How to Write a Resume in Markdown | Guide & Free Example

Focus on the words. Keep the formatting simple.

Markdown is plain text with a few symbols for headings, emphasis, lists, and links. In the resume editor, those symbols become a formatted document you can preview and export.

Keep a master copy in your text editor or Git repository, then tailor it for each application. You can change the theme without rewriting the content.

The syntax essentials

Use these building blocks to create a clear hierarchy. Leave a blank line between paragraphs and sections.

Write this	Use it for
`# Alex Morgan`	Your nameOne main heading at the top.
`## Experience`	A section headingUse familiar labels like Skills and Education.
`Software Engineer`	Bold textHighlight a role, company, or skill category.
`Jan 2023 – Present`	Italic textAdd dates or supporting details.
`- Built accessible forms`	A bullet pointKeep each achievement easy to scan.
`[Portfolio](https://example.com)`	A clickable linkLink to a relevant project or profile.
`---`	A horizontal dividerOptional separation between sections.

1. Name & contact information

Start with your name as the main heading. Add your role, email, city or region, and relevant professional links. A full street address is usually unnecessary.

# Alex Morgan
Software Engineer
[email protected] · [Portfolio](https://example.com) · Vienna, Austria

2. Your professional summary

A summary is optional. Use two or three concise sentences when they help explain your background and fit for the role. Name relevant skills and the kind of work you have done.

## Summary

Software engineer building accessible web applications with TypeScript,
React, and PostgreSQL. Experienced in automated testing and API integration.

3. Work experience

List recent roles first. Make the job title, company, dates, and your contribution easy to identify. Start bullets with a clear action and explain the result or scope.

## Experience

**Software Engineer** · Example Studio
Vienna, Austria · *Jan 2023 – Present*

- Built keyboard-accessible account settings forms in React and TypeScript
- Added integration tests for payment webhook retries and duplicate events
- Documented deployment and rollback steps for the engineering team

Use numbers when you have a reliable measurement. If you do not, describe a concrete outcome: a failure prevented, a manual task automated, or a feature delivered.

4. Education

Include your qualification, institution, and dates. Recent graduates can add relevant coursework or an academic project; experienced applicants can usually keep this section shorter.

## Education

**B.Sc. Computer Science** · Example University
*2019 – 2023*

Include a grade or GPA when requested or useful in your application context. Mark an unfinished qualification with an expected graduation date.

5. Skills

Group relevant skills under clear labels. Keep the list selective and support the most important skills with examples in Experience or Projects.

## Skills

**Languages:** TypeScript, JavaScript, SQL
**Frontend:** React, HTML, CSS
**Backend and tools:** Node.js, PostgreSQL, Git, Playwright

For help choosing terms, read our software engineer resume keywords guide.

6. Projects

Projects can show skills your employment history does not cover. Label personal or academic work clearly, explain your contribution, and include a repository or demo when it is useful and shareable.

## Projects

**[Personal budgeting app](https://example.com)**
*React, TypeScript, PostgreSQL · Personal project*

- Built a transaction dashboard with category filters and CSV import
- Added validation for invalid dates and duplicate imported transactions

7. A small finishing touch: custom directives

The editor supports two optional extensions to standard Markdown. Use :accent[text] for emphasis in the theme’s accent color, and :muted[text] for secondary information.

:accent[Open to software engineering roles]

:muted[Personal project · Built alongside university coursework]

Make your resume easy to read and extract

A Markdown source file does not guarantee ATS compatibility. The exported layout, file format, application system, and content all matter.

Use familiar section names. Experience, Education, Skills, and Projects are easy to recognize.
Prefer a straightforward reading order. A single-column layout is a practical starting point. Copy text from your PDF to check its order.
Match terminology honestly. Use the posting’s names for tools and responsibilities when they describe your work accurately.
Follow the requested file format. If the employer requests a different format, use that rather than assuming a PDF is always accepted.
Keep the useful detail. Choose length based on relevant experience and application requirements; do not shrink text just to force one page.

Your complete starter resume

Copy this example or download the Markdown file, then replace the fictional details. If you already have a draft in the editor, save a separate copy before pasting over it.

# Alex Morgan
Software Engineer
[email protected] · [Portfolio](https://example.com) · Vienna, Austria

## Summary
Software engineer building accessible web applications with TypeScript,
React, and PostgreSQL. Experienced in automated testing and API integration.

## Experience
**Software Engineer** · Example Studio
Vienna, Austria · *Jan 2023 – Present*

- Built keyboard-accessible account settings forms in React and TypeScript
- Added integration tests for payment webhook retries and duplicate events
- Documented deployment and rollback steps for the engineering team

## Skills
**Languages:** TypeScript, JavaScript, SQL
**Frontend:** React, HTML, CSS
**Backend and tools:** Node.js, PostgreSQL, Git, Playwright

## Projects
**[Personal budgeting app](https://example.com)**
*React, TypeScript, PostgreSQL · Personal project*

- Built a transaction dashboard with category filters and CSV import
- Added validation for invalid dates and duplicate imported transactions

## Education
**B.Sc. Computer Science** · Example University
*2019 – 2023*

Download .md Open the editor

Review, export, and check one more time.

Open the editor and paste your Markdown.
Use a laptop or desktop for the side-by-side writing and preview experience.
Choose a theme.
There are 10 editor themes, including Crisp, Vivid, and Airy. Adjust the typography, colors, and spacing to suit your content.
Check page size and layout.
Select A4 or Letter to match your needs. Look for awkward page breaks, clipped lines, and overly small text.
Select Export PDF.
Wait for the download, then open the actual PDF. Check text selection, links, dates, contact information, and reading order.

YOUR NEXT STEP

Make the example your own.

Start with the essentials. Add the work only you can describe.

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