Career Planning: Resumé Writing 101

Your resume is often your introduction to a potential employer. It should be direct yet thorough, concise but complete. This is a balance that many find difficult to reach. If you have questions or problems with your resume, these Tips may help you stay on the right track. Or you can always consult your faculty advisor

• Tip #1: List your SKILLS first.

Employers are most interested in finding out what you can do for them. For technical skills, include specific names of software and hardware with which you are proficient, as well as platforms, browsers, and programming languages you are confident in using. List your "personal skills" as well, such as "organizational ability" or "excellent communication.”

• Tip #2: Consider your EDUCATION carefully.

  • Do not include your GPA if it is less than 3.0

  • List classes taken only if your job experience is very limited, or if your job experience is in an unrelated field

  • Accurately list degrees earned, most recent degree first

• Tip #3: When listing EXPERIENCE, be brief but precise.

The employer may not dedicate much time for reading your resume. Shorten your job descriptions to precise phrases, separated by a comma or period. Do not start phrases with the word "I..."

• Tip #4: Show how you made an IMPROVEMENT at every job.

Do not simply reaffirm that you were there; convey easily and concisely what you changed, and did differently or better at each experience. Make sure the results that you obtained are stated explicitly.

• Tip #5: Look at other resumes and ADAPT parts that appeal to you for your own.

Use formats, phrases, or other ideas. Be careful not to misrepresent yourself or your talents, as this will hopefully lead to a new job where your skills will be put to the test. Consider your resume a permanent work in progress, which will change and develop along with your abilities.

• Tip #6: Post your resume on the Internet

Particularly if you are actively seeking employment out of your geographic area, this will allow employers easy access to the information. Consider also posting a version completely free from formatting or graphics, which will scan and email more easily in a variety of platforms and systems.

If you are having trouble getting started, try taking one of these examples and altering it to fit your situation. For other suggestions, there are also many sites on the World Wide Web which offer workshops, as well as resume posting services.