Tips on Résumé Writing

We are frequently asked to comment on or give suggestions regarding résumés relating to format and content

First, a résumé is a very personal document reflecting the person as an individual and should not be a "cookie cutter" résumé.

It should include:

• Name at the top
• Contact information--top left margin
• Personal information--top right margin
• Career objective--one paragraph, two sentences, or summary
• Professional skills--3, 4 or 5 one sentence paragraphs
• Education--include professional designations
• Employment Experience:
• dates (including months) left margin; company (briefly note company's or division of company's principal business)
• title; title of person(s) to whom you reported; dotted line as well as direct line; titles of persons reporting to you
• duties and responsibilities (four to eight)
• achievements (two to four)
• (The above format should be followed for each position within an organization as well as for different companies)
• Training--courses or training of short duration
• Affiliations--professional activities relating to education or employment interests
• References--available upon request

Résumés should:

• be in point form with indentations for ease of reading
• have individuals name at the top of each page
• have pages numbered
• be written to include functions, technology and industry or product orientation
• be no longer than four pages, excluding addendums