How to write a resume.

Resume tips from professional resume writers. 

Tip #1: Think of your resume as a snapshot for your interview. 

Your resume is an objective recap of what you’ve learned and done. Generally, your resume will include your education, previous jobs (and when you held them), key accomplishments and any other distinctions.

“Remember, your resume is a snapshot for talking points during an interview,” advises MaryAnne McBride, a top-rated resume writer on Thumbtack from Wantagh, New York. “It shouldn’t provide your whole life story.”

>>Related content: How to find a job. 

Tip #2: Know what belongs on a cover letter instead.  

Your cover letter is from your point of view. This is where you’ll find the thread that connects your experiences and preparation for the role you want.

Tell the hiring manager why you’re applying for the role, what makes you a natural fit and how you can contribute to the business. Read the job description carefully for any clues about specific problems the team needs to solve, and make sure your cover letter shows that you not only recognize those challenges — but you can bring specific ideas and skills to overcome them.

You can skip the objective statement. “I never use an objective in the resume. I tend to work it into the cover letter,” says MaryAnne. 

Tip #3: Make a fast, quick inventory before starting your resume. 

You’ll get stuck if you focus on formatting or wordsmithing too soon. Instead, get the basics down on paper and fact check them before you start detailing each experience:

• What did you study?
• Did you receive any awards or honors?
• Are there any special certifications that make you right for this role?
• Where have you worked, on what dates, and what were your titles?
• Do you have any relevant advisory or consulting work to include?

Put all the information in one place before you start shaping it. 

>>Get an expert's help. Hire one of the best resume writers near you.

Tip #4: Find an effective resume template for the job you want. 

Use a resume template that works for your experience level, industry and desired role. A financial services resume will look more formal than a design resume for a startup. And if you’re a new grad or your role requires specific certifications, it may be better to place your education section and credentials at the top instead of the bottom.

A resume format is otherwise pretty standard. Include your contact information (including your email address and phone number). Start with a one- to two-sentence resume summary that positions your experience and qualifications. Create a section for your work experience that lists your employment history in reverse chronological order (with your most recent role at the top) and highlights your accomplishments.

Finally, if you need to know how to make a CV for an academic role or for a role abroad, carefully research formatting requirements and examples.  

Tip #5: Use action verbs to write a stronger experience section. 

Your work experience summary should include bullet points on your contributions and accomplishments at each previous role, along with the basics like your title, the company name and how long you worked there.

Don’t just list the activities you performed — talk about results. If you were a marketing analyst, it’s more effective to say you “led and synthesized research that increased revenue 20%” than to say that you “completed special reports on time” — even if both phrases technically describe the same thing.

Don’t start your bullet points with the word “I.” Instead, start each bullet point with a strong action verb that details the specifics of what you did. 

Tip #6: Review closely and get a second opinion. 

Read your resume closely. Some potential employers think your resume shows how detail-oriented you’ll be as an employee. Consistency is key — look closely at how you use punctuation, format your dates, size your fonts and space between sections. Use a spell-checking tool.

Print the resume when you review it (you’ll notice things you won’t on a desktop). Show it to someone you trust, ideally someone who has experience with the sector or role you’re applying to.

If you don’t know anyone like that, it’s less expensive than you think to hire a professional resume writer who can help with your resume and cover letter. They’ve also seen applications like yours hundreds of times, so they’ll have a keen eye on what works and what will make hiring managers cringe. 

Don’t make these resume-writing mistakes. 

Mistake #1: Applying for the wrong job. 

Be bold in your job search. But, um, not too bold.

If you really want to increase your chances of getting into a particular organization, you have to target your application right. Compare your experience carefully to the job description — it’s ok if you don’t satisfy absolutely every bullet point, but your application shouldn’t look so off-base that it makes you seem less thoughtful than you are.

MaryAnne advises asking yourself, “Research the company on their website. Can you envision yourself working there? Is it next as far as a natural progression or is it a stretch?”

You’ll be less likely to get invited for an interview (or to succeed on the job), if the stretch is too far. 

Mistake #2: Forgetting to target your resume. 

Your resume talks about your experience, which shouldn’t change much from job to job. That said, every job you apply for is going to use specific language that mirrors the tone, focus and skills they’re looking for.

Look at the requirements for the specific job you want, and make sure the way you position your experience highlights keywords that will catch the hiring manager’s eye.

Once you’ve invested in putting together a solid core resume, you won’t have to do much work adjusting it for each job you apply to.

“Your resume shouldn’t really change because the resume is about you not the job,” says MaryAnne. “A few words here and there in the profile can be changed dependent upon the position. Add changes to the cover letter so the package is target-specific.”

>>Perfect your resume. Hire a resume writer today.

Mistake #3: Leaving too much (or too little) white space. 

There’s a sweet spot for how much space you leave blank on your resume. If you write too much, you could make it hard for the hiring manager to skim for the information they need. If you don’t write enough, your hiring manager’s first visual impression will be that you simply don’t have enough experience for that role and couldn’t find anything to say. 

Remember that most hiring managers glance at resumes looking for keywords that map to the profile they have in mind. Use an easy-to-read font and and an appropriate font size. MaryAnne says you can’t go wrong with 10- to 11-point Times New Roman, though the font you pick will depend on the role you want.

She also reminds job seekers that careful review is critical. “Look at the document as a whole, and print it a dozen or more times until it is aesthetically pleasing,” she says.  

Mistake #4: Not doing enough research on the company, role or competition. 

Job seekers today have more resources than ever to find info that will help land the job.

Review the company’s website for information on its business and the specific team or unit you’re applying to. Try to find a blog or press page that shows what’s currently happening in the company.

You can use Glassdoor to understand what the company culture and interviews may be like, and even to gauge what the salary range is for the role.

You may be able to find the name of the hiring manager on LinkedIn, which will help you personalize your cover letter while giving you a chance to impress your potential employer with your thoroughness.

Finally, don’t forget to make your LinkedIn profile mirror your resume.

How much does a resume writer cost? 

You can hire a resume writer at any stage of your career, from entry-level to top-level executive. Services are generally priced based on the time, complexity and any specialized knowledge required to complete the resume. You may pay extra for rush fees or for extras like LinkedIn profile writing, cover letters or thank-you letters. 

For more on costs, see “How much does a resume writer cost?”  

Who to hire to help with your resume. 

Get unstuck with help from pros who can help you find the right career path and create the perfect resume to get there:

• Resume writer
• Life coach 
• Headshot photographer

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