An effective resume is essential in today’s job market, where hiring managers often make split-second decisions. The traditional one-page resume may no longer suffice with evolving work patterns and a shift toward more dynamic career paths. Your resume must showcase your skills and experience and be tailored to the specific industry and job you’re targeting.
In this guide, we’ll explore the key elements that make a resume compelling and provide insights on optimizing your document for both human readers and applicant tracking systems (ATS). Understanding what constitutes a strong resume is your first step toward making a memorable impression in your job search.
Elements of a Good Resume: Key Sections
One of the key factors of what a good resume should look like is the sections within it. A few common sections should be included in every resume you write.
Contact Information
A good resume should include your name, phone number, email, location, and LinkedIn profile as key elements for your contact information.
Cameron Malfara
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn
Nashville, TN 12345
Professional Summary
Your professional summary showcases your overall career path and what you offer. Highlight your top achievements and the value you bring to the employer. Additionally, you are setting the overall tone of your resume, which means this is a key element of what a resume should look like.
Work Experience
Adding your work experience is one of the most essential pieces of a resume. The concise bullet points that start with a strong action verb are part of what a resume should look like. Using bullet points to quantify and detail your experience, you can focus on accomplishments and what you brought to the organization. Avoid listing only the tasks you did in your day-to-day work. Also, including relevant keywords from the job posting is a crucial aspect of the overall appearance of what a good resume should look like.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Office Administrator
Jefferson Oil & Fuel, Harvey, LA | November 2013 – present
- Proofread and edited materials for the executive team using Microsoft Word to track changes
- Operate office equipment such as phones, scanners, fax machines, and copiers, and complete or arrange repairs as needed
- Prepare supply, printing, and other service requisitions
- Enroll new staff members in the company’s payroll, health insurance, and 401(k) systems
Education
Education is typically added after your experience section. There is some nuance to this, and if you are a recent graduate or changing careers, add your education before your experience. Include that information if you are in school and have an expected graduation date.
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example:
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Computer Science
Widener University, Chester, PA May 2023
Skills Section
Showing off your hard and soft skills is essential to how a good resume should look. Your skills section should highlight specific capabilities you emphasize in your experience section. These include certifications or technical skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. As you advance in your career, your skills section may focus more on the overall soft skills you have developed.
Example:
Key Skills
- Graphic design
- Adobe Creative Suite
- InDesign
- Web design
- Motion graphics
What Does a Good Resume Look Like? Examples by Industry
Tech Industry
What does a good resume look like in the tech industry? In the example below, you can see that the candidate focuses on quantifiable results. Quantifiable data highlights technical skills because it allows the candidate to demonstrate what they know within the specific technical language. Also, the applicant documents their ability to manage and oversee software development projects, a key element of working in the tech field.
Senior Software Engineer Resume Example
Leopold Rose
(248) 901-2345
[email protected]
Ferndale, MI 48220
Profile
A results-driven software engineer with eight years of experience implementing advanced technology and business solutions in public and private industries. Adept at coordinating with technical teams and stakeholders to manage large-scale projects and deployments.
Professional Experience
Senior Software Engineer
Accenture Digital Delivery Center, Detroit, MI
August 2018 – present
- Oversee the development, support, and maintenance of web reservations systems for 36 client accounts valued at $200,000 to $500,000, including functional requirements, customization, use cases, coding, unit testing, and deployment
- Manage a team of over 20 engineers developing, testing, and deploying web services Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), drive professional development, and conduct performance evaluations
- Spearhead the implementation of an Agile-Waterfall hybrid methodology to improve resource allocation and mitigate project delays
IT Specialist I
Department of Technology, Management and Budget, Lansing, MI
October 2012 – July 2018
- Served as the administrator for DTMB’s personnel information system, which included personnel time reports and business activity monitoring for an organization with over 350 employees
- Managed all aspects of both front-end and back-end development, including testing, analysis, deployment, quality assurance, and automation
- Led the design and implementation of Michigan’s network infrastructure upgrades, which comprised four main servers and 21 backup servers located across the state
- Configured servers using Fedora core 5, installed PHP and MySQL in a chroot environment, installed and configured Symfony, and performed database backups
Education
Master of Science in Information Systems
Michigan Central University, Detroit, MI, September 2019 – present
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Michigan Central University, Mount Pleasant, MI July 2012
Key Skills
- Program Languages: C#, .NET, PHP, HTML, Java, MySQL, SQL, PostgreSQL, Turbo C, Visual Basic, Perl + Template Toolkit, and LAMPP/XAMPP
- Operating Systems: RedHat, Mandrake, SuSe, and Linux operating systems
- Project management
- Agile software development
- Cross-functional leadership
Certifications
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer, 2014
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, 2017
- Oracle Certified Developer MySQL 5.6 Developer, 2018
Marketing
How does a good resume look when starting your career in digital marketing? The following example provides a great look at a resume highlighting the value of creativity in an early career as a digital marketing specialist.
Digital Marketing Specialist Resume Example
Candace Chen
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
San Francisco, CA 12345
Profile
A digital marketing specialist with entry-level experience specializing in social media marketing, campaign strategy, brand consistency, and email marketing. A strong history of establishing brand voices for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram social media channels to improve engagement and grow audiences.
Professional Experience
Digital Marketing Specialist
Atella Clothing Inc., San Francisco, CA
May 2021 – present
- Oversee social media accounts for a boutique clothing startup, analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and campaign performance, and identify strategies to refine the brand voice and connect with target audiences, resulting in a 50% increase in engagement
- Grow followership by 40% on Twitter, 55% on Instagram, and 80% on Facebook by scheduling posts during high peak traffic using HootSuite
- Coordinate with the marketing team to evaluate customer responses and create marketing materials in support of new clothing lines for the brand
- Craft marketing copy for social media posts and email marketing campaigns
Academic Experience
Social Media Intern
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
May 2020 – May 2021
- Supported the university marketing department in creating social media posts for current events and university functions to drive student engagement
- Provided recommendations to improve social media outreach for underrepresented groups and increase inclusion and cultural awareness
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Marketing
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA May 2021
GPA: 3.8
Key Skills
- Digital marketing
- Social media campaigns
- Brand awareness
- Marketing research
- Copywriting
- HootSuite
Health Care
What does a good resume look like for health care? In this example, there is a strong focus on managing the patient’s overall care and having an effective bedside manner. Empathy is implied throughout their experience bullets, a key skill in the field. Also, an additional section specific to certifications helps qualify the candidate.
Nurse Manager Resume Example
Sarah Johnson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
New York, NY, 12345
Profile
A nurse manager with over 10 years of professional experience, specializing in patient care, health care administration, policy development, and cross-functional leadership. A strong history of managing multidisciplinary teams and driving improvements to patient care delivery. Adept at building high-performance work cultures centered on collaboration and accountability.
Professional Experience
Nurse Manager
St. Matthew Nursing Home, New York, NY
June 2014 – present
- Oversee a 200-bed nursing home providing long-term care, short-term rehab, and hospice care services and drive initiatives to enhance positive patient outcomes by developing clinical policies and standards centered on patient advocacy
- Manage and build a multidisciplinary health care team of 30, including dieticians, social services, nurses, physical therapists, and medical assistants
- Educate patients and families on long-term and short-term treatment plans and develop individualized service plans based on cultural, emotional, and spiritual needs
Nurse Manager
Sunlight Assisted Living, New York, NY
May 2011 – June 2014
- Managed all aspects of daily operations for an assisted living facility with 150 beds, led a multidisciplinary team of 25, and coordinated the delivery of patient care and health care services to improve the quality of life for residents
- Delivered clinical oversight of treatment plans and services, including memory care, nutrition, physical therapy, medication administration, and pain management
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) Nursing
Columbia University, New York, NY May 2011
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing
Columbia University, New York, NY May 2009
Key Skills
- Patient-centered care
- Long-term care
- Policy development
- Multidisciplinary teams
- Clinical operations
Certifications
Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML), May 2011
Registered Nurse (RN) State of New York, License #12345678, May 2009
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, May 2009
Formatting Tips: What a Resume Should Look Like in Overall Design
When determining how to design and format your resume, embracing “tradition” with your fonts, margins, and overall style is important. Some industry traditions may differ, so determining what is right for your career path is key. Also, ensuring readability for the ATS is a key factor to consider.
- Font Choice and Size:
- Fonts such as Arial, Calibri, and even Times New Roman should be simple to read.
- The font size should be large enough to read easily but not so large that it dominates the page. A 10 to 12 point font for bullets and 14 to 16 for headers is a safe bet.
- Margins and Spacing:
- Maintain a standard margin of 1 inch and use consistent spacing for readability.
- Use of Bullet Points:
- Break up blocks of text with concise bullet points for easier scanning by ATS and hiring managers.
- White Space and Visual Appeal:
- Avoid clutter, and maintain enough white space to make the document accessible to the eyes.
Common Mistakes To Avoid in a Good Resume
Your resume is your first impression to a hiring manager or recruiter. Ensure you present yourself to the best of your ability while avoiding common mistakes:
- Using Too Many Buzzwords:
- Avoid empty phrases like “team player” or “hard worker” without supporting evidence.
- Don’t repeat “Responsible for” in your bullet points; use strong action verbs to showcase your skills.
- Poor Formatting:
- Avoid over-stylized formats ATS might reject; stick with simple, clean designs.
- Including Irrelevant Information:
- Don’t include personal details like age, marital status, or a photo unless required.
- Lack of Customization:
- Not tailoring the resume to the job description can result in missed opportunities.
- Failing to read the job announcement can lead to missing critical information necessary for your resume.
Tips For Making Your Resume Look Great
Making a great resume does not have to be intimidating. What a resume should look like will vary from industry to industry and person to person. However, with these tips, you can feel confident.
- Tailoring Your Resume for the Job:
- Review the job announcement and select keywords that are relevant to the position.
- Use the keywords in your resume and provide quantifiable information about how you meet and exceed the expectations.
- Update your resume each time you have a new application to ensure the broadest reach for your resume to meet the qualifications.
- Including Metrics and Achievements:
- Use metrics (e.g., “Increased sales by 30%” or “Managed a team of 10”) to showcase results-driven experience.
- Optimizing for ATS:
- Ensure your resume passes ATS filters by including relevant keywords and avoiding complicated formats like tables and graphics.
FAQs About What a Good Resume Looks Like
What does a good resume look like in 2024?-
A good current resume should be clear, concise, and tailored to the job description and ATS systems. It must also focus on quantifiable achievements and be formatted cleanly.
What should a resume look like for entry-level positions?+
An entry-level resume should highlight relevant education, skills, internships, and volunteer experience, focusing on transferable skills.
How does a resume look like for someone who has yet to gain work experience?+
Display education, skills, extracurricular activities, and any volunteer work demonstrating transferable skills and readiness to contribute.
How long should a resume be?+
Ideally, a resume should be one page for those with less experience and up to two pages for more seasoned professionals with extensive experience. If you are applying for a federal job or an academic role, you may need to apply with a federal resume or a CV, which are much longer resumes.
What should not be included in a good resume?+
Avoid including personal details like age, marital status, social security numbers, or an unprofessional email address. Also, hobbies or skills irrelevant to the job should be left out. Even though your experience moonlighting as a professional snowboarder is excellent, it is probably not applicable to your application in accounts receivable.
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