How To Make A Resume On Word: The Step-by-Step Guide

Updated 22 August 2022

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An essential step in the job-seeking process is creating your resume, as it gives a detailed insight into your educational qualifications, work experiences, training and skills. A well-written and powerful resume can present you with excellent career opportunities. Microsoft Word is one of the most efficient tools that can help you create a polished and presentable resume, as it offers a variety of impactful layouts and styles. In this article, we review the step-by-step process of how to make a resume on Word.

How To Make A Resume On Word?

Here is a step-by-step guide for how to make a resume on Word using the various templates available:

1. Add a header

The header is the primary element that the recruiter sees when they receive your resume. It includes your contact information, alongside your first name, last name, email address and phone number. Write these in a clear, easily readable font and font size, with adequate spacing between the various elements.

2. Write the title

The title establishes your desired or current position, the one for which you are applying to the company. This is optional and helpful if you are applying within the same industry. This element is especially useful for people who are looking for a promotion in their existing line of work.

3. State your objective

The objective is a summary statement of your relevant skills and current position or past work experiences. If you have very little work experience, you can mention your career goals. Make sure the objective statement briefly conveys your best qualities and willingness to work with the recruiter.

4. Add your work experience

Regardless of the template you choose for your resume, add your work history in this section in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest job position. Make sure each work experience includes your job title, company name, achievements and employment date range. You can also add your internship experiences.

5. Mention your educational qualifications

In this section, you list all your degrees or relevant professional certifications. Mention the name of the institution from where you completed your graduation, along with the year you completed the course. You can also add your academic scores in percentage or CGPA values.

6. Add your key skills and certificates

It is essential to highlight and emphasise your additional co-curricular skills and abilities that apply to the job profile. These can set your profile apart from similar applicants and help the recruiter understand why you can be the best candidate for that specific position. You can also mention any proficiencies in related technology or equipment.

7. Note your hobbies and interests

In this section, you can mention your interests, hobbies, languages you speak or any volunteer work you have taken up in the past. You can choose to mention this depending on the available space, as this is an optional element. Avoid mentioning too many extra-curricular activities or hobbies, as it may shift the focus away from your professional and academic achievements.

Types Of Templates To Make A Resume On Word

Microsoft Word offers a wide variety of free resume templates. Most of the resumes fall into one of the following categories.

Chronological

Chronological resumes are one of the most common and traditional formats. They display and organise work history and experience in reverse-chronological order. You can place the most recent position is at the top of the resume, followed by educational qualifications, skills and interests. These templates are professional looking and easy to create.

A chronological template is suitable for application to traditional companies like financial firms, government agencies, educational institutions and non-profits. It is a good fit for individuals with extensive job experience, as it exhibits the individual's career growth and progression. This template is not advisable for people with less extensive job experiences, multiple gaps or job changes.

Functional

Functional resumes highlight the candidate's experience, skills and achievements, rather than their job history. This format is typically suitable for individuals with less or no work experience. This resume format also works for individuals with job gaps, who are changing careers or who are rejoining the workforce. When you use this format, employers can assess your skills at the top of the page and base their decision to keep reading on whether those skills align with the position they are hiring to fill.

Combination

Combination resumes offer maximum flexibility in terms of customisation. This allows you to combine your work history with relevant skills and interests. It allows highlighting work history, skills and achievements in whichever order the individual prefers. Combination resumes are suitable for individuals applying for a job that requires a specific set of skills.

Tips For Creating A Good Resume

After filling in all the information, it is imperative to personalise the resume according to the specific requirement of the position for which you are applying. The following tips can help:

Keep it simple and concise

The layouts in MS Word are designed by professionals with the intention of making it easy to read. The hiring committees or recruiters often skim the resumes and then take an in-depth review of the shortlisted candidates. To showcase and prove your competence, it is necessary to remove out-of-date or irrelevant information from your resume. Ideally, it is good to keep the total length of your resume less than two pages.

Add your professional name to the file

Submitting your resume with the file name, 'Resume.doc' or a complicated acronym is the most generic action that you can take. Resumes with a professional file name instantly create a positive impression in the recruiters' minds. Rename your file with your full name or with the initial of your first name, followed by your last name.

Proofread the resume for grammatical or spelling errors

Making grammatical or spelling errors is a very basic mistake and it does not make a very good impression on the recruiters. Check for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes before submitting your final resume. It is always a good idea to ask a colleague or friend to go through your resume once.

Save it as a PDF file

After finalising your resume, save it in PDF format. It protects your document from any formatting and ensures that you display the font and designs as is. Saving it as a Word document makes it prone to changing fonts, especially if you have chosen customised fonts, as every computer has a different version of Word installed.

Benefits Of Creating A Resume Template On MS Word

Here are the benefits of making a resume on MS Word:

Availability of templates

MS Word offers a wide range of free resume templates. You can choose any that suits your needs and preferences. This saves you from designing a template on your own and gives you pre-designed templates where you are just required to fill in your information.

Polished and professional layouts

Resume templates and layouts in MS Word are designed by professionals, considering professional requirements and recruiter psychology in most industries. Using an existing layout helps in presenting your data in a precise and error-free manner. These layouts make your resume look polished and make it look professional.

Sample Resume Created On MS Word

Here is a sample resume created on Word:

Arjun Gupta
42/27, Gurudwara Road, Indl Area, Dilshad Garden, Delhi 110095 · +91 01122118258
arjun.gupta@examplemail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/arjun-gupta

Objective
Immensely motivated finance student seeking a job as an accounts executive at your esteemed organisation. Highly skilled and experienced at generating and analysing financial reports, leading cash flow analysis and refining tax plans.

Experience

Jan 2020 – Present
Jr. Accounts Executive, FinBiz Solutions

Collect, interpret, and review financial information
Predict financial trends
Produce reports for management and stakeholders

May 2019 - Jan 2020

Accounting Internship, Zelton Industries

Daily report preparation
Target analysis and adjudication
Department meeting initiations.

Education

April 2017-2018
MA in economics, JP University
Batch Topper (Gold Medallist and Rank 1), JP University.
CGPA 9.4/10

May 2014-2016
BSc in mathematics, Paramount University
Batch Topper (Silver Medallist and Rank 2), Paramount University
CGPA 98%

Skills

Analytical
Negotiation skills
Ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships
Communication skills

Other Activities

Along with being a finance enthusiast, I am an avid reader and enjoy occasional mountaineering. I am Level 2 trained and certified in German and Level 4 in Spanish. I am a certified Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM).

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