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Resume Guidelines
The resume is your marketing tool for getting the interview. Being a summary of your employment qualifications, a resume should highlight your education, experience, skills, and other relevant information. This is the employer’s first impression of you, so it needs to be excellent!
| Resume Tips |
| Types of Resumes |
- Chronological Resume: used most frequently and is preferred by employers. This format presents information in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
- Functional or Skills-Based Resume: concentrates on skills developed through education or work experiences. This is done by listing the skills you have and documenting specific examples of how you utilized those skills. Use caution when preparing this type of resume as many employers are somewhat suspicious of resumes without specific dates.
- Combination Resumes: this resume combines the first two types and can be used to effectively present your qualifications. The combination resume will not only highlight your skills, but will also provide employers with the expected chronological format.
- Other Samples:
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| Helpful Hints when Writing a Resume |
- MSC Students: build your resume using our Optimal Resume Service.
- Attend an Advising & Career Center workshop on Resumes
Cover Letters & Interviewing
- Review the sample resumes provided.
- Use Action Words
- Be original and honest!
- See Resume Dos & Don'ts
- Keep font between 10 – 12 point.
- Resumes should be appealing to the eye and allow the employer to quickly retrieve information.
- Use bullets to effectively present your information—do not write in paragraph format.
- Do not include photographs or personal information such as age, height, marital status, children, etc. unless it is required for the specific position (acting, modeling, etc.)
- Do not include references on bottom of resume—put references on seperate page, see more reference page tips below
- Proofread; proofread; proofread!
- Have at least one other person also edit your resume and/or have a professional staff member review your resume (this is a free service in our office)
- Print your resume on quality paper (use the same for your resume, cover letter, and references)
- Avoid flecked or dark papers because they do not photocopy or scan well
- Use a quality printer – do not send photocopied resumes
- Use large manila or white envelopes that allow you to mail your resume and cover letter without folding them
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| Reference Page Tips |
| Reference Page Guidelines |
- See Sample Reference Page
- Print references on separate page.
- Use same paper as your resume and cover letter.
- Use the same heading on this page as you have for you resume and cover letter.
- Indicate reference list with a sub-heading like “References” or “Professional References” at the top.
- When providing references, include the same information that would be found on the person’s business card:
- name, title, organization, complete address and telephone number.
- fax numbers and e-mail addresses are optional.
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| Selecting References |
- Good references are people who are professional and in positions of responsibility such as Professors, Advisors, Employers, Coaches, and Community or Business Leaders.
- Have 3 to 5 references.
- Select people who know your abilities.
- Ask permission of each reference before you use them as a reference.
- Assist your references by giving them a copy of your resume—this way they have easy access to your strengths, experience, skills, activities, etc.
- Tell your reference the type of job you are looking for—so they are able to relate your positive attributes to the potential employer
- If a letter of recommendation is needed give your reference a stamped envelope addressed correctly (never send these unless they are specifically requested)
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