Resumes

Review the Resume Rubric to help ensure your resume contains the appropriate content and format.

The Vault Guide to Resumes and Job-Hunting Skills contains all the information you will need to build a professional resume and cover letter. Don't forget to check out the featured documents that are tailored for specific industries and levels of experience.

Need to write your resume and wondering where to start?  Download TheCampusCareerCoach.com Resume Guide for helpful advice and guidance and check out the sample resumes in their Resume Gallery, which come from colleges and universities around the world.

USA Career Services Resume and Cover Letter Development Guide

Resumes are often your first chance to make a positive impression on employers and must represent the absolute best you have to offer. These living documents reflect your professional growth. Continually develop and update your current skills and experiences.

Career Services recommends the following guidelines:

• The overall tone of your resume should be clear, concise, and easy to read. For example, separate each section of the resume by using a bold font on the heading titles.
• Target the resume for each position. All entries should demonstrate that you have the education and experience to fulfill requirements.
• Do not use templates. Your resume should be unique and original.
• Resumes are typically one page in length. If you use a two-page format, be sure to have enough content to support the additional page. Resumes should never be more than two pages in length.
• Use white or ivory resume paper. Be sure to use the same paper for all documents, such as cover letters. If a mailed copy of your resume is required, do not fold the document.
• Use 10 to 12-point font size for the body of the resume. Your name should be in a slightly larger font.
• Avoid underlining, italics or graphics.
• Resumes typically have 1-inch margins. If you use smaller margins to fit information on one page, do not use less than ½-inch.
• After personal contact information, the objective should be the first category on the resume. Other categories should be arranged in order of importance in relation to the job requirements.
• Quantify job duties when possible. For example, ‘Contacted more than 1000 customers each month, representing a 10% increase’.
• Use proper names instead of abbreviations or acronyms. For example, ‘First Generation College Students’ instead of FGCS.
• Include a cover letter with each resume you submit to potential employers; cover letters may be embedded in email or sent as an attachment.
• Have someone else proofread your resume. USA Career Services, professionals in your field and professors can provide insight. 

How Can Job Seekers use O*NET Information to Build Resumes?

• O*NET OnLine, My Next Move and My Next Move for Veterans to highlight occupational knowledges, skills, and abilities (KSAs). Search on occupations to list top KSAs and transferable skills on resumes. O*NET OnLine allows for summary, detailed, and customized reports to aid in the identification of KSAs to list within a resume.
• Use occupational description and task language found in O*NET OnLine to highlight key qualifications and accomplishments in a resume.
• The O*NET Tools and Technology (T2) search provides an excellent database of machines, equipment, and software used in specific occupations. Use T2s as keywords/buzzwords in a resume to capture an employer’s attention.
• Use Advanced Searches to browse by O*NET data (e.g., abilities, interests, knowledges, skills), to perform a skills search, or to enter a specific tool or technology to find high demand occupations.
• Use My Next Move and My Next Move for Veterans to search for jobs at the state or national level. All three provide listings from major job banks.
• Use Crosswalk Searches to match codes and titles from other classifications to related O*NET-SOC occupations. Use these searches to translate military skills into skills used in civilian jobs.  

For resume advice and information on letters and interviews, visit CareerOneStop.