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Whether you are looking for your first job or thinking about a new opportunity, having an up-to-date resume can be an important part of the process.
What is a resume?
A resume is a document that shares your experience, skills, and background with an employer. It’s often one of the first things a hiring team reviews when deciding who to move forward in the hiring process.
Not every job or industry requires a resume. Some positions may ask you to fill out an application instead, which includes questions about your work history, references, and experience. Still, having a resume can be helpful. It gives you a place to keep track of your experience and can be used for other opportunities, like college applications, internships, or fellowship programs.
- Internships are usually short-term work experiences where you learn skills in a specific field. Some are paid, and some are not.
- Fellowships are often structured programs that may include training, mentorship, or funding. Some are connected to college or graduate programs, while others are designed for those who may not have had access to traditional work opportunities or that are tied to specific learning objectives (examples: getting out the vote, leadership development, promotora programs, etc.)
What to include in a resume
There isn’t just one “right” way to build a resume, but most include:
- Your name and contact information
- Your work experience
- Your education
- Skills or certifications
Some resumes also include sections like:
- Volunteer or community involvement
- Trainings or courses you’ve completed
- Awards or recognitions
- A short summary at the top
A resume is usually one page, though it may be two pages if you are later in your career or have more relevant experience to include. Formats can vary by field. Some industries expect a more traditional layout, while others allow more flexibility or creativity.
The sections you include may also vary based on your experience. For example, if you do not have a formal work history, it may feel like creating a resume is not possible, but there are still ways to show your skills and experience. You may choose to use a section called “Experience” instead of “Work Experience” so you can include both paid and unpaid experiences.
Relevant experience can include volunteer work, community involvement, leadership roles, caregiving, self-employment, training, or projects. If you took college courses but did not complete a degree, you may still choose to include relevant coursework, especially if it connects to the position or opportunity you are applying for.
The goal is to show where you have built or demonstrated the skills needed for the role, even if that experience did not come from a “traditional job”.
Tips for Creating or Updating Your Resume
- Create a “master resume” you can build from.
It can help to start with a master document where you list all your experiences, skills, and accomplishments. From there, you can create copies and adapt them for different opportunities.
- Name files clearly.
For example: YourName_Resume_Position_Date. This can help you keep track of different versions.
- Be thoughtful about what you include.
You don’t have to include every experience every time. Review the job or opportunity description and consider what skills or experience they are looking for. You may choose to:
- Highlight experiences that best match the role
- Adjust wording to reflect key terms used in the description
- Replace less relevant roles with volunteer or community-based experience
Some guidance suggests always including your most recent job. However, if a role was very short-term or not relevant, you may decide to leave it out or prioritize other experiences that better show your skills.
- Keep it clear, easy to read and concise.
Consider:
- Using consistent formatting, clear headings, and bullet points
- Choosing fonts that are easy to read
- Being concise and avoiding repetition
A one-page resume is common, especially earlier in your career. If your resume goes beyond two pages, it may be worth reviewing for repetition or areas that can be simplified. If you’ve had multiple roles with similar responsibilities, consider how you can highlight different skills or contributions in each one.
- Use action words to show your role and impact.
Instead of listing general qualities like “good communicator” or “hardworking,” focus on showing those skills through your experience. When writing your resume, consider:- What was your role and scope of responsibility? Did you lead, support, coordinate, or assist?
- Are there numbers that help show your impact? (For example, how many people, projects, or locations were involved?)
- Does your experience connect to what the role is asking for (such as working with specific communities, languages, or skills)?
- Ask for feedback (and choose your reviewers carefully). Before submitting your resume, it is important to review it for grammar, clarity, and overall flow. Try to ask 1–2 people who:
- Pay attention to detail.
- Can check for grammar and clarity.
- Understand the type of work you’re applying for (if possible).
If someone only says “it looks fine,” they may not be giving you the level of feedback you need.
Free tools to get started
If you don’t already have a resume, you can create one using free tools:
- Google Docs (with a free Gmail account)
- Microsoft Word Online (with a free Microsoft account)
These platforms offer simple templates you can customize. You can also review sample resumes from different fields for ideas:
Note: Different industries may expect different formats, so it’s okay to explore more than one example.
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