1. Choose the Right Format
Selecting the right resume format is crucial for presenting your experience effectively. Here are your options:
Chronological
Lists experience in reverse chronological order.
Best for: Experienced professionals with consistent work history
Functional
Focuses on skills rather than work history.
Best for: Career changers, those with employment gaps
Combination
Blends skills and chronological formats.
Best for: Those with strong skills and some experience
2. Add Contact Information
Your contact information should be clear and professional at the top of your resume:
3. Write a Compelling Summary
Your professional summary should be 2-3 sentences highlighting your experience, key skills, and value proposition. This is often the first thing recruiters read.
Weak Summary
"Experienced software developer looking for new opportunities in a challenging environment where I can grow and contribute."
Strong Summary
"Results-driven software engineer with 5+ years of experience in full-stack development. Skilled in React, Node.js, and cloud technologies. Passionate about building scalable applications that solve real-world problems."
4. List Work Experience
For each position, include these elements with quantifiable achievements:
- Company name and location
- Job title
- Employment dates (month/year format)
- 4-5 bullet points using strong action verbs
- Quantifiable achievements with numbers where possible
Senior Software Engineer | Tech Company
2021 - Present
- Led development of new feature used by millions of users
- Improved application performance through optimization
- Mentored junior developers on the team
- Collaborated with product managers on requirements
5. Add Education
List your educational background in reverse chronological order:
- Degree and field of study
- University name and location
- Graduation year (or expected graduation)
- GPA (if 3.5 or higher)
- Relevant coursework (optional)
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University Name | 2020
Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Systems
6. Highlight Skills
Organize your skills into categories for easy scanning:
JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python, SQL, AWS
Leadership, Communication, Problem-Solving, Team Collaboration
English (Native), Spanish (Conversational)
7. Add Optional Sections
Include these sections if they strengthen your application:
AWS Certified Developer, Google Analytics
Personal or professional projects with links
Articles, research papers, books
Non-profit organizations, community involvement
Employee of the Month, Hackathon wins, Scholarships
Additional languages with proficiency levels
Resume Writing Tips for 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a resume be?
Most resumes should be 1-2 pages. Entry-level candidates should aim for 1 page, while experienced professionals may need 2 pages.
What should I include in a resume?
Essential sections include contact information, professional summary, work experience, education, and skills. Optional sections can include certifications, projects, languages, and volunteer work.
How do I make my resume ATS-friendly?
Use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri, avoid tables and graphics, include keywords from the job description, and save as PDF or DOCX.
Should I use a resume template?
Using a professionally designed template can help ensure proper formatting and organization. Choose a clean, simple template that's ATS-friendly.
How far back should my work history go?
Generally, include the last 10-15 years of experience. Older roles can be summarized or omitted unless they are highly relevant.
Should I include references on my resume?
No, references should be provided separately when requested. Use the space for more relevant information.