How to Write a Simple, Effective Resume (+20 Examples)

An amazing resume might help get you seen by potential employers. However what makes a resume “nice”? How do you catch recruiters’ consideration, encourage them to learn your resume, and finally name you for an interview?

Two phrases: Easy and efficient.

On this piece, we’ll supply a step-by-step information to writing a easy, efficient resume. Then, we’ll showcase 20 examples of what this appears like in observe. Able to degree up your resume-writing method? Let’s get began.

Desk of Contents

Learn how to Write a Easy Resume

Whereas resume specifics fluctuate relying on the kind of job you’re searching for and the expertise required, there are seven steps that apply in any circumstance to assist your resume stand out.

1. Choose a format.

Earlier than you begin writing, decide a format that fits each your private model and works for the place being provided.

For instance, should you’re making use of for a graphic design place, it might be price together with photos in your resume that assist spotlight your abilities.

If the job you’re after is a extremely technical engineering function, in the meantime, you might have considered trying one thing extra simple.

Whatever the format you select, the aim is simplicity. Don’t muddle the resume with extraneous info or conflicting colours. As an alternative, let your expertise and curiosity communicate for themselves.

2. Begin together with your contact info.

No shock right here — potential employers have to understand how they will contact you. Regardless of the need of this contact information, nonetheless, it’s not unusual to see it missed on resumes or left till the underside of the web page.

Greatest guess? Put your particulars — together with identify, cellphone quantity, and e-mail handle — on the prime of the web page as a header.

3. Embrace an outline.

Subsequent is an outline of your skilled profile. This may occasionally embody particulars about your present place together with any titles or levels you maintain.

Relying on the function, you might also wish to embody hyperlinks to digital portfolios or work you’ve revealed on-line.

4. Checklist your training and expertise.

Schooling and expertise are up subsequent.

This must be a easy record of your instructional historical past, together with any levels or certificates you’ve earned and while you earned them, adopted by a listing of your earlier work expertise.

Bullet factors work properly right here: Every bullet level represents a special job and consists of particulars similar to job title, obligations, and the way lengthy you have been employed.

5. Communicate to your abilities.

Now it’s time to speak about your abilities as they relate to the job being provided.

Wherever doable, use key phrases from the job commercial itself. It is because many firms now use automated resume evaluation and monitoring programs that will prioritize these key phrases.

6. Spotlight any related certifications.

Ensure that to say any related {qualifications} or certifications.

For instance, should you’re making use of with an IT safety agency, you possibly can spotlight certifications similar to CompTIA Safety+ or Licensed Moral Hacker (CEH) qualification.

7. Add any related particulars.

Lastly, add another particulars which might be related to the job, similar to volunteer expertise in a associated subject or any skilled accolades to your work.

20 Easy Resume Examples

Easy, efficient resumes supply the very best likelihood of getting seen, however there’s no one-size-fits-all template in terms of design.

Listed below are 20 easy resume examples.

1. Trendy Initials (Phrase)

The primary 4 templates on our record are all from Microsoft Phrase.

To entry these templates, open Phrase, choose New from the left-hand sidebar, after which sort “resume” into the search field that seems. Phrase will convey up a number of resume template choices so that you can obtain and use.

Trendy is among the first templates listed and affords a clear and easy format for all your particulars. The minimalist design signifies that your info stands out.

What we like: Simplicity is the main target of this template. Each part is clearly marked, and there’s no attempting to find information.

2. Daring Trendy (Phrase)

This Phrase template is just like the instance above however with the addition of a sidebar for profile and make contact with info. It additionally comes with elevated emphasis in your talent set.

What we like: Daring Trendy places you and your abilities entrance and heart, which is a good match for jobs that prioritize real-world expertise over particular certifications.

3. Crisp and Clear (Phrase)

Crisp and clear is a good description of this template. Not like Daring Trendy, there aren’t any photos — as an alternative, one field of coloration is used to spotlight your goal.

What we like: Utilizing containers, this template thinks a bit exterior the field with a non-standard setup for info.

4. Inventive (Phrase)

The Inventive template from Phrase tendencies again towards the straightforward however brings your expertise to the forefront.

It successfully divides your private {and professional} lives into two columns, which generally is a boon for recruiters searching for particular information.

What we like: It’s straightforward to seek out what you’re searching for on this template, making it a terrific selection for a easy, efficient resume.

5. Spearmint (Google Docs)

The subsequent 5 examples on our record come from Google Docs. To entry these templates, head to Google Docs after which choose Template Galley within the higher right-hand nook.

First on our record of Docs templates is Spearmint, presumably named for its inexperienced accent coloration. This template isn’t pushing any boundaries however affords a stable place to begin for easy resumes.

What we like: Spearmint reads properly. A fast scan of the resume offers HR groups precisely what they want: an outline of your abilities, expertise, and training.

6. Swiss (Google Docs)

The Swiss template from Google Docs affords a minimalist method to renew information by separating headings from info.

What we like: As a result of the headings are separate, hiring groups don’t have to scan the whole doc for what they need. As an alternative, they will merely discover the heading they need and transfer straight throughout.

7. Trendy Author (Google Docs)

This template is a good match should you’re making use of for writing or publishing jobs. A cute contact is that the font used appears just like that of a typewriter.

What we like: The distinctive font helps this instance stand out from the group. Price noting? Fonts are finest used sparingly. Go too far into left subject — say with Comedian Sans — and your resume could not have the supposed impact.

8. Coral (Google Docs)

Coral is just like Trendy Author however with a extra acquainted font. There’s nothing flashy about this instance, which is why it really works: All related information is offered in an easy-to-see and easy-to-read format.

What we like: The “Hi there, I’m…” element on the prime affords a barely totally different tackle the widespread resume introduction, which might help you get seen.

9. Serif (Google Docs)

Serif splits up your information into two columns, with abilities and awards on one aspect and training and expertise on the opposite. It’s a easy strategy to spotlight what you supply whereas maintaining your resume straightforward to learn.

What we like: Discovering info on this resume is fast and simple, which is good contemplating the variety of resumes groups usually need to evaluate.

10. Infographic (Venngage)

This Venngage template takes a wildly totally different method to resumes by utilizing an infographic format that depends on graphics quite than textual content. It’s an effective way to shortly seize consideration.

What we like: The ranking bubbles for abilities showcase not solely potential however proficiency, which might assist get you seen.

11. Streamlined Infographic (Venngage)

One other infographic instance from Venngage, this template splits the resume in two with graphics on the prime and textual content on the backside, plus a photograph within the center.

What we like: By utilizing graphic talent depictions on the highest half of the resume and explanatory textual content on the underside, it’s straightforward to get a common sense of the applicant’s capabilities and abilities.

12. Information Centered Infographic (Venngage)

This infographic is all about abilities, training, and expertise information.

By utilizing a mix of talent and timelines paired with easy graphics, this resume manages to speak a considerable quantity of knowledge with out changing into too advanced.

What we like: The three-block design used is an effective way to interrupt up resume textual content into manageable items.

13. Chronological (Resume Builder)

This instance from Resume Builder focuses on chronological work expertise. Then, it follows up with key abilities and training.

What we like: Chronological resumes are an effective way to point out the development of job obligations and promotions over time.

14. Practical (Resume Builder)

This instance digs into skilled expertise with detailed descriptions of job obligations and roles. Whereas the expertise part stays chronological, the main target isn’t on time, a lot as effort.

What we like: By highlighting the function and obligations of every earlier job, this resume helps candidates construct a case for why they need to be thought of.

15. Focused (Resume Builder)

Our final Resume Builder instance is designed to focus on a particular function. Whereas all of the acquainted sections stay, every consists of info that speaks to the applicant’s potential to excel if employed.

What we like: Making a focused resume might help get you seen as a result of it means you’ve taken the time to learn and evaluate precisely what the corporate is searching for of their new rent.

16. Cubic (Zety)

Cubic opts for a three-toned greyscale method that separates every part. This makes it straightforward for recruiters to zero in on what issues quite than having to look your resume for particular information.

What we like: The daring background used for the header places your identify and make contact with info entrance and heart.

17. Primo (Zety)

Primo makes use of a right-hand sidebar with star scores to point out off your abilities, coupled with a timeline of labor expertise in the primary physique.

What we like: This resume modifications up the usual format simply sufficient to be fascinating, however not a lot that recruiters are left pissed off looking for related info.

18. Cascade (Zety)

Cascade goes in the other way to Primo with a left-hand sidebar and a right-side part that comprises extra detailed info.

What we like: The daring, left-hand sidebar is nice for brief descriptions of abilities which might be related to your new potential function.

19. Idea (Zety)

Idea is a good selection you probably have training and abilities however lack extra in-depth work expertise. The solid-colored sidebar works properly as a timeline background, which helps give the resume a way of momentum.

What we like: Even with out a number of work expertise, you possibly can nonetheless be a terrific match for a brand new function. This template helps showcase the entire image of your abilities and talents.

20. Crisp (Zety)

Crisp affords simplicity in black-and-white. Rounded icons and ranking scales save this template from being all textual content, however don’t detract out of your achievements and expertise.

What we like: It is a nice instance of easy and efficient with out being boring. All of the related information is right here, but it surely’s not only a wall of textual content.

The Easy Resume: Primary However Not Boring

Easy, efficient resumes make it easier to get seen by making it simpler for HR groups and recruiters to seek out the data they want and decide.

However easy doesn’t imply boring. Whereas there’s no have to reinvent the wheel in terms of constructing your resume, the templates listed above might help your resume stand out for all the fitting causes.