Resume Guidelines
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Guidelines for RésuméDevelopment
Table of Contents
Links in the list below will take you to the relevant information located on this page.
- What is a Résumé?
- Writing About Your Skills
- Getting Started
- Sample Résumé#1
- Sample Résumé#2
- Cover Letters
- Technology Considerations
1: What Is A Résumé
The résumé is a document for presenting your skills and experience to potential employers. It should be constructed in such a way that it is, simultaneously, easy to scan quickly, while containing enough information that a closer read will reveal essential details about where you've been and suggest where you have the potential to go.
A one-page résumé is usually sufficient for people getting started in or near the beginning of their professional careers (e.g., traditional aged undergraduate students seeking internships or their first post graduation position.)
Résumé Rules!
Look through half a dozen books on résumés, and you'll find six versions of what a résumé "must," and "must not" include. In reality, many of these rules are merely the writers' opinions. However, we'll start with the premise that the résumé will be read quickly, with a second, closer look occurring if a candidate makes the first cut. Therefore, a résumé has to be easy to read- short but filled with information. That said, the following guidelines make sense:
- One page.
- Reverse chronological (as opposed to functional) format
- An objective or summary of qualifications—your opportunity to communicate right near the top of the page that you know what you're looking for and are qualified for the job.
- Focus on the "hot spot." Is the most impressive, relevant information on the upper half of the page?
- Top down—it's better to read like a list than a letter. This is achieved with action-oriented "bulleted" statements (note: these are rarely complete sentences, personal pronouns—I, we, etc.—are not included).
- Lead your statements with verbs.
Résumé Construction
Everybody has their own style of writing, their own style of organizing their thoughts. Microsoft Office has templates that can help you format the "look" of your résumé. In addition, there are many sites on the Web that will offer loads of advice. (Try going to "Résumé and Job Search Correspondence" on our Career Development Model for up to date suggested links.)
There's no getting around the fact, however, that the first step is to sit down and identify what you've done in your work, schooling and life—specifically the things that might be important for a potential employer to know about you. These things may include:
- Educational details
- Duties performed in part-time jobs and internships
- Campus activities and/or volunteer work
- Interests & activities
- Computer skills
- Transferable skills
- Study abroad/international experience
2: Writing About Your Skills
Skills Form Your Résumé's Foundation
This section is especially important for students who are inclined to state, "But I've only been a waitress," (or cashier, bartender, etc.).
A recent survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers listed the top desired skills for entry-level job candidates. The list included these skills:
- Oral Communication
- Teamwork
- Interpersonal
- Analytical
- Leadership
Often, entry-level candidates, with limited experience at the professional level in their chosen field, can present these as transferable skills. Transferable skills are ones that you've picked up somewhere other than the place your headed but which will be relevant in your new field or position.
For instance, maybe you worked on a sales team in the retail environment of a part-time job. You may not be going into retail work as a career, but consider the possibility that your new employer—whoever he or she is, in whatever field or company—probably values teamwork and interpersonal communication skills. So, entries such as: "Acted as member of six person sales team" or "Assisted customers with purchases and merchandise returns" may be something to consider as demonstration of the development of important transferable skills.
Don't sell yourself short! As you compose your rough draft, be sure and give yourself credit for your transferable skills.
Writing Skills Phrases
The skill phrases you construct will be central to making your résumé clear, concise, and informative. These phrases will begin with action verbs. Some examples of such phrases are:
- Organized event for the Accounting Club.
- Maintained inventory control.
- Calculated and reviewed project estimates.
Below is a list of some action verbs that can be used to start skill phrases.
| acted adapted addressed administered advertised allocated analyzed appraised assessed assigned bargained built calculated cared for catered changed clarified collaborated collected communicated compared compiled composed computed conducted constructed contributed controlled cooperated coordinated counseled created critiqued debated critiqued debated decided defined delegated delivered |
demonstrated designed detected developed directed discussed dissected drafted drew edited educated encouraged enforced enlisted evaluated examined expedited experimental explained expressed facilitated filed fundraised gathered gave graphed guided heard helped hosted identified implemented initiated inspired interpreted invented judged led learned lectured listened |
lobbied made policy managed manipulated mapped mediated memorized modified motivated negotiated observed operated ordered organized operated ordered organized perceived performed persuaded planned preached prepared prioritized processed programmed promoted proofread publicized published purchased raised reacted read reasoned recommended reconciled recorded recruited reduced |
reflected related remembered repaired reported reproduced researched restored reviewed risked scanned scheduled screened serviced served shaped simplified sold spoke staged studied summarized supervised supported symbolized systematized tabulated talked taught tended terminated trained translated traveled typed understood validated visualized wrote |
3: Getting Started
When you first sit down to write, think "more" rather than "less." At this stage you're simply listing out items within the major résumé categories. The time for editing and refining is later.
It's helpful to think of your résumé as a work in progress, beginning with the rough draft, moving onto increasingly polished drafts.
During most of the hours it is open, the Career Resource Center, 3rd floor Herrick Hall, has trained career assistants available on a drop-in basis who can help you identify places where your content or look might be improved.
Major Résumé Categories
In this section, we'll highlight the categories most often used in the résumés of undergraduate students
Identification:
The résumé begins with your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Most often, this information is centered at the top of the page, as shown in this example:
Kelly Goode
1314 Mockingbird Lane
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 962-7777
k9goode@stthomas.edu
Objective:
The objective suggests to the potential employer the focus of a candidate's search. The person reading a résumé with the right objective may ascertain that the candidate appears to be seeking to do the type of work the employer needs somebody to perform.
When you know the type of work you're seeking, it's important to state that in a way that's succinct and clear to the reader. Examples include:
Objective: Seeking a position in consumer product sales.
Or,
.an entry-level position in accounting.
Or,
.an internship in public relations.
Note: Some people customize their objective for each position for which they apply ( e.g., Seeking a position in the human resources department of the XYZ company). A case can be made that this will get an employer's attention. Others believe that an objective this specific is too obviously tailored towards a job vacancy and may not persuade the employer of the job seeker's overall focus.
It's also helpful if you can work in a suggestion of not just what you want to do, but also what you'll be bringing. What it is that makes you believe the type of work you're seeking is something at which you'll excel?
Examples include:
- Seeking a position in consumer product sales that will utilize a strong customer service background and excellent problem solving abilities.
- Seeking an entry-level position in accounting in which a strong educational background and analytical skills will be applied.
- Seeking an internship in public relations that will build upon and expand strong written and oral communication skills.
- Seeking a position that includes responsibilities for systems analysis, maintenance of records, evaluation of programs and projecting future sales trends.
Not every résumé must include an objective. If you don't really know what type of experience you're seeking, an objective can be problematic. If an objective suggests only a very general interest in obtaining employment (e.g., "Seeking a challenging position that will utilize my skills and provide for advancement"), this category is probably better left omitted.
Education:
For most current students, as well as most recent graduates, education is the most relevant accomplishment to potential employers; thus it is included before employment.
Educational experiences can be highlighted with special activities and honors, as shown below:
| University of St. Thomas | St. Paul, MN |
| B.A., Major: Communication | Minor: Business Administration |
| Graduation: May 2006 | GPA: 3.6 |
Honors and Activities:
| |
Notes on Education section:
- Honors and activities are not essential. Not all students can claim them. Also, these may be set-apart in a separate section if you prefer.
- If you have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or better, do include that on your résumé.
- This is a good place to include elected leadership.
- Generally, it is not advisable to include high school details in this section.
Employment:
This section is where you detail your paid employment experience. Jobs are listed in reverse chronological order. Before you begin, really think about what functions you've performed in each of the part-time, full-time or summer jobs you've held.
You may list the place of employment or the job title first. Consider: "Given what I want to do, what do I want my prospective employer to notice?" So, an accounting student who has done basic bookkeeping might go with:
| Bookkeeper | Summers, 2005 to present |
| E's Home for Youth | Babbitt, MN |
While a Social Work major who held the same job might list its as:
| E's Home for Youth | Summers, 2005 to present |
| Bookkeeper | Babbitt, MN |
When possible, try and include more entries in your most recent employment, with fewer lines in subsequent entries. This subtly suggests that as your work history has progressed, you've done a bit more in each job. For instance:
| Kinko's | St. Paul, MN |
| Customer Service Associate | January 2006-present |
| |
| University of St. Thomas, Career Services | St.Paul, MN |
| Career Assistant | September 2004-December 2005 |
| |
| Knutson Family | Richfield, MN |
| Nanny | Summers, 2004, 2005 |
| |
Other Résumé Categories
Identification, Objective, Education and Employment are fairly standard categories for college students' résumés. There are other categories that are often included, as well. Whether you use these will depend on your particular achievements and experiences as well as how important they're likely to be to your potential employer.
They include:
Computer Skills:
Increasingly, this is something employers like to know about even for non-technical positions. Here you'd list basic current technologies, hardware, software and languages that you've learned and used.
Internship Experience:
Sometimes you've had an internship that is not your most recent experience. One way to get this closer to the top of the page is to give your internship a separate category between Education and Experience.
Campus Honors and Activities:
This can be part of Education or a separate category. This is great for students who've done quite well academically and/or have been active in campus life.
Volunteer Activities:
If you've volunteered, this may be worth noting. It helps the employer to see you as a well-rounded person.
Interests:
Some people dislike this category, thinking of it as "filler." Others believe it can be a useful conversation starter.
International/Study Abroad Experience:
If you've had this type of experience you might summarize/highlight experiences or transferable skills developed.
References:
Not really a category, but "References: Furnished upon request," signals to the reader that they've reached the end of your document. Some people dislike this category and are of the opinion that references being available should be assumed and need not be stated.
4: Sample Résumé #1
This and the next page are samples of undergraduate or entry level résumés. The first is a graduating senior seeking her first post-graduation position in her field of accounting. The second is a communication major seeking an internship (in this case, his second internship) that will expand his skill base and help him attain a greater sense of what opportunities he'll want to pursue upon graduation. While this person has fewer academic and campus related credentials, he effectively emphasizes transferable skills acquired in his work and life experiences.
Notice how in each résumé the candidates:
- Give themselves maximum credit for the skills they've acquired up to this point.
- Highlight experiences most relevant to direction in which they want to go.
- Present a clean, easy to read picture of whom they are and what they have to offer the employer.
Anne Super
St. Paul, Minnesota 55104
(651) 555-1314
a9super@stthomas.edu
| Objective | Entry-level position in accounting requiring strong analytical and communication skills. | |
| Education | University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Major: Accounting GPA: 3.25 Graduation, May 2006 Honors and Activities: Vice President Accounting Club Aquinas Scholar Orientation Group Leader | |
| Employment | Bookkeeper/Service Counter/Cashier | June 2005-present |
| Byerly's | Roseville, Minnesota | |
| ||
| Career Assistant | September 2004-May2005 | |
| University of St. Thomas | Saint Paul, Minnesota | |
| ||
| Nanny | Summers, 2004, 2005 | |
| Knutson Family | Richfield, Minnesota | |
| ||
| Computer Skills |
| |
| Volunteer Activities |
| |
| References | Furnished upon request. | |
5: Sample Résumé #2
This is another sample résumé. Be sure to notice how the candidate:
- Gives himself maximum credit for the skills he's acquired up to this point.
- Highlights experiences most relevant to direction in which he wants to go.
- Presents a clean, easy to read picture of who he is and what he has to offer the employer.
Mark Guy
3250 Grand Avenue, Apt. 202
St. Paul, MN 55115
(651) 555-6776
m9guy@stthomas.edu
OBJECTIVE
Seeking an internship in marketing that will build on existing teamwork skills and business experience.
EDUCATION
| University of St. Thomas | St. Paul, MN |
| Bachelor of Arts Major: Communication Minor: Business Administration Graduation, May 2007 | |
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
| FuncorpCentral | Edina, MN |
| Events Intern | May 2005-December 2005 |
- Performed store demonstrations of company's birthday party products for ten retail locations.
- Communicated with store personnel and parents on safe use of toys and balloons.
- Built positive relationships with store owners.
- Completed and submitted reports within one day of events.
EMPLOYMENT
| Marshall Field's Department Store | Minneapolis, MN |
| Sales Associate | December 2004-Present |
- Acted as part of men's casual clothing sales team in company's largest grossing store.
- Recognized as Associate of the Month in third month on the job.
- Maintained in-store displays and presentation of merchandise.
| Guys Doing Lawns | Inver Grove Heights, MN |
| Owner | Summers, 2003, 2004 |
- Started and developed lawn service with twenty-five customers.
- Doubled size of business in two years, based on word of mouth customer satisfaction.
ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS
- Member, Communication Club.
Volunteer, annual Neighborhood Paintathon Weekend for Sr. Homeowners.
LaCrosse Club.
REFERENCES
- Furnished upon request.
6: Cover Letters
Cover letters are always sent as the companion piece to the résumé. They should be:
- One page that highlights and emphasizes information from the résumé and experience that is especially relevant to the position for which you're applying.
- Personalized (i.e., addressed to an individual, rather than "to whom it may concern").
- Concluded with a statement indicating that you will follow-up with a phone call (i.e., rather than "I look forward to hearing from you."
7: Technology Considerations
Scanable Résumés & Cover Letters
Many organizations use technology to scan résumés and letters into a database from which they can later be retrieved. Often company Web sites will indicate if they prefer to receive résumés in scanable format. A quick inquiry to a company's H.R. department may also answer this question. Scanable résumés are designed to be read by a computer, rather than the human eye. Therefore, having two versions of your résumé (one scanable, one not) is advisable. The good news is that many of the basic guidelines of a good résumé (e.g., using action verbs and reverse chronological format) are compatible with and appropriate for this new technology. Other tips include:
- Eliminate graphics, italics and underlines.
- Use white or off-white paper.
- Use 12-14 pt. fonts.
- Use standard fonts, such as Times or Roman.
- Use terms and jargon specific to your field.
- Spell out acronyms.
Electronic or E-Résumés
Recent trends suggest that E-mailing directly to potential employers is an increasingly accepted way of sending a résumé and cover letter. Tips for using this method of delivery include:
- Include a cover letter (as you would if sending via paper mail).
- Use an "e-friendly" format that can be easily viewed by various platforms and browsers. A good idea is to send your application materials to a few friends first, to make sure they have no trouble receiving and reading them.
- Indicate in your E-mail which application you used to create your résumé. For example: "Attached you will find my résumé, which was created in Microsoft Word 2000."
- Label your attachments with your name. Receiving dozens of attachments marked simply "résumé" can be confusing to a prospective employer.
- To assure that employers also get a look at the higher quality look that goes along with bonded paper and more elaborate graphics, some candidates send E-mail résumés and correspondence with the notation "hard copy to follow."
