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Preparing A Resume
The word resumé means summary, and in the context of a job search its primary purpose is to get you an interview so you can market your attributes to a prospective employer. A resumé should be designed to be an advertisement of your skills and abilities. It tells an employer what you have accomplished and the skills that you have developed. Writing a resumé forces you to look objectively at your background and prioritize that information. You must analyze your strengths, your education and experience, and the kind of work you really want to be doing. Completing a careful, objective, and thoughtful self-assessment will help you format your resume and sell yourself to prospective employers. What are you good at? What sets you apart from other candidates? What is your focused career interest? If you would like assistance doing a self-assessment, make an appointment to meet with a member of the Career Development staff. You will also want to start by recalling all of the experiences (jobs, student activities, volunteer work) you had during college. Be sure to list all relevant unpaid leadership or volunteer activities; many of the skills you used are applicable to the working world. Resumés can be developed in several different formats. Choosing the best resumé format for you depends on your background and the requirements of the jobs you will be applying for. At the Albion College Office of Career Development, we recommend students use a chronological resume format. Functional resumes are often better for alumni who have been working for a length of time.
Chronological Resumé
Functional Resumé First impressions are important, so take care when formatting your resumé. Top quality resumés are easy to read and have NO spelling or grammar errors!
Appearance Always use high quality bond paper of at least 20 pound weight. Generally speaking, employers prefer resumés in neutral colors (white or ivory). Regardless of the content of your resumé, your choice of resumé paper, color, and style will give employers non-verbal clues to direct them in the screening process.
Length Proofread Remember, nothing leaves a worse impression than a resumé with typographical and spelling errors. Always proofread the master copy carefully before it is printed, and ask others to proofread it for you. Career Development staff are happy to provide a resumé critique. Make an appointment, stop in during walk-in hours, or email careers@albion.edu. Regardless of resumé format, each should provide information in several general areas: I. ESSENTIAL SECTIONS A. Heading: Includes your name, Albion address and/or permanent address, telephone numbers, and e-mail address. B. Education: List most recent institution first. Include the school, city and state, degree earned, graduation dates (or expected graduation date), and any minors, concentrations, or institutes. High school information is not necessary. Additional information may include:
C. Experience: This information should be listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent position first. Be sure to include the position title, employer, city, state, and dates. Then, use 1-4 bullets to list major duties, special projects, and accomplishments. You want to highlight job duties that are most relevant and important, and be as specific as possible. You may also choose to highlight some of your experiences using categories in this section. For example, you could list two sections, the first more focused on relevant job skills: "Advertising Experience" and then another section: "Other Experience." See the list of variations below. Select category labels that will catch employers' attention. Think about the following variations:
D. Activities: For each activity, list your role in the organization, the organization title, city/state, and dates of involvement. This section shows your ability to take an active role or leadership role. Employers look at involvement as evidence of initiative and dedication. Consider the following variations:
II. OPTIONAL SECTIONS A. Related Course Work: This section highlights courses that are related to the position you are seeking. This is especially helpful for current students or recent graduates who have not acquired substantial experience in their desired field. List 4 to 6 upper-level courses that are relevant to the position. This section should change with each position, according to the specific job responsibilities. B. Skills: These are your special abilities related to the job you are seeking. Computer skills, language skills, and travel experience are common entries in this section. If you choose to list computer skills, list programs other than Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, or PowerPoint. Employers now expect that all graduates know these programs, and how to use email and the Internet. C. Objective: This should be one sentence long. Describe your employment goals clearly and concisely. Your objective should indicate to an employer that you have given thought to your career direction and are not just looking for any job. Your objective should change slightly with each position and/or employer. Sample
Objective: D. Other Related Headings: There may be certain accomplishments that you wish to highlight by creating an appropriate heading. Here is a list of ideas:
III. Arrangement of Sections Although there is flexibility with the arrangement of sections, employers are most familiar with viewing the following sections in this order:
At some stage in the job application process an employer will probably request a list of your references. You should prepare a list of references which you can send promptly to an employer when requested to do so. Do not list your references within the body of your resumé - use a separate reference sheet. Selecting References: Your goal is to select at least three references who can attest to your skills and experiences as they relate to your career objective. The best references come from people who know you well enough to be able to give specific anecdotes about you which support the qualities required. Consider:
You must obtain permission to use someone as a reference. It is a good idea to strive for a mix of supervisors and professors. With the exception of teacher candidates and graduate/medical/law school recommendations, references do not need to write you a letter. By agreeing to be your reference they should understand that your prospective employer may be contacting them by phone to discuss your background. It is a good idea to provide your references with a copy of your resumé to remind them of all your accomplishments. The Reference Sheet: On the same type of paper that you are using for your resumé and cover letter, list each person's name, title, address and phone number. Also, state the person's relationship to you if it is not clear from their title (i.e., academic advisor, student teaching supervisor). Be sure to include your name and contact information at the top of this sheet. Maintaining References: Stay in touch with your references, both during and after your job search. This is especially true if you plan to ask one or two of your professors to speak/write on your behalf. Many professors get dozens of requests to serve as references every year. If you stay in contact with them they will remember you and feel more confident in giving you a good recommendation. If you know that an employer has called one of your references, be sure to send a formal thank you letter to that reference within two weeks.
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Albion College ◦ Albion, Michigan
◦ 517/629-1000
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