What is a resume? meaning, spelling and what it's for.
A resume is the short document you send to employers to show your work history, skills and education. Here is what the word means, how to spell it, and what a resume needs to do.
A resume is a one- or two-page summary of your work experience, education and skills, written to show an employer you can do a specific job. The word comes from the French résumé, meaning summary. In US English 'resume', 'résumé' and 'resumé' are all used; pick one spelling and use it consistently. In many other countries a similar document is called a CV.
Illustrative examples to adapt
Illustrative: every name, employer, school, date and number in these samples is fictional or a bracketed placeholder. Replace each bracket with your own true details; never copy a result you did not achieve.
The parts of a resume
When to use: Building your first one.
[Your name] [City, State] · [phone] · [email] SUMMARY [Two lines: who you are and what you do best] EXPERIENCE [Job title], [Employer] | [dates] - [What you did and the result] EDUCATION [Degree or diploma], [School] | [Year] SKILLS [Skills and tools you have used]
Spelling choices
When to use: Writing about your resume in emails or forms.
resume: common in US job postings and forms résumé: traditional spelling with both accents resumé: also seen, with one accent CV: the usual term in the UK, Europe and academia
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Every sample on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Resume vs CV vs cover letter
| Document | What it is | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Resume | Tailored summary of experience for one kind of job | One or two pages |
| CV | Full record of a career; academic in the US | Often longer |
| Cover letter | Short letter explaining your fit for one job | One page |
| Application form | Employer's own questions and history | As requested |
The same line, rewritten
Illustrative example with placeholders.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | A 'resume' that lists every job ever held, with no summary and no results. |
| Strong | A resume that opens with a target title and summary, then shows recent relevant experience as results. |
Why it matters: A resume is a selection, not a complete history. Its purpose is to make the case for one kind of job.
Mistakes to avoid
- Confusing a resume with a full work history.
- Mixing spellings in one document.
- Using the same resume for unrelated jobs without tailoring.
- Writing 'Resume' as the document's title instead of your name.
Build yours
Questions people ask
How do you spell resume?
What is the purpose of a resume?
Is a resume the same as a CV?
What should a resume include?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. Advice is labelled as advice. Every sample uses a fictional person marked '(illustrative)' or a 'Your name' placeholder, and every employer, school, date and result is a bracketed placeholder for your own true details.
- What a specific employer screens for: always read the posting.
- Your results: we never invent numbers, and you should never copy a result you did not achieve.
- Outcomes: no resume, letter or program can promise an interview or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 2, 2026.