Introduction to Résumés
Your résumé is a marketing tool that highlights your qualifications for a position. It is a summary of your education, work experiences, and skills that represents YOU to a prospective employer. The goal of a résumé is to get selected for an interview.
Your résumé should quickly identify to an employer:
- Who you are
- What your career objectives are
- What you have accomplished
- Why you are a good fit for that employer
Deciding which academic and work experience to include and what to omit can sometimes be difficult. Begin by making a comprehensive list of your jobs, relevant projects, awards, technical skills, extracurricular activities, volunteer activities, and other interests. Select the items that will most interest an employer and that present you as a strong candidate. The final version should make a good impression on a recruiter within 30 seconds.
Whenever possible, target your résumé to a specific job or company. Strive for a one-page résumé if possible, but use two pages if necessary to summarize all your relevant skills and experiences. Remember your audience--the employer! Proofread your résumé, and don't rely on “spell-check” to catch all the errors! Keep updating your résumé as you acquire additional skills, work experiences, and projects.
Résumé Formats
- Chronological
- list information in reverse chronological order starting with your most recent education or work experience.
- most common format and often preferred by recruiters. - Functional
- focuses on qualifications and skills rather than previous jobs.
- well-suited for candidates who have multiple jobs or who are applying for jobs not directly related to their previous work experience. - Chrono-functional
- combines elements of both chronological and functional résumés.
- lists experience and education chronologically, but also includes a "Qualifications Summary" section that allows you to highlight your qualifications pertinent to the position.
