Write Your Resume

Write Your Own Resume

Avoid templates! Begin with a blank document to format and tailor it to your needs. Templates are often misread by resume-reading software. Keep the resume to one page, but it may be two for individuals with a significant amount of relevant experience. Use a readable font (Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri) at 10/11-point size. Proofread to ensure grammar and punctuation are correct.

Sections of a Resume

• Name and Contact Information: Name (prominent), city and state, phone number (ensure voicemail is set up and not full), email address (use a professional-looking address), website or LinkedIn (optional). Do not include age, marital status, religion or other personal information, including a photo.
• Education: List the name and location of institutions attended in reverse chronological order. Include degree(s) awarded and in progress, majors, minors, specializations, anticipated or actual graduation dates, and GPA if above 3.0.
• Experience: List work and professional experience, internships, clubs/student organizations, research, leadership roles, community service, and volunteer experience. Use reverse chronological order within each section and cluster related experiences.
• Skills: Include relevant technical skills, languages, and soft skills.
• Additional Sections (optional): Summary or Objective, Teaching Experience, Honors/Awards, Scholarships, Study Abroad, Professional Memberships/Organizations, Publications/Presentations, Licenses/Certifications.

Effectively Communicating Your Experience

A well-written resume communicates to your audience the value you can bring to their organization. Employers look for individuals who can help them achieve their goals, whether developing a product, selling, or facilitating a service. A good resume demonstrates that you have the required skills, motivation, and fit to help them achieve their goals.

Crafting Impactful Statements: Action Verb + Context/Subject/Details = Results/Outcome/Accomplishment

When writing your resume, focus on showcasing what you’ve accomplished, not just what you were responsible for. Accomplishment statements provide proof of your skills and highlight your achievements in a clear, measurable way.

Why Accomplishment Statements Matter

Accomplishment statements stand out because they focus on the results of your efforts. They help employers understand not just your duties, but the value you have added. Starting each bullet point with a strong action verb and quantifying your results shows your potential to make an impact in future roles.

Formula for Writing Accomplishment Statements

1. Action Verb: Start with a strong verb (e.g., coordinated, designed, led).
2. Context: Add relevant details like timeframes, team sizes, or specific challenges.
3. Results: Conclude with positive outcomes and quantify results when possible.

Example:

• Original: Responsible for making phone calls.
• Accomplishment Statement: Called 25+ constituents per week for 50 weeks regarding local propositions, contributing to a 15% increase in voter registration.

Tips for Writing Strong Accomplishment Statements:

• Identify Key Achievements: Reflect on what problems you solved, how you exceeded goals, or what impact you made.
• Use Action Verbs: Strong verbs like analyzed, led, improved, and developed give your resume more energy.
• Quantify Results: Numbers add credibility. For example, increased sales by 20% or managed a team of 10.

Final Tip: Review and Revise

As you write your accomplishment statements, ensure they’re specific, quantifiable, and impactful. Use the Action Verb + Context = Results formula to clearly show your value. Crafting accomplishment statements will help your resume stand out and show employers that you can bring real value to their organization.