What is a Resume?

A resume is a concise document that summarizes your professional experience, education, and skills, tailored to a specific job application. It highlights your most relevant qualifications to convince employers you're the right fit.

In the U.S., Canada, and Australia, resumes are the standard document for most job applications, while CVs are typically used in academia, research, or medicine for more detailed career overviews.

In many parts of the world—including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East—a resume (often called a CV) is the standard for job applications, summarizing key qualifications and work history in a concise format.

What is the difference between a Resume and a CV?

A resume and a CV differ in a few ways:

• Length: Resumes are typically shorter (1-2 pages), while CVs can be longer, providing a comprehensive overview of one’s career.
• Content: Resumes focus on relevant skills, experience, and education tailored to a specific job, while CVs include detailed information about academic background, publications, presentations, and other achievements.
• Purpose: Resumes are tailored for specific job applications, while CVs showcase the full breadth of one’s professional and academic life, often used in academia or research.

How to Write a Resume

Now that you know what a resume is, it’s time to build one!

Don’t worry—you don’t need to be a writing expert to make a great resume. All you need is some time, a little focus, and a clear idea of what you’ve done so far in your career.

Follow these easy steps to learn how to make a resume:

Professional Resume Templates

Writing a standout resume becomes easier with a tried and tested template. We have many professionally designed resume templates to choose from. Tailor them to your needs with ease.

Resume Writing and Formatting Tips

Follow these tips to ensure your resume stands out from the competition:

• Keep it neat and clean: Use one professional font like Arial or Times New Roman. Leave space between sections and make your font size 11 or 12 so everything is clear.
• Use headings to stay organized: Break your resume into sections with bold or larger font headings so they stand out.
• Write in bullet points: Use bullet points to list your tasks or accomplishments. Start each point with a strong action word like “organized,” “led,” or “developed.”
• Align everything to the left: Keep your text lined up on the left side of the page. This makes it easier to read and helps your resume look clean and professional.
• Keep margins even: Use 1-inch margins on all sides of the page. This gives your resume some “breathing room” and keeps it from looking too crowded.
• Check spelling and grammar: Read your resume out loud or ask someone to check it. One small mistake can make it look messy or rushed.
• Save and send as a PDF: Always save your resume as a PDF before you send it. That way, the formatting won’t change when someone opens it on their computer.

Key Takeaways

You learned how to create a resume. Now, let's go over some key points:

• Resumes are concise documents tailored to specific job applications, typically 1-2 pages long.
• Resumes are standard for most job applications in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, while CVs are used in academia and research.
• In Europe, Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world, a resume (often called a CV) is the standard document for job searching.
• Always include: your contact details, professional summary, work experience, education, and skills. Add any other credential that highlights your qualifications.
• Use bullet points, professional fonts, and simple formatting to make your resume stand out.
• Remember to check your spelling and grammar before saving your resume.