Competition can be fierce for work these days, so you have to write a head-turning resume that stands out from the rest if you want to get a job interview. No pressure, right?
You might spend hours of your time organizing, writing and editing your resume but still be unsure if it’s good enough. It can be overwhelming!
Don’t worry! We can help. Resume Now has hundreds of professionally written examples of resumes from which to choose. Our sample resumes cover most jobs, industries and work experience levels.
So take a deep breath and relax — we’ve got your back. Our resume samples are here to inspire, guide and motivate you to build a resume that lets hiring managers know that you’re the only one for the job.
Pick an example of a resume below to see how to:
Avoid common mistakes when writing resumes.
Showcase your most relevant skills.
Highlight your measurable achievements.
Customize your resume for each job.
Understand how to use a resume summary versus a resume objective.
Anatomy of a resume example
A professional resume sample will always:
List contact details correctly. List contact details correctly. Always provide your name, phone number, email address and location at the top of your resume, like Mark Taylor does in this software engineer resume example. Add links to your LinkedIn profile and professional website or portfolio if you have them.
Use a professional summary or objective statement. As our resume sample shows, a brief, three- to five-sentence resume summary or job objective always goes right under contact information on a resume.
List work experience in reverse-chronological order. Our sample resume uses the chronological resume format, but functional and combination resume formats also display work histories starting with the most recent job. Doing so helps employers to see easily what job applicants have done most recently.
Provide measurable achievements in the job history section. As you can see by our sample resume, bullet lists that emphasize measurable achievements — accomplishments that show specific numbers — have more impact than listing job descriptions.
Show a variety of hard, soft and technical skills. While an impressive work experience section anchors a resume, a substantial skills section containing relevant skills can enhance a job seeker’s work credentials. In our resume example, Mark Taylor focuses on his technical skills as well as his leadership, adaptability, and collaboration skills, which are soft skills that help him stand out as an engineer.
Include educational details, including school(s), degree(s) and course(s) of study. All resumes must have an education section. In our nursing job resume example, Mark Taylor shows his degree and the school where he got it, but if you don’t have those, you can add coursework relevant to your field, a degree-in-progress, or any training you have specific to the job. It’s best to create a separate designation for certifications and licenses if you have them, like in our example.
Pro tip: Include a section for awards and honors, if applicable.
Creating a separate section for honors and awards works best if you have more than one to list and they are relevant to the industry or job you want. Awards and honors can come from various experiences, not just former positions. Always list the award title first, the year(s) you received the honor and a brief description.
Good resume examples by industry and job title
Our resumes examples cover a wide variety of industries, including:
How to use resume examples
The benefits of resume samples are numerous! They show you what sections to include on your resume, how to layout your information for maximum impact, the best keywords to get noticed, and the proper way to format a resume.
Follow these tips to get the most from our resume examples:
Choose an example that matches your industry and job title.
Study the examples for resume-writing best practices.
Pay particular attention to the resume’s formatting.
Jot down keywords and key phrases that match your own experience.
Look closely at the highlighted skills to help you narrow down your own.
Pick the appropriate resume format for your experience.
Choose a resume template to get started crafting your resume.
Use our Resume Builder to build a resume quickly and easily.
More resume resources
But wait! — there’s more! Check out our rich library of free articles to learn how to create resumes that wow employers.
Resume-writing articles:
Don’t forget to write a cover letter! We’ve got lots of information to help you get started.
Cover letter-writing articles:
FAQ
What should I avoid when using a resume example?
Avoid copying from resume samples. Your resume must reflect what makes you uniquely qualified, and it should speak directly to the company and the position. You’re bound to get rejected otherwise.
How do I choose keywords to use in my resume?
Look at the job description closely to find keywords to use in your resume. Look for the skills and other qualifications in the job requirements that match yours. If the employer lists “nice to have” credentials, then add those, too, because they will help you stand out even more. But be honest! Only choose words that genuinely reflect your experience and skills because chances are employers will ask for details should you get an interview. You will be expected to put those qualifications to use if you get the job.
How do I reflect a career change or gap on my resume?
Your resume format can help you explain a career change or a gap in your work experience. The functional format, for instance, works well because it emphasizes skills over experience, so your qualifications are clear to employers before they notice inconsistencies in your work history.
Another way to address job changes or gaps when you build a resume is to explain them in your cover letter. In about three sentences or less, explain what you learned from the change or gap in a way that assures the hiring manager it won’t happen again (if it’s a gap) or why you feel this job path is the right one for you (if it’s a career change).
How can I make a resume that stands out?
There are many ways to build a resume that stands out, but pay particular attention to the following five:
Use the correct format and design for your industry and goals.
Add quantifiable achievements, such as “Delivered an average of 45 meals per day on time and efficiently while maintaining excellent customer service.”
Use keywords from the job description without overdoing it.
Write a three-sentence professional summary or objective statement that summarizes who you are and what you can do for the employer.
Proofread it so that it’s error-free!
Do I need a cover letter?
You should always send a cover letter along with your resume. Not only will it help you stand out, but it’s your chance to introduce yourself to the employer, explain any possible red flags on your resume (such as many short-term jobs) — and show your personality. Plus, it lets you convey your enthusiasm for the job and tell the employer exactly why you want to work for them.
Where can I find cover letter examples?
Resume Now provides cover letter examples for a variety of job titles and industries.
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