A resume outline means planning the content and layout of your resume. It’s where you organize how you’re going to include essential details and showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications.
Writing a resume is overwhelming when you dive straight into it without a plan.
A clear outline makes writing resumes easier by helping you organize what details to include and how to present them effectively.
This guide will cover resume outlines for different industries and career levels. Each one is approved by our team of experts, so you can confidently use them as your very own starting point.
5 Resume Outline Examples for Every Professional Level
Your resume outline depends on your professional strengths and career stage. Here’s a summary of what to focus on in your resume for applicants at all levels:
- Student: showcase academic achievements, relevant coursework, and extracurricular activities demonstrating transferable skills.
- Entry-level: focus on education, internships, and application of relevant skills.
- Mid-level: highlight career achievements, specialized skills or knowledge, and growing responsibilities in your field.
- Seniors: emphasize leadership responsibilities, major accomplishments, and management skills.
- Career changers: prioritize transferable skills, relevant experiences, and how your work history aligns with your new career path.
Below, we’ll go through expert-reviewed resume outlines for each of these.
Student resume outline example
Resume header:
• Your name
• Location (city, country), email address, phone number, link to LinkedIn profile or portfolio
Objective:
State your current academic status, followed by main areas of interest. Include relevant skills and knowledge, or any notable achievements. Mention a career goal and how you aim to contribute to the company or industry.
Education:
Degree title | Institution name | City, State | [Year of Graduation]
• Include extra details, such as awards, honors, relevant coursework, and extracurricular activities.
Experience:
Add an internship, volunteering, or part-time job position.
Company name, [Month], [Year]–[Month], [Year]
• Start the bullet point with an action verb, then describe a key task or responsibility you fulfilled. Next, highlight the result achieved. (If possible, use numbers to specify tasks, responsibilities, and achievements.)
• Add up to three job entries.
• Aim for 3–7 bullet points for every job entry.
Projects:
Your role or project name
Organization, [Month], [Year]–[Month], [Year]
• Start the bullet point with an action verb, then describe a significant accomplishment, followed by what you did. (Use numbers to specify tasks, responsibilities, and achievements.)
• Add up to three projects.
• Write between 2–7 bullet points for every project, highlighting relevant skills and achievements.
Extracurricular Activities:
Your role
Organization, [Month], [Year]–[Month], [Year]
• Start the bullet point with an action verb, then describe a responsibility you carried out. Next, highlight the result achieved. (If possible, use numbers to specify tasks, responsibilities, and achievements.)
• Add up to three extracurriculars.
• Write between 1–7 bullet points for every project, highlighting relevant skills and achievements.
Skills and Interests:
Industry skills: list technical abilities or specific software knowledge (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Analytics, Hootsuite).
Fields of interests: mention broader areas you’re passionate about (e.g., Startups, Software, Sustainability, E-commerce, Artificial Intelligence).
Entry-level resume outline example
Resume header:
• Your name
• Location (city, country), email address, phone number, link to LinkedIn profile or portfolio
Objective:
State your highest level of education or job title to introduce yourself. Highlight your top skills and areas of expertise. Mention a career goal aligned with the company’s needs, making it clear how you intend to bring value and contribute.
Education:
Degree title | Institution name | City, State | [Year of Graduation]
• Include extra details, such as awards, honors, relevant coursework, and extracurricular activities.
Professional Experience:
Job position
Company name, [Month], [Year]–[Month], [Year]
• Start the bullet point with an action verb, then describe a key task or responsibility you fulfilled. Next, highlight the result achieved. (If possible, use numbers to specify tasks, responsibilities, and achievements.)
• Add up to three job entries.
• Aim for 3–7 bullet points for every job entry.
Certifications:
Certificate title
Organization, [Year]
• Optional: include specific skills or achievements.
Extracurricular Activities:
Your role
Organization, [Month], [Year]–[Month], [Year]
• Start the bullet point with an action verb, then describe a responsibility you carried out. Next, highlight the result achieved. (If possible, use numbers to specify tasks, responsibilities, and achievements.)
• Add up to three extracurriculars.
• Write between 1–7 bullet points for every project, highlighting relevant skills and achievements.
Skills and Interests:
Industry skills: list technical abilities or specific software knowledge (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Analytics, Hootsuite).
Fields of interests: mention broader areas you’re passionate about (e.g., Startups, Software, Sustainability, E-commerce, Artificial Intelligence).
Mid-level resume outline example
Resume header:
• Your name
• Location (city, country), email address, phone number, link to LinkedIn profile or portfolio
Summary:
State your job title and years of experience, followed by key areas of expertise or career achievements. Showcase your track record in a particular field. Include a unique value proposition that’s relevant to the company’s needs.
Work Experience:
Job position
Company name, [Month], [Year]–[Month], [Year]
• Start the bullet point with an action verb, then describe a key task or responsibility you fulfilled. Next, highlight the result achieved. (If possible, use numbers to specify tasks, responsibilities, and achievements.)
• Add up to 3–5 job entries.
• Aim for 3–7 bullet points for every job entry.
Education:
Degree title | Institution name | City, State | [Year of Graduation]
• Include extra details, such as awards, honors, and relevant coursework.
Projects:
Your role or project name
Organization, [Month], [Year]–[Month], [Year]
• Start the bullet point with an action verb, then describe a significant accomplishment, followed by what you did. (Use numbers to specify tasks, responsibilities, and achievements.)
• Add up to three projects.
• Write between 2–7 bullet points for every project, highlighting relevant skills and achievements.
Certifications:
Certificate title
Organization, [Year]
Skills:
Hard skills: list technical abilities or specific software knowledge.
Soft skills: list leadership and interpersonal skills.
Senior resume outline example
Resume header:
• Your name
• Location (city, country), email address, phone number, link to LinkedIn profile or portfolio
Summary:
State your job title and years of experience. Highlight your most significant career achievements, leadership roles, and areas of expertise. Emphasize your impact on company growth, strategy, or innovation. State a unique value proposition relevant to the company’s long-term goals.
Work History:
Job position
Company name, [Month], [Year]–[Month], [Year]
• Start each bullet point with an action verb, then describe your key responsibilities or strategic initiatives, followed by the results of your actions. Use numbers to specify tasks, responsibilities, and achievements.
• Add up to 4–7 job entries.
• Aim for 3–8 bullet points per job entry.
Education:
Degree title | Institution name | City, State | [Year of Graduation]
Skills:
Industry expertise: list advanced technical skills, industry knowledge, or specialized tools.
Soft skills: list skills related to leadership, decision-making, and organizational strategy.
Career change resume outline example
Resume header:
• Your name
• Location (city, country), email address, phone number, link to LinkedIn profile or portfolio
Summary:
State your current or most recent job title and the field you’re looking to transition into. Include your most significant career achievements and top transferable skills. Share how your unique background makes you a qualified candidate.
Work Experience:
Job position
Company name, [Month], [Year]–[Month], [Year]
• Start the bullet point with an action verb, then describe a key task or responsibility you fulfilled. Next, highlight the result achieved. (If possible, use numbers to specify tasks, responsibilities, and achievements.)
• Add up to 3–5 job entries.
• Aim for 3–7 bullet points for every job entry.
Projects:
Your role or project name
Organization, [Month], [Year]–[Month], [Year]
• Start the bullet point with an action verb, then describe a significant accomplishment, followed by what you did. (Use numbers to specify tasks, responsibilities, and achievements.)
• Add up to three projects.
• Write between 2–7 bullet points for every project, highlighting relevant skills and achievements.
Education:
Degree title | Institution name | City, State | [Year of Graduation]
• Include extra details, such as awards, honors, and relevant coursework.
Certifications:
Certificate title
Organization, [Year]
Skills:
Hard skills: list technical abilities or specific software knowledge.
Soft skills: list specific interpersonal and teamwork skills.
How to Create Your Own Resume Outline
This is how to create your own resume outline:
- Decide on a resume format.
- List the information you need to include in each section.
- Think about extra sections or details you might want to include.
The process is pretty straightforward assuming you understand what each resume section needs to include. If you’re not certain, check out our ultimate resume sections guide here, which breaks down exactly what each section should cover.
How to Fill Out Your Resume Outline Based on Your Own Professional Background
Here’s how to fill out your resume outline:
- List all essential personal information in the resume header
- Make a professional introduction
- Include key achievements and duties in the work experience section
- Mention academic qualifications in the education section
- Consider additional sections
- Reflect on your strongest and most relevant skills for the skills section
We’ll go through each step in more detail below, including examples and templates for you to customize.
1. List all essential personal information in the resume header
The contact details that belong in the resume header include:
- First and last name
- Location (city, country)
- Email address
- Phone number
- Link to your website, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile
This is usually the easiest section of all—simply add in your most up-to-date contact information.
2. Make a professional introduction
A resume introduction is where you give recruiters a quick overview of who you are and what you bring to the table. You can introduce yourself with either a resume summary or a resume objective statement, depending on your experience level.
In either case, keep it no more than 3–4 sentences long. Focus on what makes you uniquely qualified and what you have to offer.
Resume summary outline (for experienced professionals):
- State your professional title.
- Highlight your years of professional experience.
- Mention your top and most relevant skills.
- Conclude with a significant career highlight or achievement.
Resume objectives outline (for entry-level or career changers):
- State a relevant qualification, such as your highest level of education or your most recent role, followed by your years of experience.
- Highlight transferable skills and relevant experiences directly related to the target job position.
- Mention your career goals in alignment with the company’s needs. Clarify how you intend to contribute.
3. Include key achievements and duties in the work experience section
The work experience section is where you showcase your professional history. This is for highlighting the impact you’ve made in past roles and clarifying the responsibilities you’re capable of carrying out. Employers will want to see how your experience aligns with the job requirements.
Use the outline below to add a job entry in the work experience section:
- Job title (bold text and slightly bigger font)
- Company name
- Employment dates (month and year)
- Location (city, country)
Next, use this outline to write powerful bullet points that demonstrate your expertise:
- Start with an action verb to convey a responsibility
- Describe what you did, using numbers (if applicable) to specify the significance of your task
- Show the outcome of your actions, using numbers to emphasize your impact
Lastly, optimize your bullet points by adding resume keywords from the company’s job description. Use them contextually. If you need help finding keywords, you can use Rezi AI Keyword Targeting to scan job descriptions.
4. Mention academic qualifications in the education section
Showcase your academic background in the education section of a resume. List formal qualifications alongside notable accomplishments.
Here’s an outline to follow for the education section:
- Degree title
- Institution name
- Location
Extra details to consider:
- Relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, certifications, projects, honors, and awards
- GPA (if scored above 3.5)
- Date of graduation (if graduated in the last ten years)
5. Brainstorm additional sections to highlight unique aspects of your professional background
Creating an additional resume section is effective for showcasing aspects of your background that don’t fit into the traditional resume categories. There are some common additional sections, but you can also create a custom one to highlight any unique qualifications, skills, or experiences.
Examples of common additional sections, including an outline:
- Certifications: list the certification name, issuing organization, and date earned.
- Projects: mention the project name, organization, start and end dates, followed by your role, achievements, and contributions.
- Volunteering: include your job position, organization name, dates of involvement, and relevant duties or accomplishments.
- Languages: specify the language and proficiency level.
- Extracurricular activities: add your job position, organization or institution, society name, location, dates of involvement, and notable contributions.
Examples of less common additional sections, including an outline:
- Publications: provide the title of your work, publication outlet, and date.
- Professional affiliations: list the organization, your role (if applicable), and dates of membership.
- Podcasts: include the podcast name, your role (host, guest, producer), episode date, and key topics covered.
- Speaking engagements: mention the conference name, your role, event date, and summarize what you did.
6. Reflect on your strongest and most relevant skills for the skills section
The skills section is typically the final part of your resume. It’s where you list your top skills and competencies that are most relevant to the job requirements.
Here’s an outline for listing skills in the skills section of your resume:
- Hard skills: [hard skill 1], [hard skill 2], [hard skill 3], [hard skill 4], [hard skill 5]
- Soft skills: [soft skill 1], [soft skill 2], [soft skill 3], [soft skill 4], [soft skill 5]
Alternatively, you can use this outline for the skills section if you have less space on your resume:
- [Hard skill 1], [hard skill 2], [hard skill 3], [hard skill 4], [soft skill 1], [soft skill 2],
Recommended guides:
- What are the best skills to put on a resume?
- Examples of hard skills and how to showcase them on a resume
- Examples of soft skills and how to showcase them on a resume
Professional Resume Outline Templates for Microsoft Word and Google Docs
Need a preformatted resume outline where all you need to do is add in your details? Try one of our classic templates. You can download them as a PDF or export them to Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
The Standard Resume Outline Template
The Compact Resume Outline Template
Summary
Let’s recap on how to create and fill out your own resume outline:
- Determine your resume format and which additional sections you’re going to use.
- List all essential information that you need to include in each section, such as your full name in the resume header and university degree in the education section.
- Note credentials or achievements you have that fit under specific resume sections.
- Turn your notes into sentences or bullet points to complete the outlined resume section.
- Tailor the content of your resume to prioritize your most relevant strengths, achievements, and qualifications.
- Review your outline to make sure it flows logically and effectively presents your qualifications.
It’s not exactly easy to condense your professional background into punchy sentences that are relevant to specific job requirements. The last thing you want is to finish drafting your resume, only to realize it needs major edits because it wasn’t well-organized from the get-go.
And that’s what a resume outline helps you prevent.
By getting things organized from the start, the entire writing process becomes much more straightforward.
FAQs
What does a resume outline need to include?
Your resume outline should include the key sections: header, professional introduction (either a summary or objective), work experience, education, and skills. Additional sections should also be taken into account. In your outline of all these sections, list all the key details that you need to include based on your professional background.
What’s the difference between a resume outline and template?
A resume outline is a basic framework that helps you organize key sections and information. It acts as your guide to structuring and writing your resume content based on your particular strengths, achievements, and qualifications. On the other hand, a resume template is a pre-designed resume that includes the layout, fonts, and design elements. An outline focuses more on planning what to include and how to structure your information. A template offers a ready-to-use layout so you can immediately start adding in your details.
What makes a good resume outline?
A good resume outline includes all the essential elements of a resume and is tailored to showcase your strengths. It should work best for your specific job application and no one else’s. An effective outline won’t only make it clear what sections to include, but it should help you write about details that only you can include.
What does a standard professional resume look like?
A standard professional resume includes the key sections: header, professional summary or objective, work experience, education, and skills. It uses bullet points to highlight responsibilities and accomplishments, and is usually 1–2 pages long, depending on your experience. The layout is simple and professional, with consistent fonts and clear headings using bold text. To customize your resume, personalize your introduction, and consider adding additional sections that demonstrate unique strengths or qualifications.
