Is it résumé or resume?

Spelling “resume” without accents is the expected way to spell the word in the U.S. Technically speaking, the accents are correct. In fact, you’ll still see the double accent in publications like the NY Times. But when it comes to everyday usage, the accent-free version has won out.

What is a resume for a job?

A resume for a job is essential for most applications, but there are jobs in which a resume isn’t required. Some entry-level positions or gig work, for example, hire without requiring a resume. That said, resume-free applications are rare, and most employers expect a resume to evaluate your qualifications and experience. If you want to take your application to the next level, consider adding a cover letter. A well-crafted cover letter can provide additional context and highlight your enthusiasm for the position.

How should a resume look?

A resume should be clean, well-organized and easy to read. It should have a professional appearance, using a simple font and consistent formatting. Key sections to include are your header, professional summary, education, work experience and skills. Optional sections like certifications, volunteer work and languages can also be included if they add value to your application. The overall design should avoid excessive graphics or colors and ensure it is compatible with the applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by many employers.

What are two different uses for a resume?

The main use of a resume is to apply for jobs and showcase your qualifications to potential employers. However, resumes also serve other purposes. For example, if you are following up with someone you met at a networking event, you may want to email them your resume for future reference.

What Is a Resume? Definition, Purpose, & Formats

Our customers have been hired by: 1

Table of contents

Fast Facts
What Is a Resume? Definition & Meaning
Resume Formats & How to Choose
What to Include on a Resume
Basic Resume Formatting & Design Rules
Frequently Asked Questions

Get the job 2x faster^*

Make Resume Now a preferred source on Google

Fast Facts

Most resumes are one to two pages long, depending on your experience and the job you're applying for.
The five standard resume sections are contact information, a professional summary or objective, work experience, skills, and education.
A resume should highlight qualifications that match the job requirements rather than document your entire career history.
The three main resume formats—chronological, functional, and combination—suit different career stages and goals.
Simple formatting, standard headings, and relevant keywords help applicant tracking systems (ATS) read and organize resume information.

A well-written resume helps you stand out to employers by highlighting the qualifications, skills, and accomplishments most relevant to the job you want. Presenting your experience effectively can help you make a strong first impression and improve your chances of landing an interview.

This guide explains resume formats, essential sections, and formatting tips, with examples to help you create a professional resume.

What Is a Resume? Definition & Meaning

A resume is a concise document that summarizes your professional background, qualifications, and achievements for potential employers. Its primary purpose is to demonstrate your suitability for a job and help you secure an interview, not document every position you've held or skill you've developed.

The three main functions of a resume are:

Showcase your accomplishments and skills. Highlight relevant experience, measurable achievements, and strengths that demonstrate what you can contribute.
Demonstrate your qualifications. Present your education, certifications, and professional credentials so employers can quickly evaluate your background.
Support candidate screening. Help recruiters identify qualified applicants and allow ATS software to process and organize application information.

Resume vs CV vs Cover Letter: Key Differences Explained

A resume, CV (curriculum vitae), and cover letter each serve a different purpose in the application process. A resume summarizes job-related qualifications, a CV provides a more detailed academic or professional record, and a cover letter explains your interest in a specific position.

Document	Purpose	Typical Length
Resume	Highlights relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments for a job	1–2 pages
CV	Documents academic, research, teaching, and publication history	Often multiple pages
Cover letter	Introduces the applicant and explains their interest and fit	Usually 1 page

In the U.S., CVs are most common in academic and research settings, although the term can mean something different internationally. If an employer requests a cover letter, a cover letter builder can help you explain your interest and qualifications.

Resume Formats & How to Choose

The three main resume formats are chronological, functional, and combination. Most job seekers benefit from a chronological resume, but the best choice depends on your work history, career goals, and qualifications. Browse resume examples to see how each format presents your experience.

Chronological Resume

A chronological resume lists your work experience in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your most recent position. This familiar structure makes it easy for recruiters to follow your career progression and is generally compatible with ATS software. It's a strong choice for applicants with consistent employment histories and relevant professional experience.

Use a chronological resume if:

You have several years of relevant work experience.
You can demonstrate steady career advancement.
Your recent experience closely matches the job requirements.

Resume Experienced Example Director of Security

Create your resume

Functional Resume

A functional resume emphasizes skills and qualifications rather than a detailed employment timeline. It groups relevant abilities into categories, making it easier to highlight transferable skills when changing careers or returning to work. Because this format emphasizes skills over employment dates, recruiters and ATS tools may not read and evaluate it as easily.

Use a functional resume if:

You're changing careers and want to emphasize transferable skills.
You have significant employment gaps.
You have limited traditional work experience.

Create your resume

Combination Resume

A combination resume blends a skills-focused introduction with a detailed, reverse-chronological work history. It allows you to highlight specialized skills while showing employers where and how you've applied them. This format can work well for experienced professionals, career changers, and applicants whose qualifications extend across multiple roles or industries.

Use a combination resume if:

You have specialized or highly sought-after skills.
You're changing careers but have relevant professional experience.
You want to give equal attention to your skills and work history.

Create your resume

What to Include on a Resume

Every resume should include five standard sections: contact information, a professional summary or objective, work experience, skills, and education. Understanding what to include helps you prioritize relevant qualifications. Optional sections can highlight additional accomplishments.

Infographic titled "What to Include on Your Resume" by Resume Now, showing an annotated sample resume. Brackets point out 5 key parts: contact header, professional summary, work history, skills, and education.

Contact Information & Header

Include your name, phone number, professional email address, and city and state. Add a relevant LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or professional website if appropriate. A full street address isn't necessary.

Example resume header:

Jordan Lee
Raleigh, NC | 555-123-4567 | jordan.lee@email.com
linkedin.com/in/jordanlee | jordanleeportfolio.com

Professional Summary or Career Objective

A professional summary is a two- to three-sentence introduction highlighting your most relevant experience, skills, and achievements. It's generally a good choice for applicants with an established work history.

Example resume summary:

Customer service professional with five years of experience resolving customer concerns and improving satisfaction. Skilled in conflict resolution, CRM software, and team collaboration.

If you're a student, recent graduate, or entry-level applicant, a resume objective can emphasize your abilities, career goals, and the value you hope to bring to an employer.

Example resume objective:

Recent business administration graduate seeking an entry-level marketing role. Brings strong research, communication, and data analysis skills to support campaign development and audience engagement.

Work Experience & Achievement Bullets

List your work experience in reverse-chronological order. Include each job title, employer, location, and employment dates, followed by three to five bullets highlighting responsibilities and accomplishments. Begin each bullet with a strong action verb, and use specific results whenever possible.

Applicants with limited paid experience can highlight internships, volunteer work, school projects, and extracurricular activities.

Example work experience with quantified achievements:

Customer Service Representative
Pinecrest Solutions | Raleigh, NC | Jan 2023–Present

Improve response times and resolve recurring service issues, increasing customer satisfaction scores by 18% over six months.
Resolve an average of 45 customer inquiries per day while maintaining quality and service standards.
Train new team members on customer service procedures, product knowledge, and CRM software.

Skills Section (Hard vs Soft Skills)

Include relevant hard and soft skills that match the job description. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities, such as data analysis, bookkeeping, or specialized software. Soft skills are interpersonal abilities, including communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

Prioritize resume skills you can demonstrate through your professional experience.

Example skills:

Hard Skills: Excel, Salesforce, data analysis
Soft Skills: Communication, problem-solving, collaboration

Education

Your education section should list your schools or institutions, degrees or diplomas, and graduation dates when relevant. Include your highest or most recent qualification first. Recent graduates can also highlight relevant coursework, academic honors, or a strong GPA.

Include relevant licenses and certifications with your education or in a separate section, depending on their relevance and importance to the job. Experienced professionals can omit graduation dates unless requested.

Example education section:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | May 2025
Relevant Coursework: Marketing Research, Business Analytics

Optional Sections (Projects, Languages, Volunteer Work)

Optional resume sections can strengthen your application when they demonstrate relevant experience or qualifications.

Consider adding:

Certifications: Include professional credentials, specialized training, and relevant certifications not listed under education.
Volunteer experience: Highlight unpaid volunteer work that demonstrates transferable skills, leadership, or community involvement.
Projects: Showcase academic, personal, or professional projects that demonstrate relevant skills and measurable outcomes.
Languages: List additional languages and your proficiency level.
Awards: Include relevant awards, including professional recognition, academic honors, or industry achievements.

Basic Resume Formatting & Design Rules

A professional resume should be easy to read, consistently formatted, and ATS-friendly. Simple layouts help employers find important information quickly and reduce the risk of formatting errors during automated screening.

Follow these basic resume formatting rules:

Length: Aim for one page if you have limited experience or two pages if you have extensive relevant qualifications.
Fonts: Use professional, easy-to-read fonts, such as Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica in 10–12-point size.
Margins: Use standard 1-inch margins and consistent spacing between sections.
Headings: Label sections clearly with familiar terms, such as "Work Experience," "Skills," and "Education."
Design: Avoid excessive graphics, complex tables, and text boxes that may interfere with ATS parsing.
File format: Follow the employer's instructions. PDF preserves your layout, while DOCX may be required by some application systems.

Before submitting, proofread your resume and check for formatting errors.

Ready to create your resume? Use Resume Now's AI Resume Builder to build a professional resume in minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a resume and a cover letter?

A resume summarizes your work experience, skills, education, and accomplishments, while a cover letter explains why you're interested in a specific position and how your qualifications match the employer's needs. Resumes use organized sections and bullet points to present information quickly. Cover letters use paragraphs to provide context, demonstrate enthusiasm, and explain why you'd be a strong candidate.

Is a resume the same as a job application?

No, a resume isn't the same as a job application, although employers often request both. A resume is a document you create to highlight your qualifications and relevant achievements. A job application is typically a standardized form that collects information such as employment history, education, availability, and references. Employers may use the application to gather consistent information from every candidate.

What should you not include on a resume?

You generally shouldn't include irrelevant personal details, outdated experience, or information unrelated to the job. For most U.S. applications, leave out your Social Security number, full street address, age, marital status, and photograph. Avoid listing references unless requested, and never exaggerate your qualifications or accomplishments. Focus on information that demonstrates your ability to perform the job.

How long should a resume be?

A resume should generally be one to two pages long, depending on your experience and the job you're applying for. A one-page resume is often sufficient for students, recent graduates, and applicants with limited work experience. Professionals with extensive relevant experience may need two pages to showcase their qualifications. Prioritize relevant accomplishments rather than adding unnecessary information to fill space.

Create Your Resume

Make Resume Now a preferred source on Google

Was this information helpful? Let us know!