How to Write a Modern Resume: 5 steps 

Looking for a new job can be stressful. But writing your resume doesn’t have to be. In fact, it can even be fun! A great resume is like a snapshot of the very best you. It shows your skills, experience, and personality. And with just a few simple steps, you can create a modern resume that stands out from the crowd.

Here are 5 easy steps to write a modern resume — no boring templates allowed!

1. Choose the Right Format

You wouldn’t wear pajamas to a job interview (we hope!). So don’t bring an outdated resume to the table either. First, pick the right format:

• Reverse-Chronological: Your most recent job goes first. It’s best for people with steady experience.
• Functional: Focuses on skills more than jobs. Great for career changers or fresh grads.
• Hybrid: Combines both! It’s the popular choice today.

Keep the layout clean and easy to read. Use plenty of white space. And stick to one page if you can.

2. Start with a Strong Summary

This goes right at the top. Think of it as your elevator pitch. Just 2–3 sentences that explain who you are and what you bring to the table.

Instead of saying:

“Hard-working professional looking for opportunities to grow.”

Try something like:

“Creative marketing specialist with 5 years of experience in digital campaigns, content creation, and brand strategy.”

Much better, right? It tells them what you’re good at and what they should expect.

3. Highlight Your Skills

This is where you show off! List technical and soft skills that match the job you want.

• Think: project management, data analysis, or Photoshop
• Also think: communication, teamwork, or adaptability

Tailor your skills to each job. Use words straight from the job posting—it helps you get past those pesky automatic filters (Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATS).

4. List Your Work Experience

You’ve done great things—now show them! For each job, include:

• Job title
• Company name and location
• Dates you worked there
• 3–5 bullet points on what you did (and achieved!)

But here’s the trick: focus on results. Don’t just say what you did—say what happened because of it.

Example:

Led a social media campaign that increased engagement by 40% in three months.

That sounds way better than just “Managed social media,” right?

5. Add Education and Extras

Your degree matters, so don’t skip it! Add your school, degree, and graduation year (you can leave off the year if you’re worried about age bias).

If you have more to show, go for it:

• Certifications
• Languages
• Volunteer experience
• Personal projects (like a blog or app)

This extra info shows you’re well-rounded and enthusiastic, especially if it’s relevant to the job.

Bonus Tips!

Here are some final thoughts to polish your masterpiece:

• Use a modern font like Calibri, Helvetica, or Arial
• Keep it to one page (unless you’re super experienced)
• Export as PDF to keep your layout intact
• Spell-check and proofread (then do it again!)

And don’t forget—your resume is just step one. A great resume gets you the interview. After that, it’s all you!

So take a deep breath, follow these five easy steps, and show off your awesome self. You’ve got this!