Developing an Effective Resume
A resume is one of the most important documents in your internship or job search. It is a personal marketing tool
that may lead to an interview. Think of your resume as a summary of the knowledge, skills and experiences you will
bring to a specific position or industry.
Format: What should my resume look like?
Resume formats should be readable, well organized and concise. Most employers spend fewer than 20-30
seconds reviewing a resume.
Avoid using resume templates! Creating your own document demonstrates your computer skills and
initiative.. Templates can be difficult to edit, download and format over time.
One page resumes are preferred by employers for interns and entry-level opportunities. A two page
resume is acceptable for experienced candidates, and within many non-profit or academic fields.
What should my resume include?
Your resume is unique to YOU. It should include your skills, experiences and accomplishments. A resume should
include:
Contact information: Tip: Avoid using “headers” if possible, as MS Word may not print or fully download this
information. Avoid text boxes as well, as this can lead to difficulty with future edits.
Objective, Summary Statement or Skills Summary: Answers the questions, what do I want to do, where, and
what can I offer?
Education: School, Degree(s), Graduation date, or level of student (currently a Sophomore, Junior, etc.)
Skills (optional): Describes skills that are relevant to the job sought or above and beyond what is expected.
Experiences: Work, internship and/or volunteer experiences, accomplishments, and related leadership roles.
Honors & Activities: Honors/scholarships awarded, extracurricular activities and leadership roles
Resume Do’s and Don’ts
DO
DON’T
Use conservative font styles (Times New Roman,
Don’t include personal pronouns such as I, me , or
Arial, Arial Narrow, or similar styles). Font size may
my.
range from 10-12.
Don’t include: age, marital status, height/weight, birth
Set page margins between 0.5 and 1.0 inches (top,
date, or a photograph.
bottom, left and right).
Don’t abbreviate (other than for the states - SC).
Use bullet points to keep text action-focused and
Don’t exaggerate or lie on your resume. It will catch
concise.
up with you.
Include accomplishments.
Don’t include “References upon Request” at the
Print your resume using a laser printer; white or off-
bottom of your resume. Most employers who want
white bond paper is preferred. (Dark paper does not
references will ask for this. Use the space on your
copy or fax well!)
resume to share more details about you and your
Keep your resume up to date, with correct addresses
experiences.
and phone numbers!
ALWAYS include a cover letter when mailing your
resume to an employer.
Proofread carefully!
The Career Center
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