Writing a resume for the first time? Knowing how to write a resume from scratch can be difficult. Where should you start?

Maybe you’ve recently graduated. Maybe you’ve made it through a successful career without ever needing to write a resume. Either way, there are some key steps to take to ensure you get your resume right first time.

I’m going to guide you through the process of writing a resume in 3 simple steps!

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How to write a resume step 1: Identify your target role

It’s important to know what position you are targeting before writing a resume. When a recruiter opens your resume, it should be crystal clear what role you are suited to.

If you are simply listing your experience with no ideal role in mind, it will come across as confusing. It is unlikely to be a close match to any role.

I’m going to show you how to write a resume for a job that you actually want and are suited to.

Research available roles before you start writing your resume

Select a handful of job adverts that are a good fit for what you are looking for. Ideally, there should be plenty of overlap between these roles, with common themes.

Make note of the key requirements, skills and experience required for these roles. This is the information you’ll need to focus on highlighting in your new resume.

As well as the target job descriptions, consider what type of company you want to work for. Different companies/industries will communicate with varying levels of formality.

When targeting modern or creative industries, a modern resume may be most appropriate. If you are targeting a traditional industry, then it would be beneficial to match their style.

How to write a resume step 2: Gather important details

There are some key details that you’re going to need before you start writing your resume.

If you’ve had a long career, it may take some time to collate everything you need. It’s best to get started as soon as possible.

Helpful details for writing your resume

• Dates of employment/promotions
• Education credentials including any special achievements. If you are newly-graduated, and have to make a resume with no experience, then you will need more details here.
• Job descriptions for each of your roles i.e. what were your day-to-day responsibilities?
• Key accomplishments including metrics. e.g. Did you improve sales year-on-year, if so by how much?
• Any industry recognition/positive press?
• Have you completed any training/courses?
• Relevant volunteer experience (particularly important if you don’t have formal work experience)

How to write a resume step 3: Use a modern resume template

We’ve talked about how to write a good resume, now we’ll explore how to make your resume look great!

When creating a resume from scratch, it can help to start with a professional resume template. A professional resume template will guide you through which sections to include. It will also save you time figuring out how to format an attractive document.

There are lots of resume templates to suit every career stage and industry. It’s important to choose a professional resume template that is well-matched to your target roles.

We have a huge selection of professional resume templates to download

All of our professional resume templates have been designed by experienced resume writers. You’ll find designs for every stage of your career. Each and every one of them is ATS-friendly and includes detailed instructions to guide you.

Click here to explore our range of professional resume templates.

3 things to avoid when choosing a professional resume template

Avoid a resume template with sidebars

Resumes with a 2-column format are generally quite restrictive and can make it difficult for you to highlight your value. They are also difficult to read as people read left-to-right and top-to-bottom. Sometimes 2-column resumes do not parse through Applicant Tracking Systems correctly. More on this later.

Don’t use a resume template that has too many graphics

Yes, an attractive resume does make a stronger first impression but that doesn’t mean you need to overcomplicate it. Most recruiters prefer a simple, clean layout with consistent formatting.

This allows them to quickly find the information they are looking for and focus on the content. The content of your resume will always be the most important thing. Recruiters are not fooled by fancy graphics, in fact, they find them frustrating.

Avoid restrictive sections on a resume template

Every person and every career is unique. A resume template should fit around you and the story you want to tell.

You should be able to add or remove sections as needed, change heading titles and include as much, or as little, information in each section as needed. Avoid templates with text boxes that limit how much you can write.

What about Application Tracking Systems? (ATS)

Most job portals and companies use some form of Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to organize the resumes they receive. Some ATS have features that allow the recruiter to sort the applicants from least to most relevant, or conduct keyword searches to find candidates.

Despite popular folklore, ATS does not automatically reject resumes.

But, choosing a resume format that will parse through ATS will help recruiters find you.

When a resume is ATS-friendly, information will pull through automatically. So you won’t need to re-input your details a second time!

These tips will help your resume be more ATS-friendly:

Don’t forget to write all the important information in the text. Information in graphs or images will not parse through ATS.

An easy way to check your resume is to highlight all the text and copy it into another document in plain text format. If you can still read your resume and it makes sense then you shouldn’t have any issues with ATS.

Conclusion

Writing a good resume from scratch can be difficult, especially when you have years of experience to sort through.

Take it one step at a time and keep focused on including the right information.

Not everything needs to go into a resume, but knowing what the recruiter will be looking for will help you to be selective.

About the author

Hannah Mason is an International Resume Writer at The English Meeting Room.