Resumes

The process of writing a resume is good preparation for a job search. It encourages you to review your accomplishments and identify experiences that are relevant to your job target. 

An effective resume is likely to stimulate the interest of a potential employer. It is a tool to help you obtain a job interview. You don’t need to include everything you have experienced, just enough to spark the interest an employer to meet with you in person. The test of a good resume is whether or not you are getting interviews.

  • A resume is used to OUTLINE your skills and experiences.
  • A cover letter is used to MATCH your skills and experiences to  a specific job position and EXPLAIN how these skills and experiences will benefit the employer.
  • A resume is for generating INTERVIEWS, not job offer — you do that!

There are no absolute rules for writing a resume. However, we have included some general guidelines in the following pages. Click on a topic to read more.

Some Basic Principles

How to Get Started

Common Resume Elements

Suggested Resume Headings

Action Words

Resume Formats to Consider

Resume Critiquing Guidelines