Resume Outline: 6 Free Resume Templates and Examples For 2023

The header of your resume will contain your personal contact information, which should include:

• First and last name.
• Location (city and state).
• Phone number.
• Professional email address.
• LinkedIn or other professional social media profiles (optional).

The contact information heading of a resume needs to be engaging without distracting. You don’t want to take up unnecessary space on your resume, but still, make sure your information stands out so that it is easy to find.

Here is an example of a personal contact information header of a resume:

After your contact information, the next section will be either a resume summary or an objective. Both serve similar, yet distinct, purposes that you will want to consider when you outline your resume:

• Resume summary: This is your pitch to the reader which efficiently sums up your most important qualifications. Provide quantifiable achievements that show how your most valuable skills align with the job requirements.

• Resume objective: If you have little experience or are switching careers, you can use a resume objective to declare your professional goals. This will show that you are a serious candidate who offers value.

Generally, it is better to use a resume summary instead of a resume objective because recruiters and hiring managers are more interested in proof of your qualifications.

Here is an example of a resume summary:

In the work experience section of your resume, you will list your:

• Job title.
• Name of employer.
• Dates employed.
• Location.

For most resume outlines, you will want to include bullets underneath each job title that list responsibilities and results. Make sure to quantify everything that you can. This helps your resume stand out. Metrics also provide more context for the reader, allowing them to judge your skills better.

Here is an example of the work experience section on a resume:

There are two types of skills you can include on your resume:

• Hard skills: These are specific abilities that can be quantified or proven quite easily. Give these skills preference on your resume since they are easier for a reader to understand.

• Soft skills: These are interpersonal and professional skills that depend more on how someone behaves in the workplace. Due to this, they are harder to prove on a resume.

Choose between five to ten skills, prioritizing those found in the job description. If you do not directly have the skills required, rephrase them as transferable skills and demonstrate their relevance to the job.

Here’s an example of a skills section on a resume:

In the education section of your resume you will include the following:

• The name of the institution.
• Type of degree.
• Area of focus.
• Location
• GPA (optional).
• Years attended (optional).

Only include your GPA or any honors if they are particularly impressive.

Here is an example of an education section on a resume:

A resume outline can include additional sections if the information is relevant to demonstrating your qualifications. Such sections include:

• Awards.
• Certifications.
• Trainings.
• Links to a portfolio of work.
• Volunteer experience.
• Languages.
• Projects.
• Relevant hobbies.

Remember, additional sections are only helpful if they help you stand out as a qualified candidate. Refrain from adding anything irrelevant because the reader will ignore it and it will take up valuable space.