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How
to write an effective resume:
An effective resume is the foundation of
every successful job campaign. Most students write their first resume when
they are seeking internships or summer employment, but resume writing
skills are equally important for seniors approaching graduation and alumni
seeking advancement.
As most people know, the purpose of the
resume is to summarize the key elements of your past experience that you
would like employers to consider when you are seeking employment.
Naturally, a resume needs to be revised periodically during your career to
reflect changes in your qualifications. Keep in mind that a good resume
alone won't get you a job; however, it can help you get an interview and
influence an employer's perception of your skills and potential for a
particular kind of work.
There are several standard formats for
resumes, but most employers prefer the chronological format, which is
outlined and illustrated below. A few students might prefer to use a
functional format to call attention to particular skill areas. Additional
information on various resume formats is available in the Career
Development Center. The organization of the resume can be adapted as
necessary to emphasize an individual's most outstanding characteristics.
In general, however, the resume should include:
IDENTIFICATION DATA: name, address (or two
addresses--present and permanent), and phone number(s) (including area
code).
OBJECTIVE: a single phrase expressing the
specific type of employment you are seeking and/or the principal skills
you want to use on the job. Some people prepare two or more resumes with
different objectives. Once you formulate a clear objective, you can use it
almost as a thesis for the remainder of your resume; only information that
supports your career objective should be included on the resume.
EDUCATION: basic details about your
education, including college location (city and state), degree, date of
graduation (or expected graduation), major, related course work and
(possibly) G.P.A. Most college students do not need to include information
about secondary school, but it is important to summarize education
attained through community colleges, other colleges (i.e., transfer
credits), and specialized training programs.
EMPLOYMENT: brief summaries of principle
employment to date. Start with your current (or most recent) position and
work backward. Include all employment relevant to your career objective in
any way. Internships and cooperative experience can be listed either under
employment or under education.
Provide the name of the employer, the
employer's location, your job title, dates of employment, and simple verb
phrases to summarize your main activities on the job (see "action
verb" list). When ever possible quantify and qualify data with
specific details and statistics that illustrate your potential.
ACTIVITIES/HONORS/SPECIAL SKILLS:
additional areas that may be included on the resume if space allows. List
all major activities and awards as well as any skills that are relevant to
your career objective. These can show leadership, organization, critical
thinking, teamwork, self management, initiative and influencing others.
PERSONAL DATA: such as height, weight, sex,
and marital status should not be listed on the resume. Such factors are
irrelevant and cannot legally be considered in employment decisions.
REFERENCES: and, in some cases, portfolios
or transcripts can be listed as "available upon request" if you
have enough room at the bottom of the resume. Have references, phone
numbers, and business addresses ready on a separate sheet whenever you go
to an interview.
Remember to keep all information on the
resume concise and clear. A one-page resume is best, although people with
extensive experience or advanced degrees may have to use two pages. Be
scrupulously careful when you proofread; some employers will refuse to
consider candidates who submit resumes with spelling or typographical
errors.
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