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Typical Resume Formats

Chronological

This type of resume places emphasis on your most recent jobs and accomplishments.  This is arranged beginning with your most recent experience and ending with the least recent experience.

Use this format if:  1) Your most recent education or work experience is related to your career goal; 2) your work history shows a logical progression toward your current career objective; or 3) you have a stable work history with few or no gaps.

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Functional

This style highlights your skills and achievements as opposed to job titles and dates.  Typical functional categories include skill areas such as Administrative, Service, Supervisory, Communications, Financial, Training, Interpersonal, Creative, Public Relations, Sales, Language and Computer.

Use this format if: 1) your work history is inconsistent; or 2) you are changing careers.   Most students and young professionals do NOT use this format.

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Combination

With this format, you adapt your resume to each industry or organization which you are targeting for employment.  This format highlights your capabilities in relation to that specific industry, organization or job.

Use this format if: 1) you want the reader to focus on only your education and work experience that helped prepare you for their specific job; 2) you want to emphasize some past experience that is relevant to your career objective, or  3) you'd rather de-emphasize your most recent experience, which is not so relevant.

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Skill Statements

Provide a concise description of the job/activity/volunteer experience that clearly highlights relevant skills.  This can be in brief paragraph format or with concise bulleted statements. 

Common Guidelines

• Do NOT use personal pronouns.
• Use power verbs, action verbs and qualifying adjectives.  If it's a present job, use present-tense verbs; if it's a past job, use past-tense verbs.
• Quantify when possible - use numbers (%, $, etc.).
• Describe your experience as it relates to the position or field of interest.
• Apply writing formula: Action Verb + Skill/Task = Result

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Action Words

Management Skill Verbs:
Allocated, Determined, Directed, Elected, Enlisted, Formed, Founded, Governed, Hired, Influenced, Initiated, Inspired, Instituted, Led, Managed, Moderated, Motivated, Operated, Oversaw, Pioneered, Presided, Produced, Recruited, Represented, Selected, Spearheaded, Sponsored, Staged, Started, Supervised, Trained

Organizational Skill Verbs:
Arranged, Assembled, Collected, Centralized, Coordinated, Catalogued, Distributed, Disseminated, Enforced, Executed, Expedited, Formalized, Generated, Implemented, Installed, Maintained, Monitored, Organized, Performed, Planned, Prepared, Processed, Routed, Recorded, Reorganized, Scheduled, Streamlined, Updated

Communication Skill Verbs:
Acquainted, Apprised, Answered, Briefed, Conducted, Contacted, Delegated, Demonstrated, Drafted, Educated, Explained, Familiarized, Handled, Informed, Instructed, Introduced, Lectured, Listened, Presented, Reported, Responded, Revised, Rewrote, Spoke, Summarized, Taught, Trained, Translated, Wrote

Analytical Skill Verbs:
Analyzed, Assessed, Audited, Compiled, Consulted, Detected, Discovered, Documented, Edited, Evaluated, Examined, Gathered, Identified, Interpreted, Interviewed, Investigated, Researched, Searched, Surveyed, Tested

Helping Skill Verbs:
Advised, Aided, Attended, Assisted, Coached, Collaborated, Contributed, Counseled, Comforted, Facilitated, Fostered, Guided, Helped, Instilled, Mentored, Provided, Settled, Supported, Tutored, Treated

Selling/Marketing Skill Verbs:
Arbitrated, Convinced, Dissuaded, Encouraged, Marketed, Mediated, Negotiated, Persuaded, Promoted, Publicized, Recruited, Resolved, Sold, Secured, Solicited

Financial Skills:
Accounted for, Adjusted, Allocated, Audited, Authorized, Balanced, Budgeted, Calculated, Collected, Compiled, Controlled, Decreased, Diversified, Financed, Forecasted, Grossed, Increased, Reconciled, Recorded, Reduced, Tabulated, Totaled, Tracked

Creative Skill Verbs:
Authored, Conceived, Conceptualized, Created, Composed, Designed, Developed, Devised, Established, Invented, Originated, Revolutionized

Additional Power Verbs:
Adapted, Attained, Augmented, Awarded, Boosted, Broadened, Built, Calculated, Catered, Decreased, Developed, Ensured, Eliminated, Exceeded, Excelled, Expanded, Expedited,  Gained, Generated, Improved, Increased, Launched, Mastered, Modernized, Published, Raised, Reconciled, Reduced, Revamped, Reviewed, Revitalized, Saved, Strengthened, Supplemented, Supported, Tended, Utilized

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Resume Critique Opportunities 

Resume Rush Events:

Resume Rush occurs 1-2 weeks prior to each semester’s career fair and provides students with walk-up resume reviews in 15 minute increments. Students are asked to bring draft resumes in paper or electronic formats. Career Education & Development team members, campus partners and employer partners serve as reviews for this event.

Workshops/Events:

Career Education & Development offers in-person, virtual and hybrid workshops throughout each semester. We strive to offer during a variety of days of the week and hours throughout the day such as:

• Career Ambassador Reviews 
• CED Advisor 1:1 appointment through OspreyNavigate

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I have more than 1 version of my resume?

It is common to have a few different resumes, all ready for use.  One may be geared toward a job in marketing, while another may be better for a legal assistant position.  Know that your resume should be tailored for the type of position you seek to pursue.  Subtle differences can create a distinctive resume and one that highlights the skills and experiences you have which are most relevant to the available job or internship.

Should I have more than a 1-page resume?

While a one-page resume is generally preferred for most college students, a two-page resume can be acceptable if they have substantial relevant experience, like multiple internships, leadership roles, or extensive volunteer work that can't be effectively summarized on one page; however, always consider the specific job requirements and aim to keep it concise and focused. 

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