Writing an Effective Resume
What is the purpose of the resume?
The goal of your resume is to get an interview. For this reason, you want your resume to highlight the aspects
of your experience that are most transferable to the opportunity you want.
A resume provides a summary of your skills, abilities and accomplishments. A resume is used for a variety of
reasons (part time job, internship, scholarship, graduate school, or full time employment) and because
applications vary, your resume must be tailored based on the specific purpose. Your resume should generate
interest, resulting in an interview. It must also be carefully written and critiqued.
TARGETING YOUR RESUME. It’s a good idea to have a long version of your resume that you save on your
computer that you can pull from each time you apply for an opportunity. By having this longer document, you
can then determine which information should be used for the particular position. Class projects, work
experiences (even from high school), campus involvement, volunteer work, and entrepreneurial projects could
potentially be needed for future resumes you are building. Focus on how the transferable skills you have
obtained, even from jobs you think are unrelated, actually do relate to the positon you want.
HEADING: Your heading is your personal letterhead and can also be used on your cover letter. have freedom
in the way you format (left aligned or centered on the page) and the text (font and size) – just keep it
professional. Always include your phone number with area code and e-mail address. Most will include
complete mailing address or the location where you are searching for work and intend to relocate. You may
include links to personal your website, blog, LinkedIn profile as long as your content is appropriate (in content
and quality) for employers to view.
EDUCATION: Include name of school, degree or certificate earned or pursuing major area of study and
graduation or expected graduation date (month year). You may include GPA, academic projects, relevant
coursework, study abroad, and/or continuing education in your field. You may include certifications, licenses or
teaching credentials.
EXPERIENCE: Include the name of company or organization (unless self-employed), your title, the location (city,
state) and dates of involvement (month year – month year OR month year – Present). Use action verbs to
describe your duties and accomplishments. List history and dates in reverse chronological order (your current or
most recent work or activity first) within experience categories.
Briefly describe primary duties in a way that shows significance and skill development. Focus on transferable
skills you will use again rather than specific duties that may not be part of a future job.
CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT/ VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE: List organizations you belong to. You may develop
into detailed experiences by including offices you held and accomplishments or just list the name of the
organization and include dates of involvement.
CREATING EXPERIENCE CATEGORIES. Additional categories might include class projects, related
experience, relevant course work, research experience, leadership experience, presentations, and publications.
Consider separating your experiences to strategically place your most relevant experiences higher on the page
by using headings such as “related experience” and “work experience.”
REFERENCES. References should go on a separate page that also includes the heading you used for your
resume. Include contact information for at least 3 people that have said they would be willing to speak on your
behalf. They should personally know about your work ethic and ability to be successful in a future position.
Avoid putting “references available upon request” at the end of your resume – it takes up space and is
Macon Campus: Student Life Center, Suite 261 478-471-2714
Cochran Campus: Sanford Hall, Suite 112 | 478-934.3110
careerservic[email protected]
| mga.edu/ccld
Visit mga.joinhandshake.com to find jobs & internships
Resume Checklist
Overall Appearance and Content
__ Makes an immediate favorable impression;
easy to read
__ Avoids using templates you find online –
they are hard to update and look generic
__ Looks appropriate for profession
__ Separates info into categories for easy reading
__ Makes efficient use of space
__ Appropriately uses bold, underlining, etc.
__ Not more than 2 pages in length
__ Makes every word count.
__ Supports and substantiates objective
__ Does not use full sentences (no “I” statements).
__ Free from grammatical, spelling, & punctuation errors
__ Mentions technical, computer, or language skills
__ If distributed in person, printed on high quality
resume paper
Contact Information
__ Is clearly presented at top of page
__ Includes one telephone number(s)
__ Includes one email address that looks professional
__ Includes current address or desired relocation city
Objective (optional)
__ Is clearly stated and conveys purpose
__ Is reasonably short (1-3 lines)
__ Is related to position applied or states the job title
Special Sections (may vary by major/field)
__ Skills – focus on hard skills - technical, lab, tools,
equipment, etc.
__ Certifications - common for those with flight hours,
state boards
__ Licensure or Certification Assessments – list licensure
received or list tests completed
and scheduled (included dates) for license requirements
Organization
__ Organizes categories so strongest qualifications
listed first, consistent format throughout
__ Related information organized together in categories
__ No references listed on main resume
Education Section
__ Includes degree(s), major and institution
__ Includes graduation date.
__ GPA is included if over 3.0
__ Includes relevant coursework (no course
numbers), if applicable
__ Includes Study Abroad, if applicable
__ Includes 1 or 2 significant honors (could be a
separate section)
Experience Section
__ Includes job title
__ States employer name & location (city, state)
__ Includes dates for each experience
__ Listed in reverse chronological order within
sections
__ Uses concise phrases starting with action verbs
__ Descriptions detail skills, accomplishments and
results rather than duties
Leadership/Activities/Honors
__ Shows well roundedness
__ Choose most significant involvement and honors
that you could elaborate on in an interview
__ Emphasizes/describes leadership roles
__ List significant scholarships
__ For significant leadership roles, consider a
separate category entitled “Leadership” where
you describe experiences as you would a job
Submitting the Resume & Cover Letter
• #1 Tip – Follow the directions that the employer has
provided with their job - each organization will
accept these materials differently
• If an email address is provided, send a professionally
written email with the resume and cover letter attached,
both saved as PDFs.
• If the employer takes resumes through a web-based
application, you will most likely upload the resume and
cover letter as well as other materials such as
references.
• Both humans and computers reading resumes look for
key words from the job description.
• Employers may also ask for an application. If you’re
unsure of whether to provide an application or a
resume, it’s best to provide both.
Macon Campus: Student Life Center, Suite 261 478-471-2714
Cochran Campus: Sanford Hall, Suite 112 | 478-934.3110
careerservic[email protected]
| mga.edu/ccld
Visit mga.joinhandshake.com to find jobs & internships
RESUME ACTION VERBS
When describing your experiences, start each bulleted phrase with a strong action verb to demonstrate a specific skill. Avoid
starting your phrases with the words “responsible for.” Instead, you want to provide the reader with a visual of how you acted on
the job. Use the words listed to create a clear picture of your experiences.
Management /
Leadership Skills
• assigned
• attained
• chaired
• collaborated
• consolidated
• contracted
• cooperated
• coordinated
• delegated
• directed
• enforced
• enlisted
• executed
• expedited
• facilitated
• governed
• improved
• increased
• initiated
• inspired
• led
• listened
• managed
• mediated
• motivated
• oversaw
• planned
• prioritized
• produced
• recommended
• represented
• reviewed
• revitalized
• scheduled
• shaped
• strategized
• strengthened
• spearheaded
• supervised
Communication Skills
• addressed
• arbitrated
• authored
• clarified
• conveyed
• convinced
• corresponded
• directed
• drafted
• edited
• explained
• formulated
• influenced
• informed
• interpreted
• interviewed
• lectured
• mediated
• moderated
• negotiated
• persuaded
• promoted
• publicized
• reconciled
• recruited
• reported
• summarized
• translated
Research Skills
• analyzed
• calculated
• collected
• compared
• conducted
• critiqued
• defined
• evaluated
• examined
• extracted
• forecasted
• formulated
• gathered
• identified
• inspected
• predicted
• quantified
• reviewed
• summarized
• surveyed
• systematized
• tested
Technical Skills
• analyzed
• assembled
• built
• calculated
• computed
• constructed
• designed
• devised
• engineered
• fabricated
• located
• maintained
• modified
• operated
• overhauled
• programmed
• remodeled
• repaired
• solved
• supplied
• upgraded
Teaching Skills
• adapted
• advised
• coached
• communicated
• coordinated
• demonstrated
• developed
• enabled
• encouraged
• evaluated
• explained
• facilitated
• guided
• informed
• instructed
• persuaded
• set goals
• stimulated
• trained
Financial Skills
• administered
• allocated
• analyzed
• appraised
• audited
• balanced
• budgeted
• calculated
• computed
• developed
• forecasted
• marketed
• planned
• projected
Creative / Design Skills
• acted
• built
• choreographed
• composed
• conceptualized
• created
• customized
• designed
• directed
• entertained
• established
• fashioned
• founded
• illustrated
• incorporated
• instituted
• integrated
• introduced
• invented
• originated
• performed
• photographed
• planned
• revitalized
• shaped
Helping Skills
• administered
• assessed
• assisted
• clarified
• coached
• communicated
• coordinated
• counseled
• demonstrated
• diagnosed
• dispensed
• educated
• evaluated
• expedited
• facilitated
• familiarized
• guided
• monitored
• motivated
• operated
• performed
• recorded
• referred
• rehabilitated
• represented
Clerical / Detail Skills
• approved
• arranged
• catalogued
• classified
• collected
• compiled
• dispatched
• executed
• generated
• implemented
• inspected
• monitored
• operated
• organized
• prepared
• processed
• purchased
• recorded
• retrieved
• screened
• specified
• systematized
• tabulated
• validated
Resume Planning Worksheet
Use this worksheet to brainstorm your experiences. When you’re ready to write your resume, include the information that best fits
your objective and shows the skills required for the job.
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:
first name, middle initial, last name
telephone number, e-mail address
address to use for applications
OBJECTIVE
Examples: A (An) x position utilizing my x, y, and z skills OR A position in x field that would provide experience for insert future
oriented goal
EDUCATION (list GC first. If you completed a significant amount of coursework or received a degree from another college, list
it second. High school information is not needed and should not be used beyond the freshman year).
college, city, state
Degree (B.A., B.S., B.S.N., A.S. etc) Month & year to be received
major(s), minor(s), concentration(s)
grade point average (if above a 3.0)
related course work (maximum of 6 classes; only if applicable to objective and when you may not have related work experience)
EXPERIENCE
(volunteer or paid. List most recent experience first.)
title, name of organization, city, state, and dates of employment
leading with an action verb, describe a responsibility, duty, accomplishment, or acquired skill.
leading with a strong action verb, describe another responsibility, duty, accomplishment, or acquired skill.
leading with a strong action verb, describe another responsibility, duty, accomplishment, or acquired skill.
title, name of organization, city, state, and dates of employment
leading with an action verb, describe a responsibility, duty, accomplishment, or acquired skill.
leading with a strong action verb, describe another responsibility, duty, accomplishment, or acquired skill.
leading with a strong action verb, describe another responsibility, duty, accomplishment, or acquired skill.
title, name of organization, city, state, and dates of employment
leading with an action verb, describe a responsibility, duty, accomplishment, or acquired skill.
leading with a strong action verb, describe another responsibility, duty, accomplishment, or acquired skill.
Macon Campus: Student Life Center, Suite 261 478-471-2714
Cochran Campus: Sanford Hall, Suite 112 | 478-934.3110
careerservic[email protected]
| mga.edu/ccld
Visit mga.joinhandshake.com to find jobs & internships
leading with a strong action verb, describe another responsibility, duty, accomplishment, or acquired skill.
SKILLS (Specify computer languages or special skills, including working knowledge, proficiency, or fluency
in languages other than English. This information can be used in a skills section at the bottom of your resume or a summary of
qualifications section between the objective and education. This should not be a list of soft skills.)
LEADERSHIP/ACTIVITIES (List leadership positions, memberships or affiliations. Be sure to include the Sorority LLLC
program as one of the areas you describe. You may include HS activities until you take on new leadership roles in college.)
name of organization, title or position (if applicable)
If you held a leadership role, describe accomplishments, duties, responsibilities, and acquired skills
name of organization, title or position (if applicable)
If you held a leadership role, describe accomplishments, duties, responsibilities, and acquired skills
HONORS AND AWARDS (List honors toward the end of a resume, focusing on those that may be significant for your field of study
or shows mastery of a valued transferable skill.)
name of honor or award, date received
name of honor or award, date received
name of honor or award, date received
INTERESTS (only list interests if they would be important to the employer and the field. For instance, photography would be useful
for someone in the public relations field)
_______________________________________________________________
OTHER ACCOMPLISHEMENTS (List any additional information that may fit into a new or previously listed category. Areas to
consider: presentations, research projects, community service, study abroad, military, etc)
PRESENTATIONS
RESEARCH/CLASS PROJECTS
COMMUNITY SERVICE
STUDY ABROAD
MILITARY
ADDITIONAL
