Resumes
A well-crafted, targeted resume can give you the edge when applying for internships, jobs and other related activities. Your resume is the description of your knowledge, skills and qualifications. It can be the determining factor in whether or not you get an interview with a potential employer or enter a graduate program.
Make it inviting to look at
Your resume must be neat with plenty of white space. Use bolding, capitalization and indentions for a format that is pleasing to the eye. The minimum font size is 11 point. Avoid underlining, italics, unusual abbreviations, graphics, and symbols other than plain bullets. Spell check and grammar check! Then let another person check it again!
Use headings to guide the reader
Standard headings include Education, Experience, Extracurricular Activities, Languages, and Computer Skills. Others might be Laboratory Skills and Related Coursework. Use headings that best present your knowledge, skills and qualifications.
Experience comes in many forms
Relevant experience comes from many situations including internships, both paid and unpaid, community and volunteer involvement, extracurricular activities, athletics and part time or summer jobs.
Bullet points make your case
Bullet points describe your experience. Each point must be clear, truthful and comprehensive. Information in the bullet point goes beyond the job description. Think of STAR: each bullet point should describe the Situation or Task, the Action or Activity and the Results you achieved. Always begin with an action verb. Do NOT begin with "Responsible for" or "Duties included." Do not use pronouns. Avoid vague descriptions or descriptions that are common knowledge. You should be able to comfortably discuss the information in each bullet point.
List bullets in order of importance or relevance to the position you are applying for. List the points chronologically if necessary for logic. Each bullet point should be one or two sentences. You may use the jargon appropriate to the business so that it is meaningful to the reader.
Other information can bolster your qualifications
Be sure to include your academic honors and scholarships. Also include your language proficiencies, any non-academic awards, presentations and publications and student associations in which you hold membership and knowledge of computer programs that are used in the specific profession.
Include an objective or not?
Include an objective if it is not evident from your major, experience and related qualifications. When you include an objective, it must be defined. Avoid vague, hyperbolic or general statements.
Do not include references
Nor is the statement "reference available upon request" necessary. If you have references, use a separate page and list the names and contact information for each.
No. 64 in the Writing Center Handout Series