Ask a Resume Writer: I’m Stuck! How Do I Start Writing My Resume?

Writing your resume isn’t easy. Much of your job search’s success is riding on this one document, and the pressure can keep even the most motivated and disciplined job seeker from just getting started.

Fortunately, there are ways to overcome writer’s block so you can cross writing your resume off your to-do list and get one step closer to your next great job. Read on to get expert advice from Freddie Rohner, a Certified Master Resume Writer at iHire, on how to start writing a resume.

How to Get Started on a Resume

“Your first step should be to create a simple outline for your resume. At the very least, your resume should include your contact information, a target job title, a summary paragraph, and individual sections for your skills, experience, and education,” said Rohner.

Don’t worry about filling in all these sections right away, either. By mapping them out on paper with blank space in between each one, you’ll have a clearer picture of what your resume will ultimately look like and can start tackling the content one section at a time. (Check out the three resume samples here for further guidance.)

“Once your outline is in place, start with the easy sections. Fill in your contact information and the basics about your experience, like company names, job titles, and dates, and educational credentials. These details don’t take much thought at all but can help you gain some momentum if you just feel stuck,” Rohner added.

What to Put in the Experience Section of a Resume

Now that you have your outline, start writing the experience section of your resume. Typically, this includes a short summary of your day-to-day duties followed by a bulleted list of your key achievements for each position.

“Your career history is the meat of your resume, and arguably the hardest part to write. But once you get that down, you can come up with your skills section and summary paragraph more easily because your experience is fresh in your mind,” said Rohner.

If you get writer’s block when trying to decide what to put in the experience section of your resume, do some research.

“Find job descriptions or job ads for roles similar to yours for inspiration on what to write for your day-to-day duties,” Rohner advised. “Job ads are also great sources for the keywords you should use in your resume. For achievements, consider anything you’re proud of accomplishing, look back at old performance reviews, or ask a trusted colleague to help jog your memory.”

As you put together your resume’s experience section, write freely and edit later.

“Just aim to get anything you can think of down on paper,” continued Rohner. “With your complete career history in front of you, you can quickly decide what to include and what to remove based on the types of positions you’re applying for and how much space you have.”

Taking a break, going for a walk, writing about something else, reading, switching up your workspace, and grabbing a snack are all good ways to overcome writer’s block as well (for your resume or otherwise).

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Save Time With AI, Resume Builders & Resume Templates

You also don’t have to start from scratch.

“Resume builders and templates can be immensely helpful if you don’t have a resume or the one you have needs a complete overhaul,” Rohner said. “Just be sure that you’re using tools and resources that follow today’s best practices for resume writing. Unfortunately, there are generic templates out there that still include objective statements, ‘References Available Upon Request,’ and other dated strategies.”

iHire’s Resume Builder uses templates that are modern, ATS-friendly, and designed for different career paths. It also leverages AI to recommend industry-specific content for your summary, skills, and accomplishments based on your target job title, and prompts you to personalize those recommendations so your resume is accurate and unique to you.

“If you use resume builders, templates, or AI tools to create your resume, review and edit it carefully to ensure you’re not misrepresenting your skills or experience,” Rohner concluded. “These resources are great for getting a resume started, but you’re the true expert on your own career.”

Get more inspiration for your resume in our Job Seeker Resource Center, take our Resume Builder for a spin, or check out our professional resume writing services if you’d like our team to write yours for you.