Writing a Résumé

It is easy to get confused about writing a résumé . There are thousands of books on the subject and each offers slightly different advice. In addition, most adults have written a résumé and are willing to offer their opinion. With that in mind, here are some answers to typical questions. The best approach is to work up a rough draft and then schedule a time to have our staff review the résumé with you.

If you don't have time for an appointment but you want to have your résumé looked over our Résumé Review Service is designed for you! Just email (csehlke@umw.edu)or drop off your résumé and allow three working days for it to be reviewed by a counselor...then come by to pick it up or request that we mail it back to you. Cover letters may also be submitted for critique. We highly recommend that you have your résumé reviewed...either in person or via the drop-off service...before publishing it to eRecruiting/Experience.

We also have several books on résumé writing in our resource library, which we have reviewed and consider good sources of both reference and sample résumé styles.

What is a RÉSUMÉ ?

A résumé is a special document that is written to present your skills and experiences in a short, easy to read format. Most résumés are scanned by the reader, usually for only a few seconds, and are used to decide who gets an interview. A résumé must be easy to read and error free.

What type of layout should I use?

All résumés are divided into sections to make them easy to read. Although some sections, such as Experience and Education are found on most résumés, the actual sections can be modified to highlight the information you include. Most experts recommend that résumés for new college graduates be a maximum of one page in length if at all possible. This is particularly true in business, but in the helping professions, or for candidates with extensive experience, a longer résumé is acceptable. Remember that the longer a résumé is, the less likely it is that all of it will be read.

Items within each section are placed in reverse chronological order - the most recent item goes first. For sections such as Experience, start by listing your title, the name of the organization, the city and state, and the date.

What should I include and what order should it be in?

The most common sections are Objective, Education, Honors, Relevant Experience, Other (or Additional) Experience, Activities, Skills and References and they are usually placed in this order for a new college graduate. However, you can create sections with different headings to highlight areas that are relevant to the position you are seeking. For example, you may have a section called Leadership Experience or Overseas Experience if you want to draw attention to those areas. You can also arrange the order of the sections so that those of most importance to the employer are near the beginning of the document. For example, Skills may be placed near the top if you have in-demand skills that you want to draw attention to.

Do I need an objective?

If you state your objective in your cover letter, an objective is not necessary. An objective can help focus your résumé for the reader and sometimes it is used as a screening device to determine which résumés to read first. In order to be effective the objective must be specific, such as "A position as a management trainee in retail services". An unfocused objective, such as "An entry level position where I can use my quantitative and inter-personal skills", requires the reader to determine what you can do and can hurt you candidacy.

Should I include my GPA?

There are two occasions when the answer is clear; if your grade point average is 3.0 or above it should be included and if it is below a 2.5, you should leave it off. The range between those two numbers is where there is room for consideration. In general, if your average is closer to 3.0, it is better to include it. Leaving the GPA off can raise questions about why it was not included.

How do I write the Experience sections?

The header of each experience should include a position title, the name of the organization, the city and state, and the dates (by seasons or months) of the experience. Then under each experience use action verb phrases, not complete sentences, to describe what you accomplished in that position. Do not write a job description!

A bullet can be used to set off verb phrases at the start of each line where a phrase starts or periods, commas, or semi-colons can set off the phrases. The bullet style typically takes up more space but it is easier to read.

Example:

Intern , Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg VA, Fall 2010

Planned health awareness events for high school students
Presented workshops on cardiovascular fitness to groups of up to 30 people
Recruited and trained volunteers for a health awareness fair

How do I list experience that is not very important?

You include the same basic information - title, organization, city, state, and date in the header. However, you do not need to give any additional information. The résumé does not need to be an exhaustive list of all you have ever done. If it is not important and you need space, leave it out!

How do I list activities?

Activities should also be listed in reverse chronological order and will typically include the dates you were involved in these activities. You may also add short action verb phrases to these items. If you are a senior or recent alumnus, activities from all of your college years can be included, but the most recent should items should receive the most emphasis. High school activities can be listed on résumés during your freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Keep in mind that your college experience should be the more impressive of the two.

What should I list under skills?

The two most common categories under skills are computer and foreign language. For computer skills list languages, platforms and software packages you can use in a work setting. If you list foreign languages, indicate your ability level. Typical phrases include fluent, near fluent, reading knowledge, and conversational. Most people chose to understate their ability level slightly. Only list skills that you are prepared to demonstrate that you can use.

Should I list references?

In most cases writing "available upon request" is sufficient. If a reference is particularly well known in the field in which you are applying, listing the names of your references is acceptable. In some cases, the reference line may be left out in order to save space.

What type of paper should I use?

Résumé paper is heavier than general use printing paper and may even have a slight texture. You can also use colored paper such as ivory, cream, or gray. A conservative color is best. The color should compliment the content of the résumé and make it easier to read. You can laser print your résumé directly on to résumé paper or use a high quality photocopier using an original printed on white paper.

What font and point size should I use?

Use a font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman. Fonts that are too elaborate can distract the reader from the content of the resume. They can also be difficult for scanners to read, if the organization is using that technology to screen resumes. The point size of the font should be between 10 and 12 point, although this may vary slightly with different fonts. Selective use of bold type can also increase the readability of the resume.

It is inadvisable to proofread your own résumé. Before you send out your résumé, have it viewed by several people, including the staff at career services.