Resume Writing
Whether you’re simply networking or actually applying for a job or internship, a polished resume can distinguish you from other candidates. CareerLAB staff can help you produce resumes that merit a second look and that land you an interview, the goal of all resumes. You can review student resume samples on our resources page.
KEY POINTS
• Tailor your resume to each position.
• Employers are interested in your skills, regardless of how you utilized them. When writing bullet points, strive to include details about challenges you addressed, actions you took, and results. Include numbers whenever possible.
• You do not need to focus only on paid experiences. Unpaid positions can often provide as much, or more, experience than paid work.
• Employers decide in 15-20 seconds, whether or not a resume is of interest. Front-load your resume, putting your most relevant experience in the top third of the page.
• Get feedback before sending out a resume. Career advisors are available for a critique during walk-in hours. See our resources page.
SECTIONS OF A RESUME
• Contact section – name, address, phone, and email
• Education – As an undergraduate or recent graduate, this is always your first section. Include Brown as well as any other higher education experience (study abroad, significant study away in the U.S. experiences) • Experience sections – list/describe experiences most pertinent to the skills needed in a particular position
• Additional skills/interests – include foreign languages, computer skills, fine/performing arts, etc.
What goes in the Experience Sections?
• Within each experience section, list the name of the organization, location (mainly city/state, but if outside the U.S., include the country), your title, and the dates (in months and years) that you performed the work.
• Use action verbs to describe your duties. Rather than saying “responsibilities included organizing” you’ll want to say “organized.” See the list of action verbs on the back of this sheet.
• Use present tense for ongoing activities, past tense for prior experiences.
• Use paragraph format or bullet points to list information. Try both and see what works best for you.
FORMATTING
• Keep it to one page if you are an undergraduate or recent grad. Use white space to make the resume easy to read.
• Use a common font between 10-12 points in size (except for your name, which can be bigger). Times New Roman, Garamond, Arial, and Verdana are all acceptable.
• Format consistently. If you list your title first in one entry in a section, do it the same way for the rest of the listings in that section. Use consistent format across sections to the extent that is practicable.
• Reverse chronology for items within each section, placing your most recent experience first
ACTION VERBS – DESCRIBE YOUR SKILLS!
Research
• Clarified
• Collected
• Critiqued
• Diagnosed
• Evaluated
• Examined
• Extracted
• Identified
• Inspected
• Interpreted
• Interviewed
• Investigated
• Organized
• Reviewed
• Summarized
• Surveyed
• Systematized
• Trained
Clerical/Detail
• Approved
• Arranged
• Catalogued
• Classified
• Collected
• Compiled
• Dispatched
• Executed
• Generated
• Implemented
• Inspected
• Monitored
• Operated
• Organized
• Prepared
• Processed
• Purchased
• Recorded
• Retrieved
• Screened
• Specified
• Systemized
• Tabulated
• Validated
Helping
• Assessed
• Assisted
• Clarified
• Coached
• Counseled
• Demonstrated
• Diagnosed
• Educated
• Expedited
• Facilitated
• Familiarized
• Guided
• Motivated
• Referred
• Rehabilitated
• Represented
Management
• Administered
• Analyzed
• Assigned
• Attained
• Chaired
• Consolidated
• Contracted
• Coordinated
• Delegated
• Developed
• Directed
• Evaluated
• Executed
• Improved
• Increased
• Organized
• Oversaw
• Planned
• Prioritized
• Produced
• Recommended
• Reviewed
• Scheduled
• Strengthened
• Supervised Communication
• Addressed
• Arbitrated
• Arranged
• Authored
• Collaborated
• Convinced
• Corresponded
• Developed
• Directed
• Drafted
• Edited
• Enlisted
• Formulated
• Influenced
• Interpreted
• Lectured
• Mediated
• Moderated
• Negotiated
• Persuaded
• Promoted
• Wrote
• Publicized
• Reconciled
• Recruited
• Translated
Creative
• Acted
• Conceptualized
• Created
• Customized
• Designed
• Developed
• Directed
• Established
• Founded
• Illustrated
• Initiated
• Instituted
• Integrated
• Introduced
• Invented
• Originated
• Performed
• Planned
• Revitalized
• Shaped Teaching
• Adapted
• Advised
• Clarified
• Coached
• Communicated
• Coordinated
• Guided
• Demystified
• Developed
• Enabled
• Encouraged
• Evaluated
• Explained
• Facilitated
• Informed
• Instructed
• Persuaded
• Set goals
• Stimulated
• Trained
Technical
• Assembled
• Built
• Calculated
• Computed
• Designed
• Devised
• Engineered
• Fabricated
• Maintained
• Operated
• Overhauled
• Programmed
• Remodeled
• Repaired
• Solved
• Upgraded Financial
• Administered
• Allocated
• Analyzed
• Appraised
• Audited
• Balanced
• Budgeted
• Calculated
• Computed
• Developed
• Forecasted
• Managed
• Marketed
• Planned
• Projected
• Researched
Start off each line of your resume with an action verb. Actions verbs specify what you know and what you do. Select verbs that precisely identify the relevant skills or experiences you have that match a particular employer needs.
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