After sending out dozens of applications with no reply, you might be asking yourself: “What am I
doing wrong?” The truth is, in today’s competitive job market, you’re not just competing with a few
people - you’re competing with dozens, sometimes hundreds - of candidates for the same role. And
the difference between being overlooked and landing that first interview often comes down to one
thing: creating your resume the right way.
Your resume is more than a document — it’s your personal highlight reel. It showcases your skills,
experience, and unique strengths in a way that helps employers or clients quickly see why you’re the
right fit. Whether you’re searching how to make a resume, want to make your resume online, the key
is presenting your story clearly and effectively.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about creating your resume,
highlighting the most common mistakes to avoid, and share practical tips to help you stand out.
How to Create a Professional Resume?
When it comes to creating your resume, the first step is choosing the right format. Your resume
format determines how your information is displayed and how easily employers or clients can
evaluate your skills.
1. Choose the Right Resume Format
There are three common resume formats to consider when you make your resume online:
Chronological (Reverse-Chronological)
This format puts your work history front and center. It’s best if you have consistent professional
experience without employment gaps.
Functional
This format emphasizes your skills rather than your work history. It’s ideal if you’re switching
industries or re-entering the workforce after a break.
Combination (Hybrid)
A mix of both skills and work history. This format works well if you have some experience but also
want to showcase specialized skills.
Best Practices for Resume Formats:
When creating your resume, it’s not just the content that matters. The design and layout play an
equally important role. A clear, professional format ensures that hiring managers or clients can
quickly scan and understand your strengths. Here are key best practices to follow:
Be Brief and Concise
Keep your resume to one or two pages. Short, well-organized resumes look more professional and are
easier for hiring managers to review quickly.
Balance White Space
Use margins and spacing effectively to separate sections without leaving too much blank space. Good
balance improves readability and flow.
Save as a PDF
Always save your resume as a PDF. This ensures that your formatting remains consistent across
devices and software, unlike Word documents which may shift layouts.
2. Include Your Name and Contact Information
When creating your resume, always start with the essentials: your name and contact details. This
section should include:
● Full Name (in bold or slightly larger font for visibility).
● Email Address and Phone Number.
● Location or Mailing Address (optional, depending on the role).
For creative professionals, adding a link to your online portfolio is highly recommended. It gives
potential clients or employers direct access to samples of your work, especially useful when you make
your resume online with a creative template.
6 Things to Keep in Mind When Adding Contact Information to Your Resume:
When creating your resume, your contact details are one of the first things hiring managers or
clients see. Getting them right ensures you remain easy to reach and professional at all times. Here’s
what to keep in mind:
Use Your Personal Phone Number
Never list your office or work phone number. Stick to your personal number to maintain
professionalism and avoid conflicts.
Set Up a Professional Voicemail
Recruiters may call when you’re unavailable. Make sure your voicemail is active, professional, and
includes your name so they know they’ve reached the right person.
Include Your City and State
For local opportunities, employers often prefer nearby candidates. Adding your location helps you
stand out for region-specific jobs.
Use a Professional Email Address
Avoid using your current work email. Instead, create a personal, professional-sounding address
(ideally your name or a simple variation).
Keep Your LinkedIn Profile Updated
Many recruiters cross-check resumes with LinkedIn. Ensure your profile is polished, consistent, and
highlights the same strengths as your resume.
Proofread Carefully
A typo in your phone number or email can cost you opportunities.
The next step in creating your resume, add a short section that introduces who you are and what you
bring to the table:
Resume Objective
Perfect for new freelancers, recent graduates, or career changers. It highlights your career goals and
shows where you want to grow.
Resume Summary
A concise statement that uses active language to describe your most relevant skills, achievements,
and experience. This works best if you already have professional history to showcase.
At Taskers Hub, we encourage freelancers to keep this section strong and clear. A well-written
summary or objective helps you stand out faster and increases your chances of landing projects
directly through the platform.
Best Practices for Your Resume Headline
When creating your resume, your headline is one of the first things that recruiters notice. A strong
headline communicates your value in just a few words. Keep these best practices in mind:
● Use Keywords from the Job Listing: Including the role title or specific skills helps position you
as a strong match for the opportunity.
● Avoid Clichés: Generic phrases like “hard worker” or “team player” don’t add value. Be original
to show what makes you unique.
● Capitalize Each Word: This makes the headline stand out visually.
● Be Brief and Concise: Limit your headline to under 10 words.
Examples of Strong Resume Headlines
● Team-Oriented General Manager with 10 Years of Retail Experience.
● Detail-Oriented Project Manager and Part-Time MBA Student.
● Professional Editor Specializing in Web Content.
Tips for Writing Your Resume Summary Section
When creating your resume, the summary section is your chance to make a powerful first impression.
A strong summary sets the tone for the rest of your application. Here’s how to craft it effectively:
Highlight Key Skills
Focus on the abilities most relevant to the role you’re targeting.
Show Notable Accomplishments
Feature achievements you’re proud of and would like to repeat in your next role.
Use Numbers for Impact
Quantify results with percentages, revenue growth, sales figures, or other measurable outcomes.
Prove You’re the Right Fit
Keep your statement concise while demonstrating why you’re the ideal candidate.
Incorporate Keywords
Use terms directly from the job description to align your resume with the employer’s expectations.
Some Examples:
MARKETING MANAGER
10+ years of proven success driving brand awareness and digital growth in competitive markets.
Known for blending creativity with data-driven strategies to deliver measurable results.
Increased lead generation by 35% through targeted content campaigns and paid media optimization.
Built and led a cross-functional team of 12, improving campaign turnaround times by 25%.
Launched a new product line campaign that boosted annual revenue by $2M.
SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Detail-oriented software engineer with 8+ years of experience designing, developing, and maintaining
scalable applications. Adept at collaborating across teams to deliver innovative solutions on time.
Spearheaded development of a mobile app with 100,000+ downloads in its first year.
Improved system performance by 40% through code optimization and API integrations.
Mentored junior developers, reducing onboarding time by 30%.
4. Highlight Your Soft and Hard Skills
When creating your resume, your skills section should instantly show employers or clients what you
can do. Review the job description or project requirements carefully and match your most relevant
strengths to what they’re looking for.
Hard Skills (Technical)
These are job-specific abilities such as programming, SEO, graphic design, or certifications.
Soft Skills (Interpersonal)
Skills like communication, teamwork, or problem-solving that apply across industries.
Transferable Skills
Abilities you can bring from one role to another, such as project management or client
communication.
Best Practices When Choosing Which Skills to Feature:
When creating your resume, the skills you list should directly support the role or project you’re
applying for. A strong skills section shows not just what you can do, but how relevant you are to the
opportunity.
Key Practices to Follow:
Tailor Your Skills
Only include abilities that are directly relevant to the job. Even if you’re proficient in other areas, leave
them out if they don’t add value to the position.
Show Proficiency Levels
For hard skills, indicate your level of expertise (beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert). Always be
truthful - honesty builds trust with employers and clients.
Include Universal Hard Skills
Certain abilities, like computer literacy, communication, writing, or design software proficiency, are
widely valued across industries. Listing them reinforces your adaptability.
Add Soft Skills
Highlight transferable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and time management.
These are highly valued in both team-based and independent work environments.
Use the exact keywords mentioned in the job description
This not only makes your resume more relevant but also helps it pass through applicant tracking
systems (ATS). For freelancers on Taskers Hub, including certifications or licenses can further boost
credibility and client trust.
5. Build a Strong Professional History
Your work history is one of the most important parts of creating your resume. Always list your
experience in reverse-chronological order (most recent first) and include:
2. Integrate Keywords: Mirror the responsibilities and skills listed in the job description. Example:
“Achieved 250% of annual sales target, awarded Sales MVP two quarters in a row.”
3. Be Concise: Recruiters and clients often scan quickly, so keep each entry clear and
results-focused.
4. Choose Action Verbs: Words like developed, managed, improved, led showcase initiative and
impact.
If you’re just starting out, include internships, freelance projects, or volunteer work to demonstrate
relevant skills and achievements. On Taskers Hub, even short-term projects can strengthen your
portfolio and make your profile stand out.
6. Add an Education Section
When creating your resume, your education section plays an important role, especially if you’re a
recent graduate, new to freelancing, or shifting into a different industry. This section helps
demonstrate your foundation of knowledge and relevant achievements especially if your professional
history is still developing.
What to include:
1. Degree or Area of Study (e.g., B.A. in Marketing, Diploma in IT).
2. Institution Name and Dates of Attendance.
3. Relevant Coursework that applies to the role or project.
4. Leadership Roles in clubs, organizations, or student bodies.
5. Awards, Certifications, or Licenses that highlight your expertise.
For entry-level applicants, include more details (like coursework or academic achievements) to show
potential.
For mid-level or senior professionals, keep it concise — list only the school, degree, and dates, giving
more space to professional experience.
When creating your resume, you can make it stand out further by adding optional sections. This is
especially useful if you’re an entry-level candidate, a recent graduate, or someone with limited work
history. Optional sections help showcase personality, strengths, and achievements that go beyond
your main experience.
Consider including:
● Interests or Hobbies that align with your career goals (for example, blogging for a digital
marketer or coding side projects for a developer).
● Certifications & Training that strengthen credibility with clients or employers.
● Achievements & Awards that prove excellence in your field.
Just make sure whatever you add is relevant and adds value to your professional image. On Taskers
Hub, these extras can help you attract more opportunities when clients compare multiple freelancers.
8. Format Your Resume Professionally
Even the strongest content can get overlooked if it isn’t presented well. Proper formatting is a crucial
step in creating your resume, proper formatting improves readability, shows attention to detail, and
creates a professional first impression.
Key formatting tips:
Font Size
Keep body text between 10–12 points, with your name and section headings slightly larger (up to 14
points).
Font Style
Use a clean, easy-to-read typeface such as Arial or Helvetica. Avoid decorative fonts.
Margins
Set between 1 and 1.5 inches for balance.
Headings & Structure
Bold section titles for clarity, and use bullet points to make details easy to scan.
Consistency
Align dates, job titles, and bullet points for a polished look.
Tip: You can use a professional template or create a resume free download through online tools, then
upload it directly to your Taskers Hub profile. A well-formatted resume instantly increases your
chances of landing more projects.
9. Proofread Your Resume Carefully
The final step in creating your resume is making sure it’s error-free. Spelling, grammar, and
formatting mistakes can make even the strongest candidate appear unprofessional. To avoid this:
● Ask for feedback from friends, colleagues, or mentors who can spot issues you may miss.
● Keep it concise — remove filler words, combine overlapping sections, and focus only on
relevant details.
● Use resume tools or guides to structure your document properly.
● Read it backwards to catch typos from a fresh perspective.
For most roles, one page is ideal. However, for senior professionals or academic fields, a two-page
resume may be acceptable if the content remains focused and impactful.
10. Tailor Your Resume for Each Opportunity
When you are creating your resume online or preparing a new application, avoid sending the same
version to every role. Instead, adjust it so it speaks directly to the position:
Update Keywords
Match the language used in the job description, especially in the skills and experience sections.
Emphasize Relevant Experience
Highlight the projects or roles that best align with the employer’s or client’s needs.
Adapt Supporting Sections
For example, showcase certifications for a technical role, or leadership experiences for a managerial
role.
Tip: On Taskers Hub, tailoring your resume also means optimizing your profile for the right clients. By
aligning your experience with each opportunity, you demonstrate focus, professionalism, and a higher
chance of winning projects.
Creating Your Resume with Strong Action Verbs
The words you use on your resume shape how employers and clients see your value.
Repeating the same action verb (like “collaborate”) weakens your message and reduces impact.
Using varied synonyms such as cooperate, coordinate, partner, participate, associate, or work
together makes your experience clearer and more engaging.
Strong action verbs show that you:
● Work effectively within a team.
● Contribute meaningfully to projects.
● Deliver measurable results.
A resume written with variety, clarity, and precision stands out in a competitive market.
How to Write a Resume After a Career Change
Career changes are more common than ever, and your resume should clearly show how your skills
and experience translate into your new field. When creating your resume for a career switch, focus
less on past job titles and more on the transferable skills and achievements that prove you’re ready
for the new role.
Best Format for Career Changers:
The combination (hybrid) format is the most effective choice. It allows you to:
● Highlight transferable skills at the top.
● Showcase relevant accomplishments.
● Place less emphasis on unrelated work history.
Key Elements to Include:
● Comprehensive Skills Section: Focus on transferable abilities like leadership, communication,
project management, or technical expertise.
● Modified Work Experience: Instead of listing duties, highlight the skills gained from past roles
that apply directly to your new career.
● Resume Summary & Headline: A concise statement that frames your transition and
emphasizes why you’re the right fit.
● Certifications & Training: Include courses, workshops, or licenses that strengthen your
credibility in the new field.
● Include freelance work or volunteer projects that demonstrate relevant skills.
How to Adjust Your Resume if You Haven’t Worked in a Few Years
If you haven’t updated your resume in several years or if your current version no longer reflects your
situation, there are ways to refresh it and stay relevant. Gaps in employment are common, but how
you present them makes all the difference when creating your resume.
Tips to Refresh Your Resume After a Gap:
Address the Gap Honestly
Briefly explain your reason for time away from work. Whether due to caregiving, health, childcare, or
the pandemic, framing the experience professionally shows transparency and resilience.
Use a Functional or Skills-Based Format
Shift the focus to your skills, education, and strengths instead of your work timeline. This helps
reduce the emphasis on employment gaps.
Highlight Past Achievements
Showcase measurable accomplishments, certifications, and experiences from previous roles that
prove your value.
Include Self-Employment or Freelance Work
If you were working independently, emphasize the skills you developed, clients you supported, or
projects you delivered.
Show Transferable Skills
Even non-traditional experiences like volunteering, short-term projects, or community involvement
can demonstrate abilities that apply directly to the role you’re targeting.
Conclusion
Creating your resume is more than just listing your work history; it’s about presenting your skills,
achievements, and potential in a way that captures attention quickly.
By focusing on clarity, tailoring each section to the role and using strong action words, you can
transform your resume into a powerful tool that opens doors to new opportunities.
Whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time, updating after a career gap, or aiming to
advance your career, the right resume can make all the difference.
At the end of the day, your resume is your personal brand in action; it tells your story, builds trust, and
connects you to the right opportunities.
Ready to put your resume to work?
Join Taskers Hub today and create your professional profile in minutes. Showcase your skills, connect
with businesses and clients, and start landing projects that value your expertise.
