Resume Central
Resume Basics
ELEMENTS TO INCLUDE IN A RESUME
- IDENTIFICATION
Your full name, address, and permanent telephone number should appear centered at the top of the resume. List both current and permanent addresses (school at top left and permanent at top right). You telephone number must be one where you are available or can receive a message. List your work phone number only if you can accept a call from a prospective employer. You may also want to include an email address, pager, or beeper.
- JOB OBJECTIVE (Optional)
A short statement that indicates the type of position you are applying for and in what type of work environment. The best objectives are brief, stating a particular job title or job area you wish to pursue.
- EDUCATION
List your education in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent education:
a) Name the college, city, and state
b) Degree earned (or currently pursuing) including your major.
c) Expected date of graduation
(Example: Candidate for a Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science, expected June 2001)
d) Grade point average if your GPA is above 3.0
Note: it is not necessary to list every school attended
- HONORS
Dean’s List, Graduation Awards, Athletic Awards, Scholarship Awards, Honor Societies
- COMPUTER SKILLS
Include hardware, computer languages, and all software capabilities.
- RELEVANT COURSE WORK
List six to ten courses by name. Include those courses you are presently enrolled in. Use those that relate specifically to you major to demonstrate that you have the fundamental skills for the job.
- EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
This section should contain your employment history listed in reverse chronological order, or by functional skill.
What to include in your work experience section:
a) Name of company, city, and state
b) Job title
c) A brief description of your job duties written in incomplete sentences using action verbs
(designed, hired, trained, planned)
d) Emphasize what you achieved or accomplished on your job
(improved departmental efficiency, supervised four employees)
NOTE: Previous jobs are described in the past tense, while current duties are described in the present tense. If you wish to describe previous accomplishments in your present job (e.g. increased sales by 50 percent during 1999), list these after your current duties.
- VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
You may indicate this as part of your work experience if you have little paid work experience or list it as a separate section.
- SPECIAL SKILLS
This category is optional, but may be used to highlight skills that you may have learned on your own. For example, experience with tax forms, computer language, foreign language proficiency or technical equipment can give you a real advantage.
- ACTIVITIES/PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The purpose of this section is to demonstrate to the employer that you are a well-rounded individual with interests outside of the class room.
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
You may want to include what percent of your education is self-financed, school or community activities and honors. It may be helpful to note U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status.
- REFERENCES
It is no longer customary for resumes to include a list of references, or even for resumes to state “Reference Available Upon Request.” But you should be ready to provide the names addresses and telephone numbers of your professional references when requested. Always ask permission from individuals who agree to serve as references.
ADDITIONAL SUGGESSTIONS
Refer to the sample resumes provided before you write your own. Generally speaking, if you are completing your undergraduate degree your resume should be only one page. Make certain that your resume is grammatically correct, free of any spelling and punctuating errors. More importantly, it is crucial that your resume reflect an accurate account of your accomplishments. |
