what is a job resume for

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.

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What is a Resume? It's Much More Than You Think

6 min read · Updated on December 08, 2023

What is a resume, really? When created thoughtfully, it's a fantastic personal marketing document that gets employers to notice you in a crowd.

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, a resume is “a short account of one's career and qualifications.” Investopedia calls it “a document that job applicants use to summarize their work experience, educational background, and special skills.”

A resume provides the first (and sometimes only) chance to make a good impression on a prospective employer or hiring manager and prove that you are a well-qualified and hirable candidate. 

And while these definitions are technically correct, a well-crafted resume is so much more. It's actually a personal marketing document that can be targeted to a specific job/career/industry and provide the most relevant information about your ability to succeed in that unique role.

If you're ready for a new perspective, read on for more answers to “What is a resume?”

It's choosing the right formatting

How you format your resume also plays a role in how well you can market yourself to employers. 

There are four generally accepted resume formats: Chronological, Functional, Combination, and Targeted. Your own personal history and the specific job you want will generally determine which resume format you should use.

Here's a breakdown of each format's pros and cons and the situations in which they work best.

Chronological Resume

This format has a professional summary or introduction at the top followed by your work history starting with your most recent job, which is called reverse-chronological order. It then can move on to special skills, professional affiliations, and educational history .

A chronological resume is probably the most-used format because it's appropriate for many scenarios, including people with various experience and skill levels. 

It's also the format that's most familiar to recruiters and hiring managers so they immediately know where to find details on work history, education, and competencies.

You really can't go wrong using this format.

Functional Resume

If you are changing careers or have some gaps in your work history, this format is a good choice because it's designed to focus attention on your skills and applicable experience rather than your chronological work history.

Sometimes called a hybrid resume, a functional resume leads with a more detailed introduction and is followed by a list of specific skills that show your fit for the position. After that comes a brief overview of your work history with just general details because you want your skills to get all the attention.

It's important to note that this type of resume needs to be done well to make a good impression on a hiring manager, so it might be worth using a professional resume writer who knows how to present any work gaps or career changes in the best possible light.

Combination Resume

This format uses the key aspects of both a chronological and functional resume. 

It's best for anyone with a long work history or a set of specialized skills that deserve attention because both skills and work history are equally highlighted to show the strength of your qualifications for a particular position.

Targeted Resume

As the name implies, this is a resume that's specifically targeted to each job you apply for. 

The first step is to review the job description for the skills and experience that a company wants in a candidate. Next, tailor your resume so it clearly shows off your relevant skills, making you well-qualified for the role. You can use the same structure as a functional resume or stick with the chronological format.

You may want to consider a professional resume writer to help with this format, too, since it can be tricky to get it just right.

Remember that there are other resume formats specifically for people in education, the arts, and even certain technical or business areas, so do your research to be sure you choose the format that will get you the attention you deserve.

It's highlighting your “soft skills”

The information presented thus far is about presenting your “hard skills” which are any skills that you've gained through hands-on experience or an educational process. These are generally what people think of when asked “What is a resume?”

However, you also want to present your soft skills to a potential employer--which can be a little tricky at first.

Soft skills are the traits, qualities, thought-processes, and ideologies that help you put your hard skills into practice. Examples of soft skills can include communication style, leadership abilities, motivational skills, and team-building strategies which are shown by listing specific achievements you've met.

For example, you can highlight motivational skills with a statement such as: Consistently kept my team meeting or beating deadlines through daily, weekly, or monthly rewards and open communication policies.

It's using sections wisely

The following sections should be on every resume, regardless of the format, and should be as tailored to the job as possible no matter what layout you choose.

Contact Information - Name, phone number, email address are standard. You can also add your Linked-In profile and website links if they exist.

Introduction - This can be a professional profile, a job or career objective, a summary of your qualifications for the job, or an overall summary of your resume. Keep it concise!

Skills - Be sure to also include soft skills. Just a list here; you'll highlight them through your achievements.

Achievements - These are actual examples of milestones you've met that have helped the company in some way. Another option is to include these as part of your work history.

Work History - Starting with the most recent job, list your job title, time worked, location, and specific duties, making sure to include what's most relevant to the job application.

Education - List the highest degree you've earned, the school name, and majors/minors if appropriate.

If you don't have a ton of work experience, you can also add a section for volunteer experience or professional associations that might highlight your ability to succeed at a particular job.

It's marketing yourself as a solution

A resume isn't just a document for you to toot your own horn. 

It's a vehicle to show potential employers how you can help them and their organizations to succeed because you're the best qualified person for their role.

So, what is a resume? It's a personal marketing document that, when used effectively, will make you stand out from other candidates in a huge way--and get you hired. 

Do you need a resume? You can get one written by one of TopResume's professional resume writers whether you need an update or a resume written from scratch: Professional Resume Writing Service . 

Recommended Reading:

Resume Examples & Samples for Every Career

Your Guide to Writing a Resume

How Long Should a Resume Be?

Related Articles:

High-Paying Careers: No Degree Required - Discover Now!

7 Best Problem-Solving Skills for Your Resume + Examples

11 Best IT Skills for Your Resume + Examples

See how your resume stacks up.

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What Is a Resume?

Understanding a resume, the resume heading, resume trouble spots, changing times for resumes, what you should not put on a resume, the bottom line.

• Career Advice

What Is a Resume? Its Purpose and What Should Not Be on Yours

Katrina Ávila Munichiello is an experienced editor, writer, fact-checker, and proofreader with more than fourteen years of experience working with print and online publications.

Investopedia / Jiaqi Zhou

A resume is a formal document that a job applicant creates to itemize their qualifications for a position. A resume is usually accompanied by a customized cover letter in which the applicant expresses an interest in a specific job or company and draws attention to the most relevant specifics on the resume.

American job coaches insist that a resume should be only one or two pages in length. British job applicants traditionally are expected to produce a somewhat more detailed document called a CV (curriculum vitae).

Key Takeaways

• Nowadays, resumes are typically sent by email or as part of an online application.
• The traditional one- to two-page limit for a resume stands, but nothing prevents you from attaching a brief video introduction or other illustration if it is relevant and enhances your presentation.
• It's smart to rewrite your resume to tailor it to a specific job you're seeking.

A resume is almost always required for applicants to office jobs. They are the first step taken by corporate recruiters and hiring managers to identify candidates who might be invited to interview for a position.

Successful resumes highlight specific accomplishments applicants have achieved in former positions, such as cutting costs, transcending sales goals, increasing profits, and building out teams. 

There are many formats for resumes, with many variations for particular professions such as investment banking and the fashion trade.

Whatever the format, most resumes include a brief summary of skills and experience, followed by a bullet list of previous jobs in reverse chronological order and a list of degrees earned.

A final section might be added to highlight specific skills, such as fluency in a foreign language, knowledge of computer languages, professionally useful hobbies, professional affiliations, and any honors achieved.

Brevity, a clean layout, and succinct language all are prized. People who have to sort through hundreds of resumes have short attention spans.

The heading on the resume should include not only your name, email address, and mobile phone number but also your address on LinkedIn or another professional community and the address of your website or blog if you have one.

Be aware that any hiring manager will, as a matter of course, enter your name in the Google search field. Do a search on your own and see if you can optimize your own results or at least decently bury any youthful faux pas.

Recruiters examine job histories for significant employment gaps or a pattern of job-hopping. Be prepared to explain either, whether in a cover letter or during an interview. An applicant with a history of short-lived jobs might consider omitting a few of the oldest ones, especially if they aren't relevant to the current job opening.

For example, if you spent years working behind a counter in food service, then went back to school to earn physical therapy credentials, forget some of those early jobs in food service. Flesh out the sections that report your skills , training, and experience in the field that's now your specialty. You can mention those other jobs in the interview while explaining what a reliable professional you are.

The past can be particularly dangerous for applicants to new technology companies seeking to assemble cutting-edge teams. Legacy skills may imply obsolescence. The most powerful resumes underline how an applicant can thrive in the job that's open right now.

It goes without saying that resumes these days are delivered as email attachments or uploaded for an online application, not printed out and mailed.

Although the two-page maximum still stands, many applicants use the web to its full potential when it comes to attachments. Video introductions, charts, graphs, and other illustrations can make you stand out, so long as they're relevant and slickly made.

There is so much talk about what should be in your resume, but there are also some things that ought to be kept off the page. First, and most importantly, are your age, marital status, and the number of children you may have. While a potential employer might be able to deduce this information via a web search, it isn't relevant for a job application.

In addition, do not list your current salary, religion, political beliefs, or any personal details (like your hobbies), unless that information is required for the job in question.

What Are Common Resume Mistakes?

Common resume mistakes include typos, vague details without a lack of specifics, either being too long in detail or too short, grammatical errors, poor verb usage, impertinent information, and not including enough information on skills.

Should I Create More Than One Resume?

This depends on whether you are applying for different types of jobs. For example, if you are applying for an office manager job, you should tailor your resume to outline your leadership and organizational skills. But you might also be interested in applying for a retail position, so creating a second resume that instead highlights any retail experience that you have will put you in a better position to get that job.

What If I Do Not Have Any Work Experience?

You can still create a strong resume even if you do not have any professional work experience. Your resume can include any volunteer work you have done and the responsibilities you had during this time. If you are still in school, you can also list any academic organizations you are a part of and any offices and responsibilities you're holding.

Your resume is what gets you the job interview. It's the first step in getting hired. So you want to spend plenty of time making sure it's professional, represents who you are, is void of mistakes, does not contain superfluous information, and highlights why you would be the best candidate for the job.

Your resume should be recent and contain only the most important information; remove anything else. If you've been working for two decades, employers aren't interested in your high school GPA or any internships you had during college. Keep it concise, interesting, and impressive, and you'll be sure to get a response from companies.

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What is a Resume? The Ultimate Guide to Resumes

A resume is a document that summarizes an individual’s education, work experience, achievements, and skills. It is often the first point of contact between a job seeker and a potential employer.

A well-crafted resume is essential for job seekers to stand out from the competition. It is a marketing tool that sells an individual’s skills and abilities to potential employers. A carefully tailored resume that highlights relevant experience and skills can greatly increase a candidate’s chances of securing an interview and landing a job.

Brief history of resumes

Resumes have evolved over time, from handwritten personal summaries to today’s digital, keyword-optimized versions. The use of resumes dates back to the Middle Ages, with Leonardo da Vinci believed to have created the first known resume. In the 20th century, resumes became standard practice as the workforce grew and job applications became more formalized. With the rise of electronic resumes and online job searching, resumes have continued to adapt to new technologies and trends.

Resume Formats

A resume format is the presentation style you choose for your resume. There are three popular resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination.

A. Chronological

Explanation of chronological format:  The chronological resume format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order with the most recent job first. It focuses on job titles, employers, dates of employment, and job responsibilities. It is the most traditional and widely used format.

When to use chronological format:  Use the chronological format if you have a solid work history with no significant gaps in employment, and you want to highlight your career progression and accomplishments. It’s also effective if you’re targeting a job that is similar to your current or previous jobs.

B. Functional

Explanation of functional format:  The functional resume format emphasizes your skills and achievements rather than your work history. It highlights your relevant skills and abilities in a separate section that captures the attention of the reader.

When to use functional format:  Use the functional format if you have gaps in your employment history, are changing careers, or have limited work experience. It’s also effective if you have a lot of relevant experience that is not directly related to your previous job titles.

C. Combination

Explanation of combination format:  The combination resume format blends the features of chronological and functional formats. It presents your work history in reverse chronological order and emphasizes your relevant skills and achievements.

When to use a combination format:  Use the combination format if you have a solid work history with relevant experience and accomplishments that are not necessarily reflected in your job titles or descriptions. It’s also effective if you want to highlight your transferable skills and achievements relevant to the job you’re targeting while providing a detailed work history.

It’s essential to choose the best resume format that suits your career goals, job level, and work experience. Carefully consider each format’s advantages and disadvantages before deciding which resume format to use.

Resume Components

When it comes to crafting a winning resume, there are five core components that you need to include. Here’s everything you need to know about each one:

A. Contact Information

Your contact information is the very first thing that should appear on your resume. Without it, recruiters won’t be able to reach out to you for interviews. Make sure you include your full name, email address, phone number, and mailing address (optional).

B. Professional Summary or Objective Statement

Your professional summary or objective statement is a brief, high-level overview of your experience, skills, and career goals. This section should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for, and should give the reader a clear sense of what makes you uniquely qualified for the role.

C. Work Experience

Your work experience is the heart of your resume. This section should include a list of your previous jobs, along with accompanying details like job titles, company names, dates of employment, and job responsibilities.

1. Explanation of How to List Work Experience

When listing your work experience, start with your most recent job and work backwards. Use bullet points to highlight your most notable accomplishments and responsibilities for each role.

2. Importance of Strong Action Verbs

Using strong, active verbs (like “managed,” “created,” or “led”) can make your work experience section much more impactful. Avoid weak, passive language (like “assisted with” or “was responsible for”).

D. Education

Your education section should include a list of your degrees, along with the school names, dates of attendance, and any academic honors you’ve received. If you have a lot of relevant coursework or certifications, you can include those here as well.

Your skills section is a chance to highlight your core competencies, both technical (hard skills) and interpersonal (soft skills).

1. Explanation of Hard and Soft Skills

Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities that are required for a particular job (like proficiency in a certain programming language). Soft skills are more interpersonal in nature, and include things like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

2. How to Showcase Skills Effectively

When showcasing your skills, be sure to provide concrete examples of how you’ve used them to achieve success in previous roles. Avoid vague or generic statements – the more specific you can be, the better.

Your resume should be a well-crafted representation of your skills, experience, and achievements. By following these guidelines and tailoring your resume to each job you apply for, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job.

Writing a Strong Resume

Crafting a compelling resume is an essential part of any job search. A strong resume showcases your skills, accomplishments, and experience in a way that makes you stand out to potential employers. Here are some tips to help you create a resume that will catch the eye of hiring managers:

A. Tailoring resumes to specific job descriptions

Tailoring your resume to specific job descriptions can increase your chances of being noticed by recruiters. When applying for a job, carefully review the job description to identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is looking for. Then, make sure to highlight those skills and qualifications in your resume.

B. Importance of using metrics and data

Using metrics and data to quantify your accomplishments can make your resume more impactful. For example, if you increased sales revenue or decreased production time, include specific numbers to demonstrate the results of your work. This will show potential employers the impact you can make on their organization.

C. Tips for avoiding common mistakes

To ensure your resume stands out for all the right reasons, avoid common mistakes such as spelling errors or grammatical mistakes. Also, make sure your resume is easy to read and follows a logical format. Keep it concise and highlight your most relevant accomplishments.

D. Examples of strong resumes

One of the best ways to improve your resume is to learn from examples of outstanding resumes. Here are some essential elements of a strong resume:

• A clear objective statement that captures the attention of recruiters
• A concise summary highlighting your most significant achievements and skills
• Relevant work experience and education, presented in a clear and organized way
• Metrics and data to showcase your past accomplishments and demonstrate your potential value to the employer

A strong resume requires time, effort, and attention to detail. By tailoring your resume to specific job descriptions, highlighting your achievements with metrics and data, and avoiding common mistakes, you can increase your chances of landing your dream job.

ATS and Keyword Optimization

A. explanation of ats and the role it plays in the hiring process.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software used by companies to efficiently manage the hiring process. These systems aid in screening, tracking, and managing job applications.

When a job seeker applies through an online portal or email, the resume is first scanned by the ATS, which then filters the applications based on parameters such as education, skills, experience, and keywords.

The hiring managers see only those resumes that have passed the ATS screening, and the system also saves the information of all applicants for future reference. Therefore, optimizing your resume as per the ATS guidelines is essential to ensure that it gets recognized by the system and increases your chances of getting the job.

B. Importance of keyword optimization

ATS scans for keywords that match the job description provided by the employer. To improve your chances of getting through the ATS, it is crucial to include relevant keywords in your resume. Identify the keywords that appear in the job description and tailor your resume accordingly.

Merely copying and pasting the exact same words from the job description, however, is not advisable. It’s important that you integrate the keywords organically and weave them into your resume.

C. How to optimize resumes for ATS and keyword search

Here are some tips on how to optimize your resume for ATS and keyword search.

Use keywords specific to the job: Use keywords that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Identify the keywords in the job description and ensure that you use them in your resume.

Use industry jargon: Industry-specific jargon indicates that you are familiar with industry practices and standards. It will also help you stand out from the rest of the applicants.

Keep formatting simple: Avoid complex formatting like graphics, images, and tables in your resume. Use standard fonts like Times New Roman or Arial and a readable font size of 10-12.

Use bullet points for better readability: Use bullet points to organize your skills and experiences. It ensures that your resume is easy to read, and the information is easily accessible.

Customize your resume: Tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for. Use relevant experience and skills that match the job description.

Optimizing your resume for ATS and keyword search is essential to make it past the initial screening process. It ensures that your accomplishments and experiences are noticed by the hiring manager and increases your chances of getting an interview. Stick to these guidelines, and you’ll be well on your way to crafting a winning resume.

Resume Proofreading and Editing

Once you have completed your resume, it is essential to proofread and edit it thoroughly to avoid any errors and ensure that it presents you in the best possible light. Here are some common mistakes to look out for:

A. Common mistakes to look out for

• Grammatical errors such as misspellings, incorrect verb tenses or articles, and fragmented sentences.
• Inaccurate or inconsistent information, such as incorrect employment dates or job titles.
• Lack of clarity and specificity, making it difficult to understand your qualifications or achievements.
• Formatting issues, such as inconsistent font sizes or styles, poor spacing or alignment, or incorrect headings.

B. Tips for proofreading and editing

Here are some helpful tips for proofreading and editing your resume:

• Take a break after completing your resume to help you approach it with fresh eyes and a clear mind.
• Print out a hard copy and read it aloud, which can help with detecting errors and identifying areas for improvement.
• Use tools like spell-checking and grammar-checking software to catch any mistakes you may have missed.
• Focus on improving the overall readability and flow of your resume. Use clear headings, bullet points, and action verbs to make it easy for the reader to follow.

C. Importance of seeking feedback

Even after you have proofread and edited your resume, seeking feedback from others is critical to ensuring that it presents your best self. Here are some reasons why:

• Another person can provide fresh perspective and catch errors or areas for improvement that you may have missed.
• Feedback can also help you identify any weaknesses in your resume and provide ideas for how to strengthen it.
• Getting feedback from someone who is experienced in the field or industry you are applying to can give you valuable insight into what employers are looking for.

It is essential to put in the time and effort to proofread and edit your resume thoroughly. Taking the extra step of seeking feedback can also help set you apart from other applicants and put you on the path to success in your job search.

Resume Design

When it comes to crafting a winning resume, design is just as important as content. A visually appealing resume can help you stand out from the competition and make a great impression on potential employers. In this section, we’ll explore the importance of a visually appealing resume, best practices for design, and examples of resumes that do it right.

A. Importance of a Visually Appealing Resume

Your resume is often the first impression that potential employers have of you. In fact, many hiring managers spend only a few seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to move on to the next candidate. That’s why it’s crucial to make sure your resume is visually appealing and easy to read.

A visually appealing resume can help you convey your professionalism, attention to detail, and overall skills and experience. By choosing the right fonts, colors, and layout, you can make your resume stand out and grab the reader’s attention.

B. Best Practices for Design

To create a visually appealing resume, there are several best practices to keep in mind:

• Choose an appropriate font size and style that is easy to read.
• Use bullet points and whitespace to make your resume scannable.
• Incorporate your personal brand into your design, such as using your brand colors or logo.
• Avoid using too many different fonts or font styles.
• Keep your resume layout simple and clean.

C. Examples of Visually Appealing Resumes

Here are some examples of visually appealing resumes that showcase the best practices discussed above:

• The Minimalist: This resume features a simple black and white design with plenty of whitespace and bold headings. The font is easy to read and the design is simple yet effective.
• The Creative: This resume uses pops of color to draw attention to key sections and incorporate the candidate’s personal brand. The layout is clean and scannable, making it easy to read.
• The Professional: This resume uses a clean, professional layout with a touch of color to differentiate each section. The font is easy to read and the design is both elegant and functional.

By incorporating these best practices into your resume design and drawing inspiration from these examples, you can create a visually appealing resume that gives you the best chance of landing the job you want.

Cover Letters

A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It is essentially a summary of your skills and experience, and explains why you are the perfect candidate for the job.

A strong cover letter is crucial when applying for a job, as it helps you stand out from other candidates. It is an opportunity for you to showcase your skills, experience and enthusiasm for the position.

Here are some tips for writing a strong cover letter:

• Keep it concise and to the point. Stick to one page and avoid rambling.
• Tailor your cover letter to the specific job you are applying for. Highlight how your skills and experience match the requirements of the job.
• Use a professional tone and avoid informal language or slang.
• Show enthusiasm for the position and the company. Explain why you are interested in working for the company specifically.
• Address the person who will be reading your cover letter by name, if possible.
• Proofread your cover letter carefully for any typos or grammatical errors.

Here are some examples of strong cover letters:

• A cover letter for a marketing job that highlights the candidate’s experience in social media marketing and their enthusiasm for the company’s brand.
• A cover letter for a teaching job that showcases the candidate’s passion for education and their ability to connect with students.
• A cover letter for a sales job that demonstrates the candidate’s track record of exceeding sales targets and their ability to build relationships with clients.
• Do customize your cover letter to the specific job you are applying for.
• Do show enthusiasm for the position and the company.
• Do proofread your cover letter carefully for any errors.

Don’ts:

• Don’t use informal language or slang.
• Don’t make your cover letter too long or rambling.
• Don’t use a generic cover letter for multiple job applications.

A strong cover letter is an important component of any job application. By following these tips and avoiding common mistakes, you can create a cover letter that helps you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Resume Submission

Once you have polished and perfected your resume, the next step is to submit it to potential employers. This section covers where to submit your resume, the different submission requirements for different companies, and tips for following up after submitting your resume.

A. Where to Submit Resumes

There are several places where you can submit your resume. The most popular option is through online job boards, such as LinkedIn or Glassdoor. You can also submit your resume directly to a company’s career page or via email to a hiring manager or recruiter. Additionally, you may choose to work with a staffing agency, which can provide further assistance in your job search.

B. Different Submission Requirements for Different Companies

It’s important to keep in mind that each company may have different submission requirements. Some companies may require you to fill out an online application in addition to submitting your resume, while others may only accept resumes via email. Always follow the specific instructions provided by the company to ensure that your application is considered.

C. Tips for Following up After Submitting a Resume

After submitting your resume, you may be wondering what the next steps are. One important tip is to follow up with the company after a week or two to check on your application status. You can reach out via email or phone and reiterate your interest in the position.

It’s also a good idea to personalize your follow-up message and highlight any relevant experience or qualifications that make you a strong candidate. This shows that you are dedicated to the position and are willing to put in effort to stand out.

Submitting your resume is just the first step in the job search process. By knowing where to submit your resume, following specific company submission requirements, and following up appropriately, you can increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams.

Job Search Strategies

When it comes to job searching, there are several strategies you can use to increase your chances of success. In this section, we’ll provide an overview of some of the most effective strategies to consider.

A. Overview of Different Job Search Strategies

Online job boards:  Websites like Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor allow you to search for job openings based on specific criteria such as location, job title, and salary range. You can also create job alerts to be notified when a new job posting matches your search criteria.

Networking:  This involves reaching out to people in your professional and personal network to learn about potential job opportunities. LinkedIn is a popular social networking site for professionals that can be used for networking purposes.

Recruiting agencies:  These are companies that assist both job seekers and companies looking to hire by matching candidates with open positions.

Direct outreach:  This involves finding companies you’re interested in working for and reaching out to them directly to inquire about open positions or express interest in working for them in the future.

B. Importance of Networking

Networking is often considered one of the most effective job search strategies because it allows you to tap into the “hidden job market” – job openings that aren’t publicly advertised. By building relationships with people in your industry, you may learn about job openings before they are posted on job boards or advertised elsewhere.

Networking can also help you learn about potential employers and gain insight into their company culture and hiring practices. This information can be valuable as you prepare for interviews and evaluate job offers.

C. Tips for Maximizing Job Search Success

Tailor your resume and cover letter:  When applying for jobs, make sure your resume and cover letter are tailored to the specific position and company you’re applying to. This shows that you’ve taken the time to research the role and company and are genuinely interested in the position.

Prepare for interviews:  Research the company and position you’re interviewing for and prepare responses to common interview questions. Dress professionally and arrive early to the interview.

Follow up:  After an interview, send a thank-you email or note to the interviewer to thank them for their time and reiterate your interest in the position.

Be persistent:  Job searching can be a long and frustrating process. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back from companies right away. Follow up regularly (but not too frequently) on your applications and continue networking.

By using a combination of job search strategies, networking, and following these tips, you can increase your chances of success and find the job you’ve been searching for. Good luck!

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How to Write a Resume (With Examples)

What Is a Resume?

Types of resumes, which resume type is right for you, what to include in your resume, what to leave off your resume.

• Choose the Right Font and Size

Use Resume Keywords

Review resume examples, download a resume template, proof your resume, keep your resume current, get resume advice.

The Balance

Do you need to write a resume? While it's only a page or two in length, a resume is one of the most important parts of a job application. Your resume is your most powerful tool to tell the story of your professional work history to potential employers.

A  well-written resume  that highlights your most relevant qualifications for the job will help you get selected for an interview. Often, interviewers will consult your resume during the interview, too. Above all, your resume needs to be consistent, concise, and easy to read. If it's not, your resume and cover letter won't get a second glance from any hiring manager.

In many cases, your resume is the first document a hiring manager will look at when reviewing your application, and therefore is a true “first impression.” Accordingly, it’s important to put time and effort into developing and maintaining an updated, accurate resume.

Here is information on how to write a resume that will get noticed and help you get invited for an interview.

Think of a resume as “self-advertisement” that sums up your experience on one page. Your resume is one of the most important pieces of your job application. It gives the hiring manager an overview of the qualifications you have for the job for which you’re applying.

You should also familiarize yourself with the difference between a resume and a cover letter:

• A resume is typically sent with a cover letter , which is a document that provides additional information on your skills and experience in letter form.
• A resume is a concise, often bulleted summary, while a cover letter highlights and expands on certain traits or accomplishments that would be unique or ideal assets for the particular job.

There are several  basic types of resumes  used to apply for job openings. Depending on your personal circumstances:

• Chronological  
• Functional  
• Combination
• Targeted  

A chronological resume (in reverse chronological order) is the simplest format to use, but there may be circumstances where you want to focus on your key accomplishments and skills rather than your employment history. For instance, this format can be helpful if you have an employment gap. 

To quickly make the best impression on hiring managers, recruiters, and connections, consider creating three versions of your resume, including a comprehensive, targeted, and short teaser version.

Which resume type should you use for your job search? That depends on what you're trying to accomplish. The goal of any resume is to show a hiring manager the applicant's strengths, skills, and experience in as short a time as possible. According to one study, recruiters spend as little as seven seconds reviewing a resume before moving on to the next, so it's in your best interests to put your finest qualities and accomplishments in a prominent position on the page.

In addition, functional or combination resumes may also be useful if you're trying to draw the reader's attention away from something—namely,  large gaps in your work history  or detours into unrelated fields.

An effective resume lays out a summary of qualifications that will push the hiring manager or employer to move forward and invite you to interview for the position.

For many people, it can be helpful to sit down with a pen and paper, or a blank Word or Google document, and jot down their  work history  from start to finish. Of course, if you have been in the workforce for many years, this is not going to be time-efficient, so you may choose to focus on your most prominent and relevant positions.

No matter your approach, your goal will be to produce a chronological list of experience that is relevant to the jobs you’re applying to.

Required and Optional Resume Sections. As well as details on skills, education, and work history, resumes can also have optional sections, such as an  objective ,  summary statement ,  skills , or  career highlights . Those sections can be added after you’ve compiled all the factual information you need to list on your resume.

List the Details . Make sure to include the name of the company, its location, dates of employment, and several bullet points describing your role and responsibilities for each position you list. Although you may need to expand on the bullet points later on, you’ll need this information at the minimum.

Include Your Experience and Accomplishments. Although this should focus on professional work experience, you can also include awards or accolades,  volunteer or community experience , post-grad coursework, and  skills , as well as your  college education , which can move to the bottom of your resume once you get your first job after college.

Focus on Your Achievements. When writing the descriptions for the jobs you’ve held, focus on  what you accomplished in each position  rather than what you did. Listing quantifiable achievements in a  numerical manner  (increased sales by 20%, reduced expenses by 10%, for example) will help your resume stand out.

Match Your Resume to the Job. Be sure to  match those accomplishments  to the criteria the employer is seeking in the job posting.

Review Your Job Descriptions. Review the descriptions you've written for each job you've held:

• Are they going to show the hiring manager why you're a good match?
• Do they sound impressive?

If it’s challenging (and it can be!) to write resume descriptions that will catch the attention of the hiring manager, review these tips for  how to make your resume employment history sound better —and get you picked for an interview.

There are some things that don’t belong on a resume for a job.  What you exclude  is just as important as what you include. Ideally, your resume should reflect experience that is relevant to the job you are applying to, and typically no more than ten to fifteen years in the past. Since your resume should, if possible, be no longer than  one or two pages , you may need to nix certain items.

For example, if you took a job and only stayed there for a month or so, you wouldn’t want to include that position. If you’ve been out of college for more than five years, it’s generally best to remove any internships you’ve had, assuming you have other professional work experience to fill the gap.

However, this is a case where you’ll want to use your common sense. If you went to college for marketing and had a marketing internship your senior year, then worked as a server for the next several years, you would want to include your marketing internship.

Ultimately, you want to try to strike a balance between including experience that is both timely and relevant.

How to Format Your Resume 

It's important to  choose a font and font size  that are legible and will leave enough white space on the page.

You also want to keep style features (such as italics, underlining, bold, and the use of  bullets ) to a minimum; reserve the use of boldface for section headings and for quantifiable achievements that you would like to have “pop” on the page (example: “Secured and fulfilled  $1.5M  contract”).

When you use a particular style, use it consistently. That is, if you bold one section header, make sure to bold all of them. 

You should use consistent spacing throughout, and evenly sized margins on all sides if possible. It’s generally best to stick to your word processor’s default settings, but in some cases, if you shrink the margins on the left, right, top and bottom, this can help buy more space to  fit your resume on one page .

Although visual or infographic resumes have become trendy in some industries, it is always a safe bet to stick with traditional formatting: white page, black text, readable font. Choose a  basic font  such as Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, Helvetica, or Georgia. Ideally, your font size should be no larger than 12 and no smaller than 10.5.

Even if you are only sending in copies digitally, it is a good idea to print your resume (as it’s possible that hiring managers may be doing so) to be sure it prints on a single page, and is easy to read in printed form. Reading over a printed copy of your resume will also help you ensure that there is plenty of white space on the page and it looks professional.

Most companies use recruiting management software to screen candidates for job openings. 

In order to get found, your  resume needs to contain keywords  that directly target the jobs you are interested in.

Spend some time  matching your qualifications to the job  to ensure you're including the appropriate keywords and skills. In addition to helping your resume get selected, it will also help the hiring manager see how your skills and experiences make you an ideal candidate for the specific job.

7 Tips For a Resumé That Will Get You Hired

Read through  samples that fit a variety of employment situations . These sample resumes will provide you with examples of resume formats that will work for almost every type of job seeker. They will also help you see  what kind of information to include .

Along with resume examples, you can use a  resume template as a starting point for creating your own resume. Add your information to the resume template, then tweak and edit it to personalize your resume so that it highlights your own unique skills and abilities.

Download the resume template (compatible with Google Docs or Word Online) or read the example below.

Resume Sample (Text Version)

Joanie Jobseeker 234 Howard Street • Milwaukee, WI 53210 • (123) 456-7890 • jjobseeker@email.com

HEAD CASHIER

Skillful and customer service-oriented Cashier with proven capacities for checkout and return transactions, point of sale operations, and team organization and motivation. Key skills include:

• Cash Handling / Credit Transactions
• Up-selling / Cross-selling Strategies
• Product Knowledge Acquisition
• Team Supervision & Training
• Customer Education
• Issue Resolution

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

HARDWARE SALES, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Head Cashier (February 2017 – Present)

Performed all cash handling and credit transactions with 100% accuracy. Processed checkout and return transactions, provided solutions to customer queries and issues, and coached and trained new hires.

• Leveraged strong product knowledge to educate customers and maximize up-selling and cross-selling opportunities.
• Promoted to role as Head Cashier six months after initial hiring as Cashier.
• Earned 3 “Employee of the Quarter” awards.

ARNOLD’S DRIVE-IN, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Waitress (November 2015 – January 2017)

Concurrent with education, provided attentive customer service to patrons of popular local restaurant. Greeted guests, provided menu recommendations, and took orders; helped to maintain dining room.

• Trained and mentored new wait staff in winning customer service techniques.
• Earned frequent commendations from restaurant guests for cheerfulness and creation of positive dining experiences.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Associate’s Degree in Business Management, 2017

Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Technical Proficiencies : Microsoft Office Suite, QuickBooks, and POS systems

Be sure to  thoroughly edit your resume  before sending it:

• Check for grammar and spelling errors as well as any style inconsistencies.
• Always print it out and proofread a hard copy. That helps to catch errors.
• Consider asking a friend or family member, or even a career counselor, to read over your cover letter.
• Review these proofing tips to ensure that your resume is consistent and error free.

In the short term, you should  tweak your resume based on each job you apply to . For example, if one position you’re applying to seems to weigh a certain responsibility or focus over another, you should be sure your resume conveys your expertise in this area.

At the same time, you should be updating your resume with your experience as it develops, adding any new skills you’ve learned, courses you’ve taken or awards you won.

It is much easier to update your resume periodically than all at once, so even when you’re employed, set a reminder to refresh your resume every three months, while the information is still fresh in your head. This will make your next job search much easier, should you decide to switch companies or careers in the future.

Writing a resume is hard work, and it's often a good idea to get help before you send it to employers. You can find resume writing advice and  resume writing tips  online. You can also meet with a college career counselor if you are a college student or alumnus.

You might use a  professional resume service  instead or check with your state’s department of labor website for information on any free job services they offer. There are many great, free resume resources.

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Resume Examples for 2024 & Guides for Any Job [90+ Examples]

In today’s competitive job market, having an impactful resume is more essential than ever. 

However, many job seekers struggle to craft a resume that effectively highlights their skills and experience and, in turn, misses out on potential job opportunities. 

This is where our extensive library of resume examples comes in. 

By looking at examples of resumes for different industries and professions, you can gain great insight into what works and what doesn’t, get inspired to present your own qualifications, and stand out from the competition.

Let’s dive in!

15+ Resume Examples

#1. architect resume example.

Here’s what this architect resume example does right:

• Lists related experience. This resume highlights the relevant professional experience the candidate gained in the field during their internship.
• Mentions achievements and responsibilities. The candidate backs up their claims by going into detail about their achievements and responsibilities. 
• Focus on personal projects. By dedicating a section to their personal projects, this candidate makes up for their lack of work experience and shows off their dedication to the industry. 

#2. Business Resume Example

Here’s what this business-related resume example does right:

• Prioritizes work experience. The work experience section is arguably the most important section in every resume, which is why this candidate has given it a priority by giving it enough resume space and going into detail about their previous positions. 
• Highlights accomplishments. To make their professional experience even more impactful, this candidate has supported all their claims with quantifiable achievements. 
• Lists the right optional sections . The candidate adds more value to their resume by including the organizations, honors, and conferences as optional sections.

#3. Computer Science Resume Example

Here’s what this computer science resume does right: 

• Prioritizes technical skills. Technical skills are essential when it comes to IT-related roles, which is why this candidate has prioritized them over soft skills.
• Keeps the education section concise. With such extensive professional experience in the field, the candidate has opted to keep their education section short.
• Lists relevant social media profiles. Listing websites like GitHub and LinkedIn is a great way to provide recruiters with additional information about your skills.

#4. Data Analyst Resume Example

Here’s what this data analyst resume does right: 

• Includes a strong resume summary . This candidate showcases their key skills and qualifications from the get-go, which is much more likely to get recruiters to read their resumes from start to finish.
• Highlights technical skills. Data analysts work with “big data,” so this candidate prioritizes their quantitative and technical skills over other resume sections.
• Lists relevant professional certifications . The resume lists the candidate’s most noteworthy professional certificates.

#5. College Resume Example

Here’s what this college resume example does right: 

• Lists relevant social media profiles. By including their Medium and LinkedIn accounts, this candidate gives the hiring manager a chance to know them more professionally. 
• Highlights achievements . Although they lack work experience, the candidate has listed everything they’ve achieved during their academic career, thus showing they’re a promising candidate. 
• Mentions the right optional sections. Adding hobbies and interests and foreign languages to a resume is a huge plus for a candidate with no work experience.

#6. Customer Service Resume Example

Here’s what this customer service resume does right: 

• Includes both soft and hard skills . Customer service roles require a mix of soft and hard skills, so this candidate has listed both. 
• Mentions quantifiable achievements. To make their achievements more impressive, the candidate has backed up their work achievements with data and numbers. 
• Lists foreign language skills. Foreign languages are a huge plus when you’re working in customer service and this resume does a good job highlighting the candidate’s foreign language skills. 

#7. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Here’s what this digital marketing resume does right: 

• Follows the reverse chronological format . This format is the most popular one worldwide and is easily the safest choice.
• Grabs attention with a resume summary. In a single glance, the recruiter can tell that the candidate is a digital marketing professional with the right amount of experience.
• Lists relevant skills. The digital marketing specialist resume above lists in-demand marketing skills like Google Ads, SEO, and others.

#8. Graduate Resume Example

Here’s what this graduate resume example does right:

• Starts off with a well-written resume objective . The resume objective does a great job of showing off the candidate’s promise and industry-related experience. 
• Includes work experience. The candidate has gained professional experience while they were a student and they’ve made sure to include that in their resume. 
• Takes advantage of optional sections. Sections like volunteer experience, and personal projects and achievements can help make up for the lack of extensive experience in the industry. 

#9. HR Resume Example

Here’s what this human resources resume example does right: 

• Follows the right format. The reverse chronological format lists the candidate’s latest experience and achievements first, which is exactly what recruiters want to see. 
• Highlights professional experience. With so many years in the industry, this candidate has dedicated the biggest part of their resume to their work history. 
• Includes courses and certificates. To make their achievements even more impressive, the candidate has included all their courses and certifications. 

#10. Medical Assistant Resume Example

Here’s what this medical assistant resume example does right: 

• Starts off with a memorable resume summary. The candidate lists their years of experience, skills, and passion for the industry, making it more likely for the hiring manager to read the rest of their resume. 
• Lists the candidate’s certificates. There are many certifications one can obtain in the medical field, and this candidate proves how professional they are by listing theirs. 
• Highlights the candidate’s extensive work experience. Experience speaks louder than a thousand words, which is why this resume example provides the work experience section its due space. 

#11. Project Manager Resume Example

Here’s what this project manager resume example does right: 

• Uses bullet points. The candidate uses bullet points to organize and present the information which makes this project manager resume example look neat and structured.
• Keeps their education section relevant. The candidate only includes their key education details, such as their Bachelor’s degree and a field-related minor.
• Takes advantage of additional sections. The candidate takes advantage of the extra space on their project manager resume by including relevant additional sections, such as their industry-related certifications and academic achievements

#12. Bar Manager Resume Example

Here’s what this bar manager resume example does right:

• Includes relevant social media profiles. Details such as your LinkedIn profile or Instagram handle make you look more professional (as long as they’re work-related). 
• Mentions industry-related skills. Instead of listing a bunch of unrelated skills, the bar manager resume example above only lists industry-relevant skills.
• Quantifiable achievements. This applicant quantifies their achievements as much as possible, showing the bar owner how they stand out amongst other candidates.

#13. Supervisor Resume Example

Here’s what this supervisor resume example does right: 

• Lists relevant contact details . The supervisor resume example above leaves out redundancies like marital status or age and includes relevant information, like a LinkedIn URL. 
• Features as many accomplishments as possible. To really highlight their candidate’s professional experience, the supervisor example lists achievements over responsibilities. 
• Lists the right kind of skills. This supervisor's resume example doesn’t list every skill under the sun. Instead, they keep the section relevant by only listing skills required from a supervisor. 

#14. Teacher Resume Example

Here’s what this teacher resume example does right:

• Mentions industry-relevant skills. The candidate lists all the soft and hard skills a teacher should have. 
• Includes hobbies and interests . By including hobbies and interests, the hiring manager will see the candidate as more than just a resume. 
• Lists volunteer experience. The candidate reinforces their teaching experience by including their teaching volunteer gigs and experience. 

#15. Writer Resume Example

Here’s just what this writer resume example does right: 

• Impressive resume summary. The resume includes a brief but effective resume summary that highlights the candidate’s skills and top achievements.
• Relevant contact details. This writer resume example contains relevant contact information, including the candidate’s name and surname, email address, phone number, location, professional website URL, and LinkedIn URL. 
• Short education section. A writer’s skills and experience matter more than their education. For this reason, this candidate kept their writer resume’s education section short and sweet. 

#16. Web Developer Resume Example

Here’s what this web developer resume example does right: 

• Focuses on technical skills. Technical skills are essential for web development, which is why this candidate has prioritized theirs.
• Grabs attention with their work experience. Their rich work experience, listed in reverse chronological order, shows the candidate is a promising professional.
• Keeps their education section minimal. With such extensive work experience and training, the candidate has kept their education section concise.

65+ More Resume Examples and Guides 

Couldn’t find a resume example for your field? Worry not!

Below you can find a number of other resume examples for different fields and industries:

• Accountant Resume
• Administrative Assistant Resume
• AI Engineer Resume
• Animator Resume
• Babysitter Resume
• Banking Resume
• Bank Teller Resume
• Barbie's Resume
• Barista Resume
• Bartender Resume
• Bookkeeper Resume
• Business Analyst Resume
• Career Change Resume
• Caregiver Resume
• Cashier Resume
• College Application Resume
• College Freshman Resume
• Consultant Resume
• Construction Project Manager
• Creative Resume Examples
• Data Entry Specialist Resume
• Data Scientist Resume
• Dentist Resume
• DevOps Engineer Resume
• Digital Marketing Manager Resume
• Editor Resume
• Electrical Engineer Resume
• Elon Musk's One-Page Resume
• Engineering Resume
• Esthetician Resume
• Europass CV
• Event Planner Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Federal Resume
• Financial Analyst Resume
• Flight Attendant Resume
• Game Designer Resume 
• Graphic Designer Resume
• High School Resume
• Illustrator Resume 
• Interior Designer Resume
• Internship Resume
• Java Developer Resume
• Military to Civilian Resume
• Marketing Executive Resume
• Minimalistic Resume Examples
• Nanny Resume Example
• Nurse Resume
• Office Assistant Resume
• Office Manager Resume
• Operations Manager Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Photographer Resume
• Program Manager Resume
• Real Estate Agent Resume
• Receptionist Resume
• Recruiter Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Restaurant Manager Resume
• Retail Manager Resume
• Richard Branson's One-Page Resume
• Sales Resume
• Sales Associate Resume
• Satya Nadella's One-Page Resume
• Server Resume
• Social Worker Resume
• Software Engineer Resume
• Stay-at-home Mom Resume
• Student Resume
• Student Resume Templates
• Taylor Swift Resume
• Video Editor Resume
• Volunteer Resume
• Waiter/Waitress Resume
• Warehouse Worker Resume
• Web Developer Resume
• Welder Resume

5+ Examples of Resume Templates

Your resume template can play an important role in helping you make a great first impression on the hiring manager. 

Specifically, your industry, work experience, or skills all impact how your resume should look, so make sure to choose the right template when making your resume: 

#1. Traditional Resume

A straightforward format that gives equal importance to all resume sections , emphasizing skills and work experience.

#2. Creative Resume

Land your dream job in the creative industry by using this creative resume template. 

#3. Minimalist Resume

A simple and easy-to-follow resume template. Perfect for more conservative industries which prefer less flashy templates.

#4. Basic Resume

This easy-to-personalize basic resume layout can be ready in under ten minutes through our resume builder .

#5. IT Resume

One of the best resume layouts to choose when you wish to showcase your IT expertise.

#6. Modern Resume 

It can be hard to stand out from the crowd, but this modern resume sample will take care of this.

#7. General Resume

5+ Resume Examples by Career Level

#1. no experience resume .

Are you a student with no experience ? Learn how to write a compelling resume with our guide! 

#2. College Freshman Resume

Learn how to ace your college freshman resume with our comprehensive guide! 

#3. Graduate Resume

Fresh out of college? Write an impactful graduate resume to land your first gig after college. 

#4. Career Change Resume

Going through a career change? Perfect your career change resume to make the transition as smooth as possible. 

#5. Manager Resume

#6. Executive Resume

The Perfect Resume Structure 

Not sure how to structure your resume?

Here’s our tried-and-tested resume layout :

• Choose the right resume format or pick a template. If you’re formatting your resume yourself, follow the reverse-chronological format and make sure to follow the right layout rules. Alternatively, you can use one of our premade resume templates and not have to worry about formatting your resume one bit. 
• Add relevant contact details and make sure they’re mistake-free. You shouldn’t be missing information such as your full name and job title, e-mail address, and where you’re based. Optionally, you can also include some relevant social media profiles, such as your LinkedIn.
• Include a resume summary or a resume objective. Done right, a resume summary will show the hiring manager you’re a relevant candidate from the get-go and have them read the rest of your resume.
• List your work experience, placing special focus on your achievements. Your work experience becomes more meaningful if you include your achievements in your past roles and manage to make them quantifiable.
• Mention your top soft and hard skills. List any skills you have that are relevant to the job you’re applying for in a seperate section. 
• Keep your education section short and concise. Unless you’re an entry-level candidate with little-to-no work experience, keep your education section short and to the point. 
• Leverage optional sections like “Languages,” “Certifications,” or “Hobbies and Interests.” Fill up the rest of your resume space with optional sections that can highlight your strengths and qualifications as a candidate (e.g. foreign languages you speak, certifications you’ve obtained over the years, or your hobbies and interests).

3 Examples of Resume Formats 

#1. reverse chronological resume format.

This resume format highlights your experience and key professional achievements by listing your latest position and acquired skills first. It’s the most popular resume format among recruiters and the one we advise job seekers to use in 99% of cases. 

#2. Functional Resume Format

A functional resume , also known as the skill-based resume, is a resume format that focuses on your professional skill test as opposed to work experience. You’re better off using a functional resume if you’re a recent graduate with no work experience, if you’re switching careers, or if you have a long employment gap . 

#3. Hybrid Resume Format

A combination resume combines the two traditional resume formats: the reverse-chronological resume and the functional resume.

As such, this format places emphasis on a candidate’s skills and work experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Examples

1. Are resume examples helpful?

Resume examples are helpful for several reasons. For starters, they can inspire you to write an A+ resume that meets the industry’s requirements. 

Also, resume examples can show you the best practices for listing your work experience and achievements, can guide you through your resume formatting and can help you understand exactly what the end result should look like.

2. How were these resume examples created?

All our resume examples and resume templates were created in full collaboration with industry-leading HR professionals.

This means that they meet all job market requirements, are modern and impactful, and meet recruiters’ standards worldwide.

3. What if I can’t find a resume example for my job?

While we’ve tried to list as many resume examples as possible for different jobs across several industries, it might happen that you can’t find the resume example that perfectly matches your needs. 

If that’s the case, you can check out our guide on how to write a resume , and learn to create an effective resume regardless of industry.

4. What is the best resume format in 2024?

The reverse-chronological format is still the best resume format in 2024. It remains the most widely used and preferred format by employers and recruiters alike. In this format, you list your work experience in reverse chronological format, starting with your most recent position and working backward.

This format showcases our most recent and relevant experience, making it easier for employers to see our career progression and accomplishments. 

5. Are these resume examples free? 

Yes, most of these resume examples can be used for free in the Basic account, while there is also a selection of templates included in the Premium account. All of them though can be tested for free in our editor. 

6. Do you also have cover letter examples?

Yes, we have an entire article dedicated to cover letter examples for different fields and jobs. Not just that, but you can also find tips on how to write a great cover letter and an FAQ section to answer any question you may have. 

7. Should my resume and cover letter match?

Yes, having a cover letter that’s consistent with your resume in terms of style, tone, and content can be a plus for your overall job application. In a nutshell, a matching resume and cover letter can increase your chances of getting an interview by demonstrating your professionalism, attention to detail, and suitability for the role. 

Conclusion 

And that’s a wrap!

We hope the examples and guides provided in this article can help you create a powerful and effective resume that highlights your unique qualifications and experiences. 

Whether you're a recent graduate, a mid-career employee, or a seasoned professional, there are tips and templates here to help you create a compelling resume for any job.

For more career advice, make sure to check out our career blog . 

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

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Insider Q&A: LinkedIn is bullish on AI. Will that help job seekers?

(AP Illustration/Jenni Sohn)

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Like many other technology companies, LinkedIn is all in on generative AI, the artificial intelligence systems that can create text, images and other media in response to queries.

The professional networking platform last month rolled out new AI features to help users search for jobs, tailor their resumes and create personalized cover letters from scratch.

Consumer-facing brands have shown more interest in LinkedIn, according to a May report by Emarketer, The market research firm credited the increased attention to new advertising formats and changes in user behavior on the Microsoft-owned platform.

The Associated Press recently spoke with LinkedIn Chief Product Officer Tomer Cohen about generative AI, the job market , brand marketing and TikTok creators . The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: The job market has been strong even though there are other economic challenges, such as high interest rates. What are you seeing on the platform in terms of hiring and recruitment?

A: We’re seeing a very competitive job market and a lot more applications coming from people year-over-year. It differs slightly between industries. But you see the demand for talent right now with AI. We’re seeing an increase in people looking at AI-specific roles, and companies investing in it.

At the same time, we’re seeing about 50% of people wanting to change roles this year. So the inclination to look for new roles is still there and still strong.

Q: Is it mostly tech companies looking for employees with AI skills, or is it other sectors as well?

A: We’re seeing it across multiple industries, everything from tech to finance and fashion. As a whole, AI presents a profound shift in how we work and bring things to market.

But we’re also seeing a gap right now in AI proficiency. When we talk to leaders, 80% of them – across industries – say they know it’s really important for them to adopt AI in their companies. But most of them don’t know how to do it. They lack the confidence, and the skill set, to actually bring it to the fold.

As a result, you’re seeing people across all seniority levels really working hard to learn AI skills, and they are coming to LinkedIn to do that. We’re seeing a 160% increase in professionals learning these skills – and showcasing it on their profile.

Q: A lot of companies are launching AI initiatives. How much of it do you think is going to move the needle?

A: It’s clear for everybody that AI presents a very big, profound shift. So it’s really about focusing on what customer or member value it can produce. For example, the idea that AI can start really focusing on tedious tasks that you do throughout the day and help you focus on what matters the most is 100% real.

We basically relaunched our recruiter tool and are powering our direct-messaging features right now with AI to help recruiters write their messages. And we’re seeing a 40% increase in messages accepted. If you’re a recruiter, this is a game changer for you in how you do your job.

In November, we launched a job seeker experience, just helping users understand their fit to a specific role. We saw great retention for that, and now we are launching an enhancement that can help people look across many jobs, not just one. We’re going to help you actually build a resume for those specific jobs when you apply and a cover letter. So we see that it’s helping people progress, and it’s amazing. And we see business results from it, both for our customers but also us as a company.

Q: LinkedIn also facilitates a lot of B2B, or business-to-business, marketing. Is the company putting more investment into helping brands directly market to customers?

A: B2B marketing works really well on LinkedIn. Because when you think, usually you’re trying to reach multiple decision-makers. It’s more complex in terms of how you reach out to those members. It requires multiple touch points. And the sale can take everything from weeks to months, and sometimes years.

When it comes to B2C (business-to-customer) sales, there are marketing campaigns that mimic B2B. You can be very successful on LinkedIn with B2B campaigns - but also B2C campaigns - when what you’re trying to promote and what you’re trying to sell requires a lot of consideration.

Q: The tone on LinkedIn has shifted in the past few years. Users are posting more personal things like being fired from a job or struggling with impostor syndrome. What do you think has led to that?

A: One of the growing trends we’re seeing on LinkedIn is people coming in to look for views and news that matter to their professional career. And that includes more aspects of your life. People think about the ability to be more authentic at work and share their authentic selves on LinkedIn. You can think about it like the ideal workplace, where you can be open. That’s been a growing theme for us – everything from knowledge sharing, looking for expertise and bringing one’s full professional self to LinkedIn. As a result, we’re seeing top voices on topics from AI technology to sustainability to well-being experts coming to the platform to share.

You’re seeing brands come to the platform and spend more time thinking about how they can cultivate and curate their audiences. And professionals finding the experts they want to learn from and having conversations with them. We’re doing things to lean into it, like investing in video. We’re seeing a 45% increase in video creation on LinkedIn.

Q: TikTok could be banned in a few months due to the federal law that passed earlier this year. Is there anything LinkedIn is doing to recruit professional-oriented creators who are on that platform?

C: Top voices on TikTok, YouTube or Instagram’s Reels see the opportunity on LinkedIn naturally. They ultimately come in, see how it’s working for others, and they can see they can find their audience here. When you realize as a creator, you can find your audience on multiple platforms, it’s really a great opportunity for you to expand your reach, which is usually what creators are seeking.

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Lydia Polgreen

JD Vance, D.E.I. Candidate

By Lydia Polgreen

Opinion Columnist

Ever since speculation began that Vice President Kamala Harris might replace President Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, there has been a steady, ugly chorus on the right. The New York Post published a column that declared that Harris would be a “ D.E.I. president ,” and quickly the phrase ricocheted across the conservative media ecosystem.

The invocation of diversity, equity and inclusion programs meant to bring people from underrepresented backgrounds into institutions of power and influence clearly implied that a Black woman got power because of racial preferences. Black achievement, in this narrative, is always unearned and conferred without regard to merit.

Listening to JD Vance’s speech at the Republican convention on Wednesday night, as he laid out his remarkable biography — a young man with roots in an economically devastated backwater who scaled the heights of the American elite — I couldn’t help thinking to myself: If Harris is a D.E.I. candidate, so is Vance. It just depends on what kind of diversity you mean. It depends, indeed, on how you understand the role of identity in shaping the opportunities that define anyone’s life.

All politics is, at some level, identity politics — the business of turning identity into power, be it the identity of a candidate or demographic group or political party or region of the country. For modern presidential and vice-presidential candidates, one of their most valuable assets is their life story. Some elements of that story are bequeathed at birth, but what makes politicians successful is their talent at narrating that story in a manner that allows voters to see some version of themselves and their own aspirations in the candidate. This kind of storytelling, embedded in American archetypes and ideals, has shaped our politics.

Vance’s entire business and political career has flowed from his life story, which is embedded in identities he did not choose: Born a “hillbilly,” of Scottish-Irish descent, he grew up in poverty, son of a single mother who was addicted to drugs. Overcoming this adversity, these disadvantages, lies at the core of his personal narrative. His ascent would hardly be so remarkable if he started from a life of middle-class comfort. But no one is portraying Vance’s elevation to the Republican ticket as the outcome of some kind of illegitimate identity politics, nor is Vance perceived as having benefited from a political form of affirmative action.

And yet he almost certainly did. Race is not the only kind of diversity that gets noticed and embraced. Elite institutions love up-by-your-bootstraps Americans, and that archetype is all over Vance’s life story. A promising white candidate from a county that sends few students to an elite college like Yale would get a strong look, even if that person’s grades and test scores were less impressive than other applicants’. (To be clear, I have no idea what kind of grades or scores Vance had.) Regardless of race, applicants from working-class backgrounds, especially if they were the first in their family to attend college, are deemed to add class diversity.

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• Politics & Government
• National Politics

Why Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is - and isn't - the best candidate for vice president

• Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is a "hot property right now," with numerous media reports mentioning him as a potential vice presidential candidate for the Democratic ticket.
• Beshear's ability to win three statewide races in deep red Kentucky make him an appealing choice in the upcoming race.
• But despite his popularity here, it’s unlikely Beshear will help pick up Kentucky’s eight electoral college votes for Democrats.

The news that President Joe Biden will end his second term bid puts a spotlight on contenders for the Democratic ticket, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear . 

Beshear is a "hot property right now," said University of Kentucky political scientist Stephen Voss, with numerous media reports mentioning him as a possible vice president nominee.

Others reportedly shortlisted for VP include North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. 

Beshear's ability to win three statewide races — first as attorney general and then as governor — in deep red Kentucky make him an appealing choice for the upcoming race,  political scientists and party observers say . 

Think Beshear should be the VP nominee? Let us know why or why not

But despite his popularity here, it’s unlikely Beshear will help pick up Kentucky’s eight electoral college votes for Democrats. Former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump swept to victory here in 2020 with around two-thirds of the vote. 

Still, Beshear’s success in Kentucky could help the Democrats pick up voters among states and demographics similar to Kentucky’s. 

Here’s a look at some of Beshear’s pros and cons as a vice presidential candidate. 

Why Beshear is a good pick for vice president

Beshear’s ability to win in Republican Kentucky is likely appealing to Democratic Party leaders, several observers told The Courier Journal. 

“Here comes a Democrat out of a Republican stronghold and gets elected governor two times. So that makes people take notice of Andy Beshear,” said Danny Briscoe, a longtime Democratic consultant in Kentucky.

Much of Beshear’s popularity lies in his success with “kitchen-table issues,” University of Louisville political scientist Dewey Clayton said, giving jobs and public education as examples.

He's also seen the state through several major disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic, tornadoes in Western Kentucky and floods in Eastern Kentucky. His presence on the ground left an "indelible" impression on people's memories, Briscoe said.

Beshear is known for calling for a special session of the Kentucky General Assembly in 2022 after areas in Eastern Kentucky were devastated by deadly flooding. Prior to the three-day session, Beshear and Republican leaders had bipartisan discussions on what the region needed, resulting in a $212.6 million relief package that went toward repairing roads and sewer systems, replacing damaged roads and other items. 

Mike Ward, a longtime Democratic activist, thinks Beshear’s ability to relate to rural people could be an asset, too. 

“They feel left out and neglected, and Andy (Beshear) has shown again and again and again that he did not leave them out in Kentucky, that he showed them every ounce of respect and attention that he showed to the areas of the state where he got a lot higher percent of the vote,” Ward said. 

Beshear’s political experience in a relatively small and more rural state could help with the audiences and places vice presidential candidates are often tasked with handling, Ward added. 

More: Who is Andy Beshear? What we know about his politics career

“While the presidential candidate is speaking to the arenas full of people, the vice presidential candidate is going to the smaller communities that are regional hubs but are not the big arenas of crowds,” he said. 

Beshear might also provide a counterweight to GOP vice presidential nominee, JD Vance. Though Vance did not grow up in Appalachia, he has family ties to Kentucky’s Breathitt County and wrote a book called "Hillbilly Elegy."  

“Andy would wipe the floor with JD Vance (in a debate),” Ward said. “Andy knows how to listen to the question, knows how to address the part of the question that is really important to people watching and to communicate his feelings, opinions and plans for that part of the question.” 

Beshear also has tangible accomplishments, especially in job creation and economic development, Ward said. 

“Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling nearly $32 billion in announced investments, creating more than 54,700 jobs,” a  July 19 press release from the Cabinet for Economic Development stated .

The state’s Republican Party, however, does not think Beshear should get credit for those achievements.  

"Andy Beshear didn't support building the budget reserve trust fund, comprehensive tax reform, Right to Work or the repeal of prevailing wage and income tax reductions like Republican lawmakers did," Republican Party of Kentucky spokesperson Andrew Westberry said. "Record growth started before he took office. It's misleading for him to oppose these policies yet take credit for the results."

And lately Beshear's been making a push to connect with Democrats in other states and party leaders. That's the kind of intra-party politicking that could make him appealing to party leadership , said political scientist Voss.

Why Beshear shouldn't be the VP nominee

Beshear has downsides too, observers told The Courier Journal. 

For example, though he won three statewide races in a largely rural state, he mostly did so with votes from larger population centers, Democratic campaign consultant Briscoe said. 

“He carried Lexington, he carried Louisville, he carried Owensboro, he carried Ashland, he carried Bowling Green, he carried Richmond, he carried Frankfort,” but Beshear lost in 91 of Kentucky's 120 counties in his 2023 race for governor, Briscoe said. That throws into question his success with the rural vote.

In addition, a Beshear pick would not help Democrats win any additional electoral votes, assuming the state goes for Trump, Briscoe said. 

Forty-six-year-old Beshear — whom political scientist Clayton called a “youngblood” —provides a new face for the Democratic Party currently represented by 81-year-old Joe Biden. 

But that may not matter much, political scientist Voss said. 

If Vice President Kamala Harris is the nominee, Democrats don’t necessarily need a younger candidate to join her. 

“She’s still spry, and, if anything, needs the perception of polish (and) wisdom shored up,” Voss said. 

In addition, as  a Democratic governor in a state with a Republican supermajority in the legislature , it’s been hard for Beshear to enact or defend key policies. 

Though Beshear vetoed a number of Republican-sponsored bills passed in this year’s legislative session, legislators easily overrode those vetoes . Beshear was also not able to get key budget priorities enacted,  such as an additional check for state retirees . 

“I would like to see him mature his skills in his home state, for sure,"  Democratic megadonor Christy Brown of Louisville told The Courier Journal . "I am very pleased that he is continuing to serve as governor of Kentucky now, and I would like to see him continue that and mature his skills."

Beshear also lacks serious “foreign policy bona fides,” Clayton said. 

Beshear just took an economic development trip to Japan and South Korea and, earlier this year, he traveled to Germany and Switzerland, according to press releases from his office.

How important is a vice presidential pick, really? 

It may not much matter who the vice presidential pick is, Voss said. 

Research shows the home state of the president matters a great deal, but voters aren’t really swayed by a home-state vice presidential pick. It’s really who is at the top of the ticket that counts, Voss said. 

"Conventionally, campaigns look for balance" in choosing a running mate, Voss said. But there's little credible research to suggest how best to round out a ticket.

The process is more "conventional wisdom and vibes" than science, Voss said.

Reach Rebecca Grapevine at [email protected] or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @RebGrapevine. Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @[email protected] or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.

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How to Accept a Job Offer Email (+5 Job Acceptance Email Templates)

• Julia Mlcuchova , 
• Updated July 29, 2024 12 min read

Congratulations! After fine-tuning your resume and going through all those job interview rounds , you finally made it! But now comes the big question: how to accept a job offer email?

Accepting a job offer might seem like the last and easiest step to landing your dream job. But it’s not the time to relax just yet.

Because there’s a right way to do it that can leave a great impression.

And plenty of ways to mess it up. 

But don't sweat it — we're here to walk you through every step from reading through the offer to hitting 'send' on your acceptance email. Plus, we'll even show you some practical tips and handy email templates to make it easier for you. 

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

5 Job acceptance email templates to download

What you need to know about job offers, before you respond to a job acceptance email, how to accept a job offer email in 7 steps, more tips on how to properly accept a job offer email, key takeaways: how to accept a job offer email.

Let's start with 5 effective examples of how to accept a job offer via email. 

While the first two templates are perfect for accepting the job offer immediately, the other three address any minor complications that might arise. So, you could be prepared for anything. ;) 

Do you like any of them? In that case, feel free to click on the red button and download a version you can adjust to your liking.

#1 How to accept a job offer email template

#2 how to accept a job offer email template, #3 how to accept a job offer email template: asking for an employment contract, #4 how to accept a job offer email template: asking for a preferred date, #5 how to accept a job offer email template: if you find inconsistencies.

Now, let's talk about all the important details regarding job offers to make sure you don't do anything you might regret later.

Before we show you how to accept a job offer email, we need to make a few things clear: 

• It can take time to hear back from the hiring manager. Don't expect the job offer to land in your inbox as soon as you leave the job interview. Sometimes, it can take a week. Or two. Or even three. After all, employers also need the time to consider all their options. 
• Not all job offers arrive in the form of an email. It's not uncommon to receive a verbal offer through a phone call first. Employers like to do this because it adds extra personal touch to the whole process. And it's also much faster than typing out a formal email. 
• It's always better to have everything written down. But even if you receive an offer over the phone, make sure to ask the hiring manager to email you anyway. This way, you have a record of what was discussed and can refer back to it if needed. Plus, it helps keep everyone on the same page.
• Lastly, you don't have to accept right away. And when you get that offer, take your time. You don’t have to say yes right on the spot. It’s okay to ask for a day or two to think it over. And if an employer pressures you to make a final decision over the phone, consider it a red flag! 

These points are a solid introduction to job acceptance etiquette. While they might seem obvious to you, not everyone is familiar with them.

Whether you're starting your first job or making a significant career change , you should know what's acceptable and what's not.

Never accept a job offer over the phone without seeing your employment contract first! Because in countries like the USA, the UK, or Canada an employment contract can begin as soon as someone accepts a job offer, even if the acceptance is only verbal!

So, you've talked to the hiring manager on the phone. Now, you're sitting behind your computer, waiting for a formal job offer. And then, finally, it arrives! 

But what's next? 

Before you start typing your response, breeze through these 4 tips — they can save you from any potential headaches: 

• Read the offer thoroughly. Firstly, start by reading the offer carefully. Sometimes the job details are right there in the email itself, or they might be attached as a formal letter or an employment contract. In any case, you need to understand exactly what they're offering you — salary, benefits, start date , all that good stuff.
• Look for any discrepancies. Then, you'll have to double check if what they're offering matches what you talked about during your interviews. For example, the job description and responsibilities — look out for any surprises or differences. If something doesn't seem right or if you expected something else, now's the time to ask questions!
• Check for a preferred response date. Also, see if they've given you a deadline to respond. Some offers might say they need to hear from you by a certain date. But if there's no specific deadline, it's okay to reach out and ask when they'd like to get your decision. Plus, this shows you're serious and respectful of their time.
• Write your acceptance email. Finally, once you've reviewed everything and you're happy with the offer, it's time to write your job acceptance email. Keep it friendly but professional. Below, we've prepared a breakdown of elements that shouldn't be missing from your job acceptance response. 

If you’re scratching your head trying to figure out how to write an email to accept a job offer, perk up your ears! We'll be breaking it down step by step to make it real easy.

You can craft a professional job acceptance email in these 7 steps:

The recipient of your email should be able to tell what the email is about as soon as they see it in their inbox. So, you need to keep the subject line concise and to the point.

The best way to greet is by addressing the recipient of your letter directly by their name.

Regardless of whether you'll accept the job offer or not, you always need to communicate that you're grateful for the opportunity. Once again, in the professional world, politeness and respect are both highly valued.

Next, you need to express your position in a way that's clear and indisputable. So, instead of dancing around the subject, state your decision bluntly. Avoid any vagueness that could cause you problems down the line.

Another crucial element of your job acceptance email is the part where you agree (or disagree) with the terms and conditions stated in the job offer. Because once you formally agree to an employment contract without bringing up any issues you might have with it, there's little you can do afterwards.

How you end your email matters just as much as how you start it! Once you've accepted the job offer, you need to keep the conversation going. At this point, you should be the one keeping the discussion going ─ so, make sure you invite suggestions for scheduling a meeting or call to discuss your role and next steps.

Finally, close your email with yet another show of respect and politeness. No need to get experimental here ─ go for the classic: “Best regards/Sincerely [Your Name].” 

And now, let's take a closer look at each of them!

Step 1: Create a suitable subject line

Even though the subject line of your email represents only a small part of the message, it deserves your full attention.

Why? Well, it's the very first thing the hiring manager sees! They're busy people who are bombarded by hundreds of emails daily. So, why not make their lives a bit easier by keeping your subject line clear and to the point?

If you're sending your reply as part of a continuous email thread , you don't need to fret (Former English lit student, can you tell?). But in case you're starting a fresh line of communication, format your subject line like this: 

• Job Offer Acceptance - [Your Name]
• [Your Name] - Acceptance of [Job Position] Offer

Step 2: Start with an appropriate greeting 

No need to spend too many words here. After all the job interview rounds you should know the name of the hiring manager. If you don't, well, shame on you! 

For example, you can address your email like so: 

• Dear [First Name] [Last Name]
• Dear Mr./Mrs. [Last Name]

It's classic, professional, and effective! 

Step 3: Express your gratitude 

The first thing you need to do is thank the hiring manager for the offer. This is the alpha and omega of how to accept a job offer via email!

But don't overdo it please. Of course, your enthusiasm should be genuine and palpable. But it also needs to be believable and classy. 

So, instead of “Thanks man, this is the best day of my life!” , try something more tame. For example : 

• “Thank you for the offer to join your team as a [Job Position Title]. I am genuinely excited about this opportunity and look forward to contributing to the company.”
• “Thank you so much for offering me the position of [Job Position Title]. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.”

And a little side note: stating the name of the job position in the opening paragraph helps with clarity! 

Step 4: State your acceptance 

Despite your clear and genuine enthusiasm, you should definitely state the obvious !

In this way, you'll avoid any possible misunderstandings. So, make sure you don't leave any room for interpretation.

Make your position clear and indisputable, like so: 

• "I am pleased to formally accept the position."
• “I am honored and excited to accept the position of [Job Position Title] at [Company Name].”

Step 5: Confirm (or contest) the job details  

After expressing your acceptance of the job offer, it’s a good idea to confirm the key details discussed during the hiring process. 

You'll ensure that both you and the employer are on the same page regarding important aspects of the job.

In case the job offer email came with an official employment contract , you'll be able to review all the details. But if the contract isn't attached, simply ask for it. Politely, of course! 

Either way, it's good to mention at least some of the stipulations directly in your job acceptance email. These could include: 

• start date,
• or even work location. 

For example , you could type something like this: 

• “As discussed, my start date will be on August 15th, 2024.”
• "I recall our discussion about the hybrid work arrangement. Could you confirm the days I will be expected to work from the office?

If you notice any discrepancies between what you've discussed and what you're being offered right now, point them out here before agreeing to anything (scroll to our templates to see how it's done). 

Step 6: Offer opportunity for discussing next steps 

The point of the closing paragraph is to leave a positive and proactive impression on the hiring manager! That's why you should mention: 

• your enthusiasm (yes, again!),
• your readiness for the next steps,
• and your availability. 

For example, you could end your email like this:

• "I cannot wait to start and meet the team. Please let me know if there are any forms or information needed before my start date."
• "I look forward to starting the onboarding process. Let me know if there are any additional steps I should take before my start date."

Step 7: End with a professional signoff

And now, all you need to do is end your email with a professional closing. No need to get experimental here ─ go for the classic: “Best regards/Sincerely [Your Name].” 

Don't forget to also mention your contact details :

• phone number,
• email address,
• link to your LinkedIn profile .  

Is it necessary? No. But is it polite and expected? Absolutely!  

Since there's always room for good advice, we've put together some essential tips to make sure your job acceptance email always hits the mark:

• Use a professional email address. First of all, avoid using overly casual or personal addresses. So, that email address you set up in 2007 ([email protected], probably) has to go! 
• Respect the response time. Also, it's important to stick to the timeline the employer gave you. This shows you're organized and respectful. Plus, it keeps things moving smoothly so everyone knows what to expect.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread! Spelling errors, typos, and other unnecessary mistakes can make you look careless. So, take the time to proofread your email thoroughly. You can read it out loud, use spell check, or ask a friend to review it for you. 
• Test send the email to yourself. Before sending your acceptance email to the employer, send a test email to yourself. That way, you'll see how the email actually looks in your inbox. And then, you can correct any formatting issues or overlooked errors. 

If you think about it, your job acceptance email is the very last thing you need to do to finally get the job you wanted for so long. In a way, it's like turning the final page of one chapter and opening another. So, make it count!

Finding it hard to say goodbye?

Let our AI Resignation Letter Writer help you leave your old job on the right note!

A job acceptance email is your formal agreement to the terms and conditions outlined by your future employer. 

But it's more than just a formality! This step sets the tone for your professional relationship and demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role.

Moreover,  knowing how to accept a job offer via email allows you to confirm or discuss the terms of your employment. For example , terms pertaining to the job responsibilities, salary, start date, and other important details.

And when you're putting together you job acceptance email, don't forget to include these 7 elements : 

• Suitable subject line
• Appropriate greeting
• Expression of gratitude
• Stating your acceptance
• Confirmation of job details 
• Discussing next steps 
• Professional signoff

So, go ahead, take a deep breath, and craft that perfect job acceptance email. And if you ever need a bit of guidance, don’t forget to refer back to our handy templates .

But what if you decided not to take the job offer? Well, in that case, don't miss out on the chance to learn how to turn down a job offer but keep the door open .

Julia has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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A former Microsoft product manager shares the résumé that helped him land the job

• Chris Hsiao achieved his dream of becoming a product manager at Microsoft in 2021.
• He moved from a project manager role at Facebook to join the Microsoft Designer team.
• Hsiao shares his résumé and tips for navigating the lengthy interview process at Big Tech companies.

Since graduating from college in 2016, Chris Hsiao dreamed of working as a product manager.

He started his career as a consultant and set about securing a product manager role. Hsiao was excited about learning how to take a product from ideation to execution and says landing the Microsoft gig in 2021 was a "huge win."

"I just really wanted to get this product manager role one day, and when I finally did, for the first six months, it just felt unreal to me," Hsiao, who is based in San Francisco, told Business Insider.

He previously worked as a project manager at Facebook, but said joining Microsoft felt like a "completely new stint."

Hsiao was part of the team that worked on Microsoft Designer, a tool that helps creators generate graphics.

He left Microsoft to become an entrepreneur after two and a half years and said his career progression has been helped by prioritizing growth as a core value. "I attribute many of my successes so far to having the courage to grow and be different from my past self," Hsiao said. "Be different if you want different results. In that way, landing a new job role or starting a new business ends up just becoming a side effect of who you are."

Here's the résumé he used to land a job at Microsoft:

Preparing for interviews at Microsoft

Hsiao believes that having Facebook on his résumé helped him be considered for roles at other Big Tech companies such as Microsoft. He said hiring managers look for prospective product managers who can talk to customers, understand what they're looking for in a product, and then execute. "I thought I was missing real-world experience with building a product from scratch and getting it into the hands of consumers, so I started an e-commerce business with my girlfriend in the pandemic called Made Space," he said.

Hsiao spoke about the startup, which designed and sold merchandise online, during his interviews with Microsoft.

The hiring process at Facebook and Microsoft both involved multiple interview rounds that contained both behavioral and situational questions.

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The kinds of questions that came up included: "If a peer on your team is not performing well, what would you do?" Another was: "Can you describe a time where you overcame a challenge and, if you had three teams and stakeholders wanting different things, how do you complete your objective?"

"They were testing me on how I would work with a team, my thinking in how I would overcome challenges and it seemed like they wanted to know how I would handle hypothetical scenarios," Hsiao said.

Three priorities

For every interview, he would practice questions he thought would come up after creating a list. He also found an online test question repository that gives users practice questions and answers. "It was like reps — I did that over and over again," he said. "I think your chance of being successful and landing a job will go up drastically if you hit these three priority areas: showing you are structured in your logic, that you can take in information and provide an insightful answer." Got a story to share about your personal résumé journey? Email this reporter at [email protected]

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