What is a Resume? (Definition, Types, & Examples)

Landing an interview starts with a strong resume. But what is a resume?

More than just a list of jobs, a resume is your opportunity to make a strong first impression on prospective employers by clearly summarizing your skills, qualifications, and achievements. It's how you say, "I've got the experience and the skills you're looking for," but on paper.

However, creating a great resume can be a lot to take on without the right information.

Below, you'll learn what a resume is and the details it should include. You'll also find examples and tools to help you create a resume that stands out—every time you hit apply.

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Ready to build a resume that gets noticed in just a few steps? Make one with Teal’s AI Resume Builder for free.

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What is a resume

A resume is a one- to two-page document summarizing your work experience, skills, and qualifications for a job application. It serves as your professional introduction to employers, highlighting relevant achievements and capabilities that make you a strong candidate for specific roles.

Think of a resume as your professional snapshot—it shows hiring managers at a glance:

• Your work history and experience level
• Key skills and qualifications
• Notable achievements and results
• Educational background
• Professional certifications

Unlike a CV or cover letter, a resume focuses on presenting your most relevant qualifications concisely, typically limited to the past 10-15 years of experience.

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Why you need a resume

The purpose of a resume (or résumé) is to give hiring managers a quick snapshot of your qualifications, helping them decide if you're a good fit for the position. A resume is also essential for your job search because it:

• Showcases your most relevant qualifications and achievements to hiring managers
• Helps you stand out from other job applicants 
• Provides a structured way to present your professional experience
• Serves as a reference point during job interviews

Not only that, but most employers require a resume as part of the job application process.

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What to include in a resume

A resume typically has a combination of some (or all) of the following sections. But while the parts of a resume may vary from person to person, the core sections tend to remain the same.

• Contact Information
• Target Title
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Certifications
• Skills
• Optional
  • Projects
  • Awards and Scholarships
  • Volunteering and Leadership
  • Publications
  • Interests

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Contact Information

Potential employers have to be able to reach you. Include contact details like your full name, phone number, email address, city and state, LinkedIn profile URL, and personal website if applicable.

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Target Title

A target title sits just beneath the contact information on your resume. It reflects the position you're applying for and sets the tone for the rest of your resume. This title may also change depending on the job you're applying to, aligning with the specific role's title.

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Professional Summary

This is a brief statement that gives employers a quick overview of your years of experience and what you bring to the table. Your summary should reflect your unique professional journey and skills and should be tailored to the particular job you're applying for.

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Work Experience

This section of your resume showcases your previous jobs and the impact you made. It's important because it shows your practical, hands-on experience and skills in a professional setting.

Use bullet points to highlight this part of your employment history. They should include key accomplishments alongside hard and soft skills and their results, focusing on quantifiable bullets (like metrics, numbers, and data).

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Education

Your Education section lists your academic background, including degrees earned, institutions attended, and graduation dates. It shows employers your formal training and typically aligns with key qualifications or requirements.

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Certifications

Any relevant certifications that add value to your professional profile and align with the position you're applying to. They demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills that are pertinent to the job.

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Skills

A list of relevant skills (such as tools and technical abilities) should be tailored to the job you’re applying for. This helps employers quickly see your areas of expertise.

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All in all? What you put on a resume can help a recruiter or hiring manager understand exactly what you bring to the table at a glance.

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What is optional in a resume?

Not all resumes need every resume section available. Below are some optional parts and some reasons why you may want to consider including them.

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Projects: Include any significant projects relevant to the job you're applying for.

‍Awards and Scholarships: Highlight specific accolades showing your excellence and dedication to your field.

Volunteering and Leadership: Mention relevant volunteer work or leadership experience to show your commitment and ability to lead and work in teams.

Publications: List any articles, papers, or books you have published if they are relevant to the job to demonstrate your expertise and thought leadership in your field.

Interests: Include interests if they are relevant to the job or if they can provide a more complete picture of who you are in a way that relates to the job you're applying for.

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What not to include in a resume

While there are plenty of elements you should always include in your resume, there are also some things you want to avoid.

• Irrelevant work experience that doesn’t align with the job you’re applying for
• Personal information like age, marital status, or your social security number
• Unprofessional email addresses
• Hobbies or interests that do not add value to your application

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Resume types and examples

Choosing the right resume type depends on your career history and the job you're applying for.

There are three standard resume formats, each with its own strengths and best use cases. They are:

1. Chronological
2. Functional
3. Combination

Understanding these formats will help you decide which one best showcases your skills and experiences.

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Chronological

A chronological resume (also called reverse chronological resume) lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job.

This format is the most recognizable and is ideal for those with a solid work history in a specific field.

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Functional

A functional format (or skills-based resume) is a resume written to focus on your skills and qualifications rather than your chronological work history.

This format is less popular than the chronological resume and is only best for those with little to no work experience or larger career gaps.

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Combination

A combination resume (sometimes referred to as a hybrid resume) merges elements of both chronological and functional resumes by highlighting qualifications and skills equally.

A combination resume starts with a professional summary, followed by a dedicated skills section, and then transitions into a detailed (but relevant) chronological work history.

This format benefits job seekers who have a solid work history but also want to emphasize their skills and accomplishments.

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Write your resume with Teal

Now that you know what a resume is and understand what you need to include—it's time to create one.

But instead of worrying about the fundamentals like what goes where, which sections fit your experience best, or how to format your resume for every application, Teal's AI Resume Builder can help you create a professionally written resume without any guesswork.

Teal (and Teal+) offers features like easy import, AI generation, step-by-step guidance, and analysis and matching tools to help make building a resume easier—so you can apply confidently—every time.