WRITE A RESUME WITH CONFIDENCE

Dos

Before you begin to write your resume, you need to do a

comprehensive self-assessment
List your email address and phone number where you
can be reached
Select the appropriate resume format type:
chronological, functional or combination to showcase
your accomplishments
Highlight your accomplishments and not your job
description
Describe your work experience with a focus on skills and
achievements
Include co-op and internship experiences
Be consistent with job titles and dates
Use action verbs like accomplished, designed,
developed, streamlined, etc.
Use key words which will vary by function
Incorporate metrics into your examples
Sell yourself vs. tell about yourself
Proofread your resume for spelling errors and
grammatical errors
Make information easy to find by clearly defining different
sections of your resume with visible headings
Include certifications & professional licenses
Include technical and computer skills
Include awards and honors
List any educational, professional or student
organizations associations that you are active in especially if you held a leadership role
List any languages you speak, write or read fluently
Spell out acronyms
Use a summary statement vs. objective statement
Catch the readers attention on the first page
Recommended length one (1) page
Select an appropriate size and font something easy to
read
Include GPA

DONTs

Lie, embellish or exaggerate your skills or

accomplishments
Use an inappropriate email address (e.g. hotmama101
@gmail. com)
Lie about your education
Include personal information such as marital status, race,
religion, national origin, etc.
Place a photo of yourself on your resume
List your current or desired salary on your resume
Rely on spell check alone - read your resume out load
List references on your resume
Write resume in 3rd person
Leave gaps in your resume
Use slang words or acronyms
Use common words incorrectly (e.g. assure / ensure /
insure)
Underestimate your volunteer and extracurricular work

What is a resume?
It is a summary of your skills, accomplishments and work history
It is a selling tool used to get an interview
It will be the first document an employer sees about you
On average a resume is scanned for 20-30 seconds to determine whether or not a candidates resume is worth a more
thorough read.
A summary statement on a resume should grab a readers attention
Be sure to have multiple people critique your resume and provide open and honest feedback
Your examples should incorporate metrics that can be quantitative and/or qualitative
Your resume should sell your skills vs. tell about it
Summary Statement
The summary statement is a small bio or sound-bite positioned at the top of the resume (under your contact information)
instead of an objective statement. The summary statement gives the reader a quick and accurate understanding of who
you are and what you can do for them. Include distinctive qualifications, skills and talents. Since its at the top of your
resume, the summary statement is likely one of the first things the reader will see.