How do I write a resume for the first time?

Start by gathering your information: education, any work experience (including internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work), skills, and achievements. Create sections for Contact Information, Education (list first if you're a recent graduate), Experience, and Skills. Focus on achievements and transferable skills even from non-professional experiences. Use action verbs and include any academic honors, relevant coursework, or projects. Keep it to one page and have multiple people proofread it.

How long should my resume be?

Resume length depends on your experience: 1 page for 0-5 years of experience or recent graduates, 2 pages for 5-15 years of experience, and 3+ pages only for academic CVs or executives with 15+ years. Never create a 1.5 page resume - either trim to 1 page or expand to 2 full pages. Most recruiters spend only 6-7 seconds on initial scan, so concise, relevant content is crucial.

What should I put in my resume summary?

Write your professional summary last (after other sections are complete). Include: your job title and years of experience, 2-3 key achievements with specific numbers, relevant skills for the target role, and what you're seeking. Keep it to 3-4 sentences or 50-80 words maximum. Tailor it for each job application. Example: 'Senior Marketing Manager with 8+ years driving digital growth for SaaS companies. Increased MQL generation by 340% and reduced CAC by 28% through data-driven campaigns. Expert in marketing automation, SEO/SEM, and cross-functional team leadership.'

How do I write resume bullet points?

Effective resume bullet points: Start with strong action verbs (led, designed, increased, reduced), include specific numbers and metrics, show impact and results (not just duties), use the CAR method (Challenge/Action/Result), keep to 1-2 lines each, and tailor to the job description. Bad example: 'Responsible for social media.' Good example: 'Grew social media following from 12K to 47K in 6 months, increasing engagement rate by 215% through data-driven content strategy.' Focus on what you accomplished and the value you brought.

What is an ATS-friendly resume?

An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) friendly resume can be easily read by automated screening software. To make your resume ATS-friendly: use standard section headers (Work Experience, Education, Skills), avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and graphics, use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Georgia), include keywords from job description naturally, save as .docx or PDF, spell out acronyms first time, and use simple bullet points. About 75% of resumes never reach human eyes due to ATS rejection, so this is critical.

Should I include a photo on my resume?

In the United States, Canada, and UK, do NOT include a photo on your resume. It can lead to discrimination concerns and many companies will automatically reject resumes with photos to avoid legal liability. Photos also cause issues with ATS systems. Focus on your qualifications, not appearance. The exception is some European and Asian countries where photos are standard - research local customs if applying internationally.

How often should I update my resume?

Update your resume every 3-6 months even when not job searching. Add new achievements, skills, certifications, and completed projects as they happen. When actively job searching, customize your resume for each application by adjusting the summary, incorporating keywords from the job description, and emphasizing most relevant experience. Keep a 'master resume' with all your experience, then create tailored versions for specific applications.

What are the most common resume mistakes?

Critical resume mistakes include: spelling and grammar errors (78% rejection rate), using generic resume for all jobs, listing responsibilities instead of achievements, unprofessional email address, including irrelevant information, inconsistent formatting, lying or exaggerating, making it too long or too short, not including numbers/metrics, poor formatting that ATS can't read, and not tailoring to the specific job. Also avoid: photos, personal info (age, marital status), generic objective statements, and unexplained employment gaps.

Where should education go on my resume?

Education placement depends on your experience level: Recent graduates (0-3 years) should place Education near the top, right after Professional Summary. Experienced professionals (3+ years) should place Education after Work Experience. Always list most recent degree first. Include: degree name, school name, location, graduation date, GPA if 3.5+ and recent grad, relevant coursework, honors, and achievements. Don't include high school if you have a college degree.

How do I explain employment gaps on my resume?

Address employment gaps honestly but briefly. For gaps less than 6 months, you may not need to explain. For longer gaps: use years only instead of months for dates to minimize obvious gaps, include any productive activities during gap (consulting, freelancing, education, volunteering, caregiving), create a brief entry if you did meaningful work during gap, and be prepared to discuss positively in interviews. Focus on skills maintained and what you learned during the gap. Never lie about dates - verification will catch this.

Should I use a resume template?

Yes, using a professional resume template is recommended, especially if you're not a design expert. Good templates ensure: proper formatting and spacing, ATS-friendly structure, professional appearance, consistent styling, and proper section organization. Choose simple, clean templates over overly creative designs unless you're in a creative field. Avoid templates with: graphics that ATS can't read, multiple columns, text boxes, or headers/footers. Woberry offers free, ATS-optimized templates designed to pass both automated systems and impress human recruiters.

What skills should I put on my resume?

Include skills that are: relevant to the target job, specific and demonstrable, backed up by your experience, and in-demand in your industry. Organize by categories: Technical Skills (programming languages, software, tools), Professional Skills (project management, data analysis), Languages (with proficiency levels), and Certifications. Be specific: 'Python (Pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn)' not just 'Python'. Match keywords from job description. Avoid: generic soft skills ('hard worker', 'team player'), outdated skills, or skills you can't confidently discuss in interview.

Complete Guide • Expert Tips • Real Examples

How to Write a ResumeThat Gets Interviews in 2024

Master the art of resume writing with this comprehensive guide. Learn what to include, how to format, and avoid common mistakes that cost you interviews.

15 min

Avg. Read Time

94%

Success Rate

500+

Recruiters Surveyed

Dec 2024

Updated

Create Your Resume Now

Last updated: December 5, 2024 • 15 min read

Your resume is the single most important document in your job search. It's your marketing tool, your first impression, and often the deciding factor in whether you land an interview. Yet, 75% of resumes never make it past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and recruiters spend an average of just 6-7 seconds on their first scan.

This comprehensive guide will teach you exactly how to write a resume that gets noticed. Whether you're a recent graduate writing your first resume, a professional looking to advance your career, or someone making a career change, you'll learn the proven strategies that work in 2024.

What You'll Learn

• The essential sections every resume must have
• How to write achievement-focused bullet points that impress recruiters
• Formatting and design best practices for 2024
• How to optimize your resume for ATS systems
• Common mistakes that cost you interviews (and how to avoid them)

Resume Basics: What You Need to Know

Before diving into each section, understand these fundamental principles

Tailor Every Resume

Generic resumes don't work. Customize your resume for each job by matching keywords, emphasizing relevant experience, and adjusting your professional summary.

Quantify Everything

Numbers speak louder than words. Include percentages, dollar amounts, timeframes, and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate concrete impact.

Focus on Achievements

Don't just list responsibilities. Show what you accomplished, the challenges you solved, and the value you brought to previous employers.

Essential Resume Sections

Master each section to create a complete, professional resume

Optional Resume Sections

Include these sections when relevant to strengthen your resume

Certifications

WHEN TO INCLUDE:

You have industry-recognized certifications

EXAMPLE:

AWS Solutions Architect - Professional | Amazon Web Services | 2023

TIPS:

•Include issuing organization
•Add date earned
•Include credential ID if relevant

Projects

WHEN TO INCLUDE:

You're early career or changing careers

EXAMPLE:

E-commerce Analytics Dashboard | Built Python/Flask app analyzing 10K+ transactions, improving inventory forecasting accuracy by 23%

TIPS:

•Focus on impact and results
•Include tech stack
•Link to GitHub if applicable

Volunteer Work

WHEN TO INCLUDE:

It's relevant to the role or shows leadership

EXAMPLE:

Volunteer Coding Instructor | Code.org | 2022-Present | Teach Python fundamentals to 30+ high school students weekly

TIPS:

•Format like work experience
•Include measurable impact
•Show commitment (dates)

Publications

WHEN TO INCLUDE:

You're in academia or research-heavy fields

EXAMPLE:

Smith, J., & Johnson, A. (2023). 'Machine Learning in Healthcare.' Journal of Medical AI, 15(2), 145-167.

TIPS:

•Use proper citation format
•Include co-authors
•Add publication date

Languages

WHEN TO INCLUDE:

You're fluent/proficient and it's relevant

EXAMPLE:

Spanish (Native), English (Fluent), French (Conversational)

TIPS:

•Be honest about proficiency
•Use standard descriptors
•List in order of proficiency

Formatting & Design Guidelines

Professional formatting makes your resume easy to read and ATS-friendly

Length

1 page: 0-5 years experience or recent graduate
2 pages: 5-15 years experience
3+ pages: Only for academic CVs or executives (15+ years)
Never go to 1.5 pages - either trim to 1 or expand to 2

Font & Size

Professional fonts: Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Garamond, or Helvetica
Body text: 10-12pt (11pt is ideal)
Name/headings: 14-16pt
Avoid: Comic Sans, Papyrus, decorative fonts

Margins & Spacing

Margins: 0.5-1 inch on all sides
Line spacing: 1.0-1.15 (single spacing)
Space between sections: 1.5-2x line spacing
Consistent spacing throughout

Visual Hierarchy

Bold for company names and section headers
Italics for job titles or degrees
Use ONE accent color maximum (optional)
Keep it simple - content > design

Design vs. Readability

While creative resumes can work in design fields, most industries prefer clean, professional formatting. When in doubt, choose simplicity and readability over visual flair. Your content should shine, not your template.

ATS Optimization: Pass the Robots

75% of resumes never reach human eyes. Here's how to pass ATS systems.

CRITICAL

Use Standard Section Headers

Stick to: 'Work Experience', 'Education', 'Skills' - not 'Career Journey' or 'My Story'

CRITICAL

Avoid Tables, Text Boxes, Headers/Footers

ATS can't read these formatting elements - use simple text formatting only

HIGH

Use Standard Fonts

Stick to Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Times New Roman - avoid special or decorative fonts

HIGH

Save as .docx or PDF

Most ATS systems accept both, but .docx is slightly safer. Never use .pages or .jpg

CRITICAL

Include Keywords from Job Description

Mirror exact phrases from job posting (but don't keyword stuff)

MEDIUM

Spell Out Acronyms

Write 'Search Engine Optimization (SEO)' first time, then use SEO

MEDIUM

Use Simple Bullet Points

Use standard bullet points (•) not custom symbols or icons

CRITICAL

Don't Hide White Text

Never use white text to hide keywords - ATS and recruiters will flag this

Create ATS-Optimized Resume

Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Don't let these errors cost you the interview

Typos and Grammatical Errors

critical

Why it matters:78% of resumes are rejected for spelling/grammar mistakes

How to fix:Use Grammarly, read aloud, have 2-3 people proofread

Using a Generic Resume for All Jobs

critical

Why it matters:Generic resumes don't pass ATS or impress recruiters

How to fix:Customize summary, skills, and key achievements for each application

Including Irrelevant Information

high

Why it matters:Recruiters spend 6-7 seconds on first scan

How to fix:Every word should demonstrate why you're qualified for THIS role

Listing Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

critical

Why it matters:Responsibilities tell what you did, achievements show impact

How to fix:Start with action verb, include numbers, show results

Unprofessional Email Address

high

Why it matters:partygirl99@email.com immediately disqualifies you

How to fix:Use firstname.lastname@email.com format

Including Photo, Age, or Personal Info

medium

Why it matters:Opens company to discrimination lawsuits in many countries

How to fix:Don't include: photo, age, marital status, religion, etc.

Inconsistent Formatting

medium

Why it matters:Shows lack of attention to detail

How to fix:Use same date format, bullet style, verb tense throughout

Lying or Exaggerating

critical

Why it matters:43% of employers have caught lies on resumes

How to fix:Be honest - frame truth positively but never fabricate

Final Resume Checklist

Review these items before submitting your resume

Progress: 0 / 12 items completed

Related Resources

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Resume Examples

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AI Resume Writing

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Resume Templates

Download professional, ATS-friendly resume templates

Browse Templates

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How to Write a ResumeThat Gets Interviews in 2024

What You'll Learn

Resume Basics: What You Need to Know

Tailor Every Resume

Quantify Everything

Focus on Achievements

Essential Resume Sections

Contact Information

Professional Summary

Work Experience

Education

Skills Section

Optional Resume Sections

Certifications

Projects

Volunteer Work

Publications

Languages

Formatting & Design Guidelines

Length

Font & Size

Margins & Spacing

Visual Hierarchy

Design vs. Readability

ATS Optimization: Pass the Robots

Use Standard Section Headers

Avoid Tables, Text Boxes, Headers/Footers

Use Standard Fonts

Save as .docx or PDF

Include Keywords from Job Description

Spell Out Acronyms

Use Simple Bullet Points

Don't Hide White Text

Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Typos and Grammatical Errors

Using a Generic Resume for All Jobs

Including Irrelevant Information

Listing Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

Unprofessional Email Address

Including Photo, Age, or Personal Info

Inconsistent Formatting

Lying or Exaggerating

Final Resume Checklist

Related Resources

Resume Examples

AI Resume Writing

Resume Templates

Ready to Create Your Perfect Resume?