How To Start a Resume in 10 Easy Steps [Beginner’s Guide]

Table of Contents#

1. Understand the Purpose of Your Resume
2. Gather Necessary Information
3. Choose the Right Resume Format
4. Create a Strong Header
5. Write a Compelling Summary or Objective
6. List Your Work Experience
7. Include Your Education
8. Highlight Your Skills
9. Add Additional Sections
10. **Review and Proofread

1. Understand the Purpose of Your Resume#

The primary purpose of a resume is to showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications to potential employers. It should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for. A well - crafted resume will grab the employer's attention and convince them that you are a suitable candidate for the position.

Common Practice#

Research the job requirements thoroughly. Look at the job description, the company's values, and the skills they are seeking. This will help you understand what the employer is looking for and how you can present yourself as a good fit.

Best Practice#

Use the keywords from the job description in your resume. Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes, and these systems look for specific keywords related to the job.

Example Usage#

If the job description mentions "project management skills," make sure to include "project management" in your resume when describing your relevant experience.

2. Gather Necessary Information#

Before you start writing, gather all the relevant information that you want to include in your resume. This may include your contact information, work history, education, skills, certifications, and awards.

Common Practice#

Keep a file or a document where you collect all this information. This will make it easier to organize and transfer the data to your resume.

Best Practice#

Include details such as job titles, company names, dates of employment, responsibilities, and achievements for each work experience. For education, note down the institution name, degree, major, and graduation date.

Example Usage#

If you worked as a marketing intern at XYZ Company from June 2022 to August 2022, write down the specific tasks you performed, like "Assisted in social media campaign planning and executed daily social media posts."

3. Choose the Right Resume Format#

There are three main resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination.

• Chronological: This is the most common format. It lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent job. It is ideal for candidates with a consistent work history.
• Functional: This format focuses on your skills rather than your work history. It is suitable for those with gaps in employment or who are changing careers.
• Combination: As the name suggests, it combines elements of both chronological and functional formats. It highlights your skills and work experience.

Common Practice#

Most employers prefer the chronological format as it provides a clear overview of your career progression.

Best Practice#

Choose the format that best suits your situation. If you have a strong work history, the chronological format is a good choice. If you are changing careers or have employment gaps, the functional or combination format may be more appropriate.

Example Usage#

If you are a recent graduate with limited work experience but strong skills in graphic design, a functional resume might be a good option to emphasize your design skills.

4. Create a Strong Header#

The header is the top section of your resume and should include your name, contact information, and sometimes your professional title.

Common Practice#

Use a larger font size for your name to make it stand out. Include your phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile link (if applicable).

Best Practice#

Keep the header simple and clean. Avoid using fancy fonts or colors that may distract from the content.

Example Usage#

John Doe
Phone: (123) 456 - 7890
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe

5. Write a Compelling Summary or Objective#

A summary or objective is a brief statement at the beginning of your resume that highlights your key qualifications and career goals.

• Summary: A summary is more suitable for candidates with several years of work experience. It provides a snapshot of your skills, achievements, and areas of expertise.
• Objective: An objective is better for entry - level candidates or those changing careers. It states your career goal and what you hope to achieve in the position.

Common Practice#

Keep the summary or objective concise, usually 2 - 3 sentences.

Best Practice#

Tailor the summary or objective to the specific job you are applying for. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements.

Example Usage#

Summary: "Experienced marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in developing and implementing successful marketing campaigns. Proven track record of increasing brand awareness and driving sales by 30% through targeted social media strategies." Objective: "Entry - level software engineer seeking a position at ABC Company to apply my programming skills and contribute to the development of innovative software solutions."

6. List Your Work Experience#

Your work experience section is one of the most important parts of your resume. It should detail your previous jobs, including job titles, company names, dates of employment, and your responsibilities and achievements.

Common Practice#

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent job.

Best Practice#

Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements. Focus on the results you achieved, such as increasing sales, improving efficiency, or winning awards.

Example Usage#

Marketing Manager, XYZ Corporation (2020 - Present)
- Developed and executed a comprehensive marketing strategy that increased brand awareness by 40% within six months.
- Managed a team of 5 marketing specialists, providing guidance and support to achieve marketing goals.
- Collaborated with cross - functional teams to launch new products, resulting in a 25% increase in product sales.

7. Include Your Education#

List your educational background, starting with the most recent degree. Include the institution name, degree, major, and graduation date.

Common Practice#

If you have a high GPA (e.g., 3.5 or above), you can include it.

Best Practice#

If you have relevant coursework, projects, or academic achievements, you can also mention them.

Example Usage#

Bachelor of Business Administration, University of ABC (2016 - 2020)
Major: Marketing
GPA: 3.7
Relevant Coursework: Marketing Management, Consumer Behavior, Market Research

8. Highlight Your Skills#

Your skills section should showcase your technical, soft, and industry - specific skills.

Common Practice#

Divide your skills into categories, such as technical skills (e.g., programming languages, software proficiency) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork).

Best Practice#

Prioritize the skills that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. Use bullet points or a table to make the skills easy to read.

Example Usage#

Technical Skills:
- Proficient in Python, Java, and SQL
- Experienced with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

Soft Skills:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong problem - solving and analytical abilities

9. Add Additional Sections#

You can add additional sections to your resume to make it more comprehensive. Some common additional sections include certifications, awards, volunteer work, and hobbies.

Common Practice#

Include certifications that are relevant to the job. For example, if you are applying for a project management position, mention your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Best Practice#

Keep the additional sections brief and relevant. Only include information that adds value to your resume.

Example Usage#

Certifications:
- Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute

Awards:
- Marketing Excellence Award - XYZ Company (2021)

10. Review and Proofread#

Before submitting your resume, review it carefully for errors in grammar, spelling, and formatting.

Common Practice#

Read your resume aloud to catch any awkward sentences or errors.

Best Practice#

Ask a friend, family member, or career counselor to review your resume. They may spot errors or offer suggestions for improvement.

Example Usage#

You might notice that you misspelled a company name or used the wrong tense in a sentence when you read your resume aloud.

Conclusion#

Creating a resume doesn't have to be a difficult task. By following these 10 easy steps, you can start building a resume that effectively showcases your skills, experience, and qualifications. Remember to tailor your resume to each job application and always proofread before submitting. Good luck with your job search!

References#

• "Resume Writing for Dummies" by Joyce Lain Kennedy
• CareerOneStop - U.S. Department of Labor's online resource for career information and resume writing tips
• The Muse - A website that provides career advice, including resume writing best practices.