Developing a
winning resume
Resume Formats
There is no “perfect” or right resume
format. The format you choose will depend
upon the job you hope to find and your past
experiences. The following pages show
resume formats. Look them over and
determine what format or combination of
formats will present you in the best possible
light. Remember, the purpose of a resume is
to get you a job interview. The interview
gets you the job.
General Resume
Guidelines
The following guidelines are just that-
guidelines for what to include in a good
resume. Remember, your résumé’s function
is to obtain a job interview for you. Use
your common sense and imagination to
highlight your background and experience
in a well-focused resume.
Length
x A one-page resume works
well for the recent graduate. If you have
an extensive work history, two pages
are reasonable. Remember, individuals
with extensive work history should limit
information to what is pertinent to their
current job objective. If you do go to
two pages, make sure the most
important information is stated on the
first page.
Appearance
x An organized readable layout
determines whether a resume is read.
Direct the reader’s eye with the format.
Make sure it is well- organized and
concise. Avoid dense text appearance
that is difficult to read.
x Consider using high-quality white or
off-white paper.
x Always type or word-process your
resume and have it professionally
copied.
x Make sure there are no typographical,
spelling, or grammatical errors.
x Information that has been crossed out or
handwritten is unacceptable.
x Make sure your resume will copy well.
Do a photocopy test.
Content (See the following resume
categories)
x Design your resume with a particular
objective in mind. Present information
important to the objective first.
x List information in descending order of
importance.
x Be selective about what you include in
your resume, but never falsify or
exaggerate information.
x Concentrate on the positive and use
action verbs to describe your
background.
Resume Inventory
The following categories are usually found
in a resume. These are suggestions. You should
adopt those that best fit your needs.
Necessary Categories
Objective
In one sentence, simply state the type of work
that you’d like to do.If you have one special
interest, state it as a special interest (...with a
special interest in Network
Administration).Similarly, if you have several
interests, state them using the connective word
“and” (...with interests in Programming and
Database Management).If you have no real
preference, identify at least two as general
using the word “or” (...with general interests in
Digital Design or Signal Processing).
Education
Include GPA only if 3.0 or greater.If your
overall GPA is less than 3.0 and your average
in your major is 3.0 or greater (e.g., all
E.E.courses), use that instead (e.g., Major
GPA: 3.2).Also, list all schools attended after
high school and include any Certifications or
additional Training Certificates, listing the
most recent first and working backward.
Honors/Awards
Include scholarships, honor societies, honor
programs, and special awards.Also include
any recognition from your community, job,
or service organizations.
K
Include courses that are directly related to
your Objective, not basic courses taken by
all students.If you have a special interest in
Networking and have taken courses in
Networking, those courses should be listed
by name.Do not include course numbers.
Computer Skills
Must be included, regardless of your major.
Categorize according to Proficient (know
very well), Working Knowledge (know well
enough to work with), and Familiar (limited
knowledge). Computer Science majors may
wish to identify skills categorized by
Languages, Operating Systems, Databases,
and Applications.
Projects
This category should be added after
Computer Skills, especially if Work
Experience is weak or nonexistent. Include
Senior or Master’s Projects, course projects,
and/or challenging class assignments. Use
the same format for Projects as shown in
Work Experience.
Format with bullets as shown. Begin each
phrase with a Power Verb
, emphasizing
special accomplishments. Use fragmented
sentences and avoid personal pronouns such
as I, me, or we.
Professional Affiliations
Include any and all organizations with which
you have an affiliation such as IEEE, ASME,
NSBE, HOST/SHPE, etc.However, write the
full organization name instead of using the
initials.List all offices held and positions of
leadership, such as President, Secretary or
Committee Chairperson.
Hobbies/Interests
Any activities that you enjoy, such as music,
reading, or sports.
Activities
Include your participation in organizations
with which you have more than just an
interest, such as a specific varsity or
intramural sport, fraternity, sorority, campus
organization or club. Include community
activities as well, and list all leadership
positions and offices held.