How Long Does It Take to Make a Resume? Insights Tips

Did you know the average job posting attracts over 250 resumes? Standing out in that sea of applications often starts with a crucial question: how long does it take to make a resume that truly shines? For some, it’s an afternoon of focused effort; for others, it’s a week of revisions and second-guessing every word.

The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your experience level, job target, and even the tools you use can significantly influence the time investment. In this guide, we’ll explore not only how long it takes to create a resume but also how you can streamline the process without sacrificing quality—so you can spend less time drafting and more time applying.

When crafting your resume, every section matters—from your work experience to formatting details. If you’re unsure how to enhance specific sections, this guide on key elements to include on your resume in 2025 provides valuable tips to make your resume stand out in today’s competitive job market.

How Long Does It Take to Write a Resume?

The answer to this depends on several factors, including your career stage, job requirements, and approach. While some can complete a resume in a few hours, others might need days to craft the perfect document. Let’s break it down with real data and insights.

What the Stats Say

• Most job seekers spend between 3 and 8 hours creating a resume from scratch.
• For those with more extensive experience, the process can extend up to 10-20 hours, especially if customization for specific roles is involved.
• 63% of hiring managers value resumes tailored to the job description, which adds time to the process.
• Tech professionals spend 20% more time on resumes to ensure inclusion of technical jargon and tools
• Using a professional resume builder, like Weekday’s tool, can cut this time by 70%, particularly for those leveraging LinkedIn profile imports.

Time Estimates by Career Stage

• Entry-Level Candidates: 1-3 hours
• Mid-Career Professionals: 5–10 hours.
• Senior Executives: 10–20+ hours

What Contributes to the Time?

• Research: Reviewing job descriptions to tailor your resume can take 1-2 hours.
• Drafting Content: Writing impactful bullet points and summaries adds another 2-6 hours, depending on experience.
• Formatting and Design: Ensuring a professional look can take 1-2 hours, unless you’re using a ready-made template.

Factors That Affect Resume-Writing Time

The time it takes to craft a resume can vary significantly based on a range of factors. Understanding these influences can help you plan better and avoid unnecessary delays.

1. Depth of Professional Experience

• Less Experience, Less Time: Entry-level job seekers usually spend less time because they have fewer details to include.
• More Experience, More Time: Mid-career professionals and senior executives often take longer due to the need to summarize complex roles and achievements.

For example a new graduate may only need an hour or two to complete a resume, while an executive might require several days to ensure all accomplishments are effectively highlighted.

2. Number of Customizations

Tailoring your resume to align with different job descriptions is a game-changer. However, it also extends the time spent:

• Customization involves aligning your skills and experience with each job's requirements.
• Impact: If you’re applying to multiple roles, this process can add several hours.

Tailoring your resume to include the most relevant job history saves time while ensuring quality. If you’re unsure how much experience to include, this guide on how much work experience to include on your resume can help.

Tip: Creating a master resume that includes all your experience can speed up customization by letting you copy and adapt relevant sections.

3. Industry-Specific Demands

Different industries have distinct expectations for resumes:

• Tech & Healthcare: Requires more detail, such as technical proficiencies or certifications.
• Creative Roles: Often demand design-heavy resumes, which take longer to format.
• General Roles: Easier to structure, often taking less time.

If the job market values language skills in your target industry, showcasing your multilingual abilities can make all the difference. Learn how to include languages on your resume and highlight this valuable skill effectively.

4. Availability of Tools

Your choice of tools can significantly affect how quickly you finish:

• Basic Word Processing Software: Requires manual formatting, which can be time-intensive.
• Professional Tools: Platforms like Weekday’s Resume Builder streamline the process, especially if you import data directly from LinkedIn.

Tools that automate formatting and design can cut your time by more than half.

5. Level of Detail in Job Descriptions

The clarity of the job description can directly influence resume-writing time:

• Specific Job Postings: Clear, detailed job descriptions make it easier to match your qualifications, saving time.
• Vague Postings: Ambiguous listings may require extra effort to tailor your resume appropriately.

The additional information section is often overlooked but can give your resume an edge. Learn what to include in the additional information section of your resume to make a stronger impact.

Pro Tip: When job postings are unclear, research the company or similar roles to better understand the expectations.

6. Your Personal Approach

Your work style plays a role too:

• Perfectionists: Tend to spend longer, revisiting sections multiple times to refine every word.
• Pragmatic Writers: Focus on key information and move on quickly, often completing resumes faster.

Efficient Resume Creation Strategies

Writing a resume doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. With the right strategies, you can create a professional, impactful resume without spending endless hours. Let’s look at practical tips to speed up the process while ensuring quality.

1. Start with a Master Resume

A master resume is your all-in-one document containing every job, skill, and achievement you’ve accumulated. It acts as a resource for tailoring applications, saving you the time of recalling and rewriting details for each job.

How it Helps:

• Speeds up customization for specific roles.
• Reduces the chance of forgetting important accomplishments.

2. Use Job Descriptions as a Blueprint

Job postings are more than just listings—they’re guides. Analyze the job description to identify keywords and required skills, then incorporate those into your resume.

Pro Tip: Highlight achievements and experiences that align directly with the job’s requirements to boost relevance.

3. Focus on Key Sections First

Recruiters spend an average of 6–7 seconds scanning a resume initially, according to a study by Ladders. Concentrate on sections that capture attention:

• Contact Information: Clear and concise.
• Professional Summary: A 3–4 line snapshot of your qualifications.
• Experience: Use quantifiable results to make an impact.

4. Take Advantage of Online Tools

Tools like Weekday’s Resume Builder simplify resume writing by automating tedious steps like formatting and section organization. You can even import your LinkedIn data to populate key sections in minutes.

5. Break the Process into Manageable Chunks

Resume writing can feel overwhelming if you tackle it all at once. Instead, break it into smaller, focused tasks:

• Day 1: Collect and organize your career details.
• Day 2: Write or update key sections like experience and skills.
• Day 3: Finalize formatting and proofread.

How it Helps:

• Keeps you focused and prevents burnout.
• Ensures attention to detail without feeling rushed.

6. Edit and Proofread Efficiently

Proofreading doesn’t have to be an endless cycle. Use a checklist:

• Are there typos or grammatical errors?
• Does the resume align with the job description?
• Is the formatting consistent throughout?

Customizing resumes isn’t just about content—it’s about presentation. Should you bold key terms to catch the recruiter’s eye? This quick guide on bolding keywords in your resume explains when it’s worth doing.

Pro Tip: Tools like Grammarly can speed up proofreading, ensuring accuracy.

Weekday’s Resume Builder – Your Shortcut to a Great Resume

Even with all these strategies, the process of creating a polished resume can still feel daunting. That’s where Weekday’s Resume Builder steps in to save the day. Designed with efficiency and effectiveness in mind, this tool ensures you spend less time formatting and more time focusing on what truly matters—your achievements.

Key Features That Save Time

LinkedIn Integration:

• Import your LinkedIn profile to prefill key sections like work experience, education, and skills.
• Saves up to 30 minutes of manual entry.

User-Friendly Customization:

• Tailor sections to highlight specific skills and achievements.
• Adjust layouts effortlessly to align with industry standards.

ATS-Optimized Templates:

• Choose from professionally designed templates built to pass applicant tracking systems.
• Removes the guesswork from formatting, ensuring your resume reaches recruiters.

With most companies using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), ensuring your resume is formatted to optimize for AI is critical. Follow this guide on formatting your resume for AI screening to improve your chances of getting noticed.

Why Choose Weekday?

• Faster Results: Users report completing their resumes 70% faster compared to starting from scratch.
• Professional Edge: The clean, polished designs give your resume a standout appearance.
• Beginner-Friendly: Intuitive design means anyone can create a professional resume, regardless of experience.

Streamlined Process

With Weekday’s Resume Builder, you can go from a blank page to a job-ready resume in minutes:

• Enter your LinkedIn URL.
• Customize prefilled sections.
• Download your completed resume in a professional format.

Also Read: When and How to Include GPA on Your Resume

In Last Words

Crafting a resume is both an art and a science, balancing the need for speed with the demand for quality. From understanding how long it takes to write a resume to recognizing the factors that influence your process, every step plays a vital role in landing your dream job. By applying efficient strategies, leveraging online tools, and focusing on what truly matters, you can create a resume that stands out without wasting precious hours.

Ready to save time and create a resume that gets noticed? Try Weekday’s Resume Builder today and take the first step toward your next career opportunity.