Resume Guide for Experienced Workers: How to Write a Modern Resume

If your last resume was written years ago, a lot has changed. Most applications are now online, many are first read by software, and recruiters often skim quickly. Your experience is still your biggest strength. The task is to present it in a way that fits how hiring works today.

This guide walks through each part of a modern resume.

What to do first

Before you write, pick a target. A resume aimed at one kind of job is much stronger than a general one.

1. Choose one or two job types you want.
2. Collect three to five job postings for those roles.
3. Highlight the skills and words that appear most often.

These postings become your guide for what to include.

Choose a simple format

Keep the design clean and easy to read:

• Use a common font, such as Calibri or Arial, in a readable size.
• Use clear headings: Summary, Experience, Skills, Education.
• Avoid tables, text boxes, columns, and graphics. These can confuse online systems.
• Save and send as a PDF unless the employer asks for a Word document. See what a PDF is.

Most experienced workers use a chronological format, which lists jobs from most recent to oldest. Some people changing careers use a combination format, which starts with a skills section before work history.

Write a short summary

The summary replaces the old "Objective" statement. It is three or four lines at the top that tell the employer who you are and what you offer.

For example: "Office administrator skilled in scheduling, bookkeeping, and vendor management. Known for organizing busy offices and training new staff. Comfortable with Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, and accounting software."

Focus on skills and value rather than years. Phrases such as "30 years of experience" can invite assumptions. Something like "extensive experience" or simply listing your strengths works well.

Describe your experience with results

For each job, list your title, the employer, the location, and the dates. Then add three to five bullet points.

Start each bullet with an action word, and show results where you can:

• Instead of: "Responsible for customer accounts."
• Try: "Managed a portfolio of business accounts and kept key clients through a difficult market."

Use numbers only when they are accurate. If you are unsure, describe the result in words.

Focus on the last 10 to 15 years. For older roles, consider whether each detail is necessary for the role. See how far back your resume should go.

Show current skills

A skills section helps both people and software see what you can do. Include:

• Software and tools you use, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, Zoom, or industry systems
• Job-specific skills, such as payroll, scheduling, or patient intake
• Languages, if relevant
• Recent certifications and training, with dates

If you need to brush up, see our lessons on Microsoft Word basics and Google Docs basics, or our guide to learning basic computer skills for free.

Handle education and dates thoughtfully

List degrees and credentials near the bottom. You usually do not need graduation years. Consider whether each date is necessary for the role. Read should you include graduation dates.

Work with applicant tracking systems

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software that many employers use to collect and sort resumes. It looks for words that match the job posting.

• Use words from the posting where they honestly describe your experience.
• Spell out abbreviations at least once, such as "Certified Public Accountant (CPA)."
• Use standard headings.

Our lesson on what an ATS is explains this further.

Tailor your resume for each type of job

You do not need a new resume for every application. Keep one main version, then adjust the summary and top bullet points for each kind of role. This takes a few minutes and makes a real difference.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Listing every job you have ever had.
• Using an outdated email address. Use a simple one with your name.
• Including personal details such as birth date, marital status, or a photo. These are not expected on U.S. resumes.
• Writing "References available upon request." Employers assume this.
• Exaggerating titles or results. Everything on your resume should be accurate.

Where to find help

• American Job Centers offer free resume reviews. Find one at CareerOneStop (opens in a new tab).
• The Occupational Outlook Handbook (opens in a new tab) lists common skills for many jobs, which can help you choose keywords.
• AI writing tools can help with wording. Read using AI to help with a resume first, and check every line for accuracy.

Your next steps

1. Pick your target job type and save three postings.
2. Write a three-line summary focused on skills.
3. Rewrite your top bullets to show results.
4. Add a current skills section.
5. Save as a PDF and ask someone to review it. Then learn how to upload a resume.