Writing a Powerful Resume
Presented by:
Maria Richardson, Career Center Coordinator
What is a Resume?
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If you are looking for a career, you need a resume. Your resume is your calling card, your
advertisement, your brochure, your flyer. It’s a one page handout that shows what a great catch you are.
75% of hiring managers said they prefer a chronological resume that lists your most recent job first
What can you do with a resume?
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Mail it
Email it
Post it online
Ask friends to give it to their managers
Hand it out at a career fair
Give it to employment agencies
Is there an official format or design for a resume?
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No; some formats depend on the career you are pursuing
Some formats work better than others
There are several formats and they can be changed and modified as needed
According to research, it is best to list only the last 10 years of your work experience unless it is relevant to the
position to which you are applying
Formatting Guidelines
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Bold and enlarge (14 or 16 point font) your name at the top
Keep sections evenly lined up and be consistent with spacing
Use Times New Roman or Arial font
Apply 11 or 12 point font size except for your name and possible section headings
Omit pronouns such as “I” and do not write in complete sentences
Avoid use of graphics unless you are in a creative field and have researched the appropriate use
Leave out personal data, photos, and unrelated hobbies
Be consistent with abbreviation of states and other repeated words (e.g., AL or Alabama)
Choose 8 ½ by 11 inch paper
Note: Using a resume template can often present problems in editing and uploading. Create your own
document that fits your content.
Headings to Include on Resume
CONTACT INFORMATION (This tells the employer who you are)
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Located at the top of the page
Type your full name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name)
Full Mailing address (street address, city, state, zip code)
Telephone Number (include area code - home and cell)
Email address (make it appropriate)
GOAL or OBJECTIVE (in one sentence, tell what kind of work you want)
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To obtain…
Seeking full-time position as a dragon slayer
Seeking full-time, entry-level position as a dragon slayer (if you have little or no experience)
EDUCATION (start with your most recent school or program)
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1st line: Name the award, degree, or certification plus the graduation date
If you have not graduated, list the expected date of graduation
2nd line: List the school name, city and state
(Repeat for each additional school)
WORK EXPERIENCE (start with your most recent employer)
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1st line: give your job title and dates of employment (month and year)
If you still employed, list start date and the word “present”
2nd line: Employers name, city and state
Next lines: List job duties and responsibilities
(Repeat for each additional employer)
NO WORK EXPERIENCE, LIST ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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1st line: name one of the job requirements
Under that requirement, offer 2-3 substitute examples from school, sports, volunteering, or other
life projects
(Repeat as needed)
SKILLS and CERTIFICATIONS
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List any important skills, tools, devices, programs, licenses, software, and foreign language you
can operate, speak, or perform
REFERENCES
Available upon request (unless position requires listing on the resume)
Social Media
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Please check your social media accounts; it may determine whether or not you get the job;
employers are checking
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VOICEMAIL
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Outgoing phone message; music; voicemail not set up and/or full
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LINKEDIN
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• Employers preferred networking tool
• Create a professional profile and a professional photo
TWITTER
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Use a professional-looking avatar and follow potential employers
FACEBOOK
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Post appropriate updates about your job search once you like a potential employers page
Be careful about the tone and language used in posts
RESUME TEMPLATE
Name (Bold, size 14 or 16 font)
XXX Street City, ST, ZIP
Phone Number (s)
Email address
Size 12 Font
OBJECTIVE
State a specific job title you are seeking and list the skills that you bring to
that position.
EDUCATION
Degree; Majors; Date of Graduation (or Expected Graduation): Month Year
College; City, ST
APPLICABLE COURSEWORK
List courses that illustrate that you have the knowledge whether or not you have had the
opportunity to utilize it yet or not
EXPERIENCE
Job Title; dates of employment
Employer, City, ST
 Active verb format (past tense if experience is completed)
 List experiences present to past
 Include volunteer work, internships, co-ops, part-time jobs and leadership positions if
they are relative to objective
 Use numbers—For example, how many people did you supervise? How much money did
you manage?
Special/Senior Projects
 List skills gained while working on a class project
ACTIVITIES/HONORS
List sports, clubs, student government and honoraries. Include any offices held. Include
volunteer activities, honors and awards.
KEY SKILLS
Foreign Languages: List oral and written competency levels. Computer: Include hardware and
software proficiencies. Certifications and Licenses: List Dates
REFERENCES
Available upon request
***NOTES: Entire Document should be typed in (Font Style = Times New Roman, size 12) Name should be typed in size 14 or
16 Bold Font Margins = 1 inch all around
RESUME EXAMPLE
Lawrence Oates
102 Maple Street
Louisville, KY 40201
(503) 444-3339
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a technical position in the field of Electrical Engineering.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering; June 2012
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
EXPERIENCE
Technical Assistant; June 2010 – August 2011
Nichols Technical, Inc., Memphis, TN
 Handled warehouse inspections, trend analysis, and programming
 Involved with statistics and parts engineering groups
Server, August 2011 – June 2012
Cicero’s, Louisville, KY
 Prioritize prompt, quality service resulting in positive feedback from guests
 Maintain poise and attention to detail in stressful situations
 Demonstrate teamwork by being reliable and flexible
ACTIVITIES/HONORS
EE Club
President, Delta Upsilon Fraternity
President, Student Government Association
President’s List: Spring 2010, Fall 2011, Spring 2012
KEY SKILLS
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Experience with DPL and Pascal
Use of Unix, Wylbur, and Executive Operating Systems
Knowledge of SPICE
REFERENCES
Available upon request.