Your resume isn’t just a list of jobs you’ve had. It’s your career story—and it needs to show who you really are.

The purpose of a resume is to show your skills, work history, and education. But here’s what most people miss: the best resumes don’t just list what you’ve done. They show how your unique strengths make you the right fit for the job.

That’s where personality comes in. Knowing your strengths and work style helps you create a resume that truly reflects you. No more generic templates that make you sound like everyone else.

Key takeaways

Why a resume matters more than ever

Hiring managers spend about 6 seconds scanning your resume. In those few seconds, they’re not just looking at your job titles. They’re trying to answer one question: “Will this person succeed in this role?”

Your personality traits give big hints about your future success. These include how you solve problems, lead teams, and manage stress. But most resumes completely ignore this gold mine of information.

Resume vs CV vs bio-data: What’s the difference?

Before we dive deeper, let’s clear up some confusion on the definition of a resume, CV, and a bio-data.

Resume: 1-2 pages focused on relevant skills and experience for a specific job. Used in most industries in the US.

CV (Curriculum Vitae): Longer document (2+ pages) that includes everything—publications, research, conferences. Mainly used in academia and research.

Bio-data: Personal information format used in some countries. Includes family background and personal details.

For most job searches, you’ll use a resume. Keep it focused and relevant.

Resume types & formats: Pick what works for you

There are three main resume formats. Your choice depends on your career story:

Reverse-chronological format

Best for: People with steady work history in the same field

  • Lists jobs from most recent to oldest
  • Shows clear career growth
  • Most popular with hiring managers

Functional format

Best for: Career changers or people with employment gaps

  • Focuses on skills instead of job timeline
  • Groups achievements by skill type
  • Less popular with some employers

Combination format

Best for: People with strong skills AND solid work history

  • Shows both skills and work timeline
  • Can get long if you’re not careful
  • Good for mid-career professionals

The key is picking the resume structure that tells your story best. Use our Career Paths tool to discover which careers match your personality, then choose the resume format that works best for those specific roles.

What to include in your resume

What should a resume include?

These are the core parts of a resume:

Contact information

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Professional email address
  • LinkedIn profile (if updated)
  • City and state (no need for full address)

Work experience

  • Job title and company name
  • Employment dates
  • 2-4 bullet points highlighting achievements
  • Use numbers when possible (“Increased sales by 25%”)

Education & certifications

  • Degree type and school name
  • Graduation year (or expected date)
  • Relevant certifications or training
  • Skip GPA unless it’s impressive (3.5+)

Skills section

List both hard skills (like software) and soft skills (like leadership). The secret is to not just list random skills. Pick ones that match your personality strengths and the job requirements.

These resume sections are what you typically think of when you hear the word “resume.”

How to tailor your resume for each job

Universal template resumes get ignored in 2025. Here’s how to write a resume that’s customized for specific careers:

Step 1: Analyze the job description

Look for:

  • Required skills and qualifications
  • Repeated keywords and phrases
  • Company values and culture clues
  • Specific achievements they want

Step 2: Match your experience

  • Use similar keywords in your resume
  • Highlight relevant achievements
  • Show how your experience solves their problems
  • Reorder bullet points to prioritize relevant ones

Step 3: Show you’re the right fit

Don’t just list what you did. Show the impact. Instead of “Managed social media accounts,” try “Grew Instagram following by 40% in 6 months, leading to 15% increase in website traffic.”

This method takes some extra time at first. But these resume tips help you stand out and land interviews for jobs where you can truly succeed.

How personality insights improve your resume

This is where most job seekers miss a huge opportunity. Your personality assessment shows your natural strengths. These strengths are what employers look for on a resume.

Understanding your work style

When you know whether you’re naturally detail-oriented or big-picture focused, you can:

  • Choose examples that show your natural talents
  • Use language that reflects how you actually work
  • Apply for roles where you’ll naturally excel

Highlighting your superpowers

Your personality profile shows your standout strengths. Maybe you’re naturally good at:

  • Building relationships and networking
  • Solving complex problems under pressure
  • Leading teams through change
  • Creating systems and processes

Stop treating these like bonus points. They’re what set you apart.

Why resume builders save time

Building a resume from scratch is frustrating. You’re staring at a blank page, wondering what to write and how to format everything.

Our resume builder solves this problem by combining your personality insights with smart technology:

Personalized templates that fit you

You won’t get universal templates. Instead, you’ll receive formats that fit your career goals.

Smart content suggestions

Based on your personality assessment, the builder suggests:

  • Skills to highlight for your target roles
  • Achievement examples that show your strengths
  • Keywords that match your ideal job descriptions

Easy customization & professional formatting

Save different versions of your resume and quickly customize them for each job. No more starting from scratch every time. Plus, everything formats automatically—no wrestling with margins or fonts.

Time to write a resume that actually sounds like you

Your resume should tell your career story in a way that’s authentic to who you are. When you know your personality strengths and use them wisely, you end up in careers that make you jump out of bed in the morning.

Begin with your personality assessment to find your career strengths. Then, use those insights to craft a resume that truly stands out in 2025.

The companies that need your exact blend of talents are out there—help them find you.

FAQ

What is the purpose of a resume when applying for a job?

The purpose of a resume is to show your skills, experience, and personality strengths to employers. It’s your first chance to prove you’re right for the job. A good resume gets you interviews by showing how you can help the company succeed.

How is a resume different from a CV?

A resume is 1-2 pages and focuses on experience for one specific job. A CV is much longer. It includes your complete work and school history, plus research and publications. In the US, most jobs want a resume. CVs are intended mainly for academic and research jobs.

What are the most important sections of a resume?

The most important parts of a resume are contact info, work experience, education, and skills. Your work experience should show achievements with real numbers. Your skills section should match your personality strengths with what the job needs.

What should a resume look like in 2025?

A modern resume should be clean and easy to scan. Tailor it for each job you apply to. The resume format should highlight your strengths. Your resume should highlight your true work style and personality traits. Avoid using generic job descriptions.

What do hiring managers look for in a resume?

Hiring managers want to see relevant experience and real achievements. They look for signs that you’ll do well in the role. They want to see how your natural strengths solve their problems. A good resume structure helps them find information with ease.

What is the best format for a resume?

The best resume format depends on your career story. Use reverse-chronological if you have steady career growth. Use functional format if you’re changing careers. Use combination format if you have strong skills and good work history. Pick the resume layout that shows your personality strengths best.

What is a resume used for in a job application?

Employers use a resume to screen candidates and pick who gets interviews. It gives employers a quick look at your qualifications. It helps them decide if you’re worth their time. Your resume should clearly show how your experience and personality fit what they need.

How to write a resume with no experience?

Focus on transferable skills, volunteer work, internships, and school projects. Highlight personality strengths that employers want, like problem-solving or teamwork. Look at resume examples from your field. You can show your potential, even if you have little experience. Achievements and natural talents can help you stand out.

What are resume writing basics for beginners?

Start with a clear resume structure: contact info, work experience, education, and skills. Keep your resume length to 1-2 pages max. Use action verbs and include numbers when you can. Tailor each resume to match the job, as this is crucial for success. Let your personality strengths shine through.

What are common resume mistakes to avoid?

Don’t use generic templates that make you sound like everyone else. Don’t just list job duties. List achievements instead. Don’t include irrelevant information or make your resume too long. Skip the objective statement. Use that space for relevant experience instead. Remember, the resume meaning goes beyond listing jobs. It should tell your career story in a genuine manner.