A resume outline is like a blueprint for your document — a structured plan that ensures all the essential details are included. It helps organize your career story, prioritizing the most relevant information while maintaining clarity and flow.
Why is starting with a resume outline so important? Here are the key advantages:
Pro tip: Need help with the basics? Check out How To Build a Resume for foundational resume tips.
The first step in creating a resume outline is choosing the right format for your career level and industry:
Related Read: Not sure which format to pick? Explore Best Resume Formats to find the perfect fit.
2. Outline Key Resume Sections
Every resume should include these essential sections:
3. Draft a Compelling Resume Summary or Objective
Your resume summary or objective is the first thing recruiters will read, so make it count.
4. Structure Your Work Experience Section
To make your work history stand out to your prospective employer:
5. Build a Strong Skills Section
Your skills section should be any names of specific software, Software as a service (SaaS) or tools you have experience with. Examples are Microsoft Office Software, accounting or sales software, and social media planning tools.
Need more ideas on what skills to include? Here’s a quick “how to guide” to help you with what Resume Skills to add.
6. Add Education and Certifications
Employers are looking for specific education and certifications for their roles. Including this section is vital.
Add your school name, location, and the degree you obtained (full name and abbreviation). If you’re a recent graduate you can add the year you graduated; if you’ve been in the workforce for over five years, you can remove the dates.
Too much text without white space can make it difficult to scan your resume. Use white space strategically to separate sections and make your resume visually appealing.
Avoid creative but confusing headers like “My Career Journey.” Stick to industry-standard terms like “Professional Experience,” “Technical Skills,” and “Education” to ensure ATS compatibility.
Tailor your resume for each job by emphasizing skills and accomplishments that match the job description.
Look for relevant keywords in the job posting and incorporate them naturally into your outline for better ATS performance.
Entry-Level Applicants: Start the resume with your education, followed by any professional or internship experience and skills.
Experienced Professionals: Lead with professional experience, your technical skills section, and your education last.
Contact Information
Professional Experience
Education
Professional summary, Internship or Volunteer Experience
Technical Skills
If you don’t have experience, check out our entry-level resume tips.
[Your Name]
[Your Email] | [Your Phone Number] | [LinkedIn Profile]
Professional Summary
Motivated and detail-oriented recent graduate with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and hands-on experience through internships and volunteer work. Skilled in web development, data analysis, and problem-solving. Seeking to leverage knowledge of software development to contribute to innovative technology solutions.
Professional Experience
Intern
ABC Company, City, State
May 2023 – August 2023
Volunteer Experience
Nonprofit Organization, City, State
January 2022 – December 2022
Education
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University Name, City, State
Graduation Date: Month, Year
Technical Skills
Python, Java, SQL, Microsoft Office Suite
The next one to four sentences should provide examples of specific measurable results related to the role, company, or industry.
Contact Information
Professional Summary
Work Experience
Technical Skills
Certifications
Education
[Your Name]
[Your Email] | [Your Phone Number] | [LinkedIn Profile]
Professional Summary
Experienced Marketing Specialist with over five years of expertise in campaign development, data analysis, and client relations. Skilled in developing innovative marketing strategies that drive customer engagement and business growth. Seeking to bring proven success in brand development to a dynamic organization.
Work Experience
Marketing Specialist
XYZ Corporation, City, State
January 2018 – Present
Marketing Coordinator
123 Solutions, City, State
June 2015 – December 2017
Technical Skills
Google Analytics, HubSpot, Salesforce, SEO
Certifications
Certified Digital Marketing Professional
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing
University Name, City, State
Graduation Date: Month, Year
Contact Information
Executive Summary
Key Achievements
Leadership Experience
Technical Skills
Certifications
Education
[Your Name]
[Your Email] | [Your Phone Number] | [LinkedIn Profile]
Executive Summary
Visionary leader with over 15 years of experience in driving business growth, streamlining operations, and building high-performing teams. Proven track record of increasing revenue, reducing costs, and leading organizational transformations. Adept at aligning strategy with market trends to achieve company goals.
Key Achievements
Leadership Experience
Chief Operating Officer
DEF Corp, City, State
January 2015 – Present
Director of Operations
GHI Inc., City, State
March 2010 – December 2014
Technical Skills
SAP, Tableau, Microsoft Dynamics
Certifications
Six Sigma Black Belt
Education
Master of Business Administration
University Name, City, State
Graduation Date: Month, Year
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University Name, City, State
Graduation Date: Month, Year
Resume.org offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.
An outline streamlines the resume-building process, ensuring you include the most critical information.
Keep it focused but flexible. Include the key sections, leaving room to customize for specific jobs.
You don’t have to go overboard editing your resume outline for different jobs. If you are applying to two vastly different roles and want to showcase different skills or prior experience that might be relevant to the role, it might be appropriate to make minor adjustments. But overall the recruiter should be able to connect the dots between your experience and what the position requires.
Stick to conventional headings like "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," and "Certifications." Avoid creative section titles (e.g., "Career Highlights" or "My Journey") as they may confuse the ATS. Also, don’t forget to include specific keywords and phrases from the job listing, such as required skills, certifications, or software proficiencies.