Write a Resume that Gets the Job
Consider your resume your first impression. Well-crafted resumes reflect both relevant experience and
attention to detail.
I.
STRUCTURE
A.
B.
General Tips
1.
Keep your resume clean and easy to read with standard fonts and white space.
2.
Maintain consistent formatting throughout the document.
3.
Use bullet points to convey information concisely with action verbs.
4.
Stick to one page unless your experience truly warrants more.
Contact Information
1.
Prominently list your contact information at the top of the page.
2.
Choose contact information that reflects professionalism.
a)
Use a straightforward email address rather than an inside joke.
b)
Record a professional greeting on your outgoing message.
c)
Check your email and voicemail regularly—even on vacation.
3.
Use a clean font that is easy to read.
4.
Examples:
BRETTE STEELE
1234 University Avenue ♦ Berkley, CA 94720
(510) 555-1234 ♦ [email protected]
BRETTE STEELE
1234 University Avenue, Berkley, CA 94720 ♦ (510) 555-1234 ♦ [email protected]
BRETTE STEELE
1234 University Avenue, Berkley, CA 94720
(510) 555-1234 ♦ [email protected]
C.
Education
1.
List your degrees in reverse chronological order, including the school, location,
date of degree, honors, journals, and relevant activities.
2.
Include your GPA (where available), unless your GPA is weaker than the
assumption people may make based on the omission.
3.
Remove high school and irrelevant college activities.
4.
Examples:
EDUCATION
University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law
J.D. May 2007
 ____ GPA; Order of the Coif
 UCLA Law Review: Vol. 53 Staff; Vol. 54 Symposium Editor
 Activities: National Association of Law Students with Disabilities, Founding Member; Disability Law
Society, Disability Admissions Coordinator; American Constitution Society, Events Coordinator
University of California, Berkeley
B.A. May 2004, Highest Honors in Ethnic Studies
 ____ GPA, High Distinction in General Scholarship; Phi Beta Kappa
 Minor in Peace and Conflict Studies with an emphasis in conflict resolution
 Activities: Chair of Grant Committee; Manager of Perfect Fifth; Resident Assistant
D.
Experience
1.
List your experience in reverse chronological order, including the name of the
organization, your title, the city and state, and dates of employment.
2.
Use bullets with action verbs to concretely describe what you accomplished.
3.
Examples:
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of California, Los Angeles
Graduate Assistant Tutor
 Prepared and taught thirty-six skill-based study sessions for first year curriculum
 Designed assignments and evaluated performance of 100 students
Western Justice Center Foundation, Pasadena
Program Coordinator (8/05-8/06)
 Designed and implemented three-day advanced facilitation training
 Researched ADR Resource Program Guide for Ninth Circuit District Conferences
Summer Fellow (Summer 2005)
 Researched and designed environmental conflict resolution advocacy institute
8/05-5/07
5/05-8/06
E.
F.
II.
Interests
1.
List a few interests that can be conversation starters in interviews.
2.
Do not list interests that you are not comfortable discussing in great detail.
Optional Categories
1.
Publications: List any publications in proper bluebook citation format.
2.
Languages spoken: Include accurate level of proficiency.
3.
Volunteer work: Include relevant volunteer work where appropriate.
FINISHING TOUCHES
A.
B.
C.
Considerations
1.
Consider your audience and tailor each resume accordingly. Keep a master
document that you can draw from depending on the position.
2.
Consider that employers often use keyword searches to pull resumes for large
databases. Try to anticipate and incorporate the relevant keywords.
3.
Consider your resume a two-way conversation. Anticipate how an employer
might respond and decide whether you are comfortable with that response.
Proof reading
1.
Carefully proof read your resumes to remove all typos, misspellings, and format
irregularities. Employers want to hire people who demonstrate attention to detail.
2.
Ask at least three professionals in the field to review your resume.
Prepare a PDF