• Created by Unknown User (greenesl2@appstate.edu), last updated on Dec 05, 2023 4 minute read

Purpose

A resume is a professional introduction to an applicant for potential employers. Employers use resumes to determine who they will interview, so it is important to emphasize the experiences and skills mentioned in the job or internship description in one’s resume. 

Audience

When considering what to emphasize, think about who the resume is for. If one is applying for a teaching position, extensive information about unrelated positions may not be necessary (e.g., a bartender). However, including unrelated job experiences can help establish a work history and highlight relevant skills, such as teamwork. For example, if applying to be a teacher, focusing on volunteer (unpaid) experiences with kids could be useful. 

  • Employers skim resumes; some companies run resumes through software algorithms looking for keywords that match the job listing. 
  • Smaller employers skim resumes quickly. To make it easier for employers to find relevant qualifications, list them first, and keep it brief. 
  • One page is a typical length for an undergraduate resume, but two pages are acceptable for more experienced applicants. Keep it simple, straightforward, and relevant for the employer so they can find the information they need.
  • Consider language choices carefully. Use professional language and be clear. Avoid using contractions, abbreviations, or slang.
  • Identify and use phrases and keywords from the job posting.

Content Guidelines

Typically, a resume will have the following main headings, which can change order depending on the job you are applying for:

  • Contact information: Name, current address, phone number (work and home), and a reliable (professional) email address.
  • Executive summary: A brief narrative of work history and accomplishments. Focus on the applicant’s experience rather than objectives, as these usually do not align with the employer’s values. This is another opportunity to tailor the information to the job. 
  • Education: Includes degree(s) and their institution(s), when the degree was received, and any relevant coursework.
  • Relevant work experience: List former jobs in reverse chronological order (most recent job first, then move backward).
    • Include the job title, employer, dates of employment, and an overview of the duties at this job.
    • Although resumes rely on bullet points and phrases, storytelling is still important.
      • Make sure the bullet points are in a logical order so that readers can infer a narrative.
      • When listing relevant experiences, use the Challenge-Action-Result (C-A-R) format.
        • Briefly describe a challenge in a previous position.
        • Explain the action you took in response to the challenge.
        • Offer specific information, quantitative if possible, that shows positive results.
  • Depending on the job and the applicant’s experience, include additional headings. Possible headings include volunteer experience, publications, professional certifications, or skills. 
    • In the skills section, emphasize hard skills over soft skills. Include technology skills when possible, and connect skills to specific job experiences. 
  • Consider the context behind the resume. An applicant who just graduated high school will likely have more high school experiences, while a college graduate’s resume should focus on job-related work experience and accomplishments.
  • Resumes are usually shared digitally. They can be scanned, either by a machine or a human, for keywords from the job listing. Look for relevant keywords in the job description and include them in the resume. 

Formatting Guidelines

The format and aesthetics of a resume will vary between career fields and jobs. Still, keep the resume’s design professional. Simple and straightforward yet interesting resumes work best across industries. See the example resume included at the end of this handout, and research what may work best for the industry one is applying for. 

  • Assess the audience and the message being sent. What is the best way to send this message? There are a variety of rhetorical choices to make. 
  • There is no standard resume template; there are, however, certain guidelines that most resumes follow.
    • Use a legible typeface in 11 or 12 point size, left-justified.
    • Use bold for section headings (such as Education or Work Experience) and italics to add emphasis.
    • Use bullet points to help keep the resume organized, but be they are not overused.
    • Try to make sure the completed resume is 30-40 percent white space. This is more pleasing to the eye and makes a document more scannable and readable.

Key Verbs

  • Use past tense verbs when describing the past. Present tense is acceptable only if an applicant is still in the position being described. 
  • Resumes rely on short and active phrases rather than complete sentences. Omit the subject, and start with a verb.
    • For example: Developed team-building exercises for company retreat
    • Use action words: accomplished, achieved, administered, arranged, assisted, assumed, budgeted, chaired, changed, compiled, completed, coordinated, created, demonstrated, developed, directed, established, explored, forecasted, generated, identified, implemented, improved, initiated, installed, introduced, joined, launched, maintained, managed, motivated, operated, organized, performed, planned, presented, proposed, raised, recommended, reduced, reorganized, resolved, saved, served, simplified, streamlined, strengthened, succeeded, supervised, systematized, targeted, trained, transformed, upgraded.

General Concerns


  • When submitting a resume digitally, always send it in PDF format.
    • Name the file professionally. Include your full first and last name, the word “resume,” and if you can, the title of the job or company you are applying for.
  • If submitting a printed resume, use resume paper, which is heavier than regular paper. This can be found anywhere that sells office supplies.
  • Do not try to cram everything into a resume. Remember to leave white space on the page.
  • Do not exaggerate or lie.
  • Try to list no more than five duties per job.
    • One Challenge-Action-Result story is more compelling than five dry lists of job duties. It shows what an applicant in a difficult situation is capable of, even in an entry-level position.
  • Use a professional-sounding email address. School email is acceptable.
  • Remember that employers are aware of social media.
  • If references are needed, ask trusted professors or former employers in advance if they will provide one. Do not blindside them.
  • Keep a resume or CV bank ready to pull from so each document is customized to each job.
  • Visit the Career Development Center to curate your resume for the specific job(s) you want to apply for.
    • Location: Rm. 222, Plemmons Student Union
    • Phone: (828) 262-2180
  • Proofread! Have friends, mentors, the University Writing Center or family members also proofread. Typos can sink an application. 
    • Mentioning the wrong company in a cut-and-pasted application happens more than it should.

Sample Resume