Resume Writing

Resume Preparation

Is the purpose of a resume to get you a job?

NO! The purpose of a resume is to get you an interview! The resume is your personal advertisement. It summarizes pertinent facts and projects, those qualities that are special about you. An effective resume highlights your best qualities and arouses an employer's interest in you.

When you prepare a resume, you control what a potential employer will know about you. However, the employer's initial scan of your resume may last no more than 45 seconds. Make those seconds count! After an employer scans your resume, it lands on one of two piles --- 'interview' or 'file'. How do you make sure your resume lands on the right pile? Here are some suggestions that work!

• Keep your resume as close to one page as possible (unless you have 10+ years of experience)
• Dates should reflect reverse chronological order for your education and work experience. Do not include high school
• Your resume should be concise, easy to read, and word processed
• Be consistent in displaying techniques, punctuation, and verb tense
• Use perfect spelling. Errors on your resume tell the employer that you're likely to make errors if hired
• Be honest - don't exaggerate
• The use of phrases or splinter sentences is fine but avoid word abbreviations
• Avoid slang and trite expressions
• Use action verbs to describe accomplishments and experience
• Allow a minimum of 1" border all around
• Be sure reproduced copies are clean. Use white or off-white paper. Avoid grey paper
• Avoid graphics, underlining, italics and excessive use of bold. These devices cause problems with resumes that are electronically scanned
• Include an objective tailored to your desired employment
• Your resume provides an opportunity to communicate with an employer. Preparing a superior resume takes thoughtful planning which starts with taking an organized look at yourself

Employers look for experience, training, and education which demonstrates your ability to get the job done. When you design your resume you want to present information in a clear, well-organized, eyecatching format

Please click here to see our Sample Resume.


Please click here to see our Sample Action Words.