Writing a Winning Resumé

• Resumé Purpose and Types
• Appearance/Format and General Guidelines
• Resumé Organization
• Resumé Content:

  • Objective
  • Education
  • Experience
  • Optional Information

• References
• Additional Suggestions

A resumé is a summary of your qualifications for employment.  It will typically let the reader know what type of position you are seeking and will highlight your education, experience, skills and other relevant information.  The primary purpose of the resumé is to get you an interview.  Resumés are also used as a marketing tool when conducting informational interviews and when networking.

There are basically three types of resumés.

• Chronological
  This type of resumé is used most frequently. With this format, you present information in reverse chronological order (most recent first) and give a detailed account of education, work experiences and other skills.
• Functional
  This type of resumé includes functional skill categories that highlight work experiences and transferable skills.  A functional resumé may be used if your experience and/or education do not support your professional objective.  Many employers are suspicious when reviewing these resumés, as they may be used to hide gaps in employment or a lack of work experience.
• Combination
  This type of resumé includes functional skill categories that highlight work experiences and transferable skills within the reverse chronological listing of work history.

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Appearance/Format and General Guidelines

Abbreviations and Pronouns
Avoid using abbreviations and personal pronouns (I, me, etc.).

Enhancements
Use indention, bolding, underlining and bullets to enhance important information. Avoid using italics because some resumé scanners have difficulty interpreting this information.

Envelopes
Purchase large manila or white envelopes that allow you to mail your resumé and cover letter without folding them.

Font and Font Size
Use only one font.  The font should be professional; when using Microsoft Word, it is suggested you use Arial or Times New Roman.  Font size for your resumé text should be no larger than 12 point and no smaller than 9 point.  Font size for headings and subheadings may be slightly larger.

Honesty
Make sure that your resumé is an honest and accurate account of your qualifications.

Ink
Use only black ink. Do not use colored inks.

Layout and Format
Select a resumé layout that is eye appealing and allows the employer to quickly retrieve information. Remember that the eye reads left to right, top to bottom; therefore, you should avoid centering subheadings. Try different formats to determine which one best highlights your skills and qualifications.

Length
Try to limit your resumé to one page.  If you have extensive, relevant experience (five or more years), your resumé may be expanded to more than one page.

Margins
Set all margins (left, right, top and bottom) no smaller than ½ inch and no larger than 1 inch. 

Paper
Print your resumé on quality bond paper.  White or off-white paper is preferable.  Avoid parchment-style, flecked or dark papers because they do not photocopy or scan well.  To create a professional presentation, the cover letter and reference page should be printed on the same paper. 

Personal Information
Do not include personal information such as age, height, weight, health status, marital status, number of children, military classification, etc. unless it is required for the specific position.  Remember that this information may be necessary for certain career fields such as acting.  If you are conducting an international job search, please note that personal information may be required in some countries.

Photographs
Do not incorporate personal photographs into your resumé unless it is necessary to obtain the position.  For example, professional head shot photos are required when applying for acting positions. 

Printers
Print your resumé using a laser printer for a sharp, clean look.  Avoid lower quality dot matrix, ink jet or bubble jet printers.  Do not distribute photocopies of your resumé.

Proofreading
Request that several people review and comment on your resumé. Re-write and edit your resumé until it is perfect.

White Space
Use white (blank) space effectively to make your resumé look professional and easier to read.  Avoid filling the entire surface of the paper with information.   

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Resumé Organization

Follow these guidelines when deciding how to organize your resumé. Please note that the most important information is listed first.

1. Identifying information (name, contact information) is listed first.
2. Objective or summary of qualifications is listed second.  When you are applying to a specific vacancy, the objective or summary gives you the opportunity to provide a brief statement that connects your career aspirations and qualifications to the specific position and/or industry.  This section serves as the first step in tailoring your resumé to the employer’s vacancy.
3. All other headings are listed as they relate to the objective. Resumé information should be prioritized and presented in a manner that best supports the objective. For example, if you have limited professional experience, your educational information should appear before your experience. However, if you have professional experience that is directly relevant to your objective or your major does not support your objective, you should list experience before educational information.
4. All information is listed in reverse chronological order.  When organizing a resumé, the most recent information should be listed first.  For example, if you have both a master's and a bachelor's degree you would list the master's degree first when presenting educational information.  This also applies to work experience and other sections of the resumé.

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Resumé Content

The following information is typically included in a resumé:

Identifying Information
Your name, complete address, and telephone number(s) should be listed at the top of your resumé. An e-mail address may be listed if the account is checked daily. Do not put pager numbers on your resumé. Students who have contact information at home and school should distinguish the separate addresses by date. For example:

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Resumé Content: Objective

The objective appears near the top of your resumé and tells the reader about your career goals and/or expresses interest in a specific job or vacancy.  The objective gives direction and focus to your resumé.  You may call this section a variety of things including:

• Career Objective
• Objective
• Position Desired
• Professional Objective

The major components of the objective, in their suggested order, are:

• General or specific job title
  Examples: entry-level position, accountant, graphic designer, actor, musician, biologist, sales representative, teacher, etc.
• Occupational field or industry
  Examples: human resources, retailing, health care, manufacturing, banking, education, entertainment, etc.
• Qualifications/skills
  Examples: computer competencies, languages, teamwork, problem solving, creativity, management, organization, etc.
• Information related to the position that may entice an employer to consider you (optional)
  Examples:  willingness to travel and/or relocate, work authorization, etc.

Sample objectives for various majors:

Education major
To obtain a teaching position in a Chicago-area private elementary school utilizing experience and demonstrated skills in interpersonal communication, classroom management, teamwork and leadership.  Interested in opportunities to sponsor extra-curricular activities.

English major
To obtain an editor position with a publishing company utilizing an English degree and skills in proofreading and writing. 

Marketing major
To obtain a management trainee position in the retail industry utilizing a degree in marketing, two years of retail experience, interpersonal communication, creativity and time management.  Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent basis.

Music major
To obtain an organist position utilizing three years of organist experience, a degree in music performance and skills in time management, organization and interpersonal communication.

Nursing major
To obtain a position as a cardiology nurse in a medical center utilizing education, clinical experience and demonstrated skills in problem-solving, supervision and interpersonal communication. 

Sales Representative position
To obtain a position as a medical sales representative utilizing education, previous sales experience, an understanding of medical terminology and interpersonal communication.  Willing to relocate. 

The summary of qualifications appears near the top of your resumé and summarizes your education, experience and/or skills.  The summary of qualifications, like the objective, gives your resumé focus and direction.   It can be used instead of an objective or may be used to compliment and support an objective.  You may title this section in several ways including:

• Summary of Qualifications
• Qualifications Summary
• Professional Highlights
• Professional Qualifications

The major components of a summary of qualifications may include:

• Statement(s) of breadth or depth of experience
• Statement(s) of relevant educational background
• Statement(s) of skills practiced and/or developed
• Statement(s) of additional training, skills or experience

Sample summaries of qualifications for various career fields:

Educational vacancy

• Over 25 years experience in private and public elementary and secondary education.
• A  doctorate degree in educational leadership, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education.
• Demonstrated skills in educational assessment, finance and budget management, and leadership, community and relationship building. 
• Desire to serve as a school Superintendent in a dynamic, student-focused community.    

Corporate vacancy

• Over 15 years of progressively responsible corporate management and leadership experience in retail, manufacturing and service-sector industries. 
• Demonstrated skills in decision-making, leadership, strategic planning, workforce development and global market positioning. 
• Serves as a professional consultant to over 24 Fortune 500 organizations planning to off-shore corporate customer service functions to improve efficiency.
• Master of Business Administration degree focusing on reality-based learning.

Not-for-profit vacancy

• Ten years of experience working for a St. Louis area not-for-profit organization.
• Surpassed annual fundraising goals by at least 10% every year through innovative programming, donor solicitation campaigns and relationship development. 
• Proficient in a variety of web-based fund management software programs.
• Master’s degree in communications with an emphasis in marketing and advertising.

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Educational Information

This section of your resumé outlines your educational background by listing the degrees, certificates or licenses you may have earned. You may call this section, and sections like it, a variety of things including:

• Academic Background
• Academic Training
• Certificates and Licenses
• Degrees Earned
• Education

Required Educational Information

• Degree and Major
• Date of Graduation (Month and Year only)
• College or University
• Location of College or University
• Optional Educational Information
• Overall Grade Point Average (if 3.0 or higher)
• Major Grade Point Average (if 3.0 or higher)
• Minor(s), Area of Concentration or Related Coursework

Example

     Master of Arts in Counseling, May 2003
     Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri
     GPA 3.5/4.0

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Experience Information

This section of your resumé tells the employer what type of experience you have that may qualify you for a position with the employer’s organization. You may call this section, or sections like it, a variety of things including:

• Employment History
• Career Highlights
• Internships
• Career-Related Experience
• Clinical Experience
• Professional Experience

Required Experience Information:

• Job Title
• Date of Employment (month and year to month and year)
• Employer Name
• Location of Employer (City and State)
• Bulleted job descriptions which start with a list of action verbs and clearly state your experience-related actions, outcomes and accomplishments.

Example

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Optional Resumé Information

Once you have listed your objective, education and experience, you will need to decide what else you want to communicate to a potential employer.  You may want to consider grouping related information.  Here are some common resumé categories with sample headings:

• Achievements
• Distinctions
• Scholarships
• Special Honors

Note:  This information could be incorporated into the educational information section of your resumé or could be presented as a resumé category/subsection.

Involvement/Leadership:

• Activities
• Campus Activities
• Campus and Community Involvement
• Leadership Experience
• Volunteer Activities

Professional Information:

• Conferences
• Exhibits
• Performances
• Presentations
• Professional Affiliations/Associations
• Professional Involvement
• Publications

Skills:

• Computer Competencies and Skills
• Language Proficiencies

Other Areas:

• Interests
• International Travel
• Military History
• Travel

Keywords

As resumé scanning and search programs are used more frequently by employers, you may want to consider adding a “Keywords” section to your resumé.  This section allows you to include words that may not appear in the text of your resumé but that you wish to appear because you have expertise or experience in the function and because you are confident that the employer will search scanned resumés using a “keywords” search.  You would present the information in this way: 

Keywords:  Leadership, Microsoft Office, Podcast, Technology, Internet, Peoplesoft, Presentation Skills, Spanish, French, International. 

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References

Instead of cluttering your resumé with this information, prepare a separate sheet listing your references.  This sheet should be printed on the same paper as your resumé and should indicate that it is your reference list.  This can be done by putting your name, address and telephone number at the top of the page just as it appears on your resumé; write the word, “REFERENCES” before you begin presenting the names and contact information for your references.

When providing references to a prospective employer, make sure that you provide information that would be included on the person’s business card.  This includes the reference’s name, title, organization, complete address and telephone number of the individual serving as the reference.  Fax numbers and e-mail addresses are optional.  If you use an honorific (Dr., Mr., Mrs., Rev., etc.) for one reference, use an honorific for all references.  List all references in alphabetical order by last name.  You may also  include a brief statement explaining your professional relationship to the reference.  

Before including someone as a reference, make sure that you contact the person and ask if he/she would be willing to serve as a reference for you.  Also, make sure that you keep your references informed about your job search.

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Additional Suggestions

• Look at the sample resumés provided.
• Read books on resumé writing. Several are available in the Career Services resource library and in most public libraries.
• Make an appointment to discuss your resumé with a Career Services staff member.

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