Creating a Resume: General Guidelines - Towson University

CREATING A RESUME: GENERAL GUIDELINES

Your resume is a key to marketing yourself during the job/internship search. When you create a resume, you want it to showcase the most relevant skills and qualifications that you can offer the employer. As you work on your resume, keep in mind that preparing a quality, effective resume requires thought, time and effort. While there are no hard and fast rules to resume writing, this document is designed to give you some general resume guidelines to help you work through this process.

FONT

Use a standard, non-script black font (e.g., Times New Roman, Calibri) Limit enhancements (i.e., bold, italics) to headings and titles of publications Use a font size that is easy to read (10 pt. minimum, 12 pt. maximum) Use a traditional round bullet (nothing too large or "cute"; keep it professional)

PAGES

Limit your resume to one ? two pages If your resume only covers a line or two on the second page, try to make it fit onto one page Do not number page one (if two pages) On page two, write at the top (in small font) name, phone number and "page two of two"

CONTENT

Target your content to the desired job Highlight accomplishments unique to your experience Don't detail the standard, expected aspects of your experience Group your experience according to its relevance to the targeted job (ex. "Marketing Experience" and

"Other Related Experience")

Include only information that shows evidence of your suitability for the job

MECHANICS

Use brief statements/phrases, not complete sentences (you should not have periods on your resume) Begin descriptions of experience with action verbs Use correct subject/verb agreement, grammar and punctuation Watch for misuse of capitals (Spanish, Algebra II, math, social studies) Spell out single-digit numerals (e.g., one, two, etc.) Spell out first use of acronyms (e.g., Student Government Association (SGA))

RESUME SECTIONS

CONTACT HEADING

Increase font size for name (bold recommended) Do not use non-professional nickname Use an email address that creates a professional impression ("partychick@" isn't the image

you're going for here)

If posting your resume on a public job board, do not include your full street address. Only include City,

State, and Zip Code.

Check your voicemail message before you start sending out resumes with this phone number; make sure

the message is professional/neutral and that you will receive the message

Clean up digital dirt! Whether or not you have privacy settings, employers or their assistants often check

social media accounts to "meet" their job applicants. What impression do you create?

SAMPLE CONTACT HEADING:

1564 Oak Street, Apt. B Hometown, MD Zipcode

Taylor Murphy

410-555-0000 tamurphy@

OBJECTIVE (optional)

Tailor the objective to the job ? be very specific Focus on your professional qualifications for the targeted job and what you can do for the employer, not

what the position will do for you

Stating anything else (i.e., "use my educational background and enthusiasm for learning") in this section

does not help or impress recruiters/employers. It only slows down their review.

Demonstrate your enthusiasm through your experience statements.

SAMPLE OBJECTIVE:

To obtain a public relations specialist position with HiTechPR where extensive customer service experience can help to improve company profitability

EDUCATION

List current education first Only list previous education if you earned a related degree or if it adds value (shows relationship to the

job target or affiliation with the community)

Note the date that you will complete your current degree rather than attendance dates; align dates with

right margin

High school usually is not included beyond the sophomore year of college

 Include your GPA if it is a 3.0 or above Educational honors and awards may be included in this section Related coursework must be relevant to the position

SAMPLE EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

May 2011

Towson University, Towson, MD

GPA 3.65

Dean's List Spring 2008 ? present

Related Coursework: Crisis and Stress Management, Advanced Quantitative Research Methods,

Curriculum Development in Nursing, Advanced Community Crisis Nursing

EXPERIENCE

List individual experience(s) in reverse chronological order (most recent first) Each experience should include job title, company/organization, city, state and dates of employment Emphasize your accomplishments and responsibilities; use numbers to quantify your experiences when

possible

Avoid providing a laundry list of expected duties Highlight information that is relevant to the targeted position Use concise phrases rather than complete sentences Consider outlining class project experience(s) if you are lacking relevant [professional] work experience Experience may include paid or volunteer opportunities

SAMPLE EXPERIENCE:

Assistant Editor

1/2010-8/2010

XYZ PRESS INC.

Baltimore, MD

Created editorial mission and plan for In Focus, an international quarterly magazine for hobby

photographers

Edited poetry and photography for inclusion in Poet's Corner and In Focus

Managed and supported team of 12 freelancers and in-house staff

SAMPLE RELATED CLASS PROJECT EXPERIENCE

Organization and Administration of Intramurals

9/2008-12/2008

Towson University

Towson, MD

Designed a hypothetical budget for university club sports office

Conducted a research project based on students' perceptions of intramurals sports and presented at

National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) conference

ACTIVITIES

Include the same components that are emphasized in your experiences (role, organization, city, state and

dates of involvement)

Briefly describe your involvement in the club/organization; emphasize accomplishments and leadership

roles

Hobbies and interests should not be included unless they are relevant to the targeted position

SAMPLE ACTIVITY:

Black Student Union, Towson University, Towson, MD

August 2010 - present

Treasurer/Member

Manage club accounts and create budgets for six service events per year

Represent union at campus activities treasurers' meetings

SKILLS or CERTIFICATIONS

If you list relevant computer skills include level of proficiency (basic, proficient, advanced) Only include foreign language skills if you are conversational or fluent Only include certifications that are related to the position Please refer to NACE Career Ready Skills Handout for more information

SAMPLE TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Databases and languages: SQL Server 7.0 and 2000, T/SQL Software: Crystal Reports, Enterprise Manager, Query Analyzer; MAS 90, MAS 200; Baan; Business

Works; MS Word, Excel, Outlook; Quicken, QuickBooks, QuickBooksPro; Symbiator; Peachtree; Bluebird; EZ-SQL; Great Plains; Lotus 1-2-3; PageMaker

SAMPLE CERTIFICATION:

Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification, American Heart Association, May 2011

REFERENCES

Create a separate page for references ? it is not necessary to state that references are available

upon request.

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