resume writing

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what to consider for resume writing?

Your resume is a summary of your qualifications for a specific job or internship. The main goal of a resume is to generate interviews with employers.  Use your resume to highlight your relevant skills and accomplishments.  Please review these guidelines and samples of documents used in resume writing and submissions.  Employers will usually make their interviewing decisions based on the strength of your resume.  

 

  • Resume Writing Guidelines
  • Resume Action Verbs

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RESUME WRITING GUIDELINES

 

Employers may spend less than a minute evaluating your resume. They prefer resumes that are easy to read and created in a familiar format. Use the following guidelines as you create or edit your resume.

 

FORMAT

Templates:  Avoid resume wizards and resume software templates. They are difficult to edit and do not allow you to present information in the most effective format.

 

Length:  For college students and recent college graduates, use a one-page resume.  For experienced candidates, use one page for summary, and balance pages should elaborate your experience (typically not more than four pages in total)

 

Font:  Choose a basic, easy-to-read font such as Arial in 11 or 12 point size. Use black font color.

 

Paper: To print, use 8” x 11” resume-quality paper in a light color such as white or off-white.  Use matching paper for a cover letter.

 

Spacing:  Margins of 0.7 to 1 inch and double-spacing between headings improves readability.

 

Layout:  Use bullets, bold, capitalization, and underlining sparingly to call attention to the most important information. Leave some white space to create an uncluttered look.

 

Reverse Chronological Order:  Present most recent information first.

 

Professionalism:  Eliminate all errors by using spell check first, and then by asking several other people to proofread.

 

Document Title:  Use your name in the document title when emailing your resume as an attachment. Example: Andrew.Peterson.docx

CONTENT

Image:  Decide what overall impression you want your resume to communicate. Does it show that you are a leader, a team player, an artist, an innovator, a salesperson, or something else?

 

Style:  Start phrases with action verbs to convey enthusiasm and achievement. Sample verbs include: Advised, Analyzed, Assisted, Coordinated, Created, Developed, Evaluated, Guided, Handled, Implemented, Increased, Led, Maintained, Managed, Organized, Performed, Planned, Presented, Processed, Researched, Served, Sold, Taught, Trained, Wrote.

 

Objective:  Using an objective is optional. If you include an objective, make it brief and specific to a particular job or career field.

 

Summary of Qualifications:  A candidate with significant experience in a career field may choose to start a resume with a brief overview of professional skills. This section is less appropriate for new college graduates.

 

Section Headings:  Group your experience to reflect your strengths. Common headings include:  EDUCATION  |  LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE  |  EXPERIENCE  |  COMMUNITY SERVICE  |  SKILLS  |  ATHLETICS  |  ACTIVITIES  |  PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

 

High School:  Remove high school information by the end of your junior year of college.

 

References:  List your references on a separate page

 

Cautions:  Never reveal confidential data on your resume such as your social security number or date of birth. Do not list a personal website if it includes any nonprofessional content

 

 

 

RESUME ACTION VERBS

 

 

When employers read resumes they look for words that precisely describe the writers' accomplishments. Avoid generalizations or overview statements.

 

For example, “Assisted Director with a wide variety of duties” is vague. “Researched capital market reports; graded papers for 50 junior level finance students; developed Visual Basic Software programs for classroom use” are specific descriptions of duties.

 

“Responsible for providing services for students with disabilities” is vague. “Recorded text books, coordinated campus orientations and tours, and acted as sight guide for visually impaired university students” is specific.