Resume Help

Definition & Purpose

A resume is a document that contains a summary of relevant job experience and education. The resume is often the first item a potential employer encounters regarding a job seeker, and it is used to screen applicants during the hiring process.  

One purpose of a resume is to obtain an interview. The goal is to convince employers that you would be a good candidate for the job and persuade the employer to give you a closer look through an interview. 

Considerations

• Keep your resume to one page and use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial in 10, 11, or 12 point size.
• Tailor your resume for each position you apply for to grab the employer’s attention
  • Highlight your experiences in a way that matches the duties listed in the job description.
  • Use action verbs to start each description – see attached.
  • Employers are interested in results – quantify your accomplishments and qualifications in a way that demonstrates you would meet the needs of the organization. Example:  original bullet vs. new/improved bullet with action verb:
    • Original bullet:  Cash Register
    • New bullet:  Processed $5,000 per week in cash and credit transactions
• Be sure to include these essential categories: Contact Information, Education, Experience
  • Experience can be both paid and unpaid; internships, co-op, volunteer experience, part-time experience, leadership experience, student organization experience, research, class projects, etc.
  • Experience should be in reverse chronological order – start with your most recent experience and work your way back; write in past tense when talking about positions where you are no longer working.
• If you use an objective on your resume, then make sure it is a well-crafted objective. Something that says “A Marketing Position with ABC Company” will not get the job done.  Better:  “Seeking position as Marketing Coordinator which will allow me to apply coursework in market research to promote ABC Company’s services to potential clients.
• Include Honors/Awards if they are relevant to the position or display certain skills and abilities.
• You may have a “skills” section displaying languages, computer skills, etc. if they are applicable to the position.
• Avoid using resume templates because the resume could appear jumbled to an employer.  It can also be difficult to edit the resume later.   Create your own professional style!
• Send a PDF version. If you have access to save your resume as a PDF, then do so. The format will not change when the file is opened.
• Proofread and get feedback! Visit your career advisor, mentor, professor, family member, or friend; the more people who look at it, the more polished it becomes.