How to write a resume: step by step

Quick Resume team · Updated October 16, 2026

A good resume is short, clear and easy to scan in a few seconds. Recruiters often skim dozens of them, so yours needs to show quickly who you are, what you have done and why you fit the role.

This guide covers what to include, in what order, and what to avoid. It works for first jobs, career changes and experienced roles.

What a resume needs

Contact details: full name, phone number, professional email and city/state or country. A LinkedIn link is optional.
Summary: two to three lines on who you are and what you are looking for.
Work experience: job title, company, dates, and what you did and achieved.
Education: degree or course, school and year (or expected completion).
Skills and certifications: tools, languages and certificates relevant to the job.

Step by step

Read the job posting closely. Note the words that repeat; they show what the company values.
Add your contact details at the top, with no decoration. Use an email based on your name.
Write the summary in a few lines: your field, years of experience (if any) and your main strength.
List jobs from newest to oldest. For each one, write 2 to 4 bullet points that start with action verbs (managed, built, reduced, launched).
Use numbers when you can. “Handled about 40 customers a day” says more than “good customer service”.
Add education and courses that help for the role. Old, unrelated courses can go.
Proofread and save as PDF. A PDF keeps the layout on any device.

How long should it be

One page is right for most people. If you have many years of experience, two pages are fine as long as everything is relevant. If it is getting long, cut whatever does not help for the job.

Photo, age and marital status

In the US, Canada and the UK, resumes usually leave out photos, age and marital status. In other countries the rules differ, so check local norms. Include only what the job requires.

Common mistakes

Long blocks of text with no bullet points.
Spelling and grammar errors. Ask someone to read it before you send it.
Sending the same resume to every job without adjusting the summary and keywords.
Claims you could not explain in an interview.
Busy layouts with many colors, icons and skill-level bars.

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Frequently asked questions

Does a resume need an objective?

Not required, but a short two to three line summary helps the reader understand your profile quickly. If you are changing fields, explain it there.

Is a resume the same as a CV?

In the US and Canada, “resume” usually means a short document tailored to a job, while “CV” is longer and used in academia. In the UK and much of Europe, “CV” is the common word for the same short document.

How long does it take to make a resume?

With your details at hand, 10 to 20 minutes. An online resume builder with ready-made templates means you only fill in the fields.