Creating a resume may seem like a simple task, but doing it the right way requires a thoughtful approach. A resume isn’t just a list of your past jobs—it’s your marketing tool that can open doors to interviews and career opportunities. In today’s competitive job market, knowing how to craft a clear, professional, and impactful resume is essential. This blog will walk you through the best practices for making a resume, highlighting what to include, how to format it, and what recruiters want to see.

1. Understand the Purpose of a Resume

Before diving into the technical aspects, it’s important to understand what a resume is meant to do. A resume provides a snapshot of your qualifications, work history, skills, and achievements. It’s not your life story—it’s a targeted document designed to get you an interview. Recruiters often spend less than 10 seconds reviewing each resume, so yours must be clear, relevant, and easy to skim (Zety, 2024).

2. Choose the Right Resume Format

There are three main types of resume formats:

Chronological: Lists work experience in reverse order. Best for people with a strong, consistent work history.
Functional: Focuses on skills rather than job history. Ideal for career changers or those with employment gaps.
Combination: Merges both formats. Suitable for those with relevant skills and a solid work history.

For most job seekers, the chronological format is recommended because it’s familiar to employers and easy to follow (Indeed, 2023).

3. Keep It Simple and Professional

Your resume should be clean, organised, and professional. Use legible fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in size 10–12. Stick to black text on a white background, and avoid overly decorative templates. While colours and icons may look appealing, they can confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which many companies use to scan resumes.

Additionally, limit your resume to one page if you have less than 10 years of experience. Use headings, bullet points, and consistent formatting to help guide the reader.

4. Start With a Strong Header and Contact Information

At the top of your resume, include your:

Full name
Phone number
Professional email address
LinkedIn profile (optional)
City and State (optional)

Avoid using personal information such as your photo, age, marital status, or social security number—these are not required and can even be viewed as unprofessional in many countries (The Muse, 2022).

5. Write a Compelling Resume Summary or Objective

The next section should be a summary (2–3 lines) of who you are and what you offer. This is especially helpful for recruiters to quickly understand your qualifications.

Example Resume Summary:

“Results-driven marketing specialist with 5+ years of experience in content strategy and SEO. Proven track record of increasing website traffic by 60% year-over-year.”

For entry-level job seekers, a career objective may be more suitable:

“Motivated high school graduate seeking an entry-level administrative position to apply organisational and communication skills.”

Keep this section targeted to the job you’re applying for.

6. Detail Your Work Experience

This is often the most critical section. For each job, include:

Job title
Company name
Location (City, State)
Dates of employment (Month/Year)
Bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements

Use action verbs like “led,” “developed,” “improved,” and “achieved.” Focus on what you accomplished rather than simply listing duties.

Example:

Managed social media campaigns, increasing engagement by 45% in six months.
Coordinated logistics for company events, reducing overall costs by 20%.

Where possible, include quantifiable results—they stand out and prove your impact.

7. Highlight Your Education

List your most recent education first. Include:

Degree or certificate
School name
Graduation year (optional for older degrees)

If you’re a recent graduate, you can also include relevant coursework, GPA (if above 3.5), honours, and extracurricular activities.

Example:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of XYZ, 2022
GPA: 3.8, Dean’s List, Marketing Club Member

8. Showcase Relevant Skills

This section allows you to tailor your resume to the job. Focus on hard skills (technical knowledge) and soft skills (interpersonal abilities) that are listed in the job description.

Examples of Hard Skills:

Microsoft Excel
Python programming
Graphic design

Examples of Soft Skills:

Communication
Time management
Problem-solving

Include 6–10 skills that align with the role.

9. Add Certifications, Projects, or Volunteer Work (if applicable)

If you have relevant certifications or have completed noteworthy projects, include them. These are especially useful if you’re a student, career changer, or freelancer.

Example:

Google Analytics Certification – Completed March 2024
Volunteer Coordinator, Red Cross – Organised 10+ blood drives in 2023

These elements help you stand out and show you’re proactive in developing your skills.

10. Customise for Each Job

A generic resume won’t perform well. Tailor your resume for each job by:

Adjusting your summary
Emphasising the most relevant skills and achievements
Using keywords from the job description

Many companies use ATS software, which scans resumes for keywords. If your resume doesn’t match the job description closely enough, it might never be seen by a human recruiter (Jobscan, 2023).

11. Proofread and Edit Carefully

Typos and grammatical errors can ruin your chances, no matter how qualified you are. Use tools like Grammarly or ask a friend to proofread. Read your resume out loud—it helps catch awkward phrasing.

Also, be truthful. Don’t exaggerate titles, responsibilities, or accomplishments. Employers can and do check references.

12. Save and Send the Resume Properly

Always save your resume as a PDF unless the job posting says otherwise. This ensures your formatting stays intact. Use a professional file name, such as:

John_Smith_Resume.pdf

When emailing your resume, include a short, polite message and attach the file. If applying through a job portal, follow the platform’s instructions carefully.

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Final Thoughts

Making a resume the right way is about combining clarity, customisation, and professionalism. Whether you’re a student, a seasoned professional, or someone re-entering the workforce, following these guidelines can help you stand out in today’s job market. Remember, your resume is not static—keep it updated regularly as you gain experience or complete new projects.

References

1. Zety. (2024). How to Make a Resume: Step-by-Step Guide for 2024

2. Indeed Career Guide. (2023). How to Write a Resume

3. The Muse. (2022). The 41 Best Resume Tips We’ve Ever Heard

4. Jobscan. (2023). How to Optimise Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems

5. Grammarly. (n.d.). Grammarly Writing Assistant