Resume Writing

    A resume is a universally recognized job-hunting tool designed to attract the attention of readers so they will want to meet and interview you. It includes carefully selected relevant information that will highlight your qualifications in the most effective way. A well-written resume can help you

• introduce yourself to prospective employers or admissions committees;
• connect your qualifications with the requirements of a job or academic program;
• provide a current summary of your qualifications which can be used by your references or people in your network;
• demonstrate your ability to present information in an organized, concise, and professional manner.

    Since an effective resume highlights your most relevant qualifications, begin by considering your purpose or objective, and the readers of your resume. Next, write out an extensive rough draft of your background identifying your skills, experiences, knowledge, and accomplishments. Use the categories described below as a guideline. Give yourself plenty of time as it could take several hours to compose a comprehensive first draft.

    Do not worry about the length of the first draft. When you have all the information about your background gathered, it will be easier for you to construct logical groupings and to select the most pertinent information.

    Your final version will be one to two pages in length. Brevity is important in writing a resume, though not at the expense of accuracy and completeness. To be effective, a resume must provide enough information to compare your qualifications with the requirements of the job or academic program, and be organized so that the most pertinent information is readily apparent at a glance.