How to Write a Resume in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Writing your first resume? This complete guide walks you through every section with examples, templates, and exactly what recruiters want to see.
⚡ Quick Answer
Length: 1 page (2 pages if 10+ years experience)
Format: Reverse chronological (most recent first)
File Type: PDF (unless they ask for .docx)
Sections: Header → Summary → Experience → Education → Skills
Time to Write: 2-3 hours for your first draft
What is a Resume?
A resume is a 1-2 page document that summarizes your work experience, education, skills, and achievements. Its purpose is simple: get you an interview.
Think of it as a marketing document where you're the product. You have 6-8 seconds to convince a recruiter you're worth interviewing.
Resume vs. CV: What's the Difference?
- • Resume: 1-2 pages, used for jobs in US/Canada, focuses on relevant experience
- • CV: 3+ pages, used for academic/research positions or jobs outside US, comprehensive career history
The 6 Essential Resume Sections
Section 1: Contact Information
Put this at the very top. Make it easy for recruiters to reach you.
What to Include:
John Smith
Boston, MA 02108
617-555-0123 | john.smith@email.com
linkedin.com/in/johnsmith | github.com/johnsmith
✅ DO Include:
- • Full name (largest text on page)
- • Phone number (cell preferred)
- • Professional email address
- • City and state (full address not needed)
- • LinkedIn URL (if you have one)
- • GitHub/Portfolio (if relevant)
❌ DON'T Include:
- • Photo (unless in Europe/Asia)
- • Date of birth or age
- • Marital status
- • Social security number
- • Home address (city/state is enough)
- • Unprofessional email (partygirl99@...)
Section 2: Professional Summary (Optional but Recommended)
A 2-3 sentence pitch at the top of your resume. Think of it as your elevator pitch in writing.
Example (Software Engineer):
"Full-stack software engineer with 5 years of experience building scalable web applications. Specialized in React and Node.js with a track record of reducing load times by 40% and improving user retention. Seeking senior engineering role to leverage expertise in performance optimization and technical leadership."
Example (Entry-Level Marketing):
"Recent marketing graduate with internship experience in social media management and content creation. Grew Instagram following by 150% and generated 25+ qualified leads through targeted campaigns. Eager to apply digital marketing skills and data-driven approach to drive growth for innovative brands."
Formula:
[Your title/role] with [X years/qualification] in [field/specialty]. [Key skill or achievement with metric]. [What you're looking for or what you bring].
Section 3: Work Experience (Most Important)
This is the heart of your resume. List your jobs in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
Format for Each Job:
Job Title
Company Name | City, State | Month Year – Month Year
- • Achievement-focused bullet point with metrics
- • Another accomplishment showing impact
- • Third bullet demonstrating relevant skills
Real Example:
Marketing Coordinator
TechStart Solutions | San Francisco, CA | June 2022 – Present
- • Increased organic website traffic by 85% through SEO optimization and content strategy, resulting in 200+ qualified leads per month
- • Managed $50K monthly ad budget across Google and LinkedIn, achieving 3.2x ROAS and 25% lower cost-per-acquisition
- • Created email marketing campaigns that improved open rates by 40% and click-through rates by 28% using A/B testing
- • Collaborated with sales team to develop lead nurturing workflows, increasing conversion rate from 12% to 19%
The X-Y-Z Formula:
"Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]"
Example: "Increased sales revenue (X) by 30% (Y) by implementing a new CRM system and training 12 sales reps (Z)"
Section 4: Education
List your degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework.
Format:
Degree Name, Major
University Name | City, State | Graduation Year
GPA: 3.7/4.0 (if 3.5+)
Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Machine Learning
✅ Include if Relevant:
- • GPA if 3.5 or higher
- • Honors (Dean's List, Magna Cum Laude)
- • Relevant coursework (for new grads)
- • Academic projects with impact
- • Study abroad (if relevant)
⚠️ Skip These:
- • High school (if you have college degree)
- • GPA below 3.3
- • Unfinished degrees (unless close to completion)
- • Irrelevant minors or certificates
Section 5: Skills
List 8-12 relevant technical and professional skills that match the job posting.
Example (Tech):
SKILLS
• Python, JavaScript, React, Node.js
• PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis
• AWS, Docker, Git, CI/CD
• Agile/Scrum, Technical Documentation
Example (Marketing):
SKILLS
• SEO & Content Marketing
• Google Analytics, Google Ads, HubSpot
• Social Media Management (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok)
• A/B Testing, Conversion Rate Optimization
• Email Marketing, Marketing Automation
Pro Tip:
Copy exact keywords from the job posting. If they say "Salesforce CRM," write "Salesforce CRM" (not just "CRM").
Section 6: Additional Sections (Optional)
Certifications
Include if relevant to the job. Example: AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Analytics Certification, PMP
Projects
Great for new grads or career changers. Include personal projects that demonstrate your skills.
Volunteer Work
Include if it shows leadership or relevant skills. Treat it like work experience.
Languages
Only if you're truly conversational or fluent. Be prepared to interview in that language.
❌ Skip These Sections:
Hobbies, References ("available upon request"), Objective Statement (use Summary instead), Personal info (age, religion, etc.)
Resume Format & Design
Formatting Rules:
Font:
- • Use Calibri, Arial, or Garamond
- • 11pt body text, 14-16pt headers
- • Consistent sizing throughout
Margins & Spacing:
- • 0.5-1 inch margins all around
- • Single line spacing within sections
- • Extra space between sections
Length:
- • 1 page if you have less than 10 years experience
- • 2 pages if 10+ years or extensive experience
- • Never 1.5 pages (looks unfinished)
File Format:
- • Save as PDF (unless they ask for .docx)
- • Filename: FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf
- • Keep file size under 2MB
Design Mistakes to Avoid:
Fancy graphics, charts, or icons (ATS can't read them)
Multiple colors (black and one accent color max)
Tables or text boxes (breaks ATS parsing)
Headers/footers (ATS may miss this content)
Two-column layouts (ATS reads left-to-right)
Step-by-Step: Writing Your First Resume
The 1-Hour Resume Writing Process
Step 1: Gather Your Information (15 mins)
- • List all jobs, internships, and volunteer work
- • For each job, write down 5-7 achievements
- • List all skills, tools, and technologies you know
- • Write down education, certifications, projects
Step 2: Choose a Template (5 mins)
- • Use Google Docs resume template or Microsoft Word
- • Keep it simple - no fancy designs
- • Ensure it's ATS-friendly (no tables or graphics)
Step 3: Fill in Each Section (25 mins)
- • Header with contact info (2 mins)
- • Professional summary (5 mins)
- • Work experience with bullet points (10 mins)
- • Education and skills (5 mins)
- • Additional sections if needed (3 mins)
Step 4: Tailor to the Job (10 mins)
- • Read the job posting carefully
- • Match keywords in your skills section
- • Adjust summary to mention their requirements
- • Reorder bullet points to highlight relevant experience
Step 5: Proofread & Polish (5 mins)
- • Read out loud to catch errors
- • Use Grammarly or spell check
- • Ask a friend to review
- • Save as PDF with proper filename
Common Resume Mistakes
❌ Mistake #1: Listing Job Duties Instead of Achievements
Bad: "Responsible for managing social media accounts"
Good: "Grew Instagram following from 2K to 15K in 6 months, generating 500+ monthly website visits"
❌ Mistake #2: Using "I" Statements
Bad: "I increased sales by 20%"
Good: "Increased sales by 20%"
❌ Mistake #3: No Metrics or Numbers
Bad: "Managed a large team"
Good: "Managed team of 8 developers across 3 products"
❌ Mistake #4: Typos and Grammar Errors
Even one typo can get your resume rejected. Proofread 3 times. Use spell check. Have someone else review.
❌ Mistake #5: Generic Resume for Every Job
Recruiters can tell. Customize your resume for each application—especially the summary and skills sections.
Resume Checklist
Before submitting, verify:
What to Do After Writing Your Resume
1. Test It With ATS
75% of resumes never reach human eyes because ATS rejects them. Test yours before applying.
Free ATS Scanner →2. Get Feedback
Ask 2-3 people to review it. Look for feedback on clarity, impact, and readability.
3. Tailor for Each Job
Spend 10-15 minutes customizing your resume for each application. It's worth it.
Auto-Tailor Your Resume →4. Write a Cover Letter
Not always required, but a great cover letter can set you apart from other candidates.
Cover Letter Guide →Ready to Create Your Resume?
Use our free tools to build an ATS-friendly resume that gets you interviews. No signup required.