What To Put On A Resume To Land The Perfect Job?

When it comes to job hunting, your resume is your most important marketing tool. And selecting what to put on a resume is another daunting task. While it's the first impression you make on the hiring manager, it also determines whether you can secure your interview or not. 

However, what should be included on a resume to set it apart from the competition? It might be challenging to decide exactly what to include on your resume (and what to leave out), as resume best practices are always changing.

Let’s talk about the essential components that every resume should have. We provide the advice and samples you need to write a resume that attracts employers, regardless of your level of experience.

1. What Contact Information Should Your Resume Have?

Your contact information is the gateway for potential employers to reach you, so it’s crucial to get it right. At the top of your resume, include the following:

• Full Name: Use the name you prefer to be called professionally.
• Phone Number: Make sure this is a number you can easily reach.
• Email Address: Use a professional email address, ideally one that includes your name.
• Location: While you don't need to provide a full address, mentioning your city and state can be beneficial, especially for location-based jobs.

Relevant Social Media Handles

Including relevant social media handles, such as LinkedIn, can add value to your resume. Make sure these profiles are up-to-date and reflect your professional persona.

URL to Your Personal Website/Channels

If you have a personal website, blog, or portfolio, include the URL. This is particularly important for creative roles where showcasing your work is essential.

2. Make the Right First Impression With a Resume Summary or Resume Objective

The resume summary or objective is one of the first things a recruiter will see, so it’s vital to make it count.

How to Write a Resume Summary

A resume summary is a brief statement that highlights your skills, experience, and what you bring to the table. It should be concise, around 3-4 lines, and tailored to the job you’re applying for.

Example: “Experienced marketing professional with over 5 years in digital marketing, specializing in SEO, content creation, and data-driven strategies. Proven track record of increasing website traffic by 40%.”

How to Write a Resume Objective

A resume objective is a statement that outlines your career goals and how they align with the company’s objectives. This is particularly useful for entry-level candidates or those changing careers.

Example: “Ambitious recent graduate with a degree in Computer Science, seeking to leverage my coding skills and passion for AI to contribute to the development of innovative software at [Company Name].”

Read more: How to Make your Resume Stands Out: 10 Ways

3. How to Write Your Work Experience to Stand Out

Your work experience section should showcase your professional journey and how it has prepared you for the role you’re applying for.

How to Include Your Professional Experience on Your Resume? (Step-by-step)

1. Start with Your Most Recent Job: List your positions in reverse chronological order.
2. Include Job Title, Company Name, and Dates: These are the basics every entry should have.
3. Describe Your Role and Responsibilities: Provide a brief overview of what you did in each role.
4. Highlight Achievements: Focus on your accomplishments rather than just listing duties.
5. Use Bullet Points: Make your experience easy to read with bullet points.

Describe Your Achievements Using Numbers and Percentages to Back Them Up

Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Numbers provide concrete evidence of your impact and can make your resume more persuasive.

Example: “Increased sales by 30% in Q1 2023 through targeted email campaigns and customer segmentation.”

Should You Include Internships on Your Resume?

Yes, especially if you’re early in your career. Internships are valuable experiences that can demonstrate your skills and work ethic. List them as you would any job, focusing on your achievements and the skills you gained.

Read more: What is a STAR Method Resume and How to Create One?

4. What Skills Should You Put on a Resume to Make You Stand Out?

Your skills section is where you can show how well-rounded you are as a candidate.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are the technical abilities you have gained through training or experience. These should be relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Examples:

• Data analysis
• Programming languages (e.g., Python, Java)
• Project management

Soft Skills

Soft skills are interpersonal or non-technical skills that are crucial in any job. These should complement your hard skills.

Examples:

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork

Universal Skills

Universal skills are those that are valuable in virtually any job or industry.

Examples:

• Time management
• Adaptability
• Critical thinking

5. How to List Education on a Resume

The education section is particularly important if you’re applying for roles that require specific academic qualifications. List your degrees in reverse chronological order, including the degree earned, the institution, and the graduation date. If you graduated with honors or had a high GPA, you might want to include that as well.

6. Other Important Sections to Put on a Resume

Depending on the job and your experience, you might want to include additional sections to highlight your qualifications.

Certifications and Awards

List any relevant certifications or awards that demonstrate your expertise or achievements in your field.

Languages

If you speak multiple languages, this can be a significant advantage, especially in global or customer-facing roles.

Hobbies and Interests

Including hobbies and interests can be a way to show your personality and how you might fit into the company culture. However, only include those that are relevant or showcase desirable traits, like leadership or creativity.

Volunteering Experience

Volunteering can demonstrate your commitment and willingness to go above and beyond, particularly if it’s related to your field.

Publications

If you’ve been published in any journals, blogs, or other outlets, include these as they can showcase your expertise and thought leadership.

Projects

Include any significant projects you’ve worked on that are relevant to the job. This could include freelance work, school projects, or personal endeavors.

Next Steps: Tailoring Your Resume to the Job

It’s essential to tailor your resume for each job application. This doesn’t mean rewriting your resume from scratch but rather tweaking it to emphasize the skills and experience most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

20+ Things You Should NOT Include in Your Resume

To avoid common pitfalls, here’s a quick list of things you should leave off your resume:

1. Unprofessional email addresses
2. Irrelevant work experience
3. Personal details like age, marital status, or social security number
4. Long paragraphs of text
5. Outdated skills or certifications
6. Salary expectations
7. References (provide them upon request instead)
8. Photographs (unless explicitly requested)
9. Detailed salary history
10. Reasons for leaving previous jobs
11. Negative comments about previous employers or jobs
12. High school education (if you have a college degree)
13. Your full home address (city and state are sufficient)
14. Hobbies that are not relevant to the job
15. Every job you've ever had (focus on relevant positions)
16. Personal pronouns (like "I," "me," "my")
17. Multiple phone numbers (use one primary contact number)
18. Excessive formatting (keep it simple and clean)
19. Objective statement (if you’re including a summary instead)
20. GPA (unless you are a recent graduate or it’s exceptionally high)
21. Political or religious affiliations (unless relevant to the job)
22. Typos and grammatical errors (proofread carefully)
23. Personal blog or website (unless it’s relevant to the job)

Key Takeaways - What to Put on a Resume

Creating an effective resume through a resume maker requires a balance of professionalism and personalization. Focus on the essentials: contact information, a compelling summary or objective, relevant work experience, skills, and education. Include additional sections that enhance your application, like certifications or volunteer work. Always remember to tailor your resume to the job and keep it concise, clear, and free of unnecessary details. By following these guidelines, you’ll increase your chances of landing the perfect job.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly should I put on my resume?

Your resume should include your contact information, a strong resume summary or objective, work experience, relevant skills, education, and any additional sections like certifications, awards, or volunteering experience. Tailor each section to the job you’re applying for to make the best impression.

What are the top 6 skills?

The top 6 skills to include on a resume typically consist of a mix of hard and soft skills. These might include:

1. Communication skills
2. Problem-solving abilities
3. Technical skills relevant to your field (e.g., programming, data analysis)
4. Leadership or management experience
5. Teamwork and collaboration
6. Time management and organizational skills

How do I list my skills on a resume?

List your skills in a dedicated "Skills" section on your resume. You can categorize them into hard skills and soft skills, and consider using bullet points for clarity. For example:

• Hard Skills: Data analysis, Python programming, SEO
• Soft Skills: Communication, Leadership, Teamwork

What to put in a CV?

A CV (Curriculum Vitae) should include your full contact information, a detailed overview of your work experience, academic background, research experience, publications, presentations, honors and awards, relevant skills, and possibly professional affiliations. The CV is typically more detailed than a resume and is commonly used in academia or research positions.

What to put on a resume for a job?

For a job resume, include your contact details, a resume summary or objective, your professional work experience, relevant skills, education, and any additional sections like certifications, projects, or volunteer work that align with the job description.

What to put on a resume with no experience?

If you have no formal work experience, focus on what you do have. Include your contact information, a strong objective statement, relevant skills, education, internships, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and any relevant projects. Highlight transferable skills and experiences that show your potential.

What to put on a resume for the first job?

For your first job, include your contact information, a resume objective that emphasizes your enthusiasm and willingness to learn, your educational background, any relevant skills, internships, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and any personal projects that demonstrate your abilities.

What to put on a resume example?

Examples of what to include on a resume:

• Contact Information: Full Name, Email, Phone Number, LinkedIn Profile
• Resume Summary: "Motivated marketing graduate with experience in social media strategy and content creation."
• Work Experience: "Social Media Intern, XYZ Company, 2023 - Developed and managed social media campaigns."
• Skills: "SEO, Data Analysis, Content Creation"
• Education: "B.A. in Marketing, ABC University, 2023"
• Additional Sections: "Volunteer Work, Certifications"

What to put on a resume as a teenager?

As a teenager, include your contact information, a resume objective, your education, any part-time jobs, volunteer work, internships, extracurricular activities, relevant skills, and any achievements or awards. Focus on what you've learned and how your experiences have prepared you for the job.

What are the unique things to put on a resume?

To make your resume stand out, consider adding unique sections such as:

• Personal Projects: Highlight any independent projects that showcase your skills.
• Volunteer Work: Show your community involvement and dedication.
• Certifications: Include any relevant certifications that add value.
• Languages: List any foreign languages you are proficient in.
• Publications: If you have published work, include it in a separate section.
• Portfolio: If applicable, include a link to a digital portfolio showcasing your work.

What to put on a resume summary?

A resume summary should include a brief statement that highlights your professional background, key skills, and what you bring to the role. It should be tailored to the job you’re applying for and emphasize your most relevant experience and achievements.

Example: "Experienced graphic designer with 5+ years in creating compelling visual content for digital and print media. Adept at using Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong focus on branding and user experience."

What should be the Resume format?

The most common resume formats are:

• Chronological: Lists work experience in reverse chronological order. Best for those with a strong work history.
• Functional: Focuses on skills and experience rather than chronological work history. Ideal for those with gaps in employment or changing careers.
• Combination (Hybrid): A mix of chronological and functional formats, showcasing both skills and a detailed work history. Suitable for most job seekers.
• Creative: A non-traditional format used in creative fields, such as graphic design, where the layout and visual appeal are also considered.