Brittany Tesar, Librarian

DeVry University and Chamberlain College of Nursing, Columbus, OH

Columbus Metro

How to Write a Resume

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November 9, 2014 2

Before you start, it is very beneficial to gather the items

listed below so that you can quickly and efficient begin

working on your resume.

1. Past work history

2. Relevant volunteer history

3. Education

4. Professional email

5. List of work-related skills

Before You Start

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All work and education should be listed in reverse chronological order

Resume should be one page unless 10+ years experience in the field or job specifies additional pages

Make the overall design appealing and easy to readThere should be a fair amount of white space so your

resume does not appear clutteredFont should be between size 10-12Double check all grammar and spelling List content in order of importance: If more work

experience, list first. If switching fields, list education first.Resume should be free of personal informationList a professional email address

General Resume Rules to Follow

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Template- First, you will need to select a template or general outline that you would like to use. Microsoft Word has built in templates and there are example templates online as well. Samples are also listed at the end of the slides.

Focus- Next, think of the focus of your resume. What industry/ company/ job are you hoping to get? If you are interested in multiple areas, you may want to have separate resumes that pertain specifically to the job for which you are applying. The person receiving and reading your resume should be able to see your focus and career intentions immediately.

Beginning to Build your Resume

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Below is a list of alternative headings that can be used to

describe resume categories. You may want to refer back

to this page as you continue through the slides.

Subject/ Category Headings

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Subject/ Category Headings Continued

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Subject/ Category Headings Continued

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Descriptive Words Adaptable Career-oriented Constructive Cooperative Dynamic Enterprising Enthusiastic Flexible Innovative Logical Methodical Perceptive Professional Reliable Resourceful Self-starter Troubleshooter Versatile

Words to Keep in Mind…

Active Words• Achieved• Accomplished• Broadened• Consolidated• Coordinated• Designed• Directed• Established• Implemented• Maintained• Negotiated• Performed• Prepared• Revised• Stimulated• Supervised• Targeted• Updated

Action Words• Acted• Adapted• Administered• Analyzed• Applied• Arranged• Ascertained• Assessed• Budgeted• Built• Chaired• Changed• Calibrated• Communicated• Composed• Computed• Conducted• Confronted

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Once your template has been chosen, you will want to start

your resume with a summary rather than an objective. The

difference between a summary and an objective is a

summary describes why a company should be interested

in you and what skills you have to offer, whereas an

objective tells employers what you are looking for in a job.

The summary should be specific and tailored to the job

you want. It should also include special skills you want to

highlight. Remember to include foreign language skills or

degree skills, if applicable.

Summary

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Summary Example

Professional Summary:

Ambitious, hardworking, and career conscious person that welcomes

opportunity for professional growth and immediate challenges. Proven

professional who has initiative, enthusiasm, dedication, and thrives to

contribute to the team goals.

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Focus on your most recent education! If you have a

college degree, do not include high school information

unless it is relevant and/or from a career center. Make

sure to list degrees, concentrations, and month/year of

graduation. If you have an certification, special projects, or

organizations, you may want to include them in this

section.

If you have relevant work experience, you might want to list

that before you list your education so employers see your

highest qualifications first.

Education

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Education Example

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Work Experience

It is important to list work experience in reverse

chronological order. If work history is not directly related to

the job you are looking for, try to list any transferable skills

that could apply for the position you want.

If your work experience is more relevant than your

education, you may want to list you work experience before

education on your application so employers see your

qualifications first.

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Work Experience Example

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List any relevant experience, activities, or organizations

that you are involved in. List volunteer experience if it

applies to the position you are interested in or to explain for

any gaps in employment.

Also include any awards, honors, recognitions, and

leadership positions held.

Activities

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Activities Example

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Objective statements

Personal pronouns such as I, me, and my

Non-career related information

Repetitive information

Phrases at the bottom-references available upon request

LinkedIn Profiles that lead to nothing

Items to Leave Off of your Resume

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Is your work and education listed in reverse chronological order?

Is your resume one page only? (unless specified) Is the overall design appealing? Is there a good amount of white space so your resume

does not appear cluttered? Is your font between size 10-12? Is all grammar and spelling correct? Is content listed in order of importance? Is your resume free of personal information?Does your resume have a professional email address?

You should answer YES to all of these questions!

Critiquing your Resume

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Example Resumes