The document provides guidance on writing resumes, including tips for formatting, content, and structure. It recommends including contact information, an objective, qualifications summary, education history, and experience. Sections should be concise and highlight skills and achievements relevant to the target job. Employers typically spend 30 seconds to 1 minute reviewing each resume.

1. Resume Writing
Guide
Chronological & Combined
© Copyright 2015. Christine Shine, M.A. All rights reserved.
christineshine@gmail.com 619-379-6967
Careerfoundations.org

2. 2
RESUME WRITING
What is a Resume?
A marketing tool used to sell your experiences and qualifications to potential employers. The
purpose of a resume is to get you an interview!
When will I need a resume?
When you are applying for a job or internship you will most likely
need a resume.
Remember…
The employer will spend between
30 seconds to 1 minute looking at your resume so make it brief and concise! Try and
fit everything on one page.
What is the employer looking for?
The employer is looking for education and experience that proves to them that you are qualified
for the job. This is why it is important to gear your entire resume towards the position you are
applying for.
How can I increase my chances of getting an interview?
Get a copy of the job description, determine if your qualifications are similar to those listed on
the announcement. If they are, make sure they’re on your resume!
What are the general rules when writing a resume?
 Should be one page. Experienced professionals may use 2 pages
 Geared towards the position you are applying for
 Statements should be brief and concise
 10 – 12 point font for everything but your name. Name should be 14-16 point font.
 Use a font that is easy to read like Arial or New Times Roman
 Use professional resume paper (color should be white, off-white, or light gray)
Things To Avoid
 Don’t use the words “I” or “We”
 Don’t staple your resume
 Avoid folding your resume (if possible)
 Don’t use abbreviations unless absolutely necessary
 Don’t include personal information like birth date,
height, or weight.
 Don’t cram content
 Don’t lie or stretch the truth. Companies do background checks on all the information
you list on your resume.

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RESUME FONTS
Helvetica New Times Roman
Resume Writing Resume Writing
Cover letters Cover letters
Interviewing Skills Interviewing Skills
Networking Networking
Informational Interviewing Informational Interviewing
Job Search Job Search
Arial New Century Schoolbook
Resume Writing Resume Writing
Cover letters Cover letters
Interviewing Skills Interviewing Skills
Networking Networking
Informational Interviewing Informational Interviewing
Job Search Job Search
Univers ITC Bookman
Resume Writing Resume Writing
Cover letters Cover letters
Interviewing Skills Interviewing Skills
Networking Networking
Informational Interviewing Informational Interviewing
Job Search Job Search
Optima Palatino
Resume Writing Resume Writing
Cover letters Cover letters
Interviewing Skills Interviewing Skills
Networking Networking
Informational Interviewing Informational Interviewing
Job Search Job Search
ITC Avante Garde Gothic Courier
Resume Writing Resume Writing
Cover letters Cover letters
Interviewing Skills Interviewing Skills
Networking Networking
Informational Interviewing Informational Interviewing
Job Search Job Search

4. 4
HEADING
 Name
o Name should be bold
o Can be all caps
o 14 – 16 point font
 Address
o Keep current
 Phone Number
o Home, Office, or Cell Phone
 Email Address
o Only include email address if you check it regularly
o Should be professional
 If your address is something like partygirl@aol.com, you may want to
change it.
OBJECTIVE
Your Objective tells the employer what position you are applying for. It should be stated in a
short single sentence.
Avoid long vague statements:
To obtain a position in which I can utilize my strong technical
background with a growing company offering challenge and
growth potential.
MICHAEL SMITH
400 Grape Street • San Diego, CA 92107 • (619) 555-1000 • msmith@aol.com
MICHAEL SMITH
400 Grape Street
San Diego, CA 92107
(619) 555-1000
msmith@aol.com
OBJECTIVE: To secure a position as a financial analyst.
OBJECTIVE To obtain a position as a marketing assistant.

5. 5
QUALIFICATIONS
Use this section to emphasize your strengths including experiences and skills. Also known as
“Career Profile”, Profile”, “Qualifications”
Examples
 Multi-lingual – fluent in French, Spanish, Italian, and English
 Extensive knowledge of computer software applications
 Excellent communication, presentation, and public speaking skills
 Experience in marketing and advertising in Brazil and the United States
 Exceptional analytical and problem solving skills
 Ability to work well in high-pressure situations and consistently meet deadlines
 Extensive experience working with people from different backgrounds and diverse cultures in the
United States and Abroad
 International business and marketing teaching experience
 Deeply committed, professional attitude
 Willing to accept responsibilities and challenges
 Capability of handling multiple tasks simultaneously
 Able to interact well with the public
 Diplomatic and able to work with a variety of constituents
 Detail-oriented, organized, able to prioritize
 Excellent public speaker with a keen ability to engage participants in discussion
 High level of enthusiasm and motivation
 Strong working knowledge of marketing principles and practices
 Ability to handle multiple tasks in a hectic business environment
 Strong cross-cultural communication skills and extensive international experience
 Computer skills: Microsoft Office, Publisher, and Adobe Photoshop
 Mastery of cross-cultural strategic marketing principles and practices
 Fluent in English and German, proficient in Spanish and French
 Experience working abroad in Germany, France, Mexico, and China
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
 Two years experience in marketing
 Skilled in conducting market research
 Proven success in increasing sales and customer base
 Highly motivated and dependable in achieving goals
 Extremely well organized; detail oriented

6. 6
 Excellent leadership, team building, problem solving, and management skills
 Ability to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds
 Results driven professional with significant experience in sales and marketing
 Mastery of business management principles and practices
 Exceptional organizational and project management abilities
 Outstanding interpersonal skills with a positive attitude and professional demeanor
 Excellent analytical, strategic, quantitative, and problem solving skills
 Skilled at working with people from diverse cultures
 Excellent skills in group, couple, family, and individual counseling
 Five year background teaching, supporting, and motivating adults
 Exceptional ability to quickly master new software
 Six years experience with personal computers of all types
EDUCATION
If you’re in college or received your degree within the last five years, education should follow
Summary of Qualifications. If you have more professional experience than education, education
will follow experience.
Education should include the following:
 Name of college, location: city and state/country
 Degree sought or received (Bachelor of Arts, Master of
Science)
 Major, concentration, and/or minor (if they support your
objective)
 Date of graduation, anticipated date, or dates attended
 Special workshops, seminars, or related coursework
 Honors (dean’s list), GPA if it is above 3.0.
It isn’t necessary to list your high school education.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in International Relations
Alliant International University, San Diego, CA
May 2001 – Present
EDUCATON: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, June 2001
Alliant International University, San Diego, CA
GPA: 3.75

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EXPERIENCE
Can be titled “Work Experience”, “Professional Experience”, “Experience”, “Relevant
Experience”, or “Employment History”.
Includes the following:
 Name of company, month/year employed
 Title of position
 Job duties
o Should relate to the position you are currently
applying for
o Can be in bullet or paragraph format
o Be clear and concise
o Use action statements, not sentences
o Avoid using “I”, “We”, “My”
o Can include full-time, part-time, volunteer, or
internship experience
o Use the jargon of your chosen field
Work Experience:
Freelance Graphic Designer, San Diego, CA May 1998 - Present
 Market services to prospective clients
 Develop logos, brochures, business cards, and websites
 Collaborate with clients to define needs and develop graphic concepts
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Union Bank, San Diego, CA Sept. 1998 – June 2001
Service Associate
 Handled cash transactions up to $2,500
 Took the initiative to open accounts during peak periods for new and returning customers
 Provided assistance as needed to customers and employees experiencing language barriers
 Met/exceeded quarterly sales referral records

8. 8
ACTION VERBS
Accelerated Communicated Eliminated Influenced Persuaded Streamlined
Accomplished Compared Empathized Inspected Planned Strengthened
Achieved Compiled Endorsed Installed Prepared Submitted
Acquired Completed Enforced Instituted Presented Substantiated
Acted Complied Enlarged Instructed Presided Suggested
Adapted Conceived Enlisted Interpreted Processed Summarized
Adopted Concluded Established Interviewed Produced Supervised
Addressed Conducted Evaluated Introduced Programmed Supported
Adjusted Consulted Examined Invented Projected Targeted
Administered Contracted Exhibited Investigated Promoted Taught
Advised Contributed Expanded Involved Proposed Tested
Advocated Controlled Expedited Irrigated Proved Trained
Aided Coordinated Experienced Joined Published Translated
Allocated Copied Experimented Judged Purchased Tutored
Analyzed Corrected Extracted Kept Pursued Updated
Applied Corresponded Facilitated Launched Qualified Utilized
Appraised Counseled Filed Learned Recommended Wrote
Arranged Created Financed Lectured Reconciled
Ascertained Credited Fixed Led Recorded
Assembled Decided Focused Lifted Recruited
Assigned Defined Followed Listened Reduced
Assisted Delegated Forecast Made Regulated
Assumed Delivered Formulated Maintained Reinforced
Attained Demonstrated Founded Managed Related
Audited Described Gathered Manipulated Reorganized
Awarded Designed Generated Mapped Replaced
Balanced Detected Governed Mediated Reported
Bought Determined Guided Mentored Represented
Briefed Developed Handled Met Researched
Brought Devised Headed Modeled Resolved
Budgeted Diagnosed Helped Monitored Revamped
Built Directed Hosted Motivated Reviewed
Canceled Discharged Identified Negotiated Saved
Catalogued Discussed Illustrated Observed Scheduled
Caused Distributed Imagined Offered Screened
Chaired Documented Implemented Operated Selected
Changed Drafted Improved Ordered Served
Checked Dramatized Improvised Organized Shipped
Classified Drove Incorporated Oversaw Sold
Coached Earned Increased Participated Solved
Collected Edited Indexed Perceived Specialized
Combined Educated Informed Perfected Specified
Commended Effected Initiated Performed Studied

9. 9
OPTIONAL INFORMATION
These sections are optional and include any additional skills, experience, awards, or professional
memberships that were not included in any other section.
HONORS/AWARDS: Academic scholarships, grants, and Dean’s list (may also
be included under Education).
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Foreign languages (conversant, proficient,
fluent).
COMPUTER SKILLS: Computer languages, software, hardware,
operating systems if appropriate.
MEMBERSHIP/ Professional and community affiliations,
AFFILIATIONS: Clubs/organizations, and student groups.
Include name of organization, dates of
membership, and offices held, if any.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE Any relevant experience not included in
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE other sections. May include clubs or offices
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: held.
Honors: Graduated with honors – magna cum laude, 1999
President’s Honor for Academic Excellence, 1998
Alliant International University Leadership Award, 1999
LANGUAGES Fluent in Spanish and Japanese
Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Access, Publisher, Excel, and PowerPoint
MEMBERSHIP:
Sigma Iota Epsilon – Honorary and Professional Management Fraternity, 1999 – Present
International Entrepreneurs Club at Alliant International University, 2000 – Present
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
2000 – Present AIU Student Ambassador
1999 – Present Editor, AIU Yearbook
1998 – 1999 Secretary, Student Council

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QUICK RESUME GUIDE
FULL NAME
Address • City, State zip • Phone # • email
OBJECTIVE:
To obtain a position as a ______________.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:
 Use this section to emphasize your strengths
 Gear your summary towards what the employer is looking for
 Can be paragraph or bullet format
EDUCATION:
Name of college, location, degree received, major, date of graduation
Minor or concentration if any
GPA is optional – list if it is above 3.0, include academic honors or dean’s list
Optional: Relevant coursework, study abroad experiences
EXPERIENCE:
Job Title Month/Yr – Month/Yr
Name of Company, City and State
 List job duties (must be relevant to the position you’re applying to)
 Begin sentences with action verbs
 Can be in bullet or paragraph format
 Should support the objective
 Can include full-time, part-time, volunteer, or internship experience
 Use the minimum number of words – short statements
 Use the jargon of your chosen field
 Try to list accomplishments rather than just describing duties
HONARS/AWARDS:
Optional – can include academic scholarships, grants, and awards
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
State degree of mastery (conversant, proficient, fluent). Don’t add this section if the information
is already included in your summary of qualifications.
COMPUTER SKILLS:
List familiarity with computer software, hardware, and operating systems. Don’t add this section
if the information is already included in your summary of qualifications
MEMBERSHIP:
Professional and community affiliations, Clubs/organizations, and student groups. Include name
of organization, dates of membership, and offices held
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:
OPTIONAL: Activities, offices held, on-campus leadership, or travel experiences.