Your resume presents the first impression you will make on an employer. Often it is critical to the success of your job search. The format and content must allow the employer to easily pick out all the important and relevant information about your skills and experience related to their needs. A resume is a "door-opener," instilling initial interest in you, and a "calling card," reminding an employer of you. Its quality should reflect your quality.
General Recommendations
Although there is no "right" way to write a resume, there are some guidelines which are suggested. If you have any questions about these or need more help, please see the Career Center staff. They will be happy to review your rough draft.
A resume should highlight you. It should emphasize your strengths and give a positive overview of what you can offer an organization. It should be written to make you distinct from other applicants. All information on your resume should be accurate. Under no circumstances should you falsify your background.
In order to write your resume, go back to your self-analysis and list all your important background, skills, achievements, jobs, projects, etc. Then assume that you are an employer and pick those things to include which you think will present you in the best light. Write to the employer's needs, not your own ego.
Format
Length
For most graduates, one page is the best length. An exception to this would be the applicant with an advanced degree and extensive experience, research and/or publications.
Appearance
Formatting should be consistent throughout the resume so that it looks clean and easy on the eye. Use of bold, italics, CAPS and underlines, can emphasize and/or distinguish certain aspects of your experience, and make the resume more visually pleasing. Bullets can also be used to create lists for a quick read. Formatting tools should be used sparingly for best results.
Use of abbreviations, periods, colons, etc. should be consistent throughout the resume.
Use a typeface that is printer friendly (i.e. Times New Roman, Arial, or Tahoma) and a font size between 10 and 12 point. Do not crowd the page; leave some "white space" in order to make it easy to read.
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