How to Build a Resume That Gets Results

Your contact section goes at the very top of the page. Include:

• Your full name (large, easy to read)
• A reliable phone number — make sure voicemail is set up
• A professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com works well)
• City and State (you do not need to include your full street address)
• LinkedIn profile URL (optional, but a plus)

A summary sits right below your name. It's a short, powerful statement that tells the employer who you are and what value you bring.

• 2–3 sentences maximum
• Mention your years of experience (if applicable) and top strengths
• Tie it to the job you're applying for
• Avoid clichés like "hard worker" or "team player" — show it instead

For each position include: Job Title, Employer Name, City/State, Dates, and 3–5 bullet points.

• Start each bullet with an action verb: Managed, Trained, Built, Processed, Organized, Assisted, Delivered
• Add numbers when you can: "Served 80+ customers daily" beats "helped customers"
• Focus on results, not just tasks
• Include volunteer work, caregiving, or community roles if your paid history is limited

List your highest level of education first. Include:

• School name, degree or diploma earned, graduation year
• GED or HiSET if that's your credential — list it proudly
• Any relevant certifications: OSHA, ServSafe, CPR, CNA, CDL, etc.
• Online courses from Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or community training programs
• Workforce development programs, trade apprenticeships, or vocational training

Create a dedicated Skills section with a clean, scannable list:

• Hard Skills: Forklift certified, Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, bilingual (Spanish/English), cash handling, food safety
• Soft Skills: Conflict resolution, time management, customer communication, team collaboration
• Match skills to keywords from the job posting — many employers use software to scan for matches
• Only list skills you actually have — you may be asked about them in an interview

Before you submit, give your resume a thorough review:

• Read it out loud — you'll catch errors your eyes miss
• Check for consistent formatting: same font, same spacing, same date style
• Keep it to 1 page if you have less than 10 years of experience
• Save it as a PDF (unless the employer requests Word format)
• Name your file professionally: FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf
• Ask a trusted person to read it — a fresh set of eyes always helps