In this article, you’ll find tips on how to format your resume and what content to include. In addition, you’ll find bullet point examples and an action verb list.
Formatting Tips
- Try your best to keep it to one page by highlighting your most recent and relevant work experience. If you have additional experiences you want to share, add them to your LinkedIn profile.
- List your experiences in reverse chronological order by putting your most recent experiences at the top and previous experiences towards the bottom.
- Make sure your titles and dates are aligned so it’s quick and easy to follow.
- Make sure you have no grammatical errors.
Content Tips
- Use an action verb at the start of each bullet point to catch the reader’s eyes.
- Make sure your action verb is in the correct tense. If this is your current role, verbs should be present tense (“support”). If you’re describing a previous role, verbs should be past tense (“supported”).
- Try not to repeat an action verb. When you’re applying for a new job, try to tailor your resume to the job description by mirroring the action verbs they use to describe the role and responsibilities.
- Provide the who/what/when/where/why/how for each bullet point.
- When possible, list results. Give the reader a clear picture of what you accomplished by providing numbers (#, $, %). Instead of writing “assisted customers” you might write “assisted 100 customers per week.” Instead of writing “increased sales” you might write “increased sales by $30K from the previous year.”
Bullet Point Examples
- Example #1: Planned 10 events for the 8th grade class throughout the school year by collaborating with faculty, students, families, and outside organizations, resulting in enhanced educational experiences for 45 students
- Who: 8th grade class of 45 students
- What: Planned 10 events
- When/Where: During school year
- Why/Result: Enhanced educational experience
- How: Collaborating with faculty, students, families, and outside organizations
- Example #2: Planned and executed new hire training programs, including checklists, training guides, and team projects, resulting in fewer team resources needed during the onboarding process and increased support for 10 new hires
- Who: 10 new hires
- What: Planned and executed new hire training programs
- When/Where:
- Why/Result: Fewer team resources needed and increased support
- How: Developed checklists, training guides, and team projects
Action Verb List
| Communication Skills | Creative Skills | Financial Skills | Helping Skills | Management Skills | Organization Skills | Research Skills | Technical Skills |
Addressed Arbitrated Arranged Authored Collaborated Convinced Corresponded Developed Directed Drafted Edited Enlisted Formulated Influenced Interpreted Lectured Mediated Moderated Negotiated Persuaded Promoted Publicized Reconciled Recruited Translated | Acted Conceptualized Created Customized Designed Developed Directed Established Fashioned Founded Illustrated Initiated Instituted Integrated Introduced Originated Performed Planned Revitalized Shaped | Administered Allocated Analyzed Appraised Audited Balanced Budgeted Calculated Computed Forecasted Managed Marketed Planned Projected Researched | Assessed Assisted Clarified Coached Counseled Demonstrated Diagnosed Educated Expedited Facilitated Familiarized Guided Motivated Referred Rehabilitated Represented | Administered Analyzed Assigned Chaired Consolidated Contracted Coordinated Delegated Developed Directed Evaluated Improved Increased Organized Oversaw Planned Prioritized Produced Recommended Reviewed Scheduled Strengthened Supervised | Approved Arranged Classified Collected Compiled Executed Generated Implemented Inspected Monitored Operated Organized Prepared Processed Purchased Recorded Screened Specified Tabulated Validated | Clarified Collected Critiqued Diagnosed Evaluated Examined Extracted Identified Inspected Interpreted Interviewed Investigated Organized Reviewed Summarized Surveyed | Assembled Built Calculated Computed Designed Devised Engineered Maintained Operated Overhauled Programmed Remodeled Repaired Upgraded |
Here are some additional action verb lists:
- 195 Action Verbs to Make Your Resume Stand Out (Indeed, 2024)
- 185+ Action Verbs That Will Majorly Impress Hiring Managers (The Muse, 2024)
Sample Resumes
Check out Indeed’s user-friendly resume sample bank that is organized by industry and job title. Once you click on a specific job title, you’ll see 1-2 resume samples along with a list of common skills and certifications. This resource is perfect for visual learners and people who aren’t sure how to customize their resume to fit a new/different job description.
