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Resume
A resume is a positive outline or a written summary of your background. 
It should address your qualifications for a job through sections such as education, experience and extracurricular activities. Utilizing these sections, the resume's purpose is to stimulate the interest of an employer and to show how you would be of value to them.

Individual Resume Sections

There is no set order for resume sections. The order of the sections as listed below is a common way to organize your resume but you should use whatever order works best for you.

Heading:
Includes name, address and phone number. If you have a temporary and current address, then list both (include the date you are leaving the temporary address if you know it). FAX and e-mail addresses are also appropriate for this section. 

Objective:
The objective statement is optional but highly recommended. This statement lets the employer know what you are looking for, as well as giving your resume focus. The task is then to support your objective through the rest of the resume. When developing an objective, try to be as specific as possible. "A position as a Market Analyst" is more specific than, "A position in business." It is perfectly fine to have different objectives for different jobs you apply for but don't list two objectives on the same resume. Also, avoid cliches such as "Seeking an entry level position..." or "Desire an interesting position with opportunity for advancement." Be as specific and to the point as possible. If you are unsure about your objective, visit the Career Services Office for help. 

Education:
This section contains a brief history of your educational background. It can include name of school, degree, major, and date graduated. Put your most relevant degree first, and list only those institutions where you have received a degree (unless one is currently in progress). Omit high school information unless it is extremely relevant. Other items that can be added are concentrations, minors, grade point averages, academic honors and awards, or certifications.

Experience:
This section describes any relevant full-time, part-time or summer jobs, as well as internships, research projects and volunteer work. Remember to emphasize duties, responsibilities, accomplishments, skills and abilities related to the position for which you are applying. Use action verbs to start your descriptions (planned, coordinated, supervised...), and try to be specific and concrete with your examples. For instance, an education resume description that is general, e.g. "Created a learning center," can be made much more specific as, "Created a learning center called 'Crazy Colors' to reinforce a unit on rainbows." Don't sell yourself short. Show all the skills, talents and abilities that make you an excellent candidate for employment! 

References:
This section is optional for some positions and employers but with others such as education, it is expected. Also, it provides a nice closing to your resume. References are individuals who have agreed to recommend you to potential employers. It is acceptable to use the phrases "Available Upon Request" or "Furnished Upon Request" under this heading, which serves to inform the employer that you possess references. If you decide to list references, list them on a separate sheet from your resume information. 


Optional Headings or Sections

Relevant Coursework:
This can be a separate section or merely listed in your education section. The relevant coursework section supports your objective through coursework that directly relates to the position you are seeking. This can be an effective section if you do not have much work experience to back up your objective. 

Special Projects:
This area is many times overlooked since it often is a part of one's college curriculum. However, if it relates to your objective, this is an excellent way of demonstrating accomplishments and experience. This can be a separate section or listed under your education heading. Make sure to describe well. 

Skills:
These are skills that relate directly to your objective. A good example is "computer skills," which is relevant in just about every area. Other examples include a foreign language, specialized training or experience with various equipment. 

Activities:
The activities section can include many items, such as relevant clubs, intramurals, student organizations or volunteer work. Include offices held, and if directly related to your objective, descriptions of your responsibilities and accomplishments. The activities section is often located near the bottom of the resume. 

Honors and Awards:
If you possess more than one of these, you can create a section to highlight them. Of course, they should apply to your objective. 

Professional Affiliations:
This includes any membership in a relevant professional organization. If you are still a year away from graduating and are not yet a member of a professional organization, you might consider joining one related to your career goal. 


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Using Action Verbs
Action Verb Tips
Make sure your statements are specific. For example, "Taught lesson plans" is not as descriptive as, "Developed and taught a unit on fractions utilizing hands-on activities."Vary your action verbs. Do not start each sentence with the same verb.Concentrate on describing all relevant experience thoroughly.Don't start descriptions with "I."Use present tense verbs when you are still presently at a position and past tense verbs for past experiences.

When describing prior job experience or relevant skills on your resume, it is important to use statements that fully support your job objective. The use of action verb statements is a highly effective resume writing technique to emphasize the strengths and qualifications you possess. Remember, don't sell yourself short. Use the following information to showcase your talents.

To begin building your action verb statements, write down your experiences in complete sentences starting with the pronoun "I." For instance, a statement might read, "I created a display for a promotional event." Now drop the "I" and begin the statement with an action verb. The above statement may now read, "Created a display titled "Stay Healthy" to promote National Wellness Week." Other examples of action statements are:

  • "Supervised and trained a staff of 10."
  • "Facilitated a field trip to Yellowstone National Park."
  • "Reorganized filing system resulting in quicker and more efficient operation."
  • "Coordinated publication and distribution of a weekly newsletter for students."
  • "Participated in parent/teacher conferences."
  • "Managed the budget for all operations and prepared monthly reports.

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Frequently Used Action Verbs

We know how it is...you've thought about what points you want to get across to employers. Mentally, you've planned in detail your skills list and various noteworthy accomplishments. Then, you start to work on your resume and... nothing. You go completely blank. The following list of commonly used action verbs may be just what you need to get the ball rolling.

Accomplished Designed  Installed Provided
Achieved Determined  Instigated Purchased
Acquired Developed  Instituted  Raised
Added Devised  Instructed Received
Adjusted Directed Insured Recorded
Administered Displayed  Interpreted Recruited
Advised Distributed Introduced Reduced
Altered Documented Invented Reorganized
Analyzed Edited Investigated Researched
Anticipated Effected  Lowered Reshaped
Approved Eliminated Maintained Revamped
Arranged Enlarged  Managed Reviewed
Awarded  Equipped Moderated Revised
Built Established Modified Saved
Catalogued Evaluated Monitored Scheduled
Chaired Examined Motivated Secured
Collected Expanded Negotiated Selected
Combined Followed Notified Sold
Compiled Formulated Opened Solicited
Completed  Generated Operated Sorted
Conceived Governed Ordered Standardized
Condensed Grouped Organized Started
Conducted Guided Originated Strengthened
Constructed Handled Oversaw Succeeded
Contributed  Harmonized Participated Supervised
Controlled Illustrated Performed Surveyed
Coordinated Implemented Planned Systemized
Converted Improved Prepared Taught
Counseled  Incorporated Presented Tested
Created Increased Presided Trained
Decreased Indexed Processed Transferred
Delegated Individualized Produced Upgraded
Delivered Initiated Programmed Utilized
Demonstrated Inspected Promoted Wrote

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  The Career Services Office encourages students to set up an appointment with a Career Services staff member to go over their resume.

 

 

USCA OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES TERMS/CONDITIONS
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