Getting Started

You will need to construct a resume at some point in your life, whether applying for an internship or a full-time job. A well-designed resume will help you:

• Initiate contact with a potential employer.
• Communicate your relevant qualifications and strengths.
• Provide information to personal and professional contacts who will write letters of recommendation or make phone calls on your behalf.
• Demonstrate your ability to write well, pay attention to detail, and present information in an organized and concise manner.
  

Since a resume highlights your relevant qualifications, it will consist of several sections. Most resumes contain the following sections:

• name and contact information
• education
• experience (paid or unpaid)
• activities
• skills (foreign languages, technical).
  

Other sections may include publications, awards and honors, and presentations. Include these sections if you have more than one such item or if specifically asked by the employer.

Employers spend an average of thirty seconds initially scanning resumes. Presentation, if not clear, can stand in the way of your content. Keep the following in mind when producing your final copies:

• Choose a high-quality font.
• Print your resume on a laser printer.
• Select heavy bond paper in a neutral color: white, off-white, ivory, pale gray.
• Use standard 8 1/2" x 11" letter size paper.
• Use spacing, bullets, bold type, and italics to highlight key information.
• Keep the resume to one page. Margins can be as small as ½ inch all around and your font size should be 10-12 points