General Résumé Tips

Proper spelling is paramount.

Be professional; packaging counts! Use cream or manila-colored paper, never white.
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DON’T EVER USE A TEMPLATE! Recruiters can spot this very easily and they hate it! For formatting
examples, check with Career Services for examples and see reverse side for a formatting example.
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Since employers are checking social media sites now, make sure there is no conflicting information
between your résumé and social media sites.
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Avoid the appearance of a photocopied résumé . Laser or inkjet printed résumés are appropriate.
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Use dates to show when you did things, not just the vague “one year.”
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AGAIN, NEVER overlook spelling errors or typos.
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Make your words count. Your use of language is extremely important; you need to sell yourself to an
employer quickly and efficiently. Address your potential employer’s needs with a clearly written, compelling resume. Résumé readers want a quick summary of what you’ve done with just enough detail to let
them know the depth of your skills. Keep your descriptions crisp and clear.

Don’t be vague. Describe things that can be measured objectively. Telling someone you “improved
warehouse efficiency” doesn’t say much. Telling them you “cut requisition costs by 20 percent, saving the
company $3,800 for the fiscal year” does. Employers will feel more comfortable hiring you if they can
verify your accomplishments.

Be honest. There is a difference between making the most of your experience and exaggerating or falsifying it. An employer (if not immediately, during the interview process) can easily spot a falsified résumé,
and if it doesn’t prevent you from getting the job, it can cost you the job later on.

Don’t mention personal characteristics. Characteristics such as age, height and marital status are
information employers may not legally solicit from you, and they would probably be more comfortable if
you don’t volunteer it yourself.
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Descriptions use active verbs, and verb tense is consistent; current job is in present tense; past jobs are in
past tense.
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Repetition of words or phrases is kept to a minimum. Capitalization, punctuation and date formats are consistent.
****An example of formatting is on the reverse side of this page****
John Franklin
Present Address
101 Branigin Blvd.
Franklin, Indiana 46131
(317) 738-8000
[email protected]
Permanent Address
13 Franklin St.
Bloomington, Indiana 47408
812)-765-4321
Objective:
An entry-level Accounting position
Education:
Franklin College, Franklin, Indiana
Candidate for Bachelor of Arts Degree
Major: Accounting
G.P.A.: 3.5
Anticipated Date of Graduation: May 2017
Skills:
QuickBooks, Excel, PowerPoint, Peachtree Accounting Software, Bilingual (French / English),
Sales, Training, Supervision, Customer Service, Problem Solving, Verbal and Written
Communication, Project Planning and Management
Experience:
Franklin Accountants, LLC, Franklin, IN
8/11 to Present
Accounting Intern
 Process client payrolls – reports and tax forms
 Analyze and reconcile various company transactions
 Create various spread sheets as needed using Excel
 Assist clients by explaining tax form instructions, answer questions/phone calls
Irwin First Union, Franklin, IN
Assistant Teller
 Assisted customers with various bank transactions
 Typed and filed correspondence
 Performed light data entry of policy data
 Prepared reports for management utilizing Word and Excel
 Provided clerical support to senior tellers
9/10 to 8/11
Honors and Activities:
 Franklin College Dean’s List (3.5/4.0) - Five Semesters
 Franklin College Baseball (3 years): MVP 2009
 Franklin College Outstanding Leadership Award
 Member of Omega Omega Omega Fraternity: President 2010-2011
 Fraternity Community Service Award
 Coordinated Franklin College Canned Food Drive
 Johnson County Youth Services Volunteer