How to Make a Resume: A Complete Guide with Tips, Do's, and Don'ts

Creating a resume that stands out in today’s competitive job market is crucial. Whether you're a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional, your resume is your first impression on potential employers. This blog will guide you step-by-step on how to make a resume, along with tips, dos, and don'ts to ensure you land that interview.

Why Is a Resume Important?

A resume is a concise document that summarizes your qualifications, skills, and experiences. Its primary purpose is to secure an interview by showcasing your suitability for the role. A well-crafted resume can make the difference between getting noticed and being overlooked.

Steps to Create a Professional Resume

1. Choose the Right Resume Format

  • Chronological Resume: A chronological resume lists your work experience and education in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job..
  • Functional Resume: Focuses on skills and achievements rather than work history. Suitable for career changers or those with employment gaps.
  • Combination Resume: Combines elements of both chronological and functional formats. Highlights skills and provides a detailed work history.

2. Include Your Contact Information

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Professional email address
  • LinkedIn profile or portfolio link (if applicable)
  • City and state (optional)

3. Write a Compelling Resume Summary or Objective

  • Resume Summary: A brief statement (2-3 sentences) summarizing your career goals and key qualifications. Example: Efficient, accuracy-driven secretary with 10 years of experience in providing clerical support, boosting operational efficiency, and solving analytical problems.
  • Resume Objective: Ideal for those with limited experience or career changers. Example: Recent graduate with a degree in Marketing seeking to leverage strong organizational and communication skills in a dynamic marketing role.

4. Highlight Your Skills

  • Hard Skills: Technical skills like software proficiency, data analysis, or certifications.
  • Soft Skills: Interpersonal skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
  • Use keywords from the job description to tailor your skills section.

5. Detail Your Work Experience

  • List your professional history in reverse-chronological order.
  • Include job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.
  • Use bullet points to describe responsibilities and achievements. Quantify your impact whenever possible. Example: Increased sales by 20% within six months by implementing a new customer outreach strategy.

6. Add an Education Section

  • Include your degree, institution name, location, and graduation date.
  • Add relevant coursework, honors, or awards if you’re a recent graduate.
  • Example: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | University of California, Los Angeles | May 2020

7. Include Certifications and Licenses

  • List certifications or licenses relevant to the job. Example: Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) | Project Management Institute | June 2021

8. Add Optional Sections (If Applicable)

  • Volunteer Work: Showcases your commitment and transferable skills.
  • Awards and Honors: Highlights your achievements.
  • Publications: Relevant if you’re in academia or research.

9. Format Your Resume

  • Use a clean, professional layout with consistent formatting.
  • Choose a standard font like Arial or Times New Roman (10-12 pt).
  • Keep margins between 1 to 1.5 inches.
  • Save your resume as a PDF unless specified otherwise.

10. Proofread and Tailor Your Resume

  • Proofread multiple times to eliminate typos and grammatical errors.
  • Tailor your resume for each job by using keywords from the job description.

Resume Tips: What to Do

  1. Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume for each job application.
  2. Use Action Verbs: Start bullet points with strong verbs like "managed," "developed," or "increased."
  3. Quantify Achievements: Use numbers to showcase your impact (e.g., "Reduced costs by 15%").
  4. Keep It Concise: Limit your resume to one page for entry-level roles and two pages for experienced professionals.
  5. Optimize for ATS: Use standard fonts and avoid graphics or tables that may confuse Applicant Tracking Systems.

Resume Mistakes: What Not to Do

  1. Don’t Use a Generic Resume: Avoid sending the same resume for every job.
  2. Don’t Include Irrelevant Information: Focus on skills and experiences relevant to the job.
  3. Don’t Overload with Jargon: Keep your language clear and professional.
  4. Don’t Forget to Proofread: Typos and grammatical errors can ruin your chances.
  5. Don’t Use Unprofessional Email Addresses: Use an email like john.doe@gmail.com instead of partyguy123@yahoo.com.

Resume Examples by Job Title

Here are some examples of how to tailor your resume for specific roles:

  • Accountant: Highlight financial analysis, budgeting, and software skills.
  • Teacher: Emphasize classroom management, curriculum development, and student engagement.
  • Software Engineer: Showcase programming languages, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Top LaTeX-Based Resume Templates

Below are some of the best LaTeX-based resume templates available on Overleaf. These templates are highly customizable and perfect for creating professional resumes.

One Column Resume

  1. Entry-Level Resume Template
    https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/entry-level-resume-template/xzswwssvhvqr
    A clean and simple one-column resume template ideal for entry-level candidates.

  2. Jake's Resume (Anonymous)
    https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/jakes-resume-anonymous/cstpnrbkhndn
    A modern and minimalistic one-column resume template.

Two Column Resume

  1. Deedy CV
    https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/deedy-cv/bjryvfsjdyxz
    A sleek and professional two-column resume template with a focus on readability.

  2. PlushCV
    https://www.overleaf.com/latex/templates/plushcv/jybpnsftmdkf
    A stylish and elegant two-column resume template with a modern design.

Doc-Based ATS-Friendly Resume Template

Cover Letter

Final Thoughts

A well-crafted resume is your ticket to landing your dream job. By following these steps and tips, you can create a resume that effectively showcases your strengths and impresses potential employers. Remember, your resume is a living document—keep refining it as you grow in your career.

Good luck with your job search!