The document provides comprehensive guidelines for writing a professional resume, emphasizing its importance as a marketing tool and the necessity of making a positive first impression. It outlines common myths and mistakes, basic formatting requirements, and preferred content organization, including sections like education, experience, and skills. Additionally, it stresses the importance of proofreading and customizing resumes for specific job applications, along with details about an upcoming career expo.

1. Writing a Professional Resume
Student Center, 2nd Floor, Room 250
386.226.6054
http://careerservices.erau.edu

2. Resume… The most important paper you write in
college
• First impression you make with a company – make sure
it’s a positive impression
• Nothing disqualifies a candidate faster than a poorly
written resume
• Your resume is a marketing tool to sell your best traits
• Employers spend less than 12-15 seconds scanning a
resume before making a decision on whether or not to
bring someone in for an interview

3. Common Myths & Mistakes
Myths
• Unique or unusual resumes
attract more attention and are
easier to read
• Resume content is more
important than style or format
• It’s OK to exaggerate your
accomplishments
Mistakes
• Adding a personal photo
• Including salary info
• Indicating your age or marital
status
• Rounding up your GPA
• Flooding your resume with
irrelevant details and
information

4. Resumes: The Basics
• Use resume paper: White or ivory, at least 24# stock
• Avoid giving out photocopies
• Limit resume length to 1 page
• Exceptions:
• 5+ years of industry experience(then limit to 2 pages)
• Federal Government Resume
• Use easy to read, attention grabbing format
• Have someone else look at it!

5. The Basics: Continued
• Do not include high school information
• Exception: first-year students or those applying for positions
with the Federal Government; may also include HS if you
attended a magnet school specifically related to the
position/field you are applying to
• Do not include photos, clipart or personal information (i.e. age,
gender, marital status, ethnicity, health condition/status, SSN)
• Use black font color

6. Format
• Margins should be no smaller than ½ inch (all sides)
• Use plain typeface (Arial, Times New Roman, Verdana,
Franklin Gothic Book, Century Gothic, Calibri )
• No smaller than 10 point and no larger than 12 point
• Name should be large (14 point +) and in boldface (largest
text on the page)
• Use bulleted points – reserve for work descriptions, project
experience, places where several details are included
• Makes information easier to find
• Do not punctuate

7. Content
• Emphasize the most important
items and weed out irrelevant
details
• Include work experience, even
if not directly relevant
• NEVER falsify or exaggerate
your credentials
• Always remember your
audience, tailor the resume
based upon the use
CORE HEADINGS:
Contact Information
Objective
Education
Relevant Coursework
Project Experience
Internship Experience
Work Experience

8. Content continued…
ADDITIONAL HEADINGS:
*Use if relevant to position applying to*
Skills
• Include computer skills, languages, etc.
Activities
• Keep these professionally related, student clubs & organizations
Honors/Awards
• Scholarships awarded
Flight Time
Leadership
• Include office positions held, i.e.- Treasurer of IEEE
Volunteer Service
• Include significant projects, ongoing

9. Contact Information
• Name – should be large and bold
• Telephone number
• ONLY one recommended
• Never include your work number on a resume
• Be sure your voice mail (or roommate) is professional
• E-mail address (pick one – and check it!)
• Home address is no longer necessary to include, especially
for college students
Contact info should be at the top of page and should look balanced

10. Objective
• One to two sentences in length
• Be specific, do not add “fluff”
• Should be specific to the company and position you are seeking
• Example: To obtain a Staff Analyst position with United Airways
Extensive Experience (5+ years)
• Provide 2-3 sentences or bulleted executive summary,
professional profile highlighting skills and accomplishments

11. Education
• List the educational institution along with the city and state
• Do not use abbreviations for the school or degree (Bachelor
of Science in…)
• Specify any minors or areas of concentration
• Include graduation date, or expected date (include Month &
Year)
• List your GPA if competitive (above 3.0)
• If low consider calculating a major GPA and including it as “Major G.P.A
3.0”
• If you choose to leave it off be prepared to discuss why

12. Education continued…
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, FL
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering December 2015
Area of Concentration: Propulsion 3.0/4.0 GPA
Minor in Astronautics
• You can include relevant coursework under the Education
heading
• Include Study Abroad in this section
• No need to list previous institutions if you did not receive a
degree (i.e. transfer student)

13. Education Example

14. Experience
• You can have work, intern/co-op, project, or flight experience
listed
• Start with the most recent experience and work backwards
(reverse chronological order)
• Include company name, location, dates worked, job title and main
accomplishments (use bullets to make the info stand out)
• Use concise language and limit points to 3 or 4 key elements or
accomplishments
• Start each bullet point with a verb/action word
• Use concise, descriptive and varied language
• Quantify duties and successes (#, %, $)

15. Experience Example

16. Skills
• This section details the specific programs, software, languages,
etc. that you have knowledge of
• If you list a spoken language as a skill, you must be fluent in that
specific language or list “intermediate, basic, fluent”
-English(Fluent), French(Intermediate), Spanish(Basic)
• Computer/Technology related skills
• List or categorize by type of skill, e.g. Software, Hardware,
Languages

18. References
• Do not refer to references on your resume – it goes without
saying
• Type a separate list using same contact information format,
font and paper as your resume
• Include name, title, company, contact information (address,
phone #, e-mail)
• Always check first with anyone you wish to use as a
reference

19. Submitting your Resume
• If more than 1 page, do not staple
• Do not fold, mail in large envelope
• When faxing, mail hard copy as follow-up
• When emailing, include cover letter in body of email and
attach resume as a Word or PDF document
• If you are copying and pasting a resume into an text box,
make sure the formatting is presentable

20. The Importance of Proofreading
• Errors suggest carelessness and lack of attention to
detail
• Watch spelling, punctuation, verb tense
• Proofread several times (it’s easy to overlook a
mistake)
• Have others proofread for you – professors, peers,
family members, and your Career Services
Program Manager 

21. Final Reminders
• Customize
• Tailor your resume for the position you are pursuing
• Use the job description, company research, and industry
knowledge to create a document specific for a position
• Proofread
• Ensure multiple people have reviewed your documents
THE BOTTOM LINE:
• Your resume can make or break your chance to get an
interview

22. Sample Resumes
• On our website: http://careerservices.erau.edu/
• Click ERAU Student
• Resumes Samples
• On Sharepoint under Career Services Organization
Visit the Career Services Office for hard copies and
critiques

23. Industry/Career Expo Details
Thursday, October 12
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
ICI Center
Bring your Eagle Card and professional dress required

24. Professional Dress
Professional attire is expected for attendance at the Industry/Career Expo
• Suits
• Gentlemen: button down shirts and ties
• Ladies: conservative or appropriate blouses
• Colors for shirts should be muted like white, off-white or light blue
• Shoes should be polished and professional
The minimum professional dress is business casual. Flight and ROTC
uniforms are appropriate Expo dress. Religious and cultural attire will be
accepted.

25. Stay Connected to Career Services
Connect, follow, join and like Career Services via all our communication
methods…
Career Services Website
EagleHire
ERNIE/My Team Sites
Facebook
Going Places Career Blog
LinkedIn
Twitter
Instagram