OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES

PATRIOTS TO PROFESSIONALS

Resumes

The Resume is . . .

1. an advertisement
2. an individually designed document
3. a highlight of your background
4. used by employers as a screening device
5. just ONE piece of the job search process

Employers often review resumes and cover letters in less than one minute.

You may have the best personality in the world or possess exemplary professional skills but if you are not able to sell yourself on paper you will never get the opportunity to show an employer why they should hire you.

Language

Resume language should be succinct and expressive. Make the reader pay attention by using power verbs that convey measurable accomplishments and problem-solving skills.

• Use the minimum number of words necessary to convey meaning.
• Use precise action verbs to describe accomplishments and responsibilities.
• Avoid personal pronouns.
• Leave out articles: a, an, the.
• Use short sentences or phrases.
• Use parallel grammatical structures and consistent verb tenses.

Grammar and Style

• One page is the recommended length.
  • If you have more than 10 years of experience, 2 pages is acceptable.
• Use sans serif fonts, (fonts without serifs) such as Helvetica, Bookman, Arial and Times.
• Use a font size of 10 to 12 points.
• Boldface and italics is generally acceptable.
• Avoid script and underlining

Tip: 5 Ways To Rescue Your Rotten Résumé

What’s should be on Your Resume?

Identifying Information

• Includes name, address (permanent and temporary), telephone, and e-mail.

Tip: Be sure you make your name stand out!  

Objective Statement

Objective statements improve your resume effectiveness by helping you:

• to establish your professional identity
• to inform your readers of the position(s) you are seeking and your career goals

Before drafting or revising your objective statement, you should try to answer the following questions:

• What are your career goals?
• What are your main qualifications (strengths, skills, areas of expertise)?
• What position (or series of positions) are you seeking?
• What type of organization would you like to work for?

Be Specific!

• One of the main problems people encounter when writing their objective statement is being able to write a specific objective.
• Many resume objectives are too general and/or too vague. In order to be effective, an objective statement must be specific.
• For example, some objective statements read like this:
  • A position allowing me to utilize my knowledge and expertise in different areas.

    Such a statement raises more questions than it answers: A position in what area/field? What kinds of knowledge and expertise? Which areas?

  • A specific statement helps readers to comprehend what you have to offer and what you are seeking in terms of a career.

Format:

• If you know the specific position that you are applying for, use this format:
  • To obtain the position of (name of position) at (name of company/organization) that will allow me to fully use my (name 3 strengths).
• If you do know the specific position that you are applying for, use this format:
  • Sample Objective Statements

Summary of Qualifications Statement

• A Summary of qualifications statement can be used along with or in place of an objective statement.
• It emphasizes your main qualifications by stating what you, as a professional, have to offer to the organization
• The statement is typically 3-5 bullet points in length or a short paragraph.
• Highlights your key skill areas - draws attention to specific skills that support your job goal
  • Time to "brag" about your best qualities - your "greatest hits"
  • Summary statements MUST:
    • Highlight skills/experiences that are relevant in the eyes of your future employer.
      • Take a career assessment to determine strenghts.
      • Use those strengths as buzzwords along with examples of experiences where you exhibited those strengths.
      • Be prepared to speak about your summary of qualifications in the interview.
    • Avoid personal pronouns.
    • Be clear and concise.
    • Use power verbs.
• How to create a summary of qualification statement
• Sample summary of qualification statements

Education

Academic credentials are very important to an employer, particularly if you are relatively new to the world of work or if you are pursuing a job that requires specific training.

• List your educational background in reverse chronological order; starting with your highest degree and working your way backwards.
• Only list current institutions attended or those from which you have received a degree or certificate. 
  • Do NOT list high school education. 
• List study abroad experience in this section.
• Write out institution name, city and state, full degree title and graduation date. 
• If your grade point average (GPA) is 3.0 or higher you should include it in this section.
• Dissertation and thesis topics are also in this section as are honors bestowed at graduation time.

Relevant Experience

An employer will look over your resume to see what experiences and skills you have gained so far and determine the relevancy to the current position.

• Do not limit yourself to paid experiences.
• It is very important for you to develop accomplishment statements that emphasize the skills you have developed as well as any positive outcomes.
• List professional experience in reverse chronological order. 
• Indicate the company name, city and state, dates of employment (month and year), and title of position held. 
• Begin every bullet point with a power verb and be sure to use correct verb tense.
• Develop bulleted accomplishment statements to highlight key responsibilities and skills.

Additonal articles on Resumes can be found in the Career Resource Library.

Career Advisors is available to assist you. To make an appointment, contact us at careersvc@uttyler.edu or at 903-565-5862.