The word resume has two different meanings depending on how you use it:

1. To start something again after stopping. When you resume reading a book, you pick up where you left off. After a fire drill, your teacher might say, “Let's resume our math lesson.” The word suggests continuing smoothly, as if you're picking up a thread you'd set down for a moment. A movie that you paused will resume playing when you press play again.
2. A document that lists your education, work experience, and skills, usually when applying for a job. (This meaning is pronounced differently: “REZ-oo-may” instead of “rez-OOM.”) A resume shows what you've accomplished and what you're good at. Your school might help you create your first resume for a summer job, listing things like volunteer work, sports teams, or academic achievements. Adults constantly update their resumes as they gain new skills and experience. A strong resume opens doors by showing others what you've learned and what you can do.