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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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