Transcript Resume Writing - Mary Baldwin College

Resume Writing
Rosemarie Sena Center
Office of Career Development
Seminar Content
What is a Resume?
Parts of a Resume
What Do You Want to Sell?
Types of Resumes
General Tips
Samples
What is a Resume?
A resume is a marketing
tool that you create to
help sell yourself to
prospective employers.
It is a one or two page
summary of your skills,
accomplishments,
experiences and
education designed to
capture an employer’s
interest.
Parts of a Resume
Required
Legal Name
Contact Information
Education
Experience
Other
Objective
Honors &Achievements
Skills
Campus Activities
What Do You Want to Sell?
Crucial Marketing
Components in Your Resume:
Education
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Degree/College/Location/Graduation Year
GPA (if 3.0 & above)
Major(s)/Minor(s)
Skills
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Languages spoken
Computer abilities
Transferable skills
Experience
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Employment related to career field
Internships
Campus/Summer jobs
Volunteer Work
Types of Resumes
Chronological
Categorical
Functional / Skills
Chronological Resumes
Lists experience
beginning with most
recent
Pros
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Markets strong work
history
Employers prefer it
Cons
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Displays problems like
job-hopping and gaps
Not good for career
changers or those with
limited work experience
Categorical Resumes
Put experiences
under specific
career categories in
reverse chronology
Combines a
chronological and
functional format
Functional / Skills Resumes
Skills / credentials are
listed under targeted
functional areas
Pros
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Highlights strengths, hides
weaknesses
Can present life
experiences
Good for those with limited
work experience
Cons
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Some employers do not like
this type
Can “backfire” if poorly done
General Resume Writing Tips
Keep your resume to
one page in length if
possible; no more than
two pages
Call attention to key
items by bolding,
italicizing, etc.
Print resumes on good
quality, light colored
paper (24 lb. weight or
better)
Be concise and relevant
Be specific – quantify
information
PROOFREAD your
resume several times
Use action words
(verbs) and short
phrases to describe
experiences
Edit and edit again!
Sample Action Verbs
Accomplished Balanced
Delegated
Handled
Mediated
Advised
Budgeted
Developed
Implemented
Negotiated
Assisted
Compiled
Directed
Increased
Prepared
Administered
Communicated
Edited
Instructed
Presented
Arranged
Coordinated
Established
Managed
Supervised
Analyzed
Created
Generated
Marketed
Utilized
Select a resume style that will market your
skills, education and experience the best!
The Career Services Staff of the
Sena Center are more than willing
to assist you with this process.