Consider your audience
Customize your resume Develop several versions for different jobs Do your homework first: know your employer Informational interviews: insiders’ words Guidance: job announcement & website
Cut information
Not to include information that is irrelevant to the job or the employer Resume should be brief and impressive
Format
Chronological Resume: Lists all experience in reverse chronological order. Modified Chronological Resume: effective format for graduate students::::::::: groups experiences into functional categories (e.g. research experience, leadership, technical experience, writing and editing, marketing), in reverse chronological order within each category.
Guidelines
Choose an attractive, easy-to-read font. Enlarge/bold name at top. Dates to the right as opposed to first in entries (left). Use reverse chronological order within sections. Avoid underlining (though sectional break lines are fine).
Guidelines
Get started early; experiment with style. Remember that presentation is key! Be concise; use clear, simple language, and the language of the employer. Be very literal with word choice—do not expect employers to translate your language into their languages.
Guidelines
Use caps/bolding/italics selectively. Be consistent with formatting. Avoid personal pronouns. Use action verbs, measurable results. Do not assume that people outside of academe know what teaching and research involve.
Contents
Contact information Education Experience [Action Verbs] Objective/ Career Objective Qualifications, Profile, or Summary Honors and Awards Technical/Computer Skills Language Skills Special Activities (Labeled as “Leadership,” Community Service,” etc.)
Tips for Résumé
M.L. 2010.May.16
CV (Curriculum vitae)
Details: academic credentials & professional accomplishments Used for seeking Academic jobs Research jobs in government laboratories Highlights: technical skills & academic accomplishments & professional history Used for seeking Positions in industrial res words. Use parallel grammar and minimal punctuation. Include name and page number in header/footer if you must have a second page. Avoid resume templates; make your documents your own. There is no exhaustive list of section headings; follow examples but do not confine yourself to them.
Guidelines
Proofread, proofread, proofread—no excuse for error. Spelling and grammar checking wordprocessing tools will not always catch mistakes. Have others review your resume, especially someone in your target field. Use a 10- to 12-point font size with approximately 1”-inch margins. Keep in mind that white space is important, too.
Résumé
Summarizes your experiences and skills as they relate to a specific non-bench career or jobs Features: skills, experience and education Used for seeking Non-research positions in such areas as business, law, writing/editing, policy and regulation
Guidelines
Be honest; do not exaggerate. [but try to be impressive] Put yourself in the shoes of your audience. Do not fold or staple your materials.