Resume Examples for 2026: Professional Examples and Tips

A strong resume example can make it easier to understand what a professional resume should look like and what information you should include. Instead of trying to create a resume from a blank page, you can use examples to see how different sections are organized and how experience, skills, and accomplishments can be presented.

However, copying a resume example word-for-word is not a good strategy. The best use of a resume example is to understand the structure and then create a resume based on your own background.

Resume expectations can also change over time, so it's important to use current formatting practices and focus on information that is relevant to the position you're applying for.

What Should a Professional Resume Look Like in 2026?

A professional resume should be easy to read, well organized, and focused on the qualifications that matter for the position. A typical resume may include:

You don't necessarily need every section. The sections you use should depend on your experience and the requirements of the job. A professional resume should also use consistent formatting throughout the document. Headings, dates, job titles, spacing, and bullet points should follow a clear pattern.

Example of a Professional Resume Structure

Here is a basic example of how a professional resume can be organized:

JORDAN WILLIAMS Atlanta, GA | 555-555-5555 | jordan.williams@email.com linkedin.com/in/jordanwilliams

Professional Summary

Customer service professional with experience supporting customers, resolving account issues, and maintaining accurate records. Skilled in communication, problem solving, and customer relationship management.

Professional Experience

Assist customers with account questions, product information, and service issues. Resolve customer problems while following company procedures. Maintain accurate customer records and document service interactions. Handle escalated customer concerns and coordinate solutions with internal departments.

• Customer Support Associate
• XYZ Company — Atlanta, GA
• 2019–2022

Responded to customer inquiries by phone, email, and online support channels. Processed account updates and service requests. Helped customers understand company products and services. Maintained accurate records and followed established customer service procedures. Skills Customer Service Problem Solving Communication Microsoft Office Customer Relationship Management Data Entry Education

• Bachelor of Business Administration
• Example University — Atlanta, GA

This example is intentionally simple. The actual content should be replaced with your own experience, skills, education, and accomplishments.

Resume Example for Someone With No Experience

A person applying for a first job may not have a long employment history. That doesn't mean the resume has to look empty. You can emphasize education, skills, volunteer experience, internships, projects, extracurricular activities, and other relevant experience.

For example:

JORDAN WILLIAMS Atlanta, GA | 555-555-5555 | jordan.williams@email.com

Professional Summary

Motivated recent graduate with strong communication, organization, and computer skills seeking an entry-level customer service position. Experienced in working with others through academic projects and volunteer activities.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Communications
• Example University — Atlanta, GA
• 2026

Relevant Experience

• Volunteer Assistant
• Community Food Center — Atlanta, GA
• 2025–2026

Assisted visitors with registration and general questions. Organized supplies and maintained an orderly work area. Worked with volunteers to complete daily activities. Academic Project

Community Outreach Project

Worked with a team to develop a communication plan for a community project. Conducted research and organized project information. Presented project findings to instructors and classmates. Skills Written Communication Verbal Communication Microsoft Office Organization Teamwork Customer Service

A first resume doesn't need to pretend that a person has years of professional experience. Instead, it should clearly present the useful experience and skills they actually have.

Resume Example for an Experienced Professional

An experienced professional can place greater emphasis on career accomplishments and relevant work history. For example:

MICHAEL JOHNSON Atlanta, GA | 555-555-5555 | michael.johnson@email.com

Professional Summary

Operations manager with more than 10 years of experience overseeing daily operations, improving processes, managing teams, and supporting business objectives. Experienced in workforce planning, process improvement, customer service, and performance management.

Professional Experience

• Operations Manager
• ABC Company — Atlanta, GA
• 2019–Present

Manage daily operations for a 35-person team. Develop workflow improvements to increase operational efficiency. Monitor performance metrics and identify opportunities for improvement. Train employees and provide ongoing performance support. Coordinate with department leaders to resolve operational issues.

• Assistant Operations Manager
• XYZ Company — Atlanta, GA
• 2015–2019

Supported daily operations and supervised a team of 15 employees. Helped implement new procedures designed to improve workflow. Prepared operational reports for management. Assisted with employee training and scheduling. Core Skills Operations Management Team Leadership Process Improvement Workforce Planning Performance Management Customer Service Education

• Bachelor of Business Administration
• Example University

The exact content should reflect the person's actual experience.

Resume Example for a Career Change

Career changers need to make the connection between their previous experience and their new career clear. For example, someone moving from retail management into office administration might emphasize skills such as scheduling, employee coordination, customer service, record keeping, and organization.

A resume could include:

Professional Summary

Organized professional with 8 years of experience managing employees, coordinating schedules, maintaining records, resolving customer issues, and supporting daily operations. Seeking to transition into an administrative position where strong organizational and communication skills can be applied.

• Transferable Skills
• Scheduling
• Team Coordination
• Customer Service
• Record Management
• Problem Solving
• Administrative Support

The important part is not simply saying that you're changing careers. Your resume should demonstrate why your existing experience is relevant to the new position.

Resume Example for an ATS-Friendly Format

A resume designed for online applications should generally use a straightforward structure. For example:

• YOUR NAME
• City, State | Phone | Email | LinkedIn

Professional Summary

Two or three sentences describing your experience, relevant skills, and professional focus.

Professional Experience

• Job Title — Company Name
• City, State | Dates

• Accomplishment or responsibility
• Accomplishment or responsibility
• Accomplishment or responsibility

• Previous Job Title — Previous Company
• City, State | Dates

• Degree — School Name
• City, State

This type of structure is straightforward and makes important information easy to locate.

How to Use Resume Examples Correctly

Resume examples should be used as references rather than templates that you copy completely. Look at an example and ask:

How is the information organized? What sections are included? How are job responsibilities presented? How are accomplishments described? How are skills displayed? How much information is included? How is the page formatted?

Then apply those ideas to your own background. Two people applying for the same position could use similar structures while having completely different resumes.

Don't Copy Someone Else's Resume

Copying phrases from another person's resume can result in a resume that doesn't accurately represent you. For example, an example resume might say:

Managed a team of 25 employees and increased productivity by 18%. You should not use that statement unless you actually managed 25 employees and achieved that result.

Instead, use the example to understand how accomplishments can be described. If you managed 10 employees and improved productivity by a different amount, use your actual information.

Your resume should always be truthful.

Use Numbers When They Strengthen Your Resume

Specific numbers can make accomplishments easier to understand. Instead of:

Managed customer accounts. You might be able to say:

Managed more than 100 customer accounts while maintaining accurate records and resolving service issues. Instead of:

Trained employees. You could say:

Trained 12 new employees on customer service procedures and company systems. Numbers can provide useful context, but don't invent statistics simply to make a resume appear stronger.

If you don't have meaningful numbers, describe the responsibility or accomplishment accurately without forcing a statistic into the bullet point.

Resume Design Trends to Consider in 2026

Modern resumes generally benefit from clean, professional formatting rather than excessive decoration. Some useful design principles include:

• Clear section headings
• Readable fonts
• Consistent spacing
• Professional typography
• Appropriate margins
• Simple layouts
• Limited use of color
• Easy-to-scan bullet points

A modern resume doesn't need to look like a graphic design project. In fact, a simple design may be preferable when applying through online systems because it keeps important information easy to identify.

Should You Include a Photo?

Whether a photo belongs on a resume depends on the country, industry, and specific application requirements. For many jobs in the United States, a professional resume generally does not require a photograph.

Unless an employer specifically requests one or there is a legitimate reason for including it, using the available space for relevant qualifications is often more useful.

Should You Use an Objective or Summary?

A professional summary can be useful for experienced candidates because it provides a quick overview of their background. A resume objective may be more appropriate in certain situations, such as an entry-level candidate explaining the type of position they are seeking.

Neither section should be filled with generic statements. Use the space to communicate information that helps explain your qualifications and career direction.

How Long Should a Resume Be?

There isn't one universal page requirement for every resume. A recent graduate with limited experience may only need one page. An experienced professional may need two or more pages to adequately present relevant experience.

The important thing is to include useful information without unnecessary repetition. Don't remove important accomplishments simply to force an experienced professional's resume onto one page.

Likewise, don't add irrelevant information just to make a short resume longer.

Check Your Resume for Common Problems

Before submitting your resume, review it carefully. Look for:

• Spelling mistakes
• Grammar errors
• Incorrect dates
• Inconsistent formatting
• Outdated contact information
• Long paragraphs
• Repeated information
• Unnecessary personal details
• Irrelevant experience
• Unsupported claims

Also make sure your resume matches the job you're applying for. A strong general resume can be a useful starting point, but tailoring it to each position can make your relevant qualifications easier to identify.

Consider Using AI to Improve Your Resume

AI tools can help with parts of the resume-writing process. For example, an AI resume tool can help you:

• Improve wording
• Rewrite weak bullet points
• Create a professional summary
• Identify relevant keywords
• Compare your resume with a job description
• Organize information
• Identify potential weaknesses

However, AI-generated information should always be reviewed. Don't allow an AI tool to add experience, skills, accomplishments, or qualifications that aren't true.

The final resume should accurately represent your professional background.

A Resume Example Is a Starting Point

A good resume example can show you what a professional document looks like, but there is no single format that works for everyone. Your resume should reflect your career level, industry, experience, skills, and the requirements of the job you're targeting.

Use examples to understand organization and presentation, then replace the example information with your own. Keep the design clean, make your most relevant qualifications easy to find, use specific accomplishments whenever possible, and tailor your content to the position.

The best resume isn't necessarily the one with the most impressive design. It's the one that clearly communicates why your experience and qualifications make you a strong candidate for the job.