How to Write a Mid-Level Career Resume + Examples

Mid-career professionals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their roles, having honed their skills over several years in their respective fields. They’re adept at managing complex projects, leading teams, and delivering high-quality results. Crafting a mid-career resume highlighting these skills and experiences is crucial for demonstrating your value to potential employers and boosting your career. 

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

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Mid-Career Resume Example: Retail Sales Manager

A mid-career retail sales manager has several years of experience in the field and is proficient in various retail strategies and management techniques. They have developed a good understanding of retail operations and can handle more complex sales scenarios. Here's a resume sample for a mid-career retail sales manager that you can use as your mid-career resume template:

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Mid-Career Resume Example: Registered Nurse

A mid-career registered nurse has several years of experience in the field and is proficient in various nursing techniques and patient care practices. They have developed a good understanding of healthcare operations and can handle more complex patient scenarios. Below you can find the second sample out of all four mid-level resume examples that I’ve created.

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Mid-Career Resume Example: Software Engineer

A mid-career software engineer has several years of experience in the field and is proficient in various programming languages and development methodologies. They have developed a good understanding of software engineering and can handle more complex projects. Below, you can check out a mid level software engineer resume example.

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Mid-Career Resume Example: Marketing Manager

A mid-career marketing manager has several years of experience in the field and is proficient in various marketing strategies and techniques. They have developed a good understanding of marketing operations and can handle more complex campaigns. If you’re wondering what your mid-level resume should look like, I’ve crafted a resume sample for a mid-career marketing manager from which you can take inspiration.

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Mid-Career Resume Templates

After an in-depth analysis of over 11 million resumes created in our builder, we’ve noticed that these are the top 3 resume template choices for mid-career professionals:

Cascade

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Cascade is a perfect mid-career resume template. It excels with its dual-column layout, emphasizing clarity and organization. This design effectively separates personal details from professional experience, making it easy for hiring managers to locate essential information quickly. What sets Cascade apart is its ability to succinctly highlight career progression and key achievements. This minimalistic resume template's clean lines and ample white space ensure that your skills, leadership roles, and significant contributions are presented without distractions, making your qualifications stand out.

Concept

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The concept is another ideal resume template for mid-career professionals, especially those seeking a modern and comprehensive design. The single-column layout and a distinctive sidebar prominently showcase your contact information and core competencies. The main section provides ample space for detailing extensive work experience and professional accomplishments. I appreciate how the Concept template draws attention to your professional experience and qualifications. This contemporary resume template ensures that your job application looks both stylish and professional, capturing the attention of hiring managers.

Diamond

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Diamonds are a mid-career professional’s best friend? This unique resume template certainly proves it. No wonder we named it Diamond, after the precious gem-like resume icons it features and its dazzling effect on recruiters. Like Marylin Monroe, I also have a soft spot for diamonds, so I may be a little biased. Still, I believe the Diamond template’s elegant format is perfect for highlighting your qualifications, ensuring your resume appears polished and well-organized. It’s your go-to option if you’re looking for a highly visual resume template that is ATS-friendly at the same time.

How to Write a Mid-Level Resume:

1. Choose the Right Format for Your Mid-Career Resume

As you reach the midpoint of your career, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on your professional journey so far. So, if you’ve analyzed your situation and decided it’s time to look for a new job, start creating your resume by formatting it properly. Let me guide you through this process.

Here’s how to format a mid-career resume:

• Opt for the reverse-chronological format. This type of resume layout effectively showcases significant accomplishments and steady career progression.
• Stick with professional fonts such as Calibri or Didot. These are preferred for their readability and clean appearance.
• Line Spacing: Use a spacing of 1 to 1.15 to ensure readability without excessive white space.
• Font Size: Use 11–12 points for the main text, while headings should be slightly larger at 13–14 points.
• Maintain 1-inch margins on all sides to give your resume a balanced and uncluttered look.
• Keep your resume concise and to the point. One to two pages are typically sufficient. Trim unnecessary details and focus on the highlights of your career.

Don’t forget to include all the essential mid-level resume sections:

• Header: Include your name and contact information prominently at the top.
• Summary: Write a brief summary highlighting your most impressive achievements and skills.
• Experience: Detail your most significant accomplishments, emphasizing results and impacts.
• Education: List relevant degrees and any academic achievements.
• Skills: Highlight the skills that are mentioned explicitly in the job advertisement.
• Additional Sections:
  • Certifications: Include relevant certifications.
  • Projects: Mention any notable projects or contributions to professional development.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your resume presents you as a polished, professional candidate ready for the next step in your career.

Pro Tip: Save and send your resume as a PDF unless the job posting specifies otherwise (e.g., "MS Word, please").

2. Present Your Experience in Your Mid-Level Resume

All you need to do is list your past job responsibilities, and your work experience section is fine and dandy, right? Well, not so much. To show that you’re a mid-career professional who can add value to the company, focus on highlighting your achievements.

Also, it’s crucial you tailor your resume to a particular job offer. Here’s how to do it effectively:

• Place your most recent job title first.
• Include the company’s name and the dates of employment.
• Craft a short job description using 5-6 resume bullet points.
• Showcase your achievements—focus on tangible results and quantify them whenever possible.

While presenting your professional accomplishments is crucial, you don’t have to eliminate the responsibilities altogether. In fact, including just one attention-grabbing key achievement per past job description is completely okay. And, if you don’t know where to start, you can check out the list of sample responsibilities for mid-career resumes that I’ve prepared for you:

Mid-Career Professional Resume Keywords

• Led and managed projects or teams to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
• Developed and implemented strategies to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Mentored and trained junior staff, fostering professional growth and development.
• Conducted thorough market research and analysis to inform business decisions.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive initiatives and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Oversaw budget planning and financial management, ensuring cost control and optimal resource allocation.
• Built and maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders, clients, and partners.
• Utilized advanced technical skills and industry knowledge to solve complex problems and innovate processes.
• Prepared and presented detailed reports and presentations to senior management and executive teams.
• Stay updated with industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

Another trick to make any resume for a mid-career professional is to include powerful action verbs at the beginning of all bullet points in the experience section. This way, not only your accomplishments but also your responsibilities will look even more impressive. Here are some action verb examples for mid-level resumes:

Mid-Career Professional Resume Action Verbs

• Led
• Developed
• Implemented
• Mentored
• Conducted
• Collaborated
• Oversaw
• Built
• Utilized
• Prepared

Read more: What Does Relevant Professional Experience Mean? + Examples

3. Include Your Educational Background

You may be tempted to think that as a mid-career professional, you don’t need to include your educational background on your resume. Well, the opposite is true. 

Here’s how to list your degree on a mid-level resume:

• Degree Title: Clearly state your degree by stating its full name, as relying just on acronyms won’t make your resume ATS-friendly (e.g., Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Master of Business Administration).
• Institution Name: Mention the name of the institution where you earned your degree.
• Graduation Date: Include the month and year of your graduation (e.g., May 2015).
• Honors and Awards: If applicable, list any honors or awards received (e.g., Summa Cum Laude, Dean’s List).
• Relevant Coursework: Mention specific coursework relevant to the job you are applying for, if space allows.

And what if you didn’t graduate? Read our dedicated guide: How to List Unfinished Education on a Resume.

4. Showcase Your Mid-Career Professional Skills

As a mid-level professional, you have some serious skills and strengths that enable you to guide less experienced team members. Highlight your professional experience by focusing on skills that folks writing resumes with little to no experience don’t have. 

But—don’t just pick some random skills. Remember when I mentioned you should customize your resume? This rule is also valid for your resume’s skills section. That’s why you should:

• Create a master list of all your professional skills—-both soft and hard skills.
• Read the job offer once again and look for phrases related to the skills of an ideal candidate.
• Cherry-pick the skills from your list that best match the skillset your potential employer is looking for.

If you’re not sure what to include in your resume's skills section, I’ve prepared a list of professional skills you can use for inspiration.

Mid-Career Professional Resume Skills

• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Innovation and Process Improvement
• Presentation Skills
• Mentoring and Training
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Negotiation Skills
• Conflict Resolution
• Networking Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Cultural Competence
• Stress Management
• Delegation Skills
• Ethical Judgment
• Creative Thinking
• Influencing and Persuasion
• Microsoft Office Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Decision-Making Skills
• Written and Verbal Communication
• Active Listening
• Emotional Intelligence
• Analytical Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Resilience
• Time Management
• Critical Thinking

When talking about skills, you may be pleasantly surprised to find out that the ability to derive satisfaction from the job tends to increase with time. According to a study by Pew Research Center, 51% of U.S. workers aged 30 to 49 claim they’re extremely or very satisfied with their job, and for those aged 65 and more, the percentage of such fulfilled employees rises to a whopping 67%! 

Pro Tip: If you want to showcase your qualifications even more, you can include an extra resume section called core competencies. In it, you’ll list the most wanted skills and areas that you have expertise in and that the employer is especially interested in. Place it under your resume personal statement.

5. Add Other Sections to Mid-Level Resume

Including additional information on a resume for a mid-career professional is always a good career decision. It allows you to showcase your uniqueness and make the recruiter get to know you even more.

Here are some of the extra resume sections that are suitable for mid-career resumes:

• Licenses & Certifications: If you have relevant certifications and licenses, be sure to highlight them. If a specific license or certificate is required by the job description, mention it in your resume profile so that the recruiter will easily notice it.
• Language Skills: Knowing foreign languages is a huge advantage in a globalized work environment. Remember to specify your proficiency level.
• Professional Associations: Including your memberships in professional organizations and associations will give you a competitive edge over other candidates.
• Conferences: List any conferences you’ve attended or spoken at. This will prove your commitment to staying on top of industry trends and showcase your lifelong learner mindset.
• Volunteer Work: Showcasing your community involvement and any volunteer work that reflects your skills and values adds depth to your resume.

If you still have some white space on your mid-level resume, you can highlight how you like to spend your free time. Check out our dedicated guide: How to Put Hobbies & Interests on a Resume.

6. Write a Mid-Career Resume Summary

A mid-level resume example can rarely be just a one-page resume that at the same time fits all the relevant information. That’s why, to make the recruiter’s life easier, include a resume profile on top of your perfect resume.

You may know that there are two types of resume introductions, but leave writing career objectives to junior professionals and pick a career summary instead.

Here’s how to write a resume summary statement for a mid-career professional resume:

• Begin with a powerful adjective that best describes you as a professional.
• Follow with your job title.
• Mention years of experience.
• Showcase one of your top accomplishments.
• Finish with a sentence on how you want to help the company you’re targeting reach its goals.

Read more: What to Put on Your Resume? Expert Tips

7. Attach a Mid-Career Professional Cover Letter

As a mid-career professional, your experience and qualifications are invaluable assets you can utilize to benefit your employer. However, communicating these strengths to potential employers is crucial for propelling your career forward. A resume is a great way to do so, but a well-written short cover letter can multiply its impact even more.

Here’s how to write a compelling cover letter:

• Grab the recruiter’s attention by addressing your cover letter using their name and an engaging hook. In your cover letter opening, you can present one of your key achievements or something else that will make them want to continue reading.
• Proceed to explain why you’re a perfect fit for the role. Sell yourself well in your cover letter by highlighting your qualifications and enthusiasm. Don’t forget to include a brief mention of how you plan to add value to the company you’re targeting.
• End your cover letter with a strong call to action. You can, for example, suggest a phone call or an in-person meeting to discuss the details.

Read more: Successful Cover Letter Tips & Advice

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Check out our other guides that may interest you:

• Entry Level Resume Examples [Templates & Tips]
• What Are Career Goals? + Examples
• Top Career Regrets Revealed: Learn from Others’ Mistakes
• Career Change Resume Example & Writing Tips
• Here's What to Do if You Hate Your Job
• How to Quit Your Job and Tell Your Boss You're Leaving
• Should You Include Irrelevant Experience on Your Resume?
• Can a Resume Be 2 Pages? Expert Tips
• Resume Design Templates: The Best Ideas & Tips
• Free Resume Examples & Writing Tips for Any Job

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://hbr.org/2024/02/6-questions-to-ask-at-the-midpoint-of-your-career
• https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/05/25/young-workers-express-lower-levels-of-job-satisfaction-than-older-ones-but-most-are-content-with-their-job/