Resume Tips

Structure

• Use the active rather than passive voice.
• Begin with a strong, active verb that best represents what you contributed.
• Use present tense for current activities and past tense for past activities.
• Avoid the phrases “responsible for” or “duties include.”
• Prioritize sections based on most relevant information first.
• Write section headings based on tailoring them to the position. For example, “Work Experience”
• becomes “Research Experience,” while another section could be “Additional Employment Experience.”
• Within your bullets, organize these descriptors so that the most relevant appear first.

Formatting

• Maintain sufficient white space to make it easily readable and uncluttered, while still including thorough descriptions of your experiences.
• Be consistent with styling and formatting throughout all sections of the resume as you use bold, CAPS, italics, and underlining.
• Place important information toward the top of the document, because HR managers often scan resumes quickly. These sections include Education, Relevant Experience, and/or Leadership Experience.
• Each section should be organized in reverse chronological order.
• Use a readable font, such as Cambria, Calibri, Times New Roman, Garamond, or Arial.
• Font should be size 10, 11, or 12 point and easy to read.
• Your name should be 16+ font size, in bold, and NOT in caps.
• Margins should be in the range of .5” to 1” on all four sides.
• Use numbers instead of writing them out, for example, use 5 instead of five.
• Use black ink.
• Don’t include tables to organize the document.
• Avoid personal pronouns in the resume.
• Don’t use full sentences or paragraphs to describe your experiences.

General Tips

• Keep your resume to one page in length.
• Proofread to avoid spelling or grammatical errors.
• Coursework must be relevant to the position. Irrelevant courses or standard courses expected of a student with the stated major should not be listed.
• Evaluate your language skills honestly, using words such as “beginner,” “intermediate,” “advanced,” or “native proficiency.” You can separate your experience between written and conversational aptitude.
• Technical skills should include your level of proficiency with language such as  “proficient in” and “familiar with.”
• A photo is not recommended on a resume. For LinkedIn profiles, a photo of you in professional
  attire is common.
• If printing the document, use white or ivory resume paper.
• References should be on a separate page, so don’t make them a part of the resume. Do repeat your contact information at the top of the reference page.

Improving Your Active Verbs