What Is a Resume? (Definition, Types and What To Include)

What is a resume?

A resume is a formal document that summarizes a person’s professional qualifications. It is commonly submitted during a job application, either as an uploaded file, an online profile or part of an employer’s application system.

Most resumes include:

• Contact information
• A professional summary or objective
• Work experience
• Education
• Relevant skills
• Optional certifications, projects or achievements

A resume is usually one or two pages, although longer documents may be appropriate for some executive, federal, academic, medical or highly technical applications.

What is the purpose of a resume?

A resume helps an employer determine whether an applicant may be suitable for an interview. It organizes relevant information in a format that can be reviewed efficiently.

A strong resume can:

• Introduce your professional background
• Demonstrate required qualifications
• Highlight relevant accomplishments
• Show career progression
• Present transferable skills
• Provide useful interview topics
• Support an internal promotion
• Help recruiters find candidates
• Give professional contacts a concise career summary

A resume does not guarantee an interview. Its purpose is to provide enough relevant evidence for the employer to consider your application further.

Who needs a resume?

You may need a resume when:

• Applying for a job
• Pursuing an internship
• Seeking an internal promotion
• Changing careers
• Applying for freelance work
• Attending a career event
• Contacting a recruiter
• Building a professional profile
• Applying to some training programs
• Requesting a professional referral

Students and recent graduates can create resumes using education, projects, volunteering, leadership and part-time work even when they have limited formal experience.

Resume vs. CV

A resume is typically concise and tailored to a particular job. It emphasizes the qualifications most relevant to that opportunity.

A curriculum vitae, or CV, provides a more comprehensive record of academic and professional activity. It may include research, publications, teaching, grants, presentations and professional service.

In the United States, CVs are commonly used in academic, scientific and some medical applications. In other countries, the term CV may refer to the standard document that Americans call a resume.

Always follow the terminology and requirements used by the employer.

Resume vs. cover letter

A resume uses headings and bullet points to summarize qualifications. A cover letter uses paragraphs to explain why your background and interest fit a specific position.

The cover letter should complement the resume rather than repeat it. For example, a resume bullet may state that you improved a reporting process, while the cover letter can explain the problem, your approach and why the experience is relevant to the employer.

Main types of resumes

Common resume formats include reverse-chronological, functional and combination resumes. Other specialized formats may be appropriate in particular situations.

Reverse-chronological resume

A reverse-chronological resume lists work experience from the most recent position backward.

This format is useful for candidates who have:

• A consistent work history
• Relevant recent experience
• Clear career progression
• Recognizable employers or job titles

Employers can quickly see where and when you developed your qualifications.

Functional resume

A functional resume emphasizes skills and groups evidence by competency rather than giving work history the greatest attention.

It may help:

• Career changers
• Applicants with limited conventional experience
• People returning after an extended absence
• Candidates with project-based backgrounds

Some recruiters prefer a clear employment timeline, so include dates and employers even when using a skill-focused format.

Combination resume

A combination resume includes a substantial skills or qualifications section followed by reverse-chronological experience.

This format can work well for:

• Technical specialists
• Career changers with transferable experience
• Project-based professionals
• Candidates with several related areas of expertise

It provides flexibility while preserving a readable career history.

Targeted resume

A targeted resume is customized for a particular position or type of role. It prioritizes the qualifications and terminology most relevant to that employer.

Any chronological, functional or combination resume can be targeted. Targeting describes how the content is selected rather than how the sections are arranged.

Federal resume

A federal resume may require considerably more detail than a private-sector resume. Depending on the application, it can include hours worked, supervisor information, salary and evidence of specialized experience.

Follow the vacancy announcement carefully because required information varies.

Academic resume or CV

Academic applicants may need a CV documenting education, research, teaching, publications and presentations. Its length can increase throughout a career.

Online resume

An online resume may appear on a professional networking platform or personal website. It can include links to work samples and more detail than a submitted application document.

Public profiles should not contain sensitive personal information.

What to include on a resume

Contact information

Include:

• Full name
• City and state or region
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile when relevant
• Portfolio or professional website when appropriate

A full street address is generally unnecessary for online applications unless requested.

Confirm that links and contact details work before submitting.

Professional summary

A professional summary is a brief introduction describing your experience, specialization and strongest qualifications.

Example:

Operations coordinator with five years of experience supporting logistics, vendor communication and process improvement. Skilled in maintaining accurate records, coordinating cross-functional work and resolving time-sensitive operational issues.

Keep the summary focused. Avoid a long paragraph filled with unsupported adjectives.

Resume objective

An objective can help students, early-career applicants and career changers explain the type of position they are pursuing.

Example:

Retail supervisor transitioning into customer success, bringing four years of experience resolving customer concerns, coaching employees and maintaining account relationships.

Focus on the value you can provide rather than only stating what you hope to receive.

Work experience

For each relevant position, include:

• Job title
• Employer
• Location or remote status
• Employment dates
• Achievement-focused bullet points

Recent and relevant positions usually receive more detail than older roles.

Achievements

Achievements show the results of your work.

Instead of:

• Responsible for weekly reporting

Consider:

• Automated a weekly reporting process, reducing preparation time by approximately five hours per month

Useful achievements may involve:

• Revenue
• Costs
• Time
• Quality
• Customer satisfaction
• Accuracy
• Project completion
• Team development
• Process improvements
• Risk reduction

Use only figures you can verify.

Education

Include:

• Degree or qualification
• Major or field of study
• Institution
• Location
• Graduation date or expected date when appropriate

Students may also include relevant coursework, academic honors or major projects. Experienced professionals can generally keep this section concise.

Skills

List abilities relevant to the position.

Hard skills may include:

• Data analysis
• Accounting
• Software development
• Financial modeling
• Project management
• CRM systems
• Graphic design
• Equipment operation

Soft skills may include:

• Communication
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability

Soft skills are stronger when supported by examples in the work-experience section.

Certifications and licenses

Include credentials that are required or valued in the profession. List the certification name, issuing organization and completion or expiration date when relevant.

Projects

Projects can demonstrate practical skills when work experience is limited or when the project is particularly relevant.

Include:

• Project name
• Your role
• Tools or methods
• Result
• Link when appropriate

Volunteer experience

Volunteer work can demonstrate communication, organization, leadership or technical skills. Include it when it supports the target position.

Languages

State the language and an accurate proficiency level. Avoid describing yourself as fluent unless you can communicate effectively in professional situations.

Awards and honors

Include awards connected to your work, education or professional field. Explain unfamiliar awards briefly.

Publications and presentations

These sections may be relevant for research, academic, communications or senior professional roles. Use a consistent citation style.

Professional memberships

Memberships can demonstrate involvement in your field. Give priority to active participation or leadership rather than listing organizations with no context.

What not to include on a resume

Unless requested or customary in your location, avoid:

• A photograph
• Age or date of birth
• Marital status
• Government identification numbers
• Full banking information
• Unrelated personal details
• Salary history
• Reasons for leaving previous jobs
• “References available upon request”
• False qualifications
• Confidential employer information
• Every job you have ever held

Research local resume conventions when applying internationally.

How to write a resume

1. Identify the target role

A resume written for a specific type of position is easier to focus than one designed for every possible job.

2. Review the job description

Identify required skills, qualifications, responsibilities and outcomes. Note the terminology the employer uses.

3. Create a master career document

Record your jobs, projects, skills, certifications and accomplishments in one place. This master document can be longer than the version you submit.

4. Choose the right format

Select a chronological, functional or combination structure based on your experience and target position.

5. Write the strongest sections first

Create the summary, skills and recent experience sections around the employer’s most important needs.

6. Turn duties into achievements

Explain what you did, the context and the result.

A useful structure is:

Action verb + task + scope + outcome

Example:

• Coordinated onboarding for 25 new employees and created a checklist that reduced missing account-access requests.

7. Select relevant keywords

Use accurate terms from the job description naturally throughout the resume. Do not add skills you cannot demonstrate.

8. Edit for clarity

Remove repetition, filler and information that does not support the target role.

9. Format consistently

Use a readable font, clear headings, consistent dates and sufficient white space.

10. Proofread and test the file

Check spelling, dates, contact details, links and page breaks. Open the exported file to confirm the formatting remains intact.

Resume template

[Full Name]
[City, State or Region]
[Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn or Portfolio]

Professional Summary

[Two to four lines describing your experience, specialization, relevant skills and strongest professional value.]

Core Skills

• [Relevant skill]
• [Relevant skill]
• [Relevant skill]
• [Relevant tool]
• [Relevant qualification]
• [Relevant skill]

Professional Experience

[Job Title]
[Employer], [Location]
[Month Year]–[Month Year or Present]

• [Action verb] [responsibility or achievement] resulting in [outcome]
• [Action verb] [task] for [scope]
• [Action verb] [process] to improve [result]
• [Action verb] [collaboration or leadership example]
• [Action verb] [relevant technical responsibility]

[Previous Job Title]
[Employer], [Location]
[Month Year]–[Month Year]

• [Relevant achievement]
• [Relevant responsibility and result]
• [Transferable skill example]

Education

[Degree or Qualification]
[Institution], [Location]
[Graduation Year]

Certifications

[Certification], [Issuing Organization], [Year]

Projects

[Project Name]

• [Your role, methods and result]

Resume formatting guidelines

A professional resume generally uses:

• A readable 10- to 12-point body font
• Larger text for your name and headings
• Consistent spacing
• Clear section labels
• Short bullet points
• Standard margins
• A simple reading order
• One or two pages for most candidates

Avoid forcing two pages onto one with an extremely small font. Relevant content and readability are more important than an absolute page rule.

What is an ATS?

An applicant tracking system, or ATS, helps employers collect and organize applications. Some systems also search for job-related terms or support candidate screening.

Improve resume compatibility by:

• Using standard headings
• Following the requested file type
• Avoiding essential text inside images
• Using conventional date formats
• Maintaining a logical reading order
• Including accurate keywords
• Avoiding unnecessary graphics and text boxes

An ATS-friendly resume still needs to be useful to a human reader.

Common resume mistakes

Avoid:

• Using one generic resume for unrelated jobs
• Listing responsibilities without results
• Including inaccurate information
• Writing an unfocused summary
• Adding irrelevant skills
• Using inconsistent dates
• Overloading the page with graphics
• Writing dense paragraphs
• Including confidential information
• Submitting without proofreading
• Naming the file “resume-final-new-2”
• Copying a template without personalizing it

A professional filename might be:

FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf

Build a Professional Portfolio With Dokie

Some applications, interviews and promotion processes require more than a traditional resume. Dokie is an AI presentation maker that can transform a resume, project notes, documents, URLs and research into a clear, business-ready presentation highlighting selected experience and achievements.

Dokie provides custom templates and editable PowerPoint exports, allowing users to adjust wording, remove confidential details and refine every slide. Professionals can use it to create interview case studies, project portfolios or internal career presentations without spending excessive time on manual formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long should a resume be?

One or two pages is appropriate for most candidates. Longer resumes may be suitable for some executive, federal, academic, medical or highly technical applications.

2. Do I need a resume if I have no work experience?

Yes. You can include education, academic projects, volunteering, part-time work, leadership activities, certifications and relevant skills.

3. Should I use a functional or chronological resume?

A reverse-chronological resume works well for many applicants. A functional or combination format may help emphasize transferable skills, but employers may still expect a clear work history.

4. Is a resume the same as a CV?

Not always. In the United States, a resume is usually concise and job-specific, while an academic CV is more comprehensive. Terminology differs internationally, so follow the employer’s instructions.