This document provides guidance on writing an effective resume. It discusses the main components of a resume, including an objective or summary, employment history listed in reverse chronological order, education, honors and certifications, and references. It also reviews the main resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination. The document emphasizes highlighting skills and accomplishments, using action verbs, tailoring the resume to the target job or industry, and keeping the resume concise and easy for employers to scan.

1. Writing Your Résumé
ART 287

2. Your Résumé
• Itemizes the reasons why a prospective
employer should hire you
• Establishes your professional knowledge
• Provides overview of your background
• Sets forth your goals and highlights
your accomplishments

3. Your Résumé
• Organization is very important
• Decide on format:
Chronological
Functional
Combination

4. Chronological Résumé
• Most widely used format.
• Lists work experience as history in reverse-date
form, followed by job titles and responsibilities
• Pros: easy for employers to see experience;
good for accomplished designers with
strong work history.
• Cons: focuses on what you’ve done, rather than
what you can do. Not necessarily best for
designers just beginning their careers.

5. Chronological
Résumé

6. Functional Résumé
• Describes skills and talents, organized according
to areas of specialization.
• Not as popular as chronological résumé.
• Pros: good for those who have employment
“gaps” or little “real world” experience. Can
effectively show your skills in job-related areas.
• Cons: more difficult to write; more difficult for
prospective employers to determine your
contributions to previous employers.

7. Functional
Résumé

8. Combination Résumé
• Organizes employment history based on skills
utilized in the job
• Not as popular as chronological résumé.
• Pros: good for those who have diverse job
experiences, or those seeking new career paths.
• Cons: more difficult to write and organize;
more difficult for prospective employers to
determine your contributions to previous
employers.

9. Combination
Résumé

10. Your Résumé
• Once you’ve decided on the format,
be sure to include the following
parts of the résumé.
• Focus first on carefully crafting the
language of the résumé. After the writing
is refined, then design the layout.

11. 1) Contact Information
Be sure to include:
• Name, address
• Phone numbers (home and cell)
• Email and web site
• Important for the potential employer to
reach you, and for you to respond fast.

12. 2) Objective or Summary
• Grab their attention! Mission statement
sets the tone for what is to come
• Bullet your accomplishments, highlight
your objectives
• Tell what you can do or what you are
looking for in a job.
• When a prospect finishes reading this, you
want them to run to the phone to call for
an interview!

13. 3) Employment History
Include, in reverse chronological order:
• Employer, position, dates.
• More importantly, emphasize skill
and experience.
• Why will you be valuable to an employer?
• Use action verbs to describe your skills and
accomplishments.

14. 3) Employment History
What kinds of jobs to include?
• Positions most relevant to job sought.
• If limited history in your field, demonstrate
steady employment record.
• Include freelance assignments

15. 3) Education
Include, in reverse chronological order:
• School, City, State, Degree, Major, Year
of Graduation. Consistent arrangement is
very important. Set schools apart so each is
easily seen.
• If still in school but near graduation, include
“A.A.S. (expected May, 2010)”
• Include any seminars or specialty training.

16. 4) Honors & Certifications
• What special skills set you apart from
everyone else?
• Design awards?
• Academic awards?
• Give details if reader won’t know meaning
of award.

17. 5) Professional Affiliations
• Belong to any professional organizations?
• Students can join Advertising Federation,
the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
Check online for membership requirements
and fees.

18. 6) Additional Information
• Hobbies, interests, clubs.
• Employers like to see well-rounded
individuals with other interests.
• Non-work activities can demonstrate
leadership skills.

19. 6) References
• References furnished on request
• Have a separate sheet ready (matching your
résumé) that includes three references
(names with reliable, accurate contact info).
• Always secure permission to use someone
as a reference, and make sure they will
available and will give you a good
reference!

20. Do:
• Use a direct, active writing style
• Pick a format and be consistent!
• Write shorter phrases, not complete
sentences
• Spell check and have a friend proofread
• Highlight accomplishments with action words
• Tell the truth
• Keep the company (audience) in mind: what
do they want/need?

21. Don’t:
• Use “I, my, me”
• Give personal data (age, race, health, marital status).
It is against the law!
• Include controversial interests or affiliations
• Cite high school unless you have no other schooling
• Use abbreviations, too big or wrong words
• Include your photo, salary or vacation requirements
• Volunteer negative information about yourself