Resume Guide

  • Piper Center for Vocation and Career
  • How-to Guides
  • Resume Guide

The creation and adaptation of your resume is an essential step in your search for jobs, research, graduate schools, or any other opportunities. Your resume should give readers a sense of your experiences, abilities, and qualifications, and paint a picture of who you are for potential employers.

CREATE A GREAT RESUME HANDOUT

RESUME AND CV SAMPLES BY CAREER FIELD

resume rEview program

Content

Under each position or experience, create 2-4 bullet points that describe your role. The number of bullets may vary depending on the substance and content of the position.

When writing bullets:

  • begin with an action verb
  • use active voice and avoid personal pronouns (I, me, etc.)
  • use past tense verbs unless you are currently in the role
  • describe the impact of what you did
  • soft skills belong in the bullet points

Adjusting Your Resume

Every time you apply to a new position, modify your resume to reflect the skills and qualities sought after by the organization.

  • review the position description and take note of the required skills and tasks
  • customize your headings and experiences to fit the role
  • include keywords and skills specific to the role
  • check out the resume samples above for ideas

Drop in to the Piper Center (Tomson 270) and meet with a Peer Advisor for more help with your initial draft.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I get started?

If you’ve never written a resume before, click here for a more detailed guide to creating your resume.

General Tips for Quality Resumes
  • Use 10-12 size font
  • Margins should be 0.5-1.0″ (inches)
  • Do NOT use a template.  They are difficult to edit and personalize
  • General rule – Do not include high school material after your second year of college.
  • Education should be the first section on your resume
  • General rule – Soft skills belong in the bullets describing your experiences rather than in a skills section.
    • Soft skills examples: communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem solving, creativity, work ethic, interpersonal skills, time management, leadership, and attention to detail.
  • Ensure consistency in formatting across the document – pay careful attention to detail.
How do I make my resume stand out?

Check out this handout to learn how to write bullet points that make your accomplishments distinctive and noticeable to employers.

What's the difference between a resume and a C.V.?

A CV is longer and more detailed than a resume. Click here for more information and a sample CV.