How to Write a Resume in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide

Key takeaways

What to put on a resume
Step 1: Choose an ATS-safe format
Step 2: Write your header and contact info
Step 3: Write a professional summary
Step 4: Add work experience with quantified bullets
Step 5: List skills that match the job
Step 6: Add education and certifications
Step 7: Proofread and run an ATS check

What to put on a resume

A standard resume includes five core sections in this order: contact information, professional summary, work experience, skills, and education.

Contact information: name, targeted title, phone, email, city/state, LinkedIn URL.
Professional summary: two-sentence overview of your background and impact.
Work experience: roles with achievement-focused, quantified bullets.
Skills: job-specific hard and soft skills grouped for scanning.
Education and certifications: degrees and current, relevant credentials.

ResumesKey builds each section for you as you enter your details.

Step 1: Choose an ATS-safe format

Choose a single-column, reverse-chronological layout as your default because it parses cleanly in applicant tracking systems.

Use standard fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia at 10.5-12pt, and keep section headings plain and recognizable such as Experience, Skills, and Education. Avoid tables, text boxes, and columns that can break parsing. Browse ATS-safe templates or review resume formats for more detail.

Try it now — our free ATS checker applies these rules to your resume instantly.

Step 2: Write your header and contact info

Your header should include only the contact details a recruiter needs to reach you quickly.

Include: full name, targeted job title, phone number, professional email, city/state, and LinkedIn profile URL.
Omit: photo, full street address, date of birth, marital status, and personal social media handles.

Step 3: Write a professional summary

Write a two-sentence professional summary using the formula: [Role/Years] + [core expertise] + [notable achievement], tailored to each job posting.

Example: "Customer success manager with 6 years in B2B SaaS. Reduced churn 22% by redesigning onboarding and launching proactive account reviews."

Adjust the wording to reflect the specific role and requirements; see summary examples for more.

Step 4: Add work experience with quantified bullets

Use the bullet formula: action verb + what you did + quantified result.

Before: Responsible for social media. After: Managed Instagram and LinkedIn, growing followers 40% in six months.
Before: Helped with customer tickets. After: Resolved 50+ weekly support tickets, raising CSAT from 82% to 91%.

Learn more at quantify your resume.

Step 5: List skills that match the job

Mirror the exact keywords from the job posting, then group them into hard and soft skills.

Hard skills: Python, SQL, Tableau, A/B testing
Soft skills: cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder communication, prioritization

Use exact phrasing from the posting; see resume keywords for guidance.

Step 6: Add education and certifications

Include your highest degree, school, and graduation year, plus certifications only if they are current and relevant.

If you have less than 3 years of experience, place education above work experience; with more experience, place it below. List certifications in the same section or as a separate "Certifications" line under education.

Step 7: Proofread and run an ATS check

Before you apply, check your keyword match, formatting, and length against the job description.

Run your resume through a free ATS checker to confirm it parses correctly, and proofread for typos and inconsistent spacing. Aim for one page if you have under 10 years of experience.