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 Headings - Look at sample headings that create an individual touch to your resume.
• Resume Critique - Need Assistance?

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

 

Sample   Number	Sample Name	Features
1	Double Major	Double major Residential Life and SOAR Leader experiences Campus leadership roles
2	How to Show Education	Sample education sections Multiple majors or degrees, same or different institutions Self-financing or contributing to education Research/independent study Show GPA Transfer students Study abroad, internships Associate degree
3	Agriculture Major	Agricultural related experiences Field experiences Internships Certifications Language skills Activites Family farm background
4	Biology Major	Academic honors Campus activities Science related experiences
5	Broadcast Major	Related on campus experiences Related technical/computer skills Foreign language skills
6	Business Economics Major	Relevant coursework Research
7	Business Management/Marketing	Double major Northwest on campus experiences Athletics Graduate Assistant
8	Computer Science Major	Expanded technical/computer skills Computer Lab Assistant Web development Programming Undergraduate research projects
9	Electronic Resume	Email or Internet format Keywords
10	Education Major Option 1 Option 2	Student teaching and practica experiences Related activities Paragraph style descriptions Bachelor and Associate degrees Related experiences
11	Federal Resources (resume tips and where to find jobs/internships)	Federal resume and KSA writing Mastering the Federal application process Where the jobs are Making a difference Best places to work rankings
12	Geography/GIS Major	Financial contribution to education Related experiences Technical/computer skills Activities/honors
13	Interactive Digital Media Major	Summary of skills Market program description to perspective employers Related experiences Two distinct Bachelor degrees
14	International Student Resume	Show Master and Bachelor Expanded technical/computer skills Related technical experience Honors and awards
15	Liberal Arts Resume	English major Summary of qualifications Double major Study abroad
16	MBA and Industrial Psychology	Graduate/undergraduate-same institution Related experiences and work experiences Campus jobs Collegiate athletics
17	Psychology Resume	Relevant courses Internships Other experiences
18	Two degrees	Show Master and Bachelor plus double major Sports and sports leadership Peer Advisor Campus leadership roles

Written correspondence throughout your job search demonstrates your communication abilities to potential employers as well as your perspective and professionalism. It is important to prepare all correspondence carefully including cover letters and thank you letters. The following PDFs will provide detailed information.

• Cover Letter & Job Search Correspondence 
• Cover Letter Critiques - Need Assistance?

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 contact information, the same heading as your resume or name and address as a minimum. 

• 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 multiple 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 allows you to 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 systems 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.

A PDF resume is 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 Choices Online
• 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.