Intro

This guide covers the basics of writing a resume that is clear, specific, and easy to scan.

Why focus on the resume content?

A resume often decides whether you get an interview. It also shapes the interview itself, because the person reading it will use your experience, projects, and skills to decide what to ask about.

What makes a resume work?

A good resume explains what you have done, what you are good at, and why that experience matches the job you want next.

Your resume should highlight your education, relevant work experience, skills, and accomplishments. The order and emphasis depend on where you are in your career and the job you're applying for.

It's all about the content.

Most resume work is content work. Formatting matters when it makes the page easier to read, but it cannot make vague experience sound specific. Keep the resume to one page unless your industry, such as academia, expects more.

If you're using MyPdfResume, the resume builder handles most formatting for you automatically.

When an application asks for more than a resume, use the free cover letter builder to create a matching PDF cover letter.