Resume Guide
A resume is designed to concisely summarize your experience!
The information on this page is a compilation of opinions and tips based on years of working with employers and reviewing student resumes. Please consider these tips, but know that everyone will give you a different opinion. If you like it, keep it; if not, don’t.
This RESUME GUIDE is a sample layout and includes the most important resume information. It is recommended as a guide for content not design.
TEMPLATES
Do not use templates! It is ok to visually format your resume like a template, but start with a blank word processing document. The formatting of templates is often distorted when converted through online application processes or worse text is not recognized by software. Make your resume stand out from the crowd – use your own style.
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RESUME LENGTH |
HEADING
Name - make it clear and easy to read
Street Address – use the address where an employer can reach you now; including a permanent address also is fine
City, State Zip
Telephone Number(s) - use the best number(s) to reach you
Email - use the account you check regularly; create a professional email address if you don’t have one: your name@carrier.com, for example. Do not underline your email address
EDUCATION
Use two lines or less for each school
Degree/Major-General Engineering, Civil Option; Business Information Technology, Accounting Option, etc.
Name of the School - Montana Tech or Montana Tech of The University of Montana or Montana Tech Highlands College
City, State - Butte, MT
GPA - list your exact gpa; do not estimate or round. If it is 3.0 or less, consider excluding, but be honest if employers ask for it. Know what employers expect as their minimum.
Anticipated Graduation Date - December 2012, May 2013, etc.
WORK EXPERIENCE
List as experience rather than history
Dates Employed (From – To)- for summer/internships, ‘summer 2012’ or summers 2010, 2011, 2012, etc. is ok.
Employer- Company Name; include City, State if space permits; exclude supervisor information
Position Title: Engineering Intern, Accounting Intern, Database Technician, etc.
Key Responsibilities (2-3 Main Duties)
Begin bullet points with ACTION VERBS (present tense for present job; past for past)
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Describe how you demonstrate(d) skills within experiences, but do not repeat the same skill. Focus on what is different or unique.
OTHER INFORMATION (list specific headings: honors, organizations, activities, etc.)
See Resume Guide handout link; include only relevant headings and information
REFERENCES
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Employers report that they do not prefer the "references available" statement. We recommend removing it or adding your professional references to page two with your name and contact information at the top. • Typically employers request 3 professional references. |
RESUME DOs & DON’Ts
| DO | DO NOT |
| • make it easy to read | • use distortions or lies |
| • be specific if using an objective statement | • be too long |
| • list education before experience | • have errors/misspellings |
| • use action verbs | • lack specifics |
| • use results language | • repeat the information in a summary at the top |
| • show what you can add to the company | • list irrelevant information/materials |
| • use consistent punctuation and headings | • include high school graduation date (it is an age indicator) |
| • list all information in reverse chronological order | • use personal pronouns (except sometimes in objective statement) |
| • use concise phrases rather than sentences & paragraphs | • include personal information (age, birth date, sex, religion, marital status, citizenship, etc) |
| • provide a list of skills (describe these within the appropriate experience section) |
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RESUME REVIEWS You can always schedule a one-on-one appointment too! |
