Studies show hiring managers only spend an average of seven seconds scanning your resume. If you don’t catch their attention right away or you include too much information, your resume will most likely get put in the no pile.
So what exactly should be included in a resume? And what should you leave off, because hiring managers most definitely do not want to read your entire life story! Keep reading to find out how to determine what should go on your resume and what you can leave off to create a killer first impression.
What is included in a good resume:
- Contact Information
- Your name (bold it like you mean it).
- Phone number and professional email (ditch that old one from high school, “funrunner123”).
- LinkedIn profile (if it’s polished) or a portfolio link (especially for creative fields like graphic design).
- Professional Summary/Objective
- A short, punchy intro. For example, “Creative graphic designer with 5+ years of experience crafting engaging visual content for digital and print platforms.”
- Optional but great if you’re changing careers or targeting a specific role.
- Work Experience
- List jobs in reverse-chronological order (most recent first).
- Include your job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.
- Bullet points with action verbs like “designed,” “developed,” “led,” or “managed.”
- Focus on achievements, not just responsibilities—did you boost sales, increase followers, or streamline processes? Numbers help!
- Skills
- Include hard skills relevant to the job. For graphic design, think Adobe Creative Suite, typography, or UI/UX design.
- Soft skills like communication or problem-solving are great, but don’t overdo it. Show them through your accomplishments.
- Education
- Your degree(s), major, and the institution you attended.
- Include any honors, awards, or certifications if they’re impressive or relevant.
- Certifications & Additional Training
- Got relevant certifications (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Certified)? Show ’em off here.
- Online courses or workshops that beef up your expertise can also fit in this section.
- Optional Sections
- Volunteer Work: Especially if it’s relevant to the role or fills gaps in your experience (e.g., your PTA graphic design work).
- Projects: Personal or freelance projects that showcase your skills, even if they weren’t official jobs.
- Languages: Only include this if you’re fluent or proficient in another language and it’s relevant.
What to put on a resume with no experience?
What should be included in a resume with no related experience? For example, let’s say you are applying for a sales job but you only have experience as a preschool teacher. On your resume you can focus on transferable skills you have gained from teaching that can help you be a successful sales person. For example, people skills, communication skills, and public speaking, to name just a few.
You can also highlight things other than work experience like education, professional development, and volunteer work. See below for a detailed list of categories that can be included in a resume with no experience.
1. Contact Information
- Your name
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- Location (City, State)
2. Objective or Summary Statement
A brief 2–3 sentence overview explaining what you’re looking for in a job and how your skills and background make you a good fit.
Example: “Motivated graphic design enthusiast with hands-on volunteer experience creating marketing materials for the PTA. Looking to apply creative design skills and passion for education in a professional setting.”
3. Education
Since you’re transitioning into a career or a new field, highlight your educational achievements.
- Degree (if applicable)
- School name and location
- Year of graduation (or expected graduation)
- Relevant coursework or academic projects
- Certifications (like graphic design, teaching, or any relevant software tools)
4. Skills
Focus on skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, especially technical skills. Examples might include:
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Canva or other design tools
- Communication skills
- Organizational and time management skills
5. Relevant Volunteer Experience
Volunteer experience can be just as valuable as formal work experience, especially if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Example: Volunteer Graphic Designer
PTA – [Your City]
Dates (e.g., Jan 2023–Present)
- Designed flyers, posters, and newsletters for school events.
- Collaborated with school staff to develop effective communication materials.
You could also mention your experience teaching piano to gifted students, as it shows dedication, mentoring ability, and a background in the arts.
6. Projects or Portfolios
If you have any personal or freelance design projects, mention them. Link to a digital portfolio if possible.
Example: Created a series of promotional posters for a local event, emphasizing visual storytelling and branding.
7. Extracurriculars or Leadership
If you’ve held leadership roles in community organizations or have been involved in activities like homeschooling or leading after-school programs, include them.
8. Languages or Additional Skills
If you speak another language (especially since you’ve traveled in Central and South America), mention that as it can be an advantage.
With these sections, you’ll show your strengths and experiences in a way that makes you a strong candidate, even if you don’t have traditional job experience.
What to put on a resume for first job?
What should be included in a resume for a first job? If you are a student or a recent graduate, you want to focus your resume around your most recent education, for example high school, college, or other training or certificate programs.
You can also highlight internships, part-time work, and volunteer work. Focus on marketing transferable skills, or skills you have gained in your education and experience that are applicable to all career fields. See the list of categories below regarding what should be included in a resume for a first job:
1. Contact Information
- Your full name
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- Location (City, State)
2. Objective Statement
This is a short, 2-3 sentence statement that highlights your goals and what you bring to the table for your first job.
Example:
“Enthusiastic and detail-oriented individual seeking an entry-level position in [specific industry or role]. Equipped with strong organizational skills, creative problem-solving, and a passion for learning new skills to contribute to [company name]’s success.”
3. Education
Since you don’t have job experience, highlight your education and any achievements there:
- Degree or diploma (or current status, e.g., high school senior or college student)
- School name and location
- Graduation date (or expected graduation date)
- Relevant courses, projects, or academic honors (like a high GPA, honors classes, etc.)
Example: High School Diploma (Graduated June 2024)
XYZ High School – [City, State]
- GPA: 3.8
- Relevant Coursework: Graphic Design, Web Development, English Literature
- Member of National Honor Society
4. Skills
List any relevant skills you have that apply to the job you’re seeking. These can be technical skills or soft skills.
Examples:
- Communication (written and verbal)
- Time management
- Teamwork
- Customer service
- Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Microsoft Office
5. Volunteer Experience or Extracurricular Activities
Include any volunteer work or extracurriculars that demonstrate responsibility, leadership, or relevant skills. Volunteer roles, especially in graphic design or teaching, are excellent to showcase.
Example: Volunteer Graphic Designer
PTA – [City, State]
Jan 2023–Present
- Created marketing materials, such as posters and flyers, for school events.
- Worked with event coordinators to ensure promotional materials aligned with school branding.
Example: Volunteer Piano Instructor
After-School Program, [City, State]
March 2022–Present
- Provided free piano lessons to gifted students in an after-school setting.
- Tailored lessons to individual learning styles to encourage creativity and skill development.
6. Projects or Personal Experience
If you’ve worked on personal projects (such as graphic design, writing, or any other hobby relevant to the job), list these as examples of your initiative.
Example: Designed promotional materials for a local charity event, including posters, social media graphics, and a website banner.
7. Certifications or Training
Include any certifications or online courses you’ve completed, especially those related to the job.
Examples:
- Adobe Creative Suite Certification (if applicable)
- Google Workspace or Microsoft Office Suite
What are unique things to put on a resume?
Unique things that can be included in a resume should be determined by the job you are targeting. For example, let’s say the company you are targeting is a Japanese company and you just so happen to speak fluent Japanese as well as having spent two years living abroad in Japan. This unique experience and skill should definitely be included on your resume! Below are additional examples of unique things to put on a resume:
1. Personal Projects
Highlighting personal projects can show initiative, creativity, and passion, even if they aren’t tied to a job. This could be anything from designing a personal website to organizing a community event.
Example:
Created a personal blog with weekly articles on graphic design trends and techniques, attracting over 2,000 monthly readers.
2. Freelance Work
If you’ve done any informal freelance work (even unpaid), it’s worth including. This shows real-world application of your skills.
Example:
Freelance Graphic Designer
- Designed logos and branding materials for local businesses and non-profit organizations.
3. Side Hustles or Entrepreneurship
If you’ve started a small business or a side hustle, even if it’s modest, it reflects resourcefulness, business acumen, and dedication.
Example:
Founder of a Handmade Jewelry Business
- Managed design, production, and sales via an online platform. Grew social media presence by 500% in six months.
Accelerate Your Career
4. Languages and International Experience
Mention any languages you speak or international experiences you’ve had, as they demonstrate adaptability and cross-cultural communication skills. Since you’ve traveled and volunteered in Central and South America, this could be a unique addition.
Example:
Fluent in Spanish – Volunteered in Central and South America, coordinating with local teams to provide educational materials for underprivileged communities.
5. Certifications in Uncommon Areas
Highlight certifications that aren’t typically expected but can still apply to your target field. It could be anything from creative software to personal development.
Example:
- Certification in Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques – Useful for promoting focus and creativity in team settings.
What to put on a resume as a teenager
In terms of what should be included in a teenager resume, your application should revolve around highlighting your achievements, skills, and experiences in a way that makes you stand out to employers and/or college admissions officers. Here are some special and unique things that can be included in a resume for teenagers:
1. Academic Achievements
Emphasizing strong academic performance and specific accomplishments can make a big impact. This can include:
- High GPA or SAT/ACT scores (like your child’s SAT score of 1580)
- Honor Roll or Academic Awards
- Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses (if applicable)
Example:
- Scored 1580 on SAT (800 Math, 780 Reading and Writing)
- AP Scholar with Distinction – Completed 6 AP courses with top scores.
2. Extracurricular Activities
Colleges love to see well-rounded students, so include all clubs, sports, or organizations where you’ve participated.
Example:
- President, Debate Club
- Member, National Honor Society
Even unique activities like participating in music ensembles, community theater, or esports are great to showcase.
3. Leadership Roles
Leadership roles in clubs, sports teams, or community organizations can be a huge asset.
Example:
- Captain, Varsity Soccer Team
- Lead Organizer, School Fundraiser for Local Charity
4. Volunteer Work and Community Service
Community service is highly valued by colleges. Highlight meaningful volunteer work, especially if it aligns with the values of the college.
Example:
- Volunteered 100+ hours at a local animal shelter, assisting in daily care and adoption events.
For you specifically, you could include teaching piano lessons or your volunteer design work for the PTA.
Example:
- Volunteer Piano Instructor for gifted students in after-school programs.
What should not be included in a resume?
Now that I’ve covered what should be included in a resume, conversely, what should you leave off? Remember, employers only spend about 7 seconds scanning resumes, so it’s important to avoid certain items that can detract from your professionalism and candidacy. Here are things you should not include on a resume:
1. Personal Information
- Age, gender, race, religion, or marital status: These are irrelevant to job applications and could unintentionally lead to bias. Keep your resume focused on your skills and qualifications.
- Social Security Number: Never include this for security reasons.
- Full home address: Generally, a city and state are sufficient to indicate your location. Some people leave off the address entirely in favor of just listing their email and phone number.
2. A Photo
In many countries, especially the U.S., including a photo is not necessary unless you’re in specific industries like modeling or acting. Adding a photo can expose you to unconscious bias.
3. Irrelevant Work Experience
Only include work experience that is relevant to the job or shows transferable skills. Jobs like babysitting or odd jobs might not be necessary unless you’re applying to something related to childcare or customer service.
4. Unrelated Hobbies or Interests
Only include hobbies or interests if they are relevant to the job or showcase skills that are transferable, such as leadership or creativity. Avoid mentioning hobbies that don’t relate to the job or highlight questionable behavior (e.g., watching TV or playing video games unless you’re applying for a position in those industries).
5. Too Much Detail on Early Jobs
If you’ve been working for a while, you don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had, especially older or unrelated positions. Focus on the last 10 years or the most relevant positions.
6. Negative or Inappropriate Language
Keep the tone of your resume positive. Avoid negative phrasing such as why you left a job (e.g., “fired,” “quit due to bad management”). Also, avoid slang, jokes, or overly casual language.
7. Outdated or Inaccurate Information
- Old skills: Don’t include outdated skills or technologies unless they’re still widely used and relevant.
- Expired certifications: If a certification is no longer valid, remove it from your resume unless you’re in the process of renewing it.
8. Too Many Bullet Points
Be concise. Try to limit the number of bullet points under each role to the most important and relevant tasks and accomplishments (3–6 points per role is a good range).
9. Salary Information
Don’t include your current or expected salary. Discussions about pay should happen later in the hiring process, usually during or after the interview.
10. References
In summary
If you’re a student or a new professional (1-3 years of experience), it’s best to try and stick to one page regarding the length of your resume. If you are a mid-level professional, two pages should suffice. If you are an executive level candidate or you are applying for jobs in higher education or research, your resume can be longer, for example anywhere from two to ten pages.
To sum up what should be included in a resume, it’s critical to include information that is directly or mostly relevant to the job or program you are targeting. Everything else that is not related can be left off. Best of luck in your search, and happy writing!
