Resumes and Documents: The Resume
The Resume
Click here for a PDF Resume Workshop Presentation
Facts and Tips about Resumes
- Often the first impression left with an employer. A stellar resume is more likely to receive a call to schedule an interview. Include a cover letter as well to make your application even stronger.
- In order to capture the correct information, take time to brainstorm past education, experience, accomplishments, leadership, etc. and translate into terms that an employer can understand.
- Recruiters will most likely scan information the first time so the most important information needs to come first. The more space you devote to an item, the more important it should be.
- Every bullet under each experience needs to start with an action verb.
- Experience includes paid, unpaid and volunteer opportunities. You determine what on your resume will go under an “experience” heading.
- Do not substitute for networking. Jobs come through people, not paper!
- Typically should be one page, but those with a lot of relevant information, the resume may be longer – never exceed 2 pages.
- Do not include height, weight, and salary desired.
- Omit religious/political/social affiliation unless you feel it is necessary to help you get the job.
- Proofread carefully. Save your resume frequently and have multiple people proofread prior to submission.
Suggested Sections of a Resume:
NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE, EMAIL:
Might include both present and permanent addresses. Choose one phone number and be sure to have a professional voicemail message and no “ringback tones”. Email addresses should be professional as well.OBJECTIVE/SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS (optional):
Relate this to the needs of employer. May state job/career/profession you are seeking and/or skills you have that will make you successful for this particular job.EDUCATION:
Include degree, name of institution, and month and year of graduation. Mention GPA if above a 3.0. Include any honors or awards in addition to relevant courses, if applicable.COLLEGE ACTIVITES:
List any organizations in which you held an office (optional) and/or participated in special projects.EXPERIENCE:
May include paid or unpaid jobs, volunteer work, internships, summer jobs. Include responsibilities as well as soft skills and format in a bulleted list underneath your job title, organization name, city, state, and start through end dates.SPECIAL SKILLS (optional):
May list work-related skills which may or may not be indicated in education or work experience. Examples: language abilities (fluent, write, read, speak), lab skills, mechanical talents, computer skills, leadership/organization skills.Other optional sections which you may want to use are: COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, MILITARY EXPERIENCE, PUBLICATIONS, PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS, LEADERSHIP, CLINICAL ROTATIONS.
References are always included on a separate page and should never be mentioned on a resume. Do not include the statement “references available upon request”.
Resume Examples
The examples below are provided to assist with ideas for proper format, relevant information, and word choice. Students are encouraged to not use a template and instead type all information into a blank Word document. Please note that the following resume examples are only meant to demonstrate the type of appropriate information to include.