University of La Verne

Career Services
Division of Student Affairs

RESUME & REFERENCE SHEET

1950 3rd Street

La Verne, CA 91750
www.ulv.edu/careers
(909) 593-3511 ext. 4054
FAX (909) 392-2785
 WHAT IS A RESUME?

A resume is a summary of your personal, professional, and educational qualifications. It is designed to give the
potential employer a positive first impression of you. Your resume is, in essence, your calling card, or an
advertisement of you. The purpose of a resume is to interest the employer in your abilities (what you can do for
the organization), so you will be granted an interview.

BEFORE STARTING YOUR RESUME

A well-constructed and effective resume requires that background work be done before you begin writing. Begin
by taking a personal inventory. Examine and define your skills, interests, accomplishments and experiences.
You must also explore the range of positions for which you are qualified, and the interest you have in this kind of
employment.

FORMAT

There is no one right format. There are many different formats being used; however, the two most frequently
used are CHRONOLOGICAL and FUNCTIONAL.

• Be concise and specific. Your resume should say the most about you in the fewest words. One page is
best, two pages is acceptable if you have enough pertinent information.
• Include only pertinent information. There should be a reason for everything in your resume. Leave out
personal information: age, race, marital status, etc.
• Use telegraphic style. Omit personal pronouns such as “I” and “We”. Example: “designed promotional
campaign for regional district.”
• Use action words. Use verbs, words that indicate something you did. A list of skill, ability, and
accomplishment words has been provided for you on page 4.
• Get feedback. Have a counselor in the Career Services Center help you in designing your resume.

CHRONOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL

Chronological is the most widely used resume style today. This format is a listing of your work experience,
beginning with your most recent job first, and listing your experience in reverse order.

Functional format is an arrangement of your qualifications categorized by skill areas. This allows you to highlight
major areas of accomplishment, strength, and/or ability, usually in paragraph form. These areas are then
organized in order of importance, according to your current work objective.

Advantages for Chronological Advantages for Functional

• when previous work history is impressive
• when staying in the same field as your prior job
• when job history shows growth and
development
• in highly traditional fields education, govt., etc.
• when much of your work has been freelance,
consulting, or temp
• when re-entering the job market after an absence
• if career growth in past has not been good
• when you have had a variety of different, unconnected
experience
• when changing careers

LAYOUT AND APPEARANCE

How your resume appears to the potential employer says a lot about you! An attractive and carefully produced
resume will catch the employer's eye, warranting further consideration.
 RESUME COMPONENTS

The following are commonly included in the resume.

1. Heading: At the top of the page, include your name, address, zip code, telephone number and e-mail
address. If you live on campus, you may want to include both your campus address and a permanent
address (often parents). Your phone number is very important. You must be able to be reached during the
day or have a message machine to answer your calls.

2. Career Objective (optional): The career objective, while optional, is very important. It leads the reader and
directs him/her to the position or type of position you are interested in and qualified for. It is often a
statement about a) the action you want to do, b) the areas in which you want to do it, and c) the setting in
which you want to do it. The rest of your resume is dependent on and supports your career objective.

Here are some examples:

• A customer service position in the financial industry.
• A part-time youth counseling experience with an emphasis on drug and alcohol abuse.

3. Education: Unless you have been in the field for a number of years, the education component will precede
your work experience. List your most recent degree, major, year of graduation. On the next line, list the
college's name and location. Listing of pending degrees can be communicated in a variety of ways.
Typically, you do not list your high school. Also, you can list relevant or specialized coursework in this
section.

4. Work Experience: List the most recent information first (for chronological). Indicate your job title, the name
of the organization, location (city and state), and dates of employment. Next, describe the specific
achievements, abilities, and responsibilities you assumed and acquired. Focus on the skills, competencies,
knowledge and experience that you can bring and directly relate to the new position.

5. Activities, Honors, Affiliations, Community Service, Skills: Each of these are separate, optional section
headings. This is where you would list any special school and/or community activities, offices held,
scholarships (based on merit), or other honors. Be sure to show any leadership experience.

6. Interests: Optional, but can show well roundedness. Only use if you have space to put it in.

7. References: Do not use the phase "Available Upon Request". Additionally, do not include names of
references on your resume. Do have your references secured before you send out your resume. Use
professors, advisors, and previous employers for references rather than friends and family. When using
someone as a reference, always get their permission and give them a copy of your resume so they are
aware of your objective and direction. You should have names, titles, addresses and phone numbers listed
on a separate sheet of paper (same as your resume), ready to deliver to the employer when they request
your references. Also, you may want to have letters of reference available to give to the employer. If you
are asking faculty members to be a reference for you, it is suggested that you ask the faculty
member in the beginning to middle of the semester. Do not wait until the end of the semester to
request a written reference from a faculty member.

8. Additional Headings: Your resume is an individualized document. You might want to add other
components. If using these components, remember to focus on leadership and what will make you stand out
to the employer.

Some other headings include:

Professional Affiliations Technical Skills/Abilities Foreign Languages
Teaching Experience Military Experience Special Training
Publications and Presentations Special Skills/Interests Educational Travel
Community Service Volunteer Experience Personal Interests
Research Experience Memberships Computer Skills
 SKILL AND ABILITY WORDS

It is important to describe your experience in terms of what you have accomplished. Use action verbs for strengthening
your descriptions of your experience.

Adapted, enlarged list inspired by Employment Development Department of Palo Alto, CA.

Management Skills:
Administered Analyzed Assigned Attained Chaired
Contracted Consolidated Coordinated Delegated Developed
Directed Evaluated Executed Improved Increased
Organized Oversaw Planned Prioritized Produced
Recommended Reviewed Scheduled Strengthened Supervised

Communication Skills:
Addressed Arbitrated Arranged Authored Corresponded
Developed Directed Drafted Edited Enlisted
Formulated Influenced Interpreted Mediated Moderated
Motivated Negotiated Persuaded Promoted Publicized
Reconciled Recruited Spoke Translated Wrote

Research Skills:
Clarified Collected Critiqued Diagnosed Evaluated
Examined Extracted Identified Inspected Interpreted
Interviewed Investigated Organized Reviewed Summarized
Surveyed Systematized

Technical Skills:
Assembled Built Calculated Computed Designed
Devised Engineered Fabricatd Overhauled Programmed
Remodeled Repaired Solved Trained Upgraded

Teaching Skills:
Adapted Advised Clarified Coached Communicated
Coordinated Developed Enabled Encouraged Evaluated
Explained Facilitated Guided Informed Initiated
Instructed Persuaded Set goals Stimulated

Financial Skills:
Administered Allocated Analyzed Appraised Audited
Balanced Budgeted Calculated Computed Developed
Forecast Planned Projected Researched

Creative Skills:
Acted Conceptualized Created Designed Developed
Directed Established Fashioned Founded Illustrated
Instituted Integrated Introduced Invented Originated
Performed Planned Revitalized Shaped

Helping Skills:
Assessed Clarified Coached Counseled Demonstrated
Diagnosed Educated Expedited Facilitated Familiarized
Guided Referred Rehabilitated Represented

Clerical or Detail Skills:

Approved Arranged Catalogued Classified Collected
Compiled Dispatched Executed Generated Implemented
Inspected Monitored Operated Organized Prepared
Processed Purchased Recorded Retrieved Screened
Specified Systematized Tabulated Validated
EXAMPLES OF WORDS USED IN PHRASES
1. Designed, marketed and coordinated activities to meet student needs and interests
2. Directed staff training and development program
3. Established and implemented accounts payable program
4. Accomplished in organizing an efficient production of an art show
5. Produced company newsletter and promotional literature
6. Recruited and trained volunteer staff of twenty
7. Organized and maintained product displays

RESUME DO’S
1. Use High Quality Paper. You may use either off white, gray, or very light beige. Avoid blue or pastels. Be sure
to purchase extra matching paper for your cover letters.

2. Standard Paper Size is 8 ½ x 11 inches. If you depart from that size, be sure that it will fit in a standard file with
ease.

3. Use Professional Font Styles. Suggested fonts include: Arial, Times New Roman, or Helvetica. Suggested 10-12
font size.

4. Typing Should be Perfect. Computer word processing with a laser printer or letter quality printer is the best way
to produce your resume. Professional typesetting is not necessary; some employers feel that these resumes appear
too polished and mass produced. If you are making copies, use a good reproduction method such as photo-offset
or a quality photo copier.

5. Use Capital Letters Sparingly. The same holds true for underlining and use of bold lettering. The purpose in
using these options is to make information stand out. If they are overused, nothing will stand out.

6. Be Consistent in your Layout and Composition. Do not switch from sentences to phrases. Be sure that related
headings are consistent in underlining, capitalization, and spacing.

7. Use Past Tense for Previous Activities, Experiences, or Acquired Skills. Present tense refers to ongoing or
current activities.

8. Bullet Marks. Large dots are effective in drawing the employer’s attention to competencies, accomplishments, or
achievements. Some use dashes (--), but they are not as effective.

9. Limit Your Resume to One or Two Pages. Whenever possible, consolidate, combine, eliminate, and rephrase.

10. Proof Read your Resume. It would be wise to have several people read your resume for both content and
grammar/spelling. If there is something they do not understand there is a good chance an employer will not
understand it either.

11. Constantly Update your Resume. Save your resume on a computer for easy updating.

RESUME DON’TS
1. Don’t use italics or scripts.
2. Don’t include photographs.
3. Don’t put in fancy binders or folders.
4. Don’t list sex, height, weight or other personal information.
5. Don’t include the complete address of prior employers.
6. Don’t list religion, race, ethnic origin, or political affiliation.
7. Don’t include salary information.
8. Don’t include lengthy periods of unemployment.
9. Don’t use carbon or photo reproduction copies.
10. Don’t use pompous or self serving descriptions of yourself.
11. Don’t exaggerate.
12. Don’t use jargon, slang, or trite expressions.
13. Don’t use conjunctions.
 RESUME SAMPLES
The following are sample resume templates.
It is important to choose a resume style that fits your work experience and skills.
Please consult with a Career Counselor in Career Services regarding questions on resume writing.
 (Chronological Template)
Name
Address
Phone Number
Email address

Objective:
Be specific with what position you’re seeking. Try to use a couple of key words that an employer will
notice right away pertaining to the job.

Education:
Degree Date
School City, State
- (GPA, but only if 3.5 or higher)

Work Experience:
Title Dates of Employment
Company Name City, State
- List all job accomplishments starting with powerful action verbs. Try to stay away from
“Responsible for…” or “Assisted with…”. These are very common phrases when starting this
section.
- Try to have about three bullets, depending on experience.
-

Title Dates of Employment

Company Name City, State
- Again, list your main just functions and try to think of transferable skills that will relate to the
position you’re currently applying for.
- Don’t use the same action verb more than once.

Internship Experience:
Title Dates of Internship
Company Name City, State
- List job functions of your internship.
- Try to keep it relative to the position you’re applying for.

Clubs/Organizations:
Member Dates
Club Name
- Any job functions you may have had, or if you held any positions.

Awards/Honors:
List Award Date
- Option of explaining what the award is, or who it was awarded to.
 (Chronological example #1)
JANE SMITH
5524 Main Street
La Verne, California, 91750
(909) 555-6402
janesmith@yahoo.com

Objective:
Assertive and efficient individual seeking a Management Trainee position with Enterprise Rent-A-Car
utilizing my strengths in time management, detail orientation, and written/verbal communication.

Education:
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration May 2007
University of La Verne La Verne, CA
- GPA: 3.7

Internship Experience:
Intern September 2006 – May 2007
UPS Rancho Cucamonga, CA
- Represented excellent customer service for various stakeholders
- Addressed and answered a range of questions and concerns from customers
- Developed and reviewed existing accounts while additionally prospecting for new accounts

Work Experience:
Work Study Student Assistant March 2004 – May 2007
College of Business and Public Administration
University of La Verne La Verne, CA
- Inspected and organized all mail and deliveries from various departments
- Collected and catalogued all incoming documents and distributed to appropriate faculty member
- Oversaw front office and produced exceptional customer services for all students, parents, faculty,
and staff.

Clubs/Organizations:
Philanthropy Chair August 2005 – August 2006
Delta Delta Delta Sorority
- Coordinated diverse philanthropic events including annual toy drive, car washes, and food drives
for the purpose of raising money for the National AIDS Foundation

Additional Achievements:
“Mover and Shaker Award” May 2005
- Awarded to three percent of the population recognized for outstanding achievement and
involvement on campus.
 (Functional Template)
NAME
Address
Phone Number
Email Address

Objective:
Be Specific with what position you’re applying for. Use a couple of key words that will stand out to the
employer upon first glance.

Education:
Degree (Do not abbreviate with B.A. or B.S. Spell out.) Date
Name of School City, State
- GPA (only if 3.5 or higher)

Relevant Experience:
(Think of two to three categories of strengths pertaining to the position. List all experiences, or job
accomplishments under the appropriate section.)

Category #1
-
-
-
-
-

Category #2
-
-
-
-
-

Category #3
-
-
-
-
-

Work History:
Title Dates of Employment
Company Name City, State

Title Dates of Employment

Company Name City, State

Additional Achievements:
List any activities, awards, honors, or volunteer experiences necessary.
 (Functional Sample)
Mark Smith
1234 Bonita Ave. marksmith@yahoo.com
La Verne, CA (909) 555-6555

OBJECTIVE
Innovative and meticulous individual seeking an opportunity in Sales and Marketing using my leadership,
organizational, and communication skills.

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration
Emphasis: Marketing
University of La Verne, La Verne, CA
-Dean’s List

NOTABLE EXPERIENCE
Leadership: - Arranged and directed two marketing events for ESPN.
- Trained and supervised a team of eight employees in terms of mortgage processing.
- Facilitated and organized blood drive for Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
- Chaired and motivated students to volunteer for annual beach clean-up.

Communication: - Negotiated deals with several media contacts for ESPN marketing events.
- Directed and guided students and parents to appropriate departments while working at
the Information Booth.
- Interacted with various stakeholders in regards to holding Red Cross Blood Drive.
- Persuaded customers and shoppers to make food or money donations for Red Cross.

Analysis: - Conducted and prepared surveys for ESPN at the conclusion of marketing events.
- Organized and analyzed credit reports and verifications of deposits.

EMPLOYMENT
ESPN Marketing Intern Summer 2007
ESPN Corporate Office Irvine, CA

Mortgage Processor May 2004 – June 2006

Delta Bank San Dimas, CA

Student Assistant January 2003 – June 2003

University of La Verne La Verne, CA

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Philanthropy Chair 2007
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity

Volunteer 2006
Red Cross
Sample set-up for Reference Page

NAME
Address (permanent? temporary?)
City, State Zip Code
Phone Number
E-mail Address

REFERENCES

Name
Title
Company
Address
Phone Number

Name
Title
Company
Address
Phone Number

Name
Title
Company
Address
Phone Number