How long should a resume be?

For most professionals, one page is ideal. If you have 10+ years of directly relevant experience, two pages is acceptable. Keep it as concise as possible — recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds on an initial resume scan.

Should I include a photo on my resume?

No. In the US, UK, and Canada, including a photo on your resume is not standard and can actually trigger bias. Some European countries have different norms, but for ATS compatibility, skip the photo entirely.

Do I need a summary or objective?

A professional summary is recommended for most candidates. It gives you a chance to pitch your value immediately. An objective statement ("seeking a position in...") is outdated and wastes valuable space.

Can I use the same resume for every job?

You can use a base resume, but you should tailor it for each application. Adjust your summary, keywords, and bullet points to match the specific job description. This significantly improves your ATS score and your chances of landing an interview.

How to Write a Resume (Step-by-Step Guide)

Writing a Resume From Scratch

Whether you are entering the workforce for the first time or updating an old resume, the process can feel overwhelming. This step-by-step guide walks you through every section of a modern resume so you can build one that passes both Applicant Tracking Systems and human reviewers.

Step 1: Choose Your Format

Before writing a single word, decide on your resume format. For most people, the reverse-chronological format is the right choice — it lists your most recent experience first and is preferred by recruiters. If you are changing careers or have specific skills to highlight, consider a hybrid format that leads with a skills section. See our Resume Format Guide for a detailed comparison.

Step 2: Write Your Header

Your header sits at the very top and includes your essential contact details. Keep it simple and ATS-friendly:

Full Name — Make it prominent (16-20pt font).
Phone Number — One reliable number with a professional voicemail.
Email Address — Use a professional format: firstname.lastname@gmail.com.
City and State — Full street address is no longer necessary.
LinkedIn URL — Optional, but recommended. Customize your LinkedIn URL.

Do not put your header in the document footer or use icons for contact details. Many ATS systems cannot read them.

Step 3: Write a Professional Summary

Your summary is a 2-4 sentence elevator pitch at the top of your resume. It should highlight your years of experience, key skills, and biggest career achievement. Tailor it to the job you are applying for by including 2-3 keywords from the job description.

Weak example: "Hardworking professional seeking a challenging position."

Strong example: "Marketing manager with 7+ years of experience driving demand generation for SaaS companies. Increased marketing-qualified leads by 62% through integrated content and paid strategies. Expert in HubSpot, Google Analytics, and campaign optimization."

For more inspiration, see our 20 Resume Summary Examples.

Step 4: List Your Work Experience

This is the most important section of your resume. List each role in reverse chronological order with your job title, company name, location, and dates. Under each role, write 3-5 bullet points that focus on achievements, not just duties.

Use the CAR method (Challenge, Action, Result) to frame each bullet point:

Instead of "Managed social media accounts," write "Grew social media engagement by 145% over 6 months by implementing a data-driven content calendar."
Instead of "Responsible for budget management," write "Managed a $500K annual marketing budget, reducing waste by 18% while maintaining campaign ROI above 3:1."

For a deeper dive, read our guide on Writing the Work Experience Section.

Step 5: Add Your Education

List your highest degree first. Include the degree type, institution name, and graduation year. If you have been working for more than a few years, keep this section brief — no need to include GPA, coursework, or activities unless you are a recent graduate.

Experienced professional: "B.S. Computer Science, University of Michigan, 2018"
Recent graduate: Include GPA (if 3.5+), relevant coursework, honors, and activities.

Step 6: Include a Skills Section

List 10-15 skills that are relevant to the job. Include a mix of hard skills (tools, software, technical abilities) and soft skills (leadership, communication, problem-solving). Mirror the exact language used in the job description so ATS systems can match them.

For guidance on what skills to include, see our Skills Section Guide.

Step 7: Add Optional Sections

Depending on your background, consider adding:

Certifications — PMP, AWS, Google Analytics, etc.
Projects — Especially useful for tech roles.
Languages — If relevant to the position.
Volunteer Work — If it demonstrates relevant skills.

Step 8: Proofread and Optimize

Before submitting:

Read every line out loud to catch awkward phrasing.
Check for consistency in formatting (dates, punctuation, capitalization).
Run your resume through our ATS Checker to verify it will parse correctly.
Have a friend or mentor review it for clarity and impact.

Your resume is your marketing document. Every line should earn its place by demonstrating value. Remove anything that does not support your candidacy for the specific role.