What is a Resume? Definition, Purpose, & What to Include

What is a resume? (Definition)

A resume is the main document you use to apply for jobs, designed to highlight your most relevant skills, work experience, and accomplishments.

A well-written resume shows employers what you can offer and why you’re a good fit for the job.

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Our Expert:

Eva Chan

What is the purpose of a resume?

The purpose of a resume is to demonstrate your qualifications and convince employers to offer you an interview. Your resume is your first impression: it should be clear, concise, and focused on what makes you a strong candidate.

Your resume should emphasize your most relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments. Tailor your resume to each job you apply for to show that you understand the role and can bring real value to the company.

What to include on a resume for a job

Make sure to include the following sections on your resume:

1. Contact details

Include your contact information at the top of your resume:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• City and state (optional)
• LinkedIn URL (if applicable)
• Portfolio or website (if applicable)

2. Introduction

Write a short summary of your professional background and most relevant qualifications. Your resume introduction should be 2–5 sentences long and highlight your skills and achievements. For example:

Marketing professional with over 5 years of experience leading high-impact campaigns for digital and print media. Skilled in content strategy, SEO, analytics, and brand storytelling, with a proven track record of driving engagement, boosting conversions, and supporting successful product launches. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams and using data to inform creative decisions that strengthen brand presence.

3. Experience

List any relevant work experience you have. For each entry, include:

• Job title
• Company name
• Start and end dates
• 3–6 bullet points describing your responsibilities and most relevant achievements

4. Education

Your resume’s education section should include the following information for each degree you have, starting with the highest one:

• Degree title and subject
• School name
• Graduation year

If you’re a student or recent graduate with limited work experience, you may also include:

• Relevant coursework
• Academic projects
• GPA (if it’s above a 3.5)
• Awards or honors
• Student leadership positions

5. Skills

List skills on your resume that are directly relevant to the position:

• List hard skills, or technical skills, in your skills section
• Demonstrate soft skills in your work experience bullet points so employers can see how you’ve applied them in real situations

How to write a resume quickly in 2026

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Types of resumes

There are three main types of resumes:

1. Chronological resume: A chronological resume describes your professional history in reverse-chronological order, placing your most recent position at the top. Most job seekers should use a chronological resume.
2. Functional resume: A functional resume focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your career progression. It’s useful for career changers or people with significant employment gaps.
3. Combination resume: A combination resume gives equal emphasis to both your skills and work history. This format is ideal for candidates with extensive experience or a well-developed skill set they want to highlight.

Frequently asked questions about resumes

Here are some common questions job seekers have about resumes:

Why is a resume important?

A resume is important because it’s often your first impression on a potential employer. It provides a quick overview of your qualifications, including your work experience, skills, and accomplishments, and helps employers decide whether to move you forward in the hiring process.

Who needs a resume?

Anyone applying for a job typically needs a resume. Whether you’re a student looking for your first internship, a recent graduate entering the workforce, or a seasoned professional changing careers, a resume is essential for showcasing your qualifications and convincing employers to consider you for the role.

What makes a good resume?

A good resume is clear, concise, and tailored to the job you’re applying for. It highlights your most relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments in a format that’s easy for both hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) to understand.

How can I write a resume with no experience?

You can still write a strong resume with no work experience by emphasizing your transferable skills, education, and any relevant projects, volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities.

What’s the difference between a resume and a CV?

The main differences between a resume and a CV are length and purpose.

A resume is a concise, one- to two-page document that highlights your most relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments tailored to a specific job. It’s designed to quickly show employers why you’re a good fit and is the standard format used for most job applications in the U.S. and Canada.

A CV (curriculum vitae) is a detailed and comprehensive document (often multiple pages) that outlines your full academic and professional history. CVs are commonly used for academic, research, or international job applications.

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Resume writing resources

Ready to start writing your resume? Here are some resources to help simplify the process: