Resume Guide
What is a resume? The word "resume" describes a one- or two-page summary of your professional skills and employment history. The goal is to select specific knowledge, skills and abilities you have that will support your qualifications for a particular job.
Resume Dos and Don'ts
DO
- Use simple, direct language with action verbs and keywords
- State facts and stress accomplishments
- Keep resume to one or two pages
- Emphasize experience, knowledge, skills and abilities that meet the criteria of in the position description
- Account for all time gaps with education, skills and/or accomplishments
- Choose a readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial
- Use uniform 1” margins all around
- Use adequate white space
- Use quality 8 ½ by 11 inch paper
- Be sure you have no typographical, grammar, or punctuation errors
- Have someone proofread the final copy
- Use proper verb tense
DON'T
- Be wordy
- Erase or white out errors
- Include a photo
- Include salary history
- List references
- Print on both sides of the page
- Reproduce poor copies
- Send a resume without a cover letter
- Type "Resume" at the top of the page
- Use dark colored paper
- Use false or exaggerated information
- Use "out of date" resume
- Use pronouns (I, you, he, she, etc.)
- Use an objective different from that of the position for which you are applying
Parts of a Resume
There are many types of resumes and the parts of a resume can vary depending on the position for which you are applying; however, the most common parts of a resume are a Contact Information, Professional Skills Summary; Work Experience and Education.
Contact Information
You should put your contact information on top of the first page of your resume. The following is a general guideline.
Susan J. Sample
302 North Avenue
Anytown, Virginia 24000
540.555.5555
student@email.vccs.edu
Professional Skills Profile
Employers make quick judgments when glancing at a resume. Often, they do not have time to read through each of your job descriptions to determine if you have the skills/experience they need. Use a Skills Profile/Summary of Qualifications to highlight the most important information about your work experience, skills and education.
Your Skills Profile should include the knowledge, skills and abilities (competencies) you have that would help you be successful completing the specific work performed in a position. These competencies directly correlate with job performance. Competencies are generic (soft skills) or technical (unique to a given profession).
- Generic competencies are those that an organization looks for in any employee. These include competencies such as analysis/problem solving, customer service orientation and developing organizational talent.
- Technical competencies are more specific and focused to a profession. For example, a thorough knowledge of server operating systems with an understanding of standard trouble shooting practices for applications would be technical competencies for an Information Technology Specialist.
Example:
SKILLS PROFILE
- Over five years experience with maintaining policies and procedure manuals, office organization, filing and documentation
- Computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite 2003 and 2007
- 60 WPM Keyboarding
- Over five years experience providing front-line customer service and distributor support.
- Fluency in Spanish.
Objective
This should be placed in your cover letter. No résumé should be sent without an accompanying cover letter.
Education
The "Education" section should be placed right after your "Skills Profile", if it is relevant to the position for which you are applying. "Education" may be placed after the "Experience" section, if it is not required for the position, or when you have several years of related work experience. List your highest educational level first unless a later degree is more relevant to the job for which you are applying. High school can be eliminated, if you have a higher degree.
Example:
Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, VA
Associate in Business, Marketing, December 2005 (If still attending, state anticipated graduation date.)
Graduated Sum Laude
You may list completed coursework if relevant to the job. Likewise, you may list other training or professional development if relevant.
Example:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
2005 Dale Carnegie Institute Seminar, "Selling and Negotiating Skills"
- How to Sell Your Product Using Print Media
- Negotiating Sales Contracts
Professional Experience
Under this section, list your work, volunteer, co-ops, internships, and military experience. Include only volunteer work/internships/co-ops that are relevant for the position for which you are applying, unless the experience supports work skills that would lead to your success in a position (leadership, teamwork, project management, etc.) There are always skills you learned on your job or volunteering that are transferable to other jobs.
Example:
EXPERIENCE:
May 2002—June 2004 XYZ Exporting, Any Town, VA
Office Manager
(Description of Duties) – include a complete description of duties beginning each bullet point with an action verb/key word.
References
References are not part of a resume. Employers are not usually interested in checking your references before they meet you.
Have your list of references available (3-4) on a separate sheet of paper to give the interviewer if you are asked. Make sure you have contacted your references and asked permission to use their names. Tell them the type of position for which you are applying. Give them a copy of your resume. Always thank your references.
The Hall Associates Career and Employment Assistance Center has many resources in the form of reference books and software. Please call 540.857.7298 or stop by the center for an appointment to help you develop your best resume.
Sample Resume
Michael Student
450 South Boulevard Anytown, VA 00000
555.555.5555
student@email.vccs.edu
Professional Skills Summary:
- Provided patient care at different levels of need including cardiac care, intensive care, and emergency room support.
- Assisted in establishing patient care plans including one-on-one patient education.
- Provided accurate documentation of patient care.
Clinical Experience:
- Cardiac Care: performed patient assessments and evaluations to establish a plan of care; observed numerous treatments; provided one-on-one patient education regarding medication and exercise
- Intensive Care: refined skills in patient care; administered oral medications and feedings via gastrostomy tubes; closely monitored ventilator patients
- Emergency Room: provided accurate documentation; effectively balanced several patients at one time; observed and assisted with several treatments
- General Nursing: assisted in preparation of shots distributing medications; took patient histories, assisted with proper maintenance of paperwork and patient files
Education: Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, VA, AAS Degree, Nursing
May 2005, GPA: 4.0
Registered Nurse License
Professional Experience:
2004 – Present Lewis Gale Hospital, Salem, Virginia
Student Nurse and Volunteer
- Carefully prepare patients for testing and surgery
- Accurately monitor and report patient progress
- Patiently educate patients and families in home care
Community Involvement: (include only if relevant to position for which you are applying)
- American Red Cross Disaster Team
- Special Olympics Team Captain
Sources
Gallery of Best Resumes for People Without a Four-Year Degree, Second Edition
A special Collection of Quality Resumes by professional Resume Writers
Originally published as Gallery of Best Resumes for Two-Year Degree Graduates
1990, 2000 by David F. Noble
JIST Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, IN
The Quick Resume & Cover Letter Book, Second Edition
Write and Use an Effective Resume in Only One Day
2000 by J. Michael Farr
JIST Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, IN
Job Search Tools
Job Placement, 2005
Midlands Technical College
Columbia, SC