A résumé is a summary of your personal, educational and experiential qualifications positioned to relate to the job you’re seeking. At its best, a résumé highlights and clarifies your skills and experience for a prospective employer in a compelling way. A sequential résumé is a listing of information, organized by categories, and presented with the most recent activities or positions first. See Career Planning Guide for resume samples.
Download the Career Planning Guide (PDF)
Fonts & Design
What font should you use?
A simple, sans-serif font like Arial or Helvetica, between 10 and 12 points. Except your name - make it BOLD and loud at up to 36 points.
Unless you’re applying for a position in a design-related field, steer clear of design elements. Also, save the photographs for your LinkedIn profile.
Contact Info
Include your full name, mailing address, phone, and email address. Make sure you have a professionally appropriate email – free of nicknames and numbers.
Margins
Should not be less than .5" and should not be larger than 1"
Objective or Profile
Some employers require them; some don’t. If in doubt, speak to a Career Coach. Tip: Keep it short, concise and reflective of the position for which you’re applying.
If the objective is about what you’re seeking, the profile statement is about what you have to offer. Include up to five points that match the specific qualifications of the position.
Education
GPA: 3.82
If your GPA is 3.0 or higher, include it.
Links
If you’re including a link to an e-mail, website, LinkedIn profile or a portfolio site, make sure it's a live link.
Experience
Include the name of the organization, city and state, dates of employment, job title, and a description of accomplishments and responsibilities. Be sure to include volunteer work, internships, student teaching, research projects, summer and part-time jobs, or other work experiences related to your field. Use concise descriptive phrases beginning with action words to highlight your skills and accomplishments. Quantify impact when possible.
Skills
Special skills include: computer and web proficiencies, typing and dictation transcription experience, fluency in foreign languages and translation abilities, familiarity with phone or retails systems. Make sure the skills you include are applicable to the position for which you’re applying.
Travel / Relocation
Let prospective employers know you're ready, willing and able to be on the road, in the air, or even make a move for the right position. Your ability to be open to new places and experiences may give you the competitive edge you need to get the job you want.