How to Write a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide | Jobyra

A resume is a document that sketches your education, work experience & skills. It is also called CV and bio data. But there is a difference.

It is mainly used in applying for a job, to attend to interview. In this article, you will learn how to make a resume.

What is a CV?

CV(Curriculum vitae) is a detailed document that shows your education and work experience.

It is mainly used in scholarships and internships. You can say that it is a personal marketing tool.

Difference between CV & Resume

CV is longer as it includes detailed information about your education, work, publications, awards, and more. Includes sections like education, research, publications, presentations, teaching experience, and honors.

A resume is Shorter (1–2 pages), highlighting only the most relevant information for the job & education, and skills. Includes only the information most relevant to the job being applied for.

Choosing the Right Resume Format

Before making a resume we have to know how many types of resume is there. There are mainly three types of resumes. Secondly, you have to maintain an ATS(Applicant Tracking System) compatible format. Here are the main three resume formats.

• Chronological resume: Show your work experience reverse. This format is only for those who have a long work experience.
• Functional resume: In this format, the main focus is on skills and related experience. Those person who have career gaps in employment
• Hybrid resume: Hybrid means it is a mixing of chronological & functional formats.

Be careful when choosing the right format resume.

How to Write a Resume

To effectively communicate your work experience. If you a are fresher candidate then you can communicate your qualifications, your resume should include several key sections:

Now you learn the step-by-step process to make your resume.

Contact Information

Your resume should start with your contact information, including:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address
• LinkedIn profile (optional)
• Address (optional)

Professional Summary

For attention-grabbing the hiring manager writes a professional summary at the top of your resume after the contact information. Mainly highlight the most relevant skills & experience(from the job description).

Work Experience

List your work experience in reverse chronological order. Include:

• Job title
• Company name
• Dates of employment
• Key responsibilities and achievements

Education

Include your educational background, starting with the most recent. Mention:

• Degree obtained
• Institution name
• Graduation date

Skills

Highlight relevant skills that align with the job you are applying for. This can include both hard and soft skills.

Additional Sections

Depending on your background, you may want to include additional sections such as:

• Certifications
• Volunteer work
• Publications
• Languages spoken

What is the Objective?

The objective is a short statement that shows your goal for the next few years, and what you are looking for in the next few years. In the resume, following the contact details should be written objective. Objective is your goal, not what your employer looking for. In objective, you should write desire, intention etc.

Key aspects of an Objective include:

Purpose: The purpose of the objective is a tone of your resume to show your intention and career growth with the employer.

Length: In general length of the objective in 1 or 2 sentences. It should be direct relevant to the job description.

Customization: Whenever you apply for a job tailor every time to the job description. Keep in mind that always focus on your goal which is profitable for the hiring company, and highlight your skills that match with job description. Finally what value you can provide to the company?

Examples of resume objectives:
For a marketing position: “Driven marketing expert aiming to apply over five years of experience in digital marketing and SEO to enhance the online visibility and customer engagement of XYZ Company.”

For an entry-level role: “Recent Computer Science graduate seeking a software development opportunity to apply coding expertise and analytical skills in contributing to innovative projects at ABC Corp.”

Professional Summary vs Objective

In a curriculum vitae or resume, the Professional Summary and Objective fulfill distinct roles and are specifically designed to emphasize your skills, experiences, and career aspirations. Below is an analysis of their differences:

Professional Summary

Purpose: Offers a short overview of your qualifications, essential skills, and notable achievements.

Focus: Emphasizes the value you provide to the employer and aligns with the specific position for which you are applying.

Audience-Oriented: Customized to address the employer’s requirements, illustrating how you can aid in achieving their objectives.

Tone: Professional and assertive, typically presented in the third person (e.g., “Accomplished project manager with a demonstrated history…”).

Use Case: Most suitable for seasoned professionals with wide work experience or notable accomplishments.

Example:
“Proactive marketing expert with over 8 years of experience in enhancing brand visibility and market interaction. Proficient in digital strategy, content creation, and analytics, with a proven ability to boost campaign ROI by 30%.”

Differences Between Professional Summary & Objective

Professional summary Focus Highlights your past and present contributions Focuses on future ambitions
Target Audience Employer Primarily the candidate

Objectives are best For Experienced professionals New graduates, and career changers.

Which Should You Use?

A Professional Summary is recommended to effectively showcase qualifications and align with the employer’s expectations. Conversely, if you are entering the workforce for the first time or transitioning careers, an Objective may be more appropriate.

Using a Resume Template

Using a resume template can simplify the process of writing your resume. A resume template provides a structured format that ensures you include all necessary sections. You can find various resume templates online, many of which are free to use. Choose a template that matches your style and the industry you are applying to.

Tips for Writing an Effective Resume

Here are some practical tips to enhance your resume writing:

• Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application. Highlight experiences and skills that are most relevant to the position.
• Use Action Verbs: Start bullet points with strong action verbs like “managed,” “developed,” or “led” to convey your achievements effectively.
• Keep It Concise: Aim for a resume length of one to two pages. Be clear and concise in your descriptions.
• Proofread: Spelling and grammatical errors can create a negative impression. Always proofread your resume before sending it out.
• ATS: Resumes should be ATS (Applicant Tracking System) friendly. That means the resume should score 80 – 100 on the ATS scoring tool.

ATS

ATS full form is Applicant Tracking System. Nowadays most of the big company’s HR use this ATS tool to sort the best resume for their purpose. So in my opinion you should check ATS compatibility before sending it to any company’s HR. There are many ATS-friendly tools. Also, there is a free tool & paid tool. At least you should use the free tool. Although not enough trustworthiness for free tools.

Utilizing a resume Maker

If you’re unsure about how to write a resume or want to create a visually appealing document quickly, consider using a resume maker. These online tools allow you to input your information and generate a professional-looking resume in minutes. Many resume makers offer customizable templates, making it easy to create a resume that reflects your style.

Conclusion

Writing a resume doesn’t have to be a dangerous task. By understanding the essential components and following a structured approach, you can create a resume that effectively showcases your qualifications. Remember to choose the right resume format (ATS compatible), utilize templates, and tailor your content for each job application. With these tips, you’ll be able to make a resume that stands out in the competitive job market.