Step by step how to write a resume in 2024

In today's article we're going to talk about the first tool we have when presenting ourselves in the working world. How to write your Curriculum Vitae correctly is something that should always be important to us, since it is our letter of introduction. Think about those who are going to read it, we have to attract their attention so that, finally, they decide to review our resume over others.

Today we're going to give you the best tips for you to understand how to write your resume in the best way. We are going to talk about the different formats, the different design options and we are going to give you the best tips to stand out in 2023. Let's get started!

Simple and clear

Imagine the person in charge of the selection process, surely he/she will have to review many resumes before finding the right one. How do we make him/her choose ours?

Well, our resume must be easy to read and with an attractive but clear design. The language you use should be concise, using short sentences. A first reading should give a clear picture of who we are and what our main skills are. The structure should show this in a simple way, without so many changes of font or graphics. Also, try to condense your resume on a single page. 

When we think about the person who's going to read our resume, what do we want to be the first thing they see and remember? Those key points can be underlined in some way... For example, if our resume is intended for an international company that needs people skilled in different languages, we need to highlight the number of languages we speak so that it is noticeable at first glance. You can use bold to underline what is important or you can also use boxes to separate in an orderly fashion the different categories such as: languages, technical knowledge, experience, etc. 

What should my resume include? 

To make it easier to read, the design must have a coherent harmony. The location of relevant data should be divided into several categories. 

Personal information and contact details

In the first section you should provide your personal information, starting with your first and last name, as well as a photograph.

Photograph

Although some people think that the photograph is not so important, remember that, many times, it's easier to remember a face than a name. This photograph should be as professional as possible.

Education

Where you should add our academic background, as well as other types of knowledge: such as languages, courses and workshops. 

Professional experience

Here you can include all your internships or jobs. A piece of advice we give you: be selective. It's not necessary to add any experience that is too brief and unrelated to the jobs you are applying for. 

Skills

If you think about how to write your resume in an ideal way, this is one of the sections where you need to focus the most. In another article we talked about soft and hard skills. Hard (or technical) skills are usually the ones that are excluded for certain types of jobs, for example: knowing English or another language for a translator job. These technical skills must be present: such as knowledge of design programs, computer programs, etc.

But remember that soft skills are highly valued by companies. Think carefully if you possess any of these soft skills, for example: problem solving, creativity, proactivity, negotiation, communication, etc.

Letter of introduction

Sometimes, a short review of ourselves can be a good cover letter. If you include it, do not repeat what is already in the resume, try to explain in a few words what is special about your profile.

Links to your networks

If you want, you can include your social networks so that people can get to know you better. Remember that you are forging your personal brand, try to make the networks you share a point in your favor. Be careful with what you share in them!

Innovative design 

A resume is eye-catching. You can go for a visual and modern design. You may think that for more traditional professions a striking type of resume is not so necessary, you can opt for a simple design, but remember that you can choose something more innovative without losing simplicity and coherence in its format.  

Let's give you some design tips:

• Structure in columns: a way to optimize space and organize information optimally. This way, the recruiter will be able to find what he/she is looking for more quickly.

• Include colors and icons: a good way to make some skills or key elements of your training, your experience, or your knowledge stand out. Icons are an aesthetic element that, when used well, can add a lot to your resume. 

• All the information on one page: if you can, condense all the information on a single page. Remember to put yourself in the place of the person who has to read your resume.

• Digital and PDF format: with a PDF format, we ensure that the document looks good on any screen: computer, tablet or mobile. 

However, it is also advisable that our resume has a digital version that is visible on networks, such as Linkedin. You can also have a personal website that has all your extended data. It can include your social networks of your jobs, your blog, articles you have published, videos, images, etc. 

The important thing here is that you take advantage of it to create a solid personal brand. 

More recommendations for a resume that stands out

So far we've seen the importance of a good structure and design for your resume. Let's look at some more recommendations:

• Spelling: sometimes a simple spelling mistake can leave a bad impression. Take care of this kind of details with attention.

• No need to know about design: if you do not know how to write your resume or do not know how to design it, try downloading a template. There is a wide variety of them, you will surely find the one that best suits your profile and your style.  

• Honesty: no one is born with experience, do not lie about it or your capabilities. Lies have short legs. You could be damaging your career.

We hope today's article has been very helpful. With these tips there's no doubt that you will know how to write your resume in the most professional way. Be optimistic! Your new job is just around the corner. 

What other things do you think you can't miss on your resume? Share them in the comments!