Resume Writing Guide
Choose the Best Type of Resume
There are several basic types of resumes used to apply for job openings. Depending on
your personal and professional circumstances, you will need to choose a
targeted, chronological, functional, or a combination resume. Take the time to explore
each type of resume and then decide which format will work best for your unique
circumstances and work history.
Guidelines for What to Include in a Resume
It's important to know what kind of detailed information to include in your resume, such
as appropriate fonts and margins. This guide also includes resume formatting,
appropriate resume sections, and various examples and templates.
How to Create a Professional Resume
Your resume needs to be professional and polished. If you don't have an attractive
resume, your application probably won't get a second glance from a hiring manager.
Here's how to create a professional looking resume without incurring the cost of hiring
someone to write it for you.
Review Resume Samples and Templates
Here's where you'll be able to review professional resume samples that fit a variety of
employment situations and types of jobs. These sample resumes and templates will
help you format your resume, no matter what kind of job you're looking for.
Here Are Some Resume Guidelines
Resume Length: Your resume should be as concise as possible; two pages is the
maximum length, but one page is preferable. Here's more about resume length and how
long your resume should be. If you need to get your resume on a single page,
here's how to tighten it up and gain extra space.
Font and Size: Do not use ornate fonts that are difficult to read. Times New Roman,
Arial, Calibri, or a similar font is best. Your font size should be between 10 and 12
points although your name and the section headings can be a little larger and/or bold.
Here's how to select a font for your resume.
Page Margins: The standard page margins in word processing programs (1" margins
on the top, bottom and left and right sides of the page) work for most resumes.
However, if you need to tighten the margins to reduce the length of your resume, it's fine
to reduce the margins to a 1/2" on the sides and top and bottom.
Layout: However you decide to organize the sections of your resume, be sure to keep
each section uniform. For example, if you put the name of one company in italics, every
company name must be in italics. If you bold one job title, bold them all.
Accuracy: Be sure to edit your resume before sending it. Check spelling, grammar,
tenses, names of companies and people, etc. Have a friend or career services
counselor check over your resume as well. Use this proofreading checklist to make sure
your resume is perfect.
Here's some information that you should be sure to include on your resume:
Identification
Include your name, address, telephone number, and email address in
the identification section at the top of your resume, or consider one of these other
options for addressing your resume.
Use a professional email address (i.e.
[email protected] rather than
[email protected]).
Objective
This section is optional. If you decide to include a resume objective, keep it
concise and specific; state your desired job or field, and what you hope to
accomplish in that field.
Profile
Another optional section is a resume profilewhich includes a summary of your
skills, experiences, and goals written specifically for a job posting.
Education
Here's more information on what to include and how to format a resume education
section.
Include the degrees you have received in reverse chronological order (with the
most recent degree listed first).
Be sure to include the name of each institution, its location, and your date of
graduation (or expected date of graduation).
When applicable, include your major/minor fields, as well as your GPA and any
honors, publications, and projects.
Unless you are a current high school student, do not include your high school
degree.
Experience
Here is more information on the experience section of a resume, including what to list,
and how to format it.
Include your work experience in reverse chronological order (with the most
recent degree listed first).
This section can include jobs, internships, and volunteer work. High school
studentsmight also include clubs and sports teams when applicable.
Include the name of the company, the position, and dates of employment.
List roughly three important tasks, accomplishments, or skills gained at each job.
Use action verbs to describe your achievements; avoid passive phrases such as
responsible for and duties include
