Resume Writing
What’s the purpose of a resume?
Resume writing is hard. Rarely are you tasked with putting your professional story
on a piece of paper in order to prove your worth. However, with a better
understanding of the purpose of a resume, you can create a strong document that
will efficiently and effectively offer the information the recruiter is looking for. To
make an impact on an employer, make sure your resume answers these four
questions:
What skills and qualifications do you bring our organization?
What work and academic experience do you have that directly relates to the
job you are applying for?
 Will hiring you benefit this organization?
 What sets you apart from all of the other applicants?
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Think carefully about these questions. Understanding the goal of the resume and by
providing strong answers to these questions will help you frame your responses
and, ultimately, build a great resume.
Why else do we write a resume?
The resume is often your first impression to an employer. This means there is no
room for typos, grammatical mistakes, bad formatting, or unneeded information.
In clear, precise, and easy-to-understand language, using a format that is
commonly accepted, your resume should truthfully describe:
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Your
Your
Your
Your
most marketable skills
educational background
employment history
key accomplishments on the job
When it comes to creating a resume, what you say, how you say it (the wording
you use), and the format and style of the document all help convey a positive or
negative impression about who you are and what you offer a potential employer.
As you work on your resume, remember that it is simply a tool that will help make
a positive first impression on a potential employer. Even if you create the perfect
resume, it is not a guarantee that you will receive a job offer. The goal of a resume
is to pique a potential employer's interest in you so that you are invited in for a job
interview.
Next you will find guidelines for the three most common types of resumes,
Chronological, Functional and Combination.
Basic Chronological Resume Format:
NAME
Address | City, State, and Zip Code
Phone number | an appropriate e-mail address | your LinkedIn URL
OBJECTIVE:
 Brief, clearly worded statement informing a potential employer of your career goal.
(OPTIONAL) EXAMPLE: To obtain a full-time position in the Accounting field with an emphasis
on tax; special interests include corporate and personal tax
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS: (OPTIONAL)
 Showcase the skills that you have for a particular position.
 Read the qualifications in the specific position description of the job you are seeking and try to
match specific skills you may have for the position.
 Begin these statements with action verbs, use bullet points and keep the statements concise.
EDUCATION:
 List most recent education experiences first. Include instances of higher education and study
abroad experiences. Unless you are in your first or second year of undergraduate, we can drop
high school information.
 Be sure to include: College Name, Location (city, state), Degree Anticipated/Earned, Dates,
Major/Minor.
 Include any GPA at or above a 3.0. You may include scholarships and academic awards.
RELEVANT COURSEWORK:
 List titles of higher level courses that are relevant to the position you are applying for.
 Try to list about 4-6 relevant courses
EXPERIENCE:
 Experience can include full or part-time work, internships, or volunteer work.
 List your experience in reverse chronological order. (Most recent first)
 Include four essential parts: Employer name, employer location (city, state), position title, and
dates.
 Give a short description of responsibilities/accomplishments in that position. Should be in
bullet form, and begin with action verbs that are in a verb tense that is relative to whether you
are currently employed in the position or no longer employed in the position.
COMPUTER SKILLS:
 Use this section to tell employers about your technical/computer skills. You may include
software, operating systems and hardware, languages and applications, databases, and web
development tools
ACTIVITIES (OPTIONAL):
 May include campus or community activities. List organization first and dates. If you have had a
leadership role within the organization, include the leadership role as well.
MILITARY SERVICE:
 List it similar to work experience. Translate your skills from your military experience.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (OPTIONAL):
 List the name of the professional organization and the dates that you have been a member of
that organization.
REFERENCES:
 References are generally listed on a separate “References” page. No need for a “References
available upon request”
Basic Functional Resume Format:
First and Last Name
Address
City, State, and Zip Code
Telephone and/or cell phone number
An appropriate e-mail address
OBJECTIVE:
 Brief, clearly worded statement informing a potential employer of your career goal. (OPTIONAL)
EXAMPLE: To find a part-time job helping disadvantaged youth find academic success
SKILLS:
 Functional Resumes are “Skills” based resumes. The skills sections of these resumes should be detailed.
May use sub-clusters to organize skills in this section. Use bulleted statements that begin with action verbs
to showcase your skills.
EXAMPLE:
MANAGEMENT SKILLS:
- Led a team of six staffers by assigning responsibilities, coordinating trainings meetings and scheduling
- Previewed and purchased appropriate merchandise depending on season and customer demand
- Supervised inventory control, monetary transactions, and special projects
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS:
- Provided guidance and assistance with monthly financial reports and handled daily bank transactions
- Managed monthly full inventory process and generated accurate, timely reports to management
- Oversaw up to twenty unique accounts and implemented ideas to improve tracking and expense reports
LEADERSHIP SKILLS:
- Facilitate training in different areas of accounting for entire staff
- Exceeded all annual corporate performance objectives and ranked #1 throughout the company
- Led staff to achieve performance goals and maintained the lowest turnover rates in the region
EXPERIENCE:
 List in reverse chronological order, most recent first. Include four essential parts: employer name, location
(city, state), position title, and dates. Experience can include full-time, part-time, internships, or volunteer
work.
EDUCATION:
 List most recent education experiences first. Include instances of higher education and study abroad
experiences.
 Be sure to include: College Name, Location (city, state), Degree Anticipated/Earned, Dates, Major/Minor.
 GPA is optional. Include any GPA at or above a 3.0. You may include scholarships and academic awards
you’ve achieved.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
 Include any volunteer work or community service that you have participated in. Include the name of the
organization and the dates.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
 Include any volunteer work or community service that you have participated in. Include the name of the
organization and the dates.
REFERENCES:
 References are generally listed on a separate “References” page. No need for “References available upon
request” on the resume.
RESUME CHECKLIST
Appearance:
Is your name at the top of the page and in bold? Is your contact information
easy to read?
Is your resume an appropriate length in comparison to your experience?
(One page for new graduates, two pages for experienced candidates)
Uniform margins: top, bottom, and side margins (1” maximum, .5”
minimum; consistent for all pages)
100 percent error free: no spelling, capitalization, punctuation, or spacing
errors!
Is your resume easy to read? Does it include some white space?
Is your resume consistent from start to finish? (dates, dashes, font styles,
character sizes, and style)
Do your bullets line up perfectly? (Do not use the spacebar!)
Did you use a resume template? (We recommend not using a resume
template)
Did you use concise bulleted statements that begin with an action verb to
describe your experience?
Do you have verb tenses in the present for current jobs and in the past for
previous jobs?
Content:
If you used an objective or summary, does it project the knowledge of the
desired career field by using appropriate phrasing and highlighting relevant
skills?
Does your resume include the following sections: Education, Experience, and
Skills?
Does your work experience include experience from the last ten years only?
Did you use action verbs to describe your experiences?
Did you list any relevant activities? Did you note leadership positions?
Did you leave out any unnecessary personal information? (height, gender,
marital status, etc.)
Organization:
Are you using the proper format for your resume? (Chronological, functional,
or combination)
Does your name stand out at the top of the page? Is it easy to find your
section headings?
Do you have a 2 page resume? Is your “Name” and “Page 2” at the top of
your second page?
Are your education and experience entries listed in reverse chronological
order? (most recent first)
Are the most relevant or professionally impressive sections towards the top
of your resume?
ACTION VERBS
When selling yourself on your resume, you must express your skills, assets, and abilities in a concise manner. Begin
each descriptive section of your resume with an action verb. Below is a list of some action verbs.
Leadership
Skills
Problem
Solving Skills
Communication
Skills
Adaptive
Skills
Creative
Skills
Helping
Skills
Administer
Analyze
Approve
Assess
Arrange
Assign
Attain
Authorize
Conduct
Consult
Coordinate
Delegate
Demonstrate
Develop
Direct
Evaluate
Execute
Facilitate
Guide
Improve
Increase
Initiate
Instruct
Lead
Manage
Monitor
Motivate
Negotiate
Oversee
Prioritize
Schedule
Supervise
Train
Analyze
Apply
Assess
Calculate
Compile
Conceptualize
Consult
Correct
Create
Critique
Define
Design
Develop
Diagnose
Dissect
Estimate
Examine
Explore
Inspect
Interpret
Propose
Research
Resolve
Review
Revise
Search
Solve
Study
Track
Troubleshoot
Uncover
Update
Address
Arbitrate
Arrange
Author
Consult
Contact
Correspond
Develop
Draft
Edit
Enlist
Explain
Formulate
Influence
Interpret
Interview
Investigate
Lecture
Mediate
Moderate
Motivate
Negotiate
Persuade
Promote
Publicize
Recruit
Teach
Train
Translate
Write
Adapt
Adjust
Change
Convince
Cut
Eliminate
Encourage
Expand
Increase
Improve
Innovate
Motivate
Persuade
Promote
Propose
Reconcile
Reduce
Remodel
Revamp
Revise
Stimulate
Support
Act
Create
Conceive
Conceptualize
Design
Develop
Establish
Expand
Found
Generate
Illustrate
Implement
Initiate
Integrate
Introduce
Invent
Organize
Originate
Plan
Publish
Produce
Revitalize
Advise
Assist
Clarify
Coach
Consult with
Demonstrate
Educate
Facilitate
Familiarize
Guide
Help
Notify
Perform
Refer
Support
Tend
Tutor
Demonstration
Skills
Financial
Skills
Functional
Skills
Teaching
Skills
Research
Skills
Decisionmaking
Skills
Demonstrate
Exhibit
Illustrate
Perform
Present
Prove
Show
Allocate
Analyze
Appraise
Balance
Budget
Calculate
Plan
Project
Research
Assemble
Keep
File
Open
Operate
Pack
Produce
Process
Sell
Advise
Clarify
Communicate
Coordinate
Develop
Educate
Guide
Instruct
Persuade
Collect
Critique
Diagnose
Evaluate
Examine
Identify
Interpret
Summarize
Survey
Choose
Decide
Determine
Enlist
Resolve
Select
Order
Example #1: Functional Resume
Dan Butler
1001 Rogers St., Columbia, MO 65216
573-666-5555 | [email protected]
CAREER OVERVIEW
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Over 8 years of experience in managing, scheduling and training up to 25 hourly staff
Oversaw all aspects of hiring, onboarding and training for new staff
Trained on multi-unit operations and risk management
Competent in vendor sourcing, negotiations, and employer relations
MANAGEMENT SKILLS
 Manage staff of up to 25 employees including coordinating weekly schedules, conducting bi-annual
performance evaluations, and motivation
 Preview and make final decisions on all merchandise purchased
 Supervise inventory control, monetary transactions, and special projects
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
 Organize procedures for purchasing, credit approvals, and invoicing
 Schedule and coordinate training for new employees
 Direct and manage the development and production of marketing materials
 Coordinate monthly inventory process and generate weekly intake reports to district headquarters
TECHNICAL SKILLS
 Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
 Basic knowledge of design software: Photoshop, Illustrator, and Quark
 Proficient using both PC and iOS platforms
EXPERIENCE
Commerce Bank
Branch Manager
Jefferson City, MO
2014 – Present
Best Buy
Assistant Floor Manager
Columbia, MO
2012 – 2014
Target
Floor Lead
Jefferson City, MO
2007 – 2012
EDUCATION
Columbia College
Bachelor of Science; Business Administration
Major: Management
GPA: 3.3/4.0
Jefferson City, MO
May 2016
Example #2: Chronological Resume: Entry-level
Stephen Blount
(573) 666-0000 | [email protected]
341 Emerald Lane #34 | Jefferson City, MO 65109
Columbia College - Jefferson City
Major: Psychology
Minor: Sociology
GPA: 3.5/4.0 Major GPA: 4.0/4.0
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts Anticipated: May 2016
RELEVANT COURSEWORK:
Experimental Psychology Personality Theory Lifespan Development
Social Psychology
Neuroscience
Learning Theories
Adult Psychology
Learning Theories Cognitive Psychology
RELATED EXPERIENCE:
Department of Family Services, Columbia, MO
January 2015 – Present
Youth Advocate
 Supervise up to 24 clients ages 12-18 to ensure a safe and healthy environment
 Greet clients, process new clients, and discharge clients
 Interview clients and guardians to determine if the client is a fit for the program
 Communicate with client and guardians about expectations of program
 Teach clients life skills such as, laundry, food prep, communication, job
applications, and healthy coping skills
 Communicate with Youth Advocates, Case Managers, Assistant Program
Managers, and Therapists to ensure consistence when working with clients
 Document behaviors, incidents, and day to day interaction with clients
 Educate clients on subjects, such as teamwork, health topics, and program rules
 Build meaningful relationships with clients and provide one-on-one debrief time
OTHER EXPERIENCE:
University of Missouri, Adventure Club, Columbia, MO
Site Facilitator (May 2014-December 2014)
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May – December 2014
Responsible for a secure and fun environment for up to 20 children grades K – 5
Be aware of where all registered students are at all times including absences and
alternate after-school plans
Track and prepare for all allergy, food, health issues for students including
prescription medications
Knowledge of all emergency plans in case of disaster or evacuation
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:
Volunteer, Meals on Wheels – Jefferson City
Volunteer, Missouri Special Olympics – Jefferson City
2011 – Present
2010
SKILLS
Computer: MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Publisher. Social Media: Facebook,
Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram. Operating systems: Windows/IOS
Language: Spanish – Intermediate
Certifications: Red Cross CPR & First Aid
Example #4: Chronological Resume: Technology
SHANA EDELMAN
1842 Walnut St | Camdenton, MO 65020 | 573-555-1122 | [email protected]
EDUCATION:
Columbia College of Missouri – Lake Ozark Campus
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Mathematics
Major GPA: 3.5/4.0 | Overall GPA: 3.2/4.0
 Alumni and Trustee Scholarships
Expected Graduation: May 2016
RELEVANT COURSEWORK:
Programming Logic and Design
Elementary Statistics
Calculus I
Intro to Game Design
Fundamentals of Computer Science
IT Research and Developments Lab
Foundations of Information Technology Systems
Web Page Design
Introduction to Digital System
Introduction to Computers
Database Concepts & Reporting
Fundamentals of Management
TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES:
Languages:
Software:
C++, C#, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, VBA
Software Development: Microsoft Visual Studio
Content Management Systems: Drupal, PostNuke, Joomla
Platforms:
MS Windows (All Versions), Mac OSX
Web/Graphic Design: Macromedia: Flash, Dreamweaver, Freehand, Adobe: Photoshop, Illustrator
Systems and Networking: Setting up and maintaining LANS, optimization and diagnostic of systems
Image:
Paint Shop Pro, Animation Shop Pro, Adobe Photoshop, MS Movie Maker
CLASS PROJECTS:
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As part of five-member team developed and implemented inventory database for small business
using Access. Database reduced time needed to complete monthly inventory by 50%
Created Excel spreadsheets to balance books of small home-based business. Assisted owner in
understanding of depreciation for tax purposes
Created Oracle database for use by imaginary video store to maintain customer checkout records
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
Camdenton R-III Public Schools, Camdenton, MO
Technology Assistant
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Mathematics Tutor
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December 2014 – Present
Provide repair, virus removal, and troubleshoot connectivity issues for teachers and staff
Install new PC’s and laptops, software and updates, and initialize networking
Map network drives
Answer phone and in-person inquires
August 2014 – Present
Teach and explain mathematical concepts of calculus/probability and statistics to students
Help students with solving homework problems
OTHER EXPERIENCE
TruGreen Lawn Care, Osage Beach, MO
2010 – 2013
Lawn Care Specialist:
 Sought out new clients to develop customer base
 Performed administrative tasks such as maintaining records, following up with future and current
accounts, also handling policy renewals and filed weekly reports.
Example #5: Chronological Resume/Functional Resume Combination: Liberal Arts
Carline Brady
54 Alma Chester Ave. #14
Rolla, MO 65401
[email protected]
573-555-7485
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:
 Results-oriented professional; confident in making on-the-spot decisions
 Over 5 years’ experience in journalism and training
 Strong commitment, vision, and leadership
 Experience in both individual and team settings
EDUCATION:
Columbia College of Missouri - Rolla Campus
Bachelor of Science in English
Minor in Business Administration
GPA: 3.6/4.0
Anticipated Graduation: May 2016
SKILLS:
MARKETING/MANAGEMENT
 Design and create training materials for all Milledgeville Daily News employees
 Organize fundraising and promotional events for literacy/art journal, bringing together AfricanAmerican artists from areas throughout Georgia.
 Achieved highest sales volume while employed at a retail store.
 Collaborated with team of five instructors to create a positive, fun, and lively learning atmosphere
tailored specifically for each client.
COMMUNICATION
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Accurately advise senior staff members regarding all editorial issues.

Motivate 15 underachieving students towards success in fields of journalism.
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Drafted proposal for educational project resulting in a $600 grant award.
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Resolve conflict among employees through an enhanced open-door policy.
CREATIVITY
 Conceptualized yearlong project for ESL students culminating in a journal of autobiographies.
 Designed visual concept for a magazine debut event.
 Developed a semester teaching unit on culture, ethnicity, and identity.
 Launched the use of magazine digital issues and social networks.
TECHNOLOGY
 MS Word, Excel, Adobe PhotoShop, Dreamweaver, HTML.
EXPERIENCE
Project Coordinator, Carerra Journalism Project
Missouri Children’s House - Rolla, MO
Teaching Intern
Head Start – Rolla, MO
Salesperson
Menard’s – Rolla, MO
August 2012 - Present
August 2014 - Present
June 2005 - August 2006
REFERENCES
Basic Guidelines:

Identify potential individuals to use as a reference early in your college
career. Get to know your professors and advisors. Other options can be
supervisors, coaches, advisors, volunteer leaders, or faith leaders.

Before listing anyone’s name as a reference, be sure to ask his/her
permission first.
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A reference list should include a balance of employer and academic
references. Use caution if considering using personal references.

Plan to acquire three to five references.

Create a separate references page with contact information for your
references. Be sure to include complete contact information for each
reference including: Name, Position Title, Employer, Work Address, Work
Phone Number, and Work Email (if applicable).
Types of References:
EMPLOYMENT  PROFESSIONAL  ACADEMIC  PERSONAL
References Checklist:
 Ask your references for permission to use them as a reference. Example:
“Would you be willing to serve as a reference for me as I pursue my job
search?” Provide a copy of your resume to them.
 Provide your references with a description of the types of jobs to which you
will be applying.
 Thank your references and keep them posted throughout your employment
process. Be sure to let them know whether or not you are still active in the
job search process.
 Inform your references of any significant changes in your contact information
(name change, etc.)
References Tip:
A call from a prospective employer should not be a surprise to any of your
references. It should be expected so your references are adequately prepared to
respond with specific examples about your skills.
JOHN SMITH
(573) 666-0000
[email protected]
4 Smithton St
Jefferson City, MO 65215
REFERENCES
Dr. Bill Wilfork
Professor
Columbia College – Jefferson City Campus
(573) 000-0000
[email protected]
Ms. Diana Mayo
Supervisor
White House Restaurant
2000 Manchester Road
Jefferson City, MO 65202
(573) 222-2222
[email protected]
Ms. Jennifer Gronkowski
Marketing Director (former supervisor at Communications+)
B & B Marketing
3003 White Lane
Kansas City, MO 64101
(816) 333-3333
[email protected]