How to Write a Resume: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Writing a resume can feel difficult, especially when you are unsure what employers want to see or how to structure your experience.

A strong resume should make your qualifications easy to understand, highlight your most relevant achievements, and use a clear format that works well for both recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS).

In this guide, you'll learn how to write a resume step by step, what sections to include, what to leave out, and how to make your resume stronger for the jobs you want.

1. 1Contact information
2. 2Professional summary
3. 3Work experience
4. 4Education
5. 5Skills
6. 6Certifications, projects, or other relevant sections

The best structure depends on your experience and target role. In the UK, the document is usually called a CV; in the US, “resume” is more common.

Chronological Resume

Highlights work history, starting with the most recent role. Best for consistent career progression.

Functional Resume

Focuses on skills rather than employment history. Useful in limited cases but can make experience harder to assess.

Combination Resume

Combines skills and work experience. For most candidates, a clear reverse-chronological format works well — see our guide to the best resume format.

• Full name
• Phone number
• Professional email
• Location
• LinkedIn profile
• Portfolio or website, if relevant

A resume summary briefly explains what you do, your experience, and the value you offer.

“

Software Engineer with 5+ years of experience developing web applications using JavaScript, React, and Node.js. Skilled in building scalable applications, improving performance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

• Job title
• Company
• Location, if relevant
• Dates
• Responsibilities and achievements

List roles from most recent to oldest. Focus on results rather than duties.

Use this structure: Action + Task + Result.

“

Increased customer retention by 18% by redesigning onboarding and introducing automated follow-up emails.

Use action verbs such as managed, developed, increased, reduced, created, improved, led, implemented, analysed, and delivered. Quantify results where possible.

• Degree or qualification
• Institution
• Graduation year
• Relevant specialisation

Students and recent graduates may give education more space than experienced professionals.

Include skills relevant to the job description and your actual experience — for example SEO, Google Analytics, content marketing, JavaScript, Python, React, SQL, and Git. Avoid long, unfocused lists.

• Certifications
• Projects
• Languages
• Volunteer experience

These can be especially useful for students, career changers, and technical professionals. Only include sections that strengthen your application.

Compare your resume with each job description. Look for required skills, qualifications, tools, terminology, and responsibilities. Highlight relevant experience using accurate language, and never add skills or qualifications you do not have.

ATS software may scan job titles, skills, qualifications, keywords, and education. To improve readability:

• Use clear headings.
• Choose a simple layout.
• Avoid images and complex designs.
• Use standard terminology.
• Ensure text is selectable.
• Match relevant job terms naturally.

• Spelling and grammar
• Dates and job titles
• Fonts and spacing
• Bullet formatting
• Capitalisation
• Relevance and accuracy

Remove anything that does not support your application.

Upload your CV to ResumeAce and run a free ATS scan before applying, so you can find potential issues before you submit. Advanced optimisation is available too if you need it.

ResumeAce lets you choose a template, add your information, edit your resume, and download your CV for free.

• Clear contact information
• Appropriate format
• Relevant summary
• Achievement-focused experience
• Relevant skills
• Accurate education
• Relevant certifications or projects
• Natural job-specific keywords
• Easy-to-read layout
• Correct spelling and grammar
• ATS check completed