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How to Write Resume Job Descriptions (With Examples)

How to Write Resume Job Descriptions

Focus on skills and achievements, include keywords, be selective about what you include.

• Prioritize Job Descriptions

Quantify Your Achievements

• Emphasize Accomplishments

Make Your Jobs Sound Better

When you think about job descriptions, it's likely that job ads posted by employers first spring to mind. But the most important job descriptions may be the ones you create yourself when you’re describing past positions on your resume.

These job descriptions show prospective employers what you have accomplished in the positions you've held. They also provide a synopsis of your experience and skills.

Well-written descriptions for each job you have held will help get your resume noticed and selected for interviews.

Here’s advice on writing job descriptions for your resume, what to include, how to quantify and prioritize your accomplishments, and examples.

What's the best way to write attention-grabbing job descriptions? Before you start adding job descriptions to your resume, you may want to make a list of accomplishments at each of your jobs. This will prepare you for writing your resume.

After you have written a job description, look for ways to make your explanation more concise:

• Craft effective impact statements.
• Highlight skills and achievements, providing only enough detail to support your premises.
• Edit out pronouns and articles.
• Begin phrases or sentences with verbs.
• Choose strong words— resume action words  like “initiated” and “supervised” are powerful and show that you’ve made an impact on your team.
• Having short descriptions that focus on the most powerful aspects of your role will help recruiters and hiring managers quickly take in and assess your experience. 

If you are submitting resumes to organizations that add them into  applicant tracking systems  (ATS), include as many industry and job-specific " keywords " as possible. When searching databases for potential candidates, employers seek resumes with the greatest number of "hits" on keywords.

Keywords are most often nouns, e.g., “customer service” or “computer skills.” To use keywords most effectively, be specific, use as many as possible, and sprinkle them throughout your resume. 

Your resume isn’t your entire  work history , and you don’t need to include every duty for each role. Determine the most relevant information by putting yourself in your potential employer's position: Will this information help convince the employer that you are a worthwhile candidate to interview?

You do not have to include every responsibility you ever had. Group together similar tasks. For instance, rather than listing "Answered phones" and "Responded to customer emails" in two bullet points, you can combine and say, "Resolved customer issues through phone, email, and chat conversations."

Prioritize Your Qualifications

Next, think about prioritizing the information you provide in each description. Present details that are of the greatest interest to potential employers first. 

Highlight your most relevant qualifications for the job by listing them first in the job description.

For example, consider a candidate seeking a job in interior design. The resume might reflect a retail experience in which 75% of the candidate's time was spent on the sales floor, and 25% was spent designing window and floor displays. Since the design of window and floor displays is most meaningful to an interior design employer, this should be listed before sales. 

Job Description Example

Sales Associate , Retail USA, New York, NY October 2021 - Present

• Designed all large windows using color as the primary focus.
• Created engaging point-of-purchase displays for slow-moving small items; increased sales of these items by 30%.
• Organized floor displays to maximize space and call attention to the latest merchandise.
• Utilized strong interpersonal and communications skills to serve customers; received employee of the month award twice.

Quantify as much information as you can (numbers, dollar signs, and percentages can all help to make your case). 

For instance, a bullet point that reads "Grew traffic 35% year-over-year" is more impressive—and informative—than one that reads simply "Improved traffic."

Employers like numbers. It's much easier to look at signs and symbols than it is to read words.

Nearly any description, for any job, can be  enhanced through the use of numbers . A waitress might start out with the description, "Took customer orders and delivered food." But a quantified description saying, "Served customers in an upscale 100-seat restaurant," provides much more insight.

Waitress, Maxill's Restaurant,  New York, NY January 2022 - Present

• Provided dining service for patrons at an upscale 100-seat fine dining establishment.
• Served meals, cleared tables, monitored five tables, and provided exceptional customer service to up to 30 customers.
• Trained new waitstaff on POS system, guest services, and restaurant policies and procedures.

Emphasize Accomplishments Over Responsibilities

It's important for employees to know you have the necessary experience to do the work required in the position. Still, many candidates will have this relevant experience.

To stand out, emphasize how you added value. Focus on accomplishments, rather than responsibilities.

As seen above, numbers can be your friend when it comes to  highlighting your accomplishments in your resume . As well, numbers provide context. For instance, you might say, "Increased revenue by 5%, after several years of decreasing sales."

Or, rather than saying, "Answered phone calls and dealt with customer concerns," you can say, "Resolved customer concerns, answering approximately 10 calls per hour. Became go-to person on the team for dealing with the toughest phone calls and most challenging complaints."

Employers want to know what you accomplished. Make it easy for them to see what you've done by using numbers and percentages.

While it is important to keep descriptions short, adding details and context can help show employers why you'd be a good match for the position. 

Customer Service Associate,  ABD Company March 2020 - August 2021

• Resolved customer concerns efficiently and expeditiously, answering approximately 300 calls per week.
• Achieved 100% of call performance goals for accuracy, speed, volume, resolution of issues, and customer satisfaction.
• Nominated for employee-of-the-month four times for excellent attitude and exemplary customer service skills.

There are easy ways to jazz up your resume job descriptions to  make your jobs sound super impressive . A few simple tweaks here and there can make your resume much better.

Key Takeaways

• Spend some time writing the job descriptions on your resume, since potential employers will read them carefully. 
• Focus on relevant skills and accomplishments—be choosy about the information you include, and place the most relevant information at the top of the job description. 
• Rather than simply listing out tasks, focus on what you've accomplished in each role, incorporating attention-grabbing numbers and percentages. 

Resume Job Description: Samples & Tips To Help You Enhance Your Application

In This Guide:

What is a resume job description, responsibilities vs accomplishments: how to enhance your resume job description, how to write your resume job description with achievements if you’re a newly grad, how do i tailor a resume to a job description effectively, looking for a resume job description example.

Getting your resume done is one of the most unnerving parts of the job application process.

Do I have enough experience? Which positions should I list? Can I mention my volunteer work history? Should I or should I not include a photo on my resume ?

These are just some of the questions that ran through my mind when I was preparing my resume.

I spent days researching the best resume practices out there, trying to craft the perfect document that was sure to land me the job.

I wanted my resume to stand out. To make an impact on the hiring managers. I wanted it to work.

And you know what? I made it work.

Surprisingly, all I did was tweak one part that hadn’t crossed my mind before – the job description .

So, stick around and let me tell you the story of how one section can make or break your application.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What a resume job description is and why it’s important;
• How to make sure you write a job description that blows all the other candidates out of the water;
• How to tailor your job description to the specific position you’re applying for.

BUILD MY RESUME NOW

Now, let’s start with the question on everyone’s minds.

To put it short, a job description section on your resume shows the prospective employers your past work experience (paid, internship, and volunteer), as well as your key skills and accomplishments demonstrated at a specific job.

It’s one of the most important resume sections .

It shows a hiring manager what you’ve achieved, what you’ve learned, and how that can be applied to the position they’re offering.

What a well-written resume job description does is highlight the fact that your skills and accomplishments are not only relevant to the job at hand – they’re exactly what the company needs.

When writing about your work history, don’t just list your duties at a past job – that’s boring and, to be honest, recruiters don’t really care.

What’s important to them is that you have the necessary experience, skills, and drive to manage and excel at the task you’ll need to handle.

Hopefully, you now know what a job description section is.

So, to make sure you write one that gets your resume noticed, I’m going to give you some hot tips, coming straight from the experts.

Let’s get right to it!

Focus on your skills and achievements

As I said, recruiters don’t really care about all the daily duties and responsibilities you’ve had before, even if your past job is relevant to the one you’re applying for.

I guarantee, every other applicant that’s held a similar position will have had similar duties. Your job title itself lets the recruiter know what they are.

It doesn’t matter what you did, but how you succeeded at it.

So, what you need to do is highlight your accomplishments and skills while you outline your duties. This shows the hiring manager that you can bring value to the company.

You don’t need to go into too much detail – a simple statement, such as “Created a custom client dashboard that reduced support tickets by 50%” is enough to show what you’ve brought to the table.

However, you can’t just throw any old achievement in there. You need to curate your content. So…

Vet your experience and select the most relevant information

You don’t have to list your entire work history when you write your resume job description, just as you don’t have to list every single responsibility.

What helps is to pinpoint which part of your experience will be the most important to the recruiter and focus on that.

Prioritize the information you include in your job descriptions. You may have achieved tons of things at your past job – but which one is the most relevant? Find out and put it first.

Try and put yourself in the employer’s shoes.

Will a recruiter looking for a web developer be impressed by how you increased Walmart’s Pepper Jack sales by 30% in a week?

Probably not, unless it’s his favorite cheese.

So, research the company, the position, and what is most important to them, and then match it to your skills and accomplishments.

Let the numbers speak for you

Take any achievement of yours. Can the information be represented by symbols and numbers? If yes, then do just that.

People find reading concrete symbols and signs easier than reading words.

Let’s go back to our cheese example from before. Which of the following statements is more impressive:

“Increased cheese sales” or “Increased Pepper Jack sales by 30% in 1 week by leading a successful marketing campaign”?

Even something as ordinary as cheese can sound fancy when you throw in raw data like that.

Be very specific when talking about your achievements and quantify as much as possible.

Make attention-grabbing section headers

Your work experience section is perhaps the most important part of that document. So, make it stand out .

You don’t have to name the section anything specific – Work Experience, Work History, Experience, Employment History – all of these are fine.

Just make sure it’s clearly visible. Go for all-caps, or bold, or add an accent, contrasting color.

The Enhancv resume builder lets you give all your sections custom names, so you can let your personality shine through and better reflect your expertise.

Put your work experience in a visible spot

I’ll say it again – your work experience is one of the most important sections of your resume.

Most recruiters will say that the resume job description is their main source of information on whether the potential employee will do well at a certain job.

So, it makes sense to put it somewhere where it can’t be missed.

Add this section right after your resume summary and before any others, such as Education , Languages , and Skills .

List your resume job descriptions in a reverse-chronological order

This is a very popular and quite useful tactic, and it’s perfect for most resumes, with minimal exceptions.

Start with your current or last job . Move on to the position before that, then the one before that , you get it.

By doing this, you guarantee that the hiring manager sees the best of you and your abilities.

Use between 3 to 5 bullet points for each job

The easiest way for a recruiter to scan through your work experience section is if you use bullet points to list your achievements, skills, and duties.

For each position, use from 3 to 5 bullets. The more recent the job is, the more bullet points you can use. The farther back you go, the fewer you need, and you can only list the most relevant information.

You don’t need a bullet for every single achievement and skill, either. You may have succeeded in a lot of different areas, but not all of them will be important in all cases.

Customize your resume and tailor the information to the job description.

Start each bullet point with an action verb

Eliminate any unnecessary words wherever possible. Hiring managers don’t need all the fluff, and no one wants to read through a 3-page essay about your previous work experience.

Keep it short and sweet.

Start each bullet with an action verb to make it clearer and more powerful.

Another helpful tip is to begin with the successful result of your actions, followed by the action itself.

“Increased Pepper Jack sales by 30% in 1 week by leading a successful marketing campaign”, remember?

Recruiters are more likely to remember the result than the process.

Include the benefit your actions and results had on the company goals

As I mentioned before, you need to decide on what will be most important to the company.

Not only do they want to know that you can succeed at the job, but they also want to know what you can bring to the table, what value you can add.

Give the hiring manager context, too. Show them how your skills can be used in practice.

I understand that it’s easier to write a resume when you have experience. It can be difficult for those straight out of college to figure out what kind of experience they can include.

I’ve been in that position, too.

Just because you don’t have any actual paid work experience doesn’t mean you’ll have to leave that section blank, though.

If you’ve only just graduated and you don’t have that much relevant experience, you can place the education section first, focus on your academic achievements, and put the resume job description after.

In the actual work experience section, you can highlight any other relevant experiences, for example – unpaid internships, volunteer work , student organizations, etc, up to 4 or 5 positions.

For your resume to really succeed, it’s important that you tailor it to the specific job you’re applying for.

You shouldn’t send the same resume with every application, just as you wouldn’t send the same cover letter.

But how do you tailor a resume to a job description ?

Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds!

One of the first things you should do is read the job description that came with the job offer. Read it once, then read it twice, then read it three times.

What you’re trying to do here is identify what’s most important to the company and what they’re looking for in an employee for this particular position. They want to know what you can bring to the table.

Match the content of your resume to the job description. If you’re applying for an engineering job , don’t talk about your time as a cheese salesman, unless parts of what you learned and achieved are really relevant.

A helpful trick is to pay attention to the keywords. Go over the job description and the position requirements and highlight any key ones.

Think of stuff like “detail-oriented”, “resourceful”, and “communication skills”.

Then make a list of all your skills and achievements.

Match those skills to the keywords. The more matches you make, the better your chances of writing a resume that lands you that coveted interview.

Sprinkle those words around your resume, and especially in your work experience section. This will help you pass the automatic sorting system, as well as catch the eye of the recruiter that scans resumes for keywords.

So, follow all the tips from above and you’ll be well on your way to crafting a stellar resume that gets you hired!

I know this can all seem daunting.

So, to help you out, I’ll give you some of our best examples of a great resume job description. And if you want more full resume examples to guide you, I’ve got you covered.

Take a look at this accounting analyst resume.

Now take a look at the following bullet:

“Participated in implementing automated accounting processes that reduced errors of accounting items by 55%”.

It has everything – it starts with an action verb, it quantifies the achievement – overall, I’d say it’s not half bad, wouldn’t you?

Now, let’s switch it up and examine this baker’s resume:

Let’s start with the placement – this resume doesn’t put that much emphasis on the work experience section.

Personally, I’d give some more thought to whether my experience or my education is more important in this case. However, work experience definitely beats the way I spend my time, so surely it should come before it.

Let’s look at the resume job description. Which one of the following do you think is more impressive:

“Ensured all prepared items are appropriately labeled, covered, and rotated” or “Resolved conflicts between kitchen staff which increased the efficiency of the kitchen by 50%”?

Probably the second one, right? So, they probably should have put it first on the list.

Overall, there’s room for improvement here.

And last, but not least, let’s shift the focus to this teacher’s resume:

Here, they’ve got the placement right – experience is important for a teacher, after all.

The bullets following their most recent position highlight their skills and achievements, and they’ve kept in mind what would be important for this job.

I probably would have started with “Contributed to raising retention rate from 75% – 89%”, but other than that – a fine example.

So, there you have it – you now know what a resume job description is, why you need one, and how to write one that skyrockets your chances of success.

To summarise, here are the most important things to keep in mind:

• A job description section on your resume shows the prospective employers your past work experience, as well as your skills and accomplishments.
• When writing a work experience section, focus on your skills and achievements, rather than your duties and responsibilities.
• Keep the information relevant to the position at hand.
• Quantify your achievements – employers like numbers.
• Make your job description section visible, make sure it stands out.
• Use bullet points and start each with an action verb.
• Tailor your resume to the company’s needs and requirements, but keep it truthful.

I hope this post was useful to you. Do you have any other questions? Do you have any experience you want to share? You can do so in the comments!

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• Sample Job Descriptions to...

Sample Job Descriptions to Help You Enhance Your Resume

5 min read · Updated on December 10, 2021

It doesn't matter what you do for a living; when you decide to look for work, you instantly become a marketer.

As a job seeker, you are required to advertise your qualifications and professional reputation — in other words, your personal brand — to employers and recruiters in your desired field online, in person, and on paper.

One of the most important documents you'll need to update or create for this process is your professional resume. A great resume is written with a specific job goal in mind. It should be tailored for each job application by showcasing your most valuable and relevant skills in a way that positions you as an ideal candidate for the job you want.

Why use job descriptions when creating your resume

In order to ensure that your professional resume is supporting your career goals, gather a few sample job descriptions that describe the type of position you're interested in and qualified for. Then, compare the skills and qualifications on your resume with the desired qualifications in the sample job descriptions.

By reviewing job description examples, you'll be able to identify what technical and soft skills, credentials, and work experience matter most to an employer in your target field.

This will aid your job search in many ways. First, it will help you determine if you're missing any important skills that recruiters are looking for . Once you have this information, then you can take steps to build up those skill sets with courses, certification programs, side projects, or internships to become a more attractive job candidate.

Second, these sample job descriptions will help you decide which of your current qualifications should be highlighted throughout your professional resume and cover letter.

And finally, you can use example job descriptions to find the right words to describe the roles and responsibilities you held in each job listed in your work history.

How to get started using job descriptions for your resume

To help you get started, take a look at the sample job descriptions below. For additional example job descriptions, search for listings on your favorite online job boards, and check out the following links from Workable.com .

Search for two types of sample job descriptions:

Job posts that are similar to roles you've previously held; and

Listings that represent the type of position you're currently targeting.

In both of these instances, don't worry about the job's location. For the purpose of this exercise, instead only focus on the job description and its requirements.

Use the sample job descriptions that match titles in your work history to beef up your professional resume's Employment History section. Click on the following link to learn how to use these job listings to brag about your experience .

Once you've found three to five sample listings that describe your job goals, copy and paste the text of each job description into a Word document and bold any phrases that routinely pop up. Then, highlight each term that describes a qualification you possess. Use this information to edit your resume and cover letter so that your key accomplishments and skills match those desired by your target employer. Your end result should be a professional resume that mirrors the employer's requirements.

Sample Job Descriptions:

Account Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for account manager

Accountant Sample Job Description

View the job description for accountant

Administrative Assistant Sample Job Description

View the job description for administrative assistant

Business Analyst Sample Job Description

View the job description for business analyst

Cashier Sample Job Description

View the job description for cashier

Customer Service Representative Sample Job Description

View the job description for customer service representative

Host/Hostess Sample Job Description

View the job description for host/hostess

Machine Operator Sample Job Description

View the job description for machine operator

Medical Assistant Sample Job Description

View the job description for medical assistant

Office Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for office manager

Operations Manager Sample Job Description

Project manager sample job description.

View the job description for project manager

Receptionist Sample Job Description

View the job description for receptionist

Research Assistant Sample Job Description

View the job description for research assistant

Retail Sales Associate Sample Job Description

View the job description for retail sales associate

Sales Director Sample Job Description

View the job description for sales director

Sales Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for sales manager

Security Officer Sample Job Description

View the job description for security officer

Senior Account Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior account manager

Senior Accounting Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior accounting manager

Senior Business Analyst Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior business analyst

Senior Project Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior project manager

Senior Sales Associate Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior sales associate

Senior Software Developer Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior software developer

Senior Software Engineer Sample Job Description

View the job description for senior software engineer

Server Sample Job Description

View the job description for server

Software Developer Sample Job Description

View the job description for software developer

Software Engineer Sample Job Description

View the job description for software engineer

Store Manager Sample Job Description

View the job description for store manager

Waiter/Waitress Sample Job Description

View the job description for waiter/waitress

Click on the following link for more job-search advice .

Still need help with your resume? Take advantage of our free resume review today!

Recommended Reading:

The Essential Parts of a Resume Explained

Free Download: Resume Worksheet by TopResume

How to Tailor Your Resume for a Specific Application

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Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience

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How to Write Resume Job Description [+ Examples]

• April 18, 2024
• In Resumes & Cover Letters

A well-written resume job description goes far beyond a dull list of jobs and duties. In fact, a strong presentation of your knowledge and achievements can increase your chances of landing the job. Primarily, your resume job description should offer insight into your value as an employee. With these 7 tips, you will learn how to write compelling job descriptions that grab the recruiter’s attention and open doors to new career opportunities.

Why is a job description important to an employer

A resume job description is incredibly important for several reasons:

• Establishing Credibility : A well-written job description in your resume establishes your credibility with prospective employers. It showcases what you bring to the table and why you are the perfect match for the job.
• Demonstrating Readiness for the Role : A strong job description shows recruiters and prospective employers that you can immediately start contributing without much hand-holding or training. It conveys that you have the necessary skills and experience to hit the ground running.
• Optimizing for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) : Tailoring your resume job description to the specific job you are applying for is crucial. Many companies use ATS to scan and rank resumes based on keywords and skills. By optimizing your job description with specific skills and keywords, you increase your chances of getting noticed by the system and advancing in the hiring process.
• Standing Out from Other Candidates : A well-crafted job description that aligns with the requirements of the position can help you stand out from other candidates. By highlighting your achievements and showcasing how your skills match the job description, you can make a strong impression on hiring managers.

In summary, a resume job description is essential for establishing credibility, showcasing your abilities, demonstrating readiness for the role, optimizing for ATS, and standing out from other candidates. By tailoring your job description to the specific job you are applying for and highlighting your achievements, you increase your chances of securing an interview and landing the job.

How to write an effective resume job description

Writing effective job descriptions in your resume is crucial for showcasing your skills, experiences, and accomplishments to potential employers. Here are some tips on how to write a resume job description:

Step 1: Include relevant information

Start the job description section at the top half of the first page of your resume. Include the job title, company name, location, dates of employment, and a brief overview of your responsibilities and achievements.

Step 2: Highlight accomplishments

 Instead of simply listing your job duties, focus on your measurable accomplishments and the impact you made in each role. Use specific examples and quantify your achievements whenever possible. This helps employers understand the value you can bring to their organization.

Step 3: Use concise language

 Craft impactful statements by using strong action verbs and removing unnecessary pronouns and articles. Begin phrases or sentences with verbs to make your descriptions more engaging and dynamic. Choose words that demonstrate your skills and show that you have made a positive impact in your previous roles.

Step 4: Tailor descriptions to the job

 Customize your job descriptions to align with the requirements and responsibilities of the position you are applying for. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that directly relate to the job you are seeking.

Step 5: Follow a reverse chronological order

Start with your most recent or current job and work backward in time. This format is commonly used and helps employers easily understand your career progression.

Step 6: Always use bullet points

Use bullet points to showcase the responsibilities and achievements for each previous job. Bullet points should be concise and to the point. They do not require long sentences or punctuation.

Including relevant keywords in resume job descriptions

Including relevant keywords in resume job descriptions is crucial for catching the attention of hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan resumes.

• Review the job posting : Carefully analyze the job posting or job description of the position you are applying for. Identify keywords and phrases that are frequently mentioned and align with the requirements of the role.
• Identify core skills and qualifications : Identify the core skills, qualifications, and experience necessary for the job. These could include technical skills, industry-specific knowledge, certifications, or soft skills. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your job descriptions.
• Quantify achievements : Whenever possible, quantify your achievements and provide specific results or metrics. This not only makes your resume more impactful but also helps incorporate keywords. 
• Avoid keyword stuffing : While it’s important to include keywords, avoid overloading your resume with them. Use keywords naturally and in context, ensuring that your descriptions flow smoothly and remain focused on your accomplishments and responsibilities.

By including the right keywords, you increase the chances of your resume standing out and passing through ATS screenings.

Resume job description examples

Resume job descriptions are an essential part of your resume, as they provide specific details about your previous jobs and experiences. Including accurate and well-written job descriptions can help highlight your skills, achievements, and qualifications to potential employers. Here are some examples of resume job descriptions:

#1. Customer Service Job Description Example

Customer Service Associate, Timmy’s Retail, Columbus, Ohio January 2011 – March 2016

• Emphasized customer satisfaction by resolving circa 170 customer queries every week.
• Spearheaded weekly strategy meetings and suggested a new ticketing system that decreased response time by 23%.
• Named employee of the month 24 times for proactive attitude and high customer satisfaction.

#2. Executive Assistant Job Description Sample

Executive Assistant, BrightWay Inc., Boston, Massachusetts September 2017 – November 2020

• Developed and implemented a new filing system that increased productivity and saved up to 1 hour’s work daily.
• Realized $2800 in monthly savings by reducing unneeded expenses and finding better deals for office supplies.

#3. Front Office Job Description Sample

Front Office Receptionist, Lilly & Co, New York , New York May 2018 – November 2023

• Implemented a new appointment scheduling system, resulting in a 23% increase in efficiency and a cost savings of $7,500 per year.
• Providing support with various administrative tasks, which may include organizing files, entering data, and preparing documents.
• Providing general information to visitors and clients.
• Assisting with event planning and coordination.

#4. Project Manager Job Description Sample

Project Manager, Nordisk, Columbus, Ohio Jun 2019 – November 2023

• Designed an accelerated program roadmap, saving 25% on expenditures and delivering completed implementation three months ahead of schedule
• Directed a $2M corporate headquarters relocation project, delivering target outcomes on time and under budget
• Coordinating internal resources and third-party vendors to ensure the seamless completion of projects.

#5. Sales Manager  Job Description Sample

Sales Manager, Blue Hill Holdings, New York, New York July 2015 – December 2020

• Trained and onboarded 13 sales agents, 11 of whom are still a part of the company
• Increased annual sales revenue by 18% through the usage of a new sales system
• Utilized strong negotiation and communication skills to sign new clients, exceeding monthly sales goals by 34%

#6.  Supervisor Job Description Sample

Supervisor, Honeywell Gropup, New York , New York September 2017 – November 2023

• Led a team that successfully completed a project three weeks ahead of schedule, resulting in cost savings of $87,000.
• Successfully completed specialized projects, such as implementing a new customer service system that resulted in a 27% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.
• Coach, resolve issues, and provide guidance and support for individual development needs.

#7. Teacher Job Description Example

Teacher, Manhattan Upper School September 2017 – November 2020

• Developed and implemented lesson plans based on curriculum guidelines.
• Delivered engaging and interactive lessons to students.
• Assessed student performance and provided feedback and grades.
• Communicated with parents/guardians regarding student progress and behavior.

A strong resume job description aims to demonstrate the value and expertise that make you the perfect fit for the job. By following the tips above, you will create an impactful job description that will impress the recruiter and help you stand out.

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100 Good Skills to Put on a Resume [Complete Guide]

Jeff Gillis 0 Comments

By Jeff Gillis

Updated 6/4/2022.

When you’re adding skills to a resume, you don’t just want to focus on what you’re good at. Instead, relevancy has to be part of the equation. After all, every job you’re trying to land requires a very specific skill set, one that you need to show that you have.

Choosing the skills to put on a resume when you’re applying to a role isn’t something you should do haphazardly. Instead, you want to use the job description, company mission, and company values as a guide, creating a sense of alignment.

Additionally, it never hurts to have a handy list of skills by your side, making it easier to explore your options. So, if you’re on the hunt for good skills to put on a resume, here’s what you need to know.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

There are two basic types of skillsets that a job seeker can have and include on their resume: hard skills or soft skills.

Hard skills are the skills or abilities for a resume that are easily quantifiable…that can be learned through classroom work, apprenticeships, or other forms of learning. These include things like operating tools, computer programming, speaking foreign languages, or different kinds of technical prowess.

Soft skills are more subjective and harder to quantify and are often grouped together by what we know as “people skills.” Some examples of soft skills include communication, relationship building, self-awareness, and patience.

Which Skills Are More Important?

The debate rages on about which of these two types of skills is more important.

According to executive consultant and Forbes contributor Naz Beheshti , “…There is an ongoing debate about the relative importance of soft and hard skills that imply a competition between the two. However, they are both necessary and complementary to one another.”

On the one hand, job seekers with proficiency in a specific hard skill may get hired more quickly. Many employers want to hire people that can deliver value with fewer resources (ex., the need for training, etc.), making hard skills their priority.

However, we are also seeing that many hiring managers are choosing to hire candidates with highly developed soft skills.

In the end, as Indeed puts it, “soft skills are necessary to create a positive and functional work environment.” Plus, hiring managers feel that they can always train the candidate in the hard skill that is required to complete the job, but soft skills are often skills that cannot necessarily be taught.

So, what does this mean for you? Mainly that you can’t simply just pick one or the other and cross your fingers. Instead, the best strategy is to take a balanced approach and make sure that your resume contains both hard and soft skills.

How Do You Choose the Skills to List on a Resume?

Here’s the deal; there’s a good chance you know what you’re good at in a professional sense. Often, you can use your experience, duties, training, and education as a guide, giving you a strong foundation. Then, it’s about diving a bit deeper, looking at traits that could help you stand out, and comparing it all to the job description.

By using a simple process, you can make progress faster. Here’s a quick way to get started.

1. Make a List of the Skills You Know You Have

As mentioned above, the easiest way to get a grip on your current skills is to reflect on your academic and professional experiences. Consider the tasks you’ve taken on, the training you’ve completed, and the courses you had in school. In most cases, that’ll give you some solid ideas about your hard skills.

After that, it’s time for soft skills. Here, you want to think of traits or capabilities that help you engage with others and navigate professional relationships. Often, these are reflections of your personality, so use that as a jumping-off point.

2. “Mine” the Job Descriptions for Must-Have Skills

The next step is to take a look at the job description for the position you are applying for and make a list of the required skills it includes. Then, compare it to your capabilities. Are any of the skills on both of the lists you just created? If so, these are must-haves for your resume.

Now, notice if there are any skills on the job description that you don’t have. If there aren’t any, great!

But if there are…don’t panic. There are things you can do, which we’ll dig into shortly.

If you’re dealing with a vague job description, you aren’t stuck either. Here is a link to a ton of job descriptions that can give you an idea of the skills needed.

3. Tailor Your Skills to the Company/Position

As you may have read in our other blog articles, it is always very important to “tailor” your resume to the company and position you want to land. For an in-depth look into how to make that happen, check out our Tailoring Method article. 

If you want a quick overview, the idea is to focus on capabilities the company wants to find. Every job requires a unique skill set, and you want to show you have it. As a result, it is absolutely essential that skills from the job description make an appearance on your resume.

However, you also want to dig deeper. Spend some more time researching the company, including going through all of their various web properties, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

Why? Because they will leave clues about the types of people they hire. That gives you more ideas about the best skills to put on a resume to land a job there, particularly when it comes to soft skills you may not find in a job description.

100 Resume Skills Examples

If you’re struggling with coming up with a list of skills based on your past experience, it can be easier if you have existing resume skills lists to work with. You don’t have to think up every possible skill; you can simply review the list and find the matches.

Here is a list of resume skills examples, divided into hard skills and soft skills, that you can use when applying for a job.

Hard Skills for a Resume

• Advanced Bookkeeping
• Appointment Setting
• Automotive Repair
• Cold Calling
• Computer Programming
• Conversion Testing
• Copywriting
• Customer Engagement
• Customer Service
• Data Analysis
• Digital Marketing
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental Cleanup
• Forklift Operating
• Graphic Design
• Heavy Machinery Operation
• Installation
• Landscaping
• Mathematics
• Medical Coding
• Paid Online Traffic
• Patient Care
• Photo Editing
• Picking and Packing
• Project Management
• Schedule Management
• Search Engine Optimization
• Server Maintenance
• Social Media
• Spanish Fluency
• Statistical Analysis
• Systems Analysis
• Technical Support
• Telecommunications Systems
• Travel Booking
• Video Editing
• Website Design
• Word Processing

Soft Skills for a Resume

• Accountability
• Active Listening
• Adaptability
• Brainstorming
• Business Etiquette
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Contextualizing
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Emotional Intelligence
• Flexibility
• Goal-Setting
• Handling Pressure
• Influencing
• Insightfulness
• Interpreting
• Negotiation
• Open-Mindedness
• Organization
• Prioritization
• Problem Solving
• Relationship Building
• Reliability
• Resource Management
• Responsibility
• Self-Confidence
• Strategical Thinking
• Strong Work Ethic
• Time Management

What If I Don’t Have the Required Skill?

Whether you need to possess a specific skill depends on the job and the skill in question. Usually, here’s where you have to be honest with yourself. If the skills required are part of the core competencies of doing the job, you may want to reconsider your application.

For example, if a golf course posts a job posting for a golf pro, you probably shouldn’t apply if you’ve never swung a golf club.

However, you will come across situations where what you bring to the table is close. In this case, moving forward might be okay.

You need to be able to demonstrate, using examples from your past, that you are capable of doing the required skill, even if you haven’t specially done it. So, go over your work history with a fine-tooth comb and try to come up with a few examples of you doing something in the right ballpark.

They are going to ask about it in your interview, so don’t think you can just wing it, and everything will be fine.

Also, many job descriptions have “nice-to-have” skills on the list. If you happen to possess them, great. But if not, don’t assume you shouldn’t apply if you have the must-have skills. In the end, those capabilities aren’t outright requirements, so don’t screen yourself out based on them.

How To List Skills on a Resume

There are a few different schools of thought when it comes to deciding where to put (or how to list) the skills on your resume.

According to our friends over at online resume-builder Zety.com , “…skills are so very, very important that they should show up all over your resume. Not just in the resume skills section.” In other words, it is imperative that there are elements of your skills throughout your resume, including your resume objective/summary and experience sections.

In addition, there isn’t one right answer for where to include your skill section because that depends on the industry, company, and position you’re trying to land. For example, for a job where technical competencies are of the utmost importance, it is often beneficial to list the skills closer to the top of the resume, right underneath the resume objective or resume summary statement.

However, if through your research you determine that the hiring manager will put more weight into your experience, you may want to lead with your experience. Then, put the skills section further down your resume.

At the end of the day, the selection of the skills themselves is the most important thing. After all, most hiring managers will easily find your skill section regardless of where it is on your resume.

What About Skills for My Job Application?

When you’re looking for skills to put on a job application, you do have to treat it a little differently than skills for a resume. Usually, you’re working with a finite amount of space on an application, not just in an overall sense but in each applicable section.

Since that’s the case, you need to lean heavily on the job description. Look for any capabilities that are listed as must-haves or that are repeated through the job ad. Then, make sure those skills are featured prominently in several areas, including in work history descriptions and skills areas.

If you have to answer essay questions, discuss those skills there, too, whenever possible. Use any other relevant capability as a supplement, treating it as supporting information instead of the primary point you’re sharing.

However, if an essay question asks about a skill that’s not in the job description, feel free to dig in a bit. It’s a capability that’s clearly on the hiring manager’s mind, so touch on it occasionally to show you shine in that area.

Putting It All Together

If you were wondering, “What are some good skills to put on a resume?” you should now have a solid answer. The most important thing to remember is to select skills that are relevant to the position you are interviewing for and, more important than that, skills that your company puts a tremendous amount of value in.

Once you get your skills straightened out, you should make sure that the rest of your resume is congruent with the skills you just selected, namely, that your experience shows that you both used those skills in a work environment and developed the skill with on-the-job tasks.

Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Jeff gillis.

Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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10 Essential Resume Sections in 2024 [W/ Layout Tips]

Have you ever thought of what one can do in 7 seconds? Probably not much, right? That’s not even enough for an elevator ride!

Well, turns out that’s exactly how much time recruiters spend skimming over a resume before deciding if the applicant’s to be considered or not. 

In those 7 seconds, you have to convince the recruiter that your resume is relevant and they should read the rest of it.

So - how can you make that happen?

Well, you need to use the right resume sections, and fill in the contents the best way possible.

And in this article, we’re going to teach you all about how to do that! 

• What are the essential resume sections and categories
• How to order resume sections according to your career level
• How to best structure each section and section entry
• 5+ Resume structure tips (to help you along the way!)

There’s a lot to learn, so let’s get started right away!

What to Include In Your Resume - 10 Essential Resume Sections

Some resume sections you really can’t argue on & there’s a place for them on every single resume out there:

Your resume should and must include the following:

• Contact Information
• Resume Summary/Objective
• Work Experience

After you’ve made sure you have all of the above, depending on your professional level or job position, you can include any of the following optional sections :

• Extracurricular Activities

Volunteering Experience

Hobbies & interests.

Since (in most cases) your resume should not go over one page, you want to be strategic about which optional sections to include.

Typically, you should go for the ones that are most relevant to the position you are applying for. E.g. If you're applying for a role in customer support, a languages section would be the most helpful.

How to Order Your Resume Sections

Depending on your level of work experience, you’d want to order your resume sections differently.

If you’re a recent graduate, for example, you’d want to put more emphasis on your education and skills than work experience.

In this section, we’re going to teach you how to correctly order your resume structure , starting with:

#1. Reverse-Chronological Resume Structure

The reverse-chronological resume format is the most popular resume structure in 2024.

It emphasizes the applicant’s work experience and skills, so it’s the go-to for most professionals. 

The entries are listed in reverse-chronological order - hence the name - which makes it easy for recruiters to follow. 

If you’re using this structure, you’d list the sections in this order:

• Resume Summary or Objective
• Optional Sections

Which usually looks like this:

#2. Recent Graduate Resume Structure

As a recent graduate , you usually don’t have an extensive work experience history. 

Instead, your skills and extracurriculars will be the main focus of your resume. 

This calls for a totally different structure from the reverse-chronological one, with the sections being ordered as follows:

• Work Experience (if applicable)

Which looks like this on a resume: 

#3. Career Change Resume Structure

Career change resume structure is a bit more complicated. 

While you do have work experience, it’s not actually relevant for the jobs you’re applying for.

So, what does that mean in terms of resume structure?

We recommend structuring your resume as follows: 

• Optional Sections/Education
• Education/Optional Sections 

Which looks like:

How to Fill In Your Resume Sections - Our X+ Top Tips

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s deep-dive into each of these sections and teach you how to get them right!

Starting with:

#1. Contact Information

Starting off your resume, right at the top of the page is the Contact Information section . 

Despite the positioning, you’d think the section is at the bottom of the list of important sections. Wrong!

Sure, the education and work experience sections are the stars of the resume, but what happens if you’ve given the wrong contact information and the recruiter can’t contact you? 

You see the importance of the section now, right?

It’s crucial that you double - no, triple-check everything. 

It’s also important that you are professional about what you’re writing down in the contacts section. 

If your email address looks something like [email protected] well… you better create a new one along the lines of [email protected] .

Moving onto the content of the section, here’s what you should mention:

• First & Last Name
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Location - city and country only
• Job Title/Professional Title
• LinkedIn Profile (Optional)
• Social Media (Optional)

Only include social media profiles if they are relevant to the position you are applying for. 

For example, as a developer, you can link to your GitHub or StackOverflow to show off your projects. 

Or as a writer, you can link to your personal blog or portfolio.

If you’re debating on whether to include a photo or not, your location and industry should be taken into consideration. Before making a decision, read all about it in our article on including photos in a resume or CV . 

#2. Resume Summary or Objective 

Part of a resume’s header, right under the contact information section, goes your resume summary or objective. 

First things first, let’s talk about what a summary and objective is and when it’s best to use one or the other. 

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence rundown of your professional career that highlights your top achievements and skills. It’s typically used by professionals with plenty of relevant work experience in the field they are applying to work in. 

• “Digital marketing professional with 5+ years of experience. Managed over 20 Google Ads accounts for small to medium-sized business, with a total budget of over $200,000 per month. ”

Struggling with writing your own resume summary? Just use our tried-and-tested formula! 

[Years of Experience] + [Profession/Field] . [Top Skills and Experiences] . [Top 1-2 Professional Achievements]

A resume objective on the other hand is a 2-4 sentence introduction to your skills and career goals (as opposed to work experience) and aims to explain why you’re a good candidate for the position. 

The resume objective is usually used by recent graduates or career changers, as it has more focus on skills rather than experiences.

Over the last few years, resume objectives are being used less and less. If you do choose to include one, however, here’s what it should look like:

• “Accounting and Finance B.A. graduate with experience in financial data analysis and auditing from an internship in one of the “Big Four” firms. Looking for an entry-level Financial Analyst position to expand my skill set kickstart my career in corporate finance.”

How to get such a resume objective structure? Simply follow this formula:

[Your Background] + [Desired Position] . [Top Job-Relevant Skills] . [Other Work Experiences]

#3. Work Experience

It’s time to talk about the #1 section recruiters refer to when evaluating your application - the work experience section.

As far as its positioning on a resume, the section typically comes right after the contact information section and resume objective/summary. 

This changes for applicants with no work experience who’d substitute the section with something else altogether. 

Moving onto the structure, each entry for your work experience resume section should look like the following:

• Job Title and Position
• Company Name (include a brief description of the company if it’s foreign or not well-known)
• Dates of Employment
• Achievements or Responsibilities

Once filled out, here’s what the section should look like:

Lastly, content-wise, the most important tip to keep in mind is to talk about achievements instead of responsibilities . 

Why? Well, the tasks for a specific job position are generally the same among companies.

An accountant at Company A has the same duties as an accountant at Company B. Their achievements, however, probably differ a lot. 

For example, instead of writing something generic like:

• “Prepared financial reports”

You’ll have more success with specific achievements like:

• “Spotted and fixed tax-reporting errors, saving the company over $150,000. ”

A crucial thing to remember when it comes to selecting work experiences is picking the ones relevant to the job position. 

Not only that, but you also need to be mindful of the wording you use. Everything should hint at you being the right fit for the job.

To help you tailor your resume to the job position, go over the job posting itself, find what requirements they are looking for, and implement those into your resume using the same keywords and expressions. 

You can check out all the details on how to do that effectively in our article on the work experience section . 

#4. Education

Typically right after the work experience section comes education.

In reverse-chronological order, list your education and format each entry according to this structure:

• Program Name
• University Name
• Years Attended
• GPA (Optional)
• Honors (Optional)
• Academic Achievements (Optional)
• Minor (Optional)

On a resume, that would look as follows:

And here are some of our top tips on making your education resume section as compelling as possible:

• First, you should consider mentioning your GPA only if it’s very impressive (3.5 and above). Keep in mind, though, that this section is optional for a reason. Recruiters don’t really care about GPAs, as they’re not a good indicator of career success. A senior vice president of people operations at Google even claimed that GPAs are “ worthless as criteria for hiring ”.
• Don’t include your high school diploma if you’ve already mentioned your university education - the recruiter doesn’t care where you studied for high school if you have higher education.
• If there are any interesting papers you’ve written or advanced courses related to the field, feel free to mention them.

If you’re looking for some more tips and tricks on this section, have a look at our article on how to list education on a resume .

The skills section easily makes it into the top 3 most important sections in your resume and is usually positioned before or after the education section. 

By going over a concise list of skills, the recruiter can quickly get a glimpse of what you can do. 

You can also provide your level of expertise next to each skill by using the following scale:

• Beginner - You have some knowledge and experience with the skill.
• Intermediate - You have a good level of understanding of the skill and have previously used it in a work environment.
• Advanced - You’re fully competent in the skill, have used it extensively at work, and can coach other employees on it as well.
• Expert - You’ve used this skill on plenty of occasions in different projects and organizations. Your coworkers and even other professionals in the field can go to you for advice on the skill.

As you probably guessed, your skills should be tailored to the position and industry you are applying in. 

If you’re applying for a job in finance, for example, the recruiter won’t really care about your skills in Adobe Illustrator.

One thing we do recommend doing despite the industry, however, is including more hard skills than soft skills . 

Hard skills are those gained through work experience or education. They’re technical knowledge that directly helps you do your job. Think software skills, coding languages, accounting, etc. 

Soft skills , on the other hand, are attributes that mostly refer to behavior, communication, and how you work. They’re gained from life experiences and apply to your job indirectly. They can be skills like creativity, teamwork, or problem-solving.

While companies prefer their employees to have people-oriented soft skills, they don’t actually expect to see these skills on a resume.

See, every other job-seeker lists skills like “teamwork,” “critical thinking,” and the like on their resume (regardless of whether they have the skill or not).

This completely devalues the skill, and recruiters don’t even pay any attention to them.

If you’re struggling with finding the right combination of skills to mention on your resume, you can look for inspiration in our list of 101+ essential skills .

#6. Optional Sections

Depending on the job position and, of course, if you have enough space left in your resume, you can add any of the following optional sections. 

Are they game-changers? Not really, no one’s going to hire you as a senior developer because you know French, or as a creative writer because you play Dungeons & Dragons.

These resume sections, however, allow you to stand out from other qualified candidates. 

The recruiter is more likely to hire someone, for example, who has a lot of hobbies than someone with no interests.

So, without further ado, the optional resume sections are as follows:

You never know when someone with language knowledge might come in handy at the office, so employers are very much interested in applicants with diverse language skills. 

An extra language gives you an advantage over other applicants with a similar background so if you have one or more, do include them in your resume.  

Hobbies and interests can say a lot about you, so if you’re going to mention them in your resume, carefully select ones that put you in the best light.

These would be hobbies that are relevant to the job position and emphasize your interest and skills in the field. For example, if you’re applying for a copywriting gig, you could mention an interest in D&D as it shows creativity.

Alternatively, you can simply include the section to fill up the remaining space in your resume. 

While these hobbies won’t get you hired, you might find out you have something in common with your potential team leader!

Volunteer work is always an impressive experience to add to your resume, especially if the company where you’re applying has “giving” as an important part of their company culture.

They show that you’re passionate about your beliefs and are willing to take action to pursue them. 

Quite often, they can also count as work experience and help you stand out if you’re a recent graduate with no work experience.

Structure-wise, each entry should follow this logic:

• Name of the organization
• Time period
• Relevant tasks and achievements

Certifications & Awards

A little flex can never hurt your resume, so if you have any certifications or awards that testify to your skills, this is the right section to put them under. 

For each entry provide:

• Name of Award/Certification

You can even provide a very short description of what the certification or award is about or what it represents in the industry.

Do you have any practical projects you worked on during college? Maybe your thesis?

Or maybe a side project that you work on in your free time, like a game or a blog?

If yes, you should include a “projects” section to make sure they’re noticed and appreciated! 

This will add valuable points to your application as it shows you’re a naturally curious individual and a self-starter. 

On top of leaving a good impression and showing off your skills, recruiters sometimes also consider your experience with a project as work experience.

Meaning, this can really help you stand out if you’re a recent graduate.

For your projects section, format each entry like you would with your work experiences and include a bulleted list with the project’s key features. More specifically:

• Project name
• Project type
• Related organization
• Relevant responsibilities and achievements

Extracurricular Activities 

If you’re a recent graduate, this section can be one of your main selling points.

Extracurricular activities, like participation in university clubs and societies, show the recruiter you’re an active and engaged person that went beyond their academics. 

It can also emphasize your skill-set. E.g. If you've organized events or conferences for a university club, it means that you can work in a team and are organized.

As with work experiences, you should write down your position, the name of the club/organization you worked for, and a shortlist of your achievements. 

5+ Resume Structure Tips

Now you know what the must-have and optional sections for a resume are, what to write in each of them, and how to order them to your advantage. 

You almost have it all. 

There are a few more tips you need to know for a 5-star resume structure and we’re going to tell you just what they are. 

Take notes and remember to:

• Stick to one page . Unless you’re a senior professional with decades of relevant work experience, there’s no excuse for you to have a longer resume. If you’re struggling with keeping at one page, use one of our one-page resume templates .
• Tailor everything to the job position. From the sections you choose to the achievements listed in your work experience, everything should be relevant and help convince the recruiter that you fit right into the job.
• Separate your sections with blank spaces or lines to make sure they are distinguishable. This also gives your resume a clean and organized look that helps the recruiter easily go over everything.
• Use easy-to-read fonts and keep them concise throughout the resume. This means formatting all the section headings uniformly and doing the same with the text under them.
• To give yourself some more space , you can narrow down the page margins. Be mindful to not overdo it, however. You risk ending up with an awkward-looking resume.
• The same warning applies to font size . Choose one small enough to give you space, but big enough to be easily readable.

Want to avoid all the hassles of formatting your resume & working on the structure? Use an online resume builder! All you have to do is pick a resume template & the builder will take care of the rest. 

Key Takeaways

And that was it on resume sections and structure!

At this point, you should know everything you need to create a compelling resume & land the job. 

Now, to make sure everything sticks, let’s do a quick recap of the most important learning points:

• The must-have resume sections are: Contact Information, Resume Summary or Objective, Work Experience, Education, and Skills.
• Based on your profile and job position, you can pick between these optional sections : Languages, Hobbies and Interests, Volunteering Experience, Certifications and Awards, Projects, or Extracurricular Activities.
• Different career levels need to give priority to different sections and order their resume accordingly . Students with little to no experience should place skills and extracurricular activities first. Professionals should emphasize work experience and skills. Career changers should give priority to skills, and then talk about previous experiences.
• Make sure all sections and the information in them are tailored to the position you’re applying for.
• Keep things concise and relevant so you don’t go past the one-page length limit .

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What to Put on a Resume in 2024 (Examples + Tips)

Our customers have been hired at: * Foot Note

When it comes to job hunting, your resume is your most important marketing tool. It’s the first impression you make on potential employers, and it can determine whether or not you secure an interview.

But what do you need to put on a resume to make it stand out from the competition? Resume best practices are constantly in flux, which can make it tricky to figure out exactly what to include on your resume (and what to leave out). 

We’ll discuss the key elements that should be included in every resume. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, we have the tips and examples you need to write a resume that gets noticed by employers.

What to put on a professional resume

Depending on your circumstances and the job you are applying for, there may be variations in your resume format , however, all resumes include a few key sections. We’ll discuss the nuances of each section below to help you get started. Take a look at the image below for a snapshot of what to put on a work resume.

Including these sections on your resume ensures that employers get a comprehensive overview of your skills, experiences and qualifications. We’ll discuss the nuances of each section below to help you get started. 

Our professional resume templates come preformatted with all of the sections you need to include in your resume. Easily add your contact information and click to add ready-made content from Certified Professional Resume Writers.  

Header and contact information

Including up-to-date contact information on your resume ensures that potential employers can reach you to schedule a job interview .  

Add your contact information to your resume header using an easy-to-read font such as Arial, Helvetica or Times New Roman. 

Include your name, email, city, state, ZIP code and a link to your professional portfolio or networking profile. Take a look at the example below:

Mariah Howe

555-555-5555 | [email protected] | Orlando, FL 32866 | [email protected]

We recommend exploring our library of 800+ resume examples to see a wide variety of design options for displaying your contact details in the header of your resume.

Resume summary

A resume summary is a brief statement that highlights your key qualifications, skills and experience. 

Starting your resume off with a professional summary is a great way to grab the hiring manager’s attention by providing a snapshot of your top skills and qualifications. 

A well-crafted resume summary should be concise, specific and tailored to the job you are applying for. Here’s an example of what to put in a summary on a resume: 

In some cases, you might decide to use a resume objective instead of a resume summary. Here are some situations where you might use a resume objective:

• You are transitioning into a new field 
• You are a student or recent graduate 
• You are applying for an entry-level position 
• You have extensive gaps in your career history 

Take a look at 100+ resume objective examples for additional guidance and inspiration. 

Our Resume Builder offers prewritten resume summaries and objective statements to help you get started.

Work experience

Including a well-crafted and tailored work experience section is essential for demonstrating your career progression and highlighting your qualifications. 

Employers often use work history to assess your suitability for the job and to determine whether you have the necessary skills and experience to succeed in the role. Here’s an example of what to include in a work history entry: 

Marketing Coordinator

ABC Company, New York, NY

Jan. 2018 – Present

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and execute marketing campaigns that increase brand awareness and drive leads.
• Manage social media accounts, creating engaging content and growing the company’s online presence.
• Conduct market research and analyze data to identify trends and opportunities for growth.

If you are listing a job at a lesser-known company, you can add a one-sentence description directly underneath the company name describing what it does. This can help give employers a better understanding of your professional background.

By including a strong skills section on your resume, you can demonstrate that you have the qualifications needed to excel in the role. 

Remember to tailor your skills section to the job description and highlight the skills that are most important to the employer. 

Your skills section should include a mix of hard skills and soft skills . Here’s an example of a skills section for a marketing professional:

• Email marketing
• Project planning 
• A/B testing 
• Marketing automation 
• Stakeholder management 
• Google Analytics

You might choose to put more emphasis on your technical skills or on your interpersonal skills , depending on your field and the job description at hand.

The education section of your resume should include information about your academic background, such as your degree, minor and any relevant coursework or training. 

Include the name and location of the school or institution and the degree or program you completed. It is not necessary to include your graduation year, however, you can do so if you graduated in the past three years. 

List your educational experiences in reverse chronological order, with your most recent degree or program listed first. Here’s an example of what to put in the education section of your resume:  

University of California, Los Angeles – Los Angeles, CA 

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing

Relevant coursework: Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Research, Digital Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Advertising and Promotion

Honors: Dean’s List (Fall 2018, Winter 2020, Spring 2021)

If you are currently pursuing a degree or program, you can list your expected graduation date instead of the actual date of completion.

Optional resume sections

In addition to your work experience, education and skills, you can also consider including optional sections on your resume to further showcase your qualifications and enhance your candidacy. 

Certificates and licenses

You might consider including a section on job-relevant certifications or licenses you have received. Here’s an example of how to put certifications on a resume:

Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute, 2020
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State Board of Accountancy, 2019

Here are some additional tips on how to list certifications and licenses on your resume:

• List them in reverse-chronological order: List your certifications and licenses in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
• Include the name and organization: For each certification or license, include the name of the certification or license and the organization that granted it. 
• Mention the date of certification: Include the date you obtained each certification or license. 

Volunteer experience

Including volunteer experience on your resume can demonstrate your commitment to causes you care about and show potential employers that you are a well-rounded candidate with a variety of experiences.

Create a separate section for relevant volunteer experience rather than listing it in your work history section. Here’s an example:

Volunteer Experience 

Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer Builder

June 2019 – Present

• Assisted with the construction of new homes for low-income families
• Worked with a team of volunteers to complete tasks such as framing, roofing and installing windows
• Participated in safety training and enforced safety procedures on the job site

Remember to include the name of the organization, your role and the dates of your involvement. Highlight any skills you developed or demonstrated, such as leadership, teamwork or communication. 

Language proficiencies

Adding language proficiencies on your resume can be a valuable asset, especially if the job requires communication with people who speak a different language. 

When listing language proficiencies, it’s important to be honest about your skill level and to use terms like “beginner,” “intermediate,” “advanced” or “fluent” to describe your level of proficiency. Here’s an example of how to list languages on your resume: 

• English — Fluent
• French — Intermediate 
• Spanish — Advanced

Additionally, if you have any experience using the language in a professional setting, such as translation or interpretation, be sure to include that as well. 

Awards and honors

By including awards and honors on your resume, you can demonstrate your achievements and highlight your strengths to potential employers. Here is an example for inspiration: 

• Best Salesperson of the Year, XYZ Corporation, 2019
• Outstanding Volunteer Award, ABC Community Center, 2018
• Best Paper Award, National Conference on XYZ Studies, 2016

Examples of awards and honors that you might include in this section of your resume include academic honors, professional awards, industry certifications, scholarships, fellowships and community service awards. 

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What not to put on a resume 

There are certain things that should not be included on your resume. In order to help you avoid common mistakes, we have compiled a list of things that you should avoid putting on your resume. 

• Personal information beyond your name, phone number, email address and location. This includes things like your home address, social security number and date of birth.
• Unprofessional email addresses or usernames. Make sure your email address is appropriate and professional.
• Shortened or nicknames for your name. Use your full name or the name you go by professionally. 
• Professional references. Provide professional references later in the hiring process, after the hiring manager has reviewed your application and conducted interviews.
• Multiple phone numbers or email addresses. Stick to one phone number and one email address that you check regularly and are professional.
• Social media handles or links to personal websites unless they are relevant to the job you are applying for.

By avoiding these pitfalls, you can ensure that your resume is professional, relevant and effective in helping you land the job you want. For additional guidance, take a look at the resume examples below.

Examples of what to put on student resumes

Explore the professionally made resume examples below for ideas of what to put on a resume throughout the various stages of your educational journey. 

What to put on a resume as a high school student

As a high school student, your resume should highlight relevant school projects and any work experience that you may have. 

This resume uses the functional format — a great option for high school students since it focuses on skills rather than work experience. 

For additional guidance, see our tips for writing a high school resume for a college application .

What to put on a resume as a college student

This example resume for a college student focuses on a blend of work experience and academic achievements. See our Harvard resume guide for more tips and tricks from career experts. 

It also uses a resume objective rather than a resume summary, which allows the college student to detail their career goals and the transferable skills they fostered at school.

What to put on a resume for an internship

Are you a high school or college student applying for an internship? Take a look at this internship resume example, which focuses on skills and qualifications rather than work experience.

In this example, you’ll notice that the work history section details the candidate’s previous internships to exemplify their relevant experience. 

Examples of what to put on a professional resume

Check out the professional resume examples below for ideas of what to include on your resume. See what should a resume look like for additional guidance from career advice experts. 

What to put on a resume for a cashier position

This example resume for a cashier effectively details prior work experience and relevant skills such as cash handling, leadership and customer service.

The work history section demonstrates the candidate’s career progression into a leadership role. Each role includes clear bullet points about the candidate’s responsibilities and achievements.

What to put on a resume for a sales associate position

An effective sales associate resume should include relevant work experience and measurable achievements. In this example resume, you’ll notice the candidate’s accomplishments are quantified with numbers and figures where relevant. 

Additionally, the professional summary at the top of the resume effectively showcases the candidate’s key sales skills, such as maximizing profits and managing sales staff. 

What to put on a teacher resume

This example teaching resume includes an effective professional summary that highlights the candidate’s commitment to fostering a positive learning environment for students. 

The work history section includes relevant and compelling accomplishments, and the certifications section lists the candidate’s teaching license (an essential component of any teacher resume). 

What to put on a resume key takeaways

• Include up-to-date contact information on your resume, including your name, email address and phone number.
• Add a compelling summary or objective statement to grab the attention of the hiring manager.
• Use strong action words, measurable achievements and keywords from the job description when describing your work experience.
• Include a mix of hard skills and soft skills on your resume, and tailor your skills section to the job you are applying for.
• Ensure that any educational accomplishments, certifications and volunteer work you include on your resume are relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Do not put unnecessary personal information, unprofessional language or irrelevant information on your resume.

What to put on a job resume FAQ

What do you put on a resume with no work experience.

Wondering what to put on a resume for your first job? If you are writing a resume with no work experience , there are several things you can include on your resume to showcase your skills, achievements and qualifications. Here are some ideas:

• Objective statement: Start your resume with a clear objective statement that highlights your career goals and what you hope to achieve in your desired position.
• Education: List your educational qualifications, including your degree, school and any relevant coursework or projects.
• Extracurricular activities: Include any extracurricular activities or volunteer work that you have done that demonstrate your leadership, problem-solving skills or teamwork.
• Projects: If you have completed any projects, either in school or independently, that are relevant to the job you are applying for, include them on your resume and describe your role and achievements.
• Professional development: If you have participated in any training programs, workshops, or seminars, include them on your resume to demonstrate your commitment to learning and professional development.

By including these sections on your resume, you can demonstrate your qualifications and showcase your potential as a candidate, even if you don’t have any work experience.

What are good skills to put on a resume?

There are many skills to put on a resume , depending on the job you are applying for and your own qualifications and experience. Here are ten examples of skills that are relevant for most jobs:

• Communication: Verbal and written communication, active listening and interpersonal skills.
• Teamwork: Collaboration, cooperation and conflict resolution skills.
• Problem-solving: Critical thinking, analytical reasoning and creativity.
• Time management: The ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects.
• Leadership: The ability to motivate and inspire others, delegate tasks and resolve conflicts.

When listing skills on your resume, make sure to provide specific examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in previous roles or experiences. This will help to demonstrate your qualifications and showcase your potential as a candidate.

Should you put your high school on your resume?

In most cases, it is not necessary to include your high school on your resume, especially if you have completed a college degree or higher education. However, there are a few exceptions when including high school information that may be relevant:

• Limited work experience: If you are a recent high school graduate with limited work experience, including your high school information may be helpful to showcase your academic achievements and extracurricular activities.
• Job requirements: If the job posting specifically asks for high school information, then you should include it in your resume.
• Relevant achievements: If you have achieved academic or extracurricular achievements in high school that are relevant to the job, such as winning a national competition or participating in a relevant club or organization, then you may want to include this information.

In most cases, however, it is more important to highlight your college education, job experience and relevant skills on your resume. See our high school graduate resume examples if you are a recent graduate. 

How many jobs should I put on my resume?

In general, it is recommended to include the most recent 10-15 years of work experience on your one-page resume or two-page resume. However, if you have a long work history with many jobs, you may want to focus on the most relevant and recent positions.

If you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience, you may want to include all of your relevant work experience to showcase your skills and qualifications. On the other hand, if you have several years of experience and have held many positions, it may be more effective to focus on the most relevant experiences and highlight your achievements in those roles.

Ultimately, the goal of your resume is to showcase your relevant experience and skills to the employer, so you should only include information that is relevant to the job you are applying for. 

How do you include keywords in a resume?

Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for keywords such as skills, job titles or areas of experience.  

Including keywords from the job description in your work history section is an effective way to ensure that your resume gets past ATS and into the hands of hiring managers. 

Let’s say the job description for a marketing coordinator position includes the following requirements: “ Experience managing social media accounts and creating engaging content for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. “

To incorporate this keyword into your work history section, you could include a bullet point that reads, “ Managed social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, creating content that increased engagement by 25%. ”

What do you put on a resume to make it ATS-friendly?

There are a number of steps you can take to make an ATS-friendly resume , such as:

• Include keywords from the job description through your resume.
• Stick to a simple, easy-to-read layout with standard fonts and a clean design. 
• Avoid using images, graphics or other design elements that may confuse the ATS.
• Use standard section headings , such as “Work Experience,” “Education” and “Skills,” to make it easier for the ATS to scan your resume.
• Use bullet points to break up your text and highlight your key achievements and responsibilities. This will make your resume easier for the ATS to scan (and for people to read).

Use our free ATS resume checker to grade your resume and receive personalized feedback on how to optimize it for applicant tracking systems. 

What are some action words to put on a resume?

By using strong and specific action words throughout your resume, you can show that you are a proactive and results-driven candidate who is ready to make an impact in your next role.

Here are a few examples of impactful action words to put on your resume:

Remember to tailor your work experience bullet points to the job you are applying for. A targeted resume that focuses on relevant work experience is much more likely to get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers. 

How do you put measurable achievements on a resume?

The work history section of your resume should include measurable achievements that provide concrete evidence of your skills and abilities. 

Here are a few examples of measurable achievements to put on a resume: 

• Increased sales revenue by 20% over the course of one year.
• Managed a team of 10 employees and achieved a 90% employee satisfaction rating.
• Reduced customer complaints by 50% through the implementation of a new customer service strategy.
• Achieved a 95% on-time delivery rate for a supply chain of 500+ vendors.
• Negotiated a new contract that saved the company $100,000 in annual expenses.

Having trouble deciding how to describe your work experience and achievements? Using an AI resume builder takes the guesswork out of this process. 

What are good soft skills to put on a resume?

In addition to technical skills and work experience, employers often look for candidates who possess strong soft skills. These are personal attributes that enable individuals to work effectively with others and contribute to a productive work environment. 

Here are some soft skills that you can put on your resume:

• Communication
• Leadership 
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Time management 
• Attention to detail  

By putting soft skills on your resume, you can demonstrate your ability to work well with others, adapt to new situations and solve problems effectively.

What are some hard skills you can put on a resume?

Hard skills refer to technical abilities and knowledge that are learned through education, training or experience. They are specific and measurable skills that are relevant to the job or industry you are applying for. 

Here are some examples of hard skills for a resume: 

• Programming languages (e.g. Java, Python, C++, etc.)
• Database management (e.g. MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, etc.)
• Web development (e.g. HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.)
• Graphic design (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, etc.)
• Project management (e.g. Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, etc.)
• Data analysis (e.g. Excel, SAS, R, etc.)
• Financial analysis (e.g. budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, etc.)
• Marketing skills (e.g. SEO, SEM, PPC, social media marketing, etc.)
• Technical writing (e.g. creating user manuals, technical reports, etc.)

Remember to tailor your list of hard skills to the specific job or industry that you are applying for and back up your skills with examples of how you have used them in your past work experiences.

How we reviewed this article

Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process .

• Columbia University Center for Career Education. Article. Your Resume: What to Put In, What to Leave Out 
• CareerSidekick. Article. Clark, Biron. What to Put on a Resume: 9 Things to Include
• Robert Half. Article. Skills to Put on a Resume Employers Will Actually Read (With Examples) 
• Coursera. Article. How to Write a Resume with No Experience: 5 Tips 
• Harvard Business Review. Article. Cohen, Paige. How to Write a Resume That Stands Out

Rate this article

4.5/5 stars with 104 reviews

Elizabeth Muenzen, CPRW

Career advice expert.

Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches. She is passionate about delivering information that empowers job seekers to achieve their professional goals.

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‡ Results derived from a study responded by 1000 participants of which 287 created a resume online.

*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with MyPerfectResume.

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• Resume Help

What to Put on a Resume: Best Things To Include in 2024

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There are many things to put on a resume. Work experience and education seem like the must-haves of every resume. But then there’s a skills section. And Additional sections. And a summary. Or an objective. And what about the header, what should it consist of?

It’s not that tricky. If you’re wondering what to include on a resume, we’re here to answer this question. So let’s make it clear once and for all!

This guide will show you:

• What to put on a resume to impress recruiters.
• What NOT to put on a resume if you want to boost your chances of landing an interview.
• What goes on a resume apart from must-have sections?
• 5+ resume templates that include all the necessary sections of a perfectly-crafted resume.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here .

Create your resume now

Sample resume made with our builder— See more resume examples here .

What to Include on a Resume: Key Elements

There is no resume without certain sections:

• Work Experience
• Additional sections

A good resume should consist of these resume sections and categories . That’s how you make sure your resume can help you impress the recruiter, secure a job interview, or even win the opening you’re after.

So, without further ado, let’s go through all the key sections you should put on your resume:

Are you looking for a step-by-step guide on writing a resume? Look no more, it’s right here: How to Write a Resume

1. Resume Header With Contact Information

What goes on a resume first is something you don’t want your recruiter to miss. It’s the header, and it includes the basic contact information on your resume .

Here’s what should be in a resume header:

• Professional title
• Phone number
• Professional email
• Social media handles (Twitter and LinkedIn)
• URL to your personal website, blog, or portfolio

Adding your address is optional these days, especially if you are applying for a job in a different state or country. If the job you’re applying for is not local, excluding your current address will help you avoid confusion.

And that’s all you need to start with. Let’s see what are other things to put on a resume!

Pro Tip: Whenever you update your contact information, don’t forget to update it on your LinkedIn Profile as well. Recruiters will check your online presence , and so should you!

2. Resume Summary or Objective

Tricky question—what should be on a resume after your contact information? Do you jump straight into your experience section or give your recruiter a brief introduction?

You guessed it. 

Starting a resume with a summary or objective is a golden opportunity. Both are short, snappy introductions that should highlight your career progress and skill set.

And if you don’t have much career progress, write two or three lines that tell a recruiter where you are and where you’re going professionally.

Writing a professional resume career summary isn’t easy, and it’s even harder when you’re trying to figure out how to write a resume objective .

But which do you choose?

The resume objective is better for writing:

• Student Resume
• Scholarship Resume
• Internship Resume
• Entry-Level Candidates Resume
• No-Experience Resume
• Career Change Resume

To structure your objective, use the following formula: 

Adjective(s)/Certificate(s) + Your Job Title or Degree + seeking employment as + Position Name at + Company Name + to apply my + Your Relevant Skills + to help + What Do You Want To Help The Company Achieve

If you haven’t found yourself in the list above, you should write a’ professional resume summary.

It’s great for highlighting at least a year of work experience, during which you could have achieved some goals worth mentioning on your resume.

To structure your resume summary, use the following formula:

Adjective + Job Title + Years of Experience + Achievements + Skills + What You Want to Do for the Employer 

That will guarantee you a great opening for your resume!

The most important thing to keep in mind when writing both is that you no longer tell an employer what you want. You can actually boil it down to just a few words using our formula for resume titles .

Instead, you tell them that you’re going to give them what they want.

3. Experience Section

The experience section is going to make up the body of your resume. It’s perhaps the most important part of your document for many recruiters. So you have to make sure it’s done perfectly!

To ace it, you do not need to list every job you've ever had . Only add jobs that you had in the past ten or fifteen years or are relevant to the job for which you are applying. Just don’t leave large gaps in your job history .

Also, follow the reverse chronological resume format , as it allows you to highlight most recent activities and accomplishments.

So, what to include in a resume experience section?

• A list of relevant jobs. 
• Up to six bullet points describing your roles and responsibilities at each job.
• Achievements illustrated with facts and figures. 
• Action verbs to help you stand out more.
• Name and location of each company and work period. 
• Internships.

And that’s how you ace an experience section.

Pro tip: Whatever important information you find in the ad is potentially a keyword for your resume .

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a professional resume template here for free .

When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

4. Education Section

 Your education section can either come after your experience section, or you can add it before if you've recently graduated.

What should be on a resume education section?

• List of your degrees and schools. Your education section is also written in reverse-chronological order, with your most recent degree appearing first . If you have higher degrees, you do not need to add the high school you attended.
• Description of your course of study. You don’t have to add a description of what you studied, but you can include relevant coursework on your resume. 
• Any honors and awards you received. A typical entry in your education section should include your type of degree, your major , the name of your university, and any latin honors and awards you received like this: And don’t forget about extracurricular activities !

Honors BA in English Literature, Purdue University, Salutatorian

Pro Tip: You can skip GPA on a resume if you’re a professional, and you can add it if you’re a student and it’s a 3.5 GPA or higher.

Your skills section is a list of your best skills. Make sure that you list up to ten skills from the job description as possible. These are your resume keywords, and they are not only what recruiters want to see. They boost your chances of creating an ATS-friendly resume that will pass Application Tracking Systems used to filter resumes before they reach recruiters’ desks.

But besides the keywords from the job offer, what skills need to go on a resume ?

Here are the skills that are some of the good things to put on a resume:

• Computer Skills
• Communication Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Organizational Skills
• People Skills
• Customer Service Skills
• Collaboration Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Creative Thinking Skills
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Management Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Active Listening Skills
• Adaptability Skills
• Negotiation
• Conflict Resolution 
• Decision-Making Skills
• Time Management Skills
• Language Skills
• Administrative Skills

You will want to scatter your skills throughout your experience section and put your best hard and soft skills in your skill section.

Adding a hobbies and interests section to your resume is a very good idea, especially if you’ve got extra space. Many companies are now placing more of an emphasis on personality and how well they think you’d fit in with their team and the company’s culture. 

You don’t have to add a hobby section, but it’s a great way to show off your personality and set yourself apart. It is definitely something that you should consider including on a resume. Especially, since some hobbies can prove you’ve got some specific skills. For example, being a team player can be confirmed by putting “playing hockey” in your hobbies section.

7. Other Additional Sections

Besides a Hobbies and Interests section, there are other extra sections you could consider including on your resume.

• Certifications and licenses will work perfectly, as they send a simple message: this person can also do that and is certified or licensed to do it!
• Language skills are also impressive, as you might always find yourself in a multinational company.
• Volunteering experience looks great to hiring managers.
• Relevant Publications : That’s not how you show you’re a pro. That’s one level up. By listing your publications, you show you’re an authority.
• Resume Professional References : You probably have some colleagues or superiors who are willing to say a few nice words about you. Asking them for references will allow you to add some human touch to your resume.

Whatever you decide to add, just make sure that it doesn't overwhelm your resume or comprise your resume length .

And that’s pretty much all you need to know about what goes on a resume.

So maybe let’s take a look at what should be on a resume if you don’t want to get hired. Or, in other words…

8. Tailor Your Resume To a Job Description

Remember to tailor your resume to the job description —this point is crucial.

The skills and experience listed in the job description are what recruiters look for when they initially scan your resume. Add keywords from the job description throughout your resume.

It's also a good idea to add most of the skills verbatim. Put them in your experience or your skills section. When hiring manager sees words from the job description, they will know that your resume is relevant and that you have the skill set they want in a potential candidate.

Tailoring your resume to a specific job is vital. That’s how you make it personal and that’s how you show them your admiration and appreciation.

Pro tip : You probably have some colleagues or superiors that are willing to say a few nice words about you. Asking them for professional references will allow you to add some human touch to your resume.

Resume Templates That Include All the Key Sections

Putting together a resume is a tough and time-consuming process. Luckily, you can take some (or most!) of the hassle out of it. Just pick one of Zety’s templates. This way, you’ll make sure your resume includes everything that’s necessary, plus, you’ll get tips and ready-to-use contents for every section.

The best thing about this template? All key sections are noticeable in a flash thanks to big section headings. It helps you bring attention to what matters most. Also, this resume design is conservative and simple—recommended for corporate job applications. 

Another layout that helps you include everything in an organized manner. Primo features a timeline for your work history and education, making it super easy to navigate through your career progression. All the necessary sections are highlighted with tiny icons. Two columns make it easier to fit more information onto a single page. This template is very versatile: will work for traditional as well as creative jobs. 

Another resume that helps you organize all the items better thanks to the double-column layout. Want to put more extra information on a resume? Courses? Additional activities? Certifications? With Cubic, you can include all that and still send out a one-pager. A good template for senior candidates.

This resume style is most popular amongst job seekers in business and finance. Again, the most important pieces of information are prominent thanks to professionally-looking headings. 

Last but not least—Newcast. This resume template will help recruiters easily skim through all the necessary sections going from top to bottom. One of the most minimalist-yet-elegant resumes on our offer, nothing gimmicky, traditional layout, lots of white space—an ideal pick for academic admission applications or jobs in research.

So now, let’s try to answer an important question.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.  Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

Keep these points in mind as you are making your resume:

• Not everyone’s perfect resume is going to look the same.
• While a standard resume will include contact information, experience, and education, the skills and achievements you add will differ based on your job offer.
• Remember that when you are trying to decide what to put on your resume your job description is your best friend. It tells you exactly what a hiring manager expects to see on your resume.

If you don’t include anything else on your resume make sure you add keywords, skills, and experience from your job offer and you can be sure that your resume is practically perfect in every way.

Frequently Asked Questions about What to Put on a Resume

What are good skills to put on a resume.

Here are some good skills to put on a resume for just about any job:

• Communication skills
• Teamwork / Collaboration skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Computer skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Hard skills specific to your job. Those are the technical skills and core competencies required to succeed in the role (unlike soft skills , which are more universal). For example, for office jobs, you’d list specific administrative skills , and for retail jobs— customer service skills .

Still not sure what skills to put on a resume ? Take another look at the job ad: it should mention specific hard and soft skills the company’s looking for. Those can make for great resume keywords and boost your chances of success, so make sure to include all of them in your job application. You can also check out our 500+ resume examples to find a sample resume for your role and see a list of professional skills specific to your job .

What to include in a resume?

Here’s what to put on a resume:

• Resume header with your contact information
• Resume summary (also known as a summary of qualifications )
• Work experience section —for each entry, put your job title , the name and location of the company, and the dates you worked there. Add 4–6 resume bullet points with a job description that features your best on-the-job achievements .
• Education section —put only your highest level of schooling; add more details if you don’t have much work experience.
• Additional resume sections —good things to put on a resume include language skills , relevant certifications and licenses , or volunteer work experience .

For more details on what to put in a resume, check out our guide on how to make a resume and see what a resume should look like . To speed things up, head over to our resume builder : it features ready-made professional resume templates , pre-written phrases tailored to your job title, and a wizard that’ll help you write your resume in just minutes!

What to put on a resume with no experience?

Here’s a quick set of tips for writing a resume with no work experience :

• Use a resume objective instead of a resume summary. It focuses on what you plan to achieve and highlights your enthusiasm and motivation.
• Focus on showing your transferable skills , i.e. useful skills you’ve picked up outside of work, but which will help you succeed in your chosen career (e.g. communication or teamwork developed while at school).
• Expand your education section with extra details , such as relevant coursework , achievements, GPA (if your GPA was high enough for a resume , so 3.5+), and extracurricular activities that show your skills.
• Highlight any other experience you have , such as volunteer work, internships, freelancing, or personal projects relevant to the job .

For more advice, see this entry-level resume example and writing guide , as well as our student resume guide and high school resume templates .

What not to put on a resume?

Here’s what not to include in a resume :

• Personal details such as your marital status or religion. Employers are not allowed to ask you about these things , and there’s no reason to include them in your application.
• Headshot —don’t include your picture on a resume unless you’re applying for a modeling or acting job.
• Unrelated skills or hobbies —interests are fine on a resume, but only if they’re somehow relevant to the job. Check out this article about hobbies on a resume for more details. Your skills section should only contain skills mentioned in the job ad and/or necessary to do the job well.
• Your full address —employers don’t need it at this point.
• Irrelevant experience —if you have relevant experience already, there’s no need to list any irrelevant jobs you’ve held. The only exception is if you’re writing a resume with little to no experience.
• Unnecessary details —the best length for a resume is one page, so it’s important to stick to only the most relevant information that directly speaks to your suitability for the role.

How far back should a resume go?

Not sure how many jobs to put on a resume ? As a rule of thumb, stick to 10–15 years of relevant experience . If there’s something further back in your work history that really needs highlighting, mention it briefly—it’s likely that your more recent experience will be more relevant. Keep in mind that for most jobs, it’s best to submit a one-page resume —so your space is severely limited. Go for a two-page resume only if you’re applying for senior jobs and have lots of relevant achievements. The only exception to all of the above is the academic CV , used when applying for jobs in academia, which can go on for several pages and cover 15+ years.

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Should You Include Company Description on Resume?

Relevant experiences and qualifications play an important role in the job search process, and including these details on your resume showcases yourself as the best candidate for the job. However, sometimes the information you provide raises more questions than it answers. 

If your resume confuses potential employers, you’re unlikely to land that all-important interview. So how can you make your experiences and accomplishments clear to hiring managers? One of the easiest ways to do that is to include a company description on your resume. Read our guide to help you with this tricky part of resume writing.

What is a company description on a resume?

First up, let’s talk about what a company description on a resume is and how it looks. As the name suggests, this is a short blurb about the business at hand. Should you decide to include this information on your resume , it will go in your employment history section.

When writing a description of a company on your resume, you want to keep things short and sweet. Don’t include more than a paragraph of information here. Ideally, the description should consist of between two and three lines. It needs to include the most important information about the company and give the reader an overview of it. 

Including company descriptions: the right time to use them

Spoiler: Most of the time, you don’t need to include a company description on your resume. These paragraphs often take up more space than they are worth. 

Resume real estate is valuable. You don’t want to cram the page with useless information that doesn’t add anything to your application – especially since new companies care about what you bring to the table and less about the companies you used to work for. However, there are exceptions to this golden rule. 

Here are some of the times when it may be useful to include a company description:

1. The company is relatively unknown 

Many smaller firms that serve niche market needs may maintain a relatively low profile. When the reader sees these firms on your resume, they will have to figure out exactly what the business does. That is an extra step that no hiring manager wants to take. You can provide context for any hiring manager or recruiter by inserting a brief description.

In this case, you don’t need to provide too much detail. Simply outline what the business does and the market it serves. That way, the reader won’t have to stop looking at your resume to quickly Google the company. Make sure your description is short and concise. 

2. You need to explain your job role

Let’s say your last job involved responsibilities or achievements that may be difficult for outsiders to understand. You can use a company description on your resume to bring greater clarity. You should think carefully about whether this is the right step for you. 

When you’re writing your resume, the last thing you want to do is waste space. If you feel that your role is unique and hard to explain, adding a company description could help the hiring manager understand your position, so go ahead and add it. 

3. It will support your achievements 

Leading a team of four workers isn’t quite as impressive as leading a team of 100+ professionals. When you’re creating your resume , you want to use everything in your arsenal. You may want to add one if a company description makes your achievements appear more astounding. Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn when applying for jobs. 

For example, you may want to mention a company’s size if your accomplishment would seem mundane without that relevant information. Consider the overriding context the company description will add to your job role and description. It may be worth slipping in.

4. You’re changing careers

When you’re switching careers , it is often helpful to add a company description to your resume. Chances are, the hiring manager won’t be familiar with the companies you’ve previously worked for. Giving them this information is a quick way to get them up to speed. 

Since you are switching careers, you will need to provide context to show how your skill set can apply in a new environment. Focus your attention on the similarities between your previous employers and the next sector you wish to enter. The more overlap, the better. 

Proper resume format for including company descriptions

You’ve decided that you do want to include a company description on your resume. So, how do you describe a company on a resume? You need to know how to format this part of your application. It is essential to use an appropriate format. Luckily, there are two ways to approach the issue. 

The first option is to include a brief description beneath the company name and above the job title. This approach can make it easier for a hiring manager or recruiter to identify the description. It’s a very straightforward, clinical way to address any potential questions about that company. It’s also super easy to do.

The second option is to include company information in your job description and duties paragraph. This move is useful for career experts and resume writers who focus on telling a compelling story. For the best effect, you should include that company description somewhere within the first sentence of the paragraph. That provides immediate context for everything that follows. Don’t try to make things too convoluted. 

Company description on resume example

Need some inspiration to help you along the way? To illustrate this concept, here are two examples of company descriptions for a resume. 

The first showcases the description as a standalone line and would work well with resumes that rely on brief, bullet-point presentations. The second is an example of what that company description looks like when it is included in your job description narrative. Choose the one that works best and makes sense for you, and modify the language.

XYZ Corp, Anytown USA | 2010 to Present

Software firm with 17 employees and annual revenues of $20M, providing software-based training for Fortune 500 companies

Project Manager

Coordinated client project development, implementation, and testing for the JumpStart program. Worked directly with CEO on design and marketing strategies while providing oversight for client management and training programs.

Coordinated client project development, implementation, and testing for a 17-employee software firm with $20M annual revenue, providing JumpStart software-based training for Fortune 500 companies. Worked directly with CEO on program design and marketing strategies while providing oversight for client management and training programs.

Tips for including a company description on your resume 

Now that you understand what format to use, you may be ready to get started. We’ve outlined a simple way that you can add a company description to your next resume. However, there are some final things you may want to keep in mind. Here are our top tips: 

Keep things short and sweet 

As we have already mentioned, you have limited space on your resume. If you choose to include company descriptions here, you need to keep them as short as you can. Don’t dedicate more than a few lines to each business you are describing. The hiring manager doesn’t need a history of the company — they simply need the highlights reel. 

Make sure you’re adding value 

What does a company description add to your resume? Before you decide to include this part on your application, make sure it’s bringing something new to the table. When you’re writing each blurb, consider what value it is adding. Only highlight information that will strengthen your application and give you a better overall chance of getting an interview. 

Always edit when you’re finished 

Think you’re done? The final thing that you need to remember is to edit. We all have a habit of writing too much when we’re on a roll. Once you’ve completed each description, return to it and take out any unnecessary information. When you are reviewing the sections, be as cut-throat as you can. If a sentence doesn’t add anything, take it away. 

Context over detail 

As you can see, the goal is to provide just enough detail for context without taking attention away from your resume accomplishments . Most resumes won’t require this additional information — so use the technique sparingly. In the right situations, including a company description on your resume can be the perfect way to shine a spotlight on your work history, previous experience, and accomplishments. Follow this advice to get it right.

Ready to land your next job? If you want to get ahead of the competition, take a look at our expert-backed resume writing services . We have a team of 100+ expert resume writers, offering a comprehensive application service. Investing in your professional future could help you reach your goals and land more interviews. 

Have you already written your resume? Check that it’s up to standard with an expert ATS scan now. 

Recommended reading: 

ATS Resume Test: Free ATS Checker & Formatting Examples (2023)

How To Write A Chronological Resume (Guide + Example)

Resume Bullet Points Vs. Paragraphs 

Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer, Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer

Charlotte Grainger is a freelance writer living and working in Sheffield, UK. She has a passion for career development and loves sharing tips and advice. Follow her on Twitter

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The 12 Best Skills to Put on Your Resume (Plus Examples)

S kills can make or break your resume. They should match the jobs you're applying for and show recruiters that you can succeed at their companies.

Sometimes companies will use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that automatically scan resumes and forward the best matches to hiring managers. Whether a human or a computer is looking over your resume, it pays to have a robust set of skills.

Below, we'll cover some skills to put on your resume, the difference between soft and hard skills and the best ways to highlight skills when communicating about your work experience:

The 12 Best Skills to Put on a Resume

Putting the right skills on your resume signals your readiness for the jobs you apply for. Almost anyone can develop these, regardless of professional background—they're huge green flags for recruiters.

1. Adaptability

Change is the only constant in business, according to Mark Cuban . The skills you develop when you start a job may not be relevant in five years, even if you're still in the same position.

Companies want employees who can adapt to changing times. Demonstrating that on your resume shows employers that you're a good long-term investment.

2. Attention to Detail

Anyone can do sloppy work. Having attention to detail means spotting the little mistakes before they become big problems.

Calling out your attention to detail on your resume sets you apart as someone who will sweat the small stuff and pursue excellence in every part of your job.

3. Communication

Virtually every job involves some amount of communication . Are you a software engineer who just wants to code? You still have to talk to clients about their needs.

Eyeballing a management role ? You'll need to successfully communicate with direct reports to give feedback and achieve team goals.

Talking about your communication skills on your resume, including listening, presentation and writing skills, shows you know how to work with others. You can also mention your communication style to make sure you're a good fit for a company's culture.

4. Creativity

The best employees are not just cogs in a machine. They stand out by thinking outside the box and offering creative new solutions to their company's problems.

But creativity doesn't necessarily mean you're artistic. If you're an analyst, it could mean drawing novel conclusions from data. If you're a manager, it could mean finding interesting new ways to engage your team.

Including creativity as a skill on your resume shows employers that you can offer value beyond the job description.

5. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is your ability to find solutions beyond the obvious. Good critical thinkers can get to the "why" behind a problem, anticipate future problems and elevate the quality of work their teams produce.

Putting critical thinking on your resume takes your skills to the next level. It also speaks to your independence—you come up with solutions on your own, rather than relying on others.

6. Customer Service

Many jobs require some sort of customer service element. Salespeople or project managers talk to customers, helping them get exactly what they're looking for. Other workers, like copywriters or data engineers, may still meet with customers to speak to their area of expertise and demonstrate the viability of their company's work.

Don't take customer service skills for granted. They're valuable in almost any position.

7. Digital Skills

Most office jobs require basic computer literacy. Employers expect employees to know how to open computer and phone applications, send emails and sometimes use video call tools like Teams or Zoom . Being digitally literate can mean knowing when to send a quick chat vs. a long email .

These skills are absolutely worth listing on your resume, especially if you have experience with specific software or tools common in your industry.

8. Leadership

Leadership is your ability to get your team to work together toward a shared goal. It's not just important for managers—individual contributors can communicate better if they have strong leadership skills. ICs can also use leadership skills to take charge when their teams are confused and get the job done.

Putting leadership skills on your resume identifies you as someone who can bring order to a complicated workplace. It also sets you up as potential management material —someone worthy of future internal promotions at a company.

9. Organization

Many jobs require you to juggle several tasks. Organization is your ability to keep everything together, even when you have multiple deadlines or you're working for clients with very different expectations.

Highlighting your organizational skills puts you forward as a candidate who can perform the full range of job responsibilities without getting lost.

10. Problem-Solving

Good problem solvers can take projects from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. They can also spot solutions that aren't obvious, making them invaluable to their employers.

Setting yourself up as a problem-solver makes you an excellent candidate for almost any job since this skill is so widely used.

11. Teamwork

Teamwork is your ability to function well with your immediate coworkers, but also with other teams you may encounter. It's more than just good communication; it includes good social skills and compassion for others.

Listing teamwork as a skill on your resume shows that you're ready to work in a bustling company where you're one part of a bigger whole.

12. Time Management

Many employers want things done yesterday. That's not always possible, but good time managers offer the next best thing: work that's done well and finished as soon as possible.

Introducing yourself as a good time manager shows that you'll finish tasks before they're due. That's something hiring managers love to see.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills on Your Resume

Hard skills are what you do. Soft skills are how you get it done. Good resumes include both.

Soft Skills for Your Resume

Soft skills are non-technical aspects of work, like being a good communicator or managing your time wisely. They're relevant everywhere.

According to data from LinkedIn, 92 percent of professionals say soft skills matter as much or more than hard skills.

"Soft skills are often what set one candidate apart from another with similar technical qualifications," Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner of Workplace Intelligence, told Newsweek . "Employers look for candidates who not only have the required hard skills but also possess the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to work well with others and fit into the company culture."

The introduction of artificial intelligence in the workplace may only improve the value of soft skills.

"While AI will automate certain tasks and change the nature of work, it will also place a premium on soft skills that are uniquely human," Schawbel said. "Soft skills related to creativity, emotional intelligence, ethics, collaboration, and adaptability will continue to be highly valuable in the AI-augmented workplace, enabling individuals to work alongside AI systems effectively and ethically."

Hard Skills for Your Resume

Hard skills refer to technical knowledge that you can spend months or even years developing. These are the things you learn in specialized degree programs and job training. Connecting a website to a database, operating a complex piece of machinery and balancing a quarterly budget are all hard skills.

Most jobs require certain hard skills. You wouldn't apply to be a video editor without some knowledge of editing software and techniques.

Companies may teach some hard skills on the job. For example, teaching new salespeople how to use their unique customer relationship management (CRM) software. However, most careers require hard skills that you learn elsewhere, either in school, training or an entry-level job .

How to List Skills on Your Resume

There are two sides to listing skills on your resume: the skills you include and how you express them.

Schawbel recommends creating a dedicated "Skills" section on your resume. List hard and soft skills there.

Next, Schawbel says to back up your soft skills with specific examples from your work experience. Did you demonstrate leadership when you took command of a flailing project at your last job? Write that down, using keywords that highlight those skills like "leadership" or "teamwork." Your work experience is evidence of your skills.

Remember that recruiters and hiring managers read hundreds of resumes. You want to present your highlights without going on and on about yourself. Schawbel recommends starting each bullet point in your resume with action verbs to quickly demonstrate your skills to an employer. Use language like:

• "Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to deliver budget analyses."
• "Wrote marketing emails that increased product engagement by 130 percent over six months."
• "Managed construction projects across multiple sites with 15 direct reports."

Stand out by presenting a different version of your resume for each new job you apply for. Tailor your skill list for each new position by looking at the job's duties and responsibilities.

If you're applying for a management position, include your leadership skills and the times you used them. Otherwise, consider leaving those off the resume and highlighting other skills.

Skills Section Examples by Job Type

Here are some examples of possible skill sections for jobs in multiple industries and experience levels. Use these as starting points to think about skills on your resume. However, you should always look at job descriptions to see exactly what skills to include.

Copywriters write content for videos, emails and other marketing collateral. They try to persuade readers or listeners to buy the product or service they're highlighting.

Hard Skills:

• Copywriting
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• Social media marketing

Soft Skills:

• Attention to detail

Data Scientist

Data scientists explore massive data sets with advanced mathematics and computer models. They work with business managers to produce actionable insights from raw data.

• Data analysis
• Data visualization
• Machine learning
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Organization

Nurses perform a range of tasks in hospitals and other health care settings. The exact skills they need depend on their medical subfield and the type of institution they work for.

• Medical knowledge
• Medical technology
• Nursing ethics
• Patient education
• Workplace safety
• Adaptability
• Time management

Project Manager

Project managers organize work across multiple teams. They often bridge the gap between individual contributors and clients or other stakeholders. They keep projects on time and within budget.

• Negotiation
• Project management
• Technical writing

Retail Sales Associate

Retail sales associates sell items, maintain the sales floor and assist customers. This is an entry-level position, but it can be an excellent opportunity to build skills.

• Basic mathematics
• CRM or point of sale (POS) software
• Inventory management
• Customer service

Frequently Asked Questions

Still not sure what skills to put on your resume? Here we tackle some common questions.

How Many Skills Should I Put on My Resume?

You want enough skills on your resume to impress recruiters without wasting their time.

"Aim for a list of 5 to 10 key skills. This allows you to emphasize your most critical qualifications without overwhelming the reader," Schawbel says.

Should I Format My Resume for an ATS?

Don't try to write your resume for a computer. It's a myth that most applications are rejected by automated systems—HR workers read most resumes and make decisions based on their merits.

Make things easier for recruiters by organizing information well on your resume. Include a dedicated skills section and describe your work experience directly and efficiently, with callouts to the skills you've listed.

Should I Change the Skills Section for Each Job Application?

Yes. It's a good idea to write a resume draft and then modify that draft slightly for each new job application.

Be sure to mention skills that appear in the job description. Cut mentions of skills that aren't relevant to the position, so that you don't waste recruiters' time.

What Skills Should I List if I Have No Work Experience?

Without work experience, you still have life and school. Draw up a list of transferable skills you've developed throughout your life and use those on your resume.

You should have several soft skills. If you had a leadership position in school, for example, list leadership, communication and teamwork skills.

Transferable soft skills aren't always obvious, but if you put some thought into your activities you should come up with a good list. For example, practicing a musical instrument alongside school demonstrates good time management, attention to detail and creativity.

Should I Add Certifications or Trainings?

Yes. Certifications and training are outside proof of your competence in skills. They can set you apart from other candidates who don't have that kind of evidence on their resumes.

Can I List Skills That I'm Still Learning?

Yes. Feel free to list skills where you're a beginner.

Some professionals label skills with their experience level, such as "beginner," "intermediate" or "advanced."

You can also describe your experience level in your work experience. For example:

• "Learned the core functions of our company's CRM system."
• "Wrote advanced web applications with JavaScript for five years."

Once you have your resume in good condition, you can start thinking about cover letters . Then you can learn more about finding your next opportunity with our review of the best job search apps .

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