EKU Career Services

What is a resume?
“A short account of one's career and qualifications usually prepared by job applicant." In other words, it's a marketing tool for you ‑ a personal advertisement that you create to send to employers that sends the message "HIRE ME".

When do you begin working on your resume (in the big scheme of things)?
It's never too early to begin working on your resume. Begin building your resume during your freshman and sophomore year by gaining experience through part‑time positions, internships, volunteering or working through on‑campus work‑study positions. During your junior year, take on leadership roles and target classes with assignments related to your career goals. If you are in your senior year, be sure to compile information on your resume that is related to your professional goals.

What format should you use when writing your resume?
There is no one, best format to follow for a resume. Because a resume is your personal statement, the format you choose should readily convey your qualifications, skills and experience as it relates to your career field or the position you are applying for.

Chronological ‑ organizing your employment and educational information by date ‑ most recent info listed first, and then go back in time. Chronological is usually a good format for college students and recent grads.

Functional ‑ expanded summary of your professional skills, transferable skills and summary of qualifications. Functional is a good format for candidates changing career fields.

Combination of both ‑ the functional format allows you to list skills that you've learned in the classroom that you want to apply in a professional setting and the chronological format allows you to display your career related experience, including internships and freelance work that will help you get a job after graduation.

Curriculum Vitae - is a common variation of a resume traditionally used by candidates for faculty positions or other positions in higher education. The curriculum vitae concentrates on academic pursuits and gives details about educational background and experiences, publications, committee work, consulting, etc.

What information should your resume include?
Here are the standard suggested categories to highlight on your resume:

Contact Information
Create letterhead for yourself. List your name, street address, city, state, zip code, phone number, email address, and cell phone number (if different from phone number). Be sure to include your permanent and current addresses, if you plan to relocate after graduation.

Objective
Your objective shows you know yourself and your abilities and indicates what kind of position you are seeking. Be specific... what position are you seeking - an internship? A full-time position? In what area - teaching? criminal justice? nursing? What skills are you seeking to utilize? The rest of your resume should support your objective by showing relevant skills, education and experience.

Education
List each educational experience (most recent first) and highlight specific information:

Relevant Experience
The categories highlighting experience are of great importance because employers look for candidates with potential for constant productivity and success. Include specific dates (month/year) and a brief but articulate description of your responsibilities and accomplishments under each position listed. Listing a job description is essential – it gives the employer information regarding your exact responsibilities in the work experience.

We recommend you list the important items first to grab the employer's attention including:

Internship or co‑op experience
Student teaching experience
Volunteer or part‑time experience that relates to your career field

Other Experience
You may also include work experience that does not directly relate to your future career goals to show that you worked consistently while in school. Illustrate how the positions prepared you for the professional world of work. Within the job descriptions you will want to highlight transferable skills including communication/interpersonal skills, time management, teamwork, organizational skills and motivation, analytical and problem solving skills, and computer skills.
When you are writing the “Experience” section of your resume, ask yourself ‑

If you were hiring someone to be a (fill in the blank with your desired position), what would you look for?
What would be the first thing that you would look at on a resume? Education? Experience? Skills?
What will the employer see as your very best qualifications?
Basically, what information markets your strengths the best

Computer Skills
Outline your expertise with hardware, software (i.e., HTML, C++, Visual Basic) and indicate your skill level and experience with specialized programs that relate to your career goals.

Professional Skills and/or Qualifications
To identify skills, look at your experiences ‑‑ volunteer projects, school, work, hobbies, etc. Specific skills pertaining to the position you are seeking should be listed first (i.e. communication skills, foreign language skills, specialized knowledge, etc.) Market your educational experience and course work as your professional skills - what have you learned in your classes that you will be applying as professional skills in a work setting?

Awards/Honors/Activities/Memberships
There are many other categories that you may create that reflect your accomplishments and capabilities. Choose headings that are appropriate. Employers look for candidates with a well-rounded background and the ability to work with a wide variety of people within different environments. Include memberships to professional organizations, honors, and extracurricular activities, as they relate to your long-term goals.

Academic Projects
This category provides an opportunity to include short, descriptive phrases of hands-on projects you completed in classes.

Licenses & Certifications
Include any professional licenses or certifications that you are currently working towards or have already obtained, especially those in education, health sciences, and computer science.

Additional Information
In this category include important, relevant statements not listed elsewhere i.e., international travel experience or geographic preference.

Availability
A brief statement indicating when you can begin employment is helpful to recruiters.

References
Generally references are listed on a separate sheet of paper. Plan to ask faculty members, previous or current employers, or professional contacts to serve as references for you. Three to five references are appropriate. Be sure to obtain their permission before using their name. Be sure to list name, title, company/organization, address, phone, fax, and email address for each reference.

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	What is a resume? “A short account of one's career and qualifications usually prepared by job applicant." In other words, it's a marketing tool for you ‑ a personal advertisement that you create to send to employers that sends the message "HIRE ME". When do you begin working on your resume (in the big scheme of things)? It's never too early to begin working on your resume. Begin building your resume during your freshman and sophomore year by gaining experience through part‑time positions, internships, volunteering or working through on‑campus work‑study positions. During your junior year, take on leadership roles and target classes with assignments related to your career goals. If you are in your senior year, be sure to compile information on your resume that is related to your professional goals. What format should you use when writing your resume? There is no one, best format to follow for a resume. Because a resume is your personal statement, the format you choose should readily convey your qualifications, skills and experience as it relates to your career field or the position you are applying for. **Chronological ‑ organizing your employment and educational information by date ‑ most recent info listed first, and then go back in time. Chronological is usually a good format for college students and recent grads. Functional ‑ expanded summary of your professional skills, transferable skills and summary of qualifications. Functional is a good format for candidates changing career fields. Combination of both ‑ the functional format allows you to list skills that you've learned in the classroom that you want to apply in a professional setting and the chronological format allows you to display your career related experience, including internships and freelance work that will help you get a job after graduation. Curriculum Vitae - is a common variation of a resume traditionally used by candidates for faculty positions or other positions in higher education. The curriculum vitae concentrates on academic pursuits and gives details about educational background and experiences, publications, committee work, consulting, etc. What information should your resume include? Here are the standard suggested categories to highlight on your resume: Contact Information Create letterhead for yourself. List your name, street address, city, state, zip code, phone number, email address, and cell phone number (if different from phone number). Be sure to include your permanent and current addresses, if you plan to relocate after graduation. Objective Your objective shows you know yourself and your abilities and indicates what kind of position you are seeking. Be specific... what position are you seeking - an internship? A full-time position? In what area - teaching? criminal justice? nursing? What skills are you seeking to utilize? The rest of your resume should support your objective by showing relevant skills, education and experience. Education List each educational experience (most recent first) and highlight specific information: College or university; city, state; degree, major and minor; and date of graduation. GPA is optional and can be included if 3.0 or above. Include Dean's List recognition if you have achieved this honor consistently. Note any relevant course work that directly relates to your career goals and objective. Study abroad programs, company-sponsored training programs, and military schools can also be listed. Relevant Experience The categories highlighting experience are of great importance because employers look for candidates with potential for constant productivity and success. Include specific dates (month/year) and a brief but articulate description of your responsibilities and accomplishments under each position listed. Listing a job description is essential – it gives the employer information regarding your exact responsibilities in the work experience. We recommend you list the important items first to grab the employer's attention including: Internship or co‑op experience Student teaching experience Volunteer or part‑time experience that relates to your career field Other Experience** You may also include work experience that does not directly relate to your future career goals to show that you worked consistently while in school. Illustrate how the positions prepared you for the professional world of work. Within the job descriptions you will want to highlight transferable skills including communication/interpersonal skills, time management, teamwork, organizational skills and motivation, analytical and problem solving skills, and computer skills. When you are writing the “Experience” section of your resume, ask yourself ‑ If you were hiring someone to be a (fill in the blank with your desired position), what would you look for? What would be the first thing that you would look at on a resume? Education? Experience? Skills? What will the employer see as your very best qualifications? Basically, what information markets your strengths the best Other Categories for Your Resume Computer Skills Outline your expertise with hardware, software (i.e., HTML, C++, Visual Basic) and indicate your skill level and experience with specialized programs that relate to your career goals. Professional Skills and/or Qualifications To identify skills, look at your experiences ‑‑ volunteer projects, school, work, hobbies, etc. Specific skills pertaining to the position you are seeking should be listed first (i.e. communication skills, foreign language skills, specialized knowledge, etc.) Market your educational experience and course work as your professional skills - what have you learned in your classes that you will be applying as professional skills in a work setting? Awards/Honors/Activities/Memberships There are many other categories that you may create that reflect your accomplishments and capabilities. Choose headings that are appropriate. Employers look for candidates with a well-rounded background and the ability to work with a wide variety of people within different environments. Include memberships to professional organizations, honors, and extracurricular activities, as they relate to your long-term goals. Academic Projects This category provides an opportunity to include short, descriptive phrases of hands-on projects you completed in classes. Licenses & Certifications Include any professional licenses or certifications that you are currently working towards or have already obtained, especially those in education, health sciences, and computer science. Additional Information In this category include important, relevant statements not listed elsewhere i.e., international travel experience or geographic preference. Availability A brief statement indicating when you can begin employment is helpful to recruiters. References Generally references are listed on a separate sheet of paper. Plan to ask faculty members, previous or current employers, or professional contacts to serve as references for you. Three to five references are appropriate. Be sure to obtain their permission before using their name. Be sure to list name, title, company/organization, address, phone, fax, and email address for each reference.