How to Write a Resume: The Complete Guide

Resume structure at a glance

A well-crafted resume follows a clear structure and includes several essential sections. A standard resume typically contains the following blocks:

A structured resume looks professional and presents your candidacy in the best light.

Contact information

At the very top, state your full name. Next to it, add the desired role or a short professional headline (for example: “Front‑end developer with 5 years of experience”). This helps employers see what role you’re targeting.

Then list your up-to-date contact details:

• Phone — a number where you can be reached quickly.
• Email — use a professional‑sounding address.
• City — location (mention relocation readiness if applicable).
• Profiles — add LinkedIn or another professional profile if relevant.

Avoid overly personal details (marital status, photo, birth date) unless the employer explicitly requires them. Exceptions exist for roles where it’s essential (actors, models). In most cases, these details don’t affect hiring decisions and only distract from your professional value.

Resume objective (Summary)

Place the Summary right after contacts. In 2–4 short sentences, describe your experience, key skills, and the role you’re seeking. Avoid clichés. Focus on the specific value you bring.

The second example is a common mistake: it’s too general and self‑focused. Recruiters don’t see clear value. Write uniquely and to the point, aligning with the role requirements and your relevant results.

If you’re early‑career and lack experience, write a goal instead: what position you want and why. Still mention what skills or knowledge you already have for that role.

Work experience

For experienced candidates, this is the core section. List positions in reverse chronological order: start with the most recent and move backward. For each role include:

• Job title and company name.
• Dates (month and year).
• Key responsibilities and achievements.

Focus on achievements, not just tasks. Show what you improved. Use numbers where possible: “increased sales by 15%” or “reduced costs by $10k/year.”

If you have a long history, emphasize the last 3–5 roles or ~10 years. Earlier roles can be condensed or omitted if irrelevant.

Don’t leave unexplained gaps. If you had breaks (parental leave, freelance, military), mention briefly.

If a role isn’t related to your target job, keep it short. Emphasize transferable skills and trim irrelevant details.

Education

In the Education section, list your schools:

• Higher education: university name, faculty, major, years. Add degree (BA/MA) and thesis topic if relevant.
• Additional education: courses, trainings, certificates relevant to the role.

If you’re early‑career, place Education above Experience to highlight your qualifications.

Keep it concise. Don’t include school education or unrelated courses. If you have important certifications (PMP, Cisco, language exams), add them as a separate block or in Skills.

Skills

List the key skills that make you a good fit. Separate hard skills (technical/professional) from soft skills (communication, leadership) to make it easier to scan.

Highlight skills that match the job description. Don’t list everything you can do—focus on what matters for the role.

If the list gets too long or weak, emphasize experience and achievements instead. Show how you applied key skills in practice.

Additional sections

Additional resume sections that strengthen your profile:

• Languages — include proficiency level if relevant (e.g., English — Upper‑Intermediate (B2)).
• Certificates and awards — professional certifications, diplomas, and recognitions.
• Publications and projects — for researchers, IT specialists, journalists, etc.
• Volunteer work — internships or volunteering that built useful skills.
• Personal qualities — 3–5 traits important for the role (responsibility, punctuality, creativity).
• Hobbies — only if they strengthen your professional image.

Additional sections should not distract from the core. Use them to strengthen your impression without overloading the resume.

Design and formatting

Beyond content, presentation matters. Here are a few formatting and design tips:

Use templates: if you’re not sure about design or want to save time, use resume templates or services. On ResumeQuill you’ll find modern templates and a builder that helps you create a polished resume quickly.

Conclusion

A strong resume is your ticket to interviews. Spend time on it and it will pay off: a well‑crafted resume increases your chances of getting invited. Follow the structure, make your experience clear and evidence‑based, and tailor the resume to each vacancy.

Remember, the goal is to present yourself at your best and convince employers to invite you. If you do it right, you’ll get the chance to prove your value in the interview. Good luck!