Résumé Guide
A Résumé is a written summary of your education, work
experience, and relevant skills. It is a well-organized, clean, and
clear document with a focused employment objective.
The primary purpose of your résumé is to help you obtain an
interview. Along with a cover letter or an in-person meeting, it
serves as an introduction to potential employers to help make
meaning of your experiences inside and outside the classroom to
land you a job.
When preparing your résumé, keep in mind the following:
• Tailor your résumé to the qualifications for the position
you are seeking.
• Research the position and organization: company
website, ads, contacts, and brochures.
• Research the mission, vision, and values of the
organization.
• Aim for 1 page.
• Use a clear font, such as Times New Roman or Arial.
• Adjust all margins between 0.5” to 1.0”.
• Make sure to use a professional email address and
voicemail message.
www.csun.edu/career
University Hall, Ste. 105, (818) 677-2878
Designed and edited by
Lesley Meza
Resume Formats
Note: The following resume samples have headings identifying each resume format; however, on
your original resume do not include any headings, such as chronological, education, technical…etc.
Chronological Resume (Preferred format)
The basic element in the Chronological Resume is
that employment is listed in a time-order, starting
with your most recent experience. The name of the
employer, job title, dates of employment, and a brief
description or list of accomplishments and duties are
provided.
Education Resume
Applicants seeking positions in education include
elementary, secondary, and special education
teachers, as well as administrators, supervisors, and
support services representatives including school
psychologists, nurses, counselors, and librarians
because these positions require credentials
Credential(s) listed with the most recent
first, when and where received, whether
clear or partially fulfilled, and followed by
previous credentials held.
Include field work, internships, student
teaching, teaching, counseling, and nursing
experience. List: title, institutions, dates,
responsibilities, grade levels, and subjects.
Highlight other pertinent information such
as special education or bilingual teaching
experience.
Technical Resume
Technical Resumes emphasize positions relating to
engineering, computer science, math, and physics.
These resumes generally follow the guidelines for all
resumes. However, certain information is generally
sought by technical recruiters:
Be as specific as you can for the career
objective or field of interest, for example:
Software Engineer, Programmer/ Systems
Analyst.
Grade point average if 3.0 or above
Major courses, special projects
Applicable work experience
Citizenship or visa status when requested
Accounting Resume
Applicants seeking accounting jobs in public
accounting, industry, or government need to provide
employers with specific information which other job
applicants might not include in a resume. The
following data is of particular importance:
Overall grade point average and grade point
average in the major must be included for
on-campus interviews and should be
included in all other instances when over
3.0.
Professional development should include
CPA review course- when applying to CPA
firms- and plans to take the examination
and any other special training in the field of
accounting and/or computers.
Creative Resume
Creative Resumes are used by applicants seeking
positions in artistic, entertainment, and media fields.
Creative resumes include the same information as
traditional resume formats. However, design,
layout, and overall visual aspect of this resume is
very important.
The following areas are also included:
Areas of expertise
Experience is usually described using nouns,
e.g., design, layout, production, etc., not
action verbs
Note:
Never let graphic devices/images become so
large or powerful that they detract from your
professional qualifications.
and/or
Resume Worksheet
_____________________________
Name
_________________________ _____________________
Phone #
______________________________ __________________________
Address Email
OBJECTIVE
An objective statement should be one sentence clearly defining what position you are applying to. The objective
statement needs to be short and direct.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Include the title of the position, the department and company’s name in your objective statement
EDUCATION
The education section is usually the most important section for recent graduates. Be sure to include the degree
earned, your major and/or minor, graduation date, name and location of your university. List your degrees in
reverse chronological order
, starting with the degree you are currently obtaining or the one you obtained most
recently. You can also include your G.P.A. (3.0 and higher) and any honors received. In addition, you can highlight
relevant courses and/or projects that you have completed or are currently partaking. After freshman year, it is
usually not necessary to mention your high school diploma if you are currently working on an associate or a
bachelor degree.
_________________________________________ _____________________________
Degree: (Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science) Date degree was earned or graduation date (Month/Year)
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________
Name of college or university Location (city, state)
_________________________________________ ______________________________
Degree: (Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science) Date degree was earned or graduation date (Month/Year)
_________________________________________________ ___________________________________
Name of college or university Location (city, state)
Relevant Courses: _________________________________ ________________________________
Relevant Projects: _________________________________ ________________________________
EXPERIENCE
In this section, you will list your previous experience (volunteer, full- and part-time) in reverse chronological order as
they relate to the position you seek. You will need to include the name and location of the company you worked
for, the title of your position, length of employment, and a summary of your duties and responsibilities. When
describing your duties and responsibilities, be sure to use
action verbs. Take a look at the handouts entitled Action
Verbs and Action Statements.
1. Position: _________________________ Length of Employment: ___________________
Month/Year-Month/Year
Employer: ________________________ Location: ______________________________
Skills/accomplishment/work samples:
•
•
Resume Worksheet Cont.
2. Position: _________________________ Length of Employment: ___________________
Month/Year-Month/Year
Employer: ________________________ Location: ______________________________
Skills/accomplishment/work samples:
•
•
•
•
3. Position: _________________________ Length of Employment: ___________________
Month/Year-Month/Year
Employer: ________________________ Location: ______________________________
Skills/accomplishment/work samples:
•
•
•
•
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, HONORS AND ACTIVITIES
This section is optional and can be used to highlight other useful skills you may have. You may include
leadership positions, scholarships, fellowships, or volunteer experience.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL SKILLS OR INTERESTS
This section is optional and can be use to add relevant information to your resume that focuses on
special knowledge or skills, such as technical or computer skills or additional languages you may know.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Chronological Resume
MIA JOBSEEKER
1234 Matador Lane (323)XXX-XXXX
Northridge, CA 91330 [email protected]
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a position as a Case Manager at the Child & Family Guidance Center
SKILL SUMMARY
• Highly motivated with over 3 years of experience working with young children
• Languages: Proficient in Spanish language written and verbal skills
• Creative individual who enjoys coordinating activities that stimulate children’s physical,
emotional, intellectual, and social growth
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology concentration in Social Welfare May 20XX
California State University, Northridge (CSUN), GPA 3.0
Relevant coursework
:
Social Statistics Methods of Research
Social Psychology Culture & Personality
Associate of Arts in Child Development June 20XX
West Los Angeles College (WLAC), Culver City, California
EXPERIENCE
After-School Counselor September 20XX-present
Canyon Kids School and Camp, Woodland Hills, CA
• Plan and coordinate extra-curricular activities for 20
five-to twelve-year olds
• Organize fundraisers, field trips, and guest-speakers
• Administrative duties: payroll, accounts billing, deposits
Teacher Assistant June 20XX-July 20XX
CSUN Preschool Laboratory, Northridge, CA
• Supervised and planned age-appropriate activities for 24 preschool children
• Participated in weekly staff meetings and meetings with parents, encouraging a cooperative
atmosphere
• Completed child assessments for adequate service and referral
Customer Service Representative
Cellular Phone Company, Los Angeles, CA August 20XX-May 20XX
• Assessed client needs and resolved concerns in a fast-paced environment
• Managed sales amounts of over $15,000 daily
• Awarded Sales Representative of the Month twice, March 20XX and December 20XX
TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION
CPR for the Professional Rescuer (20XX)
Make sure to use a
professional email address
and voicemail message
Font size:
10-12
Font Styles:
Times New
Roman, Arial
or Cambria
If you do not
have relevant
work
experience
then list
relevant
coursework,
projects or
research
2-5 bullets (action statements) per
job description- All resume bullets
should begin with an action verb in
the correct tense
Adjust all margins between 0.5”to 1.0”
Name may be 2 pts.
larger than the rest of
the text on the resume
Keep resume to one page, unless you have
extensive relevant experience. If more than 1
page, your name and page number should be
on top of each page. Ex: M. Lopez, p.2
Use bold text in moderation and avoid italics
Action Verbs
An action verb is a descriptive verb that is used to express specific skills and qualifications in a resume, cover letter,
and interview. Using action verbs allows you to be clear, concise, and professional.
Non-Active Verb:
Worked in a fast food restaurant serving food
Active Verb: Developed strong communication skills in dealing with customers in a fast
paced environment
The active verb sentence highlights your customer service and communication skills more clearly than
the non-active verb sentence.
Use action verbs to describe all work experience, skills, and accomplishments. Using these action verbs will enable
you to highlight your transferable skills and the tasks you are able to complete in a more persuasive manner.
Below is a list of action verbs categorized by different skill sets:
Management
Technical
Identified
Motivated
Creative
Ordered
Administered
Assembled
Inspected
Negotiated
Acted
Organized
Analyzed
Built
Interpreted
Persuaded
Composed
Prepared
Assessed
Calculated
Interviewed
Promoted
Conceptualized
Processed
Assigned
Computed
Investigated
Publicized
Created
Recorded
Attained
Designed
Monitored
Represented
Customized
Retrieved
Chaired
Engineered
Proved
Resolved
Designed
Screened
Consolidated
Fabricated
Organized
Spoke
Developed
Specified
Contracted
Installed
Reviewed
Translated
Directed
Supported
Coordinated
Maintained
Studied
Wrote
Drew
Systemized
Delegated
Operated
Summarized
Established
Tabulated
Developed
Overhauled
Surveyed
Training/Teaching
Fashioned
Transcribed
Directed
Programmed
Systemized
Adapted
Founded
Transferred
Enforced
Remodeled
Tested
Advised
Illustrated
Validated
Evaluated
Repaired
Clarified
Introduced
Executed
Solved
Communication
Coached
Invented
Financial
Expanded
Trained
Aided
Co-facilitated
Performed
Administered
Improved
Upgraded
Addressed
Communicated
Planned
Allocated
Increased
Arbitrated
Coordinated
Revitalized
Analyzed
Organized
Research/Investigation
Advised
Developed
Shaped
Appraised
Oversaw
Calculated
Arranged
Enable
Sketched
Audited
Planned
Cataloged
Collaborated
Encouraged
Wrote
Balanced
Prioritized
Clarified
Conveyed
Evaluated
Budgeted
Produced
Collected
Convinced
Explained
Clerical/Detail
Calculated
Recommended
Computed
Coordinated
Facilitated
Approved
Computed
Reduced (losses)
Conducted
Counseled
Guided
Arranged
Developed
Resolved
Correlated
Directed
Incorporated
Catalogued
Estimated
Reviewed
Critiqued
Enlisted
Informed
Classified
Evaluated
Scheduled
Determined
Formulated
Initiated
Collected
Figured
Spearheaded
Diagnosed
Influenced
Inspired
Compiled
Forecasted
Strengthened
Discovered
Informed
Instructed
Dispatched
Maintained
Supervised
Evaluated
Inspired
Mentored
Distributed
Managed
Troubleshot
Examined
Interpreted
Motivated
Executed
Marketed
Experimented
Lectured
Observed
Generated
Performed
Explored
Liaison
Set Goals
Implemented
Planned
Extracted
Listened
Taught
Inspected
Projected
Extrapolated
Mediated
Trained
Monitored
Researched
Gathered
Moderated
Operated
Sold
Action Statements
• Use action statements in your resume to describe your skills, responsibilities, and
accomplishments for positions you have held and for other activities you have been
involved in or are currently involved in (i.e. volunteer, community service, and campus
clubs/organizations involvement)
• Start each action statement with an Action Verb
• Tailor each action statement to the targeted job- For each action statement use concrete
language to describe your skills and accomplishments that reflect the order and priority
that the employer listed in the job description.
• Whenever possible quantify your results and accomplishments
Use the following questions to help develop your action statements:
Who? For whom did you work (the director, vice president)?
Who did you serve or help?
What? What types of tasks or duties did you perform?
What were the results of your performance?
What industry-specific knowledge/skills did you acquire?
Why? Why did you perform this task?
How did it improve your office or organization?
Where? Where and in what type of work environment did you perform your
responsibilities? (i.e. non-profit organization, group home, hospital… etc)
When? When did you take initiative to solve a problem?
When did you get promoted? How often?
How? How did you perform your responsibilities? What equipment, tool, software
program, skill or technique did you use to accomplish this task?
How many people did you serve or supervise?
Simple statement:
In charge of organizing all fundraising events
Think about:
What types of fundraising events? What were the results/contributions of these
events?
Action Statement:
Organized all fraternity philanthropic events which resulted in contributions of
over $20,000
Simple statement:
Answered phone
Think about:
How many phone calls did you answer? What was the work environment like?
What equipment did you use?
Action Statement:
Answered 50-60 telephone calls per day in a fast-paced medical office using
multi-line phone system
Simple statement:
Planned activities
Think about:
What types of activities? Where and when did you perform these activities? Who
did you serve?
Action Statement:
Planned weekly afterschool arts and crafts activities and exercises for teenage
girls
Simple statement:
Taught students in grades 6 to 8
Think about:
What did you teach? What did you utilize to teach these students or assess their
progress?
Action Statement:
Developed and implemented lessons for students in grades 6 to 8 based on
students’ IEP objectives
Simple statement:
Helped customers with their concerns
Think about:
In what way did you help the customers? Did you get any promotions, if so,
when? How many?
Action Statement:
Served customers in a positive way, receiving two customer service awards, and
a promotion in the past year
Simple statement:
Counseled adolescents in various areas
Think about:
In what did you counseled these adolescents? How long did you counsel them
for?
Action Statement:
Acquired 400 hours of one-on-one counseling sessions with adolescents in the
areas of career assessment and college transition
Sample Reference Page
MIA JOBSEEKER
1234 Matador Lane (323)XXX-XXXX
Northridge, CA 91330 m[email protected]
References
Reference’s Name
Reference’s Title
Organization
Complete Address
Telephone
Email
Mr. Simon Cowell
Producer
American Idol Productions
6801 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 555-1212
thru2nextround@idol.com
Mrs. Mariah Riley
Branch Manager
Verizon Wireless
2330 Westwood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90023
(310)555-1212
mariahr@verizon.com
Dr. Patrick Peters
Journalism Professor
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330
(818)555-1212
p.peters@csun.edu
Ms. Gayle King
Intern Supervisor
Harpo Inc.
1058 W Washington Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 555-1212
oprahbf[email protected]g
Important!
• Do not include your references in your resume unless it has been specifically requested.
• Your references should be on a separate sheet of paper.
• Before including an individual on your reference page, make sure to request their permission to
use them as a reference.
• Provide 3-5 references that can attest to your work ethic and professional skills (i.e. current/past
supervisors or professors NOT
family members).
Use the same
heading or
letterhead as on
your resume
If you use Mr., Mrs., Dr.,
etc. for one reference, make
sure you use it for all
references
Email Etiquette for the Job Search
Assume your email will be read by everyone; don’t write anything you’d be
embarrassed about.
Type in your formal name.
Type in the most precise subject (application; inquiry; thank you)
Use a professional salutation if you know their names (Dear Mr., Mrs., or Ms.).
Be brief. Outline your message first. Organize your thoughts. It’s not casual.
Sign off with your full name, email address, phone number, and address.
Proofread! Correct grammar and spelling. Get a literate friend, career counselor,
or instructor to critique and proofread.
To send your resume as an attachment:
Create your resume using a common word processing program, such as Microsoft
Word or as a PDF file.
Use a descriptive name for the document that the employer can associate with you
once it is saved on a computer, i.e. “MariaJobseeker_Resume.doc.” Do not name
the document just “Resume.doc.”
Make sure you document is virus-free.
Email it to yourself or a friend to make sure there are no problems with your
document.
Scannable Resume
Some employers utilize resume database tracking systems. They scan incoming resumes
into a database and retrieve resumes using relevant keywords.
To make your resume scannable ready:
Include industry or job-specific keywords, especially relevant skills, major, specific
fields of study, relevant courses, and experience.
Do not use a two-column format for anything but courses.
Use only black text.
Use 10-12 point standard fonts, e.g., Times New Roman and Arial
Indent, use spacing or all capitals for emphasis, but do not center text.
Do not use bullets, mixed fonts, italics, underlining, super/subscripts, shading,
frame-in boxes, shadows, pictures, or graphics. Instead, use asterisks (*), dashes (-),
or plus signs (+).
When submitting a hard copy: Print resume on light-colored, non-textured paper
with a high-resolution laser printer.
Resume Checklist
Use this form to evaluate your resume.
Resume Format and Appearance
Did you use bullets, italics, and bold sparingly?
□ Yes □ No
Is there an adequate amount of white space?
□ Yes □ No
Does the resume look ‘clean’ and not too busy or crowded?
□ Yes □ No
Were you able to limit it to one page? (When Applicable)
□ Yes □ No
Objective
Does the objective have a ‘job title’ of the position you are targeting?
□ Yes □ No
Does the objective identify the industry/company you are targeting?
□ Yes □ No
Is the objective brief?
□ Yes □ No
Education
Did you include other schools you attended? □ Yes □ No
Did you provide the type of degree, major, school, and year graduated?
□ Yes □ No
Did you include relevant courses?
□ Yes □ No
Have you included other training that further enhance your qualifications?
□ Yes □ No
Experience
Did you list job related accomplishments? □ Yes □ No
Were you able to quantify any of your listed accomplishments?
□ Yes □ No
Did you use action verbs and language of the industry?
□ Yes □ No
Are the key tasks needed by the employer represented in your past
experience?
□ Yes □ No
Is the resume future-oriented and focused on what you can do to benefit
the company?
□ Yes □ No
Awards, Honors & Certificates
Are these relevant to the job or show skills that are necessary?
□ Yes □ No
Did you include certifications and licensure?
□ Yes □ No
