Résumé Content
Name, address, telephone, email address, website
All of your contact information should be at the top of your résumé
- Avoid nicknames.
- Use a permanent address (like your parent's or a family member's address) so if you move after graduation correspondences will still reach you.
- Use a permanent telephone number and include the area code. If you have an answering machine or voice mail, record a neutral, professional message.
- If you are including an email address, choose one that looks professional.
- Include your website address only if the web page reflects your professional ambitions or accomplishments.
Objective Statement or Experience Summary
An objective should not only indicate the type of work you hope to do, but also emphasize the skills you will bring to the work. Similarly, an experience summary emphasizes how prepared you are for the position's responsibilities.
- Be specific about the job you want. For example: "To apply strong analytical and interpersonal skills to an entry-level position within a financial institution."
- Tailor your objective to each employer you target and every job you seek.
Education
New graduates without a lot of work experience should list their educational information first. Alumni with a lot of applicable experience can list it after the work experience section.
- Your most recent educational information should be listed first.
- Include your degree (i.e., Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, etc.), major, institution attended, minor, etc.
- Add your grade point average (GPA) if it is higher than a 3.0.
- Note academic honors.
Work Experience
Briefly give the employer an overview of work that has taught you transferable skills. Use action words to describe your on-the-job accomplishments and skills. Write your work experience in reverse chronological order - that is, put your last or current job first and work backward to your first relevant job. Include:
- Title of position held
- Name of organization and location of work (city & state)
- Dates of employment
- Transferable skills and accomplishments in bulleted statements
Other Information
A staff member at Career Planning and Placement can advise you on other information to add to your résumé. You may want to consider the following sections:
- Special skills or competencies - especially those that set you apart from your competitors
- Leadership experience in volunteer organizations
- Participation in sports
- Internships and co-op jobs
References
Ask people if they are willing to serve as references before you give their names, titles, and telephone numbers to a potential employer. When listing reference information, it is best to provide multiple media for contact; telephone, mail, and e-mail.