A Comprehensive Guide to Resume Writing [2024]

A resume is a one or two-page summary of your accomplishments, experience, and educational background. It tells the recruiter what they need to know about you.

You do not have to be a skilled writer to prepare a good resume, all you need is to understand the employer’s needs.

You need to keep in mind that a good resume takes time to complete and a good amount of research work. After all, the end goal is to get you a job.

How to Prepare a Good Resume?

As you prepare your resume, ensure you add your important details and things that would be relevant to the employer. Find out what they expect from you as a candidate and use the following steps to make your work come out great.

1. Sell yourself: Your resume is a one or two-page advertisement of yourself. Employers are willing to see all the activities you participated in; internship, school activities, and volunteering work. This is especially useful for entry-level job seekers.
2. Be consistent: Use the same format throughout your work; same pattern of spacing, same font, etc.
3. Use active voice.
4. Present information in reverse chronological order: When making a list of your educational background and experience, start with the most recent.
5. Check for grammar: Avoid all forms of grammatical errors. This leaves a poor impression on the recruiter.
6. Ensure it is neat and visually appealing.

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Component of a Resume.

Below are the components of a resume. These components may serve as a guideline in organizing your resume.

1. Contact Information.

Please ensure that your contact information includes your complete name, home address, phone number, and permanent email address. Remember that a resume is an important official document, so it’s essential to use your full legal name and accurate contact details as the recruiter may need to reach you.

2. Objective.

A resume must have an objective. Why are you writing a resume? The purpose is to tell the potential employer you have a specific goal. It conveys your work preference(s) and serves as a focal point for reviewing your resumé. The objective should be brief, clearly stated, and consistent with the accomplishments and skills that you have outlined in your resume.

If you are considering more than one professional goal, you must prepare different resumes, each clearly stating your objective. Examples of such objectives are;

• A role as a social worker helping families navigate challenging situations and access necessary resources.
• A position as a graphic designer creating visually appealing marketing materials for clients.
• An entry-level software developer role working on innovative web applications.
• A position as a nurse providing compassionate care to patients in a hospital setting.
• A job as a marketing coordinator supporting the execution of marketing campaigns and events.
• A role as a customer service representative assisting customers with inquiries and resolving issues.
• A position as a financial analyst conducting detailed financial assessments and reporting.
• An entry-level human resources assistant role managing employee records and onboarding processes.
• A job as a data analyst interpreting data to help guide business decisions.
• A position as a project coordinator overseeing and facilitating project activities to ensure timely completion.

RELATED: 10 Tips to Write a Good Resume to Land You a Job.

3. Education.

This category is very important, especially for freshers. You should detail your educational history, beginning with the most recent. Include the type of degree (e.g., B.S., B.A., M.S., MBA), your major, the institutions you attended, your graduation date, any minors or concentrations, and any special workshops, seminars, related coursework, or senior projects you were involved in. Additionally, it’s advisable to include your G.P.A. if it’s 3.0 or higher, whether it’s your overall G.P.A. or your G.P.A. in your major.

4. Skills.

The skills section in a resume shows what you’re good at and why you’re a good fit for the job. It’s important because it helps employers quickly see if you have the right skills for the job.

Here are some key points to remember for your skills section:

1. Focus on Skills that Match the Job: List skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

2. Types of Skills:

• Technical Skills: These are about technology, software, or technical processes, like programming and software knowledge.
• Soft Skills: These are about communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.

If you have any certificate related to these skills, you can include the details in the education section.

3. Organize your Skills: List your skills, grouping them by type or relevance.

4. Show Your Level of Expertise: Tell how good you are at each skill, especially technical ones.

5. Give Examples: When you can, show how you used your skills in past jobs.

Here’s an example of how to list your skills, If the job needs computer skills, include this section.

Skill:

Software: 

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator).
• Google Apps (Docs, Sheets, Drive)

Hardware/Languages:

• Operating Systems: PC, MAC, UNIX
• Programming Languages: JAVA, HTML, C++, Python.

Listing your skills this way helps employers quickly see if you’re a good fit for the job. This section is really important because it helps you stand out and make a good impression.

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5. Accomplishment.

Extra curriculum activities are also important in a resume. If you have ever won an award especially while holding a leadership position, be sure to highlight it in your resume. After making a list of such activities, be sure to explain how your past responsibilities correspond to the skills that the current job requires.

Here are ten examples of how to highlight extracurricular activities and accomplishments in the Accomplishments section of a resume. This example is particularly focusing on awards and leadership positions, you can change yours accordingly:

1. President of Student Government Association.
   • Led a team of 15 students to organize campus events, manage budgets, and address student concerns.
   • Award: Received the Leadership Excellence Award for outstanding contributions to the student body.
2. Captain of the Varsity Soccer Team.
   • Managed team practices, strategized game plans, and motivated teammates.
   • Award: Named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for demonstrating exceptional leadership and performance on the field.
3. Treasurer of Debate Club.
   • Oversaw club finances, organized fundraising events, and maintained financial records.
   • Award: Awarded Best Treasurer by the club for efficient budget management and fundraising efforts.
4. Chairperson of Environmental Club.
   • Initiated and led recycling programs and community clean-up events.
   • Award: Honored with the Green Leader Award for contributions to sustainability initiatives.
5. Editor-in-Chief of School Newspaper.
   • Directed a team of writers and editors, set publication schedules, and managed content.
   • Award: Received the Journalism Award for exceptional leadership and editorial skills.
6. Volunteer Coordinator for Community Service Organization.
   • Organized volunteer events, coordinated with local charities, and managed volunteer schedules.
   • Award: Recognized with the Volunteer Excellence Award for dedication and effective coordination.
7. Head of Fundraising Committee for a Non-Profit Organization.
   • Planned and executed fundraising campaigns and events to support the organization’s mission.
   • Award: Awarded the Fundraising Achievement Award for surpassing fundraising goals.
8. Leader of School Science Club.
   • Conducted science workshops, managed club activities, and facilitated member participation in science fairs.
   • Award: Received the Science Leadership Award for promoting scientific curiosity and innovation.
9. Captain of Debate Team.
   • Trained team members, developed debate strategies, and led the team to competitions.
   • Award: Won the Best Debater Award for outstanding performance and leadership in debates.
10. President of Business Club.
    • Organized guest lectures, managed club activities, and facilitated networking opportunities for members.
    • Award: Honored with the Business Leadership Award for exemplary leadership and contribution to the club’s success.

Don’t be ashamed to highlight the honor and accomplishment you have earned!

6. Work Experience.

This section usually comes as a burden to fresher because of their lack of experience, but we’ve got you covered. As a newcomer to the workforce, you may not have a lot of professional experience, but you may have valuable volunteer work, internships, practicum, or student teaching experiences that you can highlight.

Note that potential employers are primarily interested in the skills and strengths you can bring to a new role. When filling out this section, make sure to present all relevant work experiences in reverse chronological order.

For each experience, include the position title, the organization’s name, location (town, state), and the dates you were involved, such as “Summer 2016” or “2015-2016 academic year.”

When describing your responsibilities, focus on your accomplishments rather than just listing your duties.

Utilize action words to effectively communicate your skills, and prioritize the most significant and relevant responsibilities. It’s okay to be succinct and omit irrelevant experiences.

Here are a few examples of how freshers can highlight their experiences, focusing on internships, volunteer work, and other relevant activities. You can use these examples as a reference and change the information accordingly:

1. Intern – Marketing Department.
   • Organization: XYZ Corporation, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
   • Duration: Summer 2023.
   • Responsibilities:
     • Assisted in developing and executing marketing campaigns.
     • Conducted market research and analyzed competitor data.
     • Designed social media content and increased engagement by 20%.
     • Coordinated promotional events and webinars.
2. Volunteer – Community Outreach Program.
   • Organization: Help India NGO, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
   • Duration: January 2022 – April 2022.
   • Responsibilities:
     • Organized and managed community health awareness events.
     • Conducted workshops on hygiene and nutrition for underprivileged communities.
     • Raised funds and resources for community projects.
3. Intern – Software Development.
   • Organization: Tech Solutions Ltd., Hyderabad, Telangana.
   • Duration: May 2023 – July 2023.
   • Responsibilities:
     • Assisted in coding and testing new software applications.
     • Participated in agile development meetings and contributed to sprint planning.
     • Debugged and resolved software issues, improving application efficiency.
4. Student Teacher – Mathematics.
   • Organization: Delhi Public School, New Delhi, Delhi.
   • Duration: 2019-2020 academic year.
   • Responsibilities:
     • Developed lesson plans and taught mathematics to grade 10 students.
     • Assessed student performance and provided constructive feedback.
     • Organized extracurricular math workshops and competitions.
5. Intern – Human Resources.
   • Organization: Global Enterprises, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
   • Duration: Summer 2022.
   • Responsibilities:
     • Assisted in the recruitment process, including screening resumes and conducting interviews.
     • Coordinated employee onboarding and training programs.
     • Managed employee records and updated HR databases.
6. Volunteer – Event Management.
   • Organization: Youth for Change, Pune, Maharashtra.
   • Duration: August 2021 – December 2021.
   • Responsibilities:
     • Planned and executed youth engagement events and workshops.
     • Coordinated with sponsors and partners for event support.
     • Managed event logistics and ensured smooth operations.
7. Intern – Finance Department.
   • Organization: ABC Bank, Kolkata, West Bengal.
   • Duration: June 2023 – August 2023.
   • Responsibilities:
     • Analyzed financial statements and assisted in preparing reports.
     • Supported budgeting and forecasting activities.
     • Conducted research on market trends and investment opportunities.
8. Practicum – Environmental Science.
   • Organization: Green Earth Institute, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
   • Duration: January 2023 – March 2023.
   • Responsibilities:
     • Conducted field research on local environmental issues.
     • Assisted in data collection and analysis for environmental impact studies.
     • Collaborated with team members on sustainability projects.
9. Intern – Content Writing.
   • Organization: Creative Minds, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
   • Duration: April 2022 – June 2022.
   • Responsibilities:
     • Created engaging content for blogs, articles, and social media.
     • Edited and proofread written materials to ensure accuracy and clarity.
     • Collaborated with the marketing team to develop content strategies.
10. Volunteer – Teaching Assistant.
    • Organization: Teach for India, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
    • Duration: September 2021 – December 2021.
    • Responsibilities:
      • Assisted teachers in classroom management and lesson preparation.
      • Tutored students in various subjects to improve academic performance.
      • Organized extracurricular activities and educational workshops.

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7. Interest/Hobbies.

Remember to include a section about your interests and hobbies in your resume. This is sometimes used to understand your “personality type.” Include this section if you have available space. This is an optional but important section. Include social or civic activities, health, fitness or sports activities, or hobbies that indicate how you spend your leisure time.

Things to include:

•  Relevance to the job: Consider including interests related to the job or industry. For example, if applying for a tech position, mention hobbies like coding or participating in hackathons.
• Demonstrate soft skills: Your hobbies can show skills like teamwork, leadership, creativity, and dedication. For instance, playing a team sport can demonstrate teamwork and leadership.
• Keep it concise: List a few hobbies you are genuinely passionate about. Aim for 2-4 lines.
• Be honest: Include hobbies you can speak about confidently if asked during an interview.
• Avoid controversial topics: Steer clear of mentioning hobbies that might be seen as controversial or inappropriate in a professional setting.

Here are a few examples of the interests/hobbies section:

Interests/Hobbies:

• Traveling: Exploring new cultures and cuisines enhances my adaptability and broadens my perspective.
• Reading: Enjoying fiction and non-fiction, particularly in technology and psychology, to stay informed and inspired.
• Photography: Capturing landscapes and portraits has developed my attention to detail and creativity.
• Volunteering: Participating in community service activities showcases my commitment to giving back and working with diverse groups.
• Playing football: Engaging in team sports maintains physical fitness and cultivates teamwork and strategic thinking skills.
• Cooking: Experimenting with new recipes and cuisines helps me stay creative and manage time effectively.

Why is the interests/hobbies section important? 

• Presents you as a well-rounded individual with diverse interests and skills.
• Interests can serve as an icebreaker during interviews, helping to build rapport with interviewers.
• Hobbies often demonstrate soft skills that may not be evident through professional experience alone.
• Employers can gauge if your interests align with the company culture, which can be a factor in their hiring decisions.

8. References.

Before listing anyone as a reference on your resume, be sure to ask their permission to know if they are willing. Always ask individuals if they would be comfortable being a reference for you before sharing their names with potential employers. Generally, names of references are not included on the résumé itself. Instead, you can prepare a typed list of three references to present at the interview stage. Ensure that the list includes each person’s full name, job title, employer, mailing address, telephone number, and email address

Tips for Writing a Good Resume.

Here are a few tips to aid you when writing a resume:

1. When applying for a job, it’s important to tailor your resume to fit each specific job position.
2. Using the job description as a guide, incorporate relevant keywords and organize your resume to make it visually appealing and easy to read.
3. Additionally, avoid sending your resume as a PDF, as some applicant tracking systems may not be able to process it properly.
4. Utilize bullet points and action words to showcase your qualifications and experience.