How to make a resume hiring managers will love (+ format and templates)

If you’re looking for a job in the Philippines, expect tough competition: more than 60% of working-age people in the country are employed or looking for work. Your resume is one of the most powerful tools you have to compete against others and attract hiring managers.  

Here’s how to make a resume that boosts your chances of landing a job interview.  

• How important is a resume? 
• What are the qualities of a good resume? 
• Common resume formats and how to choose the right one 
• What are the five basic parts of a resume? 
• 7 steps to making a resume 
• 6 tips for making a resume for first job applications 
• Let’s get started 
• FAQs 

How important is a resume? 

Think of your resume as a snapshot of your career path, from the moment you entered university (or high school, for some). It’s like a profile for your future employers to read and assess.  

But hiring managers see a huge number of resumes every day. Plus, 75% of companies reject resumes. Some may be too lengthy or too short, or they might contain irrelevant information. So, how do you make a resume that stands out from the competition? 

What are the qualities of a good resume? 

First off, learn how to make your resume application stand out. A good professional resume has the following qualities: 

• Relevant. Your resume should emphasize the skills, experiences, and qualifications relevant to the job description of the role you’re applying for.   
• Concise. Some companies only want to have a single page of information, especially if you’re a fresh graduate. If you’ve been working for five years or more, or your experiences fill up two pages, you may no longer need to include your educational background (unless the job description asks for it or your educational qualifications are exceptional). 
• Logical. A viral video stands out in its first three seconds. For a resume, the hook lies in the heading and your most recent achievements. So when selling yourself, ask: “What is my edge over the other candidates? What will make me stand out more?” The answers to those questions are the ones that open the document.  
• Honest. It is tempting to stretch the truth, especially if you’re applying for your dream job. But companies now do more than just the call with a reference. They do background checks both online and offline, and they can see not just your personality, but your capabilities too. Show the value of integrity from the get-go.  

If you need help getting started, we have professional resume templates for you. 

(Also read: 32 Keywords and Phrases You Can Use for the Best Resume) 

Common resume formats and how to choose the right one 

There are several ways to structure your resume. This usually depends on how much experience you have. The three most commonly used resume formats are: 

1. Chronological resume 

List your work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent job. A chronological resume format is ideal for professionals with a consistent career history and those applying for jobs in traditional industries. 

Best for: Experienced professionals with a steady career progression 

Highlights: Work history, promotions, and industry experience 

Example structure: 

• Professional Summary 
• Work Experience (from most to least recent) 
• Education 
• Skills 

2. Functional resume 

Use a functional resume format if you want to focus on skills and qualifications rather than work experience. This is ideal for career changers, fresh graduates, or individuals with employment gaps. 

Best for: Job seekers with limited experience or transitioning to a new industry 

Highlights: Skills and competencies over job history 

Example structure: 

• Resume Summary or Career Objective 
• Skills and Achievements 
• Professional Experience (optional or brief) 
• Education section 

You might want to consider the STAR method to demonstrate your expertise: explain the Situation and your Task, the Action you took, and the Result you achieved. 

3. Combination (hybrid) resume 

To blend elements of both chronological and functional formats, use the combination resume, also known as a hybrid format. This format highlights relevant skills first, but also includes a detailed work experience section. 

Best for: Professionals with strong skills and relevant work experience 

Highlights: Both skills and career history 

Example structure: 

• Resume Summary 
• Skills and Competencies 
• Work Experience (detailed) 
• Education 

Choosing the right resume format 

How do you know which resume format to choose? Here’s a general guide: 

• If you have a strong work history, go for a chronological resume. 
• If you want to highlight transferable skills, use a functional resume. 
• If you need to balance both relevant experience and skills, choose a combination resume. 

By selecting the right resume format, you can make your strongest qualifications stand out to potential employers. Start by selecting a resume template that matches your chosen format. 

What are the 5 basic parts of a resume?  

Now that you know the importance of writing a good resume, how do you get started? If you have a document or resume template on hand, great – time to clean it up. But if this is your first time, do not fret.  

Start creating your resume by breaking it down into five parts: 

(Also read: The 8 items you should take off your resume right now) 

1. Heading 

The heading should contain your personal information and contact details: full name, address, contact numbers, and email address. Make this part stand out by using a good font choice or a catchy color, as shown in this professional resume template.  

Resume Heading: 

Jane P. Valdez 

9A DEF Tower, GHI Building, Marikina CityPhone: (02) 8882 – XXXX 

Mobile: (+632) 0916 – XXXX 

Email: [email protected] 

2. Career Objective 

Think of this section as your mission statement. It must answer the question on the hiring manager’s mind: “Why do you want to be here? What do you want for your career, and what impact will this have on our organization?” Therefore, it is best to align your career objective with the company’s mission and the role’s expectations.  

However, if you are a recent graduate or an entry-level professional, you can simply state that you are looking for career growth or are interested in a specific position. 

Career Objective in Resume: 

Seeking an entry-level position in the Hotel and Restaurant industry with a focus on restaurant service and management.  

3. Employment History 

Much like the highlights of a basketball season or an awards show, this portion is the clincher. If your career spans 10 or more years, describe the impact you’ve made in each of your past roles. Think results, not just responsibilities.  

For fresh graduates, you can feature your extracurricular activities, internship opportunities, volunteer work, and projects. When writing your history, stick to two to three bullet points that detail your duties and key achievements for each position.  

Sample Employment History: 

Server 

JKL Restaurant, Pasig City 

• In charge of manning the coffee station, serving and bussing tables, and taking reservations at the hostess desk.  
• Worked closely with the Restaurant Manager to ensure ample inventory and balanced cash float 
• Created a system that organized cash float balances and is currently a Best Practice across its three branches.  

4. Educational Background 

If you’re a long-time professional, you can omit this part unless you have a master’s or doctoral degree to spotlight. You can instead change this section to Training, or  Relevant Coursework, where you can feature the professional development seminars you’ve attended.  

On the other hand, if you’re a fresh grad, you can outline your educational history here, including key qualifications and significant achievements (e.g., awards). 

School Background: 

2010 - 2014 De La Salle College of St Benilde 

Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management - Hospitality Management Track 

Magna Cum Laude 

Training Programs: 

Personal Development, John Robert Powers 

5. Professional Qualifications and Skills 

Aside from the qualifications you need for the position you are applying for, you need transferable hard and soft skills. In a global survey of employers, those in Asia-Pacific said the top five skills they value are teamwork, communication, problem-solving, active learning, and ethics and social responsibility. 

You can break this section into two. First, you can list down the technical skills that are apparent for the job that you are applying for. The second are general, transferable ones, such as interpersonal skills and analytical skills.  

Adept in: 

• The basics of restaurant service 
• HACCP-certified 
• Manages customer service aspects, like hostessing 
• Operates restaurant management programs 
• Fluent in English, Tagalog, and basic Mandarin  

Transferable Skills: 

• Can execute several projects at a time 
• Capable of problem solving on the ground 
• Is a great team player and can jibe with different personalities 
• Self-sufficient and requires little to no supervision 
• Adaptable in all types of environments  

7 steps to making a resume 

To create an effective resume, you need attention to detail. Follow these simple steps to craft a professional resume that highlights your skills and experiences: 

Step 1: Choose the right format 

Select a resume template or format that best suits your level of experience. The most common formats are chronological (listing experience from most recent to oldest), functional (focusing on relevant skills rather than job history), and a combination of both. 

Step 2: Start with a strong header 

Include your full name, professional email address, phone number, and location. Ensure your contact information is up-to-date. 

Step 3: Write a compelling summary or objective 

If you have relevant experience, use a professional summary that highlights key achievements. If you're a fresh graduate, write a career objective that outlines your career goals. 

Step 4: Detail your work experience 

List past and current jobs. Include your job title, company name, location, and employment dates, followed by bullet points of key accomplishments and responsibilities. 

Step 5: Include your educational background 

Mention your degree, school name, and graduation year. If you’re a recent graduate, include relevant coursework and any honors you've earned. 

Step 6: Highlight your skills 

Add soft skills that align with the job you're applying for. List down certifications, languages, and specialized training. Remember to include professional skills as well, such as proficiency in word processing software like Google Docs or design tools like Canva. 

Step 7: Proofread and optimize for keywords 

Check for typos and grammatical errors. Also, include keywords from the job description to help your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). 

6 tips for making a resume for first job applications 

Creating a resume for your first job can be challenging, but you can still craft a compelling document that impresses hiring managers.  

Keep these resume tips in mind when creating a resume for your first job: 

1. Use a professional email address. For example, [email protected] instead of [email protected]. 

2. Write a compelling career objective and make use of powerful words and phrases. Since you may not have much work experience, use this section to demonstrate your career motivation and enthusiasm for the job.  

Example: 

"Motivated and detail-oriented graduate with a strong passion for customer service. Seeking an entry-level role in the hospitality industry to apply my interpersonal and problem-solving skills." 

3. Make up for your lack of experience by including internships, volunteer experience, and part-time jobs. You can work on passion projects and freelance gigs for freshers and students, too. 

4. Beef up your qualifications by getting industry-related training. Try completing online courses, workshops, or certifications relevant to the job you’re applying for. Examples include digital marketing, coding, and customer service training. 

5. Emphasize transferable skills. Employers value soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. List the most relevant skills you’ve developed through school projects, clubs, or extracurricular activities. 

Example: 

Strong communication and public speaking skills 

Excellent teamwork and collaboration abilities 

Quick learner with strong problem-solving skills 

6. Keep it concise and error-free. Stick to one page, use a clear layout, and proofread your resume for grammar or formatting mistakes. For a start, try out JobStreet’s free resume templates. 

Let’s get started! 

To increase credibility in the eyes of hiring managers, you can opt to list character references in your resume. Choose credible people in your company or in your life who can vouch for you.  

For instance, fresh graduates could have professors, counselors, and their boss from the company where they interned as viable candidates. It would be even better if you could select professionals from the same field for bonus points.  

Answering the question “how to make a resume” does not have to be difficult. It's a great starting point for making your resume stand out, especially if you're a first-time job-seeker. Focus on these five essentials, along with a compelling cover letter. We wish you good luck in your job search!  

It’s time to kickstart your career so #LetsGetToWork! But before anything else, make sure you take a look at our comprehensive Career Tools to ensure you get the help you need as you try to land your dream job.  

Before you forget, update your resume prior to uploading it on your profile, then search jobs on our website or download the Jobstreet app on the App Store or Google Play.  

Visit our Career Resources Hub for more expert advice on developing a rewarding career. 

FAQs 

1. What is the most important part of a resume? 

The work experience section is the most important part of your resume. But recruiters also look at the heading (it’s the first thing they see, after all), as well as your key skills and qualifications. If a particular educational achievement is important for the job, that would be considered a crucial section too. Keep these sections relevant and well-structured. 

2. What are the steps in making a resume? 

To create an effective professional resume, follow these steps: 

• Choose the right format 
• Start with a strong header 
• Write a compelling summary or objective 
• Detail your work experience 
• Include your educational background 
• Highlight your most valuable skills 
• Proofread and optimize for keywords 

3. What should I put on my resume if I have no work experience? 

Focus on your education, internships, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. In the skills section, emphasize not only hard skills but also transferable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. Highlight any certifications or relevant coursework, as well as proficiency in software like Google Docs. 

4. What is the best resume format to use? 

The chronological format is best for those with work experience, while the functional format is ideal for career changers or fresh graduates. A combination (hybrid) format works well if you want to showcase both relevant skills and experience. 

5. How do I make my resume stand out in the hiring process? 

Use a professional layout, strong action words, and quantifiable professional accomplishments. Include relevant keywords to optimize your resume for recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Tailoring your resume to each job description also increases your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers. 

6. Can I still make a great resume even if I have employment gaps? 

Choose a resume format that effectively highlights your professional achievements and relevant skills, and which can provide a brief explanation for your employment gaps. Consider using either a functional curriculum vitae or a combination (hybrid) format.