The Resume Guide You Need
I’ve sat through countless resume-building sessions—everything from a full college course on resumes and perfecting an elevator pitch to one-on-one meetings with career coaches. I’ve even worked with a Deloitte employee and reviewed resumes with classmates. Through all of this, I’ve learned one key thing: keep it simple and market yourself clearly. Your resume should be direct and to the point—save the details for the interview.
A strong resume should:
✅ Highlight key achievements (quantifiable if possible)
✅ Use clear, direct language (avoid fluff)
✅ Be easy to scan (use bullet points, not paragraphs)
✅ Tailor to the job (match keywords from the job posting)
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the key differences between a recent graduate resume and a resume for someone with experience. Whether you’re fresh out of college and looking for your first job or you’ve gained a few years of experience and need to update your resume, I’ll break down what to include, how to structure it, and how to highlight your skills effectively. A strong resume evolves over time, and I’ll show you how to transition from an entry-level format to one that showcases your growing expertise. Since I am in the tech field, some of the resume examples are tech-focused, but they transition well into other industries.
How to Write a Recent Graduate Resume
If you’re a recent graduate, your resume should highlight education, relevant coursework, internships, volunteer work, and transferable skills. Since you may not have extensive professional experience, focus on what you’ve learned, the projects you’ve completed, and any leadership roles you’ve taken on.
1. Contact Information (Top of the Resume)
Include:
- Your full name
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- LinkedIn profile (if applicable)
- City and state (optional)
2. Education (Highlight Your Degree)
Since you’re a recent graduate, education should be at the top of your resume. Include:
- Degree and Major (e.g., B.A. in Political Science)
- University Name and Location
- Graduation Date (Month & Year)
- GPA (only if 3.0 or above)
- Relevant Coursework (list courses related to your target job)
- Honors & Certifications (if applicable)
3. Work Experience (Internships, Part-Time Jobs, or Volunteer Work)
If you don’t have full-time work experience, internships, volunteer work, and part-time jobs count. Structure it like this:
Job Title | Company | Location | Dates Worked
- Use bullet points to highlight your contributions and impact
- Focus on transferable skills (communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving)
- Use action verbs (e.g., “Managed,” “Developed,” “Assisted,” “Analyzed”)
- Quantify your work when possible (e.g., “Tutored 8 students in math and ELA”)
4. Leadership & Extracurricular Activities
Include clubs, student organizations, leadership roles, or projects that showcase key skills. If you were involved in a student government, honor society, research program, or sports team, add it here.
5. Skills (Technical & Soft Skills)
List hard skills (technical skills like programming, research, Microsoft Office) and soft skills (communication, leadership, adaptability). Use bullet points for clarity.
6. Optional Sections (Only if Relevant)
- Certifications (e.g., Google IT Support, Certified Scrum Master)
- Projects (if you’ve worked on research, case studies, or software development)
- Languages (if you speak multiple languages)
Final Tips
✔ Keep it to one page
✔ Use a clean, professional format
✔ Tailor it to the job you’re applying for
✔ Proofread for typos and grammar mistakes
A well-structured resume can make up for a lack of experience by showcasing your skills, education, and potential to employers.
How to Write a Resume for Someone with Experience
Once you’ve built professional experience, your resume should prioritize work accomplishments over education and showcase your expertise. The goal is to highlight career growth, achievements, and measurable results to demonstrate your value to employers.
1. Contact Information (At the Top of Your Resume)
Include:
- Full name
- Professional email address
- Phone number
- LinkedIn profile (optional but recommended)
- Location (City & State; no need for a full address)
2. Professional Summary (Optional but Recommended)
Instead of an objective statement, use a 2-3 sentence professional summary that highlights your skills, experience, and career focus.
✅ Example:
Results-driven cybersecurity professional with 3+ years of experience in penetration testing, ethical hacking, and security compliance. Proven ability to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen system defenses, and ensure regulatory compliance. Passionate about mitigating cyber risks and enhancing data protection strategies.
3. Work Experience (The Main Focus of Your Resume)
For experienced professionals, your work history should be the highlight. List your jobs in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
Format:
Job Title | Company Name | Location | Dates Worked
- Use action verbs (e.g., “Led,” “Implemented,” “Developed,” “Managed”)
- Quantify achievements (e.g., “Increased efficiency by 30%”, “Managed a $1M budget”)
- Highlight impact (Show how your work benefited the company)
✅ Example:
Cybersecurity Analyst | SecureTech Solutions | Chicago, IL | Jan 2022 – Present
- Conduct penetration testing and vulnerability assessments for 20+ clients.
- Developed security policies that reduced data breaches by 40%.
- Led a security awareness training program for 500+ employees.
If you’ve had multiple jobs in the same field, emphasize growth and progression in your career.
Since you have experience, your education is less of a focus. Only list:
- Degree & Major
- University & Location
- Graduation Year (omit if 10+ years out of school)
- Certifications (if relevant, e.g., CISSP, CompTIA Security+)
✅ Example:
B.S. in Cybersecurity – University of Illinois, Chicago, IL – 2020
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – EC-Council – 2022
5. Skills Section (Tailored to Your Industry)
Create a bullet-pointed list of hard and soft skills relevant to your field.
✅ Example for Cybersecurity:
- Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Assessment
- Incident Response & Threat Intelligence
- Risk Management & Compliance (ISO 27001, NIST)
- Python, SQL, Linux, PowerShell
If your job is not technical, focus on leadership, communication, project management, and industry-specific tools.
6. Optional Sections (If Relevant)
- Certifications & Training (e.g., PMP, AWS Certified)
- Publications or Speaking Engagements (for thought leadership roles)
- Languages (if multilingual)
Final Tips for an Experienced Resume
✔ Keep it to one page (unless you have 10+ years of experience)
✔ Focus on achievements, not just duties
✔ Use numbers and metrics to showcase impact
✔ Tailor your resume to each job application
By structuring your resume this way, you showcase your expertise and career growth, making you stand out as a highly qualified candidate. 🚀
Style of the Resume
When it comes to resumes, simplicity is key. A clean, black-and-white format ensures that your resume is easy to read and professional. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes, and overly designed layouts, colors, or fancy fonts can cause formatting issues that prevent your resume from being properly read. A simple, structured resume with clear headings, bullet points, and consistent fonts keeps the focus on your skills and experience—helping you stand out for the right reasons. Save the creativity for your portfolio or cover letter; your resume should be clear, concise, and optimized for success.
PDF vs. Word: The Best Format for Your Resume
Always submit your resume as a PDF unless the job posting specifically requests a Word document. A PDF preserves your formatting, ensuring that your resume looks the same on any device or software. Word documents (.docx) can sometimes appear differently depending on the employer’s system, which may cause misalignment or formatting issues. However, if the application specifies a Word file, provide it in that format to ensure compatibility with their Applicant Tracking System (ATS). When in doubt, PDF is the safest and most professional choice.
Example of a Recent Graduate Resume:
Example of an Experienced Resume
Outside examples and additional resources
Here’s a sample resume that follows the key principles I’ve outlined. Use it as a guide to structure your own for a recent graduate