Gather your experience, skills, and education information for a basic resume. Make a list of your recent jobs and what you did at each. Think about the value you brought to those organizations, and brainstorm a list of skills that are relevant to the job you want.
Then, use a resume template to present all that information professionally. In this guide, you’ll learn more about compiling your work history and other facts to catch a hiring manager’s attention.
Not only does this experience barista focus on their years of experience in the field, but they also highlight career achievements for potential employers.
This experienced cashier lists their work experience and on-the-job achievements and includes easy-to-read lists of their skills and training at the end of the resume.
Customer Service Representative Basic Resume Example
Why this customer service representative resume example is strong:
This customer service representative showcases what sets them apart in their field by focusing on their professional achievements in their customer service jobs.
Food service manager with 15 years of experience seeking a position in a high-volume fast food restaurant. Qualifications include strong leadership skills, the ability to thrive in hectic environments, and Foodservice Management Professional certification.
Certified medical assistant seeking a position in a pediatric office where I can utilize my clinical and front desk training. My strong written and verbal skills promote effective communication between patients and coworkers, and I am compassionate and dependable.
Education
Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
Rockwood College of Health and Wellness, Redwood City, CA – September 2016 – June 2018
Professional Experience
Volunteer, Wildwood Home for Young Mothers, Location – December 2017 – present
Provided care for infants and toddlers while their mothers attended school
Created meals for 20 to 25 household members with donated goods
Hosted health and nutrition classes for pregnant and parenting teens on a weekly basis
Provided one-on-one mentoring sessions for young mothers
Hosted kid-friendly game nights on a monthly basis
Volunteer Patient Care Representative, Wildwood Hospital, Location – October 2016 – March 2017
Organized files and other documents for front desk staff
Offered companionship for young patients, including babies, toddlers and school-aged children
Helped kids decorate their hospital rooms to make long-term stays more comfortable
Delivered letters and packages to patients
Key Skills
Compassionate
Dependable
Clinical and front desk training
Medical Assistant Certification
Medical assisting degree
Experience volunteering with babies, toddlers and school-aged children
Certifications
Certification from the American Association of Medical Assistants
CPR and First Responder Training
Why this basic resume example is strong:
Most of this applicant’s experience is volunteer work so the resume prioritizes education.
Event manager with 12 years of experience seeking a mobile marketing manager position with Perfect Promos for You. Qualifications include a BA in Marketing Management, field experience promoting well-known brands such as Cool Cola and Crunchariffic Cereal, a CDL license, and an outgoing personality.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Management
Florida State College, Miami, FL – September 2003 – June 2007
Professional Experience
Promotional Marketing Manager
On-the-Go Promos | March 2015 – present
Distributed samples of food and beverages at events across the nation
Promoted brands using marketing campaigns tailored toward target demographics
Drove and maintained a box truck
Assembled and removed displays quickly for events
Ordered and monitored inventory for promotional goods required for successful marketing campaigns
Brand Ambassador
Mobile Marketing Masters | August 2007 – March 2015
Promoted products and brands at nationwide events, including baseball games, football games and concerts
Distributed product samples to adults approximately 18 to 45 years old
Collected email addresses, phone numbers and addresses from consumers
Maintained the correct traits and attire required to honor each brand’s identity during in-field marketing promotions
Key Skills
Field experience managing marketing promotions
BA in Marketing Management
CDL licensing
Physical ability to assemble and remove product displays
Comfortable promoting products at crowded events
Outgoing personality
Certifications
CDL license
Official Brand Ambassador (OBA)
Certification from Marketing Managers USA
Why this basic resume example is strong:
This resume has a good balance of skills, professional experience, skills, education and certifications.
Barista with eight years’ experience creating bespoke beverages in leading coffee houses. Confident leader skilled at putting complex preparation protocols in clear terms for team members. Thrive in a dynamic, customer-focused work environment. Committed to ongoing education about new preparation methods and technologies.
Professional Experience
Barista, Ceremony Coffee Roasters, Annapolis, MD | September 2017 to present
Prepare various hot and iced coffees, following detailed specifications
Help onboard and train about 15 new hires per year
Maintain a spotless food and beverage preparation area
Greet customers and recommend drink options based on their stated preferences and dietary needs
Highlight:
Achieved a 5-star customer satisfaction rating in 2020 and 2021
Barista, Starbucks, Annapolis, MD | July 2013 to September 2017
Prepared complex coffee orders in a fast-paced environment
Monitored and documented inventory, placing replenishment orders to ensure availability
Answered customer questions by phone and in-person, drawing on detailed product knowledge to advise on potential allergens
Highlights:
Reduced customer wait times by about 20% in three years
Member of five-person team that surpassed 50% of productivity goals in 2015 and 2016
Education
Associate of Arts – Hospitality, Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business, Charles Town, WV | 2013
Key Skills
Customer relations and service
Food safety and sanitation
Latte art
Milk texturing
Sensory cup technology
Staff training and mentoring
Task timing and sequencing
Certification
Specialty Coffee Association Professional Diploma | 2017
Why this barista resume example is strong:
Not only does this experience barista focus on their years of experience in the field, but they also highlight career achievements for potential employers.
A customer service professional with seven years of cashier experience, specializing in cash handling, customer service, and communication. A proven track record of implementing processes to improve checkout speed and increase sales.
Professional Experience
Lead Cashier, Sam’s Warehouse, San Diego, CA
April 2018 – present
Manage and train a team of over 15 cashiers and serve as the point of contact for escalated customer issues
Implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency and improve average checkout times by up to 30%
Train new hires on sales processes, customer service, and point-of-sale (POS) systems
Manage checkout area during peak sales seasons
Cashier, Devonna’s Clothing Boutique, San Diego, CA
March 2013 – April 2018
Completed sales orders in-person and online
Set up point-of-purchase displays
Created a presentable and welcoming checkout area
Processed returns and refunds
De-escalated customer complaints and referred issues to management as required
Increased sales by 11% through the creation of improved customer flow and display of POP items
Education
High School Diploma
San Diego High School, San Diego, CA, June 2012, GPA 3.2
Key Skills
De-escalation and conflict resolution techniques
Cash handling
Customer service
POS systems
Team management
Certifications and Training
Retail Sales Conference, March 2017
Safe Cash Handling Certification, June 2014
Why this cashier resume example is strong:
This experienced cashier lists their work experience and on-the-job achievements and includes easy-to-read lists of their skills and training at the end of the resume.
A customer service representative with six years of experience supporting sales teams and turning cancellations into satisfied customers. Recognized for exceptional communication and interpersonal skills while interfacing with diverse clientele. Proven ability to deliver high customer satisfaction ratings.
Professional Experience
Customer Service Representative, TUV Firm, Nashville, TN
August 2019 – present
Manage and resolve over 50 escalated customer complaints per day, processing returns, exchanges, and changes to service levels
Train new employees on customer relationship management (CRM) software to deliver high-quality customer service
Achieve average customer service ratings of 87%, 13% higher than the company’s average
Customer Service Representative, Dolan Call Center, Nashville, TN
May 2017 – August 2019
Provided quality customer service in a high-volume call center, processing transactions, solving issues, and assisting with service sign-ups
Resolved an average of nearly 500 inquiries weekly while meeting all performance milestones for speed and accuracy
Achieved a 92% to 95% customer satisfaction rating month over month
Key Skills
Call center operations
Customer service
Client relations
Communication
CRM
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing
University of Tennessee, Nashville, TN May 2017
Why this customer service representative resume example is strong:
This customer service representative showcases what sets them apart in their field by focusing on their professional achievements in their customer service jobs.
How To Write a Basic Resume
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
The start of a strong resume is a professional profile that introduces you and shows why you’re the best candidate for the position. You can include details such as your years of experience or most impressive skills.
The professional summary is usually a few sentences long and should, when possible, contain keywords from the employer’s job posting.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Food service manager with 15 years of experience seeking a position in a high-volume fast food restaurant. Qualifications include strong leadership skills, the ability to thrive in hectic environments and Foodservice Management Professional certification.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Certified medical assistant seeking a position in a pediatric office where I can utilize my clinical and front desk training. My strong written and verbal skills promote effective communication between patients and coworkers, and I am compassionate and dependable.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Consider your value to past employers and how you can describe those results in your work history section. Use the format “action verb + accomplishment + metric” if possible.
For example, if you worked as a retail sales associate in a clothing store, you might write, “Participated in seasonal sales competition and placed third or higher every year.” Or, if you were an administrative assistant, you might say, “Implemented scheduling app to reduce double bookings and increase customer satisfaction by 20%.”
Count drawers, verify safe contents, create deposits and make bank runs
Create a weekly schedule based on hourly sales and employee availability
Prepare burgers, fries, nuggets and onion rings using restaurant equipment
Implement and monitor safety guidelines to promote employee safety
Transform frustrated customers into satisfied guests by following company recommendations
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Shift Manager, Yummy Nuggets and Fries, Orlando, FL – January 2005 – January 2010
Counted drawers and assembled deposits for the night manager
Achieved daily labor and production goals by helping the restaurant cut expenses as needed
Provided top-notch customer service while taking orders and handling customer complaints
Launched an employee appreciation program which included weekly and monthly incentives for top crew members
3. Include your education and certifications
In nearly all cases, give basic details on your education. If you’re applying for jobs that don’t require a college degree, employers may still want to see that you’ve graduated high school or have some trade school experience.
Brainstorm and add any certifications or training you have related to your field. For example, if you’re applying as a barista, a Coffee Diploma from the Specialty Coffee Association illustrates your knowledge and experience and may help you stand out from other applicants.
Education
Template
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
UX Design Professional Certificate, Coursera, 2018
4. List pertinent key skills
Employers often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to find the most relevant resumes for a position, and those programs look for certain skills and phrases.
For example, if you’re applying for a bank teller position, you can include that you have accounting and customer service skills.
Some common skills that apply to numerous industries and positions are listed below to provide some inspiration.
Key Skills and Proficiencies
Conflict resolution
Creative thinking
Critical thinking
Customer service
Data analytics
Leadership
Microsoft Office
Office administration
Presentations
Project management
Sales
Social media
Solution-finding
Teamwork
Time management
How To Pick the Best Basic Resume Template
To quickly format a professional resume, start with a template. Choose one without many design elements, as simple templates are easiest to work with and tend to translate better into various digital application processes.
When you select a template, consider your comfort level with software programs. If you’re used to working in Microsoft Word, for example, choose a template for that program instead of one designed for Google Docs.
Templates that let you create resumes in word processing programs make it possible to use spell checkers and other editing tools to ensure your resume is free of problematic typos.
Frequently Asked Questions: Basic Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for basic resumes?-
Action verbs make your resume more engaging and easier to read. Start sentences with these compelling verbs to pull in the reader, and vary them in the bulleted lists of your professional experience section to create additional interest.
The right action verbs also position you as a confident candidate who gets work done. For instance, writing “organized Google Docs processes to support 10% increase in efficiency” is stronger than simply listing “Google Docs management” as a responsibility.
If you’re not sure what types of action verbs to include in your resume, consider pulling from the list below.
Action Verbs
Achieved
Analyzed
Assisted
Collaborated
Communicated
Completed
Coordinated
Created
Demonstrated
Enhanced
Implemented
Improved
Initiated
Organized
Participated
Resolved
Supported
Trained
Used
Worked
How do you align your resume with a job posting?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fastest-growing occupations from 2022 through 2032 include wind turbine service technicians, nurse practitioners, data scientists, statisticians, and information security analysts. Whether you’re applying to one of these positions or any other type of job, you can increase your chances of success in even the most competitive markets by including the right keywords and skills on your resume.
Read the job posting for your desired position, paying close attention to the wants and needs of the employer. Use those terms in your resume when they overlap with your experience.
What is the best basic resume format?-
In general, the best format for any resume is a combination format. This format emphasizes both work history and skills, making it easier to pass through an ATS.
Easy-to-scan skills help hiring managers understand whether you’re a qualified candidate, and a professional work section in reverse chronological order enables you to tell a compelling story about your experience. Choose a format that provides room for other critical details, such as your education.
Expert Advice
Include a cover letter with your resume
Dress your resume to impress with a professional cover letter. This letter accompanies your resume and explains why you’re a good fit for the position in more detail than bullets in a resume allow. You can start with an example of our administrative assistant cover letter examples to understand what they look like before you create your own.
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Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.
