Making a resume starts with understanding what employers actually look for — not a life story, but a clear picture of who you are, what you can do, and why you're right for the role. Whether you're writing your first resume or updating one you haven't touched in years, the process is the same: five sections, one page for most people, and specific language throughout. Here's how to do it right.
What sections does a resume need?
Every resume needs five things: contact information, a brief objective or summary, a skills section, work experience (or education if you have none), and references. Optional additions include certifications, volunteer work, and languages if they're relevant. More than five or six sections on a one-page resume signals padding — cut anything that doesn't directly support the job you're applying for.
How to write each section of your resume
- 1Write your contact information. Name, phone number, email address, and city. No full mailing address, no photo. Use a professional email — firstname.lastname@gmail.com, not a nickname from years ago.
- 2Write a two-sentence objective or summary. An objective says what you're looking for; a summary says what you offer. If you have experience, use a summary ('Retail associate with 2 years in fast-paced grocery environments'). If you're writing your first resume, an objective works fine.
- 3List your skills. Hard skills first (cash handling, food prep, forklift, POS systems), then practical soft skills (bilingual, flexible availability, own transportation). Skip generic adjectives like 'team player' — list what you can actually do.
- 4Describe your work experience. List jobs newest-first. Under each, write 2-3 bullet points starting with action verbs: managed, handled, operated, served, trained. If you have no work history, list education, volunteer work, or relevant informal experience instead.
- 5Add references. Two people who can speak to your reliability — former managers, teachers, coaches, or community leaders. Include name, title, relationship, and phone number. Ask them before listing.
How to format a resume correctly
Use a standard font — Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman at 10-12pt. Left-align everything. Bold your section headings and keep spacing consistent. Margins should be at least half an inch. Single-column only — multi-column layouts often break ATS software used by larger employers. Save and send as PDF unless the employer specifically asks for Word. Name the file properly: FirstLast-Resume.pdf, not "resume_final_v3." For free, ATS-safe templates to start from, see free resume templates.
How to make your resume look professional
The fastest way to make a resume professional: cut everything that isn't relevant, remove "responsible for" from every bullet and replace it with an action verb, and keep the whole document consistent in font size and spacing. Canuck Hire's resume samples by job title are a useful benchmark — compare your draft to one in the same field to see where your language is vague. A professional resume doesn't need design — it needs precision.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write a resume for the first time?
Start with five sections: contact info, a two-sentence objective, skills, education (or any informal experience), and two references. One page. Use a Google Docs or Word template to handle formatting so you can focus on content.
How long should a resume be?
One page for most job seekers — especially students, recent graduates, and anyone with fewer than five years of experience. Two pages are acceptable with five or more years of directly relevant work history.
What should I put at the top of my resume?
Your contact information (name, phone, email, city) and then your objective or summary. For part-time or shift work, adding your availability near the top can be the deciding factor for a hiring manager.
Do I need a cover letter too?
Not always. For walk-in or in-person applications, a resume is enough. For online applications, a short three-sentence cover letter improves response rates — especially at smaller businesses.
What font should I use on a resume?
Arial, Calibri, Garamond, or Times New Roman at 10-12pt. Avoid decorative fonts — they may not render correctly on the employer's system and can break ATS parsing.