How to Write a Resume That Gets You Hired

A well-structured resume follows a proven format that guides the reader through your professional story logically and persuasively. Here are the essential components that every great resume must include:

1. Contact Information

Your contact information should be prominently displayed at the top of your resume. This section needs to be complete, professional, and easily accessible to potential employers.

Essential Contact Details:

• Full Name: Use your professional name as it appears on LinkedIn and other professional platforms
• Phone Number: Include a reliable number with a professional voicemail message
• Email Address: Use a professional email address ([email protected] is ideal)
• Location: City and state are sufficient; full address is no longer necessary
• LinkedIn Profile: Include your LinkedIn URL (customize it for a professional appearance)
• Professional Website/Portfolio: If relevant to your field, include links to your work

2. Professional Summary or Objective

This section appears directly below your contact information and serves as your elevator pitch. It's your opportunity to immediately communicate your value proposition and capture the reader's attention.

Professional Summary (Recommended for Most Candidates):

A professional summary is ideal for candidates with relevant work experience. It should be 3-4 lines that highlight your:

• Years of experience in your field
• Key areas of expertise
• Most impressive achievements (with numbers when possible)
• The value you bring to employers

Example Professional Summary:

Objective Statement (Best for Entry-Level or Career Changers):

An objective statement works well for recent graduates, career changers, or those entering a new field. It should focus on:

• Your career goals and aspirations
• The value you aim to provide
• Your enthusiasm for the specific role or industry
• Relevant skills or education that qualify you

Example Objective Statement:

3. Skills

The skills section is crucial for passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and showing hiring managers that you have the technical and soft skills required for the role. This section should be strategically crafted to match the job requirements.

Types of Skills to Include:

• Technical Skills: Software, programming languages, tools, platforms, certifications
• Industry-Specific Skills: Specialized knowledge relevant to your field
• Soft Skills: Leadership, communication, problem-solving, teamwork
• Language Skills: If relevant to the position, include proficiency levels

Best Practices for Skills Section:

• Use keywords from the job description
• Group similar skills together (e.g., "Programming Languages: Python, Java, JavaScript")
• Be honest about your proficiency levels
• Include both hard and soft skills
• Keep it relevant to the target position

4. Your Work History

The work experience section is often the most important part of your resume. It demonstrates your professional growth, achievements, and the value you've brought to previous employers. This section should tell a compelling story of your career progression.

Structure for Each Position:

• Job Title - Make it prominent and accurate
• Company Name - Include the full company name
• Location - City, State (or remote if applicable)
• Employment Dates - Month/Year format (e.g., "Jan 2020 – Present")
• Key Achievements - 3-5 bullet points highlighting your accomplishments

Writing Powerful Achievement Statements:

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to craft compelling bullet points:

• Start with strong action verbs (Led, Developed, Increased, Implemented, Managed)
• Include specific numbers and metrics whenever possible
• Focus on results and impact, not just responsibilities
• Show progression and increased responsibility over time

Handling Employment Gaps:

• Be honest but strategic about gaps
• Include relevant activities during gaps (freelancing, education, volunteering)
• Use years only instead of months if it helps minimize apparent gaps
• Focus on the value you can bring moving forward

5. Education

The education section provides essential information about your academic background and qualifications. The prominence and detail of this section depend on your career stage and the requirements of your target role.

Essential Education Information:

• Degree Type and Major: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Institution Name: Full name of the university or school
• Graduation Date: Month/Year or just year
• Location: City, State of the institution

Optional Education Details (Include if Relevant):

• GPA: Only include if 3.5 or higher and you're a recent graduate
• Relevant Coursework: If you're entry-level and courses are directly relevant
• Academic Honors: Dean's List, Magna Cum Laude, scholarships
• Thesis/Capstone Projects: If relevant to your field

Education Section Placement:

• Recent Graduates: Place near the top, after summary
• Experienced Professionals: Place toward the bottom
• Career Changers: Highlight relevant education/training prominently

6. Optional Sections (Certificates, Awards, Honors & Publications)

Optional sections can set you apart from other candidates by showcasing additional qualifications, achievements, and expertise. Include these sections only if they add value to your candidacy for the specific role.

Certifications

Professional certifications demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and validate your expertise in specific areas.

• List relevant certifications with issuing organization
• Include expiration dates if still current
• Prioritize industry-recognized certifications
• Consider creating a separate section if you have multiple certifications

Awards and Honors

Recognition from employers, professional organizations, or academic institutions can strengthen your candidacy.

• Include professional awards and recognition
• Mention the awarding organization and date
• Briefly explain the significance if not obvious
• Focus on recent and relevant awards

Publications

For research, academic, or thought leadership roles, publications demonstrate your expertise and contribution to your field.

• Use proper citation format
• Include co-authors if applicable
• List most recent publications first
• Include links to online publications when possible

Other Optional Sections to Consider:

• Professional Memberships: Relevant industry associations
• Volunteer Experience: If relevant to the role or shows leadership
• Projects: Significant projects that demonstrate your skills
• Languages: If multilingual skills are valuable for the position
• Speaking Engagements: Conference presentations or keynote speeches

Remember, every section on your resume should serve a purpose and add value to your candidacy. If an optional section doesn't strengthen your application for the specific role you're targeting, consider leaving it out to maintain focus and keep your resume concise.

Not everyone has a straightforward career path with continuous employment and progressive advancement. Many professionals face unique circumstances that require strategic resume writing approaches. The key is knowing how to present your situation positively while highlighting your value to potential employers.

Whether you're just starting your career, making a significant change, or returning after a break, there are proven strategies to create a compelling resume that gets results. Let's explore how to handle the most common special circumstances.

1. Limited Work Experience

Having limited work experience doesn't mean you lack value. Recent graduates, career starters, and those entering the workforce have unique strengths that employers actively seek, including fresh perspectives, current knowledge, and enthusiasm.

Strategies for Limited Experience Resumes:

Lead with Education and Skills

• Place education near the top: Make your degree, relevant coursework, and academic achievements prominent
• Include GPA if 3.5 or higher: Shows academic excellence and work ethic
• Highlight relevant coursework: List classes that directly relate to your target role
• Showcase academic projects: Treat significant projects like work experience

Maximize Every Experience

• Internships: Present these as professional experience with full job descriptions
• Part-time jobs: Focus on transferable skills gained, even from retail or service roles
• Volunteer work: Highlight leadership roles and measurable contributions
• Freelance projects: Include any paid or unpaid projects that demonstrate skills
• Student organizations: Leadership positions show management and teamwork abilities

Skills-Based Approach

• Create a strong skills section: Include both technical and soft skills
• Use a functional or combination format: Emphasizes abilities over chronological experience
• Include certifications: Show commitment to professional development
• Highlight technology skills: Demonstrate proficiency with current tools and platforms

Powerful Objective Statement

For limited experience candidates, an objective statement can be more effective than a summary:

• Express enthusiasm for the specific role and industry
• Highlight your strongest qualifications
• Show how you'll contribute to the organization
• Mention relevant education, skills, or experiences

2. Changing Careers

Career changes are increasingly common in today's dynamic job market. The key to a successful career change resume is demonstrating how your existing skills, experience, and knowledge transfer to your new target field.

Career Change Resume Strategies:

Focus on Transferable Skills

• Identify cross-industry skills: Leadership, project management, communication, problem-solving
• Reframe your experience: Emphasize aspects most relevant to your new field
• Use industry-neutral language: Describe achievements in ways that apply broadly
• Quantify transferable results: Numbers and metrics translate across industries

Strategic Resume Formatting

• Use functional or combination format: Leads with skills rather than chronological history
• Create skill-based sections: Group experiences by relevant competencies
• Minimize irrelevant details: Reduce emphasis on industry-specific aspects of previous roles
• Highlight relevant education: Include courses, certifications, or training in your new field

Address the Change Directly

• Brief explanation in summary: Mention your transition and why you're making the change
• Show preparation: Include relevant training, certifications, or education
• Demonstrate passion: Express genuine interest in your new field
• Connect the dots: Explain how your background provides unique value

Bridge-Building Activities

• Volunteer in your target field: Gain relevant experience while networking
• Take relevant courses: Show commitment through formal education
• Attend industry events: Demonstrate engagement with your new field
• Complete certification programs: Validate your knowledge and skills

3. Employment Gaps

Employment gaps are more common than ever, especially following global events like the pandemic. The key is addressing gaps honestly while minimizing their impact and focusing on your readiness to contribute.

Strategies for Handling Employment Gaps:

Strategic Date Formatting

• Use years only: "2020-2022" instead of "March 2020-June 2022" minimizes gap appearance
• Group short-term roles: Combine contract or temporary positions under one heading
• Focus on most recent experience: Give more detail to recent roles, less to older ones

Fill the Gap with Value

• Freelance or consulting work: Present any paid projects professionally
• Volunteer activities: Highlight meaningful contributions to organizations
• Professional development: Include courses, certifications, or training completed
• Relevant personal projects: Showcase skills maintained or developed during the gap

Common Gap Scenarios and Approaches

Health Issues

• Keep explanation brief and professional
• Focus on full recovery and readiness to work
• Highlight any skills or knowledge gained during recovery

Family Responsibilities

• Frame as a conscious choice rather than forced absence
• Mention any volunteer work or part-time activities
• Emphasize skills gained (time management, multitasking, organization)

Layoffs or Company Closure

• Brief, factual explanation without negativity
• Focus on proactive steps taken during job search
• Highlight any interim work or skill development

Education or Career Transition

• Present as strategic career investment
• Highlight new skills and qualifications gained
• Show how education enhances your value

Universal Tips for Special Circumstances

• Be honest but strategic: Address circumstances without over-explaining
• Focus on value: Emphasize what you bring rather than what you lack
• Show continuous growth: Demonstrate ongoing learning and development
• Tailor for each role: Customize your approach based on the specific position
• Practice your story: Be prepared to discuss your circumstances confidently in interviews
• Network actively: Personal connections can help overcome resume screening challenges

Remember, many employers value diverse experiences and perspectives. Your unique background, even with special circumstances, can be a significant asset when presented strategically and confidently.