Resume Writing? Read These10 Tips First…

A well-crafted resume is crucial to landing your dream job. Good resume writing is your chance to showcase your strengths, accomplishments, and skills. However, with so many resumes flooding employers’ inboxes, it’s important to create a standout document. In this article, we will outline the 10 essential elements of a winning resume, complete with bullet points and examples.

How to Write Your Contact Information on a Resume

Your contact information should be the first thing an employer sees on your resume. It should be located at the top of the page and include:

• Your full name
• Your phone number
• Your email address
• Your LinkedIn profile (if you have one)
• Your address (optional)

Example Contact Information for Your Resume

John Doe
123 Main St.
Anytown, USA 12345
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
www.linkedin.com/in/johndoe

How to Write your Professional Summary on a Resume

The professional summary is a brief statement that summarizes your skills, experience, and accomplishments. It should be tailored to the job you are applying for and highlight what makes you a strong candidate. Keep it concise and use bullet points to make it easy to read.

Example Professional Summary for your Resume

Results-driven marketing professional with over 5 years of experience in digital marketing, including SEO, PPC, and social media. Successfully increased website traffic by 30% and social media engagement by 50% for multiple clients. Skilled in project management, team leadership, and data analysis.

How to Write Your Work Experience on a Resume

Your work experience section is the heart of your resume. It should include:

• Your job titles
• The companies you worked for
• The dates of your employment
• Your key responsibilities
• Your notable accomplishments

Use bullet points to make your work experience easy to read and focus on quantifiable results.

Example of Work Experience Section on a Resume

Digital Marketing Manager
XYZ Company | Anytown, USA
January 2018 – Present

• Led a team of five digital marketers to execute successful campaigns across various channels, resulting in a 40% increase in revenue
• Implemented an SEO strategy that increased organic traffic by 50%
• Created and managed PPC campaigns with a budget of over $1 million, resulting in a 20% increase in conversions

How to Write Your Education Section on a Resume

Your education section should include:

• Your degrees
• The schools you attended
• The dates of your graduation
• Your areas of study
• Any honors or awards you received

An Example Education Section for Your Resume

Bachelor of Science in Marketing
ABC University | Anytown, USA
Graduated May 2017
Dean’s List (2015-2017)

How to Write Your Skills on a Resume

Your skills section should include both technical and soft skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Use bullet points to make it easy to read.

An Example Skills Section for Your Resume

Technical Skills: SEO, PPC, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite, HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Soft Skills: Team leadership, project management, communication, problem-solving, adaptability
Certifications and Licenses: Google Analytics Certification

If you have any relevant certifications or licenses, list them in this section. They can set you apart from other candidates.

Example Certifications for Your Skills Section

• Google Analytics Certification
• HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
• Certified Social Media Marketing Professional

How to Write Your Achievements on a Resume

Your achievements section should highlight your notable accomplishments, such as awards, promotions, and significant projects. Use bullet points to make it easy to read and focus on quantifiable results.

Example of Achievements for Your Resume

• Increased website traffic by 30% for multiple clients through successful SEO and PPC campaigns
• Successfully managed a team of five digital marketers, resulting in a 40% increase in revenue
• Implemented an email marketing strategy that resulted in a 25% increase in open rates and a 20% increase in click-through rates

How to Write Your Volunteer Work on a Resume

Volunteer work can demonstrate your commitment to your community and showcase your soft skills. List any volunteer work you have done that is relevant to the job you are applying for.

Example Volunteer Section on a Resume

Volunteer Digital Marketing Consultant
ABC Nonprofit | Anytown, USA
January 2017 – Present

Developed and implemented a social media strategy that increased engagement by 60%
Conducted keyword research and optimized website content, resulting in a 40% increase in organic traffic
Managed and trained a team of three volunteer digital marketers

How to Include References for a Job Application

Reference should not be included on your resume. Nor should any note like: “Reference Available Upon Request”. This is out dated and unnecessary. If you are given a job offer, the hiring manager will ask you for references. At that point, you can email your references to them.

Notes on Formatting Your Resume

The formatting of your resume is an essential element. Use a clean and professional design that is easy to read. Use bullet points, white space, and a consistent font throughout your resume. You can also use bold text, italics, and underlining to make important information stand out.

• Use a clean, easy-to-read font such as Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman
• Use bullet points to make your resume easy to scan quickly
• Use white space to break up sections and make your resume look less cluttered
• Use bold text or underlining to make important information stand out, such as your job titles and company names

Concluding Remarks on 10 Resume Writing Tips

A winning resume is crucial to landing your dream job. By including the 10 essential elements outlined in this article and using examples and bullet points, you can create a standout document that showcases your strengths, accomplishments, and skills.

Remember to tailor your resume to the job you are applying for and use quantifiable results to make your achievements stand out. With these tips, you’ll increase your chances of landing an interview and ultimately getting the job you want.

David Halmai   CEO and Founder of First Page Resume. 13+ years experience professional resume writing. I write about Resume Writing, Linked In profile optimization and interview tips. My interests include photography, travel, cooking and fine art.