Work · Resumes and applications

What a resume is for

A resume is a short sales sheet for one kind of job. Its only job is to get you an interview. A person may scan it for just 15 to 20 seconds, often after software has sorted it, so put your best qualifications near the top, use the exact words from the job posting, keep it to one page if you're starting out, and send it soon after the job is posted.

Moderate2 hours for a first draftFreeChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

Two or three job postings you'd actually apply to
A list of your jobs, school, activities and volunteer work, with dates
A word processor or a free resume template

What to know

Know what it's for. A resume summarizes your abilities, education and experience. It won't get you a job on its own, but it's an important factor in getting an interview. Source: Harvard Mignone Center³ Employers use it to quickly see whether your background fits the opening. Source: CareerOneStop²
Find the keywords. Scan 10 to 15 postings for the job title you want and list the requirements that come up most: experience, technical skills, soft skills, training and credentials. Source: CareerOneStop¹
Put your contact information at the top: full name, address, phone number and email. Source: CareerOneStop² Missing email and phone information is one of the top five resume mistakes. Source: Harvard Mignone Center³
Add a summary with your 3 or 4 top accomplishments or skills. Source: CareerOneStop² Show you meet the minimum qualifications near the top, where a 15-to-20-second scan will catch them. Source: CareerOneStop¹
List work history, most recent first: employer, city and state, job title, dates, and what you accomplished. Source: CareerOneStop² Start each line with an action verb, and quantify where you can. Source: Harvard Mignone Center³
Add education and training, then volunteering and activities. Source: CareerOneStop² Put education near the top if you're a new grad or it's required for the job. Source: CareerOneStop¹
Use the exact terms from the posting. A variation may not be recognized as a qualification. Source: CareerOneStop¹ This means adjusting your resume for each job.
Proofread, then have someone else check spelling, grammar and how well it matches the job. Source: CareerOneStop¹ Spelling and grammar errors are the top resume mistake. Source: Harvard Mignone Center³

Watch out Software often reads it first. Many companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) that can filter out resumes missing essential criteria, and it may misread or reject a resume because of formatting. Source: CareerOneStop¹ Use a clean, standard format, and send Word, PDF or plain text. Never send a scanned image, because it won't be recognized. Source: CareerOneStop¹

See it done

Video by American University Career Center University

Episode 3: Writing the BEST Resume

Watch on YouTube: Episode 3: Writing the BEST Resume

2022 · Checked October 3, 2026

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

Applying and hearing nothing? Apply soon after jobs are posted. Employers may process the first 50 to 100 applications, and if they find enough good candidates, the rest may not be looked at. Source: CareerOneStop¹ Apply to many positions. Source: CareerOneStop¹
Sending exactly what they asked for? Follow the posting's instructions to the letter, send only the documents requested and check the preview screen before you hit submit. Source: CareerOneStop¹
Using AI to write it? Draft it in your own voice first, then ask for suggestions. Make sure the final version sounds like you, is unique, and includes only true information. AI can exaggerate or make things up. Source: CareerOneStop¹
Gaps, lots of short jobs or contract work? Start with a skills section listing 3 or 4 major skills for the job, with your related experience under each. Source: CareerOneStop¹
Want a second opinion? An American Job Center can give you free, professional resume feedback. Source: CareerOneStop¹ Networking is still the best way to get your resume directly to hiring managers. Source: CareerOneStop¹

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Write it like this

Specific, not general. Active, not passive. Fact-based, with numbers. Written for people and systems that scan quickly. Source: Harvard Mignone Center³ Don't use "I," slang, a photo, your age or a list of references. Source: Harvard Mignone Center³

Make it readable

Use an easy-to-read font, minimal bold, no italics or underlining, and leave white space. Source: CareerOneStop²

One page or two

Starting out, keep it to one page. Source: CareerOneStop² Experienced workers can go to two, with jobs from the past 10 to 15 years. Source: CareerOneStop¹

References go separately

Most employers ask for three references. Put their names, titles, organizations and contact info on a separate one-page sheet, and ask each person first. Source: CareerOneStop²

A strong line (made-up example)

Weak: "Responsible for cash register." Strong: "Handled about 150 transactions per shift with a balanced drawer every night for 8 months." Weak: "Helped customers." Strong: "Answered product questions and processed returns for a store averaging 300 customers a day."

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) Resumes
CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) Resumes (GetMyFuture)
Harvard University Mignone Center for Career Success Guide to creating a strong resume

Lesson W2.1 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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