Introduction

Your resume is your personal marketing tool. It’s often the first impression an employer has of you, so it needs to highlight your skills, experience, and strengths in a clear and professional manner. This module will teach you how to structure your resume, use action verbs, and tailor your resume for different jobs.

By the end of this section, you will have the skills to create a resume that effectively communicates your qualifications and makes you stand out as a candidate.

To complete this section, read through the content, examine the sample resume provided, and take a short quiz.

What is a resume?

• A short and accurate description of the work you’ve done
• Highlights your skills, education, and experience
• The first impression you give employers
• Your ticket to being interviewed
• A document that will change along with your experience
  

What are employers looking for in a resume?

• Formatted so that its easy to read
• Free of any spelling or grammatical errors
• It highlights any skills you have that could relate to the job
• Concrete experiences you’ve had that could translate to the job you’re applying for
• Any experience that demonstrates your ability to take on responsibility
  

What should a resume include?

• Experience:
  • Include significant volunteer commitments as well as jobs
  • Keep it simple. If you were a babysitter, say so. Don’t make up a fancy title
  • Highlight skills that you demonstrated in the role
  • Explain each of your job duties (e.g. provided excellent customer service while… or displayed a high level of dependability when...)
  • Use action verbs to describe
• Skills:
  • Include leadership experience through volunteer or student organization involvement
  • Include technical skills (e.g. skills in Microsoft tools)
  • Include fluency in multiple languages
• Activities & Interests:
  • Add certificates earned through competitions & recognitions
  • Keep information relevant to the job you are applying for
• Education:
  • Name your school
  • Only include GPA if it is 3.0 or higher
  • List special academic accomplishments

What if I do not have work experience?

• Don’t worry, you can still make a resume!
• Include any activities you participate in at school or in your community, including leadership roles and skills you’ve gained from each experience
• Include any volunteer work you’ve completed
• Babysitting, mowing the lawn, and helping your neighborhood all count as experience!
  

When creating your resume use bullet points to note your accomplishments and skills rather than complete sentences.

The two images below illustrate what good and not-so-good resumes look like.

Good Resume Sample

Not-So-Good Resume Sample

Additional Tips:

If you use AI to assist with your resume, be sure to carefully review it for accuracy, clear wording, and proper formatting. AI-generated content can sometimes include incorrect details, overly generic phrasing, or awkward formatting that does not align with industry standards. Always take the time to personalize your resume and ensure it reflects your unique skills and experiences.