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Type of Resume – Chronological versus Functional – Current students and recent graduates often use the chronological resume which demonstrates continuous and upward growth in education and experience. Education and experience are listed in reverse chronological order with the most recent first (versus the functional resume that is organized by skill sets).
Length – Is it true that a resume is only supposed to be one page?
Depending on your relevant experience, you may not be able to fit everything on one page. You can use a second page, however, if you do, make your resume at least a page and a half or two full pages.
Conciseness – How much do I need to share? You don't need to display EVERYTHING you've done because you'll run the risk of losing the employer's attention. Make sure every word counts. Ask yourself the questions: “Can I relate this to the job I'm applying for?” and “Is my reader interested in this?”
Positioning – How should I arrange all this information? Positioning information is the critical element in capturing the reader's interest. Place your most important information near to the top to attract the reader's attention. But also keep in mind you want to position the information where it makes the most sense for YOU and YOUR particular skills and experiences. Prioritize the sentences – most relevant/important first and less relevant/important last.
Style and Design – Can I do something creative to make my resume standout? There is no steadfast rule. Whatever you do just make sure your resume is professional. Look at examples from your friends or on the internet.
Although readers are primarily interested in the content of your resume, they can also discern things about you from the appearance of your resume such as how detail-oriented you are.
| What to use or things to keep in mind | |
|---|---|
| Lettering | Readable typeface (i.e. Times New Roman, Helvetica, or Ariel). Do not use more than two fonts. |
| Size | 10-12 point (depending on the typeface) |
| Emphasis | A tasteful amount of bold, italics, or all caps. Especially used for headings. Consistency is key! |
| Margins | Approximately 1” |
| Spacing | Don't cram too much information in too little space. It's good to leave some white space. |
| Bullets | Use them to call attention to a list of items. But don't go bullet crazy and use them for every line. |
CONTACT INFORMATION
Musts:
For Example:
| Bucky B. Badger |
| 1440 Monroe Street |
| Madison, WI 53711 |
| (608) 262-1866 |
| bucky@wisc.edu |
OBJECTIVE
Optional, yet highly recommended. An objective is only one or two sentences long. Make sure to focus on the employer's needs. Note the position you are seeking as well as the key skills that make you desirable.
Example: Seeking an internship in the dairy industry where I can utilize my strong knowledge of the dairy and agricultural fields as well as my communication and organizational skills.
EDUCATION
Musts:
Optional:
For Example:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences
Major: Food Science; Business Concentration
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2010
Cumulative GPA: 3.25/4.0; Dean's List
| Relevant Coursework: | |
| Food Analysis | Biochemistry |
| Food Quality Control | Food Microbiology |
EXPERIENCE
The MOST important section!!! Focus your time and energy on this section above all! Describe your present and previous positions in reverse chronological order (most recent first) and do not simply describe what you did. Strike a balance between job description, skills, and accomplishments, quantify them (use numbers) when applicable, especially with your accomplishments. Focus on outcomes when possible. Go beyond stating what was required and demonstrate how you made a difference. Also, show progression and promotion within an organization. Don't forget that nonpaying work and volunteer experience also “counts”. Always begin sentences with a variety of strong action verbs (avoid “responsible for” and “duties include”). Focus on transferable skills (ie. skills from one experience that will pertain to another experience) and self-management skills (e.g., interpersonal, organizational skills). Finally, if you have both related and unrelated experience, consider having two experience sections. For example, one labeled “Professional Experience” or “Relevant Experience” and the other labeled “Work Experience”.
Musts:
For an example, click on the the print version of this document.
Consider using the following headings typically found in resumes. These categories are typically a simple inventory of your affiliations, honors, skills, etc. presented in the order of importance and relevance to the job. Avoid one item per category unless its really important. Try to place it in an appropriate category or be creative and combine similar categories. Mention all important offices held. List dates to the right margin especially if you have been active with an organization for an extended period of time. Provide a short phrase descriptor for organizations in which the name does not provide clear idea of organization's purpose or your responsibilities. After the “Education” and “Experience” section, this part of the resume is specific to YOU to give the employer the best possible impression of you as it relates to the employment opportunity. You can also create headings to fit the skills you want to highlight.
For an example, click on the the print version of this document.
You can choose to add a simple line – “References available upon request”. Select three references (ex. your advisor, a professor, employer, supervisor, etc.). Include the following information about your references: their relation to you, complete address, phone number, and email address. When requested, give the employer your references on a separate sheet of paper. See references resource