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Resume Basics

  • There is no one-way to write a resume, create a document that fits your needs and the requirements of the job that you are applying for
  • A resume is an individualized marketing tool that is a testimonial of your accomplishments and NOT A LIFE STORY
  • Think about the type(s) of jobs/positions that you are interested in pursuing
  • Think about any relevant experience that you may have as it pertains to the position(s) that you are applying for
  • Think about "targeting" your resume to the type(s) of jobs/positions you are applying for
  • Think about looking at the resume from the "readers" point of view rather than the "writers" point of view
  • Think about being thorough and detailed and try to be brief but concise. Be proud of your accomplishments but don’t brag about them. Use the "jargon" of the appropriate career field(s)
  • Back-up your resume on a zip drive

Paper: Use Heavy Weight (24lb) Bond Paper. The colors that work best are White, Ivory, Off-White, or Light Grey

Font: Use fonts like "Times-Roman", "Garamond", "Perpetua", or "Arial". The sizes should range from 12, 11, to 10 point

Typesetting: The most popular choice is Microsoft Word. Try to avoid using a resume template because they can be restrictive

Length: Most students just starting out will be fine with one (1) page. However, there is nothing wrong with having a two (2) page resume as long as the second page is full of relevant material and not just fluff and filler

Format: Use the "Bullet Point" (*) format rather than a paragraph to highlight your accomplishments. Use boldface, capital letters, and italics, to highlight items that you want the reader to notice