How to Make a Resume in 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

You need a resume. Maybe you're applying for your first job, switching careers, or updating an old one that hasn't worked in months.

This guide walks you through every step—from choosing a format to exporting a polished PDF—using techniques that actually work in 2026.

Why Most Resumes Fail in 2026

Before we build yours, understand what's changed:

• 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) before a human sees them
• Recruiters spend 6-7 seconds on their first scan of a resume
• AI-generated resumes are everywhere now, so generic content gets ignored faster
• Skills-based hiring is growing—companies care more about what you can do than where you went to school

The resume that worked in 2020 won't work today. Let's build one that does.

Step 1: Choose the Right Resume Format

There are three standard formats. Pick the one that fits your situation:

Reverse Chronological (Best for Most People)

Lists your work experience from most recent to oldest. This is what recruiters expect and what ATS handles best.

Use if: You have 2+ years of relevant experience with a clear career progression.

Functional (Skills-Based)

Organizes your resume around skills rather than job titles. Highlights what you can do rather than where you worked.

Use if: You're changing careers, have employment gaps, or are a recent graduate.

Combination (Hybrid)

Leads with a skills summary, followed by reverse chronological work history. Best of both worlds.

Use if: You have strong skills AND solid experience to show.

Our recommendation: Unless you have a specific reason not to, go with reverse chronological. It's the safest bet for ATS compatibility and recruiter preference.

Step 2: Write Your Header

Your header should include:

# Your Full Name

**Your Target Job Title** | City, State | (555) 123-4567 | email@example.com
[linkedin.com/in/yourname](https://linkedin.com/in/yourname) | [github.com/yourname](https://github.com/yourname)

Tips:

• Use your target job title, not your current one (if different)
• Include city and state only—no full address (privacy + remote work norms)
• Make your email professional (firstname.lastname@gmail.com, not coolguy99@hotmail.com)
• LinkedIn is expected in 2026. GitHub/portfolio links are a plus for tech roles

Step 3: Write a Professional Summary

Replace the outdated "objective statement" with a 2-3 sentence summary that answers: Why should they hire you?

Formula: [Years of experience] + [Key expertise] + [Notable achievement] + [What you bring]

Example:

Results-driven software engineer with 6+ years building scalable web applications. Led the migration of a monolithic platform to microservices, reducing deployment time by 80%. Passionate about developer experience and mentoring junior engineers.

Common mistakes:

• Don't write "Looking for an opportunity to..." (they know you're looking)
• Don't list soft skills without evidence ("hard-working team player")
• Don't copy the same summary for every application—tailor it

Step 4: Detail Your Work Experience

This is the most important section. For each position, include:

### Job Title
**Company Name** | City, State | Start Date - End Date

- Achievement with specific metric or result
- Another achievement showing impact
- Key responsibility demonstrating relevant skills

How to Write Great Bullet Points

Use this formula: Action Verb + Task + Result/Impact

Key principles:

• Start every bullet with a strong action verb
• Include numbers whenever possible (%, $, time saved, team size)
• Focus on outcomes, not just duties
• Limit to 3-5 bullets per role (more for current/recent positions)
• Use present tense for current roles, past tense for previous

Step 5: List Your Skills

Organize skills into categories that are easy to scan:

## SKILLS

**Languages:** Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, SQL, Go
**Frameworks:** React, Next.js, Django, FastAPI
**Cloud & DevOps:** AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD
**Tools:** Git, PostgreSQL, Redis, Elasticsearch

2026 tips:

• List hard skills, not soft skills (ATS can't verify "team player")
• Mirror the exact keywords from the job description
• Put your strongest/most relevant skills first
• Include AI tools you use productively (it's a plus now, not a red flag)

Step 6: Add Your Education

### Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
**University Name** | 2018 - 2022
GPA: 3.8/4.0 | Dean's List | Relevant coursework: Machine Learning, Distributed Systems

Guidelines:

• If you graduated 5+ years ago, keep it brief (degree, school, year)
• New graduates should list GPA (if above 3.0), relevant coursework, and projects
• Certifications go here or in a separate section
• Bootcamps and online credentials are legitimate—include them

Step 7: Optional Sections That Add Value

Depending on your situation, consider adding:

• Projects: Great for new graduates, career changers, or showcasing side work
• Certifications: AWS, Google Cloud, PMP, etc.—especially valuable in tech
• Publications/Speaking: For senior roles or academia
• Volunteer Work: Shows character and can demonstrate relevant skills

Don't include: hobbies (unless directly relevant), references ("available upon request" is assumed), headshot (in the US/UK), age, or marital status.

Step 8: Optimize for ATS

Your resume needs to pass automated screening before a human sees it. Here's how:

1. Use standard section headings: "Experience" not "Where I've Made an Impact"
2. Include exact keywords from the job description
3. Avoid tables, columns, and graphics in the content (they confuse parsers)
4. Use standard fonts and simple formatting
5. Save as PDF (preserves formatting across all systems)
6. Don't stuff keywords—ATS in 2026 can detect this

For a deep dive, read our ATS Resume Guide.

Step 9: Format and Export

Once your content is ready, the formatting matters:

• Margins: 0.5-1 inch on all sides
• Font size: 10-12pt for body text, 14-16pt for your name
• Length: 1 page for < 10 years experience, 2 pages maximum for senior roles
• File format: PDF (always)

Using Markdown for Your Resume

The fastest way to get a clean, professional resume in 2026 is to write it in Markdown and convert to PDF. No fighting with Word formatting, no dragging text boxes in Canva.

With ResumeMD's free editor, you:

1. Write or paste your content in Markdown
2. Pick from 32 ATS-friendly templates
3. See a live preview as you type
4. Export to PDF, DOCX, or HTML instantly

New to Markdown? Our formatting guide covers everything you need in 5 minutes.

Step 10: Tailor for Each Application

This is the step most people skip—and the one that matters most.

A generic resume sent to 100 jobs will get worse results than a tailored resume sent to 20.

For each application:

1. Read the job description carefully
2. Identify the top 5-7 keywords and requirements
3. Mirror those keywords in your summary and experience sections
4. Reorder your bullet points to lead with the most relevant ones
5. Adjust your professional summary to match the role

Resume Checklist

Before you submit, verify:

• Contact info is current and professional
• Summary is tailored to the target role
• Every bullet point starts with an action verb
• Metrics and numbers are included where possible
• Keywords from the job description appear naturally
• No typos or grammatical errors
• PDF format, 1-2 pages maximum
• Consistent formatting throughout
• File is named professionally (FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf)

Common Questions

How long should my resume be?

One page if you have less than 10 years of experience. Two pages maximum for senior professionals. Never three pages.

Should I use AI to write my resume?

Yes, but strategically. Use AI (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) to generate a first draft, then heavily personalize it with your specific achievements, numbers, and voice. Learn how in our AI resume guide.

Do I need a different resume for every job?

You don't need to rewrite it from scratch, but you should tailor the summary, keywords, and bullet point ordering for each application. Keep a "master resume" with all your experience, then customize a version for each role.

What if I have employment gaps?

Be honest but strategic. Focus your resume on skills and achievements rather than dates. Use a functional or combination format. Brief gaps (< 6 months) usually don't need explanation.

Start Building Your Resume Now

You have the knowledge. The next step is to actually build it.

Open the ResumeMD editor, pick a template, and start writing. Your resume content is stored locally in your browser—no account required, no data collected.

The best resume is the one that gets sent. Don't let perfectionism keep you from applying.