volunteer Work on Your Resume

5. Don’t Forget Your Education

If you’re still in school or just graduated, your education can go at the top of your resume, but for pretty much everyone else, this goes near the bottom. Most people include their school, graduation year (for folks less up to about a decade out of school), major, and degree. Brand-new grads might also write in their GPA, honors and awards, study abroad, thesis, or other notable achievements. But keep this section super simple, as you don’t want it to take up too much space over your work experience.

It’s possible you have unique education experience, such as taking an online course or certification. If you did this specifically as a way to boost yourself within your industry, definitely include it. Again, list everything more or less reverse chronologically—so a grad school degree would go above an undergrad degree, and a more recent relevant online course would go above that.

Learn more about the ins and outs of listing your education on your resume:

• How to (and How Not to) List Education on Your Resume
• How to List Online Courses on Your Resume the Right Way (Because Yes, There Is a Wrong Way)

6. Top It Off With Some Skills and Interests

The skills section of a resume gets a bad rap, but it’s just as important as the rest of the stuff you include. It’s a quick list a recruiter can scan to see if your skill set aligns with what they’re hiring for. And it’s super ATS-friendly (ATS stands for “applicant tracking system,” the robot that in some cases reads your resume before a human does) because it allows you to add in keywords the machine is scanning for.

Usually this section goes at the bottom of your resume, but in special cases—such as a skills-based resume or when someone’s switching fields—you may place it further up.

What exactly do you throw in here? You’ll want to list any hard skills and applications you’re familiar with (Photoshop, SEO, JavaScript, to name a few examples), and, if relevant, your level of expertise. Avoid including soft skills here, like time management or public speaking—save those for your bullet points instead.

Be strategic when filling in your skills. Don’t list things you actually couldn’t do at a high competence level (I’m looking at those of you who say you’re “great” at Excel), and maybe nix skills that are completely irrelevant to the job you want. For example, you may not even need to include Excel if you’re applying for say, a design position, unless it’s listed as a job requirement.

Maybe you’re thinking, I’m a really good volleyball player, but that’s not a “skill,” right? No, it’s not, but it is a hobby. Adding in a hobby section at the bottom of your resume is underrated, and frequently a smart choice. It can be a great conversation starter with a hiring manager, and it can show that you’re a good culture fit—or a culture add—for the company. Also, it’s just a nice way to add in some of your personality. So tack on a bullet point listing out some of your interests, such as hiking, rowing, or crafting (no more than five to seven work-appropriate verbs), and you’re all set here.

7. Write a Resume Summary Statement (if Relevant)

You may have heard of a resume summary statement . They’re not super common, but they can be useful to include near the top of your resume if you’re looking to add clarity or context to your resume. If you’re a career changer, you might find a summary statement helpful in explaining your leap and tying your experience to your new path. Or if you’re a more experienced professional, you can use a summary statement to highlight a theme that brings your career trajectory together.

Overall, you probably won’t need a summary statement if your career is pretty linear and your bullet points do a great job of emphasizing what you have to offer in terms of skills and experience. But if you think it makes sense to include one, “Take the time to think about what the person reading your summary wants to know before you write it,” says McGovern. “Good summaries explain why you do what you do and how it can help. For instance: Merging a background in ABC, I help companies improve XYZ through 123. Summaries shouldn’t be any more complicated than that.”

So, taking McGovern’s example, you might say:

Merging a background in social media marketing and PR with seven years in the consumer tech space, I help companies improve their internal and external communication and brand awareness through data-driven, quality content and strategies that align with the modern trends of the space.

Yurovsky adds that “you don’t want your summary statement to be a dense paragraph with too much information. You want it to be easy to read, concise, and memorable. Almost like a tagline.”

Read More: 3 Resume Summary Examples That’ll Make Writing Your Own Easier

8. Tailor It to the Job (and the ATS)

Once you have your resume written out—you’ve broken down your work experience, tagged on some activities and additional experiences, and listed out your skills—it’s important to go back to the job description (or multiple job descriptions, if you’re applying to several similar jobs) and make sure that what your resume says matches up with the kind of candidate the employers are looking for. In other words, tailor it .

Let’s explain further. You’ll want to begin by tackling the ATS . This means combing the job description to see if individual words and phrases line up. What skills are they asking for, and have you listed them (so long as you actually have them)? What words are they using to describe their ideal hire, and do you use similar language in your resume?

Next, take a bird’s-eye view. If you were the hiring manager for the role, where on your resume would your eyes be drawn to? And what would you be looking for? Whatever you think will be most important for the recruiter, make sure it’s near the top of your resume, or otherwise emphasized.

Finally, dig into the role and responsibilities of the job. Does your resume reflect similar experience? If not, is there a way you can spin it so that it’s clear you’re capable of doing the job (and doing it well)?

These articles can help you if the word “tailoring” makes you start to sweat:

• What It Really Means to “Tailor Your Resume”
• Your Guide to Making Unrelated Experience Look Relevant on Your Resume
• A Cool Trick: How to Spin 1 Resume Bullet 5 Different Ways

9. Edit and Refine It

Please, please don’t just write your resume and shoot it out without giving it a second glance. Hiring managers may not spend hours browsing it, but if there’s one thing that sticks out more than anything else it’s a glaring typo.

The best approach? Write a rough draft, then leave and come back to it later with fresh eyes to give it an edit.

Cover the basics: Is your contact information correct and updated? Are you using the right verb tenses? Does everything look consistent and accurate in terms of spelling and grammar?

Then do some cutting if your resume’s quite long. It’s no longer a hard-and-fast rule that all resumes must be only one page—but consider it a smart guideline for most applicants, especially if you've got less than 10 years work experience. The exception is if you’re very senior or very established in your career; in this scenario, a two-page resume isn’t completely out of the question. Everyone else, read this article for advice on how to cut your resume down.

Formatting-wise, it’s key to consider a couple things. First, what font are you using , and is it legible (for a human and a robot)? When in doubt, go with one of these simple, but sleek, options: Arial, Arial Narrow, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, or Helvetica.

Second, are you going to save it as a Word document or PDF ? Neither option is wrong, although a PDF helps ensure that your formatting is maintained, no matter what type of computer the hiring manager uses to open the document.

Third, is your resume formatted in a way that it’s skimmable? If it’s feeling crowded or overrun with words, read this: 12 Tiny Changes That Make Your Resume Easy for Recruiters to Skim .

Once you’ve given it a few good looks, it may be worth sending it to a friend or colleague (or even a career coach ) to get a second opinion. Don’t just have them edit it for spelling and grammar—they should dig into your bullets and offer feedback on whether or not your resume is showing you in the best possible light (it’s smart to also send them the job description for something to compare it to).

Here’s the thing: Your resume won’t ever look exactly like someone else’s, nor should it. How you choose to format it, organize your information, and talk about specific experiences depends not just on your career path, but on your field, the job you’re applying for, the company that job is at, and more.

So there isn’t a universal way to do a resume. But there are common themes. To give you some context as to how yours might turn out, here are three examples of different kinds of resumes.

The Most Popular: A Reverse Chronological Resume

As previously mentioned, a reverse chronological resume is preferred by many coaches and HR experts, mainly because it’s super readable. When everything’s in a clear order, it’s easy to skim and even easier to draw lines between experiences.

Who it’s good for: Just about everyone—from students applying to internships all the way up to senior-level executives (with an optional resume summary statement)

Download an Example Chronological Resume for a Software Engineer

The Unorthodox Route: A Functional or Skills-Based Resume

Rather than listing out your experience in reverse chronological order, a functional or skills-based resume has bullet points that reflect how each of your skills is demonstrated by the work you’ve done over the course of your career. At the bottom, you’ll include everything else, such as your education, job history, professional achievements, community involvement, and other technical skills. This is a good option if you have a somewhat all-over-the-place work history and want to tie everything together neatly.

Who it’s good for: Career changers whose work experiences may not appear to be relevant and people with an abundance of temporary jobs or gaps in their work histories.

Download an Example Functional Resume for a Project Manager

The Creative Angle: An Infographic Resume or Resume Website

This resume type is characterized by how it’s formatted visually. You may choose a reverse chronological order or skills-based style to organize your information, but also use graphics, colors, unique fonts, and even multimedia elements to help that information pop. Keep in mind that any creative resume is still likely subject to an ATS—and certain elements may be unreadable by a robot. So consider going this route only if you know a human will be reading your resume (and that said human might enjoy it).

Who it’s good for: People applying to creative roles (designers, editors, writers, marketers, video producers, for example), startups, or fun companies, or to jobs where a creative resume is encouraged, if not required.

Download an Example Infographic Resume for a Designer

Not a designer but want your resume to look just as pretty as this example? Check out these articles:

• 5 Sites to Create an Awesome Infographic Resume (Even if You’re the Least Creative Person Ever)
• How to Build a Resume Website That Will Impress Every Hiring Manager Who Sees It
• 5 Digital Tools That Will Make Your Resume Infinitely More Beautiful

Your resume is a living, breathing document. So while you won’t go through this whole process every time you apply for a job, you should be thinking about all these things as you go to update your resume for your next career step. You might decide later on to switch up the order, or remove or add things, or even get creative and try out a whole new format. If you’re not getting the calls back you expect, you may decide to scrap it and start over —and that’s totally OK.

Regardless of where this piece of paper goes and how it grows, when you give it the care and attention it deserves, you set yourself up for success. And you’ll make it that much more likely that you’ll land an interview and get the chance to prove to the hiring manager—over the phone or in person—what you’ve got to offer.

How to write a resume that passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

by Rebecca Safier | In Career Guidance | 29 August 2024 | Updated on: August 29th, 2024

Before a hiring manager looks at your job application, your resume may have to pass through an Applicant Tracking System, or ATS. According to Jobscan, nearly 99% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software to screen resumes before they ever reach human eyes. That’s why it’s so important to write a resume that’s optimized to pass an ATS scan. With the following ATS resume tips, you can create a resume that sails through this screening and gets you a big step closer to landing your dream job in the United States. 

What’s an ATS? 

An ATS is a type of software some companies use to streamline their hiring processes. It scans and processes job applications so hiring managers don’t have to sort through thousands of resumes on their own. 

The ATS may sort, rank or even disqualify resumes that don’t fulfill the requirements for a position. In fact, TopResume says that 75% of resumes don’t make it past the ATS to a human reader. 

Don’t feel discouraged by this stat, though – there are easy ways to write and design your resume so it’s ATS-friendly. 

How to write an ATS resume: 7 tips  

When crafting your ATS resume, your goal is for a hiring manager to read it. That’s why it’s important to craft a resume that will impress both an ATS scan and a human reader. These tips can help. 

1. Write an optimized headline 

Your resume headline gives a quick summary of who you are as a professional. It appears at the top of your resume and can help an ATS quickly determine whether you’re a good fit for the target job. 

Let’s say, for instance, that you’re applying for a job as a software engineer. Your headline should use the target job title whenever possible. Some examples could be: 

• Highly competent software engineer with demonstrated success designing and maintaining large-scale software solutions 
• Detail-oriented software engineer with proven capabilities in cloud architecture 
• Motivated and hardworking software engineer with a passion for innovating technology 

If you’re an entry level candidate, you could use the target job title in your headline and then succinctly describe your relevant experience below that. Using the job title at the top of your resume will help show the ATS you’re a good fit for the role. 

If you’re applying for a job as a software engineer and your resume headline says you’re a dentist, the ATS will probably discard your resume right away. 

2. Use simple formatting 

Although you may be tempted to add charts, tables and graphics to your resume, these elements could confuse an ATS. Applicant Tracking Systems have an easier time reading resumes with a simple design. 

That means ignoring graphics in favor of straightforward text, headers and bullet points. Use a tried-and-true font like Arial or Times New Roman, and ditch special characters or images that would be tough for an ATS to read. 

3. Stick to straightforward headers 

You’ll also want to stick to straightforward headers and a clear hierarchy when crafting your ATS-compliant resume. Although it may be fun to mix it up with creative headers like “Scholarly Pursuits” and “Where I’ve Been,” these out-of-the-box ideas could hurt your chances of making it through the ATS scan. Instead, use traditional section headers like “Education” and “Work Experience.”

Follow a traditional resume structure, too, which generally involves a headline, summary statement, education and work experience in reverse chronological order. Using a clear hierarchy divided into sections will be easier for both an ATS and a hiring manager to read. 

4. Include keywords from the job description  

With the rise of artificial intelligence, ATS software is getting more sophisticated at reading through resumes. However, it still looks for relevant keywords to determine whether you’re a strong candidate. 

You can find these keywords directly in the job description. A company may list hard and soft skills that it’s looking for, as well as specific qualifications, certifications and experiences needed for the role. 

You don’t want to repeat the same keywords over and over, but make sure to incorporate the most important ones in your summary of skills and work experience sections so the ATS understands you fit the job criteria. 

5. Take advantage of ATS resume templates 

When crafting your ATS resume, you’re not on your own. You can find various ATS resume templates and tailor them to your experience. Here are a few resources to get you started: 

• Resume Worded
• Novoresume  

6. Try a free ATS scan before you submit 

There are a number of free online resources you can use to check whether your resume will make it through an ATS. Here are a few websites that offer ATS resume checkers: 

After uploading your resume, these sites will tell you whether your resume is ready for an ATS and may give you suggestions for improvement. 

7. Save your resume in the right format 

Read over the job application instructions to find out what format to submit your resume in. Some ATS software can process both PDFs and .docx files, whereas others have trouble processing PDFs. If you can’t find any guidelines, either format should work. 

Beat the bots with a well-crafted resume 

As an international graduate in the competitive U.S. job market, crafting an ATS-optimized resume is crucial. By following the tips above – such as using relevant keywords, sticking to a simple and clean format and clearly highlighting your qualifications and experiences – you can enhance your chances of passing an ATS screen. 

If you borrowed a student loan from MPOWER Financing along the way, you can also take advantage of MPOWER’s career support services through its Path2Success program . These services include a resume builder, job application support and a directory of F-1-eligible positions. 

Customize your resume to each job you apply for, and make it clear for both an ATS and a human reader to understand. Your unique experiences as an international applicant will be an asset to any company. 

Rebecca Safier

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How to Write a Resume for Freshers: Tips and Templates

• August 31, 2024
• No comments
• 4 minute read

Table of Contents

What is a fresher job title, 1. choose the right fresher resume format, 2. structure your resume effectively, 3. focus on relevant skills, 4. resume formatting for freshers, 5. customize for each job application, 6. proofread and edit, sample resumes and templates for freshers, using zolostays for your next step.

Entering the job market as a fresher can be daunting, but a well-crafted resume can make all the difference in landing that first job. Whether you’re fresh out of college or transitioning into a new field, your resume is your first impression to potential employers. In this guide, we’ll cover essential tips on how to make a resume for freshers, explore different resume formats, and provide templates to get you started.

Understanding What a Fresher Is

Before diving into the details of resume writing, it’s crucial to understand what a “fresher” means in the job market. A fresher is someone who is new to a particular field or industry, typically without any prior professional experience. Freshers are often recent graduates or individuals looking to change career paths.

A fresher job title typically reflects entry-level positions that require little to no prior experience, making them ideal for individuals new to the workforce.

Tips for Writing a Resume for Fresher

• Chronological Format: This format is ideal for freshers who have some internship or part-time work experience. It lists work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
• Functional Format: This format emphasizes skills and abilities over work experience, making it perfect for those who are entering the job market for the first time.
• Combination Format: A mix of both chronological and functional formats, it allows you to highlight both your skills and any relevant experience.

Fresher Resume Template Tip: Pick a format that best aligns with your strengths and the job you’re applying for.

• Contact Information: At the top, include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
• Resume Summary: A brief statement that summarizes your career goals and key skills. For example, a resume summary for IT freshers could mention proficiency in coding languages and your enthusiasm for learning new technologies.
• Education: List your most recent educational qualifications first, including any relevant coursework, projects, or certifications.
• Skills: Highlight skills in resume for freshers that are relevant to the job. For example, if you’re applying for an IT position, mention skills like programming languages, software proficiency, or problem-solving abilities.
• Internships/Experience: If you have any internship experience, list it here with a focus on the skills you gained and the contributions you made.
• Projects/Certifications: Include any academic or personal projects, especially those that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Certifications can also make your resume stand out.
• Hobbies/Interests: While not essential, listing hobbies and interests can showcase your personality and may be relevant if they align with the company culture.
• Skills are crucial in a fresher resume. Highlight both hard skills (like technical abilities) and soft skills (like communication and teamwork).
• Tailor these skills to match the job description.Examples of skills for resume for freshers might include proficiency in specific software, language fluency, or leadership abilities.
• Keep your resume clean and easy to read. Use a professional font like Arial or Times New Roman, and stick to one or two font sizes (e.g., 12pt for the body, 14pt for headings).
• Use bullet points to list achievements and responsibilities for clarity.
• Ensure consistency in your formatting, such as aligning dates and using uniform spacing.
• Fresher resume format tip: Keep your resume to one page, as recruiters typically spend only a few seconds reviewing each resume.
• Tailor your resume for each job you apply for by emphasizing the skills and experiences that are most relevant to that particular role.
• Use keywords from the job description to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many companies use to screen resumes.

A resume with spelling or grammatical errors can make a poor impression. Proofread your resume multiple times, and consider asking a friend or mentor to review it as well.

To help you get started, here are some examples and templates tailored for freshers in various fields:

• Sample Resume for IT Freshers: Focuses on technical skills, coding languages, and any relevant projects or certifications.
• Fresher Resume Format: A clean and modern template designed to highlight your strengths as a fresher.
• Entry-Level Resume: An example that balances education, skills, and internships, ideal for those with little to no work experience.

While you’re crafting your resume and preparing to enter the job market, consider how your living situation might impact your career journey. Zolostays offers a range of coliving options designed for freshers and professionals alike. With flexible leases and a community-focused environment, Zolostays provides a comfortable and convenient living space that can help you focus on your career development.

Explore Zolostays’ coliving options and discover how they can support your career entry and professional growth.

Crafting a resume as a fresher may seem challenging, but with the right approach and attention to detail, you can create a document that showcases your potential and helps you stand out in the job market. By following the tips provided and using the appropriate resume format for freshers, you’ll be well on your way to securing your first job and starting your career on the right foot.

Remember, your resume is a reflection of you—so take the time to make it as polished and professional as possible. Good luck with your job search!

Related Topics

• Career entry
• Entry-level job applications
• Entry-level resume
• Fresher resume format
• how to make resume for freshers
• Job applications
• Professional documents
• Resume formatting
• Resume structure
• Resume writing for beginners

Career Planning for Freshers: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Read Job Descriptions: A Guide for Freshers

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7 Budget Analyst Resume Examples for 2024

Creating a resume for a budget analyst role requires attention to detail and knowledge of industry jargon. This article shares strong resume examples and gives practical advice on format, key sections, and what hiring managers look for. Learn how to showcase your skills, experience, and certifications effectively to stand out in the financial sector.

• 29 Aug 2024 - 5 new sections, including 'Position your education effectively', added
• 29 Aug 2024 - 5 new resume templates, including Aspiring Budget Analyst, added
• 27 Aug 2024 - Article published

  Next update scheduled for 06 Sep 2024

Here's what we see in the best resumes for budget analysts.

Show Impact Using Metrics : The best resumes show impact by using numbers. For example, reduced budgeting errors by 15% , increased time savings by 20% , cut costs by 10% , and improved forecast accuracy by 25% . Metrics are important.

Include Relevant Skills : Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are financial analysis , cost estimation , budget planning , forecasting tools , and data management software . But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

Highlight Industry-specific Experience : Show experience specific to the industry you're applying for. Use phrases like budget management , financial reporting , and cost forecasting . These show you know the field well.

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widget 2: red / but not serious Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. If your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 1 day, go to a lower altitude if you can. Try to go around 300 to 1,000 metres lower.

helpful blue / but not serious Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include.

Budget Analyst Resume Sample

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Want to know how your budget analyst resume measures up? Our resume scoring tool gives you a clear picture of where you stand. It evaluates your resume based on key criteria that recruiters in finance and accounting look for.

Upload your resume now for an unbiased assessment. You'll get instant feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement, helping you create a resume that stands out to hiring managers.

Position your education effectively

If you are a recent graduate or now entering the field of budget analysis, place your education section at the top of your resume. This shows hiring managers your relevant academic background quickly. Include degrees like a bachelor's or master's in finance, economics, or a related field. Make sure this section is easy to find and read.

For those with work experience in budget analysis or other finance roles, your education should follow your professional experience. Highlight any additional certifications or continuous learning that relate to budget planning and analysis to show your ongoing commitment to the field. Recall to make your education details clear and simple for hiring managers to assess your qualifications swiftly.

Relevant software skills

Proficiency in financial software like Excel, SAP, and Oracle is very important for budget analysts. Highlight these skills prominently to show your technical proficiency.

Consider mentioning any experience you have with budgeting tools specific to the industry you’re applying to, such as Hyperion for corporate finance or PROPHIX for manufacturing, to make your resume more attractive to potential employers.

Junior Budget Analyst Resume Sample

Right resume length.

For budget analysts at the start or in the middle of their careers, with less than 10 years of experience, a one-page resume is often enough. This length forces you to focus on your most relevant experiences and skills. You need to show you can analyze a budget, forecast financial needs and explain your findings in a limited space. Use clear, simple language and only include the most important information.

If you have more than 10 years of experience or are seeking a senior budget analyst role, consider a two-page resume. In these cases, you can afford to include more details about complex projects or leadership experiences. Remember, your resume should still be easy to read. If you need to cut down, try a more space-efficient template or focus on more recent, relevant jobs.

Senior Budget Analyst Resume Sample

Quantifiable achievements.

In the field of budget analysis, using numbers to show your success is important. Mention specific results like reducing expenses by a certain percentage or managing a budget of a certain size.

Use metrics to show how your work contributed to the organization’s financial goals. Metrics can be things like project savings, budget forecasts, or financial reports you developed.

Budget Analyst with Government Specialization Resume Sample

Aspiring budget analyst resume sample.

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Explained: Creating An ATS-Friendly Resume

Image: Pixabay

31 Aug 2024

Ats (applicant tracking system) is software used by employers to screen job applications by scanning resumes for relevant qualifications.

Image: Unsplash 

To create an ATS-friendly resume, start by using a clear headline that matches the job title you're applying

Tailor the content to include keywords from the job description, organise your resume in proper order with standard sections like work experience, skills, and education, stick to common fonts like arial or calibri in resume , avoid graphics or special symbols, as these can confuse the system, use simple bullet points to highlight accomplishments and include both the full term and acronym for technical skills, ensure consistent and clear date formatting, avoid using headers or footers, always save your resume in .docx or .pdf format based on job requirements , keep the design clean and in a single-column layout for easy scanning, and proofread to eliminate any typos or errors, check more stories.

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SOC Analyst Resume Tips 2024

Discover essential tips for crafting an impactful soc analyst resume. learn how to highlight your skills, certifications, and experience effectively to stand out in the cybersecurity job market. get insights on resume formatting, tailoring your resume, and showcasing your accomplishments to secure your next soc analyst role..

1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description

2. highlight relevant skills, 3. showcase certifications and education, 4. detail your professional experience, 5. emphasize key responsibilities, 6. include key projects, 7. use a professional format, 8. proofread and edit, 9. include a summary statement, 10. provide contact information, sample resume layout.

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
• Threat Detection and Incident Response
• Network Security and Monitoring
• Vulnerability Assessment
• Risk Management
• Communication and Problem-Solving Skills
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• CompTIA Security+
• Certified SOC Analyst (CSA)
• Monitored security alerts and incidents, responding to and resolving security threats.
• Analyzed and investigated security incidents, providing actionable insights and recommendations.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance security measures and incident response protocols.
• Reduced incident response time by [X]% through process improvements and automation.
• [Brief description of responsibilities and achievements]
• [Quantified results and impact of your work, e.g., "Identified and mitigated over 100 security threats, improving overall security posture."]
• [Project Title]: [Brief description of the project, your role, and its impact, e.g., "Developed a comprehensive incident response plan that reduced incident resolution times by 40%."]
• Member of [Relevant Professional Organization, e.g., ISACA, (ISC)²]
• [Any other relevant memberships or affiliations]
• Availability for relocation: [Yes/No]
• Willing to travel: [Yes/No]
• Language Proficiency: [List any languages spoken fluently, if relevant]
• Contact Information: Your name, address, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
• Professional Summary: A brief statement highlighting your experience, skills, and career objectives.
• Skills: Key technical and soft skills relevant to SOC Analyst roles.
• Certifications: Relevant cybersecurity certifications like CISSP, CEH, or CompTIA Security+.
• Professional Experience: Details of your previous roles, including responsibilities and achievements.
• Education: Your educational background, including degrees and relevant coursework.
• Projects: Notable projects or initiatives you’ve worked on related to SOC functions.
• Professional Affiliations: Memberships in relevant organizations (optional).
• Analyze the Job Description: Identify key skills and requirements mentioned in the job posting.
• Use Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords and phrases from the job description into your resume.
• Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasize experience and skills that match the job requirements.
• Create a Skills Section: List specific technical skills such as SIEM tools, threat detection, and network security.
• Include Certifications: Mention certifications that validate your technical expertise.
• Provide Examples: Use your professional experience and projects to illustrate how you’ve applied these skills in real-world situations.
• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with strong action verbs like "monitored," "analyzed," and "resolved."
• Quantify Achievements: Include metrics and results to highlight the impact of your work, e.g., "Reduced incident response time by 30%."
• Be Specific: Describe your responsibilities and the tools or methods you used.
• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each application to align with the job description.
• Highlight Unique Skills: Emphasize any specialized skills or experience that set you apart from other candidates.
• Use a Professional Format: Ensure your resume is well-organized, easy to read, and visually appealing.
• SOC Analyst resume tips
• SOC Analyst resume writing
• SOC Analyst resume examples
• SOC Analyst job application
• SOC Analyst resume format
• resume tips for SOC Analysts
• writing a SOC Analyst resume
• SOC Analyst skills
• SOC Analyst experience
• SOC Analyst certifications

Ashwini Ghugarkar

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