Resume Writing
Action Verbs | Electronic Resume Guidelines | Considerations for International Students | Samples
A resume is a potential employer’s first impression of you. Remember, the purpose of the resume is to get an interview, not a job. Therefore, tell the employer only what they need to know to want to meet you, and organize it in a way that is clear, easy to read, and quickly shows how your skills match their needs.
Studies show employers will scan your resume in approximately 14 – 21 seconds. With limited time, your job is show them efficiently how you are qualified and should be interviewed.
General Guidelines
Do:
- Put the most relevant information in the top 1/3 of the resume.
- Use reverse chronological information (most recent is first)
- Be consistent in format and content
- Make it easy to read and follow
- Use spacing, underlining, italics, bold, and capitalization for emphasis
- Include enough white space
- Use 8 1/2 x 11-inch bond paper in white, cream, or gray with black print.
- Error-proof your resume
- Use a laser or letter quality printer
- Use bulleted action verbs
- Tailor the resume to the specific job; the resume may need to be changed slightly for each job.
Do NOT:
- Use personal pronouns
- Abbreviate
- Number or letter categories
- Use a picture
- Include age, sex, or religion
- List your references on your resume
Parts of the resume:
Summary Statement
This is an optional statement at the very top of a resume. It summarizes your experience for a very specific position and gives the reader an overview of pertinent, detailed information. Typically, this is for more experienced job seekers.
For example:
Ambitious public relations graduate with 5 years experience in project management, organizing people, and events, with a background in communication and film.
Education
For recent graduates or those still in school, your education has been your full time job, so this information should go first. Include: type of degree, concentration, GPA (if it is above a 3.5), academic honors, and date of graduation or expected graduation. You may also include information about projects that directly relate to your career objective.
Remember that sometimes the resume has implied skills rather than direct skills. For example, working at the same summer camp for four summers may not list “dedication” as a skill, but it is implied by your working for the same employer for four summers. The same goes for promotions, even in summer or part-time work.
For example:
Education
Emerson College, Boston, MA
Candidate for M.A. in Communication Studies, 200X
Concentration: Marketing Communication and Advertising.University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
B.S. in Mass Communication, May 200X
Concentration: Film.Related Projects
Created, directed, and produced a 30-second PSA, two 5-10 minute documentaries, and an interview, which were included on a 20-minute talk show entitled Boston’s Front Row.Rainy Season - Created, produced, and directed two 4-minute silent black and white films with Super 8mm equipment (Film I Project)
Experience
Includes what you get paid to do and/or internships. If there are more than two of each, consider separating them into their own categories, dividing paid work and volunteer/internship opportunities.
Include name of the company, city and state, dates employed, your job title, and a brief job description.
Key: Use appropriate action verbs and accomplishment statements.
For example:
J.D. Public Relations, Newton, MA (199X-200X)
Public Relations Coordinator
Coordinated multimedia sales meetings for large corporations including Keds, Bose, and Intel. Managed all phases of video production. Selected and ordered premium items for national sales promotion. Organized production schedules, budgets, and press kits.Video Dome, Boston, MA (2000)
Video Assistant
Organized tape library. Assisted customers in choosing appropriate equipment for their projects. Made minor repairs to cameras and VCR’s.
You may also write your job descriptions in “bullet” format.
The Rendon Group, Boston, MA (199X-200X)
Associate Director
- Wrote company’s Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy
- Edited copy for literature packets for clients
- Rewrote employee biographies for all proposals
Activities & Affiliations
List college or professional affiliations, indicating offices held and achievements related to these activities. Avoid listing religious or political affiliations., This is a good place for leadership and co-curricular activities, including EMCOMM, The Beacon, WERS.
Skills
Foreign languages in which you are fluent or a native speaker
Computer hardware (Macintosh and/or PC) and applications (for example, Excel, Adobe Photoshop)
Equipment such as: Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, Toaster 100, Steenbeck, Super 8mm, 16mm camera. Be sure to indicate your level of expertise, such as “working knowledge of” or “fluent.”
Interests
List any hobbies or interests that might add interest to your resume. Be specific about categories. For example, instead of listing music, specify which type (jazz, rock, classical). This category of information is optional and more appropriate for a first resume. Better than interests are team activities. For example, “soccer” is good, but ‘Women’s Intramural Soccer” is better. “Jazz” is good, but “Member of jazz quartet,” is better.
Format
There are three main resume formats commonly used.
A chronological resume describes each job in reverse chronological order (most recent job first). It’s most common and best suited for individuals who have had experience relevant to their career objectives.
The functional resume organizes experience in terms of skills and accomplishments. It is best suited for career changers who lack particular experience in the field they are targeting. It emphasizes key marketable skills by citing accomplishments.
The combination resume uses features of the chronological and functional resumes. Skills and experience are presented as themes; positions and companies follow chronologically. You can de-emphasize positions not related to your current career goal. The combination resume matches achievements and skills to job requirements.
Resume language needs to be:
- Specific rather than general
- Action-oriented
- Fact-based (quantify or qualify – use numbers and dollars when appropriate
- Skill, not task based. IE: not ‘answer phones’ (task) but ‘provide customer information over telephone’ (skill)
- Articulate, not “flowery”
- Value added; make sure each word counts!
Action Verbs
Communication & People Skills
Addressed, Advertised, Arbitrated, Arranged, Authored, Clarified, Collaborated, Communicated, Composed, Condensed, Consulted, Contacted, Conveyed, Convinced, Corresponded, Debated, Defined, Developed, Directed, Drafted, Edited, Enlisted, Explained, Formulated, Incorporated, Influenced, Interacted, Interpreted, Interviewed , Joined, Lectured, Listened, Marketed, Mediated, Moderated, Negotiated, Observed, Outlined, Participated, Persuaded, Presented, Promoted, Proposed, Publicized, Recruited, Referred, Reinforced, Reported, Resolved, Responded, Solicited, Specified, Spoke, Suggested, Summarized, Synthesized, Translated, Wrote
Creative Skills
Adapted, Combined, Conceptualized, Created, Customized, Designed, Displayed, Entertained, Founded, Illustrated, Initiated, Instituted, Integrated, Introduced, Modeled, Modified, Originated, Performed, Revised, Revitalized, Shaped, Solved
Management Skills
Administered, Analyzed, Appointed, Approved, Assigned, Attained, Authorized, Chaired, Considered, Consolidated, Contracted, Controlled, Converted, Coordinated, Decided, Delegated , Executed, Generated, Handled, Headed, Hired, Hosted, Improved, Increased, Inspected, Led, Managed, Merged, Motivated, Navigated, Organized, Overhauled, Oversaw, Planned, Presided, Prioritized, Produced, Recommended, Reorganized, Replaced, Restored, Reviewed, Scheduled, Secured, Selected, Streamlined, Strengthened, Supervised
Organizational Skills
Catalogued, Categorized, Classified, Collected, Compiled, Corrected, Distributed, Filed, Generated, Logged, Maintained, Monitored, Obtained, Operated, Ordered, Prepared, Processed, Provided, Purchased, Recorded, Registered, Reserved, Responded, Routed, Screened, Submitted, Supplied, Standardized, Updated, Validated, Verified
Teaching Skills
Advised, Coached, Conducted, Critiqued, Enabled, Encouraged, Evaluated, Facilitated, Focused, Guided, Individualized, Informed, Instructed, Taught, Trained, Tutored
Electronic Resume Guidelines
Considerations for International Students
- American resumes do not include: height, weight, gender or marital status
- Do not include a picture of yourself on or with your resume
- Do not put your Visa status on your resume
- Translate degrees you have received from colleges in your home country to English
- American resumes are written in reverse chronological order -- put your most recent work experience first
- Resume should be one page, unless you have significant experience in the field in which you are seeking work
- Include foreign languages you speak
- Do not use personal pronouns (I, we, they, etc.)
- For every resume you send out you also need to send a cover letter (see Cover Letter Writing Guidelines)
- Your resume should highlight relevant work and class experience, and significant achievements
- Your resume needs to be unique - IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR RESUME TO BE IDENTICAL TO A FRIEND’S!
- Have your resume proofread by a Career Services Advisor
Curriculum Vitae
Many international students have a curriculum vitae. America companies generally require the submission of a resume and cover letter to apply for a job. A curriculum vitae may be required if you are applying to graduate or professional programs, employment with international firms, or when promoting oneself within academic and certain professional fields. A curriculum vitae is longer than the average 1-2 page resume because it provides a greater range of information which can include:
- Professional, Vocational or Research Objectives
- Listing of Relevant Course Work to Match Career or Academic Objective
- Scientific or Academic Research, Laboratory Experience and Related Skills
- Educational or Professional Honors or Awards
- Description of Thesis or Dissertation, Papers Written, Publications
- Academic or Professional Presentations
- Related Extracurricular Activities, Professional and Association Memberships
- Community Involvement
- Interests - Future Academic or Professional Goals
- Travel / Exposure to Cultural Experiences
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