This document provides guidance on writing an effective resume. It explains that a resume should be a marketing tool that highlights your skills and qualifications for the specific position. It should be tailored to the job and allow recruiters to scan it in 30 seconds. The document reviews dos and don'ts, such as including only relevant experience and education, and omitting personal details. It also offers tips on formatting, such as using a simple font and printing on conservative paper. The overall message is that a resume needs to accurately and briefly showcase your background and fit for the role.

1. Hawai‘i Pacific University  Career Services Center

2. What is an effective Résumé …
 A marketing tool
 A tailored document
that directly relates
your interest and skills
to the position.
 A document that will
be scanned for 30
seconds.

3. What is the purpose of a Résumé?
 An effective résumé will get you an interview.

4. What a Résumé ISN’T…
 Autobiographical
document - Your
life story at a
glance.
 A formality in the
whole hiring
process.

5. What are the rules for résumé writing?
 Modern technology has raised employer
expectations regarding the quality of résumés
and cover letters.
 There are no standards governing page limits and
formatting.
 The ONLY rules is a résumé that is error-free,
without typos or spelling mistakes.

6. Does that mean, “anything goes”?
 Although there are no absolute rules, you still
need to be reasonable and appropriate.
 There are some general guidelines that can help
you create an effective résumé.

7. Here’s what you shouldn’t do
 Don’t include personal information
 Don’t give reasons for termination.
 Don’t list references on the résumé.
 Don’t provide salary information.

8. “Do’s” for an effective résumé
 Tailor your information to the job you are seeking
 Use language from the position description
 Be positive and direct
 Grammar, punctuation, and spelling must be accurate
 Laser print on 20-24 lb. paper and envelope
 Use white, ivory, or other conservative colors
 Use an easy-to-read font, no less than 10 pt
 Use design elements strategically

9. Résumé Details
 Contact Heading
 Objective
 Education
 Work / Internship Experience
 Skills
 Extra-curricular Activities
 Other Information

10. Your Contact Information
 Name
 Largest size
 Internet search
 Address(es)
 Phone number and Cell phones
 Ring back tones
 Voice Mail
 E-mail address
 foxymama@gmail.com vs. jane.doe@gmail.com

11. Objective
 MUST be specific
 Career Fair example:
 “Seeking a challenging full-time position in Marketing”
 In response to an opening:
 “To obtain an XYZ position with ABC Company”
 2nd most important thing on résumé
 Everything following objective should be listed in order of
importance

12. Education
 Secondary and Post Secondary
 Listed in reverse chronological order
 GPA vs. Major GPA
 International Degrees
 Related Courses
 Projects

13. Education
…How It Will Look
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Major in Marketing, May 2010
Hawai‘i Pacific University, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Cumulative G.P.A.: 3.6 Major G.P.A.: 4.0
Career related courses taken:
Sales Management Marketing Simulation Practicum
Professional Selling Marketing Channel Management
International Marketing Promotion Management
Logistics Management Marketing and Consumer Issues
Career related project completed:
Part of a project team that created a marketing plan for Target Corporation’s
planned expansion in Hawaii. Presented marketing plan to the company’s VP
of Marketing.

14. Experience
 Work / Internship /
Volunteer Experience
 “Career Related Experience”
 What about non-paid or
volunteer positions?
 DO NOT list them as “Work
Experience”

15. Experience
…Tough Situations
 Short term jobs?
 More than 1 year between jobs?
 What if you got fired?
 International businesses?
 Company changed names/got bought out?
 Business closed?

16. Experience
…Focus on Intentional Bullet Points
P osition/Purpose
A ction
R esults
K nowledge

17. Skills
 Proficiency with programs
 Languages
 Transferrable skills that aren’t
necessarily tied to a specific
position

18. Other Info
 If certification is required for the position, list it!
 i.e.: Hawaii RN License, American Red Cross CPR/AED
certified, etc.
 Honors & Awards
 Professional Affiliations
 Professional Memberships
 Clubs

19. Final Thoughts on Résumés
 PROOF READ!!
 Current information is vital
 Submit your Résumé with a Cover Letter
 Use professional business format
 Keep your Cover Letter to ONE page
 Lengths of résumés:
 If space is an issue, your objective can be addressed in your
cover letter, instead of on your résumé.
 “References available upon request” is optional.
 Keep an accurate “Information Sheet”

20. Visit www.hpu.edu/csc to
download an electronic
version of the Résumé Writing
Toolkit

21. Visit www.hpu.edu/csc to
download an electronic
version of the Guide to Cover
Letter Writing Toolkit

22. For further customized assistance with your
resume and or cover letter, please call (808)
544-0230 or email csc@hpu.edu to schedule
an appointment with a Career Counselor.
We are happy to help!