How to Make a Resume in Microsoft Word

Hey there! Looking for a job? A great resume is super important. You can use fancy online tools, but guess what? Microsoft Word still works wonders. It's easy to use and almost everyone has it. Let me show you how to make a resume in Microsoft Word.

Why Word?

So, why use Word to write your resume? Here's the deal:

• Easy to get to: You probably already have it on your computer.
• Make it your own: Word lets you change almost anything to make your resume look just right.
• Feels familiar: You probably already know how to use it.
• Templates ready: Word has resume templates to get you going fast.
• Total control: It's all you. Make it exactly as you like!

Let's Make a Resume!

Okay, here's how to make a resume that shines:

1. Pick a Template (or Start Fresh)

Word has tons of resume templates. Here's how to find them:

1. Open Word.
2. Click "File," then "New."
3. Type "resume" in the search box.
4. Check out the templates and pick one you like.
5. Want to go all out? Pick "Blank Document" and design your own.

Pro Tip: Think about the job. A fancy design might be good for some jobs, but not for others!

2. Add Your Contact Info

Your name, phone number, and email go at the top. Make it look good!

• Your Full Name: Pick a font that's easy to read.
• Phone Number: The one you actually answer.
• Email Address: Something professional. Like, [email protected].
• LinkedIn (Optional): If you have a good one, add the link!
• Address (Optional): City and state are fine. No need to give the whole address.

3. Summary or Objective?

This part tells the reader who you are. Choose a summary or an objective.

• Summary: If you've worked a lot, use a summary. Talk about what you're great at.
• Objective: Just starting out? An objective tells them what you want to do.

Summary Example: Marketing pro with 5+ years. I'm good at getting people to notice brands and making more money through social media.

Objective Example: Looking for an entry-level marketing job. I want to use my skills to help your company succeed!

4. Work History: The Good Stuff

Here's where you show off what you've done. Start with your latest job.

• Job Title: What you were called.
• Company Name: Spell it out.
• Dates: When you started and when you left.
• What You Did: Use bullet points. Show what you did and how you helped!

Example:

Marketing Manager | ABC Company | January 2018 – Now

• Made our website get 30% more visitors through better online marketing.
• Got 20% more people to follow us on social media.
• Created brochures, website stuff, and email campaigns.
• Led a team of 3 marketing people.

5. Your Schooling

List your degrees. Start with the most recent.

• Degree: Like, "Bachelor of Arts."
• Major: What you studied.
• School: The name of the college.
• When You Graduated: Month and year.
• GPA (Maybe): If it's good (over 3.5), add it!
• Cool Classes (Maybe): If you're new to the job world, list classes that matter.

Example:

Bachelor of Science in Marketing | University of California, Los Angeles | May 2020

6. Your Skills

What are you good at? Make a list. Both hard skills (like computer stuff) and soft skills (like working with people) are great.

Example:

• Hard Skills: Digital Marketing, Social Media, SEO, Content Marketing, Data Stuff, Microsoft Office, Adobe Stuff
• Soft Skills: Talking, Teamwork, Solving Problems, Leading, Managing Time, Thinking Well

7. Extra Stuff

Got anything else to show off? Add it here!

• Volunteer Work: Shows you care.
• Awards: Brag a little!
• Certifications: Proof you know your stuff.
• Projects: Show what you can do.
• Languages: Speak another language? Awesome!

8. Make It Look Good!

Your resume needs to be easy to read. Here’s how:

• Font: Pick something simple like Arial or Times New Roman. Size 10-12.
• Margins: One inch on all sides.
• Spacing: Keep it clean.
• Bullet Points: Easy to scan.
• Headings: Make them stand out.
• White Space: Don’t cram everything together.

Word can help! Use the "Styles" to keep your headings looking the same. Change spacing in the "Paragraph" settings. Add shapes and pictures (if they help!) with the "Insert" tab.

9. Check for Mistakes!

Read your resume carefully. Spelling mistakes are bad! Ask a friend to look it over, too.

10. Save It Right

Save as both a Word file (.docx) and a PDF (.pdf). Most people want a PDF. It makes sure your resume looks the same on their computer as it does on yours.

Resume Secrets

Here are some quick tips to remember when writing your resume:

• Change your resume for each job. Focus on what they want.
• Use the words from the job description.
• Show how you helped the company. Use numbers if you can!
• Keep it short! One page is best if you haven't worked for decades.
• Use strong action words. Like "managed" or "created."
• Always be honest.

Advanced Word Tricks

Want to make your Microsoft Word resume look even better?

• Use tables to line things up. Hide the table lines to make it look neat.
• Add boxes to make things stand out.
• Play with fonts, but not too much!
• Use color a little bit, but not too much!
• Make sure computers can still read it. Don’t use too many pictures.

Other Options?

How to make a resume in Microsoft Word is good to know, but you can also:

• Use an online resume builder. They have cool templates.
• Hire someone to write your resume for you. They know what looks good!
• Talk to a career counselor. They can help you with your job search.

The End!

You've got this! Knowing how to make a resume in Microsoft Word gives you control. Follow these tips and you'll have a resume that gets you noticed. Good luck with your job search! I'm rooting for you!