Résumé Preparation—Quick Guide

Your résumé is your opportunity to make an initial impression. It should be short (one or two pages), free of errors (spell check) and look professionally produced. Be creative and honest. Parts of your résumé may include:

Caption

• Formal name, address, telephone number(s), and email address.
• Make sure you use phone numbers where you can be reached during the day or where a message can be left.
• Use large type for your name.
• Do not add any other personal information.
• Objective
• Use only if you are very focused in your job search.
• Change for each job, if necessary.
• This heading is optional. Do not use if you cannot be specific.

Education

• List highest level of formal education first; institution, major/minor, degree earned.
• Include GPA if it is favorable. Omit, if it is not.
• List applicable course-work where appropriate.
• Include internships and field experiences.
• Do not list years of education.
• Do not list high school if you have substantial college.

Employment

• List most recent job first.
• Use bulleted statements. They are quicker and easier to read than paragraphs.
• Tell what you did there, not just the job title.
• Use action verbs to describe work done, i.e. achieved, administered, increased, organized, prepared, etc.
• Include volunteer work if it relates to career objective.
• Relate accomplishments where possible.
• Use numbers to quantify your work, i.e. “supervised 12 employees.”

Other Headings

• Add other headings if they are appropriate.
• Choose headings such as: awards, community service, special skills (foreign language or sign language), extra-curricular activities, computer skills, etc.

References

• References will be provided if and when requested.
• Include name, title, address and daytime phone number of reference.
• Ask permission before you use someone as a reference