Applystead guides
How to write a resume and cover letter: guides with examples
A strong resume makes your relevant evidence easy to find: the right format, a focused summary, specific accomplishment bullets and skills you can prove. These guides cover each part, with original examples you can adapt rather than copy.
If you are starting from scratch, begin with how to write a resume and the resume format guide. If you already have a resume, the tailoring, keyword and ATS guides show how to adapt it to each job without overstating anything.
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How to write a resume: a step-by-step guide with examples
Write a resume step by step: pick a target role, choose sections, write accomplishment bullets, tailor each version and check the file. With examples.
Resume format: chronological, functional or hybrid (and how to lay it out)
Pick the right resume format for your history, see section order for three sample profiles, and follow clear rules for margins, fonts, dates and file type.
Resume summary examples: 12 samples by role, plus a simple formula
Resume summary examples for 12 roles and career stages, a four-part formula to write your own, summary vs. objective advice, and when to leave it off.
All 21 guides on resumes and cover letters
How to write a resume: a step-by-step guide with examples
Write a resume step by step: pick a target role, choose sections, write accomplishment bullets, tailor each version and check the file. With examples.
Resume format: chronological, functional or hybrid (and how to lay it out)
Pick the right resume format for your history, see section order for three sample profiles, and follow clear rules for margins, fonts, dates and file type.
Resume summary examples: 12 samples by role, plus a simple formula
Resume summary examples for 12 roles and career stages, a four-part formula to write your own, summary vs. objective advice, and when to leave it off.
Skills for a resume: what to list, examples by field, and how to prove them
Choose the right skills for a resume from the job posting, see skills lists for 10 fields, learn where to put them, and prove each one with a strong bullet.
Resume action verbs: 180+ strong verbs by skill, with before-and-after bullets
Resume action verbs grouped by skill, from leadership to finance, plus weak phrases to replace, tense rules and before-and-after bullets for many jobs.
How to tailor your resume to a job description (step by step)
How to tailor your resume to a job description: map requirements to real evidence, reorder, rewrite bullets and use keywords truthfully. Worked example.
Resume keywords: how to find and use them truthfully
Find resume keywords in a job description, map each one to real evidence, and place them in your summary, skills and bullets without stuffing or copying.
How to make an ATS-friendly resume (without the score myths)
Make an ATS-friendly resume with a simple layout, standard headings, real text and the right file type, plus a plain-text test you can run before applying.
How long should a resume be? One page vs. two pages, by experience level
How long should a resume be? One-page and two-page rules by experience level, what to cut first, and the exceptions for federal resumes and academic CVs.
Resume templates: how to choose a clean layout that works
How to choose resume templates that software can read and people can skim: four proven layouts described in words, template mistakes, and how to adapt one.
Free resume builder: what to check before you use one
Before you use a free resume builder, check for download paywalls, watermarks, data handling and clean exports. Then build a resume for free, step by step.
How to write a resume with no experience (with examples)
Write a resume with no experience using projects, coursework, volunteering and informal work, with a sample outline, bullet examples and honest labels.
How to explain an employment gap on your resume (with examples)
How to handle an employment gap on your resume: when to list it, honest wording for common reasons, plus cover letter lines and interview scripts.
How to write a career change resume (with examples and an outline)
Write a career change resume hiring managers understand: choose a format, lead with transferable skills, add training and projects, and rewrite old bullets.
How to write a cover letter that gives a clear reason to interview you
How to write a cover letter step by step: format, what to say in each paragraph, a full original example, common mistakes, and how to submit it correctly.
Cover letter examples: 7 short letters for common job situations
Seven complete cover letter examples for entry-level, no experience, career change, return to work, referral, internal move and experienced hires, with notes.
CV vs resume: the differences and when to use each
CV vs resume explained: how they differ, when U.S. employers want a CV, what “CV” means abroad, example structures and how to convert one into the other.
LinkedIn profile tips: headline, About section and more (with examples)
Practical LinkedIn profile tips: headline formulas and examples, About section samples, experience entries, skills, photo basics and Open to Work settings.
LinkedIn headline examples for every field and career stage
LinkedIn headline examples for students, career changers, job seekers and experienced pros, plus four formulas, keyword tips and mistakes to avoid.
ChatGPT cover letter prompt: copy-ready prompts that keep your facts true
Copy-ready ChatGPT cover letter prompts: paste the job and your resume, get a draft built only from your facts, then fact-check it and make it sound like you.
ChatGPT and Claude prompts to tailor your resume without inventing anything
Copy-ready ChatGPT and Claude prompts to tailor your resume to a job description: map requirements, rewrite bullets in the employer's terms, invent nothing.
Research
Research
Ghost job statistics 2026: how long job listings stay open
How long job listings stay open: the share of open listings on major applicant tracking systems live for more than 30, 60 and 90 days, with data downloads.
Research
Job market report 2026: open jobs by platform, work location and role
How many jobs are open, how many are remote, which applicant tracking systems host them and US openings by role family, from the Applystead job catalog.
More guides by topic
Job search
Step-by-step job search guides: where to find openings, how to apply online, how long to hear back, how to message recruiters and when to follow up.
Interviews
Interview guides with sample answers: tell me about yourself, strengths and weaknesses, behavioral questions, STAR, phone and video interviews and follow-up.
Salary and job offers
Guides to salary expectations, negotiating pay, evaluating a job offer, accepting or declining it by email and asking for a raise, with scripts and templates.
Career advice
Career advice guides: choosing a career, setting career goals, changing careers, quitting a job professionally, resignation letters and life after a layoff.