Purpose:
The purpose of a resume is to serve as a pointed narrative of relevance to the reader, showing demonstrable interest in the industry and highlighting directly relatable or transferable skills (you will often find these included in the job description).
Format:
- Access our Resume Guide and Resume Template to identify which template works most effectively for you.
- Aim for consistency with font style and tenses. List your experiences in chronological order with the most recent activity listed first based on the end date.
- With an eye towards relevancy, the order of the work and leadership sections can be flipped in order to present yourself in the most compelling way.
Approach:
Start – Create a master resume, including all summer jobs, internships, volunteer work, and student organizations.
Reflect – Under each entry, list what you did to contribute in your role. Simply focus on getting as much on paper as possible.
Refer to Job Description – This will guide you to identify critical skills and competencies. Pick the experiences from your master resume that are pertinent.
Demonstrate – Identify time committed and scale of responsibility, quantifying and communicating the impact of your previous experiences.
Rank & Rephrase – Within each experience, consider the order and language of your bullets. Your goal is to mirror the skills and requirements outlined in the job description.
Information to Consider:
- Cite positive impact and/or outcomes.
- Identify areas of contribution.
- Were you working under a deadline?
- Were you responsible for reporting or presenting to groups or supervisors?
Want feedback on your resume? Schedule your appointment with a Career Coach today!