# Creating your first resume (https://docs.hireway.dev/docs/documents/creating-your-first-resume)

This guide takes you from an empty account to a first resume you can download. It takes a few minutes. If you already have a resume as a PDF, Word or JSON file, you can [import it](/docs/documents/importing-resumes) instead of starting blank.

## Before you start [#before-you-start]

You need a Hireway account. If you don't have one yet, see [Creating an account](/docs/account/creating-an-account). Sign in at [hireway.dev](https://hireway.dev), or at your own address if you host Hireway yourself.

## Start a blank resume [#start-a-blank-resume]

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Documents">
    After you sign in, you land on **Documents**, the page that lists all your resumes and cover letters. On your first visit it's empty and offers three ways to begin.

    <Frame caption="Documents on your first visit">
      <img src="/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/documents-first-visit.webp" alt="The empty Documents page with the heading Let's start with what you have, a Choose a file button, and Start blank and Try a sample links" />
    </Frame>

  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Start blank">
    Select **Start blank**. You can also select **New** in the sidebar (or press <kbd>N</kbd>) and choose **Start blank** in the **New document** dialog.

    <Frame caption="The New document dialog">
      <img src="/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/new-document-dialog.webp" alt="The New document dialog with Import a resume, Copy a resume for a job, Start blank, New cover letter instead and Try with a sample resume" />
    </Frame>

    Hireway creates the resume straight away and opens it in the editor. There's no name or address to fill in first.

  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Want to look around before typing anything? Choose **Try a sample** (or **Try with a sample resume** in the dialog) to
  get a filled-in resume you can explore and delete later.
</Tip>

## Add your name and contact details [#add-your-name-and-contact-details]

The editor opens in **Write** mode with the cursor in **Full name**. The page on the right updates as you type, and every change saves on its own. The editor bar shows **Saved** under the document name.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Fill in the basics">
    Type your **Full name**, then a **Headline** (for example, the job title you're aiming for), your **Email**, **Phone** and **Location**. Add a **Website** if you have one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the document name">
    A new blank resume is called "Untitled resume". Until you name it yourself, it takes its name from your **Headline**, so it's easy to find later. To pick your own name, open the document name menu at the top left and choose **Rename…**, or rename it from Documents.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="The editor with the basics filled in">
  <img
    src="/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/editor-with-basics.webp"
    alt="The resume editor in Write mode with name, headline, email, phone and location filled in on the left and the same details on the page preview on the right"
  />
</Frame>

## Add your first section [#add-your-first-section]

Below your details, under **Sections · print order**, Hireway suggests the sections most resumes have.

<Frame caption="Suggested sections on a new resume">
  <img
    src="/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/starter-sections.webp"
    alt="The Sections list on a new resume with buttons for Experience, Education, Skills and Summary, an Import it link, and an Add section button"
  />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a section">
    Select **Experience** (or any other suggestion). For anything else, select **Add section**.
  </Step>

<Step title="Fill in the entry">
  The section opens with an empty entry. Fill in **Position** and **Company**, then **Location** and **Dates**. Turn on
  **Present** if you still work there. An experience entry appears on the page once it has a company.
</Step>

  <Step title="Add more">
    Select **Add experience** below the entry for your next job, or add more sections the same way.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="An experience entry and how it prints">
  <img
    src="/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/first-entry.webp"
    alt="An Experience entry for Gameplay Programmer at Northwind Studios in the editor, with the same entry showing on the page preview"
  />
</Frame>

## Download your resume [#download-your-resume]

When you're happy with it, select **Download PDF** in the top right corner of the editor. The arrow next to it opens other formats.

<Frame caption="Download PDF in the editor bar">
  <img
    src="/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/download-pdf-button.webp"
    alt="The right side of the editor bar with the History and Assistant icons, the Share button and the Download PDF button"
  />
</Frame>

To come back later, select the arrow at the top left of the editor to return to Documents, where your resume now has its own card.

## Next steps [#next-steps]

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Get to know the editor" href="/docs/editor/editor-overview">
    Write, Design and Check modes, and what each part of the screen does.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Fill in your details" href="/docs/editor/filling-in-your-details">
    Photo, extra contact fields and a summary.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Choose a template" href="/docs/design/choosing-a-template">
    Change how your resume looks without retyping anything.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Manage your documents" href="/docs/documents/managing-documents">
    Rename, duplicate, lock and organize your resumes.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>