How to Write a Resume in English

Want to land your dream job, get an internship, or simply try working abroad? You can't do it without an English resume. It's not just a formality — it's your business card. One well-written CV can truly decide whether you get the interview or not. So let’s break it down step by step — how to write it clearly, concisely, and with impact. No boredom, no generic templates — just straight to the point, in your own style.

When you open Google and type “how to write a resume in English,” it feels like there are a million options. But in reality, there are just three main formats, each for a different situation. The key is not to mindlessly copy someone else's template but to understand what will work best for your goal.
🔸 Reverse-chronological — the most popular format. It's simple: you start with your most recent job and move backward. If you already have solid work experience and want to show career growth, this is your go-to.
🔸 Functional — great for those who have little experience but strong skills. This format focuses on what you can do, not where or for whom you've worked.
🔸 Combination — a mix of the two above. First come your key skills and achievements, followed by your work history. A universal choice if you're not a beginner but also not a top manager yet.
Whichever format you choose, remember: your resume isn’t just a form — it’s your chance to sell yourself to an employer. Pick a structure that clearly shows what you're capable of. And always tailor it to each specific job.

Now let’s get to the core. Each section of your resume is like a mini-introduction. The main thing — don’t just write “worked hard, tried my best” and don’t lie. Here’s what matters:
🔸 Summary / Objective — short and to the point: who you are, how you add value, and what you’re looking for.
🧠 Example: “Digital marketer with 2 years of experience, focused on social media advertising and conversion growth. Looking for a team where I can scale projects and keep learning.”
🔸 Work Experience — don’t just say “office manager,” explain what you did and the outcome. Use action verbs: managed, improved, launched, optimized.
📌 Example: “Launched new CRM system, reduced customer response time by 30%.”
🔸 Education — name of institution, city, dates, degree. If you graduated recently, you can mention honors or thesis topic.
🔸 Skills — skip the “responsibility and creativity” fluff. Be specific: Adobe Illustrator, SEO tools, Google Sheets advanced.
🔸 Languages — don’t write “English — yes.” Write: English — B2 (Upper-Intermediate), Spanish — A2. That’s it.
🔸 Additional — courses, internships, volunteer work. Just make sure it’s relevant.
And remember: a resume isn’t a school form — it’s a short pitch where you are the product.

Mistakes in your resume are like extra sauce on a burger: seems minor, but can ruin everything. Even if you have amazing experience and real skills, one poor “but” — and your resume goes to the trash. Here are the top mistakes to avoid:
🔻 Too much text. A resume is not an essay. No one will read 3 pages of your life story. One page is ideal — one and a half if you really need it.
🔻 Cliché phrases. “Responsible, stress-resistant, communicative” — HRs see these 100 times a day. It doesn’t make you special — it’s just noise.
🔻 Empty job titles. “Manager” could mean anything. Say what you actually did. Not “worked with clients,” but “managed support for 50+ clients, resolved requests within 24 hours.”
🔻 No numbers or facts. “Improved efficiency” sounds nice, but means nothing. “Reduced costs by 10% in 3 months” — that shows you deliver results.
🔻 Too creative. A resume in infographic format, with memes and colored fonts — save that for a design contest. In 90% of cases — it's an instant no.
🔻 Typos and mistakes. Even one error can leave the impression: “Did this person even check what they sent?” Proofread it 10 times, then once more — and run it through Grammarly or DeepL.
And remember: your resume is your chance. Make it so they want to meet you — not hit “delete.”

Here’s a sample resume that works well for jobs in Europe, especially if you’re aiming for the UK. No fluff — just the essentials. And of course, all in English, as it should be.
Name:
Oliver Bennett
Phone:
+44 7700 123456
Email:
oliver.bennett@email.com
Location:
London, United Kingdom
Summary:
Marketing specialist with 3+ years of experience in digital campaigns, brand development, and content strategy. Focused on data-driven decisions and creative storytelling that delivers results.
Work Experience:
Marketing Executive
BrightFox Digital, London — Feb 2022 – Present
— Developed and managed PPC campaigns with ROI over 300%
— Created SEO content strategies, increasing organic traffic by 50%
— Collaborated with design and dev teams for product launches
Junior Content Creator
Freelance — Jul 2020 – Jan 2022
— Wrote articles and blog posts for UK-based tech startups
— Managed LinkedIn content calendars for 3 clients
Education:
University of Westminster
BA in Media and Communication — 2017–2020
Skills:
Google Ads · Meta Business Suite · SEO · Copywriting · Figma · HubSpot
Languages:
English — Native
Spanish — B1
This kind of template is a great starting point. The key: don’t copy it word-for-word. Insert your own info. The resume should be about you, not someone from London.

Sending the same resume to all vacancies is like sending the same message to dates: the chance of hooking someone is minimal. Employers immediately see when a CV is made “for everyone.” Their task is to find a person specifically for their tasks, and not just a person “with experience.” Therefore, the key rule: each resume should be tailored to a specific vacancy. And this does not mean that you need to rewrite everything from scratch, just place the emphasis correctly.

Start with the Summary. If you are applying for a marketer position with an emphasis on advertising, indicate experience in this. If the vacancy is about content, focus on copywriting and SEO. No need to describe everything in a row, concentrate on what a specific employer is looking for.

Next - Work Experience. You can have five jobs, but only three are relevant for a specific position. Underline them, the rest can be shortened. In the description of responsibilities and achievements, use words from the vacancy itself. For example, if the job description includes “team leadership”, insert it into your experience: “Managed a small team of three, ensuring deadlines and quality delivery”. This creates a match, and HR immediately sees that you are suitable.

Don’t forget about Skills. Instead of a long list, leave only those skills that will really come in handy. Do you need Excel? Let it be first. Do they require knowledge of Figma? Emphasize it, even if you can use 10 other programs.

And the main life hack is that adaptation takes 10-15 minutes, but the effect is colossal. Instead of hundreds of useless responses, you will receive several, but exactly those that will lead to an interview.

Many people think: “Why do I need this letter if I have a resume?” In fact, a cover letter is your chance to add emotion and show that you are a real person, not just a set of dates and skills. In English-speaking countries, a cover letter is often read even before the resume itself.
The main rule: the letter should be short (up to one page) and targeted. Forget about the “Dear Sir/Madam” template — find out the name of the HR or recruiter and address them directly: “Dear Ms. Johnson”. This already gives +10 to attention.
The structure is simple:

1. Introduction — who you are and why you are writing. For example: “I am excited to apply for the position of Junior SEO Specialist at BeBest”.
2. The main part — 2–3 paragraphs, where you connect your experience with the requirements of the vacancy. Don’t rewrite your resume, but show logic: “During my internship, I developed keyword research strategies that increased traffic by 40%, which aligns perfectly with your company’s focus on content-driven growth.”
3. Final — gratitude and readiness for dialogue: “I would be happy to discuss how my skills can contribute to your team’s success.”

The trick of a cover letter is not “I want a job,” but “I’m right for you because I understand your goals.” If you make it sincere and without unnecessary fluff, this can be a decisive factor.

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