Startup Resume Examples & Writing Guide for 2025

Writing a startup resume is different from applying to traditional companies—you're not just listing your job history, you're showing you can move fast, wear multiple hats, and thrive in chaos. 

In this guide, we'll show you how to build a startup resume that actually gets noticed. You'll find practical tips for highlighting your adaptability and results, real startup resume examples, and resume templates designed to showcase the skills startup founders care about most.

Co-Founder at The Agrocal Company CV Sample

Entrepreneur Resume Sample

Founder Resume Example

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Read on and learn all about:

• Resume summary and objective for your startup resume
• Including top skills in your startup resume
• Writing a compelling work experience section
• Using powerful action verbs to make your startup resume standout
• Listing your education in an impactful way
• Highlighting relevant projects in a dedicated “Projects” section
• Boosting your prospects with an 'Awards and achievements' section
• Formatting your resume properly
• Startup resources for job seekers
• Understanding the differences between a resume and cover letter
• Average salary and job outlook for business & financial professions

Looking for more samples? Find inspiration among 1,700+ resume samples belonging to real people who got hired with the help of Kickresume.

Startup resume example

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Why does this startup resume work?

• Demonstrates entrepreneurial ownership: Emma shows she can build from scratch—launching partnerships at CRED, pioneering ad-sales monetization, and managing P&L. This proves she takes initiative and drives revenue, not just executes tasks.
• Quantified business impact: Concrete metrics like "5Mn+ reach," "2L Mastercard additions in 4 weeks," and "increased SOV from 8 to 20% in 4 months" prove she delivers measurable results that drive growth.
• Cross-functional experience: Managing YouTube, marketing, design, partnerships, and ad sales shows she can wear multiple hats—exactly what lean startup teams need.

What could be improved?

• Professional summary is too long: The opening reads like a cover letter with generic phrases. Replace with a punchy 2-3 lines: "Growth marketer with 5+ years driving user acquisition at startups. Led partnerships generating 30Cr+ CB at CRED and scaled K12 channels at Unacademy."
• Resume is too long for startups: Two full pages with roles dating back to 2013 feels corporate. Cut older merchandising jobs (2013-2015), remove high school, and focus on the last 5 years of digital marketing and growth experience. (You will see the full two-page resume once you click on the resume above.)
• Skills section lacks specificity: "Marketing" and "E-commerce" are vague. List actual tools—Google Analytics, SQL, CRM platforms, growth hacking tools. Also missing: AI tools, automation platforms, or modern marketing tech that shows she's current.

Founder resume example

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Why does this founder resume work?

• Strong founder credibility with awards: Three major startup awards (Global Startup Award, Entrepreneur of the Year, Economic Times Award) validate Peter's success and provide third-party credibility that he can build and scale companies.
• Clear growth trajectory: "Led company growth from concept to multimillion dollar enterprise in just 2 years" shows rapid execution—exactly what investors and startup hiring managers want to see.
• Founder experience covers full scope: Mentioning market research, finance, operations, marketing, team recruitment, and investor relations proves he understands all aspects of building a business, not just one function.

What could be improved?

• Profile uses corporate buzzword language: "Dynamic and results-oriented" and "demonstrated history of success" sound generic. Start with impact: "Founder who scaled fintech startup from zero to multimillion-dollar revenue in 2 years, winning 3 major industry awards."
• Missing specific metrics and traction: No mention of revenue numbers, user growth, funding raised, team size, or customer acquisition. Add concrete numbers like "$5M ARR," "50K active users," or "raised $2M seed round" to prove real traction.
• Interpersonal skills section adds no value: Listing "Creativity" and "Good Team Player" without context is filler. Replace with a section on technical skills (programming languages, tools, platforms) or notable achievements like speaking engagements, media features, or advisory roles that strengthen his founder brand.

CEO resume example

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Why does this CEO resume work?

• Concrete revenue growth metrics: Erich shows clear traction—"$0 to $5M revenue in 3 years with 70% annual growth"—which proves he can build and scale a profitable business, not just run operations.
• Founder with hands-on operational experience: Covering business strategy, hiring, investor relations, and Board management demonstrates he handles both high-level vision and day-to-day execution that startups require.
• Strong academic performance signals capability: Graduating in the top 5% with a 3.98 GPA from a business program, plus leading the Entrepreneurship Society, shows discipline and leadership before founding his company.

What could be improved?

• Profile is filled with generic CEO language: Phrases like "dynamic" and "track record of driving results" waste space. Lead with the win: "Founder & CEO who scaled tech startup from $0 to $5M revenue in 3 years with 70% YoY growth."
• Strategic leadership certification buried on page two: The Strategic Organizational Leadership credential is easy to miss at the bottom (you'll find it on the full resume when you click the sample and scroll down). Move it higher or mention it in the profile to show continued professional development.
• Could easily fit on one page: With high school details, generic interpersonal skills, and a lengthy profile, this resume stretches unnecessarily. Cut the high school section, remove the interpersonal skills list, tighten the profile, and condense to one strong page—startups prefer concise resumes that respect their time.

1. Choose between a resume summary or objective for your startup resume

In the world of startups, the top lines of your resume play an even more critical role than in traditional corporate settings. 

While corporate recruitment mainly focuses on necessary skills, startups usually hunt for the full package — skill set, experience, personality, drive, and boldness to embrace the startup roller-coaster ride. 

This short text is your first and best chance at convincing them you bring all this and more. 

Now, you can choose to craft either a resume summary or resume objective — but which is right for you?

A resume summary is ideal when you have significant experience in the industry or role you're applying for. Imagine it as your 'elevator pitch' to potential employers, a quick snapshot of your relevant skills, achievements, and career background. 

A resume objective works best for those with limited professional experience or making career changes. It focuses less on past work and more on your current career goals and dedication to applying your set of transferable skills to the intended role.

Let's have a look at some examples...

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2. Include the best hard and soft skills for your startup resume

When it comes to your startup resume, selecting the perfect combination of hard and soft skills is crucial for standing out in the competitive startup landscape.

Hard skills showcase your technical expertise, industry knowledge, and proficiency in specific tools or technologies.

Soft skills demonstrate your interpersonal abilities, adaptability, and leadership qualities.

Striking the right balance between the two can paint a holistic picture of your capabilities and potential. So, whether it's coding wizardry, data analysis, exceptional communication, or a knack for problem-solving, carefully curate your skill set to align with the demands of the startup world.

3. Write a compelling work experience section

The work experience section of your startup resume is your chance to showcase your accomplishments, demonstrate your impact, and highlight the value you can bring to a startup environment.

Here's a short video guide on how to write the work experience section, in case you're more of a visual learner:

It's not just about listing job titles and responsibilities; it's about telling a compelling story of how you've made a difference in previous roles.

In the work experience section, remember to include:

• Results you've achieved
• Challenges you've overcome
• Quantifiable achievements (e.g., revenue growth, cost savings, or user engagement metrics) 
• Action verbs (these are verbs like developed, implemented, or executed, which bring a level of confidence to your resume)
• Powerful adjectives 

By painting a holistic picture of your experience and emphasizing your entrepreneurial mindset, you'll make your startup resume shine and prove that you're the ideal candidate to help a startup achieve its ambitious goals.

Business Development Manager Resume Example

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Hired by:

Amazon

Senior Engagement Manager Resume Sample

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Hired by:

DocuSign

CEO Resume Example

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4. Use action verbs to make your startup resume standout

Startup resumes need to hit fast and hard. Hiring managers at fast-growing companies skim resumes in seconds, so every word counts. Action verbs make your accomplishments sound direct, active, and results-driven.

Skip the "I" and "have"

• Don't write: "I generated new leads through cold calling and email campaigns."
• Write: "Generated 200+ qualified leads through targeted cold calling and email campaigns."

Pronouns like "I" and filler phrases like "I have" waste space. Resumes are about you—so drop the "I" and start with the action.

The same goes for phrases like "Responsible for" or "Duties included." Startups want to see what you accomplished, not just what you were assigned to do.

Where to use action verbs

Use action verbs throughout your resume:

• Professional summary: "Scaled SaaS startup from 10 to 100 customers in 8 months."
• Work experience: "Launched email campaign that increased conversions by 35%."
• Education section: "Led university startup incubator with 50+ participants."
• Skills or achievements: "Automated onboarding process, reducing setup time by 60%."

Match verbs to the job ad

Job descriptions tell you what the company values. If the posting says they want someone who can "scale operations," "optimize workflows," or "drive growth," use those exact verbs in your resume where relevant.

Many startups use ATS (applicant tracking systems) that scan for keywords. Using the same action verbs from the job ad helps you get through the initial screen and shows you're speaking their language.

Here are some powerful action verbs for your startup resume, along with example sentences:

Final tip: Make sure to mix up the verbs you use to keep your resume fresh. Tailor each one to your specific achievements and results to show how you’ve made a real impact.

5. Showcase your education in an impactful way

When it comes to listing education on your startup resume, it's important to highlight relevant academic achievements that showcase your knowledge and skills.

While startups often prioritize practical experience and a proactive mindset, education still holds value and can be an asset in demonstrating your foundation in a particular field.

Include your highest level of education, such as your degree, university name, and graduation year. If you have any academic honors, such as Dean's List or scholarships, be sure to mention them.

Additionally, highlight any coursework or projects that are directly relevant to the startup industry or the position you're applying for. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

While education may not be the sole determining factor for success in a startup, it can still contribute to your overall profile and showcase your dedication to personal and professional growth.

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6. Highlight relevant projects in a dedicated “Projects” section 

A 'Projects' section not only provides concrete examples of your technical skills, it also showcases your ability to initiate, execute, and successfully complete tasks — a must-have attribute in the world of startups. 

In short, it allows you to tell your story in a way that a list of job roles may not. 

Relevancy is key — pick projects closely related to the role you're applying for. 

If you're applying for a technical role, examples of coding projects, product designs, or data analysis would be relevant. You can even include your GitHub on a resume.

If it's a creative/marketing role, you might want to include designs, marketing campaigns, content creation, etc. 

The secret is to tie these projects back to the key responsibilities and required skills of the job you're applying for. 

Each project should provide the following information: 

• The goal/task of the project
• The tools or technologies you used
• The outcome of the project. If you can, quantifying the impact of your role (e.g., "increased web traffic by 30%") will make your resume more compelling. 
• Respective links

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7. Boost your prospects with an 'Awards and achievements' section

Adding an awards and achievements section is a great way to easily showcase your excellence. 

Here's why: It's one thing to say you're good at what you do and entirely another to show that recognized organizations have recognized your ability. 

See, some people like to say whatever they want on a resume, without it actually being the truth. However, if you have tangible proof of your excellence, you're providing tangible proof of your skills, resilience, and high performance — qualities every startup craves.

For a tech job, coding competition or tech innovation awards will allow you to flaunt your skills. For a marketing job, successful campaigns or writing competition wins echo your creativity and impact. 

What to list in your "Awards and achievements" section?

• The award or achievement name
• Who awarded it (eg., name of institution)
• The year you earned it
• Description of the purpose of the award / what you did to earn it

8. Nail the presentation with a stellar format and design

You've got the content, now it's time to make it shine. 

Here's the thing — your resume's format isn’t just about creating a visual treat. It's about ensuring that the right information gets noticed and remembered. 

It aids readability, helps emphasize your strongest points, and ultimately makes your application more effective.

For a startup resume, go with:

• Combination resume format. As the name suggests, it combines both chronological and functional resume formats. By highlighting your skills at the beginning, you draw attention to your abilities right off the bat. Follow this up with a chronological listing of your work experience to cement your credentials and gives weight to your listed skills. 
• Color scheme. Choose a professional color scheme that matches the tone of the startup (it adds a nice touch). Vibrant startups might appreciate a splash of color, while more conservative ones may prefer a traditional black & white resume.
• Template. If you choose one of our Kickresume templates, we suggest Ladder or Red. These templates have a great visual separation of chapters and offer many color combinations. Red is particularly suited for making your skills section pop.

If you can't be bothered with formatting, our resume builder takes care of it for you, plus it gives your letter a stunning design. 

Find out your resume score!

Our AI Resume checker can scan your resume for issues and give you tips on how you can improve it.

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9. Understand the differences between a resume and a cover letter

While both resumes and cover letters play a crucial role in your job application, they each serve different functions and should be approached accordingly. 

A resume provides a concise summary of your educational background, work history, and skills. It is typically more factual and direct, focusing on your qualifications and experiences.Resumes require specific formatting, typically with bullet points under each section.

A cover letter, on the other hand, is your opportunity to tell your professional story. It provides context for your resume, enabling you to delve into specific experiences and explain how they’ve prepared you for the potential role.

Cover letters can (and should) be tailored to each specific job application, showing how you are a fit for this particular role and the company.

While they have distinct purposes, both your resume and cover letter should weave together to present a comprehensive picture of your professional persona. Creating synergy between the two is your ticket to catching the hiring manager's attention.

10. Average salary and job outlook for business & financial professions

For those considering a career path in business and financial professions, the forecast is encouraging. Based on the most recent data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects overall employment in this sector to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032.

This robust growth means that job opportunities in this industry abound. An estimated 911,400 openings are projected annually on average in these fields.

Financial rewards in this profession are also relatively high. As of May 2022, the median annual wage in business and financial occupations reached $76,850. This salary is considerably higher than the median annual wage for all occupations, which stood at $46,310. 

With a healthy job outlook and attractive salary, business and startup professionals certainly hold a lot of promise for aspirants in the coming years.

11. Startup resources for job seekers

Startups present unique opportunities and challenges. Therefore, equipping yourself with the right tools and resources can give your startup job hunt a competitive edge. Here's a list of useful resources to aid your startup job search:

• AngelList: This is a top platform for startups, where they post job listings frequently. It offers in-depth information about potential employers. 
• Startupers: An exclusive job board for startup opportunities. It's an easy-to-use platform with diverse job listings.
• CrunchBoard: This is the official job board of TechCrunch, a leading technology media platform. It's rich with tech-oriented startup job listings.
• LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn to network with startup founders and employees, and to discover new job opportunities.
• VentureLoop: VentureLoop works with venture capital firms to list portfolio job postings. It's an insider resource for job seekers interested in startup careers.
• Learn: It's important to continuously upgrade your skills and knowledge. Websites such as Coursera can help with obtaining relevant skills sought by startups.
• Startup networking events and meetups: Attending industry-specific startup events, seminars, or meetups can provide fantastic networking opportunities. These get-togethers, often listed on platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup, allow you to connect face-to-face with startup founders and like-minded professionals, gain insights about the industry, and possibly even meet your future employer!

Remember, the startup world can offer a dynamic and challenging work environment, fostering accelerated learning and growth. These resources will put you in the driver's seat when hunting for startup jobs.

Key takeaways: Startup resume

To sum everything up, here's how you turn youn average resume into one that scores you a job in an exciting start-up in 8 steps:

• Write either a compelling resume summary or objective, depending on your experience level for the specific role.
• Include the best hard and soft skills for your startup resume.
• Make your startup resume shine with a compelling work experience section.
• Use powerful action verbs to make your resume standout.
• Showcase your education in an impactful way by highlighting relevant coursework and projects.
• Highlight relevant projects in a dedicated "Projects" section and include the URLs.
• Boost your prospects with an "Awards and achievements" section to provide tangible proof of your skills.
• Nail the presentation with a combination resume format and a design that matches the start-up energy.

It’s always beneficial to take advantage of various resources. These may include job listing websites specifically catered to startup positions, networking events focused on the startup community, and educational materials to improve skills relevant to startup culture.