Since we are all unique individuals with different experiences and talents, resumes can vary greatly. Career Development has set up the following topics to assist you in developing a successful resume:

What should go on a resume?
What is the best format for me?
Tips for e-mailing resumes
Final Thoughts

What should go on a resume?

There are two key elements to deciding what goes on your resume.

• First, look at the job description and ask, "Who is the ideal candidate for this position?"
• Then ask, how do my skills and abilities match those listed in the job description? Is there a match? If there is a good match, how are you going to convey that to the employer?

 Standard Sections of the Resume

 Contact Information

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address

 If you are moving list your current address and a permanent address where the employer may contact you.

Objective

Objectives are optional, some people like them some don't. You will have to decide for yourself whether an objective adds to your resume or limits your search.

You may include:

• The exact position you are applying for.
• The skills you wish to use.
• The field in which you are seeking employment.

 Education

•  Name of the school granting your degree
• Degree received
• Major
• Graduation date
  • If you have not graduated, you may put the years of attendance or projected graduation date.
• Minors, overseas academic experience, coursework and grade point average are all optional.
• As a new graduate, the education is usually listed near the top of your resume.

 Experience

The experience section will look different depending on the resume format you choose. Include:

• Job title
• Name of the organization
• City and state where it is located
• Dates of employment 
• Description of responsibilities and accomplishments

 Additional Information

 Other possible sections you may decide to include:

•  Summary of Qualifications
• Professional Affiliations
• Leadership Activities
• Honors and Awards
• Keyword Summary
• Course Work
• Skills

 What is the best format for me?

 There are three main formats typically used in resume writing.

 Chronological

The chronological resume is the most simple and straightforward format. The chronological format lists your background and work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. If you have experience (internship, summer employment, work-study, and practicum) in the area for which you are applying, this is the best format for you.

Click here to see a sample.

Functional

The functional resume focuses on skills and abilities. It draws attention to accomplishments and highlights the skills relevant to the position you are considering.  This style works well for those who do not have extensive experience in their chosen field or for those who are career changers and new to the field.

Click here to see a sample.

Combination

The combination format combines components of the chronological and functional resume. This format allows you to combine your experiences together by function or skill and then you list the experiences chronologically within each section. 

Click here to see a sample.

Tips for e-mailing resumes

• No boldface, italics, underlining or shading.
• No bullets
• Use either Times New Roman or Courier sans serif
• Use 12 point size font
• Limit the lines to 60 characters and hit a hard return so lines do not wrap.
• You may use asterisks *or plus signs + or capitalization to emphasize sections.

Send your e-mail resume as a plain text document (ASCII) and always include a cover letter. These should be sent together in one e-mail. It is probably a good idea to send it to yourself or a friend first to see how it will look.

Do not send a resume as an attachment-unless indicated in the position announcement, most companies are wary of opening up such documents because of the possibility of electronic viruses.

Click here for additional information about electronic resumes from Ready Made Resumes.

Final Thoughts

Length

There used to be a steadfast rule that resumes should not be more than a page long. Today, it is acceptable to have a two-page resume, but make sure your experience warrants two pages. Don't fill up two pages with irrelevant filler. For most recent graduates, a one-page resume will do. If you feel you must go to two pages, make sure that you have enough to fill at least 2/3 of the second page and make sure you put your name on both pages.

References

References should be listed on a separate sheet of paper, preferably the same type of paper used for your resume and cover letter. List the person's name, title, company, address, and phone number. There is no need to put the line, “References Available Upon Request” on your resume, most employers will assume that you have references if and when they are necessary.