> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rxresu.me/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating your first resume

> Start a blank resume in Reactive Resume, add your name and contact details, fill in your first section, and download it as a PDF.

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](/guides/importing-resumes) instead of starting blank.

## Before you start

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

## Start a blank resume

**1. 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.

![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](https://mintcdn.com/reactiveresume/Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/documents-first-visit.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj\&q=85\&s=43ed7e5df3906fdffd72256a48c071a4)

**2. 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.

![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](https://mintcdn.com/reactiveresume/Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/new-document-dialog.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj\&q=85\&s=2f928009569a4d1cc0ac1d1ea839b544)

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

> [!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.

## 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.

**1. 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.

**2. 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.

![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](https://mintcdn.com/reactiveresume/Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/editor-with-basics.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj\&q=85\&s=fb0d241d40df421b0bb0459ed313a1f9)

## Add your first section

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

![The Sections list on a new resume with buttons for Experience, Education, Skills and Summary, an Import it link, and an Add section button](https://mintcdn.com/reactiveresume/Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/starter-sections.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj\&q=85\&s=78d3305cdf8dbe0a5678125aff51dddb)

**1. Add a section**

Select **Experience** (or any other suggestion). For anything else, select **Add section**.

**2. 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.

**3. Add more**

Select **Add experience** below the entry for your next job, or add more sections the same way.

![An Experience entry for Gameplay Programmer at Northwind Studios in the editor, with the same entry showing on the page preview](https://mintcdn.com/reactiveresume/Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/first-entry.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj\&q=85\&s=edbdcf372b01886f0bae9908d7b0024e)

## 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.

![The right side of the editor bar with the History and Assistant icons, the Share button and the Download PDF button](https://mintcdn.com/reactiveresume/Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj/images/guides/creating-your-first-resume/download-pdf-button.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=Frn-Cva3VDpmsDcj\&q=85\&s=f2efbf4214448839e4221ac54e8aeb96)

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

> **[Get to know the editor](/guides/editor-overview)**
>
> Write, Design and Check modes, and what each part of the screen does.

> **[Fill in your details](/guides/filling-in-your-details)**
>
> Photo, extra contact fields and a summary.

> **[Choose a template](/guides/choosing-a-template)**
>
> Change how your resume looks without retyping anything.

> **[Manage your documents](/guides/managing-documents)**
>
> Rename, duplicate, lock and organize your resumes.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.