1. No two resumes should be the same so applicants need to write the resume themselves. 

2. No two resumes should be the same so applicants need to write the resume themselves.

3. Choose a chronological (education and experience is arranged listing most recent first); functional (experience is arranged according to areas of skill); or combination resume.

4. Omit personal information such as health, marital status, height, weight, and birthdate.

5. Make use of italics, boldface, and underlining, but don't overdo it.

6. In most cases, do not include artwork on a resume – keep it simple and professional.

7. Be consistent throughout the resume.

8. Keep resume to one page, or maximum of two if having been in the work force for a while.  If two pages, include name on second page.

9. Print on one side of high-quality, 8 1/2” x 11” paper.

10. Best colors are white, off-white, or light gray.

11. If possible, use a laser printer.

12. Proofread for typos and grammatical errors.  Have two other people proof resume.

13. Never make corrections by hand.

14. Never mail resume without a cover letter.

15. Do not attach letters of recommendation, transcripts, certificates, references, or pictures.

16. The appearance of the resume should look like the applicant is worth the money the company is going to pay them!

 HEADER

1. The header  should include name, address, telephone number, and email address.

2. Do not include the word "Resume" at the top of the resume.

3. Do not list the date of last revision or current date on resume.

OBJECTIVE

1. Include a career objective that is specific.  Make sure the objective is appropriate for the position.

2. Gear objective toward what the applicant can do for the company, not what the company can do for the applicant.

 EDUCATION

1. High school information is unnecessary for a college student.

2. List institution’s name, city, state, degree/program name, and dates of attendance.

3. List courses relevant to the major or relevant to the career objective.

4. Include awards from college or previous involvement in professional organizations.

5. Education should precede work experience for recent graduates.

6. Do not list a GPA below 3.5.

7. Know the official name of award obtaining and the official name of the program.

1. The work experience should include company name, city, state, dates of employment, job title, and duties.

2. List any volunteer work, co-ops, internships, and part-time employment while in school.

3. Use action verbs to describe responsibilities (for example: managed, organized, processed).

4. Skills and experience should try to tie into the career objective.

5. Long paragraphs are difficult to read.  A job description should be six lines or less.  Or use bullets.

6. Use concise phrases without pronouns such as I or my.

7. Use specific examples where results are shown, such as:  reductions, increases, profits.

8. Do not include supervisor names, telephone numbers, street addresses, zip codes, salary, or reasons for leaving.

9. Downplay gaps in work history.  State if job was temporary or summer employment.

1. There are numerous other headings that can be included:  Clubs/Organizations, Computer Skills, Honors/Awards, Military Experience, Community Service.

1. Unless resume is brief, include reference information on a separate page.

2. Use same heading as on resume.

3. Use same paper that resume and cover letter is on.

4. Ask references for permission first.  Give them a copy of resume.

1. Follow up with the company 5-7 days after mailing resume.

2. One to two phone calls is fine but do not "bug" the employer with excessive telephone calls.

3. Keep a log of where resume was sent, to whom, when, and dates of follow-up.

ACTION WORD LIST

This page is maintained by the Career Services Office.  Last updated:  July 15, 2009