The Top Things to Put on a Resume for a Successful Job Search

A resume is the first step toward landing a dream job. Crafting a resume that stands out is truly key. It's not just about listing your job history. It's about really presenting your qualifications. And doing it in the best light. This guide will help you create a resume that will most certainly get noticed.

Last update:

01/01/2024

The Top Things to Put on a Resume for a Successful Job Search

Write your resume in 15 minutes

Our free collection of expertly designed resume templates will help you stand out from the crowd and get one step closer to your dream job.

Create your resume

Table of contents

Table of content

Create my resume with AI

Write your resume in 15 minutes

Our free collection of expertly designed resume templates will help you stand out from the crowd and get one step closer to your dream job.

Create my resume

Here's what you can expect to read in this article:

What to Include on a Resume
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Resume
Two Top Examples of Good Resumes
Final Tips for a Successful Resume
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Include on a Resume
‍

What to Include on a Resume

A really well-structured resume contains several key elements. These elements help potential employers quickly see why you're a pretty good fit. Here's what you need to include:

Contact Information: Ensure it's up to date.
Personal website: If needed to show off work.
Resume Summary or Objective: A brief overview of your skills. And career goals.
Work Experience: Highlight relevant jobs.
Education: Include degrees and certifications. As well as relevant coursework.
Skills: Both technical and soft skills.
Additional Sections: Awards and volunteer work can be added. As well as interests.
‍

Check out this CV library with tons of templates featuring ready-to-fill sections.

Crafting a Strong Resume Header

The resume header is straightforward. But critical. It includes your name and phone number. As well as your email address and LinkedIn profile. Make sure your email address is professional. Avoid using nicknames. Or unprofessional addresses. For example, "sam.smith@example.com" is preferable. Compared to "partyboy123@example.com."

According to recent statistics, 35% of recruiters reject some unprofessional email addresses. So, really take the time to create a new one if necessary. Also, include a LinkedIn profile link. Recruiters often check LinkedIn. They do this to learn more about candidates. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is polished. And up-to-date.

Writing a Compelling Professional Summary

The summary is your elevator pitch to really make your resume stand out. It's a really brief, punchy paragraph at the top of your resume. It should highlight your most relevant skills. And experiences. For example:

"Results-driven marketing professional. With over five years experience in digital marketing. Proven track record of increasing website traffic. This was done by 30%. And generating over $1 million in sales. Skilled in SEO and content marketing. As well as social media strategy."

A resume summary should be tailored to the job. Customize it for what you're applying for. Use keywords from the job description. Or job ad. This really makes it easier for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to find your resume.

Showcasing Your Work Experience

Your work experience section should be detailed. And relevant to the specific job title. List your jobs in reverse chronological order. Starting with the most recent. For each position, include:

Job title
Company name
Location
Dates of employment
Bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements
‍

Focus on achievements. And not just duties. Use quantifiable metrics whenever possible to put on a resume. For example:

"Increased sales by 20%. In the first quarter by implementing a new sales strategy."

This is more impactful. Compared to simply stating "Responsible for sales." Hiring managers want to see how you've made a difference. Especially in your past roles.

Highlighting Your Education and Technical Skills

Education is crucial. Especially for recent graduates. List your degrees, the institutions where you earned them. And the graduation dates. Include any relevant coursework and honors. As well as awards.

Soft skills are really key. As well as technical skills. Tailor this section to the job you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for a software development job. Include programming languages you're definitely proficient in. Such as Java, Python, or C++.

Want to learn more about the most in-demand skills for 2024? Check out this guide featuring top skills every employer wants.

Additional Sections to Include

Adding extra sections can give your resume a boost. Consider including:

Certifications: Relevant to the job you're applying for.
Volunteer Work: Can add valuable skills.
Awards and Honors: Demonstrates excellence in your field.
Languages: Being bilingual can be a significant advantage.
Professional Associations: Indicates a commitment to your profession.
Projects: Especially if you're in tech. Or creative fields.
‍

Tailoring Your Professional Resume to the Specific Hiring Manager

Each job application should have a tailored resume. Generic resumes are less effective. Customize your resume for each job. Use the job description as a guide. Highlight the skills. And experiences that match the job requirements.

Tailoring your resume makes it certainly more likely to stand out. Use the same language. And keywords found in the job posting. This helps your resume pass through ATS filters. And catch the hiring manager's eye.

Looking for similar articles on this topic? Check out these:

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Resume

If you're not using certified professional resume writers, mistakes are easy to make. Creating a standout resume involves not only knowing what to include. But also really understanding what to avoid. Common mistakes on CVs can certainly derail even the most qualified candidates. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:

1. Typos and Grammatical Errors: Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors can create a very poor impression. They suggest a lack of attention to detail. And professionalism.

2. Including Irrelevant Information: Stick to information pertinent to the job you're applying for to put on your resume. Including unrelated job experience and hobbies, or personal details can clutter your resume. And distract from your qualifications.

3. Using a Generic Resume: Avoid sending the same resume to many employers. Tailor your resume to certainly match each job by highlighting relevant experience. And using keywords from the job description. This can greatly improve your chances of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). And catching the eye of employers.

4. Overloading with Buzzwords: It's important to include relevant keywords. But overusing buzzwords can make your resume sound really insincere. Words like "team player" and "hard worker." As well as "go-getter" are often seen as filler. Instead, demonstrate these qualities. Do it through specific examples. And achievements.

5. Being Vague About Your Achievements: General statements about your duties don’t stand out. Employers want to see concrete achievements. Use quantifiable metrics to highlight your impact. For example, instead of saying you "improved sales." Specify that you "increased sales by 20% over six months."

6. Poor Formatting: A resume with inconsistent formatting or hard-to-read fonts. Or excessive graphics can be off-putting. Use a clean, professional layout. With clear headings and bullet points. Stick to one or two easy-to-read fonts. Such as Arial. Or Times New Roman. And use a consistent format throughout.

7. Omitting Contact Information: It may seem obvious. But ensure your contact information is really complete and up-to-date. Include your phone number. As well as your professional email address and LinkedIn profile. Missing or incorrect contact details can prevent potential employers from actually reaching you.

8. Ignoring Keywords and ATS Optimization: Many companies use ATS to screen resumes. Ignoring the importance of keywords can result in your resume never reaching a human reviewer. Study the job description and incorporate relevant keywords naturally into your resume.

Two Top Examples of Good Resumes

Example 1: Marketing Manager

Joanne Dunn

joanne.dunn@gmail.com
(163) 466-7860
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joannedunn

Resume Summary:

Results-driven marketing professional. With over five years experience in digital marketing. Proven track record of increasing website traffic by 30%. And generating over $1 million in sales. Skilled in SEO and content marketing. As well as social media strategy.

Work History:

Marketing Manager, RRT Corp | New York, NY | Jan 2019 - Present

Increased website traffic by 30%. Through strategic SEO. As well as content marketing initiatives.

Managed a $500,000 annual marketing budget. Generating over $1 million in sales.

Marketing Specialist, WWP Inc. | Boston, MA | Jun 2015 - Dec 2018

Implemented a new social media strategy. Increasing follower engagement by 50%.

Conducted market research. To identify new target audiences. Contributing to a 20% increase in sales.

Education Bachelor of Science in Marketing, University of State California | Graduated: May 2015

Hard Skills

SEO
Content Marketing
Social Media Strategy
Google Analytics
Email Marketing

Certifications

Google Analytics Certified
HubSpot Content Marketing Certified

Example 2: Software Engineer

John Smith

john.smith@gmail.com
(321) 654-0987
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

Summary:

Detail-oriented software engineer. Over seven years experience in software development. Proficient in Java, Python, and C++. Strong background in developing scalable web applications. And improving system performance.

Work History:

Senior Software Engineer, Techy Solutions | San Francisco, CA | Mar 2018 - Present

Developed and maintained web applications. Used by over 500,000 users.

Improved system performance. Reducing load times by 40%.

Led a team of 5 engineers. Mentoring junior developers. And overseeing code reviews.

Software Developer, Innovative Sol Apps | Seattle, WA | Jul 2013 - Feb 2018

Designed and implemented new features. For a suite of web applications.

Collaborated with cross-functional teams to define project requirements. And deliver high-quality software.

Education Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Stanford York University | Graduated: Jun 2013

Hard Skills

Java
Python
C++
SQL
Agile Methodologies

Certifications

Certified Scrum Master
Microsoft Suite Expert
AWS Certified Solutions Architect

Looking for more examples of resumes? Check this article with plenty of resume examples for different fields.

Final Tips for a Successful Resume

Using Action Verbs to Enhance Your Resume

Action verbs are powerful tools. They are great for making your resume really more dynamic. And impactful. Words like "led," "developed," "managed," and "implemented" show initiative. And effectiveness.

Including Keywords from Job Descriptions

Keywords from job descriptions to put on a resume is critical for passing through ATS. ATS software scans resumes for specific terms. And phrases. If your resume lacks these keywords, it may never really reach a human recruiter.

Quantifying Your Achievements

Whenever possible, quantify achievements to put on a resume. Do this to provide concrete evidence of your capabilities to the hiring manager. Instead of saying you "improved sales." Say you "increased sales by 20%. Within six months." This specificity gives potential employers a really clear picture of your impact.

The Importance of Adding a Strong Cover Letter

A cover letter is an opportunity to greatly elaborate on your resume. And explain why you're the best fit. It should complement your resume. Not repeat it. Use the cover letter to actually tell a story about your career.

Learn more about writing a simple cover letter to add to your job application.

The Final Word

Successful resume writing is about more than actually just listing your job history. It's about presenting your skills. As well as your job responsibilities. And experiences in the best possible light. Tailor your resume for each job application. And highlight your achievements.

By following these guidelines, you'll definitely increase your chances of really landing that interview. And ultimately, getting the job you want.
‍

Create your resume with the best templates

Choose

Frequently Asked Questions About What to Include on a Resume

Should I include a photo on my resume?

No. Unless the job specifically requires it. Such as in acting or modeling. Photos can lead to bias. And are generally discouraged in the U.S. Including a photo can inadvertently introduce factors such as age. And gender.

According to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, resumes with photos can certainly face discrimination. This is based on appearance. Therefore, it's best to avoid adding a photo. Do this to maintain a focus on your skills. And your qualifications.

How far back should my work history go?

Generally, 10-15 years. This is sufficient to put on a resume. Focus on the most relevant and recent experience. Older experience can often be less relevant. This is due to changes in technology. As well as industry standards and practices. Highlighting the last decade or so of your career ensures that your resume reflects your current skills. And knowledge.

Can I include hobbies and interests?

Yes, if they are relevant to the job. Or demonstrate skills related to the position. For example, if you're applying for a job in fitness. Mentioning your interest in marathon running can be beneficial. Hobbies and interests can also show personality. And provide a fuller picture of who you are.

However, avoid listing generic hobbies that don't add value. Such as watching TV. Or general socializing.

What format should I use for my resume?

A clean, simple format is best. Use a professional font like Arial. Or Times New Roman. Avoid using too many colors or graphics. A cluttered resume can be hard to read. And may distract from your qualifications.

Should I list references on my resume?

No. It's not necessary to include references. Instead, have a separate list of references. make it ready to provide upon request. Including references can take up valuable space. Most employers will request references later in the hiring process. If they are actually interested in proceeding with your application.

Having a separate document ready shows that you are prepared. And organized. This document should include the name and title. As well as the company, phone number, and email address of your references. Also ensure they are aware and consent to being contacted.

Ready to start creating your resume? Try our Resume Builder tool that is available for free.