What is a Resume? Definition & Purpose

A resume is a formal document that provides an overview of your professional qualifications. Also known as a “CV” outside of the US, it should include your relevant work experience, skills, education, and notable accomplishments.

If you’re applying for a job, you need a resume to be considered for the position.

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Example of a resume

What should a resume look like? Here’s a resume example written by a candidate with a few years of work experience in digital marketing:

In the resume example above, the candidate manages to fit all their qualifications onto a single, neatly organized page.

What is the purpose of a resume?

The purpose of a resume is to show employers you’re qualified for a position and convince them to offer you an interview.

Many job seekers wrongly assume their resume should provide a full overview of their professional history. That’s not the case.

Instead, think of your resume as a snapshot of what the employer wants to know about you. Your resume should only emphasize your most relevant experience and skills, and highlight your most notable accomplishments.

What to include on your resume

What you put on a resume depends on the job you’re applying for and your relevant professional background.

At a minimum, be sure to include these sections on your resume:

1. Contact details

When writing your contact information on your resume, include your first and last name, phone number, and email address. Additionally, you can add your LinkedIn profile.

List your city if you want to show you live near where the company is located.

2. Introduction

Add a concise overview of your professional background and key qualifications. Your resume introduction can be in the form of a resume summary or resume objective, depending on your level of experience.

3. Education

Your resume’s education section can include your school name(s), highest degree earned, majors and minors.

Additionally, you can add your GPA (if it’s greater than 3.8), Dean’s list (if you’ve been on it), or Latin honors (like cum laude). List relevant coursework only if you lack experience or if it’s related to the position.

4. Experience

List any relevant work experience you have. Include your title, the company you worked for, your start and end date, and bullet points outlining your key responsibilities and notable accomplishments.

5. Skills

Include skills on your resume that are relevant to the position. Be sure to use a strong mix of hard skills and soft skills to demonstrate that you’re a well-rounded candidate.

Types of resumes

There are four main types of resumes:

1. Chronological resume
2. Functional resume
3. Combination resume

Most job seekers should write a chronological resume, though there are a few exceptions. To help you understand the differences between each resume format and decide which is the best for you to use, here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Chronological resume

A chronological resume opens with an introduction, and then provides an overview of your professional history in reverse-chronological order (meaning your most recently held position is listed at the top).

The chronological resume format is the most common type of resume used by job seekers today, and is suitable for candidates with various experience levels. Here’s an example:

2. Functional resume

A functional resume is formatted to focus on your skills and abilities rather than your career progression.

It’s preferred by professionals who want to draw attention away from their traditional work experience, such as those who are changing careers or have significant gaps in their work history.

Here’s an example of a resume following the functional format:

3. Combination resume

A combination resume combines aspects of a functional resume and a chronological resume, emphasizing work history and skills equally.

Combination resumes are ideal for candidates who have extensive experience or a highly developed set of skills that they want to showcase. Below is an example of a well-written combination resume:

Frequently asked questions about resumes

Here are some questions job seekers often have about resumes:

Are resumes outdated?

No, resumes aren’t outdated. Hiring managers prefer traditional resumes over modern versions like video resumes and online networking profiles because:

• a resume’s outline format makes it easier to read
• resumes are one page long and can be quickly scanned without scrolling or fast-forwarding
• the hiring manager can read your resume without logging onto a website or opening a video player
• resumes are easy to print for reference during an interview

Even if you’re recruited based on an online profile or portfolio, the recruiter will likely ask for a copy of your resume to share with the employer.

If you’re worried that your resume looks outdated, use a modern resume template with updated formatting.

What is a good resume?

A good resume is a resume that successfully captures and maintains busy hiring managers’ attention. It follows one for the three standard resume formats (chronological, functional, combination) and clearly showcases the candidate’s top relevant skills and career highlights.

A good resume is also well-formatted and uses a template that is appropriate for your industry.

What is a resume for a job?

A resume for a job is a resume written by a candidate applying for a new professional role, whether that is within the same company or at a different company. A resume for a job should be tailored for a specific position at a specific organization.

Other types of resumes include internship resumes, general resumes, and LinkedIn resumes.

What is a college resume?

A college resume is used by current students or recent graduates to apply for a job or internship position. It typically places greater emphasis on your education and non-work related experience than a traditional resume which focuses on your professional achievements.

Resume-writing resources

Ready to get started on your resume? Here are some resources to help simplify the process: