The complete resume writing guide for 2025.

Introduction: Why This Guide?

Your resume is the most important document in your job search. It's your first impression, your marketing document, and often the deciding factor between getting an interview or being passed over.

This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about writing a professional resume in 2025, including:

• What to include (and what to leave out)
• How to format for both humans and ATS systems
• Industry-specific tips and examples
• How to quantify your achievements
• Common mistakes that cost you interviews

Chapter 1: Resume Basics

What is a Resume?

A resume is a concise document (typically 1-2 pages) that summarizes your professional background, skills, and accomplishments. Its purpose is to convince an employer to interview you.

Resume vs CV: What's the Difference?

How Long Should a Resume Be?

• Entry-level (0-5 years): 1 page
• Mid-career (5-15 years): 1-2 pages
• Senior/Executive (15+ years): 2 pages maximum

The Golden Rule: Every line should add value. If it doesn't demonstrate your qualifications, remove it.

Chapter 2: Contact Information

Your contact information should be at the top of your resume, prominently displayed and easy to read.

What to Include:

1. Full Name

Use your professional name (the one on your LinkedIn and other professional accounts).

✅ Good: Jennifer Martinez
❌ Bad: Jenny M. or JennyMartinez2000

2. Phone Number

Include your mobile number with area code. Make sure your voicemail is professional!

✅ Good: (555) 123-4567
✅ Also Good: 555-123-4567
❌ Bad: Home: (555) 111-1111, Cell: (555) 222-2222

3. Email Address

CRITICAL: Use a professional email address.

✅ Good: firstname.lastname@email.com
✅ Also Good: firstnamelastname@email.com
❌ Bad: partygirl2000@email.com, coolman85@email.com

4. Location

City and State/Province is sufficient. No need for full street address.

✅ Good: San Francisco, CA
✅ Also Good: San Francisco Bay Area
❌ Bad: 123 Main Street, Apt 4B, San Francisco, CA 94102

5. LinkedIn Profile (Optional but Recommended)

Include if your profile is complete and professional.

✅ Good: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-martinez
❌ Bad: Full URL with tracking parameters

6. Portfolio/Website (If Relevant)

Essential for designers, developers, writers, and creatives.

✅ Good: jennifermartinez.com or github.com/jmartinez

What NOT to Include:

• ❌ Photo (unless required in your country)
• ❌ Age or date of birth
• ❌ Marital status
• ❌ Social security number
• ❌ Full street address
• ❌ Multiple phone numbers
• ❌ Unprofessional social media

Chapter 3: Professional Summary

Your professional summary (also called resume summary or career summary) is a 3-5 sentence overview of your experience, skills, and value proposition. It appears right below your contact information.

Why It Matters:

• Recruiters spend 6-7 seconds scanning resumes
• Your summary determines if they keep reading
• It's your elevator pitch in writing

What to Include:

1. Years of experience and job title
2. Key skills and areas of expertise
3. Major achievements (quantified if possible)
4. What you're looking for (optional)

Formula:

[Job Title] with [X years] experience in [industry/field]. Expert in [skill 1], [skill 2], and [skill 3]. Proven track record of [achievement with number]. Seeking to leverage [your strength] to [achieve goal] at [type of company].

Examples by Career Level:

Entry-Level Example:

Mid-Career Example:

Senior-Level Example:

Common Mistakes:

❌ Too Generic: "Hard-working professional seeking challenging position where I can grow."

❌ Too Humble: "Entry-level worker with some experience in marketing."

❌ Too Long: Paragraph of 10+ sentences

❌ Objective Instead: "To obtain a position that utilizes my skills..."

Chapter 4: Work Experience

This is the most important section of your resume. It's where you prove your value through past achievements.

How to Format Each Job:

1. Job Title

List your official job title. If it was unclear or internal jargon, you can clarify:

✅ Good: Marketing Specialist (Digital Marketing)

2. Company Name

Include the company name. If it's not well-known, add a brief description:

✅ Good: TechStart Inc. (Series B SaaS startup)

3. Location

City and State/Country:

✅ Good: New York, NY

4. Dates Employed

Month and Year format:

✅ Good: January 2021 - Present
✅ Also Good: Jan 2021 - Present
❌ Bad: 01/2021 - 11/2024 (confusing internationally)

5. Bullet Points (Achievements)

This is where you shine. Each bullet should demonstrate impact.

The STAR Method for Bullet Points:

• Situation: The context
• Task: What you needed to do
• Action: What you did
• Result: The outcome (quantified!)

Bullet Point Formula:

[Action Verb] + [what you did] + [how you did it] + [result with number]

Examples:

Action Verbs to Start Bullet Points:

How Many Bullet Points?

• Current/Recent job: 4-6 bullets
• Previous jobs: 3-4 bullets
• Older jobs (10+ years ago): 2-3 bullets or remove entirely

Employment Gaps:

If you have gaps in employment:

• Don't lie or hide them
• Consider using years only instead of months
• Add relevant activities (freelancing, volunteering, education)
• Address briefly in cover letter if needed

Chapter 5: Education

Include degree, institution, graduation year (or expected), and relevant honors/achievements. GPA if above 3.5 and you're entry-level. Remove high school once you have a degree.

Chapter 6: Skills Section

List technical skills, software proficiencies, languages, and certifications. Match keywords from job description. Organize by category. Be honest about proficiency levels.

Chapter 7: Optional Sections

Consider adding: Certifications, Publications, Awards, Volunteer Work, Projects, Languages. Only include if relevant and adds value.

Chapter 8: Formatting & Design

Use clean, professional fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman). Consistent formatting throughout. White space for readability. Bold for emphasis. Black text on white background. Save as PDF.

Chapter 9: ATS Optimization

75% of resumes never reach human eyes due to ATS. Use standard headings. Include keywords from job description. Avoid tables, graphics, headers/footers. Use standard fonts. Submit as PDF unless specified otherwise.

Chapter 10: Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Typos and grammatical errors
• Unprofessional email address
• Generic, not tailored to job
• Too long or too short
• Listing duties instead of achievements
• Including personal information
• Using "I", "me", "my"
• Inconsistent formatting
• Lying or exaggerating
• Including salary information

Final Checklist ✅

Before sending your resume:

• ☐ Contact information is current and professional
• ☐ Tailored to specific job posting
• ☐ Keywords from job description included
• ☐ All achievements quantified with numbers
• ☐ Action verbs start each bullet point
• ☐ No typos or grammatical errors
• ☐ Consistent formatting throughout
• ☐ Saved as PDF with professional filename
• ☐ Appropriate length (1-2 pages)
• ☐ No personal information (age, photo, etc.)