Center for Career and Calling

What is a Resume?

Your resume is like an advertisement . . . a sales brochure of your special skills and training that will appeal to potential employers. An employer uses your resume to screen you in or out of the hiring process. A resume should be clear, well-organized, dynamic, and neat. Design your resume with one goal in mind: to get a job interview.

Download our Resume Basics and make an appointment with one of our career counselors.

What format should be used?

There is no one best format to follow for a resume. Because a resume is your personal statement, the format used should best convey your qualifications.

Common formats include:

  • Chronological- Information is summarized in reverse time sequence, listing the most recent experience first. This style is suitable for recent graduates.
  • Functional- Emphasizes "transferable" skills instead of specific job functions. This style is adaptable to individuals with little work experience, and graduates looking for a job not directly related to their major.
  • Academic- For the new graduate with limited work experience, this style relies heavily on academic credentials.

What are the basic rules in writing a resume?

Regardless of the format you choose, you must remember these guidelines:

  • Keep it brief, one page is preferred, two pages maximum
  • Eliminate unnecessary words such as "resume" at the top of the page or "telephone" before number
  • Spelling and grammar must be perfect
  • Make sure printing is of good quality
  • Use quality paper in white, cream, or gray
  • Edit, edit, edit, edit!
  • Never mix typefaces (fonts) -- it gives your resume a cluttered look. Easy to read typefaces include: Times, Palatino, ITC Bookman, and New Century School Book
  • Font size should be 10-12 points

How should a resume be organized?

To help you organize your resume in an orderly fashion, consider the following topics:

  • I. Identification
    • Name - prominently displayed
    • Address - current and permanent
    • Phone number
  • II. Career Objective or Goal
    This is your focal point. Do not be vague. If not included on your resume, you must state it in your cover letter. The remainder of your resume should support your job/career objective. Be concise, focused, and targeted to your objective or goal.
    • Examples of Career Objectives:
      • Vague: A challenging opportunity with a fast-paced organization geared toward sports-related products in one or more of the following areas: public relations, distribution, or publishing.
      • Well-written: Editorial Assistant in Sports-related Publishing, Investment Counselor, Stockbroker
  • III. Education
    Degree earned, date (month and year), institution, major, minor, specialization, grade point average (if above 3.0), and specialized course work.
  • IV. Work Experience
    Employers review this section closely. They will pay attention to your experience and abilities in relation to their organizational needs. Include the name of the employer, city, state, date of employment and position title with most recent experience first. Write short statements of specific results and accomplishments you had on the job by using action words:

    Accomplished Implemented Achieved Improved Administered
    Maintained Analyzed Managed Completed Mastered
    Conducted Organized Created Planned Delegated
    Provided Developed Reduced Demonstrated Reviewed
    Designed Structured Established Supervised Expanded
    Supported Expedited Trained Facilitated Translated
    Generated Utilized Increased

    • Example of Experience:
      Advertising Manager Asbury College Collegian
      Controlled advertising for weekly college newspaper
      Increased revenues by 20%
      Generated 20 new clients and simplified billing system
  • V. Organizations and Activities
    Include professional, school, and civic activities. Stress leadership roles, positions of responsibility, accomplishments, and honors received.
  • VI. Special Skills
    Note if you have computer skills and training. List programs and applications you're familiar with (Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows, etc.), and type of computer you have used. Also list your typing skills and WPM.
  • VII. REFERENCES
    Options:
    See Attached Sheet
    Personal References are available upon request
    References available upon request from:
    Examples can be found in these resources:
    • Adams, Bob (1992) The Complete Resume and Job Search Book for College Students
    • Bolles, Richard (1995) What Color is Your Parachute?
    • Swanson, David (1991) The Resumé Solution
    • Yate, Martin, J. (1988) Resumés That Knock 'Em Dead

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