How to Start a Resume: 7 Steps and 20 Examples

A resume is a document that outlines your work experience, skills, educational background, and accomplishments. You can think of it as a marketing tool that you use to sell yourself to potential employers. It’s important because it often provides employers with their first impression of you. Its goal is to secure an interview where you can further elaborate on your qualifications.

Step 1: Starting With Contact Information

Your resume should start with your contact information at the top. This means including your name, phone number, and email address. Occasionally, you may add your LinkedIn profile or personal website.

• Name: Make sure your name is the first thing on the resume, in a larger font than the rest of the text.
• Phone Number: Provide a reliable number where you can be easily reached.
• Email Address: Use a professional email address. If your current email sounds informal, consider creating a new one for job applications.

Here’s a brief example of how it should look:

Jane Smith
555-123-4567
jane.smithexample@email.com
linkedin.com/in/janesmithexamples
janesmithportfoliosample.com

If you’re comfortable, you can include your physical address or just the city and state. However, if privacy is a concern or if the job is remote, it’s okay to leave it out.

Make sure the information is accurate and up-to-date. Incorrect contact information can prevent potential employers from reaching out to you. Lastly, consider the formatting; your contact information should be easy to find but not overwhelming. Use simple text formats and lay it out neatly to catch the reader’s eye without distracting from the content.

Step 2: Crafting a Compelling Professional Summary

Your professional summary sits at the top of your resume, offering a snapshot of your skills and experiences. You should think of it as your elevator pitch, succinct yet packed with your professional highlights. Aim for three to four sentences, tailoring content to align with the job you’re applying for.

Start by mentioning your professional title and years of experience. For instance:

Highly-organized Executive Assistant with over 5 years of experience…

Incorporate a mix of your technical skills and soft skills. Highlight your expertise that matches the job listing. For example:

…specializing in data analytics, proficient in advanced Excel features, with a strong ability to manage cross-team communications and collaborations.

Mention any notable achievements or contributions, and quantify them if possible. Illustrate the impact you’ve made in your roles:

…successfully led a team that boosted sales by 20% through strategic partnership development.

Finally, express your career goals in relation to the prospective role. Show enthusiasm about bringing your skills to a new challenge:

…eager to apply my extensive office management skills to support ABC Corp’s innovative environment.

This section should excite recruiters, reflecting your best professional self. Keep language positive and confident. Tailor it for each application, and you will catch employers’ attention, guiding them to read on with interest.

20 Examples of Impactful Opening Sentences for a Resume

Kick off your resume with a strong statement that reflects your professional goals and value. For example, “Dedicated marketing graduate eager to contribute to a creative team with my social media expertise,” to showcase both your career focus and relevant skills.

Examples

• 1. “Results-driven project manager with a proven track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget, seeking to leverage my expertise in a dynamic new role.”
• 2. “Award-winning graphic designer with a passion for creating visually compelling narratives, ready to bring my unique aesthetic to your innovative team.”
• 3. “Innovative software engineer with a specialization in machine learning, looking to apply my problem-solving abilities to tackle challenging projects.”
• 4. “Accomplished sales professional with a decade of experience exceeding quotas, eager to drive growth and exceed expectations in a competitive environment.”
• 5. “Dynamic leader with a passion for team-building and a history of transforming underperforming groups into high-functioning units.”
• 6. “Certified public accountant with a meticulous eye for detail, ready to provide high-quality financial analysis and support to your finance team.”
• 7. “Multilingual marketing strategist with a track record of expanding brand reach in international markets, seeking to bring global perspectives to your team.”
• 8. “Entrepreneurial product manager with a history of developing award-winning mobile applications, excited to bring my user-centric approach to a forward-thinking company.”
• 9. “Strategic thinker with extensive experience in crisis management, ready to safeguard and enhance the reputation of your organization.”
• 10. “Customer service champion with a knack for building relationships and improving customer satisfaction scores, looking to contribute to a team that values client success.”
• 11. “Detail-oriented editor with a passion for storytelling and a commitment to editorial excellence, seeking to join a publication that values innovation.”
• 12. “Passionate educator with a focus on inclusive learning, ready to inspire students and contribute to curriculum development in a vibrant academic setting.”
• 13. “Veteran finance executive with a history of optimizing profitability through strategic planning and fiscal discipline, aiming to guide your company to new financial heights.”
• 14. “Energetic hospitality professional with a flair for creating memorable guest experiences, eager to bring my expertise to a prestigious hotel brand.”
• 15. “Ph.D. in biochemistry with a focus on drug discovery, seeking to contribute cutting-edge research to your pharmaceutical development team.”
• 16. “Skilled electrician with a commitment to safety and efficiency, looking to support your construction projects with my technical expertise.”
• 17. “Versatile administrative assistant with exceptional organizational skills, ready to streamline operations in your fast-paced office environment.”
• 18. “Creative content creator with a talent for viral marketing, eager to boost your brand’s online presence through innovative social media strategies.”
• 19. “Human resources specialist with a strong background in talent acquisition and employee relations, ready to foster a positive work culture in your organization.”
• 20. “Efficient logistics coordinator with an eye for optimizing supply chain processes, seeking to drive productivity and cost savings in your operations.”

Step 3: Highlighting Your Work Experience

When crafting your resume, the work experience section is where you get to showcase your professional journey. Detailing your roles and accomplishments here tells your potential employer the story of your career progression.

Listing Your Job Titles and Employers

Starting with your most recent position, list your job titles and the names of your employers. This information should be easily visible to readers. You’ll want to format each entry with the job title first, followed by the employer, the location, and the dates of your employment. For example:

• Marketing Manager, Acme Inc., New York, NY (May 2020 – Present)
• Marketing Coordinator, Beta Ltd., Los Angeles, CA (Dec 2017 – Apr 2020)
• Marketing Assistant, Gamma Corp., Boston, MA (Aug 2015 – Nov 2017)

By listing your employment this way, you offer a clear timeline of your work history.

Describing Your Duties and Achievements

For each role, provide a brief description of your responsibilities and any notable achievements. Use bullet points to make this information concise and easily digestible. Instead of simply listing duties, focus on specific contributions and how they benefited the company. Here’s an example of how you can structure this:

Marketing Manager, Acme Inc.

• Developed and executed a digital marketing strategy that resulted in a 30% increase in online sales within the first year.
• Led a team of 5 marketers to coordinate a successful branding campaign, increasing brand awareness by 25%.
• Managed a budget of $500k, optimizing spend to decrease costs by 15% while maintaining campaign effectiveness.

(By highlighting your impact in each role, you provide concrete evidence of your skills and work ethic.)

Step 4: Detailing Your Education

When you’re detailing your education on your resume, start with your most recent schooling. List your degrees in reverse-chronological order, which means putting your latest degree first. Make sure to include the name of the institution, the degree you received, and the dates you attended. For example:

• Master of Science in Computer Science, University of Techville, 2021-2023
• Bachelor of Arts in English, Riverside College, 2017-2021

If you have relevant coursework, consider adding a section titled “Relevant Coursework” to highlight specific classes that pertain to the job you’re applying for. This can be especially useful if you’re a recent graduate with limited work experience. For instance:

Relevant Coursework: Advanced Programming, Data Structures, Cybersecurity Fundamentals

In addition to coursework, including any academic honors or awards you’ve received can demonstrate your dedication and skill in your field of study. This might look like:

• Summa Cum Laude
• Dean’s List (Fall 2019 – Spring 2021)
• Scholarship for Academic Excellence

If you’re still pursuing a degree, you can note this by writing “Expected graduation year”. For example:

• Bachelor of Science in Marketing, State University, Expected Graduation: May 2024

Tailor the education section to the job description. If the position requires specific educational credentials, make sure those are easily identifiable on your resume. If you have a long list of educational accomplishments, prioritize the information most relevant to the job to keep the section concise and impactful.

Step 5: Incorporating Relevant Skills

When starting your resume, you have to make sure your skills shine. Think about the job you’re applying for and match your skills to the job description. Always list your most relevant skills at the top, since hiring managers often scan resumes quickly.

• Highlight technical skills: If you’re applying for a tech job, show off your programming languages, software proficiency, or hardware knowledge. Related: Technical Skills Examples for Resume
• Emphasize soft skills: Skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are universally valued and demonstrate how you interact with others. Related: What Are Soft Skills? (and How to Showcase Them)
• Include language proficiency: Being multilingual can be a major asset in many fields. Related: How to Include Language Skills on Your Resume (Examples)

Use specific examples to illustrate your skills. Instead of saying “good communicator,” describe a successful project you led that required excellent communication. Show how you used these skills rather than just stating them.

Incorporate keywords from the job description. This not only shows you’re a good match but helps you get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that look for these specific terms.

Organize your skills into categories if you have a diverse skill set. This makes it easier for the reader to process and understand your expertise at a glance.

For example:

• Technical Skills: Python, JavaScript, SQL
• Leadership: Managed a team of 10 in a successful project launch
• Communication: Hosted webinars with over 500 attendees

Your skills are what can set you apart from other candidates, so give them the attention they deserve on your resume.

Step 6: Including Certifications and Awards

When you’re writing your resume, including certifications and awards can really make a difference. These honours show potential employers that you have recognized achievements and skills that could benefit their organization. To effectively showcase your certifications and awards, list them in a separate section for clarity.

Start by listing any professional certifications you have received that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Make sure to include the full name of the certification, the granting organization, and the date you obtained it. If your certification has an expiration date, include that as well.

For example:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), American Institute of CPAs, Obtained May 2021

Awards should be presented with the name of the award, the issuing organization, and the date you received it. If you have space, it’s helpful to include a brief explanation of why you received the award.

For example:

• Salesperson of the Year, ABC Sales Association, December 2023
  • For exceeding annual sales targets by 20%

Keep in mind, if you’re early in your career and don’t have professional certifications or awards yet, you can also mention academic honors, such as “Graduated with Honors,” or “Dean’s List for 5 consecutive semesters.”

This additional information can give your resume depth and provide a great talking point during an interview, setting you apart from other candidates. Lay out this information in a clear, concise way and you’ll be sure to catch the hiring manager’s eye.

Related: How To List Certifications on a Resume (Examples)

Step 7: Adding Volunteer Work or Internships

When you’re starting to fill out your resume, including volunteer work or internships is a smart way to showcase your skills and experiences. This section demonstrates your willingness to learn and your commitment to your field or community.

List your volunteer work or internships in a separate section if they are substantial and relevant to the job you’re applying for. Otherwise, you can integrate them into your professional experience section.

Example:

• Internship Experience
  • Social Media Intern, (…) Nonprofit
    • June 2021 – August 2021
    • Managed and grew the organization’s Twitter account by 150%, increasing the overall online engagement.

Notice how the example uses strong action verbs and includes measurable achievements. This will give potential employers concrete evidence of your capabilities.

When you describe your responsibilities and achievements, focus on the skills and experience you gained that are transferable to the job you want. If you lead a project, coordinated an event, or raised funds, those are notable experiences that should be highlighted.

Selecting the Right Opportunities:

• Choose volunteer work or internships that align with the job you’re targeting.
• If you volunteered in a leadership role or in a capacity relevant to your career goals, definitely include it.
• For internships, indicate the duration and any significant projects or contributions.

In your descriptions, it’s important to maintain consistency. Use the same format for each entry, and ensure your verbs are in the past tense for previous roles and present tense for current roles. This helps keep your resume professional and easy to scan.

Tailoring Your Resume to the Job Description

When you’re adjusting your resume for a job application, it’s important to align it with the job description provided by the employer. Start by carefully reading the job listing and noting the keywords and phrases that describe the role. These are typically skills, qualifications, and traits the employer is seeking.

For instance, if a job description for a marketing role mentions “experienced in social media advertising,” you would want to highlight relevant experience in your resume. Likewise, if the role requires someone who is “detail-oriented,” you can include instances or responsibilities from previous jobs that demonstrate your attention to detail.

Resume Template

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]

Objective:
Experienced [Your Job Title] skilled in [Skill #1], [Skill #2], and [Skill #3] searching for a [Job Title] position with [Company Name] to [fulfill specific company needs or goals].

Experience:
[Job Title]
[Company Name], [City, State]
[Month Year] – [Present/Past Month Year]
– Managed a team overseeing comprehensive social media strategy, increasing engagement by 25% over six months.
– Implemented innovative campaigns, building brand awareness and driving sales upticks of up to 15%.
(List of sample action words to use: Writing a Summary of Qualifications: Examples & Action Words)

Education:
[Degree], [Major]
[University Name], [City, State]
[Month Year] of Graduation

Skills:
– Social Media Advertising
– Project Management
– Strategic Planning
– Additional Skill
– Another Relevant Skill

Certifications:
[Certification Name], [Certifying Organization] – [Year]

Awards:
[Name of Award], [Awarding Institution] – [Year]

Languages:
[Language], [Proficiency Level]

You can adjust this template for each new job by swapping out skills, experiences, and keywords that match the job description. Personalizing your resume like this shows employers that you have the specific skills and experiences they’re looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some effective strategies for writing a resume when I haven’t had a job before?

To impress with your resume, focus on academic achievements, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and any internships or informal jobs. For example, if you were the captain of your soccer team, highlight your leadership skills and teamwork.

Can you suggest an easy-to-follow outline for creating a basic resume?

Your resume should start with your contact information at the top, followed by a clear objective statement or summary. Next, list your education, and then any work experience or relevant activities. Skills and certifications should follow. For instance, “John Smith | (123) 456-7890 | emailsample@email.com”.

What is the recommended format for a job application resume?

A chronological format, listing your most recent experiences first, is commonly preferred for a job application. This means starting with your latest education or job and working backward. Functional or combination formats may work better if you’re changing careers.

What’s the best way to draft a resume if I’m currently a student?

As a student, emphasize your educational background by placing it near the top of your resume. Include noteworthy academic accomplishments, courses related to the job, and extracurricular projects that demonstrate your skills, like organizing a charity event at school.