What Makes a Great Resume?

A great resume isn't about being fancy or creative (unless you're in design!). It's about being clear, honest, and compelling.

The Golden Rules

1. Be Honest

Never lie on your resume. Seriously. Employers check references, and getting caught is career-ending. Stick to the truth, but present it in the best light.

2. Be Specific

Instead of: "Responsible for sales" Try: "Increased quarterly sales by 35% through targeted outreach to enterprise clients"

Numbers, metrics, and specifics make you memorable.

3. Be Relevant

Your resume isn't your autobiography. Include what matters for the job you're applying for. That summer you worked at McDonald's? Probably not relevant for a senior engineering role.

4. Be Concise

Most recruiters spend 6-7 seconds on your resume initially. Make every word count. No fluff, no unnecessary details.

The Structure

A solid resume has:

• Contact info - How to reach you
• Professional summary - Who you are (optional but helpful)
• Experience - Your work history
• Education - Your degrees and certifications
• Skills - What you're good at
• Optional sections - Projects, achievements, languages, etc.

Length Guidelines

• Students/Fresh grads - 1 page is perfect
• 1-5 years experience - 1 page, maybe 1.5
• 5+ years experience - 1-2 pages is fine
• Executives - Up to 2 pages

The Vibe Check

Your resume should feel:

• ✅ Professional but personable
• ✅ Easy to scan
• ✅ Honest and authentic
• ✅ Tailored to the job
• ✅ Free of typos and errors

Next Steps

Ready to build? Create your first resume or check out our resume sections guide to learn about each part.

Want feedback? Use our AI resume review to get instant suggestions.