How to Write a Resume in 2026

1. Start with Your Name and Contact Information

At the top of your resume include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and city. If you have a portfolio, LinkedIn profile, GitHub, or personal website, be sure to include those links as well.

2. Write a Professional Summary

Briefly introduce yourself as a professional. Two to four sentences are enough to explain your experience, strengths, and career goals.

How to Write the "About Me" Section

3. Describe Your Work Experience

List your jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. For each role include the company name, job title, employment dates, and your key responsibilities.

Don't just describe what you did—highlight your achievements and measurable results whenever possible.

Work Experience Example

Many candidates only list their responsibilities. Employers are far more interested in the results you achieved.

4. Add Your Education

Include your school or university, degree, field of study, and graduation year. If you already have significant work experience, keep this section brief.

5. List Relevant Skills

Focus on skills that match the job you are applying for. A concise list of 8–12 relevant skills is much more effective than a long list of unrelated abilities.

Which Skills Should You Include?

Your skills should always be relevant to the position.

6. Check Your Formatting

Your resume should be clean and easy to read. Use consistent spacing, clear section headings, and avoid excessive colors, decorative fonts, or unnecessary design elements.

7. Save Your Resume as a PDF

PDF is the preferred format for sending resumes because it preserves your layout and displays consistently on all devices.

Common Resume Mistakes

• Making the resume too long.
• Using outdated contact information.
• Writing generic descriptions without specifics.
• Using too many fonts and colors.
• Not highlighting achievements and measurable results.