How to Build a Resume
A step-by-step guide to building a professional resume that gets past ATS and into a recruiter's hands. Learn how to build a resume with our free resume builder.
Choose your format
Use reverse-chronological order (most recent job first). It's what recruiters and ATS expect. Only use functional or hybrid if you have big employment gaps.
Add contact info
Name, email, phone, and city/region. Optionally add LinkedIn. No need for full address or photo in most markets.
Write a short summary
2–4 sentences that say who you are, what you offer, and what you're looking for. Use keywords from your target job.
List your experience
For each role: job title, company, dates, and 3–5 bullet points. Start with action verbs and include results (numbers, impact).
Add education
Degree, school, graduation year. Add GPA only if strong and relevant. Include certifications or courses if they match the job.
Include skills
List technical and soft skills. Use terms from the job description. Group by category (e.g., "Technical," "Tools") if you have many.
Proofread and tailor
Check spelling and grammar. Then tailor the summary, keywords, and bullet points to each job you apply to.
Write your resume with howtobuildresume
Follow this guide and build your resume in one place. Upload a draft, paste your LinkedIn, or start from a blank template—all free.
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