resume format in english

Resume Templates

/ 0 - 5 years of experience

Resumes Student/Intermediate

Cover Letters All levels of experience

Pick from 8+ [Free] Resume Templates

Pick one of our free resume templates, fill it out, and land that dream job! Create and download your professional resume in less than 5 minutes.

Traditional

Professional

Skill-Based

See what our customers think

Why Novorésumé?

Free AND Premium

We offer both free and premium resume templates, so whatever your budget might be, you can still take advantage of our resume builder.

Creative & Professional Resume Templates

Whether you’re a creative advertiser looking for an outside-the-box creative resume template, or a banker seeking a more professional resume template, we’ve got a template for you!

NO Hidden Fees

If you’ve tried other resume builders, you’ve probably experienced this: You spend hours creating a resume, and when you click “download,” you get hit with a paywall asking you to subscribe.

At Novorésumé, we don’t do that . We have NO hidden fees - upgrade to Premium ONLY if you LOVE our resumes!

ATS Friendly

All Novorésumé resume templates are built with the most popular Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in mind. What this means for YOU is that whichever job you apply for, the CV filtering software they use will be able to read your resume (and NOT automatically discard it).

Expert Reviews

Oana Vintila

Career Counselor

For over 10 years now, I've been on both sides of the fence, career counseling, and recruitment, and let me tell you, the writer's block hits hard when it comes to drafting your resume.

Novorésumé not only offers you a smart and modern template for you to fill in, but their team has also crafted a winning combo of aesthetics and functionality that will inspire you to apply for the job you thought was out of your league. Give it a try!

Biron Clark

Former Executive Recruiter

Novorésumé is one of the few resume builders that I recommend online. Their resume templates are modern and eye-catching, and will grab an employer's attention. As a former Recruiter, if a candidate sent me a resume built with one of these templates, I would take notice and be impressed.

The software also makes it easy to enter your info and handles all of the formatting for you, so you can get your resume ready to send out as quickly as possible. I recommend these templates whether you're a recent graduate or experienced candidate.

Gabriela Tardea

Career Strategist, Coach & Trainer

When I consult people on resume writing, the most common question that I am asked it is about the content and what components to add or avoid, when they have less than 5 years of work experience.

On this platform, you not only have access to many options, but you get guidance on what to choose and why. When the work experience is less than 5 years, the other components such as languages, projects, volunteering experiences, hobbies etc, make a huge difference.

Resume Resources

What is a resume.

A resume is a brief summary of personal and professional experiences, skills, and education history. Its main purpose is to show off your best self to potential employers.

When applying for a job, you’re (in most cases) going to be asked for a resume accompanied by a cover letter.

If you manage to create a “good” resume, you’re going to 2x your chances of getting hired . Want to learn how? Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume .

How to Write a Resume for Your First Job?

The process of writing a resume might seem super scary to you. After all, most resume examples you see on the web are 80% about work experience. So, what the heck can you include in your resume if you have none?

Well, here’s some good news. If you’re applying for an entry-level job or an internship, no one expects you to have ANY work experience.

Instead, you should focus on what you DO have: education, projects, volunteering experience, hobbies & interests.

For a complete guide on how to make a resume with no work experience stand out, check out our article.

What to Put on a Resume?

The most common sections on a resume are:

Contact information

Resume summary or objective

Work experience

If you want to personalize your resume a bit more, you can also include the following sections:

Volunteering experience

Hobbies & interests

For more information on how to place these sections on your resume, check out our article on what to put on a resume .

How to Format a Resume?

There are 3 typical resume formats:

Reverse-Chronological Resume

Functional Resume

Combination Resume

In 99% of the cases, you’ll want to go with the Reverse Chronological resume format. That’s the format most resumes you’ve seen follow - its main focus is your work experience, written down in reverse-chronological order.

Unless you’re looking to create a career change resume , we’d recommend sticking with this format.

If you want to learn more about resume formats , check out our comparison guide.

How Long Should a Resume Be?

Ah, the most popular resume question in the world: “how long should your resume be?”

Short answer: one page. If you have a lot of work experience (10 years +), sometimes it makes sense to make it 2 pages MAX if everything you mention is super relevant for the position you’re applying for.

Long answer: check out our guide on how long should a resume be .

P.S. all of our templates are one-page resume templates, so you shouldn’t have a lot of trouble sticking to the one-page limit!

How to Write a Resume Summary?

Your resume summary is a “hook” that goes on top of your resume. Think of it as an introduction to the rest of your resume. It should, in 2-4 sentences, explain what your background is, and why it’s relevant for the position you’re applying for.

Want your resume summary to stand out? Use this proven formula:

“Professional [job title] with X+ years of work experience in [job responsibility] . In the past Y years, I have [your top 1-2 achivements] . Seeking a position of [job title] at [company name] ”

To learn more about how to create a resume summary that excels, check out our guide.

On the other hand, if you’re a student or just don’t have a lot of work experience, read our article on how to create a resume objective instead.

How to List Work Experience on a Resume

Work experience on a resume is one of those things that’s easy to learn, hard to master.

Each work experience entry should contain the following:

Position title

Company name/description/location

Achievements or responsibilities

Dates employed

Now, if you want to create a work experience section that stands out , you want to focus on quantifiable achievements. What this means is, instead of creating an entry like:

“Carried out sales operations”

You list an achievement:

“Hit and exceeded monthly sales KPIs for 5 months in a row.”

This shows the employer that you’re not just a random candidate, you’re an A-player! To learn more about how to list achievements in your work experience (and land the job), check out our article.

How to List Skills on a Resume?

Simply create a ”skills” section on your Novorésumé resume template, and list your top skills. We usually recommend going for a mix of hard and soft skills.

Not sure what skills to include in your resume? Check out these 101 essential skills for any resume .

How to Make a Cover Letter For a Resume?

Every job application asks for a cover letter (in addition to your resume). Here are some of our tips on how to do this right:

Customize your cover letter to the employer. The more personalized it is, the more likely it is for the recruiter to like you

Outline your general background (work experience, profession, etc.) and mention your top 2-3 achievements to show off your skills

If you really want to stand out, create a cover letter that matches your resume template. To do this, you can use one of our cover letter templates here.

If you want to learn more about how to write a convincing cover letter , check out our comprehensive guide.

What is the Best Resume Template?

There’s no such thing as “the best resume template” - every recruiter/employer has their own personal preference. Our general recommendation is to do your research on the company and what their values are.

For example, if you’re applying for a position at a bank, you’d want a more professional resume template. On the other hand, if you want a job in a startup where they value innovation more, you should stick to a creative resume template .

Finally, if you’re still not sure which type of template is right for the job you’re applying for, you can just use a simple resume template just to be safe.

Get Inspired with Our Resume Examples

Resume templates faq, how to make a resume with novorésumé.

Follow these simple steps:

Choose one of our top resume templates above

Follow the tips & tricks built-in our resume builder

Fill in your work history and other experiences

Hit download and start applying to jobs!

What If I Am a Student?

All of our resume samples are student-friendly! If you’re looking for something a bit more tailored, we’d recommend picking the “college resume template”

Or, if you want to learn how to create a convincing student resume , check out our guide.

Are These Resume Templates Free?

Yep, all of the templates listed above are free resume templates.

However, our resume builder comes with a ton of premium features. So if you want to personalize your resume and make it truly yours, you can upgrade!

Who Created These Resume Samples?

At Novorésumé, we put extensive care in creating each resume template.

We interviewed recruiters and analyzed applicant tracking systems to create resume samples that will maximize your chances of getting hired.

Then, our professional graphic designer worked his magic to make the resume samples compelling, well-designed, and easy to read!

Are These Resume Templates ATS-Friendly?

Yes! All Novorésumé resume templates are created with applicant tracking systems in mind.

Keep in mind, though, that using the right template is step #1. You should also optimize your resume content for applicant tracking systems. For more on that, check out our guide to creating an ATS-friendly resume .

Do You Offer One-Page Resume Templates?

Yep. All the templates you see above are one-page resume templates. They are, however, pretty flexible, so if you decide to go for 2 pages, our templates will get the job done!

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Resume templates

Put your best qualities on display with professional, customizable resume and cv templates. no matter your line of work or length of professional history, you'll find resume and cv templates that'll help you get the gig..

Download free resume templates

Land your dream job with free, customizable resume templates. Showcase your potential to recruiters and stand out from other candidates with a professional template. Whether you're applying to corporate positions or creative roles, go with a sleek design or show your creativity with bold colors .

Resumes don't need to look boring—add flair to your professional experience with a creative resume template. There are plenty of resume designs to choose from, like simple resume templates and modern resume templates. Each resume template is fully customizable in Microsoft Word , so you can personalize each design element and add your own text. Using a template also makes it easier to customize your resume for each position you apply to.

Print out as many copies as you'd like or download the template for free to share digitally when applying online. These professional resume templates are perfect for any stage of life or career. Whether you're a high school student, actor, or seeking a career in nursing, you can find any format for any job type.

There are also a variety of free CV (Curriculum Vitae) templates to choose from. A CV is often longer than a resume and contains an in-depth look at your education and professional accomplishments. Like our resume templates, these CV templates are also customizable in Word.

Remember, your next job is only a template away! Once you've customized your resume, explore free cover letter templates to help you land the job.

• Make a Gift
• Directories

Search form

You are here.

• Programs & Courses
• Undergraduate
• Careers & Internships
• Tools & Resources
• Résumés & Cover Letters

Résumé Formats

Résumés come in many formats, though they share typical categories of information and features. The three most common formats, which we'll address here, are the reverse chronological résumé , the functional résumé , and the combination résumé .

Reverse Chronological Résumé : This is the traditional format, in which work experience is highlighted and is listed chronologically with the most recent positions listed first. This is a good style for job seekers who already have professional experience in a specific field and who are looking for a new job within the same field.

Functional Résumé : This is a skills-based format, in which specific job skills are highlighted. This is a good style for job seekers without much professional experience, or for those who are looking to move into a new field.

Combination Résumé : This style highlights the job seeker's skills and also provides a chronological listing of experience. An excellent style for foregrounding skills but also providing a work history.

You can (and should) adapt the formats and résumé categories to your own experiences and skills, as well as to the job being targeted. You may want to develop a number of different formats for your résumé, to be used and adapted for different jobs. Don't rely on a single résumé to serve the purpose for all situations: you will need to adapt and revise your résumé and cover letter each time you target a new position.

Typical Categories in a Résumé

Contact information.

Your name and contact information should stand out clearly. Include your name, address, and phone number. You may also include your e-mail address. If your résumé exceeds one page, be sure that your name and contact information are listed at the top of every page.

Objective (Optional)

Your objective should be specific to the job you're targeting. Specify the position, field of work, or skills to be used on the job. Avoid vague statements such as, "I am looking for a challenge" or "I want to work with people." This is where to tell the potential employer, I want to work for you in such and such a capacity, and this is why/these are the skills I can bring to this position . (See sample résumés below.)

Summary of Qualifications (Optional)

Some job seekers substitute a Summary of Qualifications for the Objective. This is a brief description of your background, training, and skills. (See sample résumés below.)

Along with listing your degree (or anticipated degree), recent graduates may also want to include information on curriculum, honors, activities, and study abroad. (See sample résumés below.)

List your title, place of employment, city, state, and dates of employment. Write job descriptions that give evidence that you have the skills the employer wants. (See sample résumés below.)

Activities (Optional)

List activities that are either relevant to this position or can offer the employer a sense of your qualities and qualifications as a job candidate. If you're short on work experience, you may want to provide details of volunteer work or leadership positions you've held in the context of your education or the community. If space is at a premium, you may want simply to list the organizations you're affiliated with and your positions within them. (See sample résumés below.)

Honors/Awards (Optional)

If these are related to your education, you may want to list them above, in the education section of the résumé. If you have a substantial list of honors or awards, a separate category is probably appropriate.

Other Categories (Optional)

The categories in your résumé are used to highlight particular areas of strength or experience. You should create them and adapt them to fit your purposes. Some résumés include categories such as Computer Skills, Related Skills, Leadership, Special Training, Research Experience, Volunteer Work, Internships, etc. Design headings to draw attention to particular, related attributes or experiences.

References (Optional)

Some applicants use "References" as a heading and state "References available upon request." Others don't refer to references in the résumé at all. In either case, it's better to have a separate reference sheet. Most applicants don't provide this with the résumé, but do prepare it to take to a job interview. Employers will ask for references in advance if they want them.

Example of a Reverse Chronological Résumé

Example of a functional (skills-based) résumé, example of a combination résumé.

For additional résumé samples, see the UW Career Center's résumé information .

•   Instagram
•   Newsletter

Resume templates

Access professional, beautifully designed resume templates and easy-to-use cv templates that will help you stand out in your job search, for free!

• Files + templates

Related tags

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Template Lists
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Beginner Guides

Blog Template Lists

Free Resume Templates for 2024

By Aditya Rana , Apr 25, 2024

In 2024, the job market is as competitive as ever. Besides layoffs, you also have to worry about the AI effect.

So, how do you get hired today? The answer is simple. You need a a well-designed resume that cuts through the noise and lands you an interview.

Though several methods exist to make a resume, the best strategy is to use a  Free Resume Maker  or  resume templates  (they’re easy to download and made by professional designers).

In this post, I’ll cover the best free resume templates in 2024, including popular categories such as minimalist resumes, professional resumes, and more. Let’s begin!

Click to jump ahead:

Simple resume templates

Professional resume templates, student resume templates, scholarship resume templates, babysitter resume templates, high school resume templates, college resume templates, acting resume templates, graphic design resume templates, modern resume templates, photo resume templates, creative resume templates, teacher resume templates, corporate resume templates, infographic resume templates, academic resume templates, colorful resume templates, tech resume templates.

• How to customize resume templates in Venngage
• How to download resume templates for offline use

Simple resume templates  have a clean layout without complex graphics, photos, or multiple colors to make the content stand out.

This simple resume uses a black-and-white color scheme to ensure a clear presentation, while the sans-serif font gives it a modern look. It’s ideal for job seekers to present their skills in a straightforward format.

This template uses simple black and grey tones, which gives it a professional and conservative feel and makes it suitable for traditional industries or roles that value straightforwardness.

Professional resume templates  present your career information in a clear and structured format. They’re suitable for applicants in corporate fields like finance, law, or healthcare, where a conservative approach is standard.

This professional resume uses a neutral background with pops of color, while a personal photo and icons give it an interactive feel. This template is excellent for those want to showcase skills and personality.

This professional resume template has a modern and clean design, with a balanced mix of colors and white space to create visual appeal. It uses a dual-column format that separates contact details and references on the left from education, work experience, and skills on the right.

Student resume templates  are for students and new graduates needing more professional experience. They help get internships, part-time jobs, apprenticeships, or entry-level positions.

This student resume template is ideal for students seeking work in creative or technical fields such as computer science or digital design.

This student resume is ideal for students entering the marketing field and shows academic, professional, and extracurricular achievements in a concise format.

Scholarship resume templates help students highlight academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, awards, and work experience to scholarship committees.

This scholarship resume template has a layout that highlights essential information like a student’s education, skills, experience, awards, and community service. The inclusion of icons and a photo help personalize the resume, making it ideal for anyone applying for scholarships.

Babysitter resume templates  focus on childcare experience and certifications so parents can assess candidates to determine trust.

This babysitter resume has a friendly vibe and a soft color palette with playful graphics, adding a warm, child-friendly touch. It’s an excellent option for babysitters who want to highlight their childcare experience and qualifications in a visually appealing format.

Ah yes, the joys of finishing high school and creating your first resume! High school resume templates have a specific use case — to help high school students highlight achievements and make a good impression to potential employers or for college applications.

This high school resume balances color and white space, ensuring the content is easily readable against the light background. It’s an excellent choice for students who want to create a clean and contemporary resume.

This resume has an artistic and warm design and is perfect for students interested in the arts or humanities. Go with this option if you want to highlight individuality and soft skills.

Finishing college is exciting and challenging as you enter the real world and begin your professional journey.  College resume templates  are great for university students applying for entry-level jobs and graduate programs.

This template is well-organized, with distinct sections covering education, contact information, clubs and associations, co-op experience, skills, and references, which makes it easy to scan and an excellent option for tech students.

This college resume has a modern and stylish design, making it perfect for an educator or any professional seeking an opportunity in creative roles.

Acting resume templates are for performers of all levels, from beginners to professionals. They’re mainly used when applying for auditions or casting calls and must demonstrate an actor’s range and versatility.

This acting resume has a monochromatic color scheme and a black-and-white headshot, essential in the acting profession. Icons also visually highlight different skills, such as accents, languages, and other abilities.

Graphic design resu me templates are visually appealing resumes that enable designers to showcase their professional experience, design skills, and personal brand in an attractive and organized manner.

This graphic design resume template is visually striking and suitable for creative professionals. It features a bold color scheme with prominent use of pink and blue, which grabs attention. Infographics and icons are also used to represent experience in different software.

Modern resu me templates follow the latest resume design trends and feature clean lines and minimalistic aesthetics. They’re an excellent option for applicants who want to project an up-to-date image to potential employers.

This modern resume separates information into key sections and uses a neutral color palette, with shades of blue to convey professionalism.

Photo resume templates are popular in fields where personal appearance can influence hiring, such as acting, modeling, or customer-facing roles in sales and hospitality.

This resume template is ideal for photographers as it has a minimalistic design with plenty of whitespace to create a clean, uncluttered look. It also uses a two-column layout to separate contact information and a personal statement on the right from work experience and education on the left, allowing easy reading.

This template is a minimalist design with a single-column layout suited for creative professionals like photographers and journalists. The color scheme is restrained, with a blend of light blues and greys against a white background, creating a clean and uncluttered look.

Creative resume templates are designed to stand out and are perfect for professionals in industries that value originality and design thinking, such as graphic design, advertising, fashion, and the arts.

This creative resume is a great option for professionals in fields such as marketing or design where visual impact and personality are important. It also balances personal branding with professional information effectively.

Teacher resume templates  showcase candidates’ ability to instruct, manage a classroom, and contribute to curriculum development and school administration.

This template uses a dark tone for the left block, providing a high contrast that is easy on the eyes and an excellent way for teachers to emphasize qualifications, expertise, and experience.

This resume has a clean design and features a combination of icons and text that delineates different sections. It’s a great option for educators or academics who wish to present their information in a concise and easy-to-follow manner.

Corporate resume templates  have a formal aesthetic that appeals to recruiters. They are used by individuals seeking opportunities in finance, management, consulting, or any corporate sector that values straightforward professionalism.

This resume has a two-column design for tech professionals like full-stack developers. Bold turquoise accents combined with a dark gray header make sections like the applicant’s name and professional title stand out.

This resume uses a bold typographic style to create a strong visual focal point and incorporates a vibrant red for titles and key skills to emphasize important information. The serif font for headings coupled with the sans-serif for body text also creates a nice blend of classic and modern aesthetics.

Infographic resume templates use graphics and illustrations to display resume content. They’re perfect for professions where creative skills and design thinking are valued or for job seekers looking to stand out in a competitive market.

This template is perfect for professionals who want to demonstrate their creativity, digital savvy, and professional expertise. It includes a prominent header for the candidate’s name and title and a captivating graphic background that draws attention.

This template uses a striking mix of colors, with playful elements like stars and graphics to enhance visual appeal. This template is a great choice for creative professionals such as graphic designers.

Academic resume templates highlight educational achievements, research, publications, and teaching experience. They’re used by students, educators, researchers, and anyone in the academic or scientific field.

This resume template has a bold and contemporary color scheme of gray and yellow, intended to catch the eye and stand out from traditional resumes. This resume is suitable for students or recent grads with marketing backgrounds as it highlights relevant coursework and internships prominently.

This template features a split-design layout with a nature-inspired color palette of greens and earth tones that provide a calm, yet distinctive backdrop. On the left side, information like education, skills, and contact details is arranged, while the right side is dedicated to a introduction, relevant coursework, and experience.

Colorful resume templates use vibrant colors and creative design to make a resume stand out. They feature color blocks, unique fonts, and graphical elements like charts or icons.

This resume uses sans-serif fonts to ensure readability while maintaining a colorful and modern look. Progress bars for skills also allow you to summarize your capabilities.

This resume has a muted color scheme with orange accents, which draws attention without being overwhelming. It features sans-serif fonts that give it a contemporary vibe, and skill levels are visually indicated with horizontal bars.

Tech resume templates are industry-specific and focus on highlighting skills, experience, and educational background of individuals. These resumes prioritize clarity and functionality over excessive design elements to ensure that technical qualifications stand out.

This tech resume uses a modern sans-serif font for clean readability. Expertise and languages are represented visually with star ratings, which also visually represent proficiency levels.

This resume features a single-column layout with rounded sections that soften the design and make it inviting. A bright color palette, including pinks and oranges, gives the resume a professional look, making it the perfect design for the tech industry.

How to customize resume templates on Venngage

Do you like the resume templates in this post and want to customize one with your details? The good news is that it doesn’t require much time or design skills.

Venngage provides a drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to swap content in resume templates, adjust fonts and colors, and add icons to showcase your skills.

Three steps to edit a Venngage template

Step 1 – Sign up for a FREE Venngage account

Sign up  for a free Venngage account using your email, Gmail, or Facebook account.

Step 2 – Select a resume from our resume templates page

On our  templates page , look for resume templates on the left. Our templates are organized by theme, such as  simple resumes ,  student resumes ,  college resumes , and more, to help you find the perfect starting point for your application.

Step 3 – Edit our resume templates

Once you find a resume template to edit, click the Create button (you’ll need to sign in or sign up if you haven’t already).

Once signed in, you’ll get access to our editor tool to customize the resume.

Here are some things you can do with resume templates in Venngage.

• Change the text, icons, layout, or graphics within the template.
• Add your  brand colors  (or your favorite color scheme) to your resume with a single click using  My Brand Kit  (available only for  Business  users).

Here are some tips to keep in mind to speed up the resume creation process in Venngage.

• Pre-fill information in a separate document for easy copy-pasting into Venngage.
• Use tools like Grammarly to proofread and check your resume content for errors.
• Customize each resume to highlight the skills and experience relevant to the job or opportunity you’re applying for.
• Use action verbs like managed or spearheaded. When possible, quantify your results to showcase value.
• If you edit resume layouts, follow sound design principles — clear fonts, consistent formatting, and adequate white space.

How to download a Venngage resume template for offline use

Need to work on your resume while offline? No problem!

Venngage lets you download resume templates (Business plan only) as a PDF or PPT to edit the content, add elements, and customize the design to fit your needs.

Conclusion: Get your dream job by using Venngage to create a resume that stands out

Free resume templates are a great way to create effective resumes fast. What can you do with that extra time? Well, why not double-check and proofread your resume to make sure it’s error-free?

Also, remember to keep your resume updated as you gain new experiences and skills to maintain its effectiveness. So, what are you waiting for? Customize a Venngage resume template today.

How do I update my resume to help land that job? Ask HR

Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional society and author of "Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.”

Have a question? Submit it here .

Question: Since leaving a job I have had for almost a decade, I have primarily conducted my job search online. I have used the same resume design since I started working 12 years ago. Should I update my resume design to be more effective? What do you recommend for building a modern resume? – Sandra

Answer: Updating your resume design can indeed be a wise move, especially if you've been using the same format for a long time. A fresh, modern design can help your resume stand out and leave a positive impression on recruiters and hiring managers. Here’s what I recommend for building a modern resume:

◾ Clean, professional layout: Opt for a layout that’s visually appealing and easy to read. Avoid cluttered designs and overly decorative elements that may distract from your content.

◾ Font selection: Stick to standard, easy-to-read fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. These fonts are widely accepted and compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), ensuring your résumé is easily scannable by both humans and software.

◾ Incorporate keywords: Tailor your resume to each job application by incorporating industry-specific keywords and phrases relevant to the position. Many companies use ATS to screen résumés, so this will increase the likelihood of your resume being noticed.

◾ Organized sections: Structure your resume into clear sections, including Contact Information, Summary or Objective, Work Experience, Skills, Education and any additional relevant sections such as Certifications or Volunteer Work. This organization makes it easy for recruiters to quickly find the information they need.

◾ Summary/objective statement: Start your résumé with a summary that highlights your key qualifications and career goals. Keep it concise, focusing on what sets you apart and what you aim to achieve in your career.

◾ Accomplishment-oriented experience: When listing your work experience, focus on highlighting your accomplishments, rather than just listing job duties. Use quantifiable achievements whenever possible, to demonstrate your impact, such as increasing sales by a certain percentage or leading successful projects.

◾ Skills section: Dedicate a section to showcasing your key skills and competencies, including both technical skills and soft skills relevant to the job. This section provides recruiters with a quick overview of your capabilities.

◾ Proofreading: Before submitting your resume, thoroughly proofread it to ensure there are no grammatical errors, typos, or formatting issues. Consider having someone else review your resume for feedback and additional insights.

By updating your resuméewith a modern design and incorporating these key elements, you can increase your chances of making a strong impression in today’s competitive job market. Good luck with your job search!

Ghosting a job Is it bad to ghost low priority potential employers? Ask HR

I've been denied PTO requests on multiple occasions, which is becoming increasingly frustrating. Most of them are denied on the grounds of staffing needs. Do I have any recourse in fighting these denials? What can I do to ensure PTO approvals? – Chanette

You may indeed have some recourse in addressing these denied paid time off requests. Start by reviewing your company's PTO policy and procedures. Many employers have specific guidelines regarding PTO requests, including deadlines for submission and limits on the number of employees who can be on leave simultaneously, to ensure adequate staffing levels.

First, check if your PTO requests were made in accordance with company policy. If they were not, ensure that you adhere to the established procedures for future requests, to increase the likelihood of approval.

However, if you followed company policy and your requests were still denied, consider discussing the matter with your manager or the human resources team. Seek clarification on the reasons for the denials and inquire about potential strategies to improve the approval rate for your requests.

It's also essential to consider whether your state mandates sick leave, and if your company uses PTO to fulfill those requirements. If so, your employer may be obligated to approve leave requests that align with qualifying reasons for sick leave under the law. If you’re uncertain about your state’s sick leave requirements, consult your HR team for clarification.

Ultimately, unless there is a contractual agreement or policy stating otherwise, employers typically have discretion in managing PTO usage. However, by following company procedures and addressing your concerns with management or HR, you may increase the likelihood of having your PTO requests approved more frequently.

Salaried, nonexempt What does that mean? Ask HR

How to write an MBA resume and make sure it stands out in the stack

Applying to business school, or an MBA program, can be nerve-racking. You’ll need to lasso together transcripts and test scores, fill out an application, and likely ace an interview—but perhaps the most critical piece of it all is an MBA resume. This important document will list out many of the same elements as a traditional resume, such as your educational background and work experience. 

But an MBA resume also has a different primary function than the typical resume you might submit to try and land a job: It’s designed to land you a spot in an MBA program. If writing an MBA resume feels intimidating, knowing what to put on it, and some other framing tactics, may help calm your nerves.

UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA

Mba resume vs. a job resume  .

As noted, an MBA resume should feel familiar to many prospective business school students. 

“An MBA resume is very similar to a job resume,” says Kaneisha Grayson, the founder and CEO of The Art of Applying , an MBA admissions consultancy. She adds that both types of resumes will, or should, comprise a single page, incorporate clear, professional formatting, and lay out an applicant’s educational and career accomplishments. 

“I’d say one difference between the two is that I advise our clients to put their education at the top—whereas with a job resume, you’d see education at the bottom,” Grayson says. She recommends this variation because an MBA resume’s specific aim of landing an applicant at an educational institution. 

So, in that sense, there may not be a whole lot of differences between an MBA resume and a job resume, but there will be some additional focus on specific aspects of your background, all in an effort to win over an MBA program’s selection or admissions committee. 

How to write an MBA resume

Again, writing an MBA resume shouldn’t differ a whole lot from writing a traditional resume, but you’ll want to try and keep your end goal in mind, which is landing a spot in an MBA program. As you write your MBA resume, keeping that goal in mind should prove helpful, because it can help you parse out the information you’ll want to include, and the things you won’t.

“An MBA resume is very specialized toward the application cycle,” says Ellin Lolis, President and Founder of Ellin Lolis MBA Consulting . So, again, keep the end goal in mind. “Your education section is going to be important,” Lolis says, “but we mostly want to see your career focus.”

As for the nuts and bolts of writing an MBA resume? Keep it simple by deciding what to rope in, what to leave out, and how to structure it all so that it’s easy to read. 

What to include in your MBA resume

The main elements that your MBA resume should include are an education section, a job experience or professional experience section, and a portion that details a bit more about you, personally, such as your hobbies and interests. 

You can leave out photographs, information related to your high school, and even most of your contact information—that’ll be included on your program application, the experts say. 

Again, do your best to keep what you include to one page. The only time you could probably get a pass for using more than one page is if you have extensive professional experience, and are applying to an executive MBA program. A good rule of thumb? “When you have more than seven years of full-time, post-college work experience,” says Grayson. 

How to structure an MBA resume

As for structuring an MBA resume, do your best to contain most elements to the aforementioned sections: Education, professional background and experience, and a section dedicated to your personal hobbies, interests, skills and certifications, and community service work.

List the schools you attended and the degrees you earned, perhaps with any relevant coursework and GPAs in the education section. Your professional section may differ depending on your specific experiences and industries you’ve worked in, but try to frame it as a sort of professional “story,” which can showcase how an MBA can help you take the next step.

Professional background

“Generally speaking, the MBA is not a purely academic degree, as a majority of people are going to earn one to get a better job,” says Lolis. “They’re doing it to boost their career—and at that point, the most relevant thing is your recent job and your professional track record,” she says.

Get into the weeds, too, about your accomplishments. “Don’t just reiterate your job responsibilities,” says Grayson. “Communicate the results of your efforts. Quantifying the results is much more significant and meaningful—describe the impact,” she says.

Hobbies, interests, and more

As for the more personal portion? “One of the main things that’s different from a job resume is that they want you to share some of your hobbies and interests,” Lolis says. “Be very specific,” adds Grayson, “because 90% of people will list ‘travel’ as a hobby. “But that’s not interesting—maybe something like ‘slow traveling to find the best street food.’ That’s interesting.” This, she says, can help spark a conversation, or help your resume stand out from the pile.

In addition to specific hobbies or interests, you might include, add volunteer or community work as well, and perhaps relevant technical or language skills. Again, this may help tip the scales in your favor by showing you have specific know-how related to a given industry or task. Any applicable awards you’ve earned may be good to include, too, as they showcase that you’re capable of excelling in a given area.

Should you customize your resume for each business school?

Experts generally don’t recommend changing up your MBA resume when applying to different schools. Instead, look for specific instructions relayed by the school, if there are any, and make any needed changes accordingly. So, unless you have a really compelling reason, you can probably use the same resume for a number of applications.

Also, don’t go overboard in terms of design to make your resume stand out. “Just stick to traditional formatting,” says Lolis, since that’s what most admissions teams are used to seeing, and are generally looking for. Let the contents of the resume speak for you—not the design.

Where to go if you need help  

For many prospective MBA students, piecing together a resume shouldn’t be terribly difficult, given that it’s mostly the same process as writing a traditional resume. However, if you need help, you can reach out to consultants, or even check out some of the resources schools make available to help you along the process. 

• Consultants : There are many MBA consultancies out there, including the firms that Lolis and Grayson founded. They can help create, review, and critique an MBA resume and get it into shape. 
• Examples and templates : Some schools even make templates available , and example resumes to help students create their own. 

The takeaway  

In all, you should write an MBA resume in the same way you’d write a traditional resume, with some slight variations. The resume should focus on your professional background and previous education, while also detailing some of your personal interests, too. Stick to classic resume formatting as well, and keep it to one page, if possible.

It’s also important, experts say, to use some basic formatting and style—use 11 or 12-point font, a normal font style (Arial, Times New Roman, etc.), and overall, keep it professional. And remember: don’t go overboard trying to score style points with the resume’s design or other elements.

Harvard Business Analytics Program

Mba rankings.

• Best Online MBA Programs for 2024
• Best Online Master’s in Accounting Programs for 2024
• Best MBA Programs for 2024
• Best Executive MBA Programs for 2024
• Best Part-Time MBA Programs for 2024
• 25 Most Affordable Online MBAs for 2024
• Best Online Master’s in Business Analytics Programs for 2024

Information technology & data rankings

• Best Online Master’s in Data Science Programs for 2024
• Most Affordable Master’s in Data Science for 2024
• Best Master’s in Cybersecurity Degrees for 2024
• Best Online Master’s in Cybersecurity Degrees for 2024
• Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Degrees for 2024
• Best Master’s in Data Science Programs for 2024
• Most Affordable Online Master’s in Data Science Programs for 2024
• Most Affordable Online Master’s in Cybersecurity Degrees for 2024

Health rankings

• Best Online MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs for 2024
• Accredited Online Master’s of Social Work (MSW) Programs for 2024
• Best Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs for 2024
• Best Online Master’s in Public Health (MPH) Programs for 2024
• Most Affordable Online MSN Nurse Practitioner Programs for 2024
• Best Online Master’s in Psychology Programs for 2024

Leadership rankings

• Best Online Doctorate in Education (EdD) Programs for 2024
• Most Affordable Online Doctorate in Education (EdD) Programs for 2024
• Coding Bootcamps in New York for 2024
• Best Data Science and Analytics Bootcamps for 2024
• Best Cybersecurity Bootcamps for 2024
• Best UX/UI bootcamps for 2024

Boarding schools

• World’s Leading Boarding Schools for 2024
• Top Boarding School Advisors for 2024