Resume Writing
A resume is a written summary of your education, work experience and relevant skills. It is well-organized, clean and clear, with a focused employment objective. The primary purpose of your resume is to help you obtain an interview. Along with a cover letter or an in-person meeting, it serves as an introduction to potential employers to help make meaning of your experiences inside and outside the classroom to land you a job.
Preparation
Writing your resume requires self-assessment and career research. The most effective resume emphasizes individual experience in relation to position and employer requirements.
Before preparing your rough draft, keep in mind:
- Choose your job objective.
- Find out the qualifications for the position you are seeking.
- Identify the type of employers hiring for that position.
- Research the organization: web page, InfoTrak, company ads and brochures.
- An effective resume increases your chances of being interviewed.
- Preparing a resume helps you define your qualifications and skills.
- Defining your qualifications assists you in interviewing effectively.
- A resume, along with a list of references with contact information, is also taken to the interview even if it is sent beforehand.
Creating Your Rough Draft
- Compile the information for your resume by following the samples on the following pages and writing a rough draft.
- Select the information you want to include. Prioritize categories by placing the most recent and important items toward the top of your resume.
- Write and edit your final copy. Make your resume visually attractive and accurate.
- Have your resume critiqued at the Career Center before submitting it.
Resume Categories
Identifying Data
Place at the top your name, address, telephone and cell phone numbers, and email address. Do not use headings such as: Name, Address, Telephone or Resume.
Objective
A clearly defined statement identifies the position you seek and helps the employer match you with appropriate, available jobs.
Education
Your most advanced degree(s)/credential(s) should come first. Include the institution attended, the major (and option, if appropriate), and the month and year of graduation. You may list relevant courses.
Honors
Include data such as high GPA (3.0 or better), graduation with designated honors, awards, honor societies and dean's list.
Experience
Include as much information as possible about your work-related activities (internships, volunteer and club activities, part-time jobs). Simply listing job titles and job duties is not enough. Describe the specific activities of your job and indicate your achievements. Use action verbs (see list). These have much more impact, are more precise and therefore much more meaningful to an employer than the weaker verbs, such as "worked with" or "assisted."
Describe not only your job responsibilities, but what you created, accomplished and achieved. You must tell the employer on your resume:
- What you personally did.
- What you did it to, at or on, referring to a product or service.
- What level of responsibility you had, who you reported to, and the budget you were responsible for. Be specific.
Professional Development
Include memberships in related professional organizations. Indicate whether you have completed or are planning to take examinations in your field, e.g., CPA, actuarial, civil engineering.
Special Skills
Include any special skills applicable to your career field, such as computer languages, fluency in foreign languages, public speaking, performing arts, etc.
Activities/Interests
Include activities which called for leadership on your part or those in which you were an active contributing member. Such activities may include athletic, artistic and cultural interests.
Personal Data (Optional)
Provide this information if it is a bona fide qualification for the position. It may include items such as citizenship or willingness to travel or relocate, rather than age, gender, race or ethnicity.
References
Three references should be prepared on a separate page to be taken to the interview. List names, phone numbers and relationships, such as professor, sponsor or supervisor.