--- title: What Are the Essentials for Your Resume? description: What are the essential elements that your resume needs to have to get you noticed and secure an interview? image: https://blog.hwstaffing.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/3-What-Are-the-Essentials-For-Your-Resume.jpg --- [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/HWStaffingSolutions) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/h-w--staffing/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/HWStaffSolution) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hwstaffing/) [Apply Now](https://www.hwstaffing.com/join-our-talent-network/) [Employee Portal](https://careers.adaptondemand.com/HWStaffing/Account/Login) [Our Locations](https://www.hwstaffing.com/light-industrial-recruiters/office-map-locator/) [Search Jobs](https://jobs.hwstaffing.com/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/HWStaffingSolutions) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/h-w--staffing/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/HWStaffSolution) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hwstaffing/) [![logo-1](https://blog.hwstaffing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-1.png?width=150&height=106&name=logo-1.png "logo-1")](https://www.hwstaffing.com) Open main menu Close main menu - [Job Seekers](https://www.hwstaffing.com/light-industrial-careers/) - [Employers](https://www.hwstaffing.com/light-industrial-recruitment/) - [About Us](https://www.hwstaffing.com/about-us/) - [Job Fairs](https://info.hwstaffing.com/job-fairs-hw-staffing-solutions) - [Contact Us](https://www.hwstaffing.com/light-industrial-recruiters/) [Resume Writing](https://blog.hwstaffing.com/tag/resume-writing) # What Are the Essentials for Your Resume? [HW Staffing Solutions](https://blog.hwstaffing.com/author/hw-staffing-solutions) ![](https://blog.hwstaffing.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/3-What-Are-the-Essentials-For-Your-Resume.jpg) *Resumes should tell the employer about your experiences, skills, and work history. It’s the first step in screening candidates, so without a good resume, your job application will likely be ignored! You want to highlight items that demonstrate you’re a hard worker, you’re qualified, and you bring desirable skills to the job.* ## *Here are the essential elements that your resume needs to have to get you noticed and secure an interview.* ### *1)  ****Format*** *Keep your margins readable, no smaller than 0.75” and be consistent with bolding, italics, size, and capitalization. Use a professional font and legible size, somewhere between 10-12 pt. If you print it, use high-quality bond paper in white or off-white.* ### *2)  ****Customization*** *Make your resume relevant to the job you’re applying for. Don’t list skills or experiences that are extraneous or inconsequential. Tailor it to match the expectations of the job posting as specifically as possible.* ### *3)  ****Accuracy*** *Avoid misspellings, grammatical errors, and typos. Re-read it at least twice before sending and allow another set of eyes to do the same. Be honest—don’t list qualifications and certifications you don’t have, these details are easy to verify and inaccuracies could damage your reputation.* ### *4)  ****Specificity*** *Use precise numbers, specific years of employment or graduation, the company name, and your job titles. Don’t be vague! Use specific action verbs when listing responsibilities and accomplishments. If you’ve received recognitions or important titles, list the full name of the distinction and the awarding institution.* ### *5)  ****Order of content*** *Put your resume in chronological order, from most recent to earliest positions last. It’s most likely that the most recent experiences are the most qualifying and most relevant.* ### *6)  ****Length*** *One or two pages is sufficient, as long as it’s easy to read. The length is usually dependent on the amount of experience you have. If you’ve been in the work force for a long time with many years of relevant experience, then you’ll probably need two pages.* ### *7)  ****Content*** *Instead of a resume objective, include a section at the top that briefly summarizes your professional qualifications and highlights what you can do for the employer. Under the titles of “Professional Skills” or “Core Competencies,” list your technical skills, knowledge, and experience. When you list your experience, pay more attention to results and achievements than simple job descriptions and responsibilities. For example, mention the fact that you increased sales, reduced expenses, or provided excellent service.* *Under “Education,” list the institution, dates attended, and the degree or certification you received. Don’t forget to include and professional development, on-the-job training, and other continuing education courses you’ve taken.* ### *8)  ****Internet ready*** *Because most resumes are uploaded or emailed, make sure you use a font and formatting that converts easily to most computer programs. Avoid graphics or pictures that might not convert.* --- ## * Are you looking for a new job?* #### *For more information on how to build your resume and prepare yourself to advance your career, [**contact us today**](https://www.hwstaffing.com/light-industrial-recruiters/?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=ContactUsCTA&utm_campaign=Blog%20CTAs) or [**search for a great job here.**](http://jobs.hwstaffing.com/index.smpl?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=SearchJobsCTA&utm_campaign=Blog%20CTAs)* ***[![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/22775431/c0d2ceac-8b79-4861-a92a-1a4a461d2572.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/22775431/c0d2ceac-8b79-4861-a92a-1a4a461d2572)*** - [Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)](https://www.hwstaffing.com/what-are-the-essentials-for-your-resume/?share=pinterest) - [Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)](https://www.hwstaffing.com/what-are-the-essentials-for-your-resume/?share=tumblr) -   - [Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)](https://www.hwstaffing.com/what-are-the-essentials-for-your-resume/?share=reddit) - [Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)](https://www.hwstaffing.com/what-are-the-essentials-for-your-resume/?share=pocket) -   - [Click to print (Opens in new window)](https://www.hwstaffing.com/what-are-the-essentials-for-your-resume/) -   ### Leave a Comment ## Related Articles [![](https://blog.hwstaffing.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-02-27T114133.305.png)](https://blog.hwstaffing.com/reinventing-yourself-your-job-and-your-career) [Career Development](https://blog.hwstaffing.com/tag/career-development) ### [Reinventing Yourself, Your Job, and Your Career](https://blog.hwstaffing.com/reinventing-yourself-your-job-and-your-career) As 2024 begins, you may consider the changes you want to make in the new year. 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[HW Staffing Solutions](https://blog.hwstaffing.com/author/hw-staffing-solutions) [Read More](https://blog.hwstaffing.com/5-items-every-well-written-resume-needs) ## "We Connect Great People with Great Companies" [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/22775431/eaa77d62-12e4-41cf-b502-dcec5acc816a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/22775431/eaa77d62-12e4-41cf-b502-dcec5acc816a) ### [Search Jobs](https://jobs.hwstaffing.com) ### [Apply Now](https://careers.adaptondemand.com/HWStaffing/Account/Register) ### [Our Locations](https://www.hwstaffing.com/light-industrial-recruiters/office-map-locator/) ### [Employee Portal](https://careers.adaptondemand.com/HWStaffing/Account/Login)   [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/HWStaffingSolutions) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/h-w--staffing/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/HWStaffSolution) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hwstaffing/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "HW Staffing Solutions", "url" : "https://blog.hwstaffing.com/author/hw-staffing-solutions" }, "dateModified" : "2023-02-16T22:15:48.711Z", "datePublished" : "2017-08-22T10:16:36.000Z", "headline" : "What Are the Essentials for Your Resume?", "image" : [ "https://blog.hwstaffing.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/3-What-Are-the-Essentials-For-Your-Resume.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.hwstaffing.com/what-are-the-essentials-for-your-resume", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.hwstaffing.com/hubfs/HW_logo_AI-2.png" }, "name" : "HW Staffing Solutions" } } ```