How to Write a Strong Resume

What Makes a Good Resume?

A good resume does not need to be complicated or heavily designed. Its main purpose is to help a recruiter or hiring manager quickly understand:

• Who you are and how to contact you.
• What type of experience you have.
• Where and when you worked.
• What responsibilities and accomplishments you had.
• What skills, education, training, or certifications you have.

Your resume should be clear, accurate, easy to read, and relevant to the position you are applying for.

1. Start With Your Contact Information

Place your contact information at the top of your resume.

• First and last name
• City, state, and ZIP code
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile, if relevant

You normally do not need to include your full street address.

Do Not Include Sensitive Personal Information

• Social Security Number
• Driver's license number
• Passport information
• Immigration document numbers
• Date of birth
• Bank information
• Other sensitive personal information

2. Add a Professional Summary

A professional summary is a short introduction near the top of your resume. Usually, two to four sentences are enough. Focus on your experience, strongest qualifications, and the type of work you are prepared to do.

3. Include Relevant Skills

Create a Skills section that helps employers quickly identify your qualifications. Your skills should be relevant to the jobs you are applying for.

• Technical: equipment operation, troubleshooting, inspection, testing, assembly, maintenance, repair, hand tools, measurements, technical documentation.
• Computer: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Google Workspace, ERP systems, CRM software, accounting software, industry-specific applications.
• Administrative: data entry, scheduling, document preparation, customer service, filing, reporting, invoicing, office coordination.
• Warehouse & Logistics: shipping, receiving, order picking, packing, inventory, forklift, pallet jack, RF scanners, material handling.
• Professional: team leadership, training, customer service, problem solving, organization, communication, time management.

4. Clearly Describe Your Work Experience

Your Work Experience section is one of the most important parts of your resume. For every position, include:

• Job Title
• Company Name
• City, State
• Month/Year – Month/Year
• Approximately 3–6 bullet points explaining what you actually did

Don't Just List Your Job Title — Explain What You Did

Specific descriptions make it easier for an employer to understand your actual experience.

5. Include Employment Dates and Locations

For every position, include the location and the month and year you started and ended the job. Choose one date format and use it consistently throughout your resume.

Do not intentionally change employment dates to hide employment gaps. Accurate information is important during the hiring and employment verification process.

6. Use Numbers When Possible

Numbers can help explain the size and scope of your experience.

Do not invent numbers. Use them only when they accurately represent your experience.

7. Add Your Education

Include relevant education, degrees, diplomas, or training.

• High school diploma or GED
• College or university degree
• Trade school
• Technical training
• Professional training programs

8. Include Certifications and Licenses

If you have certifications or professional licenses related to your work, create a separate section. Include expiration dates when relevant.

• Forklift Certification
• OSHA Training
• CDL
• HVAC Certification
• CompTIA Certifications
• Microsoft Certifications
• CPR / First Aid
• Professional licenses
• Technical certifications
• Industry-specific training

9. Keep Your Resume Easy to Read

• Use a simple layout.
• Use clear section headings.
• Use one or two easy-to-read fonts.
• Use bullet points for work responsibilities.
• Keep spacing consistent.
• Use the same date format throughout the document.
• List your most recent experience first.
• Keep information focused and relevant.

For most job seekers, one or two pages is appropriate.

Resume Formatting Mistakes to Avoid

• Excessive colors
• Decorative graphics
• Large logos
• Complicated columns
• Unusual fonts
• Long paragraphs
• Inconsistent formatting
• Excessive personal information
• Spelling and grammar errors

A simple professional resume is usually easier for recruiters, employers, and applicant tracking systems to review.

10. Customize Your Resume for the Job

You do not necessarily need to create a completely new resume for every application. However, review the job description and make sure your resume clearly shows the experience and skills that are relevant to that position.

Do not add qualifications or experience that you do not have.

11. Common Resume Mistakes

• Missing or incorrect phone number
• Unprofessional or incorrect email address
• Missing company names
• Missing job titles
• Missing employment dates
• Missing job locations
• Very limited descriptions of previous jobs
• Unclear abbreviations
• Spelling errors
• Inconsistent formatting
• Outdated information
• Listing skills you do not actually have
• Copying an entire job description instead of describing your own experience

Your resume should accurately represent your own work history.

12. Name Your Resume File Professionally

Save the final version as a PDF unless the employer specifically requests another file format.