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Résumé Overview Part 1

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What is a résumé? A résumé is a document that shows your education and job history. A résumé may also include life experiences related to the job you want to get. Why do I need to do a résumé? Many employers want workers to write a résumé. Employers use résumés to see who can do a job. Employers also use résumés to read about your past jobs. Your résumé is important because it shows employers what you have done and what you can do. Your résumé should convince an employer to give you an interview. Even if you do not need a résumé for a certain job, it is good to keep one up to date because it is easier to fill out job applications if you have a résumé to reference. What should I do if I’m a veteran entering civilian life? It is important to create your résumé in a way that employers will understand. Creating an effective résumé for your civilian life means you will have to use language people outside the military can understand. For example, in the experience section of your résumé you will need to do some “translating” between military terms and civilian terms: Military terms : Received and stored bulk and package petroleum, oils, and lubricants products. Issued and dispensed bulk fuels and water from storage and distribution facilities to using units. Selected and submitted samples of petroleum, oils, and lubricants to laboratory for testing. Performed petroleum and water accounting duties (from Army Pamphlet 611-21). Civilian terms : Coordinated and distributed petroleum products and monitored quality control systems. If you remember specific details and achievements related to your responsibilities in the military, you should include them: Coordinated and distributed $1 million in petroleum products per month and monitored quality control systems to ensure a 99.3% average delivery rate . Click here to download the PDF file containing sample résumés and employment letters.

3 Things to Know About Résumés

By Gray Beltran Jan. 22, 2022

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With so many changes to the way people work in the last few years , you might wonder how much the traditional résumé still matters, and what one should even look like.

Here’s what career experts told me →

One thing that has changed: Employers are less likely to be concerned with gaps in work history or job hopping than they might have been before the pandemic, according to Vicki Salemi, a career expert for Monster.

Many companies use software to screen résumés, so a résumé should be easily understood by both humans and technology , said Kathryn Minshew, the chief executive of The Muse.

That means:

Pay special attention to the keywords in your résumé, and make sure they match up with the job description.

No Comic Sans. You’ll have better luck with something simple like Times New Roman or Georgia.

Aesthetics sometimes do matter.

If you work in a more creative field, your résumé’s design will probably be held to a higher standard than if you work in banking or STEM.

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Best Practices for Writing Your Resume

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Consistency and professionalism

It’s important to make consistent style choices throughout your resume. This means that throughout all sections, you format every headline and description in the same exact way. For example, if your bullet points in your experience descriptions end in periods, make sure ALL of them have periods (even in your education section). The opposite is true as well. If you decide to omit periods, that’s fine—as long as you’re consistent! Small details like these are what set you apart, and make your resume more readable. In the theme of consistency, you should make sure that your title font, size, and spacing is the same as well. For example, if you decide to capitalize the entire section title, check to make sure you do this for all your sections.

But not all resumes have the same rules! Depending on your industry, there might be some field-specific style choices potential employers are looking for. For example, if you’re using your resume for a consulting or business/marketing position, make sure to check out this resume example. The business industry in particular is very nit-picky, so make sure you’re following the industry conventions for your resume. On the other hand, if you’re trying to break into design or digital media, then your resume can look a little different. Unlike other fields, the physical design of the resume is also an example of your work! You have an opportunity to let your creativity shine here, but be careful not to do anything that hinders the readability of your resume though. You can look at this template to see an acceptable format for your resume.

This can be tricky to navigate. If you have any questions about your resume—or just want some extra guidance—you can always make an appointment with an advisor on Handshake or come in for drop-in hours !

The aesthetics of a resume are a great way to give a strong first impression. Since hiring managers don’t typically have a lot of time to review a resume, the ‘feel’ of your resume can stand out. In order to have a pleasing resume, the font should be consistent throughout your document and should be recognized as generally professional. Unfortunately, this means fonts like Comic Sans are out. This also means no funky colors, and absolutely no pictures!

Even for graphic design students, you’ll notice that the template above lacks colors and images. As employers start using AI screening tools such as applicant tracking systems (ATS), potential employees need to make sure their resumes will make sense to those machines. Alternatively, you can have two resumes: one optimized for readability (that you submit in the resume section of an application) and one to showcase your design skills (that you submit as an extra document in your application).

Pictures are a sure way to get your resume rejected if passed through an ATS. You can read more about how these systems work and what resources the Greene Center has to help you navigate them here.

Section essentials

It’s important to have some main sections that all employers will want to see. These include: “education,” “experience,” “activities and leadership experience,” and “skills.” In your education section, you should include information about your major/minor/relevant clusters, academic accolades, and experience studying abroad. Your experience section can include anything you think is relevant to the position you’re applying to: research, volunteer work, or summer jobs and internships. Your activities and leadership section can contain information about your involvement with student organizations or extracurricular activities. Finally, your skills section should include technical, often 9but not always) quantifiable skills like computer software knowledge, foreign language competencies, and specific laboratory skills that will be useful for the position. For those in the humanities, the skill section might include understanding of programs like Google Suite or Microsoft Office, and relevant “soft skills.”

If you have room, some other sections you can include as added bonuses are “coursework and projects,” “honors and awards,” or “summary of qualifications.” These are all additional sections that can enhance your resume and distinguish you from other applicants, but they aren’t necessary. If you feel like you’re able to tell your story with just the essentials, go for it!

Font size and margins

This section goes along with aesthetics. If you’re running into the issue where you have too much on your resume, it might be better to consider honing in on a few of your key experiences, rather than messing with the margins and font to cram it all in. You’ll always have the opportunity to talk about your additional experiences in a cover letter, or during the interview process. Employers don’t have much time to read through your resume, and if there’s too much information they might miss the most important stuff. We recommend keeping your margins between 0.5in – 1in and your font between 10pt-12pt. A curriculum vitae (CV) is the place to really elaborate on your experience and include things you may not have the space to include on a resume.

Those are some of the main things to consider when writing your resume! I hope these tips help you when telling your story through your resume. You can also check out Quinncia for help with getting your resume through an ATS! As always, feel free to stop by drop-in hours or make an appointment with an advisor on Handshake to get industry-specific feedback on your application materials.

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• 7 Life Lessons We Learned...

7 Life Lessons We Learned Through Resume Writing

5 min read · Updated on December 16, 2021

Emily DiRienzo

Sometimes, it's better to leave it to the pros.

Why buy when you can DIY? That's the question project manager, Will Cornell asked himself many times over when he first learned about TopResume's writing services. Not only did Will learn the answer the hard way, but he also almost lost his dream job in the process. Read on to spare yourself the struggle!

As a technical project manager, Will prides himself on his natural curiosity and desire to problem-solve. He often gravitates towards a trial-by-error means of troubleshooting and hours of YouTube tutorials to consulting a trained professional.

 I enjoy getting my hands dirty, whether that means building something from scratch or digging deep into a process or project to get to the root of a problem.

Despite his do-it-yourself ethos, there are few things Will would much rather leave in the hands of the experts: performing surgery, filing taxes, and recently, resume writing .

Lesson 1: DON'T put off the inevitable

“After working for the same company for six years it was time for a change. I wanted something fresh and new, even if it meant moving out of my comfort zone. Six years can feel like a lifetime in the tech industry, and I knew the longer I waited, the harder it would be to leave.”  

Lucky for Will, our writers were there to make his transition back into the job market as painless as possible. His writer, Traci, was able to transform his six-year tenure into a story of professional and personal development. It was important that Will show a thirst for growth in such a rapidly evolving industry.

Lesson 2: DON'T take it personally

So, what made this professional problem-solver let another pro solve his problem?

“Honestly, I was too close to it. It sounds strange, but the process of writing your own resume can be emotional. The job search is a lot like cleaning out a closet — you know not everything can make the cut, but it's hard not to be precious about the things you've accomplished.”

Will is right; when it comes to resume writing, it's not always as simple as asking yourself if a project or achievement “sparks joy.” Sometimes you need to call in a professional to cut through the clutter and leave only the most valuable information behind.

Lesson 3: DO write for the job you want

“Before turning to TopResume, I was hitting a lot of walls. I was lucky if I heard back, but even when I did get a call I would get halfway through a screener before either the recruiter or I would realize it wasn't a good fit. I'm a solid worker with years of experience, I just wasn't writing for the job I really wanted.”

And that's the thing, resumes aren't just a chronological list of what you've done, but what you want to do.

Lesson 4: DO trust an expert

Make no mistake, telling your career story is no easy feat, especially when you can't always find the words:

“Even though I knew what I had accomplished and what I wanted to accomplish in the future, I struggled to put it down on paper. Traci practically read my mind, putting things into words that were stuck in my head.”

Lesson 5: DON'T let fear of rejection hold you back

Will was an instant fan of his new resume, but at this point in his job search it really didn't matter what he thought — was it enough to land him an interview?

 Once I got my new resume back from TopResume I was hesitant to share it right away. I  thought it was great, but what if recruiters didn't bite? What if I was doomed to stay in my current position forever? 

Spoiler alert: Will did not, in fact, receive a life sentence at his job and did continue to apply with his shiny new resume.

Lesson 6: DO know your worth

After Will posted his updated resume to online job boards, he noticed a subtle, yet meaningful, change almost immediately.

“Just one day after I posted my new resume I saw a noticeable shift in the type of positions being sent my way. Not just in the industries and titles, but in the pay too. Until that moment I had surrendered to the idea of taking a salary cut, but was pleasantly surprised this wasn't the case.”  

It's not uncommon for job seekers to undersell themselves in their resume and cover letters, especially when they've been out of practice for a while. Teaming up with a pro like Traci can help set reasonable expectations based on your work experience and properly articulate your worth.

Lesson 7: DON'T give up on your dreams

And now for the plot twist! The position Will accepted, in the end, was at his dream company, which had previously passed on him as a candidate.

“I took a chance and reapplied for a different position with a different resume. I'm glad I did it. Their recruiter contacted me immediately and I'm already a couple of weeks into my first month in the role.”

We'd say the rest is history, but we truly hope Will remembers this next time he's due for a resume update!

Are you stuck in your own resume rut? Let us lend a hand. Contact us today to get a resume rewrite from one of our expert writers.

Recommended Reading:

• What Employers Want (And How Your DIY Resume May Be Falling Short)
• How a Professionally Written Resume Can Boost Your Job-Search Confidence
• How We Gave This Professional the Resume Insurance She Wanted

Related Articles:

From Bland to Beautiful: How We Made This Professional's Resume Shine

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

See how your resume stacks up.

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More From Forbes

Recent graduates, remove your gpas from your resume.

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In today’s job market, showcase the value you bring to the table, not your GPA from the university ... [+] you just graduated from.

A contentious topic among job seekers is whether to include their GPA on their resume . The tradition of including GPAs on resumes has its roots in the belief that academic performance is a reliable indicator of professional potential. This practice gained momentum when job markets were less saturated, and academic accomplishments could set candidates apart in a smaller sea of applicants. Employers viewed GPAs as a shorthand assessment of a candidate’s diligence, intelligence and ability to meet deadlines and goals.

However, the job landscape today looks markedly different. With millions of recent graduates entering the workforce annually, employers are overwhelmed with applications for each position. This inundation has precipitated a shift in hiring practices, with an increasing emphasis on diverse experiences, practical skills and cultural fit over traditional academic metrics.

Why GPA Might Not Be Your Strongest Asset

Given this shift, there are compelling reasons why recent graduates should consider leaving their GPAs off their resumes:

• Widening Skill Gap: Many employers now argue that a high GPA does not necessarily correlate with the practical skills and adaptability required in most modern workplaces. Competencies such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork are often more predictive of job performance.
• Holistic Evaluation: Companies are increasingly adopting more holistic evaluation processes, where soft skills, internships, volunteer experiences and portfolio pieces are given weight equal to, if not greater than, academic performance.
• Flexibility in Learning: With the rise of online courses, boot camps and other alternative educational pathways, evidence of continued learning and skill development can be more pertinent and impressive than a static GPA.

Apple iPhone 16 New Design And Performance Upgrades Revealed In Leak

Google s aggressive new pixel 8 discounts are not ending, samsung releases new feature boost to millions of galaxy phones, building an effective resume as a recent graduate.

Recent graduates should focus on crafting resumes that highlight their comprehensive skills and experiences:

• Showcase Real-world Experience: Include internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work and project experiences. Describe the skills gained and how they apply to your desired position.
• Highlight Skills: Rather than listing courses taken, focus on the skills you’ve developed. This can include technical skills like coding languages or software proficiency and soft skills like leadership, communication or time management.
• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume for each job application. Highlight the experiences and skills most relevant to the job description to demonstrate how you’re the best fit for the role.
• Include a Portfolio: If applicable, include a link to an online portfolio that showcases your best work. This could be writing samples, design work, coding projects or other relevant creations.
• Leverage LinkedIn: Utilize LinkedIn to expand your resume. You can include recommendations from professors or supervisors, detailed descriptions of projects and roles, and even articles or posts that demonstrate your industry knowledge.
• Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell the story that numbers cannot. Illustrate your passion, career aspirations, and why you are a good fit for the company and role.

Building your portfolio as a part of your resume takes a strategic mindset like working on a ... [+] puzzle—the right pieces will make or break your narrative.

How To Create A Portfolio From Course Projects

Creating a portfolio from school projects is a crucial step for recent graduates to showcase their skills and expertise. To start, select projects that best highlight your abilities relevant to the job you’re seeking. This could include group projects demonstrating teamwork and leadership skills or individual projects showcasing your initiative and creativity.

Once you’ve organized everything, put it all into a PDF file. Make sure to name it. For example, “Jane Doe’s Portfolio.” Even file names showcase your professionalism.

• Organize Your Content: Begin by categorizing your projects based on the skills they demonstrate, such as analytical thinking, project management or technical abilities. This structure will make it easier for potential employers to understand your strengths.
• Detail Your Role: For each project, clearly articulate your contribution and the skills you utilized. This is your chance to highlight how you’ve applied classroom knowledge to real-world problems.
• Visual Aids: Incorporate visuals, such as screenshots, diagrams or videos, to make your portfolio more engaging. This is particularly important for design or multimedia projects but can also be valuable for coding or data analysis projects, where visual representations of data can tell a compelling story.
• Reflect on Challenges and Outcomes: Include a brief narrative on the challenges you faced during the project and how you overcame them. This demonstrates your problem-solving skills and resilience. Also, detail the outcome of the project and any feedback received, highlighting your project’s success and lessons learned.
• Keep It Updated: Your portfolio is an evolving tool. Continually add new projects and experiences, tailoring the content for specific job applications or career goals.

In today’s competitive job market, presenting yourself as a multifaceted and adaptable candidate is paramount. Employers seek individuals who can seamlessly contribute, innovate and integrate into their team. A number or letter grade doesn’t reflect your full potential. Removing it opens up space to present a more rounded and compelling picture of who you are and what you bring to the table.

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