write synonym resume

Take Your Résumé to the Next Level With These Action Verbs

Assisted …

Let’s face it: most résumé bullet points start with the same handful of words. Words that have become so overused at this point that not only are they beginning to lose their meaning entirely, but they’re also failing to illustrate the actual day-to-day duties of a particular job.

That’s a major problem when you think about how recruiters and hiring managers have their eyes on hundreds of applicants’ résumés per day. If you’re using the same dull, flat, and oftentimes boring words on your résumé, how can you expect it to stand out from the crowd?

That’s where action verbs can help. And not just any action verbs—but those that are powerful enough to convey not only what you did on the job, but also that you excelled at your tasks and on-the-job challenges.

What is an action verb ?

Action verb: the grammatical definition.

First things first—a verb is a word that describes an action, state, or occurrence. As we all learned in grade school, a few basic verbs include run , walk , dance , jump , etc. Pretty simple, right?

What you may not have known is that these single-word verbs are more specifically defined as action verbs , or verbs that express an action that a person, animal, or object can physically do.

When trying to identify an action verb, ask yourself the question: what is the subject doing? The answer will be the action verb. For example, in the sentence Jane sings a melody , the subject is Jane. What is Jane doing? Jane is singing, so the action verb is sings .

Action verbs vs. linking verbs vs. stative verbs

In contrast, stative verbs express a state of being rather than an action, while linking verbs provide more information or context about the subject of the sentence. But it’s important to note that some verbs can be used as either action verbs or linking verbs, depending on the context of the sentence.

Linking verb example: Jane’s voice sounds lovely. In this sentence, sounds  is a linking verb because it links the subject ( Jane’s voice ) with the characteristic of having a lovely sound.

Stative verb example: Jane is a musician. Here, the verb is  serves as the stative verb because it connects our subject ( Jane ) with the trait of being a musician.

Want to know more? No need to wait, you can dive deeper into this explanation of action verbs of all kinds.

Action verbs in writing résumés

Action verbs are strong, vivid verbs that you can incorporate within your résumé as a solid replacement to everyone else’s typical go-tos. Here’s an example:

Option 1: Managed student volunteers

Option 2: Trained , supervised , and mentored a group of dedicated student volunteers

See how much more detailed, interesting, and compelling the second option is? Choosing a fresh action verb (or in this case, three) makes all the difference.

So whether you’re writing a brand new résumé from scratch for the first time or are simply refreshing your current one, here’s how to strategically make use of action verbs to really pack a punch:

How to use powerful action verbs in résumés

If you have any experience at all with résumé writing, you already know that it is deceptively difficult. Because a résumé’s purpose is to essentially “sell” yourself and your skillset to recruiters and hiring managers, each sentence needs to be carefully and thoughtfully crafted. You want to thoroughly describe your duties and responsibilities and your previous jobs while simultaneously telling the reader something about who you are as an employee— all while keeping it as brief as possible and trying not to be repetitive. That’s a tall order for just a few short bullet points !

Need help putting your résumé together? Check out our guide on writing an effective résumé.

That’s exactly why action verbs are so crucial to good résumé writing. By simply swapping out a few words here and there, you can more clearly showcase your skills, provide as much detail as possible, and lead with the most compelling words that will keep recruiters’ eyes on your résumé for longer.

Try sprinkling in some of the powerful action verbs below throughout your résumé, including in your job descriptions, summary statement, and even in your cover letter. (Pro tip: you can also use them on your LinkedIn profile in the same way!)

Solved a challenging problem

If you helped your team come up with a viable solution for an ongoing issue, consider using:

• constructed
• coordinated
• established
• restructured
• strategized
• transformed

Example: Researched reporting tools and restructured the marketing department’s internal reporting process, making it easier to analyze key performance indicators and prioritize team projects accordingly.

Supported internal stakeholders

Internal stakeholders are people whose interest in a company is the result of a direct relationship, such as employment, ownership, or investment. Whether you interacted directly with company investors or simply managed the needs of a team of employees, elaborate on your specific experience with:

• collaborated
• communicated
• contributed
• problem-solved

Example: Informed the board of directors of any emerging issues related to the business’s day-to-day operations, addressed concerns, and answered questions about proposed changes.

Do you often confuse the words resume and résumé ? Make sure you use them correctly before you get back to building up your applications.

Found ways to save time or money                                

Helping companies streamline their efforts and operate more efficiently or cost-effectively is no small feat, which is why it’s such an impactful accomplishment in the eyes of recruiters. To really drive the point home on your résumé, try using:

• capitalized
• consolidated
• prioritized
• reorganized
• standardized
• streamlined

Example: Streamlined the employee onboarding process by consolidating and standardizing all new hire training materials within one online software.

Grew sales   

On the other hand, it’s equally as impressive if you’ve played a major role in making the company money. Show off your stellar sales skills with:

• outperformed

Example: Generated over $20,000 in revenue in 2020 and continuously outperformed all other sales representatives in the district.

Launched a feature or project

Did you lead the charge on an exciting new endeavor or help launch a company-wide initiative? Illustrate just how important your role was with:

• conceptualized
• implemented
• orchestrated
• spearheaded

Example: Founded and served as volunteer editor of the first marketing department newsletter to help keep company stakeholders and employees in other departments up-to-date on important projects and team efforts.

Led a team             

Strong management and leadership skills are highly valuable for job-seekers in any industry. Set yours apart from the rest by using:

• demonstrated

Example: Supervised and mentored a team of five graphic designers. Trained all employees on industry best practices and cultivated a company culture rooted in continued education.

Showed technical proficiency                  

Demonstrate your skills and showcase the amount of hands-on experience you have in your industry with:

• troubleshot

Example: Identified content gaps on client websites and worked collaboratively with the SEO team to formulate content marketing strategies that drive organic traffic.

Action verbs in action

As you’re incorporating these dynamic action verbs throughout your résumé, don’t be afraid to show off a bit—that’s what a résumé is for! You already know what you’ve accomplished at previous jobs and how great of a candidate you are; simply choose your favorite action verbs and really let those accomplishments shine.

Oops! We could not locate your form.

Résumé? check! Now on to the cover letter .... Thankfully, we've got you covered on how to best write one.

Ways To Say

Synonym of the day

How to Make a Resume in 2024 | Beginner's Guide

For most job-seekers, a good resume is what stands between a dream job and Choice D. Get your resume right, and you’ll be getting replies from every other company you apply to.

If your resume game is weak, though, you’ll end up sitting around for weeks, maybe even months, before you even get a single response.

So you’re probably wondering how you can write a resume that gets you an interview straight up.

Well, you’ve come to the right place!

In this guide, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about how to make a resume, including:

• The 8 Essential Steps to Writing a Resume
• 11+ Exclusive Resume Tips to Up Your Resume Game
• 27+ Real-Life Resume Examples for Different Professions

….and more!

So, let’s dive right in.

How to Make a Resume (The Right Way!)

Before we go into detail about how you should make a resume, here’s a summary of the most important steps and tips to keep in mind:

• Choose a resume format carefully. In 99% of cases, we recommend the reverse-chronological format .
• Add the right contact details. Leave your headshot out and make sure to include your job title , a professional email address, and any relevant links. (E.g.: your LinkedIn profile , online portfolio, personal website, etc.).
• Write an impactful resume summary. Unless you’re an entry-level professional, always go for a resume summary. If you do it right, it’s your chance to get the hiring manager to go through the rest of your resume in detail.
• Pay attention to your work experience section. Take your work experience section from OK-ish to exceptional by tailoring it to the job ad, making your achievements quantifiable, and using action verbs and power words.
• Add the right skills for the job. Keep this section relevant by only including the hard and soft skills that are required for the position.
• Keep your education short and to the point. Your most recent and highest degree is more than enough for a strong education section. You only need to add more details here if you’re a recent graduate with barely any work experience.
• Leverage optional resume sections. Optional sections like languages, hobbies, certifications, independent projects, and others can set you apart from other candidates with similar skills and experience.
• Include a cover letter. That’s right, cover letters matter in 2024, and the best way to supplement your resume is by adding an equally well-crafted cover letter to your job application. To make the most of it, check out our detailed guide on how to write a cover letter .

To get the most out of our tips, you can head over to the resume builder and start building your resume on the go as you read this guide.

New to resume-making? Give our ‘7 Resume Tips’ video a watch before diving into the article!

#1. Pick the Right Resume Format

Before you start filling in the contents of your resume, you have to make sure it’s going to look good. 

After all, the first thing hiring managers notice is what your resume looks like, and then they start reading it. So, this is your best chance to make a great first impression.

Start by choosing the right resume format.

There are three types of resume formats out there:

• Reverse-chronological. This is by far the most popular resume format worldwide and, as such, it’s the best format for most job-seekers.
• Functional. This resume format focuses more on skills than work experience. It’s a good choice if you’re just getting started with your career and have little to no experience in the field.
• Combination. The combination resume format is a great choice for experienced job-seekers with a very diverse skill set. It’s useful if you’re applying for a role that requires expertise in several different fields and you want to show all that in your resume.

So, which one should you go for?

In 99% of cases, you want to stick to the reverse-chronological resume format . It’s the most popular format and what hiring managers expect to see. So, in the rest of this guide, we’re going to focus on teaching you how to make a reverse-chronological resume.

Fix Your Resume’s Layout

With formatting out of the way, let’s talk about your resume’s layout , which determines the overall look of your resume. 

Does it look organized or cluttered? Is it too short or too long? Is it boring and easy to ignore, or is it reader-friendly and attention-grabbing?

Here are some of the best practices you should apply:

• Stick to one page. You should only go for a two-page resume if you have decades of experience and you’re sure the extra space will add significant value. Hiring managers in big companies get hundreds of applications per job opening. They’re not going to spend their valuable time reading your life story!
• Add clear section headings. Pick a heading and use it for all the section headers so the hiring manager can easily navigate through your resume.
• Adjust the margins. Without the right amount of white space, your resume will end up looking overcrowded with information. Set your margins to one inch on all sides so your text fits just right on the page.
• Choose a professional font. We’d recommend sticking to a font that’s professional but not overused. For example, Ubuntu, Roboto, or Overpass. Avoid Times New Roman, and never use Comic Sans.
• Set the correct font size. As a rule of thumb, go for 11-12 pt for normal text and 14-16 pt for section titles.
• Use a PDF file. Always save your resume as a PDF file, unless the employer specifically requests otherwise. Word files are popular, but there’s a good chance they’ll mess up your resume’s formatting.

Another thing you need to consider in terms of your resume’s layout is whether you’re going for a traditional-looking resume template or something a bit more modern :

If you’re pursuing a career in a more traditional industry, like law , banking , or finance , you might want to stick to the first.

But if you’re applying to a tech company where imagination and innovation are valued, you can pick a more creative resume template .

Want to Save Time? Use a (Free) Resume Template

Anyone who’s ever tried creating a resume from scratch knows how boring the formatting can be.

Before you can even start filling in the contents, you need to tweak the margins, adjust font sizes, and make sure everything fits into one page while still looking good.

What if you could skip past all that and still create a compelling resume?

Try one of our free resume templates . They’re pre-formatted, so all you have to do is fill in the contents.

They’re also created in collaboration with recruiters from around the globe, ensuring that the templates are visually appealing and ATS-friendly!

See for yourself how one of our templates compares to a resume created in a standard text editor:

#2. Add Your Contact Information

Now that we’ve got all the formatting out of the way, let’s get into what your resume is all about— the information you put on it .

The first thing you want to do when filling out the contents of your resume is to add your contact information .

This section is pretty straightforward but crucial. Your contact details belong at the top of your resume in a designated resume header , so the hiring manager can easily find them.

Even if everything else about your resume is perfect, that all flops if you misspell your email address or have a typo in your phone number. If the hiring manager can’t contact you, it’s a missed opportunity.

So, double-check, and even triple-check your contact information section and make sure everything is factually correct and up-to-date.

Must-Have Information

• Full name. Your first and last name should stand out at the top of your resume.
• Email address. Stick to an address that’s professional and easy to spell, like a combination of your first and last name. (E.g.: [email protected])
• Phone number. Add a reliable number where the hiring manager can easily reach you.
• Location. Add your city and state/country. If you plan to relocate for the job or want a remote position, specify it on your resume.

Optional Information

• Job title. Add your professional title underneath. Write it down word for word, whether it’s “Digital Marketing Specialist” or “Junior Data Scientist.” Just don’t make up job titles like “Marketing Wizzard” or “Data Manipulator.” They’re not quirky; they’re just unprofessional. 
• LinkedIn profile . We recommend that you include a link to your updated LinkedIn profile since over 77% of hiring managers use the platform when evaluating a candidate. 
• Relevant links. Include links to personal websites or any social media profiles that are relevant to your field. For example, a developer could include a Github profile, while a graphic designer could link their Behance or Driblle account, and so on.
• Date of birth. Unless this is specifically required in the job ad, the hiring manager doesn’t need to know how old you are. It’s not important for their decision-making, and at worst, it might lead to age-based discrimination.
• Unprofessional email address. Your quirky, old high school email address doesn’t belong on your resume. Instead of [email protected] , go for a [email protected] type of address.
• Headshot. (USA, UK or Ireland) Depending on the country where you’re applying, it might even be illegal to include a picture of yourself on your resume . While it’s the norm to include a picture in most of Europe and Asia, always check the regulations for each specific country or industry you’re applying to.

All clear? Good! Now, let’s look at what a great example of a resume's contact information section looks like:

#3. Write a Resume Headline (Summary or Objective)

It's no secret that recruiters spend an average of less than seven seconds on a resume .

When you receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications daily, it's physically impossible to spend too much time on each.

So, what the hiring managers do to go through resumes more effectively is to skim through each resume and read it in depth only if it piques their interest.

This is where the resume headline comes in.

Placed right next to (or underneath) your contact information, this brief paragraph is the first thing the hiring manager is going to read on your resume.

Now, depending on how far along in your career you are, your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

So, how do you choose between a resume summary and a resume objective? Here’s all you need to know:

Resume Summary

A resume summary, as the name suggests, is a two to three-sentence summary of your career so far. If done right, it shows that you’re a qualified candidate at a glance and gets the hiring manager to give you a chance.

Here’s what your resume summary should include:

• Your job title and years of experience.
• A couple of your greatest professional achievements or core responsibilities.
• Your most relevant skills for the job.

Here’s an example of a well-written resume summary: 

Experienced Java Developer with 5 years of experience in building scalable and efficient applications. Contributed to a major project that enhanced application performance by 25%. Strong background in Spring Framework and microservices. Aiming to apply robust coding skills to develop innovative software solutions at XYZ Tech Solutions.

Unless you’re a recent graduate or amid a career change, we recommend you stick to a resume summary. Otherwise, a resume objective might be a better option for you.

Resume Objective

A resume objective is supposed to express your professional goals and aspirations, academic background, and any relevant skills you may have for the job.

It communicates your motivation for getting into a new field, so it’s the go-to headline for recent graduates and those going through a career change. As with a resume summary, a resume objective should be brief—around two to four sentences long.

So, here’s what it would look like if you’re a student:

Hard-working recent graduate with a B.A. in Graphic Design from New York State University seeking new opportunities. 3+ years of practical experience working with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, creating illustrations and UX/UI design projects. Looking to grow as a designer and perfect my art at XYZ Design Studio.

Or, on the other hand, if you’re going through a career change, it might look more like this:

IT project manager with 5+ years of experience in software development. Managed a team of developers to create products for several industries, such as FinTech and HR tech. Looking to leverage my experience in managing outsourced products as a Product Owner at Company XYZ.

#4. Prioritize Your Work Experience

The most important part of your resume is your work experience.

This is where you get to sell yourself and show off your previous accomplishments and responsibilities.

If you manage to master this section, you’ll know most of what’s there to know about how to make a resume.

There are plenty of good practices for writing your work experience . But before we dive into all the nits and grits, let's start with the basics.

The standard format for each work experience entry is as follows:

• Job title/position. Your job title goes on top of each work experience entry. When the hiring manager looks at your resume, you want them to know, at a glance, that you have relevant work experience for the job.
• Company name/location/description. Mention the name of the employer and the general location, such as the city and state/country where you worked. In some cases, you may also want to briefly describe the company, like when the organization isn’t particularly well-known.
• Dates employed. Add the approximate timeframe of your employment at each company. You don’t need to give exact dates since the standard format for this is mm/yyyy.
• Achievements and responsibilities. This is the core of each work experience entry. Depending on your field, you want to list either your achievements or responsibilities. List them in bullet points instead of paragraphs, so they’ll be easier to read.

Here’s a real-life example:

Your work experience entries should always be listed in reverse chronological order , starting with your most recent job and working your way back into the past.

Now that you know how to list your experience, we’re going to show you how to write about it in a way that makes you stand out from the competition, starting with: 

Are you a student with no work experience? We’ve got you covered. Check out our guide to writing a resume with no experience here.

Focus on Achievements Whenever Possible

One of the most common resume mistakes is only listing responsibilities in your work experience section.

Here’s the thing—in most cases, the hiring manager knows exactly what your job responsibilities are.

For example, if you’re a sales manager, your responsibilities would be:

• Reach out to potential clients over the phone or email.
• Maintain relationships with existing company clients and upsell relevant products.
• Tracking and reporting on leads in CRM.

Coincidentally, this is also the same list of responsibilities for every sales manager out there. So, 90% of all other resumes probably mention the same thing.

To stand out from the competition, you want to focus on writing achievements in your resume instead. These can be how you helped your previous company grow, reach quarterly quotas, and so on.

Let’s compare how responsibilities hold up next to achievements for the same job:

• Exceeded sales team KPIs by 30%+ for 3 months straight.
• Generated over $24,000 in sales in 1 month.
• Generated leads through cold-calling
• Managed existing company clients

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there just aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you’re a warehouse worker .

Your day-to-day responsibilities probably include:

• Loading, unloading, and setting up equipment daily.
• Packaging finished products and getting them ready for shipping.
• Assisting in opening and closing the warehouse.

In fields like this, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself through achievements, so it’s okay to stick to responsibilities instead. You can still make them shine by following the rest of our advice about listing your work experience.

Keep in mind, though, that in some fields, there aren’t that many achievements you can mention. Let’s say you work in a warehouse. Your day-to-day responsibilities probably involve:

• Loading, unloading and setting up equipment on a daily basis.
• Package finished product and get it ready for shipping.
• Assist in opening and closing the warehouse.

In such fields, it’s pretty hard to distinguish yourself, so it’s totally OK to stick to responsibilities instead.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Tailoring is what sets an amazing resume apart from an okay one.

Hiring managers don’t need to know about every single job you’ve ever worked at or every single skill that you have.

They only want to know about your jobs, experiences, or skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a job doing Google Ads, you don’t need to talk about your SEO internship from eight years ago.

By focusing your resume on whatever is important for the specific role, you’re a lot more likely to stand out and catch the hiring manager’s attention.

Let’s take a look at an example of a job ad:

As you can see, we’ve highlighted the most important requirements.

To tailor your resume accordingly, you just need to mention how you meet each of these requirements in your resume.

You can highlight your relevant achievements and qualifications in different parts of your resume, such as:

• In your resume summary, where you should recap your years of experience.
• Throughout your work experience section, where you should list achievements and responsibilities that reflect your social media marketing experience.
• In your education section, where you can let the hiring manager know you have the degree that they’re looking for.

Include the Right Amount of Work Experience

If you’ve got over a decade’s worth of work experience, you’re probably wondering whether all of it belongs on your resume. In most cases, you’d end up writing a novel if you listed everything you’ve ever done, and that’s not how long a resume should be .

If you’re new to the job market, on the other hand, you probably don’t have any experience, and you’re wondering what you could even add to this section.

So, here’s how much information your resume should include, depending on your level of experience:

• No experience. If you’re looking for your first job , you won’t have any work experience to fill this section with. So, you can either keep it empty and focus on all the other sections or fill it up with any experience gained in student organizations, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and other projects.
• Entry-level. List all your work experience so far. While some of it won’t be relevant, it can still show the hiring manager that you do have some actual work experience.
• Mid-level. Only mention relevant work experience to the position you’re applying for. There’s no need to waste space on jobs that aren’t related to what you’re after.
• Senior-level. List up to 15 years of relevant work experience, tops. If your most recent experience is as a marketing executive , the hiring manager doesn’t care how you started your career as a junior marketing specialist 23 years ago.

Consider Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Software

Did you know that over 70% of resumes don’t even make it to the hiring manager ?

Most companies these days use ATS to evaluate hundreds of resumes instantaneously and automatically filter out the ones that don’t meet their criteria.

For example, if a resume doesn’t mention a specific skill or isn’t formatted correctly, the ATS will automatically reject it.

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to make an ATS-friendly resume .

Here are a couple of tips to help you get past those pesky robots:

• Stick to one page. Sometimes employers set a limit on how long a resume should be. This means that if your resume is longer than one page, it might get automatically disqualified.
• Incorporate keywords. Tailoring your resume to the job helps a ton with beating the ATS. Just carefully read the job description to find hints for what the ATS will be looking for. Then, whenever you find keywords related to your responsibilities and achievements, make sure to include them in your work experience section.
• Use an active voice. Passive voice is too vague and unclear, so make sure to use active voice as much as possible when describing your previous jobs. (E.g.: “Managed a team of ten people,” instead of “ A team of ten people was managed by me.” )
• Leverage powerful action words. Instead of starting each of your sentences with “was responsible for," make your work experience impactful by using words that can grab attention. Saying that you “spearheaded” or “facilitated” something sounds a lot more impressive than “helped.”

Want to make sure your resume formatting passes the ATS test? Choose one of our tried and tested ATS-friendly resume templates , and you’ll be good to go! 

#5. List Your Education

The next section on your resume is dedicated to your academic qualifications. Let’s start with the basics!

Here’s how you should format the education section on your resume :

• Program Name. Your major and degree type should be listed. (E.g.: “B.A. in Business Administration” )
• University Name. Add the name of the institution. (E.g.: “New York State University” )
• Dates Attended. Use a mm/yyyy format for the dates you attended. (E.g.: “08/2008 - 06/2012” )
• Location. If your university is less well-known, you can also add the location. (E.g.: “Stockholm, Sweden” )
• GPA. Use the appropriate grading system for the country you’re applying to work in. (E.g.: In the USA, it would be “3.9 GPA” )
• Honors. Add any honors and distinctions you’ve been given. (E.g.: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude )
• Achievements. You can mention interesting papers you’ve written, projects you’ve done, or relevant coursework you’ve excelled in.
• Minor. “Minor in Psychology”

Pretty simple, right? Now let’s see what an education section looks like in practice:

This example includes all the necessary information, plus an eye-catching award and relevant classes this candidate has taken.

Resume Education Tips

Now that you know how to list your education on your resume, let’s take this section to the next level.

Just follow these expert tips:

• If you’re making a resume as a student and don’t have any work experience yet, you can list your education section at the beginning of the page instead of work experience.
• You can add your expected graduation date if you’re still pursuing your degree.
• If you already have relevant work experience, just keep this section short and sweet. Recent graduates can expand on their education more and add optional information like projects, classes, academic achievements, etc.
• Always list your degrees in reverse chronological order, starting with your highest degree on top. Your highest and most recent degree is usually enough, so if you have a Master’s degree that’s relevant to the job, there’s no need to mention your earlier degrees.
• Don’t add your high school degree to your resume if you already have a university degree. It doesn’t have as much weight, and you can use the space for something else.
• Only mention your GPA if you had an impressive academic career. Anything below a 3.5 GPA doesn’t need to be on your resume.

Are you in the process of applying for college? Check out our guide to writing a college application resume to wow that admissions officer!

#6. Emphasize Your Know-How in the Skills Section

After your work experience, your skills are the first thing the hiring manager is going to look for. In fact, together, work experience and skills make up 90% of the hiring decision .

So, this is the place where you want to mention all the know-how that makes you the perfect candidate for the job.

There are two types of skills you can include when writing your resume:

• Hard Skills. These are measurable abilities. What you can list here can be anything from coding in Python to knowing how to cook Thai cuisine.
• Soft Skills. Also known as personal skills, these are a mix of communication skills , personal traits, career attributes, and more. They can include leadership, critical thinking, and time management , just to name a few.

Your resume should always cover both hard skills and soft skills . Here’s an example in action:

Now, let’s discuss how you should list your most important skills on your resume.

There are a few essential steps you need to follow:

Always List Hard and Soft Skills Separately

Your resume should be easy and neat to navigate. The hiring manager shouldn’t have to waste time looking for a specific skill because you didn’t separate it into the appropriate subsection.

So, just create separate categories for your hard and soft skills.

Depending on your field, you could customize the name of your “hard skills” subsection to something like “technical skills," “marketing skills," or something else related to your field.

Let’s look at an example of what skills look like on a project manager’s resume :

Methodologies & Tools

• Agile Methodology
• SCRUM Framework
• Waterfall Project Management
• Microsoft Project
• Critical Path Method (CPM)
• Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Risk Management

Soft Skills

• Team Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Negotiation

Tailor Your Skills to the Job

You might have some awesome skills, but the hiring manager only needs to know about the ones that are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant, your gourmet chef skills shouldn’t be on your resume.

Look at the job ad and list at least two to three essential skills you have that are required for the role. Remember—there’s no need to list every skill you have here; just keep it relevant.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Graphic Design or a related field.
• Tech-savvy, with some background in CMS systems such as WordPress.
• Thrives in a stressful environment and juggles multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Self-reliant, with the ability to manage their own work.
• A can-do attitude and an outside-the-box thinker.
• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages.
• Basic understanding of Office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

So, the must-have hard skills here are Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote, and Pages. Other good computer skills to have are WordPress or similar CMS systems.

While you can also mention Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, it’s pretty much assumed that you know how to use them since they’re required for most office jobs.

List Hard Skills with Experience Levels

For each hard skill you list on your resume, you should also mention your proficiency level. This tells employers what they can expect from you and how much training you might need.

• Beginner. You have some experience with the skill, whether it’s from some entry-level practice or classroom education.
• Intermediate. You’ve used the skill in a work environment with good understanding.
• Advanced. You’re the go-to person for this skill in your office. You can coach other employees, and you understand the skill at a high level.
• Expert. You’ve applied this skill to more than a handful of different projects and organizations. You’re the go-to person for advice about the skill, not just in your office but even amongst some of the best professionals in your field.

Just make sure to never lie about your actual skill level. Even if you get the job, once you need those skills you exaggerated, it will be pretty awkward for both you and your employer.

Include Transferable Skills

These are the types of skills that are useful for almost any job out there.

Transferable skills can be both soft skills (e.g.: teamwork, creativity, problem-solving skills, and others) and hard skills (MS Office Suite, HTML, writing, etc.)

Whatever job you’re applying to, chances are you have transferable skills from your experience that can come in handy one way or another. So, feel free to include them, even if they’re not specifically required for the position.

Not sure which skills to mention on your resume for your specific field? Check out our list of 101+ essential skills for inspiration!

#7. Leverage Optional Resume Sections

The sections we’ve covered so far are must-haves for any resume. They’re the bread-and-butter for any job application, and if you get them right, you’ll land any job you apply to.

But if you have some leftover space, there are a few optional sections you can choose from to give your resume a boost!

Are you bi-lingual? Or even better  – multi-lingual? You should always mention that on your resume!

Even if the position doesn’t require you to know a specific language, it can still come in handy at some point. At the end of the day, it’s always better to know more languages than less.

To list languages in your resume , just write them down and assign them the appropriate level:

• Intermediate

You can also use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency scales.

As a given, you should never lie about your language skills. You never know—your interviewer might turn out to be fluent in the language or even be a native speaker!

Hobbies and Interests

If you want to spice up your resume, hobbies and interests could be just what you need.

While this section isn’t a game-changer, it can help the hiring manager see who you are as an individual.

For example, if you listed “teamwork” as one of your skills, hobbies like team sports can back up your claim.

And who knows? Maybe you and your interviewer have some hobbies or interests in common!

Volunteering Experience

If you’re the type of person who devotes their free time to helping others while expecting nothing in return, chances are that you’re the type of employee who’s in it for more than just the money. 

Seeing volunteer experience on your resume tells hiring managers that you’re a loyal employee who’s after something meaningful.

Several studies show that listing your volunteer experience can boost your chances of getting hired, especially if you have little to no work experience.

Certifications

Hiring managers love candidates who invest in themselves, and that’s exactly what they see when you list certifications on your resume .

If you value continuous learning and strive to expand your skill set, that’s always a plus.

Certifications can also show employers how much expertise you have.

For example, if you’re a Microsoft Cloud Engineer and you specialize in Microsoft Technologies, you should definitely include all essential certifications on your resume, such as the Azure Solutions Architect Expert one.

Awards and Recognitions

There’s no harm in showing off a little on your resume. After all, you want to be a candidate that shines above the rest.

So, if you’ve received any awards or recognitions that make you stand out in your field, make sure to add them.

For example, if you’ve been recognized for your contributions to data science or received a hard-to-come-by scholarship , mention it in your resume. Just keep your entries here relevant to the field you’re applying to.

Publications

Whether you’re a freelance writer or a distinguished academic, publications are always impressive.

If you have any published works (online or in an academic journal), you can add them to your resume. Just make sure to include a link so the hiring manager knows where to check your work!

Are you looking for a career in academia? Check out our guide to writing the perfect academic CV to get started!

Working on side projects can show off your passion for your field. Whether they’re university class projects or part-time entrepreneurial endeavors, they’re relevant.

For example, if you worked on a mock software product as part of a university competition, it shows you went through every step of product creation, from ideation to creating a marketing strategy.

This project also shows off your organizational skills , and if you mention it in your resume, you stand a better chance of landing the job you had your sights set on.

But projects can also be personal, not academic. For example, you might manage an Etsy store where you sell hand-made arts and crafts to customers online. This is a great opportunity to highlight your creativity, management, and customer service skills .

Overall, hiring managers love employees who do cool work in their free time, so projects are always a great section to add to your resume.

Looking to kickstart your career? Check out our guide on how to get an internship for useful tips and real-life examples!

Extracurricular Activities

Every college freshman knows that extracurricular experience can make a difference in their application.

Especially if you don’t have a lot of experience outside of school, extracurricular activities are a great way to show potential employers your skills and give them insight into you as a person. Different clubs and after-school projects can help you gain real-life skills and considerably increase your chances of landing your first job after college.

For example, joining a student government organization can hone your leadership skills and teach you how to work as part of a team.

For example, if you’re part of a student government or public speaking club, these activities can help you hone your leadership and presentation skills.

11+ Expert Resume Tips

You’ve got the gist of how to make a resume. Now, it’s time to make it really stand out from the crowd!

Follow these exclusive resume tips to take your resume game to the next level:

• Match the professional title underneath your name to the job title of the position you’re applying for. Hiring managers often hire for several roles at once, so giving them this cue about what role you’re after helps things go smoother.
• Mention any promotions from your previous jobs. Use the work experience entries for them to focus on the achievements that helped you earn them.
• Describe your achievements using Laszlo Bock’s formula : accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z . This way, your work experience can go the extra mile and show the hiring manager what you can bring to the table.
• Always list your achievements and responsibilities in concise bullet points. This makes your resume more reader-friendly, and it’s more likely that the hiring manager will see your impressive achievements at a glance.
• Don’t use personal pronouns like “I” or “me,” and don’t refer to yourself by name. Stick to a slightly altered third person, like “managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.” instead of “he managed data integrity at XYZ Inc.”
• Name your resume sections correctly, or it might get rejected by the ATS. Swapping out quirky names like “career history” or “expertise” for “work experience” and "skills" makes it easier for the hiring manager to find what they’re looking for, too.
• Prioritize important keywords instead of adding all of them. Make sure the relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences you add all make sense in context, too. Your goal is to get past the ATS and impress the hiring manager.
• Focus on transferable skills if you don’t have a lot of relevant work experience. Any extracurricular activities or personal projects can help you stand out here.
• Add a strategic pop of color to headings, bullet points, or key elements you want to highlight. It can help your resume stand out, but don’t overdo it—you want the information to be more impressive than the color palette.
• Don’t include the line “references available upon request.” Hiring managers already know they can request a list of references from you, so there’s no need to waste valuable space on it.
• Make sure your resume is optimized for mobile viewing. Most hiring managers use their mobile phones as often as desktop computers, so save your resume to a PDF file and make sure your formatting stays intact across any device.
• Rename the resume file you plan to send so it includes your name and the name of the position you’re applying for. It’s a small detail that can turn into a crucial mistake if you forget it.
• Read your resume out loud when you’re done. This is a great way to catch awkward phrases or spelling mistakes you might have missed otherwise.
• Use a tool like DocSend to track your resume. You’ll get a notification any time someone opens your resume, and you can see how long they spend reading it.

FREE Resume Checklist

Are you already done with your resume? Let’s see how it holds up!

Go through our checklist for perfecting your resume and see where you stand!

If you missed some points, just go through your resume one more time and perfect it.

And if you ☑’d everything—congrats! You’ve learned all there is to know about writing a resume, and you’re good to go with your job search.

Need to write a CV instead of a resume? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to write a CV with dozens of examples!

9 Resume Templates for Different Industries

Looking to create an effective resume without dealing with the formatting hassle? Just choose one of the templates below.

#1. Traditional Resume Template

Good for traditional industries like finance, banking, law, and manufacturing.

#2. Modern Resume Template

Good for both contemporary and forward-looking industries, including entrepreneurship, medical technology, and engineering.

#3. Creative Resume Template

Good for creative industries, including entertainment, design, and architecture. 

#4. Minimalistic Resume Template

Good for experienced professionals in basically any industry who want to let their achievements do the talking. 

#5. IT Resume Template

Good for any IT-related profession like software development, cyber security, and DevOps engineering.

#6. Tech Resume Template

Good for the tech industry and everything it encompasses.

#7. College Resume Template

Good for college students and recent graduates alike.

#8. General Resume Template

Good for multiple industries, including HR, education, and customer service.

#9. Executive Resume Template

Good for senior professionals across different industries, including hospitality, marketing, and logistics.

17+ Resumes for Different Jobs

Knowing how to write a resume is one thing, but making a resume that stands out is something entirely different. Without inspiration, even top career experts might stumble on a roadblock or two.

Check out the following effective resume examples for specific jobs to get a better sense of what a good resume looks like:

#1. Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a nurse resume here.

#2. Data Scientist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a data scientist resume here.

#3. Business Analyst Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a business analyst resume here.

#4. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a digital marketing resume here.

#5. Software Engineer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a software engineer resume here.

#6. Construction Project Manager Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a construction project manager resume here.

#7. Customer Service Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a customer service resume here.

#8. High School Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a high school resume here.

#9. Student Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a student resume here.

#10. Server Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a server resume here.

#11. Actor Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an actor resume here.

#12. Web Developer Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a web developer resume here.

#13. Engineering Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing an engineering resume here.

#14. Computer Science Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a computer science resume here.

#15. Architect Resume Example 

Check out our full guide to writing a data analyst resume here.

#17. Remote Job Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a remote job resume here.

#18. Sales Associate Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a sales associate resume here.

#19. Receptionist Resume Example

Check out our full guide to writing a receptionist resume here.

Want to see more examples? Check out our compilation of 80+ resume examples for different fields .

• Administrative Assistant Resume
• Bartender Resume
• DevOps Engineer Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Flight Attendant Resume
• Graphic Designer Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Recruiter Resume
• Supervisor Resume

Next Steps After Your Resume

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about how to make a resume, it’s time to talk about the rest of your job application.

After all, your resume is only the first step in your job search. To land the job you deserve, you also need to write a captivating cover letter and ace that upcoming interview. Here’s how:

#1. How to Write a Convincing Cover Letter

The companion piece to every resume is the cover letter.

Most job-seekers flinch when they hear that they have to write a cover letter. What do you even mention in a cover letter, anyway? If you were good at writing cover letters, you’d be applying for a job as a writer !

In reality, though, writing a cover letter is very simple once you know its purpose.

Think of your cover letter as a direct message to the hiring manager. It’s your chance to briefly explain why you’re such an awesome fit for the position. And with a few cover letter tips to point you in the right direction, you’ll write the perfect cover letter for your job application.

Just follow this structure:

• Add the contact details. Include the same contact information as on your resume, plus additional contact details for the hiring manager, including their name, job title, the company’s name, and location.
• Introduce yourself. Start your cover letter by mentioning who you are, what your work experience is, and why you’re interested in the position. Mention a standout achievement or two, relevant skills, and what you’d like to do for the company you’re applying for.
• Explain why you’d excel at the job. Find the requirements in the job ad that you meet, and elaborate on how you fulfill the most important ones. Research the company so you know what you like about it, and mention it in your cover letter. Make sure to convey your enthusiasm for the job and confidence that you’ll be a great fit for their team.
• Wrap it up politely. Conclude your cover letter by recapping your key selling points and thanking the hiring manager for their time. Then add a call to action, such as “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at the provided phone number so that we can discuss my application in greater detail.” Then, add a closing line and follow it with your full name.

Sounds easy, right? Here’s a real-life example to drive the point home:

Do you need more help perfecting your cover letter? Learn what the most common cover letter mistakes are and check out cover letter examples for all professions here.

#2. How to Ace Your Next Interview

Once you’ve perfected both your resume and cover letter, there’s only one thing left.

It’s time for the final step—the dreaded job interview.

Whether you’re an extrovert or an introvert, you probably hate the interviewing process. No matter how experienced you are, it can be nerve-wracking. Sitting there while someone’s prodding into your past experiences and judging you isn’t fun.

But did you know that most interviewers ask the same questions?

That’s right—all you have to do is learn how to answer some of the most common interview questions, and you’ll be an interview away from landing your dream job!

Just check out our complete guide to the 35+ Job Interview Questions and Answers and learn how to ace your next interview.

FAQs on How to Make a Resume

Do you still have some questions about making a resume? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions below!

#1. What does a good resume look like in 2024?

For your resume to look good in 2024, make sure it’s organized and clean and isn’t longer than one page.

Be sure to include information that adds value to your application—leave out the focus on your relevant work experience and skills that you can back up, and list as many achievements as possible. 

If you’re using a resume template, choose one based on your industry. Conservative industries like law, banking, and business require more traditional resume templates. But if you’re going for an industry like design, architecture, or marketing, you can go for a creative resume template . 

Remote work is also big in 2024, so if that’s what you’re after, tailor your resume to match the job you want.

#2. How do you make a resume in Word?

The best way to create a resume in Word is to use a pre-designed Microsoft Word template. To access them, you should: 

• Open MS Word
• Click “file” from the menu bar 
• Select “new”
• Type “resume templates” in the search bar 

That said, Word resume templates are generic, hard to personalize, and overall not very stylish.

Want a resume that looks good and is extremely easy to make? Check out resume templates to get started!

#3. How do I write a resume for my first job?

If you’re writing your first-ever resume for an entry-level position, the hiring manager won’t expect you to have any work experience.

However, you can make up for your lack of experience with your skills and academic achievements.

For example, you can take advantage of extracurricular activities, internships, volunteering experiences, and other non-professional experiences. You can use them to highlight the skills you’ve gained and what you’ve achieved so far.

So, your first job resume should have a resume objective, emphasize your education, and replace your work experience with any internships, volunteering, independent projects, or other experiences.

#4. How to make a resume on Google Docs?

You can make a resume on Google Docs by choosing one of their templates and filling it in on the go.

All you have to do is go to your Google Drive’s template gallery, choose your preferred template, fill in your information, and your Google Docs resume is ready to go! 

That said, Google Docs templates aren’t the most user-friendly choice. You don’t have much flexibility with the layout and formatting isn’t that easy. For example, you tweak a section to the slightest, and the whole resume becomes a mess.

If you want an easier option, check out our resume builder !

#5. What kind of resume do employers prefer?

Typically, employers prefer one-page-long resumes that follow the reverse chronological format. 

Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes every day, so they don't have the time to read three-page resumes. Try one of our one-page resume templates so you don’t go over the recommended resume length.

Meanwhile, the reverse-chronological format is the most popular because it draws attention to your most recent jobs and professional achievements, which is the #1 most important thing hiring managers look at when evaluating a resume.

#6. How many jobs should you put on your resume? 

You should only include relevant job positions on your resume.

This means that your work experience section should be tailored to the job you are applying for. If you’ve worked five different jobs and they can all add value to your current application, then you should include all five. 

If, on the other hand, you’re applying for, say, a customer service position and some of your past jobs don’t have anything to do with customer service, you should skip them.

#7. Should I put my address on my resume? 

You can put your location (city, state, or country) on your resume, but you don’t need to put your entire physical address.

Putting a physical address on a resume was the norm back when companies would contact you via mail. In today’s world, everyone communicates via email, which is why adding a correct and professional email address to your contact information section is far more important than putting your physical address. 

So, just include your location or-–if you’re a remote worker—specify you prefer to work remotely by writing “working remotely from [location].”

#8. What information should I leave out of my resume?

As a general rule, you shouldn’t include your birthday or your headshot on your resume. This norm varies from country to country but it applies to the USA, Canada, and UK.

If you have plenty of achievements to list under your work experience, then you can leave your basic work responsibilities out of your resume. 

In your education section, you should only include your highest and most recent degree. So, if you hold a Ph.D., you can list that and your Master’s degree and leave your Bachelor’s degree and high school diploma out.

Finally, leave out any skills that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying for.

#9. Is a resume a CV?

Depending on where you are, a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a resume might be completely different things.

In most of the world, though, including Europe and Asia, they are used interchangeably for the same document. Both CVs and resumes are one to two pages long, and list skills and experiences relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Sometimes more detailed resumes that go over one page are referred to as CVs. These are typically only used by senior professionals, executives, CEOs, etc.

In the USA, however, a CV is a completely different document. Typically, CVs are detailed and comprehensive documents that highlight your entire academic and professional history. They’re often used for academic, scientific, or research positions, which is why this type of CV can also be referred to as an academic CV.

You can create your CV using one of our CV templates !

#10. Should I write my own resume?

Yes, you should always write your own resume.

Your resume is your opportunity to show the hiring manager your communication, writing, and presentation skills . Employers also evaluate you based on how effectively you can convey information about yourself, and there’s no one that can represent you better than yourself.

Writing your own resume lets you introduce yourself authentically. You have the best understanding of your skills and experiences, and you can personalize them to make your resume stand out.

And, as a bonus, the experience of writing your resume yourself can be reflective and insightful, so it might help you understand your professional journey and career goals better.

#11. Can a resume be two pages?

Generally, we strongly recommend that your resume stick to one page.

Hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes every day, and keeping your resume to one page increases the odds that they’ll see your qualifications faster.

In some cases, like when you have a lot of relevant experience, your resume can go over two pages. But this exception is reserved for senior professionals with over a decade of relevant experience and tons of skills and achievements that simply can’t fit on one page.

#12. Is a simple resume okay?

Absolutely, a simple resume is often more than okay—it's preferable.

Before your resume even gets to the hiring manager, a complicated layout could get it rejected by the applicant tracking system (ATS). A simple resume template can help get your application straight to the hiring manager.

A clean layout can also make sure that your resume is easily readable and looks professional. This can focus the hiring manager's attention on your work experience and skills without excessive clutter or flashy colors to distract them.

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

If you’ve followed all of our advice until now, congrats! You’re probably an expert on how to make a resume.

To recap, let’s go through some of the most important lessons we’ve learned so far...

• Use the right resume builder to make the process as smooth as possible. You don’t want to mess around with formatting for hours before even starting to work on your resume!
• Focus on your achievements over responsibilities. This can help you stand out from all the other applicants, especially if you back your claims up with data.
• Include all the must-have sections, like the resume summary, work experience, education, and skills. Then leverage optional sections if you have leftover space.
• Tailor your resume for the job you’re applying for. Everything listed on your resume should be relevant to the specific job you’re applying for, and you should write a new resume for every new job application.
• Take the time to perfect your cover letter. It’s just as important as your resume, so make sure you pay as much attention to it!

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

43 Create Synonyms for Resume

Try out these Create synonyms for your resume instead. Make your resume concise, sharp and more impactful with these Create synonyms.

In this article, we will show you:

• Synonyms for “Create” that you should use or avoid.
• Example of how to use these “Create” synonyms on your resume.

Top 43 Create Synonyms for Your Resume in 2022

• Bring Into Existence
• Cause To Be
• Give Life To
• Bring Into Being
• Bring To Pass

Other Create Synonyms for Resume that are not a Great Fit (Use With Caution)

• Give Birth To

Where to Highlight Create Synonyms on Your Resume?

Generally, you can add Create to the following sections of your resume:

• “Create” synonym on your resume’s summary or objective
• “Create” synonym on your resume’s work history section.
• “Create” synonym on your resume’s education section.

Using Synonyms Instead of Create on Resume - Examples

Organize instead of create on resume - example.

• “Proven ability to manage airline schedules, build availability matrix, and organize ground teams to optimize scheduling.”
• “Organize itineraries of A-list celebrities.”
• “Organize and hold conferences on molecular biology.”
• “Organize webinars on online marketing best practices.”

Initiate Instead of Create on Resume - Example

• “Initiate and manage discussions with political sponsors and PR agencies.”
• “Initiate necessary corrective and preventive maintenance plans for various plant equipment.”
• “Initiate a relationship with the strategic partners and vendors.”
• “Initiated the operation quality project to monitor the health of fleets on the go.”
• “Initiate and lead design projects with the support of Creative Director and Design Head.”
• “Proactively initiate and execute plans across the nation for…”

Generate Instead of Create on Resume - Example

• “Generated over 15+ monthly sales qualified leads generating over $50,000 in monthly revenue.”
• “Generate mobility data reports and support decision making by key stakeholders.”
• “Generate public awareness of our benefits program within Orange County.”
• “To generate more business...”

Establish Instead of Create on Resume - Example

• “Establish and communicate a clear, winning customer experience vision to build a customer-centric organization.”
• “'Hands on' expertise in establishing all aspects of auditing infrastructure for Fortune 500 organizations.”
• “Hired to establish a corporate strategy for managing our 40+ clothing stores.”
• “Established software development life cycle processes for on-shore and off-shore teams.”
• “Establish partnership with several automotive and heavy transport vendors and strategic partners.”

Produce Instead of Create on Resume - Example

• “Produced various state and national level reports on employability.”
• “Produced, directed and shot video ads for Nike, Puma, etc.”
• “Designed, produced & launched 53 React based web applications.”
• “Produced highly polished, effective creatives.”
• “Produce multimedia content for FOX network.”
• “As an Instructional Designer, I produced specific learning modules for each business user type on our LMS.”
• “Iteratively designed to guarantee the design creatives we produce match customer’s expectations.”

Conceive Instead of Create on Resume - Example

• “Coordinated with multiple teams to conceive a holistic zero emission strategy for our northern production facility.”
• “Conceiving and implementing dynamic strategies that drove error reduction through production lines.”
• “Conceive operational and service documentation for 10,000+ users from ACME.”
• “Demonstrated ability to conceive and produce out of box solutions and strategies for teaching 8th graders.”

Author Instead of Create on Resume - Example

“Authored 23 security policies to build a state of art IoT security practice at HQ.”

Formulate Instead of Create on Resume - Example

• “Formulate proposals and SOWs for inbound client inquiries.”
• “A transportation industry leader who can formulate cost effective transportation strategies and see them through execution.”
• “Formulate and setup software development lifecycle at ACME.”
• “Formulate design specifications in accordance with SAE standards.”

Originate Instead of Create on Resume - Example

“Elevated operational efficiency by 48% after in originating a successful transport management process.”

Invent Instead of Create on Resume - Example

“Invented, patented, and commercialized multiple car lighting systems.”

Forge Instead of Create on Resume - Example

“Excel at leading manufacturing teams to forge productive and efficient manufacturing processes that surpass all expectations.”

Form Instead of Create on Resume - Example

“Formed better editorial processes at ACME printing press that reduced editorial errors by 32%.”

Fabricate Instead of Create on Resume - Example

“Design, fabricate and weld heat exchanger parts.”

Construct Instead of Create on Resume - Example

• “Construct boiler systems, filtration systems, and piping equipments for customers in the east-coast.”
• “Construct team specific dashboards on PowerBI to enable better decision making by team leads.”
• “Efficiently construct financial plans for customers of ACME bank.”

Compose Instead of Create on Resume - Example

“Composed and produced more than 3 award winning music titles for Sony.”

Plan Instead of Create on Resume - Example

“Responsible for sales planning and outreach activities.”

Shape Instead of Create on Resume - Example

“Shape and improve existing manufacturing processes to deliver more than 3 ton production capacity per year.”

Build Instead of Create on Resume - Example

“Build and scale customer service processes across ACME.”

Copyright © 2024 Workstory Inc.

Select Your Language:

43 Powerful Resume Synonyms for Collaborate

Customers Interviewed by:

75% of employers consider collaboration and teamwork as critical aspects of the success of a business. Further, another survey shows that 86% of employees believe that failure to collaborate leads to workplace failures. 

Therefore, as a key skill companies need most and recruiters look for, you need to effectively express how well you work with others without overusing the word “collaborate” when writing your resume . 

In this quick guide, we listed powerful and dynamic “collaborate” synonyms you can use on your resume.

What does “collaborate” mean?

To collaborate means to work with others to achieve a common goal. 

Collaboration in the workplace increases productivity, gives a sense of unity, and boosts employee morale.

43 Resume synonyms for Collaborate

Here are different ways of saying “collaborate” on your resume:

• Accompanied
• Assimilated
• Co-produced
• Communicated
• Contributed
• Coordinated
• Corresponded
• Facilitated
• Incorporated
• Participated
• Synchronized
• Volunteered
• Worked with

How to replace Collaborate with a stronger synonym

Use clear and targeted “collaborate” synonyms on your resume to highlight how you fostered collaboration.

For example:

Instead of saying

Collaborated with the team to create an operations manual.

Try saying,

Led a team of ten employees across different departments to create the company’s first operations manual.

This proves to recruiters and hiring managers your ability to lead a diverse team, solve company problems , and contribute to the company’s success. 

Examples of how to use synonyms for Collaborate

Using strong, clear, and targeted synonyms for “collaborate” on your resume shows recruiters your track record and gives them a picture of what you bring to the table.

Here are some examples of how to use “collaborated” synonyms when writing your resume:

• Teamed up with the Research and Development department to develop our newest product, directly contributing to a 20% year-over-year increase in sales.
• Worked with the Accounting department and established internal controls within the organization, which reduced income leakages by 5%.
• Advised management on how to detect and address product issues and delivery delays.
• Coordinated the implementation of new sales strategies and trained 15 sales representatives; directly responsible for the 30% increase in company profits during the last quarter of 2022.
• Shared innovative ideas with the Human Resources and Public Relations departments to create the company’s CSR initiative for 2023, which resulted in a 10% increase in bottom-line financials and a 20% increase in customer retention and loyalty.

Pro Tip: Always mention measurable results and tangible resume accomplishments , as these prove to recruiters that you have what it takes to succeed in the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are resume synonyms for “collaborated” you can add to your resume. • Teamed • Partnered • Networked • Allied • Affiliated • Associated • Merged • Integrated • Linked • Participated • Synergized

Instead of using “collaborate” on your resume, you can use more effective and specific “collaborate” synonyms. Here are some examples: • Communicated • Cooperated • Coordinated • Integrated • Merged • Shared • Wove Using these action verbs makes your resume stand out more to recruiters and hiring managers, as these paint a clearer picture of what you did and the value you contributed in your previous professional roles.

Save your time and ensure that you have the strongest and most relevant words on your resume by using Jobscan’s Resume Scanner !

Make your resume stand out and get noticed

Upload your resume to see what’s missing and get a free match rate.

View full results and optimize your resume

More expert insights on this topic:

500 Synonyms for Common Resume Power Verbs

The Best Synonyms for “Assisted” to Use on Your Resume

500 Action Verbs to Use on Your Resume Today

Related Articles

August 28, 2024

August 27, 2024

August 22, 2024

August 16, 2024

August 14, 2024

August 10, 2024

August 8, 2024

Join 2 million job seekers who get bi-weekly job search tips

Get insider knowledge and ready-to-use job-seeking tips and hacks delivered to your inbox.

What Is a Mini Resume & How To Write One [+ Examples]

3 key takeaways

• A mini resume is a concise, one-page summary of your most relevant qualifications and experiences.
• Focus on highlighting your most impressive achievements and skills that directly relate to your target position.
• Teal's AI Resume Builder helps you make an impact in limited space.

A strong first impression can be the difference between a successful career and a job. Being able to communicate your value clearly and quickly is crucial. 

Enter the mini resume—a tool that condenses your professional story into a concise, impactful format. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, learning the art of the mini resume will help you write a reusable bio, refine your elevator pitch, and feel confident in job interviews.

This guide walks you through what a mini resume is, when to use it, and how to create one that stands out in the eyes of prospective employers.

Make a resume in minutes with Teal.

What is a mini resume?

Think of a mini resume as your professional highlight reel, designed to capture attention and showcase your most impressive qualifications in a snapshot.

A mini resume is a condensed version of a full resume—typically one page or less. Its primary purpose is to provide a quick overview of your key skills and career highlights, serving as a networking tool or a supplement to your full resume. Unlike a traditional resume that covers your entire job history, a mini resume focuses on your most relevant experience and achievements, giving potential employers a brief summary of what you bring to the table.

When to use a mini resume

Mini resumes can be used in a variety of situations:

• Networking events and career fairs where time is limited
• Initial introductions to prospective employers to pique their interest
• As a supplement to a full job application, providing a quick summary of your key qualifications
• For certain positions or industries that prefer concise applications
• When reaching out to contacts for informational interviews or job requests

Advantages of using a mini resume

A mini resume can help you make a quick, strong impression in competitive situations—be it a networking event or a group discussion interview round. It’s also easier for busy hiring managers and recruiters to review, so it rarely goes ignored. Beyond the circumstantial advantages, here’s why a mini-resume is helpful: 

• It forces you to focus on your most relevant qualifications, in-turn honing your personal brand.
• It demonstrates your ability to communicate concisely—a valued skill in many jobs.
• It serves as a versatile tool in various professional settings, from business card exchanges to networking events.

How to write a mini resume

Creating an effective mini resume requires strategy and precision. Here’s how to craft one that packs a punch and leaves a lasting impression on potential employers:

1. Choose the right mini resume format

The format of your mini resume should align with your industry and purpose. Common formats include:

• Business card style : Ultra-condensed for quick networking encounters, fitting on a standard business card. Should ideally only include your name, job title, and key contact information.
• One-page summary : A brief overview of your key qualifications and experiences, often one page long. This format should include your professional summary, top achievements, and core skills,
• Brief bullet points : Highlighting your most impressive achievements and skills relevant to the specific job or industry

Select the format that best showcases your strengths and fits the context in which you’ll use it. Remember, flexibility is key—you might need different formats for different situations.

2. Select key information to include

Your mini resume should include:

• Contact info : Essentials like your name, email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile
• Professional summary or career goals : A brief summary (one to two impactful sentences) outlining your career goals or relevant job experience
• Work experience : Most relevant work history (two to three positions with key achievements)
• Key skills : Qualifications tailored to the target role or industry, focusing on what’s most relevant
• Education : Credentials applicable and relevant to the job posting
• Notable achievements or volunteer work : Quantify achievements where possible to showcase your impact

3. Tailor your content

When you customize your resume for each opportunity, you ensure that it’s always relevant. Here’s how you can tailor it: 

• Highlight skills and experiences most relevant to the position or company
• Use industry-specific language and keywords from the job description to show you understand the field
• Focus on achievements that align with the company’s goals and values such as reducing operational costs by 10% for a sustainability-focused company.
• Adjust your career summary or professional background to reflect the specific opportunity

Teal’s Matching Mode can help you identify the most relevant skills and keywords to include, ensuring your mini resume is better optimized for what the ATS and hiring manager are looking for.

4. Use powerful language and formatting

The words and formatting you choose help hiring managers skim your resume without overlooking key information. By using resume power words , you highlight your accomplishments without having to use long, descriptive paragraphs.

Here are some quick tips on using power words: 

• Employ action verbs to describe your accomplishments (e.g., "spearheaded," "implemented," "optimized")
• Quantify your achievements whenever possible (e.g., "increased sales by 25% in 6 months")
• Use bullet points to break up text walls and make your mini resume more skimmable
• Bold key information to draw attention to your most impressive qualifications
• Maintain a clean, professional layout with consistent formatting across sections

Mini resume template

Getting started with your own mini resume can be overwhelming. Here are a few templates that will help you condense your professional story:

Business card mini resume

This format prioritizes contact information, key personal details and top achievements, perfect for quick networking encounters. It gives just enough information to spark interest and encourage further conversation.

Example: Jane Doe Software Engineer 5+ years experience | Increased app performance by 40% Email: [email protected] | Phone: (123) 456-7890 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janedoe

One-page mini resume

This example showcases:

• A brief professional summary highlighting key strengths and career goals
• Top 3-4 skills relevant to the target position
• 2-3 professional experiences with bullet points highlighting quantifiable achievements
• A clean, easy-to-read layout with strategic use of white space

Mini resume examples

A mini resume can range from a basic set of bullet points to a custom-designed format. These examples will help you create impressive mini resumes of your own: 

Basic mini resume examples

A basic mini resume is easy to follow and designed for clarity. 

To use this template effectively:

• Replace the placeholder text with your own information.
• Adjust sections as needed for your specific experience and target role, but remember not to overload sections with information.
• Ensure all information is relevant, impactful, and tailored to your audience. For example, you can skip your brief stint as a travel guide if you’re applying to a marketing manager position. 

Creative mini resume examples

While creative resume templates can be eye-catching, they’re most appropriate for industries that value design and innovation, such as graphic design or digital marketing. Always consider your audience when choosing a template. A more conservative design might be better suited for traditional industries like finance or law. Here are two creative resume templates:

The minimalist mini resume 

A minimalist resume includes a few design elements but also leaves a lot of white space on the page to combat overwhelm. It’s clean and aesthetically pleasing. 

The infographic mini resume

An infographic resume uses tools like status bars and charts to display critical skills so a hiring manager can easily scan these resumes. 

Tips for creating an effective mini resume

A few small teaks can sometimes make your resume stand out in a sea of applicants. Here are some tips on creating a stand-out mini resume: 

Focus on relevance

• Include only information directly related to your target position or industry.
• Prioritize recent and impressive achievements that showcase your potential value.
• Tailor your skills list to match job requirements, using keywords from job postings.

Keep it concise

• Use short, impactful phrases instead of full sentences to maximize space.
• Eliminate unnecessary words and industry jargon that might confuse readers.
• Stick to one page or less, ensuring every word earns its place.

Make it visually appealing

• Use a clean, professional resume font that’s easy to read (e.g., Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica).
• Incorporate white space strategically to guide the reader’s eye and improve readability.
• Ensure consistent formatting throughout, including font sizes, bullet styles, and spacing.

Proofread and perfect

• Double-check for spelling and grammatical errors—even small mistakes can be costly.
• Have a trusted colleague or mentor review your mini resume for feedback.
• Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing or areas that don’t flow well.

Common mini resume mistakes to avoid

When creating your mini resume, be aware of these pitfalls that could diminish its impact:

1. Overloading with information

Resist the urge to cram your entire work history into your mini resume. Focus on your most impressive and relevant experiences. Quality trumps quantity in this format. Remember, the goal is to pique interest, not tell your entire professional story.

2. Neglecting to tailor the content

A one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it in today’s competitive job market. Take the time to customize your mini resume for each opportunity. This shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position or connection. It also demonstrates your ability to prioritize and communicate effectively.

3. Using inappropriate formats

While creativity can set you apart, ensure your mini resume format is appropriate for your industry and the specific situation. A highly designed mini resume might work well for a graphic design position but could be off-putting in a more conservative field like finance or law. Always consider your audience and the context in which your mini resume will be viewed.

How to use your mini resume effectively

Your mini resume is a powerful tool, but its effectiveness depends on how you use it. Here’s how to maximize its impact in your job search strategy: 

Integrate it with your job search strategy

Your mini resume should complement, not replace, your full resume and cover letter. You can use it as:

• A conversation starter at networking events
• A quick introduction when making initial contact with potential employers
• A follow-up tool to reinforce your key qualifications
• A supplement to your LinkedIn profile, providing a quick overview of your experience

Follow up with your full application materials when appropriate, and use  your mini resume only as a bridge to more in-depth discussions about your qualifications.

Follow up after sharing your mini resume

After sharing your mini resume:

• Send a personalized follow-up email within 24 to 48 hours.
• Reference specific points from your conversation to jog their memory.
• Express your continued interest and suggest next steps, such as a more in-depth discussion or formal interview.
• Attach your full resume if appropriate, building on the interest generated by your mini resume.

By strategically using your mini resume and following up effectively, you can create more opportunities and strengthen your professional network.

Create a mini resume in minutes

Think of a mini resume as your personal elevator pitch, condensed into a format that demands attention and leaves no room for doubt.

By honing the art of the mini resume, you’re equipping yourself with a tool that can help you stand out in a crowded job market. Remember, your mini resume is often your first chance to make a lasting impression—make every word count.

Ready to build your mini resume? Sign up for Teal for free to make your mini resume in minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a mini resume and a traditional resume.

A traditional resume is dense and often lists all job experiences from the last decade, education, and career skills. In contrast, a mini resume highlights your most relevant qualifications and achievements in one page or less. While a traditional resume provides a comprehensive overview of your career history, a mini resume focuses on making a quick, impactful impression.

How long should a mini resume be?

A mini resume should be no more than one page, and it’s often even shorter—some formats, like a business card mini resume, may be just a few lines. The goal is to keep it concise while still showcasing your most important skills and experiences.

Can I use a mini resume for all job applications?

A mini resume is best used as a supplement to your full resume, not a replacement. It's ideal for networking events, quick introductions, and as a summary for potential employers, but most job applications will still require a more detailed traditional resume.

How do I choose what information to include in my mini resume?

Focus on including only the most relevant and impressive information for the specific opportunity. Highlight key achievements, skills, and experiences that align with the role or industry you're targeting, and use powerful, concise language to make each point stand out.

Related Articles

Curriculum Vitae (CV) Format: How To Get It Right [Examples]

How To Create a Scannable Resume: F-Pattern and Z-Pattern

TopStack Resume Reviews: Ratings & User Feedback

We help you find the career dream.