How do you write a resume for different experience levels?

1 Choose the right format

The format of your resume depends on your experience level and the type of job you are applying for. There are three main types of resume formats: chronological, functional, and hybrid. A chronological resume lists your work history in reverse chronological order, highlighting your career progression and achievements. A functional resume focuses on your skills and abilities, rather than your work history, and is suitable for career changers, gaps in employment, or limited experience. A hybrid resume combines elements of both formats, emphasizing your skills and achievements, as well as your relevant work history.

2 Highlight your skills

Your skills are the abilities and knowledge that you have gained through education, training, or experience that are relevant to the job. They can be divided into hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are technical or specific skills that can be measured or tested, such as computer programming, accounting, or foreign languages. Soft skills are interpersonal or transferable skills that are essential for working with others, such as communication, teamwork, or problem-solving. To highlight your skills on your resume, you can use a skills section, a summary statement, or bullet points under each work experience or education entry.

3 Showcase your achievements

Your achievements are the results or outcomes that you have accomplished in your previous or current roles, projects, or activities. They demonstrate your value and impact to potential employers and set you apart from other candidates. To showcase your achievements on your resume, you can use quantifiable metrics, such as numbers, percentages, or awards, to describe what you did, how you did it, and what the benefits were. For example, instead of saying "managed a team of 10", you can say "led a team of 10 to increase sales by 25% in six months and won the best team award".

4 Tailor your resume to the job

One of the most important steps in writing a resume is to tailor it to the specific job that you are applying for. This means that you should research the company, the industry, and the role, and identify the keywords, skills, and qualifications that they are looking for. Then, you should customize your resume to match those requirements and show how you are a suitable candidate. You can do this by using the same language and terminology as the job description, highlighting your relevant skills and achievements, and removing any irrelevant or outdated information.

5 Proofread and edit your resume

The final step in writing a resume is to proofread and edit it to ensure that it is error-free, clear, and concise. You should check your resume for spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and consistency. You should also avoid using jargon, slang, or abbreviations that might confuse or distract the reader. You can use online tools, such as Grammarly or Hemingway, to help you with this process. You can also ask a friend, a mentor, or a professional resume writer to review your resume and give you feedback.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?