Resumes & Letters
A visually attractive, well thought-out resume is a powerful employment search tool that should help you showcase your unique credentials and land an interview.
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Cover LettersAdditional Career Tips
RESUME CONTENT
The most effective resumes are designed with a specific type of position in mind and provide a clear, concise summary of your qualifications. Resume content should be written and organized to emphasize your strengths and minimize weaknesses.
Get Started
- Begin your rough draft to preferably fit on one or two pages, with the most relevant information emphasized based on the requirements of the position you are seeking. Avoid using a resume wizard as these can create future editing challenges.
- Refer to our Tip Sheets for resume samples and more.
- Have your resume proofed by one of our Career Advisors, or one or two persons you trust as having expertise in resume development and your career field.
Resume Rules
- It must be flawless and contain no spelling or grammatical errors.
- Format must be visually attractive with appropriate spacing and headings highlighted.
- Quantify accomplishments when possible (numbers, dollars, percentages).
- Content must be accurate and honest.
- Avoid personal information such as age, marital status, height/weight.
- Print resume on conservative paper (ivory, gray, or white is best for scanning).
- Do not use personal pronouns or complete sentences. Use action verbs and phrases to describe tasks and responsibilities.
- If two pages, do not staple. Place your name and "Page two" on the second page.
- Indicate numbers 10 and over as numerical, nine and under as written words.
CHRONOLOGICAL RESUMES
The chronological resume is the #1 most commonly used resume format.
APPLYING ONLINE
- If uploading your resume online or submitting your resume via email, convert it first to PDF format to ensure it appears correctly to the reader.
- Use key words in your resume related to your industry as many employers scan for these words to identify desirable candidates.