When to use this resume
Use this simple resume for most job applications, especially online ones. It uses a plain, single-column layout with standard headings, so applicant tracking systems (ATS) can read it. It also skips the graphics and tables that often confuse them.
It works best for people with up to about 10 to 15 years of experience who can fit everything on one page.
How to fill it out
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| Name and contact line | Your name, city and state, phone, email, and a LinkedIn or portfolio link. You don’t need your full street address. |
| Summary | Two or three sentences: your role, your experience, and your top strengths for this job. |
| Experience | Most recent job first. For each: title, company, location, dates, and three to five bullet points. |
| Education | Degree, school and year. Leave out the year if you prefer. |
| Skills | Tools, software, certifications and languages that match the job posting. |
Bullet formula: start with a verb, say what you did, and show the result with a number. For example, “Reduced order errors 30% by introducing a two-step packing check.”
Filled-in example
MORGAN LEE Columbus, OH | (614) 555-0182 | morgan.lee@email.com | linkedin.com/in/morganlee
Summary. Operations coordinator with 6 years of experience in warehouse and logistics teams. Known for cutting errors, training new staff, and keeping shipments on schedule.
Experience
Operations Coordinator, Buckeye Distribution, Columbus, OH, Mar 2022 to present
- Reduced order errors 30% by introducing a two-step packing check
- Trained 25 new hires on safety and inventory procedures
- Built a weekly shipping report used by three department managers
Inventory Associate, Midwest Supply Co., Dublin, OH, Jun 2019 to Feb 2022
- Ran cycle counts for 4,000+ SKUs with 99.2% accuracy
- Cut receiving time by 20% by reorganizing the dock layout
Education. A.A.S., Supply Chain Management, Columbus State Community College
Skills. Inventory management, NetSuite, Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP), forklift certified, bilingual English and Spanish
Common mistakes to avoid
- Listing duties instead of results. “Responsible for inventory” says less than “Ran cycle counts with 99.2% accuracy.”
- Fancy layouts. Columns, text boxes and graphics can scramble in an ATS.
- Including everything. Keep what’s relevant to the job you want, and drop the rest.
- One resume for every job. Adjust the summary and skills to match each posting.
- Typos. Read it aloud, or have someone else check it.
Frequently asked questions
Should my resume be one page?
For most people with under 10 years of experience, yes. Two pages is fine for longer careers when everything is relevant.
Do I need a photo on my resume?
No. In the US, photos are generally left off resumes to avoid bias concerns.
Should I include references?
No. “References available upon request” isn’t needed either. Prepare a separate references list to share when asked.
Word or PDF?
PDF keeps your formatting intact. Send Word only if the employer asks for it.