A resume is a very important tool for the job search. This information will help you understand different types of resumes, and help you decide what to include in your resume. There are also sample resume headings, and key action verbs for your use.

• Resume Basics - Want to know the rules of resume writing? This material tells you what information to include and what's important to convey in your resume.
• Resume Critique - Need assistance? Click on the link for information about resume assistance from Career Services.
• Resume Headings - Look at sample heading that create an individual touch to your resume.

Stand Out Resumes	Make Your Resume POP Download Quick Tips (PDF)	What Recruiters Look For
Ask the Experts Download Quick Tips (PDF)

 

Written correspondence throughout your job search demonstrates your communication abilities to potential employers as well as your attitude and professionalism. It is important to prepare all correspondence carefully including cover letters and thank you letters. This following PDF, Cover Letter & Job Search Correspondence, will provide detailed information. 

The Cover Letter Download Quick Tips (PDF)

Researching Companies Download Quick Tips (PDF)

It is important to include a reference page with your resume. This should be on a separate page, and should include your name and address.

• Sample Reference Page - It is important to create a heading on your reference page showing your name and contact information. Three to five names are adequate and it is helpful to have some variation in their relationship to you, i.e. a professor, a past employer, etc.

References

Transferable Skills - Take a look at this list of Transferable Skills. This list will help you assess your current skills and may help you develop resume descriptions as well.

Find Yourself

For many of today’s jobs, at least some part of the job search will be completed through the Internet.As a result, it is important to prepare several versions of your resume. The Print Version of your resume is typically handed to someone at a career event or mailed through the postal service. Job search experts recommend that you replicate this well-written, well-prepared resume into three other versions or formats and critique it for keywords. Employers use electronic databases to categorize and sort resumes according to these keywords. A Plain Text Version can be posted online in resume databases or copied and pasted into an online form on an employer’s website. This version should be an ASCII copy of the original. An E-mail version, also an ASCII copy or plain text type, is specifically formatted for the length of line restrictions of today’s e-mail. Why bother with these – why not just type information into the boxes on their website or send a Word attachment? Consider this advice:

1. Most online database or proprietary systems do not let you spell-check. Preparing your resume in advance using your own word processing program lets you double check all spelling and revise your resume as needed.
2. These online systems force you to use their format, which could be to your disadvantage.
3. Some don’t allow you to save your work and use the same text over again which means that you have to repeat the entire process for every company that you investigate during your job search. Preparing these other types of resumes at the beginning of your job search will save you a great deal of time later.

PDF resumes are actually a digital image or photograph of your resume. It can be posted on the Web, e-mailed, viewed, or searched. The viewing software is free and widely distributed. It does require the reader to take an additional step to open and view the resume. For more details and step-by-step procedures on electronic resumes, refer to the following website:

How to Post Your Resume Online:

• College Grad
• Damn Good Resume
• Dynamic Cover Letters
• EResume
• Job Web
• The Riley Guide

Staff members are available to critique application materials (examples – resume, cover letter, vitae). Drop off document(s) and make an appointment, or visit our office during Walk-In Hours on Wednesdays between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Career Ambassadors are also available for assistance. Watch for them around campus.