|
These categories are suggested areas. If you do not have information to
fit, skip it!
Identifying Data: Include your name, address, telephone number,
and e-mail address. Having a telephone answering machine or voice mail
at your home can be extremely helpful when conducting a job search.
Occupational Objective: If you know the occupation in which you
are interested, state the job function and industry in your objective
statement. Stating an objective informs potential employers and network
contacts that you have determined a particular direction and serves as a
focal point from which they can review and analyze your resume. If you
are applying to a variety of industries and your background supports
several career options, state your objective using adjectives supporting
the job function you wish to obtain. To maximize your options, you may
need two or more resumes, EACH with a different objective to effectively
"market" yourself to prospective employers. If uncertain about a career
direction, just eliminate the objective.
Education: List the colleges or universities that you have
attended. Include the degrees received or anticipated with a date. If
you did not receive a degree, you may wish to list the dates of
attendance. Your most recent educational institution should appear
first. Include any certification that you have received. If you have
been awarded academic honors, you may include the information in this
area of your resume. If you have a significant number of honors, you may
wish to locate it in a separate category on your resume. If your grade
point average is 3.0 or above, you may wish to include it.
Work Experience: Include a brief summary of your previous
employment listed in reverse chronological order. Include the title of
your position, name and location of the employer, time frame of
employment and a brief description of your accomplishments. Begin
sentences with action words that describe what you did, i.e., "Posted
and audited bills of original entry". If you were involved in an
internship, state the dates, type of internship, organization,
geographical location and position accomplishments.
Honors: Include honors awarded for sports, leadership, and
service. If you received scholastic honors, you may wish to include this
information here or in the Education category.
Extracurricular, Civic and Community Volunteer Work: Include
activities in which you have participated, especially positions of
leadership within the activities or organizations. Volunteer work or
community service may also be listed.
Professional Affiliations: Include memberships that you hold in
organizations related to your career field; e.g., National Education
Association, American Management Association.
Special Skills and/or Abilities: Include fluency in a foreign
language, computer knowledge and experience (if this is your major area,
put it under Computer Skills), skills in operating office machinery if
supporting job qualifications, certification or license to operate
special equipment in this section. If you have written and published
articles or papers, bibliographic information should be included.
Interests: Include hobbies, leisure time activities and travel
experience. This is typically a space-filler, but can be included on
your resume.
References: Indicate that references will be "Available upon
request". If you indicate this statement on your resume, you must be
prepared with a list of references. To accomplish this task:
• Request permission to list the name of each person whom you wish to
serve as a reference; ask him or her if they are willing to serve as a
positive reference for you. After receiving confirmation that they are
willing to serve as a good reference, then:
• Create a page that matches the heading on your resume including your
name, address and telephone number. List the name of each reference
person; his or her official title, such as "Office Manager"; the name of
the company, street address, city, state, zip code, telephone number and
e-mail address.
• Submit your list of references ONLY when asked to do so by the
prospective employer. Discrimination on your part will be appreciated by
your references. The individuals who are serving as references are busy
people and they want to help you, but please be fair to them!
View the Career Development Center's Resume Rubric - How will your resume score??
Download a Resume PowerPoint |
