Resume Tips
Take the First Step
Begin your professional career.
Create a resume to communicate your experience, education, skills and accomplishments to a potential employer. A well-written resume can help you move onto the next stage of the job or internship search – the interview.
Resume Writing Resources
Below are some ways to set the ball rolling on creating your resume.
Resume Writing Worksheet
Writing your first resume? Compile and organize all of your professional information with this Resume Writing Worksheet. (PDF)
Creating a Resume 101
Creating a Resume 101: A two-page overview of resume writing basics. (PDF)
Complete Resume Guide
We lay out all the steps you need to take in our Creating a Resume guide. (PDF)
References & Letters of Recommendation
A reference is an individual who speaks on your behalf regarding qualifications for employment or admission to graduate and professional school. Typically, organizations request a minimum of three references, and they can be that make-or-break aspect of the job search process, as employers can get a better idea of who you are when they talk to someone who knows you.
Who & How to Ask for a Reference
You should ask a variety of people to serve as a reference for you. This gives you flexibility to select certain references for specific opportunities. Consider the following when choosing your references:
- Who has directly seen you in specific settings using the needed or desired skills? Examples may include current or former employers, teachers, faculty, coaches or advisers.
- Can they support your application for employment or graduate school?
- Can they speak positively about your qualifications and realistically evaluate your ability to perform a job or succeed academically?
Typically, a personal reference – a family member, friend of the family, priest, minister, pastor or rabbi – may not be the best choice.
Remember — you must gain an individual’s permission before listing them as a reference. It is best to ask people to serve as a reference in person, but if that isn't possible, a personal phone call or email are suggested. When some agrees to be a reference for you, you can ask them to write a letter of recommendation for you to provide with your resume. To create and format a list of references to accompany your resume, use this Sample Reference Page.
Additional Resume Resources
If you're applying for a role outside the U.S. or if you're applying for a job within the U.S. Federal Government.
International Resumes
View targeted resume guidelines and samples by specific country in the GoinGlobal Career Guides which are accessible by logging into your Handshake account and selecting "Career Center" then "Resources" on the top tool bar.
Federal Government Resumes
If you plan on working for the federal government, USAJOBS.gov provides resume resources specific to their requirements at Writing a Federal Government Resume.
Resume Writing Videos
These short videos are packed with tips to help you develop a resume that stands out to employers.
Resume Writing Do's & Don'ts
Watch this video to understand the tips and tricks of resume writing and hear advice from real-life professionals.
The Biggest Resume Red Flags
Sometimes, knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. Learn the red flags of resume writing with this video.
How to Make Your Resume Pop
Most recruiters only spend 6-20 seconds looking at your resume. Find out how to make yours pop.
Keyword Search Matters
Employers scan your resume for keywords or phrases to make sure you’re right for the job – meaning you need to include keywords in your resume. Here’s how.
Sample Resumes
If all this information is confusing, don’t worry – it’s often easier to understand with examples. Use the resume guidelines and these samples to help you write a draft. After that, you can make an appointment with your career advisor to have your resume reviewed.
Samples are provided to assist you in creating your own resume. These samples do not represent all majors, career interest areas, levels of education or experience. Your resume will be unique based upon your individual interests and qualifications.
Types of Resumes & Samples
Though most resumes have similar forms, there are different types. Learn about each of them – and how to decide which to use – with the links below.
Examples for Various Majors & Career Fields
Your major impacts the language of your resume. With these examples, you can get more of a feel for how to tailor your resume to your specific field.