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How to Make a Resume: 2024 Resume Writing Guide

Learn how to identify important resume keywords, format your resume, and write each section in this comprehensive guide.

Your resume is a document that encompasses your entire professional journey, showing where you currently are in your career, how you got there, and where you hope to go next. Since it’s meant to be a concise brief—often condensed to just one page—that can feel like a lot of storytelling for a small space.

To make a resume that fully demonstrates your experiences and goals, it’s important to be strategic with the language, format, and sections you include. In general, there are three broad steps to making your resume:

Identifying keywords and important skills

Choosing a format

Writing each section

In this resume guide, we’ll offer tips and resources to ease you through the process.

Free resume templates

If you’re starting with a blank page, use these free customizable templates for a chronological resume or functional resume to make your resume in a Google Doc. Simply log into your Google account and select the ‘Make a copy’ prompt.

How to write a resume

The key to making an effective resume is keeping your audience in mind. First, consider who the people (and technologies) are that will be reading your resume.

When you’re applying for jobs online, often your first audience member will be an applicant tracking system (ATS) , which is a screening program that uses an algorithm to “read” incoming resumes and sort qualified candidates. After the ATS deems you qualified for a role, a human recruiter—your second audience member—will review your application materials and decide whether to invite you to interview.

Now that we’ve established your likely audience, let’s take a closer look at how to determine the information the ATS and human recruiters may be looking for and how they will best receive that information.

1. Identify keywords and important skills.

You can find a lot of information about a role directly from the job description. Within the listed responsibilities and qualifications, you can get a strong sense of the language and experience that a successful candidate will have on their resume.

As you read a job description, highlight the action words, keywords, and specific workplace and technical skills mentioned. It’s likely that the ATS is programmed to look for the same or similar language as that which appears in the job description, so this analysis can help shape the way you approach writing your resume.

Here are some resources that may help as you research your desired job:

Choosing action words and keywords  

84 Powerful Action Words to Enhance Your Resume

Resume Keywords: How to Find the Right Words to Beat the ATS

Identifying key job skills

What Are Job Skills and Why Do They Matter?

What Skills Should I Include on my Resume?

Transferable Skills: How to Use Them to Land Your Next Job

What Are Technical Skills?

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What’s the Difference?

7 High-Income Skills Worth Learning

Industry-specific job skills

13 Key Marketing Skills to Boost Your Resume

15 Essential Skills for Cybersecurity Analysts

7 In-Demand Data Analyst Skills to Get Hired

7 In-Demand IT Skills to Boost Your Resume

9 Essential Skills for UX Designers

11 Key Project Management Skills

2. Select a resume format.

When it comes to formatting, there are three common types of resumes—chronological, functional, and combination—along with several more specialized options. With your audience in mind, choose the format that best demonstrates how your experience aligns with your desired role’s job description.

If you’re applying for jobs online, ATS software is generally programmed to interpret chronological resumes. The software may still identify important keywords in alternative formats, but potentially less accurately.

If you’re unsure of the resume format you should choose, a chronological resume with standard 1-inch margins, black text, and a common font like Times New Roman or Arial is typically a safe choice.

For more on resume formats, check out these additional articles:

Types of resumes

Types of Resumes: Choosing the Right Format for Your Needs

Chronological Resume Guide: Template and Tips

Functional Resume Guide: Template and Tips

What Is a CV?

CV vs. Resume: What’s the Difference?

3. Write your resume sections.

Guided by your keyword list and format, you’re ready to start filling out your resume sections. You’ll typically want to include sections for your header, work experience, education, and skills, but there are optional sections you can add to amplify the story you want to tell.

Take a look through the below resources for more specific information about shaping each section:

Resume sections

How to Use Resume Sections to Shape Your Professional Story

How to Write a Resume Objective [+ Templates]

How to Write a Resume Summary [+ Examples]

How to Show Promotions on Your Resume: Guide + Examples

How to List Education on a Resume

When Should You Include Your GPA on Your Resume?

How to List Certifications on Your Resume: Guide + Examples

How to Feature and Format Key Skills on Your Resume

Resume checklist

At this point, you are almost ready to submit your resume. Before you do, let’s do one final check. Ask yourself:

Did I write my resume with my audience in mind?

Did I strategically select action words and keywords?

Have I clearly demonstrated my relevant skills and experience?

Are my margins set to 1-inch on all sides?

Is my font easy to read?

Did I include all of the key resume sections?

Did I edit for proper spelling and grammar?

If you can answer “yes” to all of these questions, save your resume as a PDF file with a title that includes your name and “resume.” Check that the file saved correctly, then prepare to submit your resume!

For any lingering questions, check out these additional tips and specific resume guides:

Additional tips and resources

How to Get Your First Job: A Guide

Job Search Guide: Resources for Your Next Career Move

16 Resume Tips to Help You Apply with Confidence

10 Ways to Enhance Your Resume

How to Add Your Resume to LinkedIn

Specific resume guides

How to Make a Resume for Your First Job (+ Template)

How to Write a Resume with No Experience: 5 Tips

How to Write a Standout Resume When You’re a Stay-at-Home Parent

7 Real UX Designer Resumes and a Template

Add a new credential to your resume with a Professional Certificate from industry leaders like Google, Meta, and IBM on Coursera. Learn key skills to prepare for entry-level roles in digital marketing, web development, data analytics, and more. Sign up for a free 7-day trial and start learning today.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How many pages should a resume be ‎.

Most people aim to fit their resume on one page. However, it’s becoming increasingly common for people with 10 to 15 years of experience to extend their resume to two pages. For professionals with more than 15 years of experience, a three-page resume may be acceptable.

Learn more: How Many Pages Should a Resume Be? Guide + Tips ‎

How far back should your resume go? ‎

Typically, the amount of time you include on your resume depends on your relevant job experience. You should include the experience you have that is relevant to the role you’re applying for. However, if you have 10 or more years of work experience, you may be able to shed some of those earlier experiences from your resume so that you can better highlight your advanced skill set.

Learn more: How Far Back Should Your Resume Go? ‎

Should you list references on a resume? ‎

It’s generally not recommended to list your references directly on your resume . Instead, use that space to highlight what makes you a great candidate. As you progress through the hiring process, the hiring manager or recruiter will request your references when they’re ready to contact them.

Learn more: How to List Resume References: Guide and Sample ‎

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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

Published: October 04, 2023

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

Two words: Simple and effective.

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

Table of Contents

How to Write a Simple Resume

20 simple resume examples.

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

1. Pick a format.

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

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

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

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

2. Start with your contact information.

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

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

3. Include an overview.

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

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

4. List your education and experience.

Education and experience are up next.

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

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

5. Speak to your skills.

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

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

6. Highlight any relevant certifications.

Make sure to mention any relevant qualifications or certifications.

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

7. Add any relevant details.

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

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

Here are 20 simple resume examples .

1. Modern Initials (Word)

20. Crisp (Zety)

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CV Examples & Guides for All Jobs [75+ Examples for 2024]

Struggling to create an effective CV?

We don’t blame you!

With the job market being as competitive as ever, you need to make your CV really good if you want to stand out.

To help you out, we compiled a list of 75+ effective CV examples to inspire you!

Let’s dive in! 

11+ CV Examples

#1. ai engineering cv example.

Here’s what this AI Engineering CV does right: 

• Lists achievements and responsibilities. A good work experience section is a mix between work achievements and responsibilities, and this candidate includes both. 
• Separates technical skills. For an AI engineer, technical skills are everything , which is why this CV dedicates them separate space. 
• Leverages optional sections. Optional sections like “Certificates” and “Personal Projects” are great for any candidate to show more about their work and who they are.

#2. Administrative Assistant CV Example

Here’s what this administrative assistant CV does right: 

• Grabs attention with a resume summary. Done right, a resume summary will hook hiring managers and get them to read the rest of a CV in more detail. 
• Keeps the education section brief. For someone with extensive professional experience, the education section shouldn’t take more than a few lines in a CV. 
• Uses the reverse-chronological format. This CV example stays relevant by showing the candidate’s most recent work experience and achievements up-top.

#3. Bartender CV Example

Here’s what this bartender CV does right: 

• Highlights language skills . Bartenders get to meet all kinds of people, which is why this CV example makes sure to show the candidate is well-versed in three languages. 
• Includes all relevant contact information. In addition to the full name and professional email, this CV also includes the candidate's Instagram and LinkedIn accounts. 
• Mentions hobbies and interests. Hobbies and interests can help the candidate show a more personal side of themselves, which is why they’re a nice addition to have if there’s enough space on the CV. 

#4. Bookkeeper CV Example

Here’s what this bookkeeper CV example does right:

• Details computer skills. About 92% of jobs require digital skills today, which is why the candidate in this example breaks down their computer skills in detail. 
• Lists notable achievements . By listing their key achievements separately, the hiring manager won’t have to look too hard to understand why the candidate is the right fit for the job. 
• Includes a LinkedIn profile. A LinkedIn profile can be a great way for hiring managers to get to know candidates better, in case they wish to. Just make sure to update yours before you include it on your CV. 

#5. Consultant CV Example

Here’s what this consultant CV does right: 

• Keeps it under one page. In most cases, a CV shouldn’t go over one page . This CV example uses space effectively and keeps it within the right limits. 
• Visualizes language proficiency. Saying you speak a language is good, but showing your proficiency is better. This example even visualizes, making it easier for the hiring manager to skim through the information. 
• Leverages a modern template. By taking advantage of a modern and professional template, this candidate doesn’t spend time and effort working on their CV design and layout. 

#6. Engineering CV Example

Here’s what this engineering CV does right:

• Separates soft skills from technical skills. Separating soft skills from technical skills makes it easier for the hiring manager to skim through the CV. 
• Features a memorable CV summary. This CV summary includes relevant information such as the candidate’s years of experience, their top skills, and their areas of expertise. 
• Adds value through a “Certificates” section. By listing their certificates, this candidate shows they’re invested in their field even outside of the workplace. 

#7. Graphic Designer CV Example

Here’s what this graphic designer CV does right: 

• Elaborates on the work experience. The work experience takes up half the page on this CV, showing the hiring manager they’re looking at the CV of a seasoned professional. 
• Lists personal projects. By listing their personal projects, the candidate shows they’re passionate about their job. 
• Includes areas of expertise. Being an expert is no easy feat, and this CV example highlights what a hard worker the candidate is by listing them above their technical skills. 

#8. Nurse CV Example

Here’s what this nurse CV does right:

• Focuses on professional achievements. Achievements speak louder than responsibilities, which is why this CV example puts them in the spotlight. 
• Uses power words and action verbs . Words like “showcased,” “supervised,” and “adhered” are much more impactful than “managed” or “was responsible for.” 
• Lists conferences and courses. Medical professionals have always room to grow their careers and, by listing conferences they’ve attended and courses they’ve completed, the candidate shows they’re looking to learn and grow. 

#9. Office Manager CV Example

Here’s what this office manager CV does right: 

• Lists awards and achievements separately. This CV example dedicates a separate section to the awards and achievements the candidate is proud of and wants the hiring manager to notice first. 
• Includes relevant contact information. LinkedIn and Twitter are two of the most “professional” social media profiles that a candidate can include in the contact information section. 
• Focuses on work experience over education. With extensive work experience under their belt, this candidate keeps their education section brief. 

#10. Sales Associate CV Example

Here’s what this sales associate CV does right: 

• Great first impression with a well-organized layout. The layout can make a CV look clean and professional or cluttered and messy. This CV template has a well-organized layout that makes the candidate look professional. 
• Provides tangible results to prove achievements. By adding concrete results, the candidate manages to make their achievements more real and impressive to the hiring manager. 
• Includes optional sections. “Languages”, “Interests”, and “Conferences and Courses” all add more “meat” to the candidate’s CV. 

#11. Server CV Example

Here’s what this server CV does right: 

• Uses bullet points to organize information. Bullet points are a great way to organize information so that the document doesn’t look too cluttered with text and too difficult to read.  
• Lists all the essential contact information. This CV example focuses on listing only the essential contact information, namely the candidate’s full name, professional email address, phone number, and physical location. 
• Includes both hard and soft skills. By separating the candidate’s soft and hard skills and keeping both of these sections relevant to the job application, this candidate guarantees the hiring manager notices they’re the right fit for the job. 

#12. Web Developer CV Example 

Here’s what this web developer CV does right: 

• Focuses on technical skills. For some professions, technical skills are more important than for others. That’s why this web developer CV highlights the candidate’s technical skills by also including their proficiency level for each skill.
• Provides results, timeframes, and actions taken for achievements. This CV example makes the candidate’s achievements super impressive by providing numbers, timeframes, and specific actions taken to prove their results.
• Lists courses and training. By listing their courses and training, this candidate shows that they’re constantly evolving professionally.

65+ More CV Examples and Guides 

• Architect CV
• Administrative CV
• AI Engineer CV
• Bank Teller CV
• Bartender CV
• Bookkeeper CV
• Business Analyst CV
• Career Change CV
• College Application CV
• College Freshman CV
• Consultant CV
• Creative CV Examples
• Data Entry Specialist CV
• Data Scientist CV
• DevOps Engineer CV
• Digital Marketing Manager CV
• Electrical Engineer CV
• Elon Musk's One-Page CV
• Engineering CV
• Europass CV
• Event Planner CV
• Executive Assistant CV
• Financial Analyst CV
• Flight Attendant CV
• Graphic Designer CV
• High School CV
• Internship CV
• Java Developer CV
• Military to Civilian CV
• Marketing Executive CV
• Minimalistic CV Examples
• Office Assistant CV
• Office Manager CV
• Operations Manager CV
• Paralegal CV
• Pharmacist CV
• Program Manager CV
• Real Estate Agent CV
• Receptionist CV
• Recruiter CV
• Research Assistant CV
• Restaurant Manager CV
• Retail Manager CV
• Richard Branson's One-Page CV
• Sales Associate CV
• Satya Nadella's One-Page CV
• Social Worker CV
• Software Engineer CV
• Stay-at-home Mom CV
• Volunteer CV
• Waiter/Waitress CV
• Warehouse Worker CV
• Web Developer CV

5+ Examples of CV Templates

The CV template you pick will have an impact on what kind of first impression you make on the hiring manager. 

That’s why it’s especially important to pick a template that matches your industry, your career level, and your skills and expertise.

Here are some of our top options to choose from: 

#1. Basic CV Template

A basic format with an impactful design that equally highlights all resume sections and allows all your strengths to shine through. 

#2. Professional CV Template

Ensure your application looks both modern and professional with this CV template and land the job of your dreams effortlessly. 

#3. Creative CV Template

Land the creative role of your dreams with this dynamic CV template made specifically with creative industries in mind. 

#4. Minimalist CV Template

A well-organized template that lets your achievements and experience do the talking by keeping a minimalistic approach to design. 

#5. Modern CV Template

This CV template lets you show your bold side by using modern design elements such as a yellow color, well-aligned vertical and horizontal lines, and symbols. 

#6. Simple CV Template

Simplicity is key, so let this template be the key you need to unlock new job opportunities. 

#7. Functional CV Template

Do you have a rich professional background full of achievements and skills? Highlight all your strengths in the functional CV template. 

5 CV Examples by Career Level 

#1. college freshman cv.

Are you a college freshman looking to score your first gig? Learn how to ace your college freshman CV here. 

#2. No Experience CV

Having no experience doesn’t mean you can’t land a job. You can learn how to write an amazing CV with no experience through our guide.

#3. Graduate CV

Finally ready to take on the real world? The first step is to write a stellar graduate CV and land your first “real” gig! 

#4. Career Change CV

You don’t have to be afraid of a career change if you have the right tools. A strong career change CV can let your strengths shine through, even if you have zero experience with the new field.

#5. Executive CV

Your professional journey doesn’t end once you become an executive. On the contrary - your executive CV needs to be better than ever before. Our guide can show you just how to do that. 

3 Examples of CV Formats

#1. reverse-chronological cv format .

The reverse chronological CV format highlights your most recent work experience and achievements and then goes back in time. This one’s the most popular resume format in 2024.

#2. Functional CV Format

Are you a student with no work experience, a career changer, or someone with a long employment gap on your CV? Then the functional CV format might be the best choice for you. This format highlights your skills over your work experience, making up for the lack of achievements and responsibilities. 

#3. Combined CV Format 

The combined CV format stays true to its name by combining the reverse chronological and functional formats. 

The Perfect CV Structure 

Not sure how to start writing your CV ? 

No worries. 

Whether you’re a seasoned professional whose CV-writing skills got a little rusty through the years or a fresh university graduate, follow our tried-and-tested tips for great results: 

• Choose a format or pick a template. In 99.99% of cases, you should go with the reverse-chronological format for your CV and make sure to follow the right layout rules so that your page doesn’t look cluttered and messy. Alternatively, if you don’t want to deal with all the hassle, you can just pick one of the templates listed in this article and have your CV ready in under five minutes.
• Start with the contact information section. Your full name and job title, professional email address, and physical location are must-haves when it comes to contact details. Optionally, you can provide links to your LinkedIn profile , Twitter, or GitHub , if you’re a developer. 
• Write an attention-grabbing resume summary. A resume summary aims to grab the hiring manager’s attention from the get-go and have them read the rest of your resume. If you’re an entry-level candidate, we recommend going with a resume objective instead. 
• Focus on your work experience. The work experience section is arguably the most important section of every CV. Make your shine by focusing on your achievements rather than on your responsibilities and providing quantifiable results whenever possible! 
• List your soft and hard skills. Soft skills are just as important in the workplace as hard skills. Make sure to include all your relevant skills on your CV, but don’t make the mistake of listing skills just for the sake of having them. You want to make sure every skill you list is tailored to the position you’re applying for. 
• Keep your education section short and to the point. Unless you have no work experience whatsoever , your education section shouldn’t be too elaborate. Listing the name of your highest degree, institution name, and years attended is more than enough. 
• Leverage optional sections. Sections like “Languages,” “Certifications, “Awards,” “Personal Projects,” etc., are not mandatory but can certainly add a lot of value to your CV. If you’re competing against candidates with similar work experience and skills as yours, you can rest assured that the optional sections will make the difference!

FAQs About CV Examples

Are you still looking for more information? Take a look at the answers to the most popular questions about CV examples:

1. How are these CV examples created?

Novorésumé, together with leading HR specialists and recruitment experts, created all the CV examples in this article. We carefully chose the CV design and contents to make sure they meet the standards for their respective industries worldwide.

You can model your own CV after one of the provided examples by using Novorésumé’s CV builder . Start by picking a template and looking at examples of CVs for your industry, and then use the CV examples for inspiration when writing your own.

2. Can a CV be two pages?

Unless you have over 5+ years of extremely relevant work experience or you’re applying for a management position, your CV shouldn’t extend past one page. 

Add only your most recent experience and achievements, and make sure to focus on the most relevant information for the job you’re applying to.

Nearly 50% of hiring managers say that overly long CVs get candidates rejected, while 17% think two pages are a deal breaker.

3. How do I write an attractive CV?

There are several things you can do to create an attractive CV.

For starters, you should make sure you follow the right layout rules in terms of margins, font size, and style, line spacing, etc. Alternatively, you can opt for a CV template and skip all the design hassle. A professional CV template offers you the chance to get an attractive CV, in less than five minutes.

That said, you should also make sure that your CV sections are well-aligned and relevant to the position you’re applying for.

If a hiring manager looks at your CV and thinks it looks good but then starts reading it and sees its contents are of-point, they will not find your CV attractive. 

4. What is the CV structure for 2024?

The ideal CV structure for 2024 is: 

• Contact information
• CV summary/objective
• Work experience
• Optional sections (languages, certificates, awards, etc.)

Conclusion 

In conclusion, CV examples and guides are invaluable tools for any job seeker, regardless of their role or the industry they’re in. 

They can provide a benchmark for crafting a professional CV that demonstrates optimal structure, format, and content. 

We hope that our selection of CV examples and guides does just that for you and helps you have a successful job hunt! 

For more career advice and resources, visit our career blog !

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