What to Put on a Resume: Here’s What Employers Actually Want to See

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When building a resume, start with the essentials: contact info, summary, work experience, education, and skills. For first jobs, highlight coursework and volunteer work; students can add GPA and internships; experienced professionals focus on achievements and measurable results. Specialized roles may need extra info, like federal job details or healthcare certifications and skills. Keep it clear, one or two pages, use strong action verbs, quantify results, and skip personal details, fluff, outdated skills, and fancy designs that ATS can’t read. For academic or research roles, a CV expands on education, research, publications, awards, and affiliations. 

Starting to put together your resume and wondering what actually belongs on it? 

We’ve all been there. 

Resume writing is basically a series of tiny “should I include this?” decisions, and a few wrong ones can be the difference between getting overlooked and getting the interview. 

Do you list every responsibility or just the highlights and aim to keep it one page? Should you include all your work experience? Your entire education history? A photo? Your LinkedIn profile? 

We’ll break it down and show you: 

• What to include and leave off your resume. 
• Resume tips that help you stand out. 
• Resume templates that fit your experience level. 

Want the fast track? Build your resume in minutes with our free AI Resume Builder. 

Or dig deeper with these guides: 

• How to Write a Resume 
• 20 AI Skills to Put on a Resume 
• What Does a Good Resume Look Like? 
• Resume Help: How to Improve a Resume 
• How to Make a Resume ATS-Friendly 

Here’s a quick breakdown of what belongs on a resume — and what’s better left off: 

What to Put on a Resume: How to Prioritize Sections Based on Your Experience

Here’s what to put on a resume based on your situation: 

• If you’re just starting out, highlight relevant classes, projects, awards, or volunteer experience, and showcase transferable skills like leadership or teamwork. 
• High schoolers should feature grades, key courses, extracurriculars, leadership roles, and practical skills like languages or coding. 
• College students can include GPA (3.5+), honors, internships, and projects that match the role, showing results wherever possible. 
• Experienced professionals should emphasize the most relevant jobs, summarize older positions, and spotlight measurable accomplishments. 
• For federal resumes, include full address, citizenship, veterans’ preference, grade level, hours worked, and job series numbers. 
• Healthcare and nursing resumes should stress certifications, clinical experience, relevant skills, teamwork, and the types of patients or environments worked with. 

Here are the standard sections of a resume that you need to include: 

• Contact information 
• Professional summary 
• Work experience 
• Education 
• Skills 

Now, let’s get into what to include based on your experience. 

When you have no work experience 

Focus on relevant coursework, projects, or academic awards. Include unpaid jobs (family babysitting), volunteer work (community service), or extracurriculars (clubs, sports), highlighting transferable skills such as leadership, teamwork, organizational skills, or budget management. 

Related guides: 

• How to Write a Resume With No Experience 
• How to List Relevant Coursework on Your Resume 

As a high school student 

Emphasize strong grades, relevant classes, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities on your resume. Mention job-relevant skills like speaking another language, coding, or bookkeeping. Tutoring experience or volunteer work on a resume also counts. 

As a college student 

Showcase your GPA (if it’s 3.5+), along with any academic awards. Highlight internships and part-time jobs, especially where you can show measurable results. Projects or coursework that align with the role are also worth calling out. 

Helpful reads: 

• Internship Resume Examples to Help You Get Your Placement 
• Tips for Writing a Cover Letter for an Internship 
• How to Use Rezi for Student and Graduate Job Applications 
• Common Resume Mistakes Among Students & Fresh Grads 

When you have 10+ years of experience 

Prioritize what’s relevant. Spotlight the roles that match the job, and either leave out older positions or mention them briefly with the transferable skills gained. Talk about accomplishments, impact, and measurable results. 

Related: 

• How to Use Rezi for Senior Job Applications
• How Far Back Should a Resume Go?

For a federal resume 

Federal resumes need more detail than standard ones, like your full address, citizenship status (if outside the US), veterans’ preference, and federal grade level. Work experience should list hours worked per week, job series numbers, and starting and ending grades for federal roles. 

For a nurse or healthcare resume 

Emphasize relevant certifications, hands-on experience, and nursing skills on your resume, such as patient care, clinical procedures, and collaboration with healthcare teams. Be specific about the environments you’ve worked in and the types of patients you’ve supported. 

Read more about How to Use Rezi for Healthcare Job Applications

How to Present What You Put on Your Resume

Here’s how to present what you put on your resume:

• Make sure your contact info is current and professional, including name, phone, email, city/state, LinkedIn, and portfolio. 
• Craft a concise summary that shows who you are, what you excel at, and why you fit this specific role, mentioning the company and job title. 
• Sprinkle in keywords from the job description so your resume gets noticed by ATS and proves you’re a strong match. 
• Highlight your results: what you improved, solved, or streamlined, and back it up with numbers whenever you can. 
• Begin bullets with action verbs, avoid pronouns, and spell out acronyms so anyone can understand your achievements. 
• Include your degrees, school, location, and graduation year; recent grads can feature projects, coursework, awards, and GPA, while certifications deserve their own section. 
• Showcase technical and hard skills relevant to the role, and weave them naturally throughout your resume. 
• Add extra sections when relevant, like volunteer work, hobbies, languages, or side projects, to demonstrate creativity, leadership, or initiative. 
• Keep the format clean: reverse chronological order, single-column layout, simple fonts, consistent spacing, and clear headings. 
• Stick to one page for most candidates; if you have over 8–10 years of experience, two pages are fine. 

These resume tips will make sure that the content you put on your resume is not only well-written, but focused and aligned for the specific role you’re applying for. 

1. List your contact details correctly 

Include your full name (20–24 pt), email, phone, city/state, LinkedIn, and any portfolio or website in your resume header. 

Double-check that everything is up to date and looks professional; no outdated info or silly email addresses (I’m looking at you sillystinkysam@gmail.com). 

2. Write a strong professional summary 

Your resume summary gives a snapshot of who you are as a candidate: your experience level, most relevant skills and accomplishments, and why you’re a good fit for this role. Bonus points for mentioning the job title and company by name; it shows you’re not sending the same resume everywhere. 

If you want help writing one, try our AI Resume Summary Generator. Here’s an example of what it can do: 

3. Tailor your resume to the job description 

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords from the job post. If those keywords aren’t on your resume, your resume probably won’t rank very high. 

Our AI Keyword Targeting tool helps with this. Once you upload the job description, it identifies which keywords you already have, suggests ones you’re missing, and can even write a bullet point that includes them. Here’s an example of the keywords it found: 

4. Focus on work achievements, not responsibilities 

What you achieved matters more than what you were expected to do. Hiring managers can guess your day-to-day duties from your job title. 

Instead, emphasize your impact: 

• What did you improve or fix? 
• How did you make things faster, cheaper, or easier? 

Whenever possible, use numbers to back it up: 

• People trained or managed 
• Projects or tasks handled per week or month 
• Percentage improvements 
• Time or money saved 

Then connect those results to the skills, tools, or software you used to make them happen. 

To learn more, check out How to Show Off Accomplishments on a Resume. 

5. Start with action verbs 

Skip pronouns and vague wording, and start each bullet point strong with clear action verbs that stress what you actually did. 

Use the past tense for previous roles, and present tense if you’re still in the position. And if you’re using acronyms, spell them out. Don’t assume the hiring manager speaks your company’s internal language. 

For a deeper dive: 

• Best Action Words to Use on a Resume 
• Weak Action Verbs to Not Put on a Resume 

6. Briefly outline your education 

Your education section should cover the basics: degree, school, location, and graduation year (you can drop the year after about 10 years). 

If you’re a recent graduate or light on experience, this section can do more for you. Describe relevant projects, coursework, awards, extracurricular activities, and your GPA if it’s over 3.5. 

Certifications should live in their own section, with the certification name, issuing organization, and date earned (learn more about How to List Certifications on a Resume). 

7. Choose the best skills to put on a resume 

Your skills should appear throughout your resume, but they also need a dedicated skills section. 

Keep it simple. A horizontal, comma-separated list works best. No charts or percentage bars, please. 

Focus on the skills listed in the job description, especially hard and technical skills. Soft skills are easier to show through your bullet points, and using the job post’s exact wording helps with ATS screening. 

This guy on Reddit sums it up: 

According to the Future of Jobs Report 2025, here are some of the most in-demand skills to include on a resume: 

• Analytical thinking 
• Resilience, flexibility, and agility 
• Leadership and social influence 
• Creative thinking 
• Motivation and self‑awareness 
• Technological literacy 
• Empathy and active listening 
• Curiosity and lifelong learning 
• Talent management 
• Service orientation and customer service 
• AI and big data 

8. Add extra resume sections 

If your work history feels a little thin, the right extra sections can do some of the heavy lifting. These aren’t filler; they’re a way to show skills and experience that don’t fit neatly under a job title, as long as they’re relevant: 

• Volunteer work. Food banks, coaching, or community events can highlight teamwork, leadership, and customer service skills. 
• Hobbies and interests. Include these only if they show relevant skills. Think less “watching TV,” more “running a book club.” 
• Languages. A big plus for communication-heavy roles and working with diverse teams. 
• Projects. Side or personal projects showcase initiative, creativity, and problem-solving skills. 

9. Format your resume professionally 

How your resume looks is almost as important as what’s in it. Because if ATS can’t read it, it doesn’t matter how great your thesis was or how many millions you saved your company. 

Here’s how to format your resume: 

• Use reverse chronological order. Start with your most recent job and work backward. 
• Keep spacing and margins consistent. Single or 1.15 line spacing, with one-inch margins all around. 
• Stick to simple headings. “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” No creative titles needed. 
• Use one professional resume font. Merriweather or Calibri, 9–12 pt for body text, 14–16 pt for headings. 
• Go single-column and minimal. Skip text boxes, shading, or fancy designs that ATS can’t scan. 

10. Keep your resume to one or two pages 

You’ve probably heard: “Keep it to one page or kiss your chances goodbye.” In reality, there’s some wiggle room (though three pages straight out of university is probably overkill). 

The rule of thumb: include only what’s relevant and makes you more hireable. A two-page resume is fine if you have over 8–10 years of experience. 

For most people, a one-page resume works best because it forces you to cut the waffle and make every bullet point earn its spot. 

Related:

• Should a Resume Be Only One Page?
• How Long Should a Resume Be?

What Should Not Be on a Resume? 

Here’s what not to put on a resume: 

• Too-personal details. Your age, gender, religion, marital status, Social Security number, political views, photos, and personal social media don’t belong on a resume. This isn’t a dating profile; they don’t need to know everything. 
• Buzzwords and fluff. Calling yourself “hard-working” or listing what you were “responsible for” doesn’t tell employers much. Results beat adjectives every time. 
• Outdated information. If a skill hasn’t been relevant in years, like typing speed or old software, it’s time to let it go. 
• Unrelated details. Experience, certifications, or hobbies that don’t connect to the job are just taking up space. 
• References. There’s no need to list them or write “references available upon request.” Employers will ask for them if they want them. 
• Spelling or grammar errors. It’s 2026. Typos look sloppy, can confuse ATS, and don’t exactly support a claim of “strong attention to detail.” 
• Charts, graphs, and heavy design. Hiring managers want to skim, not decode a data visualization. ATS can’t read them either, so there’s really no upside. 

Skipping these will save space, avoid red flags, and keep your resume focused. The only exception is if your job application format has a different set of criteria, like the biodata format. 

More on the topic: 

• Personal Details in a Resume 
• 30 Resume Buzzwords to Avoid 
• The Do’s and Don’ts When Writing a Resume 
• Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid 

What to Put on a CV (Curriculum Vitae)

Here’s what to put on a CV:

• Contact details. Name, address, phone, email, website, and LinkedIn. 
• CV profile or summary. Brief overview of your skills, focus, and career goals. 
• Work experience. Description of your professional track record and relevant achievements. 
• Education. Degrees, institutions, dissertations, and honors or distinctions. 
• Skills. List of key abilities that are pertinent to the job. 

However, if you’re creating an academic CV, the following sections are also important: 

• Research and teaching experience. Roles, responsibilities, and notable contributions. 
• Awards, honors, and grants. Recognitions that prove your impact. 
• Publications. Papers, articles, books, or reports (learn how to add publications to a CV). 
• Conferences and presentations. Talks, workshops, or panels you’ve contributed to. 
• Professional affiliations and licenses. Memberships or certifications relevant to your work. 
• References. Mentors or colleagues who can vouch for your expertise. 

Related guides: 

• How to Write a CV That Gets Interviews
• How to Write an Academic CV

Is there a difference between what you put on a resume and what you put on a CV?

Usually, no. Not for most job applications. The difference is less about what you include and more about where and how the document is used. Context matters.

In North America: 

• Resume: A one- or two-page summary of your skills, experience, and qualifications. Short, punchy, and tailored to the job.
• CV: The “everything but the kitchen sink” version. Used for academic, research, or scientific roles. Lists your experience in depth: publications, conferences, presentations, awards, affiliations… basically, if you’ve done it, it goes here. Length? As long as it needs to be.

Elsewhere in the world — Europe, Asia, and beyond — a CV is basically the same as what North Americans call a resume.

To learn more about resume-style CVs, check out: 

• What’s the Difference Between a CV and Resume?
• CV Examples, Format, & Templates 

Need a Professional Layout? Use Our Resume Templates

I’ve highlighted some of our top templates below, but if you want even more options, check out our full collection of ATS-friendly resume templates. 

Simple resume template 

Lots of white space means even a packed resume doesn’t feel overwhelming. Clean, classic, and easy to read. 

Standard resume template 

Our most popular template, and for good reason: it just works. Straightforward, professional, and gets results. 

Modern resume template 

One of my personal favorites. It’s professional with a modern feel, and the subtle color makes your job titles pop, which is perfect for showing off career progression. 

Harvard resume template 

Inspired by the classic Harvard resume, but with a twist: we put experience above education and add a resume summary to make sure it hits all resume best practices. 

Want to see what else is out there? Browse our template guides: 

• Professional Resume Templates 
• Canva Resume Templates 
• Google Docs Resume Templates 
• MS Word Resume Templates 
• LaTeX Resume Templates 
• Adobe Illustrator Resume Templates 
• Basic Resume Templates 

Summary 

Here’s a recap on what to put on a resume: 

• Always include contact info, a professional summary, work experience, education, and a skills section on your resume. 
• Highlight what matters most at your stage: coursework, projects, or volunteer work for first jobs; GPA, internships, and relevant projects for students; and measurable achievements for experienced professionals. 
• Use keywords from the job description to optimize your resume for ATS scanners. 
• Focus on accomplishments and results, not just responsibilities, and include numbers whenever possible. 
• Start bullet points with strong action verbs, skip pronouns, and spell out acronyms. 
• Add extra sections like volunteer work, languages, projects, or relevant hobbies to show initiative, leadership, or creativity. 
• Keep formatting simple and professional: reverse chronological order, single-column layout, clean fonts, consistent spacing, and clear headings. 
• Limit your resume to one page for most people; two pages are fine for over 8–10 years of experience. Avoid unnecessary details, personal info, or complex designs. 
• For academic, research, or scientific roles, a CV expands to include research, publications, awards, conferences, professional affiliations, and references. 

FAQ 

Do I need a reference page for my resume? 

You don’t need a reference page, and you can skip “references available upon request” too. Hiring managers already know they can ask if they need them. The main exception is an academic CV, where listing references (with contact details) is still standard. 

How many skills should you put on a resume? 

Around 6–10 skills is a good target for most resumes. Prioritize the skills mentioned in the job post and any others that are relevant to the role. If you wouldn’t feel confident talking through how you’ve used a skill in real life, it probably doesn’t belong there. 

What to put on a cover letter for a resume? 

Start by addressing the hiring manager by name and explaining why this role and company caught your interest; bonus points for mentioning a project, value, or part of their culture. In the body, highlight a few key skills with brief examples, then wrap up confidently by thanking them and signaling that you’d love to continue the conversation. 

Read more about How to Write a Good Cover Letter. 

What are good interests to put on a resume? 

Interests are only worth including if they add value and relate to the job. Strong examples hint at useful traits, like leadership (running a club or organizing events), creativity (writing, design projects), or discipline and teamwork (competitive sports). If an interest helps reinforce a skill you can’t easily show elsewhere, it can be a nice bonus. 

What are some awards to put on a resume? 

Include awards that highlight achievement, recognition, or excellence. This can include academic honors, scholarships, employee of the month awards, sales or performance awards, leadership recognition, or competition wins. 

Related: How to List Awards on a Resume

Should you put high school on a resume? 

If you’re still in high school or recently graduated, it’s fine to include it. Once you’ve started college or completed higher education, your high school details aren’t necessary. At that point, focus on your current degree, relevant coursework, and expected or completed graduation date. 

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