Published on
February 28, 2025
by
Kate Santoro, BS
Revised on
August 7, 2025
A resume is a summary of your professional qualifications that you send when applying for a job. It’s the first document a recruiter or hiring manager will review, and they’ll usually only spend a few minutes doing so.
Therefore, if you want to get noticed by employers, you have to know howto make a resume that is relevant, concise, and professional. These are some best practices you can follow to do this, outlined in ten tips.
Published on
February 27, 2025
by
Kate Santoro, BS
Revised on
April 28, 2025
A resume is a formal document that summarizes your work experience, education history, and skills. Resume format refers to how this information is structured and displayed in your resume.
Resume format is important because it directly impacts how hiring managers or recruiters interpret your qualifications. This goes for both the structure of your resume’s contents and the design you use for the document.
There are different resume formats to choose from: chronological, functional, and combination. The best format for you depends on how much work experience you have, the industry and job you’re applying to, and what you want to highlight about your profile.
Published on
February 26, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
April 28, 2025
A functional resume is an alternative to a traditional resume for students, recent graduates, or job seekers who are new to a profession. Unlike the standard, chronological resume, which focuses on your employment history, functional resumes focus on your skills. That’s why they’re sometimes called “skills-based resumes.”
The functional resume format is sometimes useful for internships, entry-level positions, or career fairs. Even in these situations, though, the functional resume is increasingly rare. When at all possible, the safest choice is a traditional, reverse-chronological format like this resume template.
When the functional resume format is your best option, the tips and examples below will help your functional resume make the best possible impression. For proofreading and polishing resumes, cover letters, and other application materials, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker has got you covered!
Published on
February 26, 2025
by
Tom Challenger, BA
Revised on
March 27, 2025
Soft skills for a resume are the abilities that enable you to interact and communicate effectively with customers, clients, and coworkers. Soft skills are less “teachable” than hard skills because they’re closely tied to your personality and character. You typically develop these skills through practical experience rather than formal education.
Published on
February 26, 2025
by
Tom Challenger, BA
Revised on
April 17, 2025
Hard skills for a resume are specific competencies that you typically acquire through formal education or training or by doing a particular job (e.g., being able to program using JavaScript or speak a foreign language). This contrasts with soft skills, which are to do with how you interact with other people and your personality (e.g., patience, attention to detail, and flexibility).
Hard skills relate to the know-how you need to perform a specific task, whereas soft skills enable you to collaborate effectively, manage your time well, and adapt to different work environments—making them relevant to a wider range of jobs. Descriptions of hard skills are a crucial component of resumes, cover letters and letters of interest.
Technical skills are a subcategory of hard skills. These are the hard skills required to use specific tools or technologies such as programming languages (e.g., Python), machinery (e.g., forklifts), or software platforms (e.g., CAD software).
Published on
February 20, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
July 16, 2025
In most cases, the ideal resume length is 1–2 pages. The most common resume format includes four main sections—a professional summary, technical skills, work history, and education.
The purpose of a resume is to help recruiters quickly see your most relevant skills and achievements, so only include jobs and skills on your resume that directly relate to the job posting. A concise resume length improves your chances of receiving an interview because it shows your ability to focus on relevant details.
To learn more about how long a resume should be, follow the tips and examples below. QuillBot’s free Paraphraser Android App or Paraphraser iOS App can also help you summarize your skills and experiences in a concise and effective manner.
How long should a resume be exampleYou recently earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, and you’re applying for a teaching job at a Montessori preschool.
For the last 10 years, you’ve worked as a childcare provider and assistant preschool teacher in addition to a retail sales associate and customer service representative.
Your resume is one page and only includes jobs where you worked with children. The education section includes your bachelor’s degree but not your high school diploma. In the education section, you also list courses or school projects related to early childhood and Montessori education.
Published on
February 20, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
April 28, 2025
A resume is a 1–2 page formal document that summarizes your skills, experience, and achievements when you’re applying for a job, internship, or other career opportunity.
Resumes are divided into sections that categorize different aspects of your professional background (e.g., work history, technical skills, and education). Each resume section includes a bold heading and lists of concise phrases.
The purpose of a resume and the concise resume format is to quickly inform job recruiters or other decision makers about your qualifications.
Learning more about what a resume is will help you submit applications that make a positive and memorable impression. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can also make your resume shine!
Published on
February 18, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
March 27, 2025
When you end a cover letter, the goal is to motivate your reader to consider your application and contact you for an interview. To effectively close a cover letter, follow these two steps:
Write a cover letter conclusion that restates the claim, shows your enthusiasm, and offers a call-to-action (e.g., “I look forward to learning more about the role”).
Sign your cover letter with a complimentary close (e.g., “Sincerely”) and your full name.
How to end a cover letter example If you’re looking for an experienced home health provider with detailed expertise in nutrition and wellness, I’m available for an interview at your earliest convenience. I would be honored to further the success of your program and ensure that Wentzville’s older adults receive the care and compassion they deserve. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Evelyn Dubois
TipBecause the ideal cover letter length is one single-spaced page, strive for a total of 50–75 words in each conclusion.
Published on
February 18, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
July 3, 2025
Starting a cover letter involves two main steps:
A professional greeting to the hiring manager or recruiting team
An introduction paragraph that says what you’re applying for, why the company appeals to you, what your overall background is, and why you’re the best fit
The beginning of a cover letter is often the most important part of a job application. When a cover letter is necessary, it might be the recruiter’s first impression of your personality and background.
No matter what type of job you’re seeking, the following tips and examples will help you write a cover letter introduction that makes a stellar first impression. To craft all the pieces of your cover letter quickly and easily, try out QuillBot’s free cover letter generator.
How to start a cover letter example Dear Annabelle Jones,
I was thrilled to see the Assistant Property Manager position advertised on Indeed. Maxell Rental Properties’ reputation for exceptional service and innovative multi-family housing strongly aligns with my values and professional goals. For over 7 years, I’ve efficiently managed luxury and affordable rental properties throughout the Springfield community. With my knack for tenant relations and expertise in leasing strategies, I’m confident that I will enhance Maxwell’s ongoing success.
Published on
February 18, 2025
by
Tom Challenger, BA
Revised on
March 27, 2025
In the context of resumes, cover letters, and letters of interest, action verbs are words that help you to create impactful descriptions of work experience, skills, and professional achievements because:
They are verbs that describe a dynamic action—rather than nouns that describe a duty or task or stative verbs like “was” or “became.”
They typically replace overused words (e.g., “supported” or “facilitated,” instead of “helped”).
They often imply that you can work independently and under your own initiative (e.g., “executed” or “implemented” instead of “tasked with”).
Action verbs are also sometimes referred to as power verbs or active verbs.
Action verbs for resume examples
Strong description using action verb(s)
Weaker alternative
Supported, guided, and reviewed the work of a three-person team
Supervisor of a team of three people
Operated the reception desk
Reception duties
Planned, coordinated, and executed customer events
Responsible for organizing events
Collaborated on a wide range of marketing projects
