Winning Resume
Winning Resume
Winning Resume
that it is
an effective “advertisement” of your skills, knowledge, and experience. The resume is a critical item in determining
whether or not you will receive an interview. Thus, it should be a flawless, well thought out, and effective sales tool
for your job search.
SELF ASSESSMENT
• Identify your skills and abilities. For example, what are your 3 greatest strengths? How do you know you have
these attributes? Where have you proven this?
• Explore a variety of careers to determine the requirements of the occupations you are seeking. What skills are they
looking for? How does this fit with your own skills and abilities?
• Make a list of the experiences you have been involved in: jobs, volunteer work, activities, leadership roles, awards
etc.
HOW TO FORMAT
• Typically, a resume will be looked at for 15 - 20 seconds for screening by an employer; as a finalist it will be carefully
evaluated. Make sure it is very clear and highlights your skills and experiences effectively through the use of
formatting, ordering and headings
• There are many styles and formats. Choose one that is unique to you! Using Templates can help you get started but
we do not recommend them for your final copy. You also run the risk of having your resume look like everyone else's
and will probably have space issues as well.
• Use reverse chronological order in each of your categories (most recent to least recent).
• Use margins and titles... to guide the readers and inform them of skills and attributes.
• Use bold facing, underlining, capitalization, and/or italics...to highlight important items. Also explore other
options in Word such as small caps and using lines to separate sections.
• Develop separate sections... on education, work experience, activities etc. from the list you made so the reader can
get highlights quickly.
• The order of categories should be in more important to least important... Objective (if you choose to include one)
and Education will, at this point, be your first two. "Bulk up" towards the top with the most important information
from there.
• The amount of space that you provide for an item indicates the importance of that item
• Use phrases... to describe rather than full sentences. A resume is a first person document so you do not need to use
personal pronouns.
GETTING STARTED
• Take the list you created in the assessment stage and begin to develop separate sections (i.e. Activities, Volunteer
Experience, Leadership Experience, etc.)
• It is recommended that you use 10-12 pt. font (you can use a larger font size for your name) set your top, bottom, and
side margins between ½” – 1”. This will allow you to maximize the amount of information you can include on a page
and still have an easily readable and professional looking document.
• Do not be concerned about length for the first draft. For most undergraduates, one page is the most common length
due to lack of experiences. Individuals with added experience/degrees may need a two-page resume to present their
relevant experiences adequately. Resume length may also vary by career field. If you have questions about the length
of your resume please consult with a career counselor.
• Once you complete your list you can begin to format your resume and describe your experiences. Remember,
descriptions, order and categories depend on your experiences and goal. You do not need to use the exact headings
we provide in this packet - be creative and make it personalized.
Identification
• Your name - make it stand out
• Email (conservative if not VU email) and phone number (cell number preferred) home number (optional)
• Full Address, include zip code and correct state abbreviations. Home preferred (optional)
• LinkedIn address (optional).
Will D. Cat
(C) 610-555-6594, [email protected]
7 Thatcher Court, Sewell, NJ 08080
Objective
• Not all resumes have an objective; if you are unsure of what you want you can consider leaving it off. If your major is different
from your career objective, this section can allow you to clarify. Also, if you are interested in a summer position this can also
help your resume from falling into the wrong pile!
• Short and to the point is best. You are seeking a balance between you and the position/organization, and between general and
specific. If it is too general it is unnecessary, if it is too specific you may be limiting opportunities.
• The purpose is to specify the position you desire and skills you possess.
• Consider making a different objective for each position you are applying for, making it focused on that particular position.
Examples:
To obtain a summer position in the field of marketing to expand experience in market research and analysis.
To obtain a position in pharmaceutical sales utilizing business background and knowledge of biology.
An internship in mechanical engineering focusing on design.
Entry-level staff accounting position with a special interest in auditing.
To obtain a full-time editorial assistant position with a newspaper, magazine, or publisher.
Education
• Use reverse chronological order. VU and then high school if you choose
• List name, location of school, degree(s), date of graduation, minor(s) and concentration(s)
• If you choose, and if applicable, list overall GPA/major GPA, class rank, academic honors/scholarships, projects, thesis, research,
seminars, pertinent coursework, and/or certificates.
• Whether or not to list a GPA is a personal decision with pros and cons each way - Generally, if it is a 2.8 or higher you can list it
or if you feel it is a positive reflection of your potential. Be aware that some employers will expect to see your G.P.A.
• Be sure to include schools where you have studied abroad or other colleges you may have attended.
Academic Projects/Papers
You may wish to include academic projects/papers on your resume to highlight class experiences and knowledge that may be
relevant to an employer.
Examples:
Intermediate Accounting Spring 2014
• Leader of audit team addressing many GAAP issues for a simulated company.
• Created and maintained work papers for seven years of client activity.
Employment Experiences
• Use reverse chronological order.
• Include name and location of organization, title and dates of employment.
• Utilizing action statements describe your position (See functional verb chart).
• Employment and other categories can be broken down into more specific categories such as RELATED EXPERIENCE and
OTHER EXPERIENCE. This allows you to list the most relevant experiences together.
Give specific details of your accomplishments, skills developed, and responsibilities rather than a general list of duties. Quantify
your accomplishments; use numbers in percentage (%) or dollar ($) form to show increases in sales, productivity, customer
satisfaction, etc.
Example:
Sales Associate, Zany Brainy, Rockville, MD Summer 2014
Provided excellent customer service in this high volume children's educational toy store. Assisted with inventory procedures.
Trained new employees on company practice. Awarded Outstanding Employee of the Month for an increase of 30% in personal
sales.
Functional Verbs
Accomplished Manipulated Coached Edited Recorded
Achieved Mapped Collaborated Educated Recruited
Acted Marketed Communicated Enlarged Rectified
Adapted Mediated Completed Established Regulated
Adjusted Merchandised Conceived Evaluated Related
Administered Moderated Conceptualized Examined Renewed
Advertised Modified Conducted Founded Reported
Advised Monitored Consulted Fund-raised Represented
Affected Motivated Contracted Generated Researched
Aided Negotiated Controlled Governed Resolved
Analyzed Obtained Cooperated Guided Revised
Anticipated Operated Coordinated Handled Scanned
Applied Ordered Counseled Headed Standardized
Approached Organized Created Hired Stimulated
Approved Originated Decided Identified Supervised
Arranged Participated Defined Implemented Surveyed
Assembled Performed Delegated Increased Synthesized
Assessed Persuaded Demonstrated Influenced Systemized
Assigned Planned Designed Informed Taught
Assisted Presented Determined Initiated Team-Built
Budgeted Proposed Detailed Innovated Tested
Built Provided Developed Inspected Trained
Calculated Publicized Devised Invented Transmitted
Catalogued Published Directed Led Utilized
Chaired Recommended Distributed Maintained Verified
Clarified Redesigned Drafted Managed Wrote
Activities
• List activities in order of importance. Highlight leadership/responsibilities. List college, community, professional, and
occasionally, relevant high school activities.
• May have descriptions of activity, leadership role, and accomplishments, particularly if applicable to career goals.
• May use other headings to more specifically discuss your experiences (i.e. Volunteer Work, Athletics, Related Activities,
etc.).
Activities:
Accounting Society, President
• Manage the day-to-day functions of the organization, which includes running meetings, recruiting new members, and organizing
events.
Admissions Tour Guide, Blue Key Society
• Successfully represent the university through campus tours to prospective students, parents, and other visitors.
Balloon Day, Captain
Intramural Basketball
Special Olympics Volunteer
Delta Delta Delta National Sorority
OR
You can divide your activities into Volunteer Experience & Leadership Experience categories.
Descriptions are not necessary for everything on your resume - just the ones you would like to highlight or you feel focus on a
particular skill you would like to sell.
Honors/Awards
Optional. Include this section only if you have several honors/awards. If you only have one or two honors, you can include them in
a combined “Activities/Honors” section or in “Education” if they are education related.
Skills
You may want to consider adding a skills section to highlight computer hardware and software skills, foreign languages, or
certifications.
Other section heading examples might include: Related Experience, internships, practicum, athletics, interests, seminars,
professional memberships, travel, honors, volunteer experience, community service and publications.
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) resembles a resume in many ways, but is more specifically focused on academic achievements.
A CV summarizes education and academic history, and may include details about teaching experience, publications
(books, articles, research papers, unpublished manuscripts, or book chapters), and academic honors and awards. Use a
CV rather than a resume for teaching or research opportunities, applying for fellowships or further academic training.
Some research positions in industry may also prefer a CV rather than a resume.
CV’s are frequently longer than resumes, since the emphasis is on completeness rather than brevity. While there is no
single correct format or style for writing a CV, the following types of information are generally included, and typically
organized in this way: Name & Address ● Education ● Dissertation ● Fellowships & Awards ● Prepared to Teach or
Areas of Research Interest or Areas of Specialization or Areas of Competence/Expertise or Principal Research and
Teaching Interests ● Teaching Experience ● Research Experience ● Publications & Presentations ● Works in Progress
● Related Professional Experience ● Languages ● Other ● References ● Dissertation Abstract
Mandy Marketing
[email protected] 609-555-5555
931 Buckingham Way, Elizabeth, NJ
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandymarketing
EDUCATION
Villanova University, Villanova, PA May 2015
Bachelor of Business Administration
Major: Marketing, International Business , Minor: Spanish
Overall GPA: 3.48/4.0
Course Work: Organization Management, Market Research, Managerial Accounting, International
Marketing, Marketing Management, Buyer Behavior, Finance
WORK EXPERIENCE
Nelton Communications, New York, NY Summer 2014
Marketing/Advertising Assistant
• Worked on the advertising campaigns of companies including Verizon Wireless, Ford, and Hershey’s
• Performed competitive reviews on the competitors of various clients
• Researched potential new business opportunities and wrote creative briefs for various clients
LEADERSHIP/ACTIVITIES
Treasurer of the Society for the Advancement of Management, Villanova University 2013-2014
• Managed funds for the society
• Coordinated activities and events such as the annual University Johnson & Johnson Case
• Recruited guest speakers
SKILLS
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Proficient in Spanish
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
[email protected]
1095 Polo Court, Spring Valley, OH 45372, 513-121-1234
NURSING
EXPERIENCE Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Nurse Extern, Summer 2014
• Assisted and observed RN and NA responsibilities
• Implemented daily patient assignments and provided general nursing care
• Gained experience on medical-surgical floors, post-partum units and emergency room
Clinical Rotations:
• Advanced Medical-Surgical; Graduate Hospital
• Medical-Surgical; Lankenau Hospital
• Pediatrics; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Obstetrics; Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital
• Psychiatric; Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment
• Geriatrics; Lankenau Hospital
• Health Promotion; Jefferson Home Health
• Home Health; Philadelphia Visiting Nurses Association
LEADERSHIP/
ACTIVITIES Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP)
• Publicity Chairperson, led group of 10 students to advertise events
• Elections Committee, served on panel to select officers and award recipients
College of Nursing Mentoring Program
Unity Clinic Volunteer
Special Olympics Volunteer
Kappa Kappa Gamma National Sorority
Day of Service, Team Leader
HS: Class Vice President, Varsity Soccer (Captain) and Basketball
ADDITIONAL
EMPLOYMENT Summer and part-time positions include:
Child care, two local families (15+ hours per week during school) 2011- present
Retail Sales, The Gap, Spring Valley, OH Summer 2012
Bakery Salesperson, Delicious Donuts, Columbus, OH 2010-2011
Elizabeth Engineer
Cell: 610-555-5555 115 Southwick Drive
[email protected] Wilmington, DE 19810
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:
Motivated college senior with multiple internship experiences and a strong academic record. Proficient in data gathering and analyses,
AutoCAD, and systems management. Possess exceptional communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team
environment.
EDUCATION:
Villanova University, Villanova, PA May 2015
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
GPA: 3.21
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
AutoCAD 2002, Maple 8, MathCAD 11, MatLAB 6.5, C++, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE:
Senior Design Project – Villanova Formula SAE November 2013-May 2014
• Design, fabricate and compete with a small Formula style race car.
• Conducted weekly meetings with faculty advisor and group to discuss accomplishments, plan tasks and assign
responsibilities to meet deadlines.
• Coordinate work with four specialized groups to analyze data for the design and construction of the race car.
ACTIVITIES:
Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Villanova University
• Secretary, Fall 2013 – Spring 2014
Club Lacrosse, Villanova University
• Treasurer , Fall 2012 – Spring 2014
• Initiated the establishment of a club program for women’s lacrosse at Villanova.
Chi Omega National Sorority, Villanova University
• Greek Week Chair - Spring 2014
Senior Week Committee, Villanova University
• Planned and organized multiple events for the graduating Class of 2014
ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT:
Waitress, Chili’s Restaurant, Wilmington, DE Summer 2012
Waitress, Wilmington Country Club, Wilmington, DE Fall 2009 – Summer 2011
JONATHAN FITZGERALD
(C) 632-456-2678 245 Science Drive
[email protected] Knoxville, TN 12345
OBJECTIVE
To secure a research position in the pharmaceutical industry.
EDUCATION
Villanova University, Villanova, PA
Bachelor of Science: Biology May 2015
Minor: Mathematics
Accumulated 21 credits in laboratory coursework
Science GPA: 3.0 Overall GPA: 2.8
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Villanova University, Biology Department
Research Project Assistant Jan. 2014 – Dec. 2014
• Assisted Biology professors with data collection and laboratory research
• Accumulated and documented findings for future publications
• Coordinated efforts of five students completing independent research
• Compared data to previous research projects
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Laboratory Skills: Chromotography, Spectrophotometry, Light microscopy, Dissection microscopy, Video
microscopy, Distillation (simple and fractional), Acid/Base titration, Polymerase chain reactions, Gene
sequencing, Gel electrophoresis, Statistical analysis related to genetics
Computer Skills: Microsoft programs, paradox, Systat, SigmaPlot, maple, MS Visual C++, Borland C++,
Netscape programs and other internet servers
ACTIVITIES/VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
Special Olympics
Tutor, Biology Department
Residence Hall Council
Project Sunshine, tutor for inner city elementary students
Holy Cross Hospital Volunteer, Knoxville, TN
ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT
Sales Associate, Radio Shack, Knoxville, TN Summers 2011-13
Assistant Manager, Hollywood Video, Nashville, TN Summers 2010-11
MEGAN WALTER
cell (610)345-6789 [email protected] 25 Hillcrest Drive, Wethersfield, CT 06109
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganwalter
OBJECTIVE
To pursue a creative position in communications utilizing strong writing, organizational and team skills. Special
areas of interest: marketing, advertising and promotions.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATION
Villanova University, Villanova, PA
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, May 2015
Concentration: Public Relations, GPA: 3.3
Coursework includes: Advertising, Public Relations, Media Writing, Public Speaking,
and Organizational Communication. Completed 24 credit hours in writing
enriched and writing intensive coursework
Advertising and Public Relations Intern, Earle Palmer Brown, Bethesda, MD Summer 2014
Drafted press releases. Investigated media outlets. Created media packets. Gained experience in all areas of
advertising; account management, production and new business. Created original advertising campaign for new
business.
RELATED
EXPERIENCE “The Villanovan” (School newspaper with circulation of 10,000)
Lead Staff Writer, Editorials 2014 – present
• Organized and coordinated editorial section of weekly paper
• Supervised staff of five
• Demonstrated integrity and discretion in interviewing faculty,
administration and students
LEADERSHIP/
ACTIVITIES Sigma Tau Gamma, National Fraternity, Villanova University
Vice President of Philanthropy/Outreach 2013 – present
• Organize and coordinate all community activities for 100 men
• Represent chapter at university and national meetings
OBJECTIVE:
To obtain a civil or environmental engineering summer position.
EDUCATION:
Villanova University, Villanova, PA
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, May 2016
Cumulative GPA: 3.03
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Proficient in the following computer programs:
AutoCAD C++
Maple MathCAD, MatLAB
Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
ENGINEERING PROJECTS:
Engineering Graphics and Design, Villanova University, Spring 2014
• Group Project: Design of a Combination Washer/Dryer Machine- Developed an original design for a
machine adhering to various limiting factors; culminated in a final written report.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Gap Clothing, Columbus, OH
Sales Associate, Summers 2013 & 2014
• Developed strong communications skills.
• Responsibilities included assisting customers, organizing the store, and managing inventory.
High School
National Honor Society Member
Presidential Student Service Award
High School
Varsity Soccer
Amnesty International
Best Buddies Program
SKILLS Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access)
Basic web site design, Proficient in Spanish
FROSH STUDENT
[email protected] 4321 Safari Drive
C (432) 789-7654 Miami, FL 54321
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a summer business position related to marketing
EDUCATION
Villanova University, Villanova, PA
Villanova School of Business May 2018
LEADERSHIP/ACTIVITIES/VOLUNTEERING
College:
• Marketing Society
• Business without Borders
• Special Olympics
• Villanova Day of Service
• Intramural sports (basketball, soccer)
High School:
• Junior and Senior Class Treasurer, coordinated funds for class of 500+
• National Honor Society, Vice President, coordinated guest speakers and fund raisers
• Varsity Soccer and Basketball, Captain of both teams
• Debate Team, finished 2nd in state competition
• Student Leadership Organization
• Guidance Office Peer Educator, spoke to new students and incoming freshman
• Volunteer at Good Samaritan Hospital
WORK EXPERIENCE
Miller-Robertson, Inc., Coral Gables, FL
Administrative Assistant Summer 2014
• Exposed to all areas of operation of mid-sized business
• Communicated effectively with clients and potential customers
SKILLS
Proficient in Spanish
Experience with MS FrontPage, Excel, Power Point, Word
WILL D. CAT
4500 Pine Street • Villanova, PA 19143 • [email protected] • 267-555-1212
EDUCATION
Villanova University, Villanova, PA
Master of Arts in Counseling, GPA: 3.9 May 2015
PA Secondary School Guidance Counselor Certification June 2015
Thesis: The Effects of Race on SAT scores
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Undergraduate Researcher, Department of Psychology, Villanova, PA Spring 2014 – Present
• Focused on analysis of childhood obesity in urban youth.
• Determined if school lunch choices were a factor through
survey and observation.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Poster Presentation, Pennsylvania School Counselor Association March 2014
Student Member, National Health Association 2013 - present
Student Member, American Psychological Association 2012 - present
ACTIVITIES
Volunteer, Philabundance, Philadelphia, PA 2011-present
Volunteer, Urban Blazers, Philadelphia, PA 2011-present
Team Member, Men’s Volleyball, Penn State, PA 2010-2013
SKILLS
Computer: Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, Dreamweaver
Language: fluent in Hindi, intermediate conversational Spanish
X. PERRY ENCED
https://www.linkedin.com/in/xperryenced
3725 Michael Drive (610)555-5555
Thomasville, PA 12345 [email protected]
PROFILE Financial manager with 14 years experience in sales, marketing, portfolio development and
successful team leadership seeking Financial Markets Management position.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
ADDITIONAL INVOLVEMENTS