The twelefth meeting, Day : Tuesday, Date : 21 May 2024, Time : 13.00-14.30, Topic : Resume

• Impressive measurable accomplishments from your previous positions that highlight your achievements and contributions.
• A complete inventory of your soft skills, hard skills and technical skills that match the skills outlined in the job description.
• Detailed information about your previous employers, including their names, dates of employment, locations, job titles and a clear outline of your responsibilities.
• Educational credentials, such as your college degree, certifications or licenses that demonstrate your expertise in specific areas.
• Any volunteer work where you gained skills and experience relevant to the role you are applying for. 
• Notable awards and honors you have received, which further validate your exceptional abilities and dedication.

STEP 3

Add your contact information

One of the most important aspects of writing a resume is ensuring that your contact information is clearly displayed so that hiring managers can contact you for an interview.  

Check out the resume header examples below to learn what contact information to include, where to place it and how to format it for maximum impact. 

You can also explore our library of 800+ resume examples to draw additional inspiration for ways to display your contact information.

HereΓÇÖs what to include in your resume contact information: 

• Your full name.
• A reliable phone number.
• Your professional email address.
• Your city, state and ZIP code. 
• A link to your professional social media account, website or portfolio if you have them.

Here is a sample of how to write a resume header:

STEP 4

Write a compelling resume summary

A resume summary is a concise and impactful overview of a candidateΓÇÖs qualifications, skills and career goals.

Murray emphasizes that a resume summary should “hook the reader and entice them to explore your resume further,” avoiding generic clichés while highlighting what sets you apart from other applicants.

Here is an example of a captivating resume summary:

If you are a first-time job seeker, changing careers or returning to work after a long absence, you should write a resume objective instead. 

It is important to note that in modern resume writing, a professional summary or profile section is preferred over a traditional resume objective statement.

If you choose to include an objective statement, ensure that you focus on the companyΓÇÖs needs rather than those of your own. HereΓÇÖs an example:

The bottom line: Whether you use a resume summary or a resume objective, make it compelling, concise and clear.

STEP 5

Make a resume work history section

Potential employers want to know what they can gain by hiring you, so they will review your resume work history section to see how you have used your skills and knowledge to make an impact on current and previous employers.

For each job, display three to five work accomplishments in bullet points and quantify them when possible. A 2018 survey conducted on behalf of CareerBuilder found that 34% of hiring managers identified a lack of quantifiable results in a resume as an instant deal breaker. 

For example, a teacher might write: ΓÇ£35% of the senior class improved end-of-semester test scores by 25% within three months.ΓÇ¥ 

Format this resume section by listing jobs in reverse-chronological order, with the current or latest position at the top. Include your title, the company name and location, the dates of employment and bullet points with your top achievements and responsibilities. For example:

• Impressive measurable accomplishments from your previous positions that highlight your achievements and contributions.
• A complete inventory of your soft skills, hard skills and technical skills that match the skills outlined in the job description.
• Detailed information about your previous employers, including their names, dates of employment, locations, job titles and a clear outline of your responsibilities.
• Educational credentials, such as your college degree, certifications or licenses that demonstrate your expertise in specific areas.
• Any volunteer work where you gained skills and experience relevant to the role you are applying for. 
• Notable awards and honors you have received, which further validate your exceptional abilities and dedication.

STEP 3

Add your contact information

One of the most important aspects of writing a resume is ensuring that your contact information is clearly displayed so that hiring managers can contact you for an interview.  

Check out the resume header examples below to learn what contact information to include, where to place it and how to format it for maximum impact. 

You can also explore our library of 800+ resume examples to draw additional inspiration for ways to display your contact information.

HereΓÇÖs what to include in your resume contact information: 

• Your full name.
• A reliable phone number.
• Your professional email address.
• Your city, state and ZIP code. 
• A link to your professional social media account, website or portfolio if you have them.

Here is a sample of how to write a resume header:

STEP 4

Write a compelling resume summary

A resume summary is a concise and impactful overview of a candidateΓÇÖs qualifications, skills and career goals.

Murray emphasizes that a resume summary should “hook the reader and entice them to explore your resume further,” avoiding generic clichés while highlighting what sets you apart from other applicants.

Here is an example of a captivating resume summary:

If you are a first-time job seeker, changing careers or returning to work after a long absence, you should write a resume objective instead. 

It is important to note that in modern resume writing, a professional summary or profile section is preferred over a traditional resume objective statement.

If you choose to include an objective statement, ensure that you focus on the companyΓÇÖs needs rather than those of your own. HereΓÇÖs an example:

The bottom line: Whether you use a resume summary or a resume objective, make it compelling, concise and clear.

STEP 5

Make a resume work history section

Potential employers want to know what they can gain by hiring you, so they will review your resume work history section to see how you have used your skills and knowledge to make an impact on current and previous employers.

For each job, display three to five work accomplishments in bullet points and quantify them when possible. A 2018 survey conducted on behalf of CareerBuilder found that 34% of hiring managers identified a lack of quantifiable results in a resume as an instant deal breaker. 

For example, a teacher might write: ΓÇ£35% of the senior class improved end-of-semester test scores by 25% within three months.ΓÇ¥ 

Format this resume section by listing jobs in reverse-chronological order, with the current or latest position at the top. Include your title, the company name and location, the dates of employment and bullet points with your top achievements and responsibilities. For example: