The Basics of Resumes

Purpose and structure

Your resume serves the purpose of highlighting your suitability for a specific job or career opportunity. It provides a concise snapshot of your professional background, accomplishments, and skills. The structure typically includes sections like a contact information header, a professional summary or objective statement, key skills, work experience (chronological or functional), education, and additional sections for certifications, awards, or relevant volunteer work.

Here's a general idea of what goes in each section:

• Contact information: Start with your contact information, including your name, phone number, email address, and, optionally, your LinkedIn profile or personal website.

• Objective statement: Craft a compelling professional summary or objective statement that offers a glimpse into your career goals, expertise, and value proposition. This is much more important for people with a long career (over five years).

• Key skills: List the most relevant ...