How to Write the Perfect Resume? Complete Beginner’s Guide

Crafting a professional resume helps to build your perception in your interviewer’s mind without meeting him/her. Possibly your interviewer receives hundreds of resumes every day. So if your Resume looks unprofessional & poorly crafted, the chances are high that it will find a place in a trash can.

A difficult-to-read, erroneous & unattractive Resume can cost you your dream job. People often make a mistake like creating resumes riddled with typos, inconsistent formatting & using unreadable fonts.

If you are looking for a professional position using such a resume, I am sorry to say this but; you are not getting it. But, you’ll have to start somewhere. Creating a new resume from scratch can feel overwhelming, but following expert career advice can make the process much easier and help you stand out.

So how can you perfect a resume that can entice the interviewer, boosting your chances of getting selected? I will be answering these & some similar questions in this detailed guide on how to craft a Great Resume along with some Resume Writing Tips.

Resume writing is the foundation of every successful job search. Your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, so it’s essential to get it right. A professional resume not only highlights your skills and experience but also demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively and present yourself in the best possible light.

With the rise of professional resume templates and powerful resume builders, creating a job-winning resume has never been easier. These tools allow you to choose from a variety of resume templates tailored to different industries and job titles, ensuring your resume stands out from the competition.

One of the most important resume tips is to tailor your resume to each job description. Carefully read the job description and incorporate relevant keywords and required skills throughout your resume.

This not only helps your resume pass applicant tracking systems but also shows hiring managers that you’re a perfect fit for the specific job.

Don’t forget to highlight your transferable skills, abilities that can be applied across different roles and industries. Whether you’re changing careers or applying for your dream job, showcasing these skills can make your resume more attractive to prospective employers.

By leveraging professional resume templates, resume builders, and focusing on the job description, you can create a resume that opens doors and gets you noticed in today’s competitive job market.

So let’s get started.

Tips for creating a great resume:

1. Chose the right format

I understand that creating a resume when you are applying for your dream job can be overwhelming. But, you’ll have to start somewhere.

Start with creating an outline of your Resume or use a resume builder by picking the right resume template that meets your specific niche or Skillset. List your strong points, weak points, your experience & what skills you want to emphasize.

Then comes the option to choose the right format. The three main resume formats are chronological resume, functional resume, and combination resume. As there is no specific rule about choosing the format, you can choose from any of the following three options.

a. Reverse Chronological order

This is one of the most common formats used by applicants all over the world. As they are simple and extremely flexible, they can be used for any job application with minor trimming.

Pros:

• It’s very simple, efficient & easy to modify
• You can showcase the growth in your career.

Cons:

• It’s a ubiquitous format used by thousands of applicants, so your chance of standing out is negligible.
• It’s not suitable if you have gaps in your career, or you are changing your field.

b. Functional or Skill-based Resume

This type of format is widely suitable for those who possess strong skill sets and apply for higher-level positions.

As the name suggests, these formats focus more on the applicant’s skills and less on their past experience.

Pros:

• This format looks different from standard formats, so there is a chance that the interviewer will spend some more time studying it.
• It’s suitable for those who have gaps in their career, and do not wish to disclose it directly.

Cons:

• This Resume is not for entry-level applicants who lack any specific skills
• There is a strong possibility that the Interviewing department might feel you have something to hide. This creates a negative impression of yours.

c. Combination format

This format blends the best parts of both the format & creates delivers a good result. For e.g., this format mentions the applicant’s experience, and at the same time, it also mentions the unique skill sets like a Functional format.

Pros:

• It’s an excellent option if you wish to showcase your transferable skills & look for a career change

Cons:

• This format is not simple, and hence we would recommend that novice applicants should steer clear of this format

2. Add Contact Information clearly

Who wouldn’t love to get an on-time response from the Interviewing Department, right? But for that, you will have to add accurate contact information in the right place.

There is always a debate over what information should be included in the Resume and what should be left behind.

First, we will take a look at the Mandatory information, then the optional information, and finally, the information you should avoid adding to your Resume.

Mandatory Contact Information

• Name: This is pretty obvious. You must use the largest fonts on the page to write down your first and last name.
• Mailing address: Then comes the mailing address. Make sure your mailing address is easy to track, and hence it should have sufficient details. Any mistake and you might miss some important paperwork from the employer.
• Contact number: List your primary contact number here. Make sure it stays on all the time, and has an active voice-mail facility.
• Email address: Don’t forget to add your precious email address, as most of the communication will be done via email. But make sure your email id is professional and not funky or hippy.
• LinkedIn Profile: As LinkedIn has become a critical platform for professionals, make sure you add your LinkedIn account link to your Resume.

Optional Contact information

• Middle Name: You can add your middle name if you wish, but there is no compulsion about it. So if you want to leave it blank, then there is no love lost!
• Personal Blog or Website: Add this information only if they are relevant to the position you are applying for. Otherwise, adding them doesn’t serve any purpose.

Information that you should avoid

• Secondary Contact Number: As you have already added the Primary Contact number with voice-mail service, avoid adding the secondary number. It will only create confusion for all.
• Date of Birth: Not always, but sometimes, it is good to avoid adding your Birth date. The reason is, some interviewers are notorious for ageism. So it’s better to avoid adding your Date of Birth unless absolutely necessary.
• Photos: This trend is on the rise, especially among youngsters, for only God knows what reason! But I would recommend avoiding this.

3. Write a Great Resume Introduction

Multiple types of research suggest that, on average, an HR will take a look at any resume for 7 seconds only. This means, have just 7 seconds to impress your interviewer. So it’s vital that you write an excellent Resume Introduction or Resume Summary that compels the interviewer to consider you as a legit candidate.

Also, create an attractive & witty Resume heading that might give you an edge over other applicants.

Let’s understand with an example.

Ineffective:

I am working as a Digital Marketing Executive for the last 5 years. I have Knowledge about multiple Digital Marketing platforms, and I also handle various client-related activities in my current firm. I am well-equipped to handle all the tasks vested upon me.

Effective:

Highly motivated and efficient Digital Marketing executive with 5 years of experience in hardcore Digital Marketing. Achieved numerous accolades during my term in the existing firm and was ready to keep up with the trend. Looking for robust growth along with your firm.

See the difference? The ineffective one is more of an informative statement, while the effective one packs a punch!

So next time, when you write our Resume heading, make sure it is Effective.

Additionally, some candidates may choose to include an objective statement at the top of their resume. This brief section outlines your career goals and intentions, helping to quickly communicate your professional aspirations to potential employers.

Including an objective statement is especially useful if you are early in your career or transitioning to a new field, as it clarifies your career goals and guides recruiters in understanding your motivations.

4. Mention your Work Experience & Achievements

This is a critical part of your Resume. This is where you’ll have to cement your position & present proof of the skills you mentioned in the Resume. To do this effectively, craft strong work experience bullet points that start with impactful action verbs to clearly demonstrate your accomplishments and contributions.

This part can make or break your interview. You can use any title you want for this section, e.g. “Professional Experience”, “Relevant Experience”, or simply “Work Experience”. But make sure you write the complete details of your previous employers, your job profile & other relevant details.

Trim your previous experience to the Job advert. When tailoring your resume to job ads, be sure to include the right keywords from the job description to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS) and increase your chances of being noticed by hiring managers.

This can be an excellent way to attract the attention of your interviewer. They are looking for a specific candidate, who fulfills specific criteria, then why not leverage it?

For e.g. the Job ad reads.

“At ABC, we are looking for a mid-level Digital Marketing specialist to meet with our growing list of Clients. As our Digital Marketing specialist, you will be working directly with potential clients, building and nurturing meaningful relationships. Your core goal will be crafting tailored Digital Marketing Solutions for the clients with your team.”

Now note the underlined words. They are occupation-specific keywords that you can use in your Resume.

For example, your “Professional Experience should have a bullet point that reads,

• Spearheaded a team of 4 Digital Marketers & managed a long list f clients from multiple Business vectors, boosting their conversion ratio by over 68%.

When writing work experience bullet points, use present tense verbs for your current roles and past tense for previous positions.

Here, you are highlighting your teamwork, your ability to deliver results and manage Clients.

Such punch lines can definitely help you stand out from the rest while applying for a job.

5. Write down a Stunning Education section

Your qualification is equally important as your Professional experience. Especially if you have no experience in the field, it’s best to showcase your Education and related achievements.

If you are wondering how to write a resume for freshers, this point is crucial. Placing it above your professional experience section can help too.

Here are some points to remember:

• Place your highest degree first; this goes unsaid.
• Then place your other degrees in the reverse-chronological order.
• You can also add your college information to the Resume.
• Mention your University and College’s full name & Adress
• Don’t forget to add the Date of your Graduation.

6. List your special skills

A dedicated skills section in your resume is crucial for showcasing both technical and soft skills relevant to the job. A well-formatted skills section helps tailor your resume to specific roles, highlights your expertise, and ensures important keywords are easily noticed by employers or ATS systems.

When you appear for an interview, the HR manager looks for much more than an individual with some fancy degree. He/She is looking for someone with some set of skills. Now I agree that it’s not advisable to fill your Resume with many skills, but spreading them here and there can surely help.

HRs always prefer someone with additional skills that are not a part of the Job profile. So when you add such skills to your Resume (Of course, you must have them in the first place!), you get an edge over your competitors.

Now talking about skills, there are Hard Skills & then there are Soft skills. Let’s understand them first.

Hard Skills: These are the skills that you can actually showcase at any time. For e.g., Knowledge of specific software or the ability to work on some machinery is hard-skills. We live in a digital world, so it’s advisable that if you don’t have some of them, then get them to survive!

Few examples of Hard-skills

• Data Mining
• Computer Programming
• Knowledge about CMS
• Accounting
• SEO/SEM
• Digital Marketing
• Copywriting
• Data Engineering
• Database Management
• UX/UI designing

Adding these skills will definitely improve your chances to get selected for the interview.

Soft skills: These skills are the ones that quantified terms of showcasing cannot measure. For e.g. being punctual is a Soft-skill. You cannot showcase it to your interviewer unless they hire you. But it surely helps them in creating your persona.

For e.g. some HR managers prefer applicants who are good at teamwork, persistent & Empathetic. So if you have some similar skills, make sure you add them to your Resume.

Few Examples of Soft Skills:

• Leadership skills
• Logical Reasoning
• Decision-making skills
• Patience
• Having the feeling of Responsibility
• Versatile Knowledge
• Keen Observational Skills
• Ability to fulfill commitments
• Focused
• Time-management

7. Add all the important certifications you have

Although not necessary, certifications, awards, and accolades add a sort of special effect to your Resume. So if you have any of them, don’t shy away from adding them.

Especially if you are applying for a job that demands a certification, then it is always good to add them. For e.g., if you are applying for the job of driving instructor, you will need certification without a doubt. On the contrary, if you are applying for the post of customer support executive, there is no need for such.

You can also add any honors or awards you have received from your previous jobs or any other work. But make sure they are relevant to the job that you are applying to.

If you are fresh out of college, I would recommend adding your publications if they are relevant to the job.

8. Optional Sections

While the core sections of a resume, such as work experience, education, and skills—are essential, optional sections can give your resume an extra edge.

Including additional information like volunteer work, languages spoken, certifications, hobbies, or professional affiliations can help you stand out from other candidates, especially if these details are relevant to the job description or demonstrate key skills.

For example, if you’re applying for a job that values community involvement, adding a section on volunteer experience can showcase your commitment and transferable skills. Similarly, listing languages or technical proficiencies can be a deciding factor for jobs that require specific abilities.

Professional resume templates and online resume builders make it easy to add and organize these optional sections. With a user-friendly interface, you can quickly customize your resume to highlight the most relevant details for each job application.

Just remember to keep these sections concise and focused on information that will impress employers and support your candidacy for the desired role.

9. Add gentle touch, here & there.

Right Fonts

Choosing the Right Fonts is critical as they are the first thing your interviewer will notice. If you use a too-stylish or funky Font, your Resume might be treated as unprofessional. So here is a list of some tips for choosing your Font:

• User Fonts are easy to read and understand.
• Do not jumble more than one Font throughout your Resume.
• Make sure you don’t spend much time thinking and rethinking your fonts.

Right Font Size

Make sure you do not make your interviewer sweat reading your Resume! If he finds your Resume difficult to read, your chances for selection will tumble. People often end up choosing too small fonts to fit in all the details on a single page. Never make this mistake. Make sure your resume is readable.

Margins

Margins make your Resume look presentable. It is a general norm that the margin should be 1 inch. For someone with less experience, this will be easy. But for those with much experience, fitting all the information will take some hard work!

You can reduce your margin by a fraction if you want, but make sure you don’t overdo it. Otherwise, your Resume will look all jumbled up.

10. Craft a Crisp Cover letter

By now, your Resume is ready and fuelled, but still, there are a few things that you need to work out. One is crafting a Dazzling Cover-letter. A cover letter gives your application a human touch.

Many online tools and resume builders also offer features to help you craft professional cover letters tailored to each job application. With a cover letter, you can connect with the interviewer as a person and not just some other resume.

So we would recommend a pitch-perfect and crisp Cover letter that matches your resume.

10. Proofread & Proofread once again

Now everything is wrapped up, so all you have to get to is proofread your Resume, edit, and proofread again. This is vital as it’s better if you find errors in your resume rather than your interviewer. Repeat the process until you find your Resume looks perfect.

It is always advisable to read and re-read the Resume three or four times. Taking a second opinion from a friend or colleague can also do some good.

11. Easily Create a Resume

Gone are the days of struggling with a blank page or wrestling with complicated formatting in a text file. Today, job seekers can easily create a professional resume quickly using modern resume builders and free AI resume builder tools.

These platforms offer a wide range of professionally designed templates, allowing you to select the perfect resume template for your industry and job title.

With a user-friendly interface, resume makers guide you step-by-step through the process, ensuring you include all the relevant details and key skills that hiring managers are looking for.

Many resume builders also provide expert tips, resume examples, and even suggest bullet points for your work experience section, making it simple to craft a job-winning resume.

Whether you’re updating an existing resume or starting from scratch, these tools help you save time, avoid common resume mistakes, and create a completed resume that’s ready to impress employers.

Plus, with features like ATS friendly templates and the ability to export your resume in multiple formats, you can be confident your application will make it through applicant tracking systems and into the hands of prospective employers.

12. Some additional tips

Apart from the tips mentioned above, take a look at these tips too.

• Make sure you write an excellent resume introduction.
• Add quantifiable achievements & specific job duties that will impress your interviewer.
• Prefer sharing your Resume in PDF format.
• Use the name of the Hiring Manager while sharing your Resume, it will be more impactful.
• Consider using a two page resume if you have over 10 years of relevant experience, and tailor your content and layout to fit this format for maximum employer appeal.

13. Job Search Tips

Landing your dream job takes more than just a great resume—it requires a strategic approach to your job search. Here are some expert tips to help you stand out and secure more interviews:

• Tailor Every Application: Customize your resume and cover letter for each job application. Use keywords from the job description and highlight specific skills and achievements that match the required skills for the role.
• Network Effectively: Reach out to professionals in your field, attend industry events, and connect with companies referred by your contacts. Networking can open doors that job boards can’t.
• Leverage Online Tools: Use job search engines, company career pages, and professional networking sites like LinkedIn to find new opportunities. Many online resume builders also offer job search features and matching cover letter templates.
• Follow Up: After submitting your application, send a polite follow-up email to the hiring manager. This shows your enthusiasm and can help keep your name top-of-mind.
• Stay Organized: Keep track of your job applications, interview dates, and follow-ups. This will help you manage your job search efficiently and ensure you don’t miss any opportunities.
• Prepare for Interviews: Research the company, review the job description, and practice answering common interview questions. Bring copies of your resume and cover letter to every interview.

Remember, a job-winning resume and a proactive job search strategy go hand in hand. By combining a professional resume with these job search tips, you’ll be well on your way to impressing employers and landing your next role.

Final thoughts

Finally, we are here. After much hard work, we hope you have understood the secret to creating a perfect resume. Hope you had had all your doubts clear and you are ready for your next interview.

If you have an old resume, consider using an online resume builder or resume maker to update and improve it. These tools make it easy to upload your old resume, edit the content, and ensure your resume is optimized for applicant tracking system (ATS) software.

Using a powerful resume builder with full access to professional templates and advanced features can help you create a standout, ATS-friendly resume that increases your chances of landing the job.

If you are still confused about how to write a resume for a job Feel free to reach out for any queries.