Comprehensive Notes on Writing an Effective Resume

Introduction to Resume Writing

  • Career Coach: Colleen Sump from School of Business Career Center
  • Objective: Create an amazing resume to open up opportunities.
  • No single correct way to create a resume; varies with feedback.
  • A resume should be a summary of accomplishments, not a complete history.

Importance of First Impressions

  • Limited time to impress: typically 30 seconds.
  • Clean, well-organized formatting is crucial.
  • Keep resume updated for career changes, promotions, etc.

General Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing

Don’ts:

  • Avoid templates from Canva or Microsoft Word due to ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) issues.
  • No personal photos; use LinkedIn for personal branding.
  • Do not include references on the resume; save for later in the hiring process.
  • Avoid first-person writing (no “I” statements).

Do’s:

  • Use past tense for past jobs; present tense for current jobs.
  • Maintain a master resume to tailor for specific job applications.
  • Have others proofread; even minor typos can disqualify you.
  • Submit resumes as PDFs to prevent formatting errors.

Recommended Resume Layout

  • Header: Name, contact info, LinkedIn URL (optional).
  • Professional summary or summary of qualifications (optional).
  • Education: List recent education first, include GPA if strong.
  • Experience: Relevant job history and accomplishments.
  • Skills: Hard and soft skills that highlight qualifications.
  • Optional sections: Honors, activities, volunteer experience, etc.

Formatting Guidelines

  • Length: Aim for one page (longer for non-traditional students).
  • Font and Size: Use readable fonts (Arial, Times New Roman), size 11-12 for body text, slightly larger for headers.
  • Margins: Keep consistent margins (0.5 to 1 inch).
  • White Space: Add sufficient white space for readability; avoid dense text.
  • Color: Stick to black text only; creativity may apply in fields like marketing.

Header Details

  • Include your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn URL if applicable.

Professional Summary/Summary of Qualifications

  • Use this section to highlight strengths and unique qualifications.
  • Options: Can be narrative or bullet list format.

Education Section

  • Include: Degree type (B.S. or B.A.), graduation date, and GPA if notable.
  • Add minors, certificates, pertinent coursework, and study abroad experiences.
  • Skip: High school information unless necessary; community college info if applicable.

Coursework Relevance

  • Spotlight unique coursework or projects relevant to the job.
  • If experience is limited, use coursework to showcase industry language.

Experience Section Formatting

  • Format: Recent job first, with company name, location, position, and dates.
  • Use 3-5 bullet points per position; lead with action verbs in past tense.
  • Value all experience: Include all paid and unpaid work; emphasize skills learned.
  • Focus on accomplishments rather than job duties; quantify results when possible.

Example of Experience Description

  • Less Effective: "Waited tables and opened and closed the restaurant."
  • Improved Draft: "Provided customer service to patrons in a high-traffic café, managing up to 100 patrons during busy shifts."

Additional Sections

  • Include sections for volunteer work, honors, community involvement, or skills.
  • Skills should cater to the field of study, balancing hard and soft skills.

Customization for Applications

  • Optimize resume to match job descriptions:
    • Highlight keywords from job descriptions.
    • Ensure relevant skills and experiences are presented.
  • VMock Tool: Use it to evaluate and optimize resumes against job descriptions.
    • Score and suggestions for improvement are provided.

Submission Guidelines

  • Save resumes as PDFs for consistency.
  • Use a naming convention (e.g., FirstNameLastNameCompany).
  • Maintain organized folders for tracking applications.

Final Thoughts

  • Maintain a master resume for customization.
  • Invest time in your resume; it can open doors to opportunities.
  • Utilize career coaching resources for support during the job search process.