Writing Effective Résumés

For many people, the process of writing a résumé is daunting. After all, you are taking a lot of information and condensing it into a very concise form that needs to be both eye-catching and easy to read. Don’t be scared off, though. Developing a good résumé can be fun, rewarding, and easier than you think if you follow a few basic guidelines.

To get started you will create your baseline or generic résumé. This is the hardest part where you gather your best experiences together. The order of the following sections may change depending on where you are in your career and your match to the new position. For example, if you are a lifeguard and are applying to be the lifeguard supervisor, you would list that work experience early in the résumé. If you are a lifeguard while you finish your college degree in Accounting and you are applying for a job at an accounting company, then you would list your education before your work experience. This is one of many reasons to modify a résumé for each position you are applying in your job search.

The purpose of a résumé is not to get a job but to get to the next level in the screening process.

What to Include

1. Your contact information: name, address, phone number, and professional email address
2. A summary of your skills: five to ten skills you have gained in your field; you can list hard skills as well as soft skills
3. Work experience: depending on the résumé format you choose, you may list your most recent job first; include the title of the position, employer’s name, location, employment dates (beginning, ending)
4. Volunteer experience: any relevant volunteer experience should be listed on your resume to best showcase your skills and interests.
5. Education and training: formal and informal experiences matter; include academic degrees, professional development, certificates, internships, etc.
6. References statement (optional): “References available upon request” is a standard phrase used on résumés, although it is often implied
7. Other sections: may include a job objective, a brief profile, a branding statement, a summary statement, additional accomplishments, and any other related experiences

What to Leave Out

Although you can benefit from giving your résumé a stamp of individuality, you will do well to steer clear of personal details that might elicit a negative response. It is advisable to omit any confidential information or details that could make you vulnerable to discrimination, for instance. Keep in mind that your résumé will likely be viewed by several employees in an organization, including human resource personnel, managers, administrative staff, etc.

• Do not mention your age, gender, height, or weight.
• Do not include your social security number.
• Do not mention religious beliefs or political affiliations, unless they are relevant to the position.
• Do not include a photograph of yourself or a physical description.
• Do not mention health issues.
• Do not use first-person references (I, me).
• Do not include wage/salary expectations.
• Do not use abbreviations.
• Proofread carefully—absolutely no spelling mistakes are acceptable.

Tips for a Successful Résumé

1. Aim to make a résumé that’s one to two pages long on letter-size paper.
2. Make it visually appealing.
3. Use action verbs and phrases. See Action Words and Phrases for Résumé Development.
4. Proofread carefully to eliminate any spelling, grammar, punctuation, and typographical errors.
5. Include highlights of your qualifications or skills to attract an employer’s attention.
6. Be positive and honest.
7. Be excited and optimistic about your job prospects!
8. Keep refining and reworking your résumé; it’s an ongoing project.

Remember that your résumé is your professional profile. It can put you in a very professional and positive light, and it’s designed to be a quick and easy way for a prospective employer to evaluate what you might bring to a job. When written and formatted attractively, and legibly, your résumé is what will get your foot in the door. You can be proud of your accomplishments, even if they don’t seem numerous. Let your résumé reflect your personal pride and professionalism.