how to write a resume for your current job

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Switching Careers? Here’s How to Write a Strong Resume.

• Benjamin Laker,
• Vijay Pereira,
• Abhishek Behl,
• Zaheer Khan

Start with a personal statement.

When you’re switching career paths, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on: updating your resume. Crafting a smart resume is key to showing your potential employer why you wish to make a change. While there’s no one right format to write a resume, here are some tips you can follow:

• Begin the resume with a personal statement. This is a short description about who you are, your reasons for changing your career, your new goals, how your previous experience can be transferred to the new industry, and why you’re perfect for the job.
• Next, instead of highlighting your work experience first, showcase the skills you’ve learned throughout your career. That’s because when changing careers, the hiring managers reviewing your application may not always be familiar with the roles and responsibilities of a different industry.
• Below your skills, you can include a more traditional description of your relevant work history. You don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had, especially if you’ve held a number of positions that don’t highlight any essential skills required for this role.
• Finally, end with a chronological list of your educational qualifications. You can also include details about any certifications or courses that you may be undertaking that may be relevant to the position you’re interested in.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

Switching career paths and trying something completely new can open you up to exciting opportunities, help you learn new things, and even earn you more money. But it’s not always easy — especially if you’re looking to move into an entirely different field. Apart from doing your research and unearthing opportunities, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on before you make the leap: updating your resume.

• Benjamin Laker is a professor of leadership at Henley Business School, University of Reading. Follow him on Twitter .
• Vijay Pereira is a professor of strategic and international human capital management at NEOMA Business School.
• AB Abhishek Behl is an assistant professor of information management at the Management Development Institute Gurgaon.
• ZK Zaheer Khan is a professor in strategy and international business at the University of Aberdeen.  

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How to Write in Present Tense on a Resume

Present Tense Resume | How-to & Tips | Resume.comresumespresent-tense-resume

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Should you use present tense for a resume?

When to use present tense, examples of present tense resume verbs, when to use past tense, the exception to a past tense resume, examples of past tense resume verbs.

In this article, explore the best ways to evaluate your current job status so that you can write your resume in the correct tense and highlight your work experience effectively. Discover when you should write in present tense on your resume and how to use past tense to improve the descriptions of your work experience.

Present tense : A present tense resume is important if you’re talking about the current ways that you are using your skills and experience in a job.

Past tense : Use past tense to write about your work experience when conveying accomplishments.

Present tense helps you maintain consistency when describing your work experience. You’re also discussing ongoing actions that improve your skills and the results for the company you work for. Hiring managers look at a present tense resume to see if you have the right experience and aim to achieve the same results they are seeking.

Here is a list of the best situations to write in present tense on a resume.

To talk about your current job responsibilities

You should use a present tense resume to discuss your work experience with your current employer. Highlight the most important job functions for your current position using a bullet point list. Be sure to list the specific results each function has helped you obtain.

An employer should notice which experience you think is essential to work in the role you applied for. It gives them details to plan interview questions if they wish to proceed with your candidacy. It’s important to take time to find the most valuable experience, so you can underline which experience they should review first.

To describe relevant experience outside of your current job

Talk about your volunteer experience or extracurricular activities if you’re looking for an internship or an entry-level position in the workforce. Describe the achievements you’ve had when working with members of the community. You’ll give the employer a better idea of the impact you’re trying to make outside your primary role. The way you detail your experience gives the interviewer clues if you fit in with the company’s culture.

To list any trade associations or relevant memberships

A trade or industry association is a group of businesses representing a particular industry. These associations typically work in a non-profit capacity. Participants in these organizations strive to collaborate with other businesses and influential members of their community. They can publish newsletters, maintain a website that discusses their objectives, and print yearbooks to promote association members. List these types of experiences on your resume so an employer knows about your current contributions.

Here are some present tense verbs you can use when writing your resume.

Brainstorming relates to the generation of ideas. Listing that you’ve brainstormed ideas for a company exhibits how you’ve played a major role in solving an organization’s problems. Describe how the ideas from the brainstorming sessions lead to achievements for the company. For example, an art director can brainstorm design concepts for a publication’s upcoming magazine.

Spearhead is another word for managing. Spearheading is used to detail who leads a project in the workplace. List the number of people you’ve led in addition to explaining the tangible outcome of the project. A project manager may spearhead a project that drives 20% more revenue over five years if it’s a successful long-term project.

List the types of documents you’ve written, how many you’ve written, and the period in which you wrote those documents. A copywriter may write three articles a day on industry content. You can say where the content is published to increase the value of the documents you wrote.

A teacher is accountable for teaching students about topics while administering and grading assignments. Detail the number of students you taught, the subject of the class, and the average grade the class receives if you’re applying to become a teacher.

You should write in past tense on your resume if you want to showcase previous work experience. Highlighting your previous work experience presents your qualifications for a job you’re interested in. Make sure the accomplishments you’ve earned match the job description. An employer is more likely to call you in for an interview if you have applicable or transferrable work experience.

An exception to the rule of using present and past tense is when you mix the tenses on your resume. For instance, you can combine past and present tense if you’re listing previous jobs you’ve held and the experience you’ve gained while holding your current job. You can mix tenses if you’ve worked on previous projects or achieved noteworthy goals at your current company. For example, in one description, you might discuss how you increased the production of staff members by 30% while working with your current company.

Here are some past tense verbs you can use when writing your resume.

Design implies that you created something from scratch. Design can refer to multiple industries like art, engineering, or marketing. You may have designed artwork for a local museum, a car engine for the latest model, or a company’s print materials layout. Either way, note the tools you used to design the product to demonstrate your skillset and how it’s relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Streamlined

Streamlined reveals that you have experience in improving the efficiency of an organization. Project managers use this terminology to talk about the expansion of the workflow of a project. You may list this verb on a resume if you have a proven track record of improving processes that lead to beneficial results for an organization. Make sure you get exact metrics of how you streamlined a company’s operations to elevate your chances of getting an interview.

Enhanced differs from streamlining because it outlines how to increase your output at work. You can enhance the production of materials or the percentage of on-time and completed deliverables. Use percentages to quantify your accomplishments and make it easier to read about your output.

Diversified

A company wants to diversify if they’re looking to expand their products or their operations. A product marketing manager may have increased a company’s product line by five products. An operations manager might expand the company’s operations to include six new offices in four states.

If you need help writing a resume, use our data-backed resume builder .

What to Put on a Resume in 2024 [7+ Job-Winning Sections]

Choosing what to put on a resume can be a real struggle even if it’s not your first time writing a resume.

After all, not every resume has the same sections. Depending on your experience level & where you’re applying, your resume might look completely different .

For example, you always need to include your contact information, but the resume objective can be very situational.

The content that goes inside each section can differ as well, depending on whether you are applying for a job, an internship , or for a Ph.D. program.

So, the key here is to tailor your resume content to the job you’re applying for. As long as you mention the right things on your resume, you’re bound to land a job you’ll love.

Read on to learn what to put on your resume, depending on where you’re applying. We’ve also added a little extra section at the end of the guide on what NOT to include under any circumstance.

Without the right tools, making a resume can be a major hassle. Want a modern-looking resume done in less than 5 minutes? Try our online resume builder . It’s free, and you can pick between 8+ resume templates .

Land your dream job now, with your slick new resume!

What to Include in a Resume To Land The Perfect Job

• Contact information
• Resume summary or objective statement
• Professional Experience
• Skills/ Certifications
• Other Important Sections
• Tailor Your Resume to The Job Description

In this guide, we’re going to go through all of them one-by-one and teach you what to write in each section.

1. What Contact Information Should Your Resume Have?

A great resume would contain the following contact information in the right order:

Full Name - The generally preferred format is Name, Last Name

Right under the name, you should include your:

Professional Title - this should always mirror the job position you are applying for. 

Let’s say you are applying for a “front-end web development ” position but your professional title says “Junior Data Scientist” .

Whoever picks up your resume will most likely discard it thinking that you are either overqualified for the position or your resume is in the wrong pile.

Professional Email Address 

Your email should be professional and not something you created back in primary school. ( “[email protected]” or “[email protected]” )

If you don't have one, make an email specifically for your career and make it something along the lines of [name] [last name] @ email.com

Check out our guide on how to email your resume to an employer for more tips!

Phone Number - If you are applying for a job outside your country, make sure to include your country code as well. If you have a US phone number, for example, you’d add (+1) in front of the number 555 555 5555.

Here’s an example of how this would look exactly.

So far so good. However, you can notice how there is a lot of valuable empty space for you to add more eye-catching information. 

Aside from the basic contact information, you should also put on your resume links to your social media handles and/or personal websites.

Relevant Social Media Handles

Here are some common social handles you could include that can help you get hired :

Many companies nowadays ask for a Linkedin profile when you apply for a job.

Your chances of getting hired will be greater if you keep your LinkedIn profile just as up-to-date as your resume.

In very specific cases, you can also include your Twitter profile (if it’s somehow relevant to the job).

Some marketing jobs ask for an existing social following, for example. In others, you could use it to display your witty, under-20-characters writing skills.

Quora questions and answers cover a wide range of business topics nowadays. 

Are you an expert at giving business advice with 100+ answers on the topic? You can show your authority by linking your Quora page.

StackOverflow

Mainly relevant for developers, coders , computer scientists . 

Having a very active Stack overflow profile can give you a big boost if you code.

Only for developers , coders , data scientists , etc.

Github is a great way to showcase your projects. Whether it’s a website you developed, or a mobile game, make sure to include it!

Freelancers , writers , bloggers , and entrepreneurs .

A rich medium profile can help you showcase your writing skills and personality before even getting to the interview or trial task. 

Make sure to only put the relevant social media handles on your resume. If you are applying for a software development position, for example, your StackOverflow profile will be more relevant than your Twitter account.

URL to your personal website/channels

Here are some typical examples of what you could include:

• Personal website - Include a link to your personal website if you have an established online presence. Don’t include it if it’s just a literal HTML copy of your resume. No one will want to read the same content over again.
• Personal blog - Only include this if it is relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, if you have a blog that positions you as an expert in your field. A personal blog on meditation and unlocking the power within won’t mean much when applying for an accounting position.
• URL to your personal portfolio - For web designers, illustrators, painters, photographers, etc...
• Youtube channel - A channel containing videos of you explaining quantum economics can be a great thing to put on a resume if you are applying for a job in the field of economics.

So in the end, your contact information section would look something like this:

This example was made with a Novorésumé template, and it took us less than 15 seconds! Give our online resume builder a try - we’ll save you from the hassle of manually formatting your resume!

2. Make the Right First Impression With a Resume Summary or Resume Objective

Nowadays, it takes less than half a second for someone to swipe left and discard your entire worth on Tinder. 

Luckily, when applying for a job, you won’t be swiped left based on how you look. You’ll get discarded if you fail to catch the HR manager’s attention.

On average, it takes an HR manager or recruiter around 6 seconds to decide whether your resume goes on the discard pile or not. 

That’s why you want to leave a good first impression. Just like you did with that Tinder profile photo you uploaded from the time when you still had abs!

When writing a resume, the best way to achieve that is by writing a killer resume summary or objective.

How to Write a Resume Summary

A resume summary is a 2-3 sentence summary of your entire professional career. If you have more than 2 years of work experience, you’d opt for the resume summary instead of an objective (we’ll explain why in a bit!).

The core structure of a resume summary should contain the following information:

Jobs and years of experience

• Senior front-end developer with 10+ years of experience in Angular and ReactJs

Relevant achievements and responsibilities

• Specialized in developing e-commerce solutions following agile development principles.

What you are looking for. Your goal. 

• Seeking a position as a front-end lead developer at a startup company

To make sure your resume summary is memorable, make sure to mention how your previous experience on motivation will be beneficial to the company you’re applying for. You should include the following information:

• What can you do for them?
• How will your previous experience fit in the company’s current environment?
• How can you help their company grow while pursuing your own personal goals simultaneously?

How to Write a Resume Objective

Just like a resume summary, your resume objective is also max 2-3 sentences. Rather than describing your work experience, the resume objective focuses more on your motivation for applying for a specific job.

If you're a professional with several years’ worth of work experience, you should always stick to the resume summary. You're much more likely to sell yourself with your experience, rather than motivation.

If you're one of the following, though, you might want to use a resume objective:

• Recent graduate with no work experience
• Professional going through a major career shift with no relevant preceding work experience
• Student looking for your very first internship
• Professional with a career gap

(1) [SKILL/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION RELEVANT TO THE JOB WITH JOB TITLE] . Looking to apply my (2) [years/months of EXPERIENCE RELEVANT TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION] at [COMPANY YOU ARE APPLYING TO] to help (3) [TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES YOU WILL HELP OUT WITH SUCCESSFULLY] . 

And here’s how this looks like in practice:

“Driven and meticulous recent graduate with a B.Sc. in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics with a 3.98 GPA. 6+ months of experience in forensic accounting and spreadsheet & data manipulation. Looking for an entry-level position as a forensic accountant at the XYZ Accounting Firm.”

To make sure your resume summary is memorable, as with the resume objective, you want to make sure that it’s tailored for the position you’re applying for.

In addition, make sure to mention:

• Your skills / experiences that are relevant to the job you’re applying for
• Exact keywords from the listing to increase chances of passing through application tracking systems
• How you’re going to help the company achieve its goals

3. How to Write Your Work Experience to Stand Out

This is the CORE section of your resume.

Here is where you get to “advertise” yourself by listing past responsibilities and achievements on a job. 

Whether you do this right or not is the main deciding factor between your Plan A job and your Plan D. 

You could have an outstanding history of professional experience. But if you don’t word it the right way, someone else might snatch away your dream job (even if you’re perfectly qualified for it!).

How to Include Your Professional Experience on your Resume? (Step-by-step)

Here’s a three-step process of how to list your work experience so that you can make it stand out:

1. Add Your Job Title  

This should be right at the top so that anyone scanning your resume won’t miss it.

2. A short 1-2 sentence description explaining what the company does. 

Certainly, if you have worked in a globally recognized brand like Apple, Google, McKinsey’s, etc, then you probably don’t need to include background information on the company.

Otherwise, add the company’s name, location of the office where you worked, and a one-sentence description of what the company does.

3. Include 4-6 bullet points describing the core duties and activities you performed for the company. 

Now, this is the tricky part - listing your work experience the right way.

Each bullet point here should be a one-sentence description of a duty or activity.

Most people, when writing their resume, simply list out their basic responsibilities.

Things like “Managed the sales at the company & dealing with clients” or “Marketed company products and drove sales.”

Well, here’s the thing. The hiring manager knows what your responsibilities are. What they want to know is how you drove results at the company and helped take it from point A to point B.

Here’s how a well-written achievements/duties/activities look like:

Describe your Achievements using Numbers and Percentages to Back Them Up

When possible, you should back up your achievements with numbers and percentages.

This is how you show the employer that you’re a high-achiever. 

To show you how this looks in practice, let’s take an example of an achievement for a customer support agent : 

“Increased customer support ticket closing satisfaction rate” 

While this is definitely a good start, it doesn’t actually mean anything. Anyone could say they’ve done this - but there’s a huge difference between someone who increased the satisfaction rate by 0.5%, and by 30%.

What if you rephrased it as:

“Increased customer support ticket closing satisfaction rate from 47% to 72% within 3 months.”

Now, this is a lot more actionable. The hiring manager can see how good you are, and how you’d be an asset for the company.

In this case, it’s instantly clear that you know what you’re doing, and your resume goes directly to the YES pile.

Should You Include Internships on Your Resume?

If you just graduated, chances are that an internship (or internships) is the only relevant experience you have. So, definitely mention it in your resume.

If you have already worked for a few years, though, you can completely get rid of internships from your resume. 

There are some exceptions to this rule, though. For example, if you did an internship at CERN (the particle reactor in Switzerland, one of the most renowned experimental physics institutes in the world), you would be better off keeping it. 

4. What Skills Should You Put on a Resume to Make You Stand Out?

“Roughly 75% of large companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). As a result, over 70% of resumes submitted to job-boards are never read.”

Luckily, getting past ATS is not that hard. All you have to do is mention the right skills in your resume .

By the right skills, we mean the skills asked for in the “requirements” or “qualifications” section of the job ad.

To figure out what they are for the position you’re applying for, simply go through the listing.

Let’s cover a real example to make this super clear.

Here’s a job listing for a UX/UI Designer position at XYZ Inc.:

As you can see, the skills required for the position are:

• Proficiency in standard UX software such as Sketch, InVision, Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD) and other relevant UX and UI design tools
• Good understanding of front-end web development (HTML, CSS, JAVA)
• Strong problem solving, project management and organizational skills.

Now, all you have to do is mention all of them individually in your resume Skills section.

NEVER lie on a resume about your skills’ experience level. Even if you do make it past the interviews and miraculously get the job, you’ll eventually be caught in the lie.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are the technical skills you pick at university or work. They can be measured, and are usually directly related to the tasks you complete at work

Think, anything from designing in Photoshop to using a specific ERP system.

Here’s how they’d look on your resume:

Looks neat right? 

That’s not just it, though. To write a good Skills section, you should also mention some of your soft skills.

Not sure which skills to use? It might be one of these 100+ essential skills to put on any resume !

Soft Skills

While hard skills are learned technical skills, soft skills are your personal attributes.

Here are a few, just to give you a general idea:

• Leadership skills
• Strategic management and planning 
• Communication

And here’s how they look on your resume:

Your skills section should be backed up by your work experience. If you say that you’re an expert at Java, but you’ve never worked as a Java developer , no one’s going to buy it.

Universal Skills

As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to also put some universal skills on your resume.

What are universal skills?

They are skills that fit in the description or requirements of most career fields. Universal skills can be both soft and hard skills.

Some soft universal skills are leadership, teamwork, and analytical thinking.

Ms Word, Excel, Powerpoint, writing skills, etc... are typical hard universal skills.

Regardless of the job you are applying for, these are the skills that will come in handy at some point.

5. How to List Education on a Resume

Another essential part of your resume is the Education section. Here, you describe your academic career with any relevant achievements.

Here’s how you’d format your education section:

And here’s how this would look on a resume:

Keep in mind that you should mention your education in reverse-chronological order . So, the most recent thing goes on top.

When writing your education section, here’s a couple of things you should keep in mind:

• Don’t mention your high school degree if you have a university degree
• Mention your GPA only if it’s above 3.5. Anything below that might not seem too impressive (especially if you’re competing with someone who listed a 4.0)
• Mention your education before your work experience if you don’t have any work experience.

6. Other Important Sections to Put on a Resume

By this point, you have already done the heavy-duty work. The previous sections are the MUST-haves of a resume.

There are, however, several other sections you can mention on your resume that’ll help you land the job.

Certifications and Awards

Do you have any certifications or awards that are relevant to your field or career? Make sure to put them on your resume!

If you are a software developer or engineer , you could mention things like your Java or AWS certification.

Similarly, if you are applying for a Digital Marketing position, those Google Analytics and AdWords certifications would come in very handy.

In today’s world, languages are one of the top distinguishing hiring factors. Since most companies nowadays are international, knowing two or more languages can become a HUGE advantage.

Countless companies nowadays value bilingual employees more than those speaking only one language.

Whatever job you are applying for, make sure to include all the languages you speak on your resume. Include your proficiency level next to each one.

You can see in the example below the different phrases you can use to describe your language proficiency levels.

• Native or Bilingual
• Full Professional Proficiency
• Professional Working Proficiency
• Limited Working Proficiency
• Elementary Working Proficiency

Make sure not to lie about this. It's not hard to figure out when someone doesn't speak a language. Your “Full Professional Proficiency” Spanish might go “adios” all the way down to “Elementary” if the interviewer speaks the language.

Hobbies and Interests

The hobbies and interests section can help you convey a little bit of personality. 

This is where you can show how big of an influence music is in your life. Or even reveal your Harry Potter addiction. Whatever it is, make sure you mention something that can really set you apart from the rest. 

You never know, maybe you end up having a lot in common with whoever picks up your resume.

Volunteering Experience

Altruism and generosity are characteristics that will make you stand out regardless of the environment you find yourself in, the office included. 

Hiring managers tend to prefer candidates who have some volunteering experience. This means that the employee is the type to spend their own free time on a worthy goal.

Chances are, the same dedication also transfers to the workplace.

If the volunteering experience is somehow related to your career, you can include it in the work experience section. Otherwise, you can create a separate section just for this.

Here’s how this would look like:

Publications

If you're a professional writer (i.e. journalist, researcher, scholar, etc.), you'd benefit from including your publications on the resume.

Maybe you have several blog posts published online, or a publication or two in an academic journal.

Whichever the case is, you can include them in your resume and make sure to mention the link.

Side projects are super important for many positions. They can help you make up for any lack of experience in a certain field, or display your passion for the job.

For example, if you are a developer or a coder, you must have a bunch of projects on Github. It could be a project you have done for a class or some app you started working on with your friends back in college (new Facebook, anyone?).

Projects aren’t just for coders, though. Maybe you attended a startup weekend at some point in your life? Or participated in a design hackathon?

Both of these examples can really add value to your application.

If you’re an entrepreneur, you can also mention some of your side hustles. Things like re-selling goods on eBay, selling your art on Etsy, and so on.

Next Steps: Tailoring Your Resume to the Job

Now that you know what sections to put on your resume, let's talk about its content.

It's essential that any information you've mentioned on your resume is relevant to the job.

We really can’t emphasize enough how important it is for you to check every section you have put on your resume and make sure each one is tailored to the job/position you are applying for.

Because the hiring manager wants the job seeker that's applying for THEIR position, not sending a mass application to 50+ different companies.

So, here’s how you’d tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. As step #1, take a look at the job ad and identify top requirements and skills.

Let’s use the following ad as an example:

As you can see, the most important requirements are: 

• 5+ years of experience in the field
• Skills in Copywriting, Photoshop, and email marketing
• Practical experience creating and optimizing landing pages

Now, you need to make sure you mention all of these in your resume, in whichever section they’re relevant.

Now that you know exactly what to put on a resume, we thought it would be helpful to also cover what NOT to put on a resume.

20+ Things You Should NOT Include in Your Resume

• Date of Birth - Age should not matter to a hiring manager. It’s not important for their decision-making, and at worst, it might lead to age-based discrimination.
• An Unprofessional Email Address - Do: [email protected] Don’t: [email protected] 
• Photo - Especially in the US and in the UK (due to anti-discrimination laws). Hiring managers don’t need to know your appearance to evaluate your resume and application overall. 
• Your exact address - very few businesses use mailing services nowadays to communicate with potential hires. It’s inefficient, and it’s simply safer to use your email.
• If you have a few years of related work experience, then you should not include a resume objective.
• Your resume summary or objective should also not include any requests, demands, or salary requirements.
• Jobs that aren’t even remotely relevant to the position you are applying for. No one cares about your experience as a cashier if you’re applying for a designer gig
• Fluff that doesn’t say anything. This is a lot more common than you’d think. Make sure all your duties and activities listed are practical
• Jobs that you had for a short time period (a few weeks). This shows that you’re a job hopper and unlikely to stick around for job (even if the employer you quit on was horrible).
• Any illegal jobs
• Irrelevant skills to the job in question
• Fluff skills just to take up space. Fun fact - a TON of university students fill up their resume with buzzwords like “Leadership, Critical Thinking” and so on.
• Your GPA (if it’s lower than 3.5)
• Your high school degree (if you have a university degree)
• The entire list of all the courses you attended in college
• Hobbies related to controversial topics (politics, religion, sex) based on ideologies and cultural differences. You can never know if the person reading your resume is on the same page as you.
• Childhood hobbies. Sure, you were a great football player in high school. But how relevant is it for that junior accounting position you are applying to?
• Irrelevant projects and publications.

Key Takeaways - What to Put on a Resume

Now that we’ve covered all the sections & contents you need to put on a resume, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:

• The core contents of a resume include: contact information , resume summary / resume objective , work experience , education and skills .
• The optional sections are: certifications & awards , languages , hobbies & interests , volunteering experience , publications , and projects .
• Make sure to make your work experience section shine by talking about results & achievements, instead of dull responsibilities
• Lastly, you should tailor your resume to each different job you apply for!

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve, every step of the way! Follow our career blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice. Or, check out some of our top guides:

• How to Write a Cover Letter
• CV vs Resume: What’s the Difference?
• How to Pick the Right Resume Format

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More From Forbes

10 must-have skills to put on your resume in 2024.

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Employers are placing a greater emphasis on skills, especially soft skills, than on degrees or work ... [+] experience

Have you ever felt tempted to skip the skills section in your resume, just to get to the most important part—your employment history? After all, it's your employment track record that matters, right?

Recruiters and employers on LinkedIn don't seem to think so. " Skills have become more important than ever in landing opportunities today," said LinkedIn's head of product for Jobseeker, Employer Brand, and Skills, Rohan Rajiv in 2022. "In fact, over 40% of companies on LinkedIn globally explicitly rely on skills to search and identify job candidates on LinkedIn (up 20% year-over-year)."

This staggering figure is certainly set to increase even more in 2024, as more companies turn to new and unconventional methods to evaluate the skill set of job applicants, and LinkedIn continues to empower applicants and recruiters alike with state-of-the-art tools to showcase and filter skills.

All this demonstrates that although your employment background is important, your skills and strengths—especially the ones unique to the role—are even more important. And off LinkedIn, there is an increased focus on skills-based-hiring, leading employers to place greater weighting on the skills a candidate includes in their resume.

While you should always look out for the core skills listed in the job posting and ensure you put them on your resume, there are some other skills you should always aim to include in your resume (whether in the skills section, your online portfolio, LinkedIn profile, or throughout the professional profile and employment sections).

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And of course, it might seem fairly obvious, but don't forget to only include those skills that you can truthfully say you possess. Lying on your resume will work against you and you'll get caught out.

Top 10 Skills To Put On Your Resume

According to FlexJobs , some of the core skills that should be put on your resume include a combination of soft, or "power" skills and hard skills, listed below:

1. Problem-solving

Employers want to onboard candidates who take ownership for a problem instead of shifting or evading responsibility. Working out creative solutions to a business or customer issue is a skill that is, at least for the present, irreplaceable by AI.

2. Critical thinking

Listed in the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs 2023 report , critical thinking is a skill akin to problem-solving, that involves evaluating a problem and possible solutions, and developing new and improved methods of working.

3. Flexibility

Although this has become a taboo term for employers and employees to discuss, it's importance cannot be evaded. So far as possible, maintain a degree of flexibility in your work, reaching a compromise with your prospective employer to ensure both parties are happy with working arrangements, and learn how to be dynamic and embrace change.

4. Communication

The importance of communication skills can never be overrated. They are needed everywhere to ensure the smooth delivery of projects, streamlined processes, and a healthy work environment. Get specific on your communication skills, showcasing aspects such as presentation skills, conflict resolution, negotiation, or even writing copy, depending on your role of course.

Taking ownership to resolve a problem for clients, team members, or stakeholders, is a highly ... [+] desirable quality sought after by companies globally

5. Teamwork

The saying goes, "Teamwork makes the dream work." Although it might sound cheesy and you may not enjoy working with people, it's essential to know how to collaborate and communicate well within your team and cross-functional teams. It will be very difficult to find a role where teamwork is not involved to some degree.

6. Digital skills

You'd be hard-pressed to find a job that does not require you to possess digital skills. Almost every role requires the use of company-specific software, design software, MS office suite, or a CRM. You should highlight the technical skills that you are proficient or comfortable with, including any that you are currently learning.

And if you observe through your research that the employer uses a specific type of software, always ensure you include this in your technical skills list (including proficiency level if possible).

You don't need to be a designer to need to have a grasp of design. Design principles (and related software) appear everywhere, from engineering, to social media management, to creating the slide deck for a PowerPoint presentation, to event planning.

8. Data analysis

Data analytics is another in-demand skill that is necessary, even outside of the data profession itself. If you find yourself called upon to analyze reports, Excel spreadsheets, or other data, to arrive at conclusions or to inform decision-making, you're likely doing some form of data analysis.

9. Negotiation

Sales, partnerships and agreements, and internal stakeholder arrangements all require negotiation skills to some degree. Add this skill to your resume and include some proof of where you have used it successfully, as a bonus.

10. Mathematics

No, do not list "mathematics" in your resume unless you're straight out of high school. But mathematical skills ? Absolutely. Think about budget management, financial forecasting, cost reduction, statistical analysis, probabilities, machine learning, and financial modelling.

These are all highly desirable and specific skills.

Aim to include specific examples of your skills in action, throughout your resume

Remember most importantly, listing skills is a relatively easy job. Detailing how you demonstrated them in your roles and the positive impact they made as a result, is another job altogether. Be careful that you do not fall into the copy/paste trap, without ensuring the skills listed are relevant, truly reflect you, and are backed, as far as possible, with evidence.

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How to Use ChatGPT to Write a Good Resume (ChatGPT Resume Guide)

Learn how to write a resume that’s tailored to the company’s job description from scratch using ChatGPT, including examples of the best prompts.

You can use ChatGPT to create a resume. First, mention that you’re looking to write a resume for a particular role. Next, tell ChatGPT to ask you everything it needs to know to write a resume based on your professional background. Answer its questions. Mention previous job titles, skills, and qualifications. For accuracy, refine the output so that it reflects your actual work history. Afterward, copy and paste the company’s job description into ChatGPT and ask it to tailor your resume. Lastly, put everything into a resume builder for a professional format.

Knowing how to use ChatGPT to write a resume means entering the right prompts. 

Make it clear that you’re looking to write a resume for a certain role. Then, detail your professional background (and even send the company’s job description) first so that the language model can have some guidance on the type of resume to create. 

This guide walks you through how to use ChatGPT to write a resume from scratch. The first output will likely be far from perfect, but still, it’s a tool that can speed up the entire process. 

On the other hand, ChatGPT could end up being a double-edged sword since it’s all about coming up with your own prompts, refining them, and optimizing the format yourself. So even though ChatGPT can help with brainstorming, you might end up in a loop of analysis paralysis since it’ll still require multiple iterations. 

An AI resume tool like ours, Rezi AI, uses the same technology as ChatGPT except it’s dedicated to generating outputs based on the best resume practices. 

Complete your resume immediately with Rezi AI Resume Builder . Watch your resume write itself—tailor your resume to the job description automatically and get suggestions on the top skills to include. And the design and layout? It will always stay perfect. Just pick one of our 15+ free resume templates .

Why You Should (or Shouldn’t) Use ChatGPT to Write a Resume

Why you should use ChatGPT to write a resume: 

• Efficiency. ChatGPT can draft an entire resume for the role you’re applying for in seconds. 
• Tailoring. You can tailor your resume faster by sending ChatGPT the job description rather than manually reviewing the entire thing yourself. 
• Ideas. Overcome writer’s block by asking ChatGPT the type of responsibilities, duties, and achievements to highlight, as well as how to articulate them. 

Why you shouldn’t use ChatGPT to write a resume: 

• Not 100% accurate. AI may overstate qualifications. Double-check to ensure all information reflects your professional background. 
• Generic outputs. Without proper guidance or prompts, ChatGPT might draft a resume that anyone else in your field could use. 
• No formatting. ChatGPT can help with writing a resume, but not so much when it comes to formatting a resume. 

Use Rezi AI to create your resume and skip this guide

Imagine ChatGPT on steroids for writing a resume—that’s Rezi AI. 

Here’s how to not just write, but create a tailored ATS resume with our AI resume builder: 

• Complete the initial form by entering a few details such as the company’s job description, the field you’re applying for, and your experience level. This guides our AI writer to ensure its output aligns with your professional background.
• Fill out the provided fields for every resume section, like adding your full name in the contact details section.
• When writing bullet points describing a previous role in the work experience section or an additional section, enter the job title. Next, click “Generate Bullet” and our AI Bullet Point Writer will write sentences based on your background and resume best practices.
• For your resume summary, you can use our AI Resume Summary Generator . Enter the job position and skills you want to highlight, then click “AI Writer Ready.” 
• Finish up and preview your resume. Once you’re happy with everything, hit the download button. 

And you’re all done—no need to worry about formatting or what the best prompts are. 

Every one of our resume designs and layouts have been carefully created to meet ATS standards, meaning that they’ll always pass any company’s resume scanner. This is something you can’t be sure of when making a resume on your own on a Word document or when using other run-of-the-mill resume builders that are too heavy on visuals. 

With Rezi, all you have to do is click a button to generate outputs that match your background and follow the best practices. 

You can get started with Rezi for free. 

If you’re still dead set on using ChatGPT, and you’re determined to enter the prompts yourself, keep reading.

How to Use ChatGPT to Write a Resume From Scratch

‍ This is how to use ChatGPT to write a resume: 

• State you’re looking for help to write a resume for a particular job position. Then, tell ChatGPT to ask you the most relevant questions about your career. This way, the tool will be able to draft a resume that’s more personalized to you and your background.
• Answer ChatGPT’s questions as best as you can. If you’re unsure about anything, you can ask for clarification in the same thread. 
• Refine every single section generated by ChatGPT. Get ChatGPT’s assistance with this by using specific prompts such as, “rewrite the bullet points for the [Job Title] entry and emphasize XYZ achievements.”
• Copy and paste the company’s job description into ChatGPT. Next, ask ChatGPT to tailor your resume to the job description . 
• Read through all information to make sure everything accurately reflects your employment background. 
• Put everything into a resume builder like Rezi for a professional ATS format.
• Or, format your resume yourself using MS Word, Google Docs, or other word processing software of your choice. Make sure the layout is clean and elegant.
• Save your resume as a PDF , unless the job description explicitly requires another file format.

This process of using AI tools, whether they’re focused specifically on resumes like Rezi AI or capable of performing general writing tasks like ChatGPT, can feel liberating. One of our Reddit users in our community even mentioned that: 

“The AI tools are amazing. The AI bullet point suggestions and AI Summary writer are lifesavers. My resume is leaps and bounds improved now.” 

While all sounds promising, don’t be surprised if you’re not fully satisfied with the first few outputs. It may take a few times before you get something that you feel happy enough to use as a foundation. 

If at any point you’re not pleased with the results as you’re following this guide, hit the generate button again. 

1. Describe Your Current Situation to ChatGPT

ChatGPT is revolutionizing writing , but it can’t read minds. It needs a little direction. 

Describing your current situation helps ChatGPT create not just any random resume, but a resume that aligns more with your background. 

Now, don’t get me wrong—the first draft won’t be perfect. You’ll have to double-check and replace certain details to ensure that they’re an accurate representation of your particular skills and experiences (more on that later).

Here’s how to describe your situation to ChatGPT: 

• Start by mentioning that you need help writing a resume for a particular job title. 
• Specify the job title you’re applying for. 
• Tell ChatGPT to ask you the top 3–5 questions for it to be able to draft a resume based on your background and the position you’re applying to (this way, the first draft won’t be too far off). 

In the screenshot below, you’ll see an example of this for a content manager position:

2. Answer ChatGPT’s Questions

After sending the first prompt, ChatGPT will reply with a few questions like this: 

Now, the next step is to answer each of these questions as best as you can. 

If you’re unsure, you could always ask ChatGPT within the same (or a new) thread for further clarification to help you answer any of the questions. For example, if you don’t know what your main achievements were in a previous role, ask ChatGPT for a list of the most common types of resume achievements for said position. 

Going off on what ChatGPT has asked me, here are my example answers: 

Work experience:

• Previous roles include: content manager at company ABC (2020–2023), senior content writer at company DEF (2018–2020), and content writer at company XYZ (2017–2018). 
• As a content manager, my main responsibility was overseeing the planning, creation, and distribution of content across various platforms. As senior content writer, my main responsibility was to create engaging content aligned with the content strategy and mentor junior writers. As a content writer, my main duty was to research, write, and edit content (articles, blog posts, website copy) following a brand voice and style guide.
• Content manager achievements include increasing website traffic, lead generation, and conversion rates. Content writer and senior content writer achievements include writing content that increased traffic and helping the company get featured on reputable publications like Forbes and getting lots of social shares. 

Skills and expertise:

• Content management, SEO, copywriting, project management, email marketing, social media
• Ahrefs, ClickUp, Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Data Studio, HubSpot, 

Education and certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in English literature, obtained from Harvard University
• I have a Google Analytics certification

Key projects and results:

• I once led a content strategy that boosted website traffic and the number of leads. I had created a content strategy and managed a content marketing budget of $10,000/mo budget, and also was responsible for hiring freelance writers to go from creating 4 articles per month to 12 articles per month.
• Metrics include doubling organic traffic, achieving page 1 rankings on Google, and seeing a 72% increase in leads.  ‍

Professional development and affiliations:

• Apart from the certifications mentioned above, I don’t have any formal affiliations with content management or content writing organizations.

After answering, hit enter. 

3. Refine Every Resume Section 

At this point, you should have a first draft of your resume by ChatGPT. Following on from our example, here’s what that might look like: 

Although it’s not perfect, I’m pretty impressed with the output. 

Once you have this, the next step is to fill in the blanks and refine every resume section to ensure that all details are accurate. 

Whenever there’s anything you want to add or remove, but you’re not sure how, you can always ask ChatGPT within the same thread. An example of this could be, “During my time as [Job Title] at [Company] in [Dates of Employment], I actually did [Specify any tasks, duties, or accomplishments]. Could you please add this in?”

Below, I’ll share what to look out for when going through each of these sections. If you want inspiration as you’re following through this, check out our library of resume examples here . 

And if you want an easier way to improve your bullet points, use our AI Bullet Point Editor —here’s how it works: 

• Highlight the bullet point that you want to refine. 
• Hit the “Rewrite Bullet” button.
• You’ll receive up to three suggestions—select the one you like the most. 

Boom, that’s it! 

Otherwise, continue reading for how to use ChatGPT to edit your resume . 

Work experience section

The work history section should present your career timeline and growth, as well as the impact you had in previous companies.

• Consider whether any results mentioned can be specified using numbers.
• Include timeframes to further specify duties or results. 
• Edit certain details to reflect your actual experience. 
• Use alternative action verbs that provide a more vivid description of your contributions. 
• Add any extra bullet points for other relevant responsibilities. 

If you remember specific achievements or duties that haven’t been included, ask ChatGPT to add these in and refine them from there. 

Education section

The education section is where you list all formal academic qualifications. 

• Confirm if all details here such as the degree title, location, and year of graduation are correct.
• Add any further information, like your GPA (only add it if higher than 3.5 and only if you’ve graduated less than 5 years ago).
• If you don’t have much work experience, mention any relevant minors, honors, academic achievements, or relevant coursework.
• If you’re an established professional, only listing your degree, school name, and graduation date will do. 

Skills section

Prioritize the most relevant competencies in the skills section. Never lie and include anything that you can’t prove you’re adept in.  

• Put skills in categories (such as “soft” and “technical” skills) for readability. 
• Optionally, include your proficiency level in brackets for certain skills for clarification. 
• Add other relevant skills that haven’t been mentioned. 
• Remove skills listed by ChatGPT that you’re not actually confident in. 
• Mention any industry tools or software you’re capable of using. 

Additional sections

Use extra resume sections to reinforce your credibility. Tell ChatGPT about any significant side projects, qualifications, or experience that you’d like to showcase. 

• If an additional section has been included, go through all the details and make sure the bullet points accurately depict what you did. 
• If there are no additional sections in the original draft, consider adding one (or a few). Extra sections help you further highlight your areas of expertise and skills. Examples of other sections include certifications, projects, awards, and more. 

Summary section

The first resume summary that ChatGPT generates might not be the best representation of your strengths. In this case, clarify your career highlights and expertise, and then ask ChatGPT to refine your intro based on this. 

• Make sure the areas of expertise highlighted are a genuine reflection of your professional strengths. 
• Emphasize how you can uniquely contribute and how your work background is compatible with the job requirements. 
• Ensure your summary is concise and only up to three or four sentences long. 

Have little to no work experience or changing career fields? Go for a resume objective statement instead of a summary. 

4. Ask ChatGPT to Tailor Your Resume to the Company’s Job Description

A generic resume will get overlooked. Tailoring your resume means highlighting skills and experiences that directly align with the job description. It shows you've taken the time to understand the company’s needs and how you can contribute. This means you’re way more likely to get an interview callback.

Companies don’t want to receive a resume that’s meant for anyone. They only look at resumes meant for them. 

If your resume comes across as an application that can be used for any other organization, you won’t make it past the applicant tracking systems (ATS) . 

Now, the reason I suggest using ChatGPT to tailor your resume after you refined everything and not earlier on is so that you have a general resume for a particular job title. 

Here’s what you need to do to make sure it’s built not just for a certain job title, but also for a certain company:

• Use resume keywords . 
• Prioritize showcasing achievements that prove you’re capable of fulfilling the role. 
• Emphasize tasks and responsibilities related to the primary job requirements. 
• List skills, tools, and frameworks that employers expect you to be proficient in. 

With a general resume, you can now easily tailor it for different companies you’re applying to by using ChatGPT. 

Here’s exactly how to tailor your resume using ChatGPT: 

• Copy and paste the job ad into ChatGPT. Then, ask ChatGPT to provide you with a list of keywords, skills, achievements, and responsibilities that employers want to see in your resume. 
• Ask ChatGPT to add some of the top keywords into your resume naturally. 
• Make ChatGPT adjust your summary section and focus on your most relevant strengths based on the job description. (You may also ask ChatGPT if it has any questions for you to clarify so that it can provide you with an accurate output.)
• Request ChatGPT to emphasize certain skills, tasks, and achievements for different resume sections. 
• Tell ChatGPT to reorganize your bullet points and prioritize sentences that align most to the company’s hiring expectations.
• Request ChatGPT to reorganize your skills section based on the job description. 
• Ask ChatGPT if there are any particular experiences or additional sections worth considering to further tailor your application.  

Alternatively, use a resume keyword scanner to know what keywords from the job description are of highest priority. Then, copy and paste this into ChatGPT and ask it to embed these keywords into your resume.

5. Double-Check Everything

Typos and inconsistencies can ruin your resume. 

Here’s your checklist to make sure your resume is good to go: 

• Verify all information. Since ChatGPT generated a bulk of your resume (and even though you refined everything), be sure that all details are factually accurate. This includes contact information, employment details, and so forth. 
• Proofread everything. Ensure no grammar and spelling mistakes. Read it to yourself aloud to catch any awkward phrasing. 
• Review all the keywords you’ve added and see if where you put them fit in naturally. 

Another tip is to get feedback from either a career coach or a resume checker . I’m more fond of the latter, considering the costs of a career expert. 

6. Put Everything Into a Resume Builder for a Professional ATS Resume Format

Even after having the perfect resume written using ChatGPT, you’ll still need a professional format. 

If you’ve been using a Word document, the format can look tacky once downloaded as a PDF .

Now, you have two options. You can either: 

• Make all formatting changes manually yourself (I suggest going through our resume format guide in this case)
• Put everything into a resume builder like Rezi where everything is done for you, so then you’ll have a resume that you can immediately submit. 

Here’s how to put everything into Rezi AI: 

• Choose one of our ATS-compliant templates here .
• Copy and paste your ChatGPT resume into the provided fields per section. 
• Head over to the “finish up & preview” tab to see how your resume looks.
• Make any micro adjustments if necessary, such as increasing font size.
• Download your polished resume in the file type you need, e.g., as a PDF.
• Edit the file name using your first and last name, such as “Astley-Cervania-Resume.pdf.” 

The Best ChatGPT Prompts to Write a Resume

Here’s a compilation of some of the best ChatGPT resume prompts: 

• “I'm building a resume for a [Job Title] position. My previous job positions were [Job Title], [Job Title], and [Job Title]. My areas of expertise are in [Skill] and [Skill]. Can you please help me write a resume for [Job Title] position and highlight my strengths?”
• “Here’s a draft of my resume for [Job Title]: [copy and paste your resume]. Can you tell me how I can make it more impactful and tailored to the position I’m applying for?” 
• “Here’s a draft of my resume for [Job Title]: [copy and paste your resume]. Could you tailor it to this job description: [copy and paste the job description]? I also want you to tell me what changes you made and how those changes improve the success rate of my resume.” 
• “Can you please write powerful resume bullet points for my previous job position as [Job Title] and emphasize my skills in XYZ and achievements in ABC?”
• “I don’t have many quantifiable accomplishments in my work experience. Can you please suggest ways to reframe certain bullet points to clarify the value and impact I made in previous roles?”
• "I held a [Job Title] position at [Company] but it wasn’t directly related to the [Job Title] role I'm currently applying for. Can you please help me tailor my experience to highlight transferable skills relevant to this position?"
• “Based on my work experience and the job description, can you suggest what skills I should list in the skills section of my resume?”
• "I’m struggling to write a concise and impactful resume summary. Can you help me write one that highlights my track record, strengths, career highlights, and unique value proposition for a [Job Title] position?"

Let’s recap everything discussed on how to use ChatGPT to write a resume: 

• State that you’re trying to write a resume for a specific job position, and then tell ChatGPT to ask you questions about your background, so the output isn’t entirely random. 
• Answer all questions provided by ChatGPT to the best of your knowledge. If you’re unsure about any particular question, you can ask ChatGPT in the same thread for clarification. 
• Edit the entire resume by sections, starting with the work experience.
• Ask ChatGPT to tailor your resume to the company’s job description—copy and paste the job ad into ChatGPT.
• Double-check everything, making sure all details are factually correct.
• Put everything into Rezi for a professional ATS resume format. 

And there you have it! 

AI tools can make your life easier when it comes to writing a resume. Although ChatGPT is an option, you’re better off using an AI tool (like Rezi ) that’s specifically designed to help you build the perfect resume.

How do you improve your resume with ChatGPT?

Copy and paste the company’s job description into ChatGPT. Then, ask ChatGPT how to improve your resume based on not only the best practices, but also based on the job description. For a more targeted and detailed approach, have ChatGPT review your resume by sections, starting with your work experience. 

How do you update your resume with ChatGPT?

Describe your current situation. Tell ChatGPT that you’re looking to update your resume for a particular job position. Next, copy and paste your resume into ChatGPT and then tell it to ask you the top questions it has for it to update your resume. After answering the questions ChatGPT gives you, it’ll come back to you with an updated version of your resume. At this point, double-check everything is factually correct. You can also ask ChatGPT to give you suggestions on how to further improve your resume for a stronger application. 

Can ChatGPT write a resume?

Yes, ChatGPT can write a resume. It’s all about giving it the correct prompts. However, don’t solely rely on ChatGPT. You’ll still need to check and edit everything, but it can speed up the process. 

How to get access to ChatGPT?

Head over to this website and sign up for an account to get access to ChatGPT. 

How to upload a resume to ChatGPT?

Click the attach file icon and upload your resume. However, this only works when you have access to the premium version of ChatGPT. If you’re using ChatGPT-3, you’ll have to copy and paste your resume into the prompt instead. 

Can ChatGPT rewrite my resume?

Yes, ChatGPT can rewrite your resume and help you make it more impactful. Simply enter the prompt, “Can you rewrite my resume and make it more impactful for a [Job Title] position?” From there, verify all the details generated and make sure everything is an accurate reflection of your professional background.

Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

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• ATS optimization: Meaning they ensure your resume is structured and formatted to navigate and succeed in ATS filters effectively. Employers commonly use these filters to assess and rank resumes during the initial screening process.
• Keyword optimization: The resume builder online offered by ZipJob assists you in identifying and integrating pertinent keywords and industry-specific terminology. This practice heightens the visibility of your resume, making it more likely to capture the attention of hiring managers.
• Job-specific content suggestions: ZipJob provides valuable advice regarding the most relevant and influential content to include in your resume for different job titles and industries. This guidance is invaluable in customizing your resume for specific roles.
• Cover letter writing assistance: ZipJob supports the creation of impactful cover letters that complement your resume, strengthening your overall job application.
• Unlimited revisions: One noteworthy feature of ZipJob is the option for unlimited revisions and updates to your resume. This ensures that your resume not only meets but continues to meet your specific requirements and mirrors your professional growth.
• Collaboration with resume writers: the platform facilitates direct collaboration with the resume writers, enabling you to share additional information, discuss specific requirements, and seek clarifications at any stage of the resume creation process.
• Launch Package: $139 (or $48/mo)
• Fast Track Package: $189 (or $65/mo)
• Premium Package: $299 (or $27/mo)

>> Use ZipJob to Secure Your Dream Job

Resumeble - Best Resume Builder With Custom Bundles

Star Rating: 4.3/5

Resumeble is a highly efficient and user-friendly resume builder that empowers individuals to create professional and compelling resumes. With Resumeble, crafting a standout resume becomes a streamlined process thanks to its intuitive interface and extensive range of customizable templates.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or someone looking to change careers, Resumeble caters to all needs and skill sets. It offers helpful suggestions and expert advice to ensure your resume showcases your unique qualifications and achievements in the best possible light.

• A 60-day interview guarantee is included
• Budget-friendly package deals are available
• It’s more established than some other websites
• Keyword optimization: This feature helps optimize your resume by suggesting relevant keywords aligned with your target industry or job, enhancing your visibility to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and recruiters.
• Content import: Resumeble allows you to import your existing resume or LinkedIn profile, saving you the time and effort of manual data entry.
• Real-time editing: You have the convenience of editing and modifying your resume in real time, providing the flexibility to experiment with various formats, sections, and content.
• ATS compatibility: Resumeble ensures your resume is ATS-compatible, essential for better visibility and a higher chance of being shortlisted by employers using Applicant Tracking Systems.
• Download options: The platform offers various download formats, including PDF, Word, and plain text, ensuring compatibility with diverse application processes.
• Cover letter builder: Resumeble features an integrated cover letter builder, streamlining the creation of professional and personalized cover letters that complement your resume.
• Career Pro Package : $159.00
• Professional Package : $299.00
• Premium Package : $399.00

>> Use Resumeble to Secure Your Dream Job

Let’s Eat, Grandma - Best Resume Builder for Range of Career Service

Star Rating: 4/5

Let’s Eat, Grandma is an inventive and progressive tool for creating impressive resumes. The platform streamlines the resume-building process, making it easier for job seekers to craft exceptional resumes. With Let’s Eat, Grandma, individuals can create unique resumes that catch the eye of employers and set them apart from the competition.

This user-friendly platform offers a range of customizable templates that allow users to tailor their resumes to showcase their specific skills and experiences. Let’s Eat, Grandma also provides expert advice and recommendations to help ensure that your qualifications and achievements are effectively highlighted in your resume.

• Complimentary resume evaluation
• Choices available for individuals from entry-level to executive-level positions
• Extensive collaboration opportunities
• Not specialized in academic CVs or federal resumes
• Relatively higher pricing compared to some other services
• Potential for a longer turnaround time compared to competing services
• Expert choice: You can save your resume in multiple formats (PDF, Word, plain text) or easily share it with potential employers via email or a link, simplifying the distribution of your resume.
• Error highlighting: The builder can identify potential errors, inconsistencies, or missing information within your resume and provide suggestions or alerts for improvement.
• Section prompts: Pre-written prompts for various resume sections (e.g., work experience, education, skills) can help you structure your resume effectively and ensure you include essential details in each area.
• Customizable sections: You can add, remove, or rearrange sections to tailor your resume to emphasize your strengths and relevant experiences.
• Keyword optimization: The resume builder can recommend industry-specific keywords based on the job description, enhancing your resume’s chances of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and grabbing the attention of hiring managers.
• Starter Package : Priced at $439, but there is an anti-inflation sale price of $389.
• Accelerated Package : $549.
• The premium Package : $689, but the anti-inflation sale price is $614.
• Executive Concierge Service : $1,899 or as low as $119/month.

>> Use Let’s Eat, Grandma to Secure Your Dream Job

ResumeSpice - Best Resume Builder for Job Seekers of Any Level

Star Rating: 3.8/5

ResumeSpice , a renowned online resume builder, streamlines crafting professional resumes. This platform provides job seekers with a user-friendly interface and a wide selection of templates, enabling them to create impressive resumes that align with their career objectives.

With ResumeSpice’s seamless experience, users are guided through each resume section effortlessly while receiving valuable tips throughout the process. From personal details and work history to skills and accomplishments, this platform ensures that all crucial aspects of a resume are comprehensively addressed.

• Additional assistance
• Timely service
• ATS optimization
• Guaranteed interviews
• Restricted revisions
• Insufficient customization options
• Restricted refund policy
• User-friendly interface: ResumeSpice boasts an intuitive and user-friendly platform, simplifying the resume creation process and offering a seamless experience to users.
• Extensive template library: The platform offers a vast selection of professionally designed templates tailored to various industries and job positions. Users can explore different styles and layouts to find the perfect match for their needs.
• Import and export options: ResumeSpice enables users to import their existing resumes in formats like PDF or Word for easy editing and updates. Users can conveniently export their finalized resumes in multiple formats, facilitating sharing with employers or uploading to job portals.
• Mobile-friendly design: ResumeSpice is optimized for mobile devices, allowing users to create and modify their resumes using smartphones or tablets.
• Cloud storage: The platform provides secure cloud storage for users’ resumes, ensuring accessibility and updates from any device with an internet connection.
• Resume tracking: ResumeSpice includes tools for tracking the performance of submitted resumes, such as monitoring views, downloads, and application outcomes. These features empower users to evaluate their progress and make data-driven enhancements to their job search strategies.
• Entry Level Resume : $479
• Professional Resume : $589
• Executive Resume : $699

>> Use ResumeSpice to Secure Your Dream Job

TopResume - Best Resume Builder for Customer Service

Star Rating: 3.6/5

TopResume is an outstanding resume builder explicitly tailored for customer service professionals. It offers a seamless and user-friendly experience, enabling users to create exceptional resumes effortlessly. The platform goes beyond just providing a basic resume template, offering valuable suggestions and tips to optimize the content.

This ensures that each resume created on TopResume is unique and attention-grabbing in the highly competitive job market.

Besides its user-friendly interface, TopResume provides expert review services. These services allow skilled professionals to provide personalized feedback on resumes, helping enhance their overall quality further. By leveraging this feedback and incorporating attention to detail, customer service professionals can create compelling resumes that effectively capture the attention of potential employers.

• Streamlined registration process
• Well-designed and formatted one-page resume
• The summary and Job Scope sections were overly extended
• The training section needed to have prominence
• Skill-based sections: The resume builder features dedicated sections highlighting essential customer service skills, including communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and relationship building.
• Expert review services: TopResume provides expert review services where experienced professionals offer personalized feedback and recommendations to enhance the overall quality of your resume.
• ATS compatibility: The platform ensures that the resumes created are compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which employers commonly use for scanning and filtering resumes.
• Download and sharing options: Users can download their resumes in various formats, such as PDF or Word, and easily share them with potential employers or upload them to job portals.
• Industry-Specific Tips: TopResume offers industry-specific tips and guidance to assist users in tailoring their resumes to the customer service field, helping them stand out among competitors.
• Cover letter builder: Besides resume building, TopResume provides a builder that empowers users to craft professional and compelling cover letters customized for customer service roles.
• Mobile accessibility: The platform is mobile-friendly, allowing users to create, edit, and update their resumes while on the go, using their smartphones or tablets.
• Entry level : Up to 200$.
• Professional level : Up to 200$-400$.
• Executive level : Up to $350-$700.

>> Use TopResume to Secure Your Dream Job

Resume Writing Services - Best Resume Builder for Affordability

Star Rating: 3.3/5

While Resumewritingservices.org may be a different size than its competitors, it stands out due to its team of talented and experienced resume writers. The website is user-friendly and provides exceptional service. However, this service’s true strength lies in its writers’ expertise.

Resumewritingservices.org sets itself apart by offering a comprehensive consultation process and goes beyond expectations by providing unlimited calls with its resume writers. This personalized approach distinguishes them from other companies and guarantees each client receives individual attention and support.

• Experienced resume writers of the highest caliber
• Unlimited phone consultations and revisions
• More expensive than rival services
• A limited range of products
• Skilled and experienced resume writers: Resumewritingservices.org takes pride in its team of highly trained and professional resume writers who possess a deep understanding of crafting effective resumes.
• Personalized service: Resumewritingservices.org offers a personal touch by providing unlimited calls with their resume writers. This unique feature allows clients to engage in direct communication and close collaboration with the writers throughout the resume creation process.
• Competitive job market expertise: The writers at Resumewritingservices.org have knowledge of current job market trends. This ensures that the resumes they create are optimized to excel in today’s fiercely competitive job market.
• Quality Assurance: The service maintains a rigorous quality assurance process to guarantee that the resumes delivered to clients meet the highest standards and align with their expectations.
• Timely delivery: Resumewritingservices.org is committed to delivering resumes within the agreed-upon timeframe, ensuring clients receive their documents promptly.
• Client satisfaction guarantee: Resumewritingservices.org offers a client satisfaction guarantee, assuring clients are fully content with the final resume. The service is ready to provide revisions if necessary.
• Affordable pricing: Resumewritingservices.org provides pricing options that are competitive and transparent, making professional resume writing accessible to a wide range of job seekers.

Resumewritingservices.org employs a pricing system that is clear and easy to understand for their resume-building services. The initial package begins at $270 , including a comprehensive consultation with a skilled resume writer and developing an individualized resume.

They offer extra options that enable customers to personalize their packages based on their unique preferences. This adaptable pricing strategy guarantees that clients can choose the services that align with their requirements and financial constraints.

>> Use Resume Writing Services to Secure Your Dream Job

Craft Resumes - Best Resume Builder for Quick-Turnaround

Star Rating: 3/5

Craft Resumes stand out as a well-established writing and editing service known for its ability to deliver effective outcomes. Our dedication to providing a 24-hour turnaround guarantees you’ll receive the initial version of your resume promptly.

Navigating our user-friendly website is effortless, making it easy to use our services. At Craft Resumes, we specialize in crafting customized resumes to match your skills, qualifications, and aspirations for your career.

• Speedy completion
• Customized CVs
• Intuitive site
• Insufficient details
• Absence of assurances
• Quick turnaround: Craft Resumes commits to delivering the initial draft of your resume within 24 hours, ensuring a speedy and efficient service.
• Expert Writers: Craft Resumes prides itself on its team of experienced writers who possess expertise across various industries and stay up-to-date with current hiring trends. They’re dedicated to making your resume stand out and catch the attention of potential employers.
• Unlimited revisions: We provide unlimited revisions to guarantee your complete satisfaction. If you have specific changes or additions in mind, our team will collaborate with you closely to implement the modifications.
• Confidentiality and Privacy: At Craft Resumes, we prioritize the confidentiality and privacy of your personal information. You can trust that your data will be handled securely and with the utmost discretion.
• Tailored resumes: We specialize in tailoring resumes to align with your career objectives, industry, and job requirements. Each resume is personalized to accentuate your unique strengths and qualifications.
• Resume Writing : $229.00
• Basic : $279.99
• Optimal : $339.99
• All-In-One : $499.99

>> Use Craft Resumes to Secure Your Dream Job

Resume Companion - Best Value Resume Builder

Star Rating: 2.8/5

Resume Companion is a virtual platform and service that specializes in aiding individuals in creating resumes that are professional and impactful. It offers an array of resources and tools to assist job seekers in crafting interesting resumes that effectively showcase their skills, experiences, and qualifications.

A prominent feature of Resume Companion is its user-friendly resume builder. This tool allows users to select from various professionally designed templates and personalize them based on their specific requirements.

Users can effortlessly incorporate their personal information, employment history, educational background, skill set, and other pertinent details to produce a customized resume tailored to their needs.

• Intuitive user interface
• High-quality templates
• Efficiency-boosting functions
• Cost-effective choice
• Restricted editing features without subscription
• Absence of extensive customization options
• Limited availability of extra services
• Cover letter builder: Resume Companion goes beyond resumes and provides users with a tool for crafting customized cover letters tailored to specific job applications. This feature guides users through the process, helping them effectively present their qualifications and make a compelling case to prospective employers.
• ATS optimization: In today’s job market, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Resume Companion helps users ensure their resumes are ATS-friendly. The platform offers valuable tips and insights on incorporating relevant keywords, formatting the document correctly, and increasing the likelihood of passing through the ATS screening process.
• Educational resources: Resume Companion extends its services by offering an informative blog and educational materials that cover various aspects of resume writing, job search strategies, interview techniques, and career development guidance. These resources provide users with valuable insights and advice to help them create impressive resumes and enhance their job search efforts.
• Download and sharing options: Upon completing their resumes, users can conveniently download their documents in multiple formats, including PDF and Word. Resume Companion also makes it easy for users to share their resumes online or print them offline.
• Customer support: Resume Companion values user satisfaction and offers customer support to assist with users’ questions or concerns while utilizing the platform. Users can access support through email or the platform’s contact form.

Resume Companion provides a cost-effective solution for individuals seeking an all-inclusive service. It’s vital to remember subscription renewal is required to access future editing services. In summary, Resume Companion offers a wallet-friendly option for those who desire a user-friendly resume-building experience without needing advanced writing abilities.

>> Use Resume Companion to Secure Your Dream Job

Our Ranking Methodology for Best Resume Writing Services

To comprehensively and objectively rank the top resume writing services, it is essential to have a thorough methodology. The first step in this process was conducting extensive research and analysis. This involved gathering a comprehensive list of reputable resume-writing services from multiple sources such as online searches, customer reviews, industry directories, and personal recommendations.

• Feature analysis: Evaluate the functionalities provided by each resume builder, considering elements like template variety and quality, customization flexibility, user-friendly editing and formatting options, import/export capabilities, spell check and grammar tools, and integration with job search platforms and professional networks.
• Template collection: Examine the assortment and quality of templates. Look for a wide range that suits various industries, job levels, and design preferences, considering these templates’ aesthetics, readability, and contemporary design.
• Editing and customization: Scrutinize the adaptability and user-friendliness of the editing and customization tools each resume builder provides. Assess the capacity to add or modify sections, reorganize content, and tailor resumes to specific job requirements.
• User interface and experience: Analyze the user interface and the overall user experience each resume builder offers. Evaluate the ease of navigation, instruction clarity, guidance or prompts, and the platform’s responsiveness.
• Integration with job search platforms: Determine whether resume builders offer seamless integration with popular job search platforms and professional networks like LinkedIn or ATS systems. Consider how well the resumes can be transferred and their compatibility with these platforms.
• Additional resources: Evaluate if the resume builders provide extra resources such as sample resumes, tools for creating cover letters, interview tips, or career advice. Consider the breadth and practicality of these supplementary resources.
• Mobile-friendliness: Gauge the mobile-friendliness and responsiveness of the resume builders, recognizing the growing trend of mobile job searching and application processes.
• Customer support: Reflect on the accessibility and quality of customer support services, encompassing options like live chat, email support, or knowledge bases. Assess the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team.
• Pricing and value for money: Appraise the pricing plans presented by the resume builders in terms of the value they offer based on features, usability, and overall service quality.
• Industry reputation: Consider the standing and trustworthiness of the resume builders, considering factors such as awards, recognition, partnerships, and user feedback from reputable sources.

Buyer’s Guide: Why Use a Resume Builder?

Crafting a well-crafted CV comes naturally to particular job seekers. However, even the most seasoned experts may need help in resume writing. If you find yourself in need of help with creating a compelling resume, here are several ways in which the best online resume builder can be beneficial:

Resume builders provide users with pre-designed templates and helpful tips, streamlining the process of writing a resume and alleviating stress.

Offers Writing Tips

Promoting oneself requires considerable effort. Only some people possess writing skills, even if they enjoy self-promotion. To showcase one’s experience and knowledge effectively, a resume builder can help select the most appropriate words and phrases.

Improves Design

In every field, there are unique standards for an impressive resume. If you need to gain knowledge in design or the tools, resume builders can provide free templates to enhance your resume’s visual appeal and quality.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Recruiters often use ATS systems to scan resumes. A good resume builder will help with formatting to ensure that your resume is easy for these systems to read.

What’s the Best Resume Builder?

The ideal resume builder for each individual may differ according to their specific requirements. If you prefer a tool that offers step-by-step guidance in creating your resume, we suggest using a builder that provides helpful tips and recommendations. If you prefer a resume builder that auto-generates a summary, we recommend using a tool that extracts information from your LinkedIn profile.

For those who enjoy having creative control over their resumes, we suggest using a platform with features. By selecting the resume builder that aligns with your needs and suits your industry and personal style, you’ll significantly increase your chances of capturing the attention of hiring managers.

Resume Builder vs. Resume Writing Service: What Matters for You

When it comes to crafting a resume, there are three options available. You can opt to create it independently, use a resume builder tool, or enlist the services of a professional resume writer. Your best choice will depend on your writing abilities, available time, and financial resources.

Do-It-Yourself

You have the choice to construct a resume entirely by yourself. The benefit of this option is that it costs nothing but requires a significant amount of effort. Along with composing all the information, you must possess graphic design skills.

This approach works well if you have these abilities, but with them, your options for creating a resume are unlimited. To overcome this limitation, you can use a resume builder or enlist the help of a resume writing service.

Resume Builder

A tool for creating resumes allows you to input your details into a template, resulting in an original appearance and layout with no design work. The top resume building tools also offer suggestions on enhancing your resume and tailoring it to match the specific job you are applying for.

While you are still responsible for writing the content, once it is written, you can quickly transfer that information into any other template with just a few simple clicks. Some of these services are free and many like to promote themselves as such, but most require a small payment to download your finished resume.

Professional Resume Writing Service

Professional resume writing services are expensive, but they offer the convenience of handling all the work for you. An experienced writer will gather relevant information about your background and transform it into a unique and engaging resume.

The process typically takes a few days, and the level of originality in the outcome largely relies on your choice of company and writer. However, we will not delve into these services further in this guide.

Are Resume Builders Worth It?

Definitely, without a doubt. An effective resume creator will guarantee that your CV is formatted correctly to navigate Applicant Tracking Systems and ultimately reach the hands of recruiters.

Is It Unprofessional to Use a Microsoft Word Resume Template?

Relying on a template will not set you apart, and there is a high likelihood that your application will be dismissed because your resume is identical to those of other job seekers.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right resume builder is crucial in today’s competitive job market. Creating a professional and impactful resume that stands out from the crowd can significantly impact your job search. With the right tool, you can save time, improve your chances of landing an interview, and ultimately secure your dream job.

When selecting a resume builder, consider your specific needs and priorities. Look for features like customizable templates, industry-specific examples, and the ability to export your resume in different formats. Consider user reviews and ratings to ensure you choose a reputable and reliable platform.

Remember, an exceptional tool for crafting resumes should give you the power to present your skills, experience, and accomplishments effectively. It should simplify and expedite creating a resume without hassle. Investing in a reliable resume builder is investing in your professional future.

Therefore, explore the different options available for resume builders. Test out their free trials or demos and choose the best fit for your objectives. Our top recommendation is Super Star Resume . This meticulously designed resume can open doors to exciting career prospects and be a dependable companion on your journey toward success.

Ahad Waseem is a business, blockchain, and cybersecurity writer who often takes on art, politics, and economics too. As a linguistic engineer who writes to solve problems, he’s written for various tech and business publications. When he’s not writing, he’s probably on horseback, caring for his houseplants, or training Bonsai trees. He can be reached at [email protected] . McClatchy’s newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links.

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