Created by CakeA resume/CV outline is a structural draft you create before completing your professional resume. A resume/CV outline provides you with a framework to work with all different aspects of your job qualifications, such as experience, skills, education, and more. A resume/CV outline helps you organize your resume in logical order. Use this order as a basis to personalize your resume, either changing fonts, designing your resume, or incorporating different formats. Creating a solid job resume outline is the first step to writing a job-winning resume. This article will show you a step-to-step guide on how to create a basic resume outline, how to use a resume outline, what are the key sections to include in a job resume outline. Read until the end to see different resume outline examples for different professions. TABLEOFCONTENTS6 Steps to Use a Resume Outline Crafting a Professional Resume6 Resume Outline Samples for Reference6 Key Sections in a Resume OutlineResume Outline Examples for Different Roles6 Steps to Use aResume Outline Crafting a Professional ResumeHere is the step-by-step guide to creating a basic resume outline: 1. Write down all your previous experiences and skills. The first step in writing a simple resume outline is to brainstorm and list out everything that could potentially be included in a resume. Write down both related or unrelated ones. Professional achievements, hard or soft skills, or side projects that you’ve accomplished are among the essentials. 2. Decide which experiences and skills to include in your resume (by referring to the job description). Next, choose the experiences and skills that are more significant. By referring to the job description, you make a resume outline that includes the most related experiences to catch the manager’s eyes. 3. Decide on a resume outline format that is suitable to use. There are three commonly used resume formats to use in your job resume outline: chronological resume format, skill-based (functional) resume, and combinational resume format. For experienced applicants, a chronological resume format is suitable.If you have little experience but plenty of skills that make you a qualified candidate, use a skill-based format.If you have a handful of skills and experiences, use a combinational format. 4. Choose a template for your resume outline that suits your style. Based on the company’s or your style, choose a resume template that is easy to read or aesthetically pleasing. Using a template ensures that your resume has a suitable font size, font style, layout, and spacing. These elements make your resume outline and content easier to skim through and absorb. 5. Fill in all information according to the resume outline. Finally, all you need to do is follow the resume outline and fill in the information. Make sure to tailor the content to match perfectly with the job description. Your resume outline should make your resume clear and easy to fill the content. 6. Proofread your resume. Before you send out your resume, find someone or proofread yourself. Keep your resume typo-free and have no grammar mistakes. Resume Outline Samples for ReferenceHere are the most common sections of a simple resume outline: 1. Resume HeaderFirst Name, Last nameYour Professional Title [Email][Phone number][Address][LinkedIn URL][Personal Website] 2. Profile Statement/Resume SummaryResume SummarySkilled [Professional Title] with [# of years] years of experience in [Industry]. Seeking to exercise [relevant skills] to fulfill my role as a [Job position]. Passionate worker focusing on generating value and achieving goals for [Company’s Name]. 3. Work ExperienceMost Recent Job Position Company’s Name | Start Date – End Date | Location Create a bulleted list with 2-4 accomplishments or descriptions.Use quantifiable (add numbers to) results to make them persuasive. Earlier Job PositionCompany’s Name | Start Date – End Date | Location List any relevant accomplishments from an earlier job.Assuming you no longer perform this job, make sure you use past tense verbs to describe this experience. 4. EducationYour Major, Degree NameUniversity, Location / Start Date – End DateAwards, honors, or GPA (if above 3.5) 5. Skills Certifications List any relevant hard and soft skills and certifications.Refer to the job description and list the most related ones upfront.Be specific: list the software names and other tools, as well as your level of proficiency. 6. Additional sections (optional) Add additional information that could be attractive.For example, include your languages skills, publications, volunteer experience, or relevant hobbies.6 Key Sections in a Resume OutlineHere are common sections of a simple resume outline:Resume HeaderProfile Statement/Resume SummaryWork ExperienceEducationSkills CertificationsAdditional sections (optional) Resume Header Resume header is the first thing in your job resume outline. Here is what you need in the resume heading outline: First and last name Professional Job TitlePhone numberEmail addressLinkedIn profile (optional)Personal website (optional) Check out the resume header example below:Diane MurphyGraphic Designer 101-555-0123 DianeMurphy@email.com linkedin.com/in/dianemurphy101/ 1378 Cunningham Court, Clarkston, Michigan, 48346 💡Tip: This section does not necessarily help you land your job, but it includes the essential basic information, so make sure there are no mistakes. Profile Statement/Resume SummaryA profile statement, or resume summary in your resume outline, is a short paragraph that encapsulates your professional history. The summary section in your resume outline highlights your previous achievements and key qualifications that make you an ideal candidate. Check out this example paragraph of a resume profile statement."Creative graphic design professional with 5+ years of experience in creating brand values for companies. Nominated in the 2020 Type Director Club award for Identity/Branding. Eager to join Riverside Creative as a senior graphic designer to leverage versatile skills and generate a robust portfolio for the studio." 💡Tip: Refer to the applying job’s description and use similar phrasing to make your resume Applicant-Tracking-System friendly. Work ExperienceHere’s the real substance of your resume outline that you make an impression on the hiring managers.Include these elements in your professional work experience of your job resume outline:Current and previous job positionCompany’s nameDates in the positionCity, state, or countryBulleted list of achievements or tasks to curate the wordings Check out the work experience section of a resume example below. WORK EXPERIENCEGraphic DesignerOne and Another Studio, SeattleJan 2018 - Jan 2021 Managed a team of 3 junior graphic designers and interns to produce social media marketing content.New York Type Directors Club’s Identity/Branding Award winner for a project for client Jellico.Contributed to the company’s 20% income by maintaining robust relationships with clients and launching the studio’s interactive website. Graphic Designer AssistantNON-Creative, SeattleMay 2016 - Dec 2018 Led 15 rebranding design projects that contributed to an average 25% increase in brand awareness.Worked with banks, governments, and companies to attract young segments and launched 20k worth of design projects. 💡Tip: Be specific when describing your achievements. Use numbers to make your impact more specific. Describe how you solved a problem to make a difference by how much or how many. EducationRemember to include education in a basic resume outline. Many job listings require a minimum education. List these elements in your job resume outline:Degree MajorUniversity Name, Location, and (expected) graduated dateAwards, Honors, GPA Take a look at this education section on a resume example. EDUCATIONRhode Island School of Design, ProvidenceBFA in Graphic Design |June 2016GPA 3.8 Completed courses in: Digital Marketing, Photography Videography.International Student Association 2014 Committee: Head of Design Team. 💡Tip: For college students writing first resumes, consider adding relevant coursework. Skills CertificationsYour dream company is looking for specific talents. Add skills in your resume outline to show them you have the exact skills they are looking for. Certifications are also hard proof of your extraordinary skills.Use a bullet-point list or categorize your skills in your professional resume outline:Skill Set 1Skill 1SkillSkills Set 2Skill 1Skill 2 Here’s an example of a skill section on a resume. SKILLSGraphic Design SkillsPhotoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Procreatep5.js, ProcessingDesign strategy planningAnimation and Video editingPremiere, After EffectsPhotographySoft SkillsCommunicationActive listeningRapport building 💡Tip: The skills you list should be precise: list “After Effects” instead of “ Motion Graphic” Additional sections (optional) Highlight your uniqueness by including some of these extra sections in your resume outline. 1. Volunteer WorkVolunteer work shows your personality and passion for helping others, definitely a plus to include in your job resume outline. VOLUNTEER WORKFood Rescue Providence, Graphic Design Volunteer Creative food rescue awareness campaign that reached 25k local residents to successfully raise attention. 2. ProjectsPerhaps you were a freelancer or have accomplished a side-project with a team. When writing a resume outline, big or small projects that are related to the job position are no doubt remarkable experiences. Add these projects to your job resume outline. Take a look at this example. PROJECTSAirbnb design system case study, 2018Role: UI Designer Lead in a team of three Analyze brand design systems throughout multiple platforms and identify 3 major accessibility issues on smartphones.Proposed design solution and launched testing to validate the outcome. 3. PublicationsPublications are robust proof of your substantial knowledge on a subject. Experience in submitting a paper or publishing a book are ideal materials for your professional resume outline. Here’s an example of publications on a resume. PUBLICATIONS “User Experience and visual representations”, Hachette, 2020.Joslin, P. and Murphy, D., “Meditating with Javascript: Motion Metaphors in life”, HCI International 2019. 4. Hobbies InterestsWhether or not to list hobbies in your job resume outline depends on the level of relevance. If your hobbies are related to the job you’re applying for, they can help you stand out from other applicants. Nevertheless, you should take the level of formality into consideration to avoid being too casual when writing a professional resume outline.You can list hobbies and examples on a resume as illustrated in the example below. HOBBIES INTERESTS PhotographySculpture creatingSwimming (Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate) Resume Outline Examples for Different RolesBefore you write a professional resume outline, don’t forget to refer to the following resume outline examples and their structure. Remember to organize the sections on your own resume outline based on your job:College student resume outlineProfessional resume outlineResume outline for high school students College student resume outlineAs a college student, you might have limited professional achievements. Nevertheless, you can highlight other sections in your resume outline to make up for lack of experience.Resume HeadingsNameProfessional Job TitlePhone numberEmail addressLinkedIn profile (optional)Personal website (optional)Resume objective (Optional)Short and brief paragraph with 2-4 sentences that describe your professional goal.EducationDegreeMajorConcentration or minorStart and graduation dateAwards and honorsGPARelevant coursesRelated ExperienceIntern ExperienceCompany nameCity and stateStart and end dateJob dutiesCollege ProjectsCourse nameDuration of projectYour role, project summary, and outcomeSkills or certificationsHard skills (Technical skills)Soft skillsCertification nameExtracurricular ActivitiesActivity or Student club NameStart and end dateYour role, activity summary, and achievementsVolunteering ExperienceOrganization name and locationStart and end dateVolunteer responsibilities Professional resume outlineFor professionals who have 4+ years of experience or more, the work experience section is going to be your job resume outline’s main section.Resume HeadingsNameProfessional Job TitlePhone numberEmail addressLinkedIn profile (optional)Personal website (optional)Resume summaryShort and brief paragraph with 2-4 sentences that presents your most outstanding and relevant work performances.Work experienceMost Recent Job PositionCompany’s Name / Start Date – End Date / LocationAccomplishment 1Accomplishment 2Accomplishment 3Earlier Job PositionCompany’s Name / Start Date – End Date / LocationAccomplishment 1Accomplishment 2Accomplishment 3Skills or certificationsHard skills (Technical skills)Soft skillsCertification nameEducationMajor and DegreeEnd dateAdditional sectionAwardsProfessional affiliationsPublicationsLanguage Resume outline for high school studentsFor any high school students looking for their first job, here’s how your resume outline should be. Resume HeadingsNameProfessional Job TitlePhone numberEmail addressLinkedIn profile (optional)Personal website (optional)Resume objective (Optional)Short and brief paragraph with 2-4 sentences that describe your professional goalEducationFor high school students looking for a first job, here’s how to outline your resume education section:School name and locationStart and expected graduation dateGPA, notable achievements, or courseworkRelated ExperienceSchool club activitiesStudent contestsSkills or certificationsHard skills (Technical skills)Soft skillsCertification nameVolunteering ExperienceOrganization name and locationStart and end dateVolunteer responsibilitiesInterestsRelated interests or hobbies that could be helpful for the job Cake is an online resume builder tool that provides you with free professional resume templates and examples that help showcase your best qualifications to land your dream job. Start your Cake journey today! Create Resume--- Originally written by Wu Chao Min ---

In this article, you will read about the things to include in a cover letter, which include: Cover Letter Header / Contact Information SectionA Professional Salutation / GreetingA Hooking Cover Letter Opening ParagraphBody Paragraph - Summary of Experiences and SkillsBody Paragraph - Why You Are a Great Fit for the JobBody Paragraph - Your Interest in the Company / PositionA Strong Closing Paragraph with a Call-to-ActionComplimentary Close SignatureAttachmentsYou will also read: Cover Letter ExampleOther Cover Letter FAQsA great way to supplement your job application is to include a cover letter. A well-structured cover letter can boost your chances of landing a job if you incorporate the right information. However, many still don’t know what should be included in a cover letter. A cover letter should include a brief summary of your working experience, relevant skills, capabilities, and qualifications by giving examples that validate the relevant information in your resume. It is an overview, and at the same time a supplementary document and completes your introduction as a candidate for a job position. So, what does a cover letter look like? Keep reading to find out more! Cover Letter Header / Contact Information SectionThe very first thing that appears in a cover letter is the header. The header includes important information that allows recruiters to know who sent the letter at first sight.Printed / separate file letter If you plan to hand in a printed version or a separate file letter instead of using email, begin the letter using the normal letter writing format. These are the elements that you have to include in a cover letter. The information needed for the cover letter header can usually be found on the company’s website or on the job listing itself. Your nameYour addressCity / State / Country Date writtenHiring Manager‘s NameJob title of hiring managerCompany nameCompany addressCity / State / CountryEmail cover letter Now, if you prefer writing an email cover letter, here are the elements that are needed to put in a cover letter. It will be simpler than the printed version, where you do not have to include the company’s address. Your nameYour addressYour email addressYour phone numberYour LinkedIn / other relevant linksA Professional Salutation / GreetingYou will have to put a professional greeting before you start writing any contents in a resume cover letter. A good salutation will always give a good impression of you before you even see the recruiter in person, meaning that using an appropriate salutation is a very important inclusion in your cover letter.5 examples of good cover letter salutations you can include in your cover letter:Dear Hiring Manager,Dear Mr./Ms. [Last name],Dear [Full name of Hiring Manager],Dear [Department name] Recruiting Team,Dear [Department name] Team,5 examples of bad cover letter salutations your cover letter should not include:Dear whoever you are,Hello,To whom it may concern,Hey, what’s up?Dear Sir or Madam, A Hooking Cover Letter Opening ParagraphAt some point in our life, we were all probably taught by a teacher or advisor on how to write a cover letter, which makes it highly possible that most people have a similar cover letter opening paragraphs. However, you would not want to bore the recruiters before they reach the most important body of your cover letter with a generic cover letter opening. So, what does a covering letter opening look like, and how should you write one? An interesting hook will do the job of catching the recruiter’s attention and leave a good first impression. Here are the things that should a cover letter contain in the opening paragraph: 1. Purpose of the letter Incorporating the purpose of writing the letter is very important and should always be included. Recruiters want to know your motivation for writing your cover letter. 2. Your key qualifications You should include the key qualifications that highlight why the company should employ you. Including relevant qualifications in the related career can prove your chances of success in your application. 3. Your interest in the position You can mention why you want to be hired for the position you are applying for. Your reasoning is highly personal. Perhaps you hope to work under a famous designer or want to bloom in the company starting from that position. 4. Your objectives / goals for the position In the last sentence of your opening paragraph, you can mention the short and long-term goals that you have for the position. This shows that you are not shortsighted. Example of how the first paragraph of a cover letter should look like:“My name is Charles, and if you are looking for an increase in sales rate, I am the best candidate for that as part of MPH’s sales management team. I am bringing my 3+ years of experience as a manager from Company X where I helped increase a 15% sales rate within a month. I am very interested in working with MPH after seeing the job listing on LinkedIn and I believe my capabilities will not disappoint you.” Body Paragraph - Summary of Experiences and SkillsNow, we move on to the most informative section: the body paragraph. It is okay for you to have short paragraphs but do keep it on subject and informative because this is where you summarize your working experience and qualifications. This is the information that you would want to add in a cover letter for the first body paragraph: 1. A summary of your experiences and qualifications. When getting into the first body paragraph, you should summarize or pick out the most outstanding working experience and relevant qualifications. It is also very good if you can include numbers that are more accurate than mere words and build credibility to your accomplishments. 2. Keywords relevant to the job description. Specific keywords included to describe yourself will help show your value as a candidate. There are different kinds of keywords that can be found in the job description which can show that you are up to standards. Example:“In the past year, I was the main designer who led a team of five to design Company X’s products which were a big hit in the American market. My ability to cooperate with customers is extraordinary, and my soft skills in Adobe software will never fail to exceed customers’ expectations. Before that, I worked in Company X where I gained most designing experience while adding more artwork to my portfolio as a graphic designer.” Body Paragraph - Why You Are a Great Fit for the JobAfter giving the recruiter an idea of where your skills and experience lie, you should also mention the reason for you being the perfect fit for the job. 1. Demonstrate how your skills and experiences can bring benefits to the new job / company. If you have gained specific skills that will come highly useful for the job you are applying for, make sure to include them in your cover letter. For instance, if you are applying for a job in web developing and have gained skills such as web designing or data analysis that are highly demanded in the industry, do not be afraid to include these things in your cover letter. 2. Use the STAR method. The STAR method is an acronym for situation, task, action, and result. It is an easier way for you to figure out how to write the cover letter, while also helping you to elaborate more to the recruiter. Example of using the STAR method when describing experience in a cover letter:“In my last job as Gogoro’s data analyst, I worked on the company’s monthly sales rate, customers’ preferences, and the company’s future possibilities. After being with the company for some time, I noticed that there were some times that the company needed a breakthrough to achieve better sales but had no idea where to begin. I gave the idea of holding an event related to one of the SDGs while also promoting the company’s products to help improve people’s impression of the company while also gaining possible clients. In the end, the event was a success in a visible increase in sales income, and I was assigned more tasks, giving me the drive to work harder.”Body Paragraph - Your Interest in the Company / PositionInstead of bragging non-stop to the recruiter in your cover letter, mention something about the company you are applying to. Expressing your interest in joining the company or your desire to get the position should be put in a cover letter to add more points. 1. Your knowledge about the company / position If you want to apply for a job, you first have to know about the job. You can mention the reason you are interested in the position by including some information about the company. This is also a highly personal feature; for instance, it may be a desire to work under a famous artist or a perfect platform that helps reach your future goals. 2. How the company goals align with yours You should do some research on the company’s goals so that you can incorporate them into your cover letter. However, randomly including goals will not help. It is best if you can tell how the company goals and yours are aligned. Example of how to express your interest in the company or position in your cover letter:“I have always wanted to work at Vogue as an editor when I decided to study Arts as my major. Vogue has always delivered the most updated, high-quality fashion series to readers, which is what I want to do all the time. I want to be part of the fashion industry to deliver beauty concepts to everybody.” A Strong Closing Paragraph with a Call-to-ActionFinally, it’s time to wrap things up. A call-to-action will fit perfectly for you to interact with the recruiter, and is an expression of hope that the recruiter will contact you for more information or an interview. Here are the things to put in a cover letter closing paragraph: 1. Invite to meet/interview Like usual emails and letters, you would invite the recipient to reply to the mail. Here, you should also invite the recruiter to allow you to have an interview with you in person by incorporating your email address and/or phone number. 2. Mention your attachments Since you have written the resume/CV, you should mention it as a reminder for the recruiter to take a look before jumping into the next person’s cover letter. If you have a portfolio to show, you can also mention it by leaving a website link at the end. 3. Show appreciation Be polite and thank the recruiter for reading your cover letter. At the same time, you can thank the recruiter in advance for allowing the interview. Example of how to close your cover letter with a strong closing paragraph:“Thank you for the time spent on my application. I would be thrilled if I am given the chance to have an interview in person. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Here is my email address: [email protected].” Complimentary Close SignatureYou do not want to leave any bad impression from the cover letter. Therefore, a professional complimentary close is very important in showing your respect to the recruiter. So, what must be included in a cover letter’s complimentary close and signature? The simple and formal format is to follow the structure below. Keep the information on the bottom left side and leave a line between the signature and closing paragraph.Printed / separate file letter:Complimentary closeSignatureNameEmail:Complimentary closeDigital signature / personal logoName Here are some ideas for you to know on what complimentary closes you can include in a cover letter. Good Cover Letter Complimentary Closes: Sincerely,Yours truly,Best regards,Cordially,Respectfully, Bad Cover Letter Complimentary Closes: Bye,See you,.TTYL,XOXO,Cheers, AttachmentsBefore handing in your job application, you have to proofread the whole letter to ensure there are no mistakes made in terms of grammar, punctuation, and the accuracy of your content and contact information. The easiest way to do this is by checking the job listing from the company to see what are the requirements needed for a job application. You do not want to miss things and let the chance fly past you.These attachments usually are the things to put in a cover letter:ResumeRecommendation LetterCertificatesPortfolio Cover Letter Example Mark Dickson45 Schweiz Street,Subang, Malaysia+999 76655421[email protected] 21 April 2022 Paul JohansonHuman Resource ManagerTheo Business Co.154 Avenue PlazaKuala Lumpur, Malaysia Dear Mr. Johanson, I am an experienced tutor who is looking to advance my career as an elementary school teacher. In the previous institutions that I worked at, I have always excelled in creating a happy and healthy learning environment for students. I believe these experiences will make me a good fit for the English teacher position that La Salle Elementary School is hiring. I spent the past 3 years tutoring many children, opening a new door for them to learn things other than their mother tongue. I got my teaching license 2 years ago and a TOEFL result of 100 on iBT. I believe my tutoring experience will be a useful tool when I have to deal with children’s issues. I handled approximately a class of 10 to 20 students every lesson, giving them English lessons while introducing general knowledge . I realized that there were many concentration issues for the children since they were not as mature as adults.I also came up with different games and activities for them to participate in while also learning the language. The results turned out extraordinary as they were very active when playing games, which led to more information absorption as well. Seeing them have so much fun while learning always gave me the drive to work harder in teaching. I would be truly honored to get the chance to teach at La Salle. To my knowledge, La Salle is a school that aims to provide a better study environment for the children while also allowing them to develop in their way. After teaching for these few years, I realized that academics may be important but children’s mental health should not be ignored. Thank you for your consideration. I would be thrilled if I am given the chance to have an interview in person to have further discussion. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Respectfully,Mark Dickson Other Cover Letter FAQsDo you still have a question in mind? Here are some frequently asked cover letter questions that may help to clear up your confusion! 💭 What are the 4 parts of a cover letter? Contact information of you and the company/hiring managerOpening Paragraph/IntroductionMiddle Paragraph/Body Paragraph (1-2 Paragraphs)Closing ParagraphSign-off 💭 What should I include in a cover letter for an internship? The main difference in content between a general cover letter and a cover letter specific for internships is the experience. A student might not have as much (or any) working experience compared to someone who has been working for years. Therefore, if you are writing a cover letter for an internship, you should emphasize your educational background that relates to the job, relevant activities that you have participated in, and skills that you have gained. 💭 What do I mention in a cover letter? Key achievementsQualificationsRelevant working experienceHard and soft skills 💭 What does a cover letter look like? A cover letter is best when you can make it similar to the resume. It is suggested to use a template to match the appearance in the same color tone, font, and design. To keep things formal, it should always be black and white.Here are 3 cover letter examples for you to take a look at:Nursing Cover Letter Example from CakeEngineering Cover Letter Example from Cake Cover Letter Example from CakeWith Cake, you can easily create a resume online, free download your resume’s PDF formats, and utilize ATS-compliant templates to create a resume. Land your dream job, create your resume online (free download) now!Create resume--- Originally written by Ryan Goh ---