The purpose of the resume is to convince employers of what you have to offer, and how your skills match the skills he/she is seeking for the opening.
2. How To Start
Brainstorm by making a list of qualifications with the following headings: Education, Special Skills (such as foreign languages, computer programming skills, etc.), Experience, Activities, and Awards. At this point, don’t worry about format just focus on putting the information down on paper.
3. Contents
Your resume should include five basic blocks of information.
Identification: Include your name, address (both campus and permanent, if you are not from the area), phone number, and e-mail. Since you will be leaving campus after graduation, you might want to say until what date you will be at the campus address. For example: Campus Address (until x/xx/xx)
Objective: Some recruiters like to see an objective and some don’t care about them, but you will never hurt yourself by having a good, targeted objective that makes a resume look more focused. This statement should be concise, specific, include the name of the company (and position, if appropriate) and should focus on what you have to offer an employer.
Examples:
position-oriented: ex: A video journalist or related position at ____ (company name).
field/skill-oriented: ex: A sales or related position at ____ (company name) which would allow me to use my communication skills and marketing experience.
Education: Here is where you state: your degree (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Business Administration); name of school; city; state; your major(s); and date of graduation. Include your GPA if it is a 3.0 or better, using the format of GPA: 3.2/4.0, or GPA 3.43/4.00. If you attended another college or university for a significant length of time, skip a line and list the name of your other school(s), city and state, and dates you attended. If you participated in a study abroad, skip a line after your university information and list it in the format of: Study Abroad: Name of University, city, country, dates
Experience: Employers prefer the reverse chronological format. List the most recent job first, the next most recent and so on. It is easy to read and identifies your work experience clearly. Include summer, part-time, full-time, in-depth volunteer, and campus work as well as co-ops, internships, and extensive externships. Include only the jobs you had while you were in college unless they are particularly relevant to the job you are seeking. You need to include all the important information: Job title, name of employer, city, state, and dates of employment. Highlight achievements/accomplishments and skills developed. Use the Action Verbs and Transferrable Skills sheets included in this handout to restate tasks with action verbs and powerful, concise statements.
References: If you have room, you may state that they are available upon request. Always make a separate reference page. Three to five references are appropriate. Include names, titles, addresses, and phone numbers. ASK PERMISSION BEFORE USING INDIVIDUALS AS REFERENCES. See sample reference sheet included in this handout.
Optional Sections:
Activities: List any campus or community activities you've been involved with while in college. List the name of the organization and positions held (if any).
Special skills: List any relevant skills for the position to which you are applying (i.e. computer or foreign language skills)
Honors/Awards/Scholarships: Focus on any special achievements or recognitions. If listing scholarships, describe their nature (i.e. academic, leadership based, etc.)
4. Final Notes
Proofread! (in other words, edit very carefully!).
Keep it to one page if at all possible.
Use the same style of font throughout your resume, references, and cover letter; use the same size font throughout as well, with the exception of your name, which should be larger.
Use italics and bold to emphasize and highlight, but don't over do it.
You must have different resumes for each type of position you are seeking.
Use good quality resume paper. White or ivory are the most acceptable colors. You can print on the resume paper or print on plain paper and have it copied (professionally) onto resume paper.
Unless told to send a resume only, always send a cover letter with your resume if you are mailing it in or dropping it off. A formal e-mail or cover letter can be used when e-mailing.
Review and revise your resume as needed.
A resume may be folded neatly and mailed in a regular-sized business envelope, but it looks even better to not fold it and mail it in a larger envelope.
Remember to plan for a one-page resume if at all possible.
Use concise, positive phrases beginning with action verbs.
Use indented and "bulleted" statements.
Use quantities, amounts, and dollar values where they enhance your job description.
Edit, proofread, and spell-check for possible errors.
Don't use resume(s) with job objectives different from the position for which you have applied.
Don't list sex, weight, health, or other personal irrelevancies.
Don't include pictures.
Don't put resume in fancy binder.
Don't include street address of former employer.
Don’t include information from high school, unless it clearly demonstrates you’ve been interested in and involved in the field you are pursuing since that time.
Don't explain unrelated information in detail. No one is hired from a resume or application, so save your explanations for the interview.
Don't state race, religion, marital status, or political affiliation.
Don't use words such as "I," "me," or "my" in your resume, except in the objective.
Don't use personal evaluations (such as "learned a great deal through this experience")
apply information creatively to specific problems or tasks
synthesize facts, concepts and principles
understand and use organizing principles
evaluate information against appropriate standards
Design and Planning Skills:
identify alternative courses of action
set realistic goals
follow through with a plan or decision
manage time effectively
predict future trends and patterns
accommodate multiple demands for commitment of time, energy and resources
assess needs
make and keep a schedule
set priorities
Research and Investigation Skills:
use a variety of sources of information
apply a variety of methods to test the validity of data
identify problems and needs
design an experiment plan or model that systematically defines a problem
identify information sources appropriate to special needs or problems
formulate questions relevant to clarifying a particular problem, topic or issue
Communication Skills:
listen with objectivity and paraphrase the content of a message
use various forms and styles of written communication
speak effectively to individuals or groups
use media formats to present ideas imaginatively
express one's needs, wants, opinions and preferences without offending the sensitivities of others
identify and communicate value judgments effectively
describe objects or events with a minimum of factual errors
convey a positive self-image to others
Human Relations and Interpersonal Skills:
keep a group "on track" and moving toward the achievement of a goal
maintain group cooperation and support
delegate tasks and responsibilities
interact effectively with peers, superiors, and subordinates
express one's feelings appropriately
understand the feelings of others
use argumentation techniques to persuade others
make commitments to people
be willing to take risks
teach a skill, concept or principle to others
analyze behavior of self and others in group situations
demonstrate effective social behavior in a variety of settings and under different circumstances
work under time and environmental pressures
Critical Thinking Skills:
identify quickly and accurately the critical issues when making a decision or solving a problem
identify a general principle that explains interrelated experiences or factual data
define the parameters of a problem
identify reasonable criteria for assessing the value or appropriateness of an action or behavior
adapt one's concepts and behavior to changing conventions and norms
apply appropriate criteria to strategies and action plans
take given premises and reason to their conclusion
create innovative solutions to complex problems
analyze the interrelationships of events and ideas from several perspectives
Management and Administration Skills:
analyze tasks
identify people who can contribute to the solution of a problem or task
identify resource materials useful in the solution of a problem
delegate responsibility of completion of a task
motivate and lead people
organize people and tasks to achieve specific goals
Valuing Skills:
assess a course of action in terms of its long-range effects on the general human welfare
make decisions that will maximize both individual and collective good
appreciate the contributions of art, literature, science and technology to contemporary society
identify one's own values
assess one's values in relation to important life decisions
Personal/Career Development Skills:
analyze and learn from life experiences - both one's own and others'
relate the skills developed in one environment (e.g., school) to the requirements of another environment (e.g., work)
match knowledge about one's own characteristics and abilities to information about job or career opportunities
identify, describe and assess the relative importance of one's needs, values, interests, strengths and weaknesses
develop personal growth goals that are motivating
identify and describe skills acquired through formal education and general life experiences
identify one's own strengths and weaknesses
accept and learn from negative criticism
persist with a project when faced with failure unless it is clear that the project cannot be carried out or is not worth the time or effort required to complete it
generate trust and confidence in others
take risks
accept the consequences of one's actions
"market" oneself to prospective employers
Originally developed by Paul Breen, San Francisco State University; adapted by University of North Georgia Career Services.