A resume should be a brief, informative summary of your abilities, education, and experience. It should highlight your strongest assets and differentiate you from other candidates seeking similar positions. Although it will not get you a job, a good resume can be an important element towards obtaining an interview.
Since the main purpose of a resume is to “pre-sell” you, always keep the employer’s preferences in mind. Your resume should be brief and business-like and reflect the type of job you are seeking (see Career Areas). This does not mean that all your work history must directly relate to the employer’s business. Your resume should, however, reflect the kind of skills the employer would value.
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Sample Resumes : |
- Power Half-Hour Resume Workshop. Learn the nuts and bolts of getting started.
- Drop-Ins. M-F 1:00-4:00: Have you resume or cover letter reviewed or get any question answered.
- Industry Specific Resume Review Clinics. Led by employers. (See Employer Events & OCR Calendar)
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Resume language should be: |
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Top 5 Resume Mistakes: |
- Specific rather than general
- Action-oriented rather than passive (see 150 Example Action Words)
- Written to express not impress
- Articulate, not “flowery”
- Fact-based (quantify and qualify)
- Written for people who scan quickly
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- Spelling and grammar errors
- Missing email and phone information
- Using passive language and not using “action” words (see 150 Example Action Words)
- Not well organized, concise, and easy to skim
- Too long , exceeding one page
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| Resume Dos : |
Resume Don'ts: |
- Be consistent in format and content
- Make it easy to read and follow
- Use spacing, underlining, italics, bold, and capitalization for emphasis
- List headings (such as Related Experience) in order of importance
- Within headings, list information in reverse chronological order
- Avoid information gaps like a missing summer
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- Use personal pronouns
- Abbreviate
- Number or letter categories
- Use slang or colloquialisms
- Include a picture
- Include age or sex
- List references on resume
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150 Example Action Words:
