What Are the 7 Basic Steps to Write a Resume?

Writing a resume can be broken down into 7 basic steps that take you from blank page to polished document. Following this process ensures you include all essential information and present it effectively.

Step 1: Choose your format. The three main resume formats are chronological (work history listed by date, best for consistent career progression), functional (organized by skills, best for career changers), and combination (a hybrid, most versatile). For most people, chronological or combination works best.

Step 2: Add your contact information. Include your full name, phone number, professional email, city and state, and LinkedIn URL. Make sure your email is professional (firstname.lastname, not partyanimal99).

Step 3: Write your professional summary. A 2-3 sentence overview of your experience, top skills, and what you offer. Tailor it to the specific job.

Step 4: List your work experience in reverse chronological order. For each job, include your title, company, dates, and 3-5 bullet points focused on achievements with numbers.

Step 5: Add your education. Include your degree, school, graduation year, and any honors or relevant coursework if you are early in your career.

Step 6: Include relevant skills. Mix technical skills (software, tools, certifications) with soft skills (leadership, communication) that match the job posting.

Step 7: Review and optimize. Check for typos, ensure consistent formatting, test with an ATS scanner, and tailor keywords to match the specific job description.

Practical takeaway: Follow these 7 steps in order, starting with format selection and ending with thorough review. Use a template to save time on formatting.