Resume Guide
2
As long as you are aspiring to
professional advancement, your
resume is a work in progress.
hile there are some basic rules (spellcheck is a must!)
and standard practices to resume writing, it is largely a
personal undertaking. We encourage you to take a holistic
approach to creating your resume, considering your
unique set of experiences in relation to the types of roles
to which you aspire. In other words, think of your resume
as a marketing tool that demonstrates how a product
(you) meets the needs of a potential customer (employer).
This Resume Guide is designed for both the novice
resume writer and the more seasoned candidate. Follow
the basic principles, adding in advanced components
when appropriate.
New to resume writing Introductory Resume
Worksheet
3
Adding new items and
trying to cut old ones
Advanced Resume
Worksheet
4
Shifting career
directions
Crafting Your
Descriptions
5
Know that resume writing can be complex and take several
tries to master.
Save PDF and .txt versions of your resume. Keep prior
versions of your resume for reference.
Do not fear changing directions. You can reposition any
experience by focusing on Transferable Skills.
Ask for feedback from a Peer Career Adviser or schedule an
appointment with a career adviser in Handshake.
Typically resumes should be one page. However,
for graduate school, fellowship, and non-corporate
applications, it is acceptable to extend to two pages with
a signicant amount of aligned experience.
1
3
2
4
Look at job descriptions carefully. If certain keywords,
skills, or traits keep popping up, check that they are
reected in your resume in your own words.
Experience comes not only from internships and jobs
but from campus activities, class projects and volunteer
work as well. There is value – what employers call
transferable skills – in all you do as a Princeton student.
Readers only know what you tell them. Include concise
yet detailed Action-Oriented Accomplishment
Statements to pique a reader’s interest.
Demonstrate skills through your bullet points in addition
to listing them in a “Skills” section.
Think ahead to the interview. Make sure the content
you’d talk about is well-represented in your resume.
Consider the context for which you’re using your resume
and adjust content, headers and details to match the specic
job/internship posting, scholarship application, career fair/
Meetup or other opportunity.
Note differences in style, tone, keywords and content across
industries and around the globe.
Distinguish yourself from other Princeton students by
detailing your individual role and unique impact, especially
when several students may have the same experience (e.g.,
RCA, McGraw Center Tutor).
Do not include personal information like age, Social Security
number, marital status, religion or parents’ occupations.
Do you need a CV or resume? In the U.S., a CV is used
primarily for admission to – or roles in – academia. It is a type
of resume with an in-depth focus on research, presentations,
academic awards, and/or publications.
Typically resumes should be one page. However, for
graduate school, fellowship, and non-corporate applications,
it is acceptable to extend to two pages with a signicant
amount of aligned experience.
The document should be written
with the reader in mind
Your resume’s job is to get you
an interview.
Use bullet points instead of paragraphs. Avoid pronouns
(I, we) and minimize the use of articles (a, an, the).
Use CAPS, bold fonts, and line spacing to distinguish
between sections.
Set the margins between 0.75” and 1” (ideal) and no
less than 0.5”.
Use consistent font styles and sizes (10-12pt) throughout
the document.
Save space by leaving off your mailing address. Your
phone number and email sufce.
List content in reverse chronological order in each
section of your resume.
Your resume should be easy to scan
and digest in 15-30 seconds.
Basic Principles of Resume Writing
W
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
If you are... Start with the...
On Page...
3
Introductory Resume Worksheet
This worksheet is meant as a guide – not a template – for new resume writers.
Do not feel compelled to ll in every blank or section, just focus on those that reect your experience.
Firstname M. Lastname
[email protected] | _ _ _ - _ _ _ - _ _ _ _
EDUCATION
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ Expected Grad Month YYYY
A.B. (or B.S.E.) in Intended Concentration and Certicate
Relevant Coursework: ___________________, _____________________, ____________________
Bridge Year, Location Month YYYY - Month YYYY
Information if you attended a program or completed classes
Prior College or High School, Location Grad Month YYYY
Relevant Coursework: ____________________, _____________________, ___________________
Awards: ________________________, __________________________, ______________________
EXPERIENCE
Title or Role, Organization, Location Month YYYY - Present
List the most recent/current experience rst
Consider formal and informal jobs, volunteer work and community activities
Start bullet points with action verbs, providing context using quantitative and qualitative terms, and
demonstrating the end result to show the value of your contributions
Quantify bullet points with information like number of people involved or time spent on a project
Title or Role, Organization, Location Month YYYY - Month YYYY
Use past tense action verbs for experiences that have ended
Describe the scope/pace of the work and your level of responsibility
Convey how you contributed, what you accomplished and the results of your efforts
ACTIVITIES
Title or Role, Organization, Location Month YYYY - Present
Can include athletic, academic, performance, professional or social activities
Consider a separate “Leadership” section for roles with signicant decision-making responsibility
SKILLS
Languages: Multilingual abilities (Fluent in Spanish), separate from programming (Procient in C++)
Certications: Examples: CPR, Wildlife First Responder, Gold Award/Eagle Scout, technical training
Technology: Software applications, hardware, and other tools relevant to your eld(s) of interest
Additional Subcategories: Examples: Social Media, Laboratory, Business and Innovation/Design
INTERESTS
Anything from timpani to Tough Mudder, from modern art to mountain climbing! This is an opportunity to convey
personality and perseverance, especially if these interests showcase skills and talents not otherwise evident on your
resume.
Ready to start writing? See page 5 for tips on Crafting Your Descriptions!
4
Advanced Resume Worksheet
This page is meant as a guide – not a formal template – for students with more experience.
The order and content of the categories used should reect your experience and target audience.
Firstname M. Lastname
[email protected] | _ _ _ - _ _ _ - _ _ _ _
EDUCATION
Princeton University Grad Month YYYY
A.B. (or B.S.E.) in Intended Concentration and Certicate [Cumulative or Concentration] GPA: [If 3.0+]
Relevant Coursework: ____________________, _______________________, ____________________,
___________________________, _____________________________, ____________________________
Prior College, Study Abroad, Summer Coursework, Bridge Year, and/or High School Month YYYY
Activities: _________________________, __________________________, ________________________
Awards: _________________________, __________________________, ________________________
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Senior Thesis: Title, Adviser Month YYYY - Month YYYY
Place more or less emphasis on this section of resume depending on target audience
Frame content around research questions, lit review, methodology and ndings for research roles
Focus on process of/context around conducting independent research if applying to non-research roles
Junior Independent Work: Title, Adviser Month YYYY - Month YYYY
Consider reader when choosing to include technical details, scientic terms or eld-specic language
EXPERIENCE
Title or Role, Organization, Location Month YYYY - Present
Can opt for specic header(s), like Healthcare Experience, Design Experience, Technical Experience
List the most recent/current experience rst
Consider formal and informal jobs, volunteer work and community activities
Start bullet points with action verbs, providing context using quantitative and qualitative terms, and demonstrating
end result to show the value of your contributions
Title or Role, Organization, Location Month YYYY – Present
Use past tense action verbs for experiences that have ended
Describe the scope/pace of the work and your level of responsibility
Convey how you contributed, what you accomplished and the results of your efforts
LEADERSHIP ROLES
Title or Role, Organization, Location Month YYYY – Present
Can include athletic, academic, performance, professional, or social activities
Consider roles in which you held signicant decision-making responsibility
Title or Role, Organization, Location Month YYYY – Present
Quantify bullet points with info like number of people involved or how much time spent on a project
ACTIVITIES
Princeternship/shadowing, professional organizations or other activities aligned with career path
Social clubs, sports teams, performance groups, etc., not listed in Leadership Roles section
SKILLS
Languages: Multilingual abilities (e.g., Fluent in Spanish) or computer programming (e.g., Procient in C++)
Certications: Examples: CPR, Wildlife First Responder, Gold Award/Eagle Scout, technical training
Technology: Condense/expand list as needed based on your particular skills and eld(s) of interest
Additional Subcategories: Examples: Social Media, Laboratory, Business and Innovation/Design
Ready to start writing? See page 5 for tips on Crafting Your Descriptions!
5
CRAFTING YOUR DESCRIPTIONS
Adapted from South Dakota State University Ofce of Career Development; includes content from
http://artsbridge.com/how-can-a-theatre-major-prepare-you-for-success/
Students often lament a perceived lack of experience, struggle to make connections between their experiences and what
is required in a job description or worry about how experiences in one realm (e.g., independent research) translate into
another (e.g., an industry internship). To allay those fears, use this three-step worksheet to (1) identify your transferable skills
or the skills listed in a specic job description (2) note where those skills were learned/developed, and (3) turn these general
concepts into Action-Oriented Accomplishment Statements.
Step 1: Identify your transferable skills
Place a check mark next to each skill you possess. Think about all settings in which you may have used/developed each skill.
Then, circle the ones you consider to be your top 10.
Writing clearly and concisely
Listening attentively
Expressing ideas
Using media to present ideas
Reporting information
Public speaking
Making presentations
Describing feelings
Improvising
Doing more with less
Appreciating diversity
Providing accurate descriptions
Anticipating potential problems
Dening problems and possible
causes
Identifying and selecting solutions
Creating innovative approaches
Involving group members in
problem-solving
Developing plans to implement
solutions
Establishing general principles
Teaching/training others
Solving problems/mediating
Implementing sound decisions
Forecasting/predicting
Designing an experiment
Imagining alternatives
Identifying resources
Extracting important information
Dening needs
Development strategies
Formulating conclusions
Conceptualizing ideas
Observing and discovering
Analyzing information
Presenting ndings
Learning new tools/techniques
Setting and meeting deadlines
Accepting responsibility
Enlisting help
Editing/proong
Negotiating/persuading
Seeking opportunities for
professional growth
Taking initiative
Managing time and stress
Responding well to feedback
Remaining calm under pressure
Managing and supervising groups
Delegating responsibility
Promoting and adapting to change
Prioritizing tasks
Identifying areas for improvement
Facilitating meetings
Coaching/mentoring/counseling
Evaluating progress
Giving praise and credit
Setting and accomplishing goals
Eliciting input and providing
feedback
Communication & Creativity
Problem-Solving
Leadership
Research General Work
Teamwork
Generating and initiating ideas
Making decisions with others
Respecting others
Developing rapport
Sharing credit/cooperation
Interacting effectively
Collaborating in diverse or
multicultural environment
Meeting team expectations
Perceiving feelings, situations
Listening to others
6
Step 2: Brainstorm examples of how you used each skill
Use this template to list your top 10 skills in the far-left column, then note the place(s) where you demonstrated each skill.
Do not sweat the details here, you’ll get to that in Step 3. Although the example below illustrates a skill in use across all
three
categories, some of your specific skills may have only be used on one or two.
Step 3: Bring it all together with an accomplishment statement
Turn these general concepts into bullet points on your resume. You can ACE this part of resume-writing by starting with an
Action Verb to show you did something, providing the Context for that action using quantitative and qualitative terms and
then demonstrating the End Result of your actions to show the value of your contributions.
Example:
Public speaking
End of summer presentation
to department staff
Group presentation in class
last semester
Submitted proposal for
campus-wide event
Transferable Skill
Employment &
Internship Experiences
Course Projects
& Research
Campus and Community
Activities
Example:
Pitched
idea for a “Princeton Popcorn” night to
the Undergraduate Student Government
and ultimately created an event which attracted
300+ attendees to a 2-day student-run lm festival.
Action Verb Context
End Result
7
Showcasing what you’ve done and why it mattered is the best way to ACE resume writing! Start with an Action Verb to show
you did something. Then provide the Context for that action using quantitative and qualitative terms. Lastly, demonstrate the
End Result of your actions to show the value of your contributions!
Sample Accomplishment Statements
Allocated $1,500 budget to promote annual National Coming Out Day rally, increasing participation 25% over previous year.
Coordinated three fundraising events for local shelters, raising $8,000 and greatly improving community awareness.
Collaborated with a partner to formalize a 400-page training curriculum, creating a structure that made the progression of
material clear and logical.
Management
& Leadership
administered
appointed
approved
assigned
attained
authorized
chaired
consolidated
controlled
coordinated
decided
delegated
directed
eliminated
emphasized
enforced
enhanced
executed
handled
headed
hired
hosted
increased
instituted
led
managed
merged
overhauled
oversaw
planned
prioritized
produced
recommended
streamlined
strengthened
supervised
Communication
addressed
advertised
articulated
authored
claried
communicated
composed
condensed
conferred
consulted
contacted
conveyed
convinced
corresponded
dened
described
discussed
drafted
edited
elicited
enlisted
expressed
inuenced
informed
instructed
interacted
interviewed
joined
judged
listened
mediated
moderated
motivated
negotiated
observed
outlined
persuaded
presented
promoted
proposed
publicized
recruited
reinforced
reported
responded
solicited
specied
suggested
synthesized
translated
wrote
Research
analyzed
compared
conducted
critiqued
detected
determined
diagnosed
evaluated
examined
experimented
explored
extracted
formulated
gathered
identied
inspected
interpreted
investigated
located
measured
researched
searched
summarized
surveyed
tested
Technical
adapted
assembled
built
constructed
converted
debugged
engineered
fabricated
installed
maintained
operated
programmed
rectied
regulated
remodeled
repaired
replaced
solved
specialized
studied
upgraded
Financial/Data
adjusted
allocated
analyzed
appraised
assessed
audited
balanced
calculated
computed
conserved
corrected
estimated
forecasted
marketed
projected
reconciled
retrieved
Helping
advised
advocated
answered
cared for
coached
collaborated
contributed
cooperated
counseled
demonstrated
educated
enabled
encouraged
ensured
expedited
explained
facilitated
familiarize
furthered
guided
intervened
motivated
provided
referred
rehabilitated
simplied
supplied
supported
taught
trained
tutored
volunteered
Organization/ Detail
arranged
cataloged
categorized
charted
classied
coded
collected
compiled
distributed
generated
implemented
incorporated
logged
monitored
obtained
ordered
organized
prepared
processed
purchased
recorded
registered
reserved
reviewed
routed
scheduled
submitted
standardized
systematized
updated
validated
veried
Creative
acted
combined
conceptualized
created
customized
designed
developed
displayed
drew
entertained
established
fashioned
founded
illustrated
initiated
integrated
introduced
invented
modeled
modied
originated
performed
photographed
revised
revitalized
shaped
Accomplishments
achieved
completed
expanded
exceeded
improved
pioneered
reduced
resolved
restored
transformed
ACTION-ORIENTED
ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEMENTS
Action Verbs
8
Early College Resume
SAMPLE RESUMES
Tori Tiger
123.456.5432 / tori.tiger@princeton.edu
EDUCATION
Princeton University, Princeton NJ
Expected May 2024
A.B. Candidate; Intended concentration: Sociology
Relevant Coursework: Inequality, Mobility, and the American Dream; Sociology of Sports; American Society and Politics;
Self and Society
Big Public High School, Dallas, TX June 2020
Honors: National AP Scholar, Class Treasurer
WORK EXPERIENCE
Firestone Library, Princeton University – Student Assistant September 2020-Present
Build relationships with students and other patrons at busy Circulation desk
Redesigned website using Dreamweaver, increasing visits to page by 15% over 3 months
The Clothing Company, Fort Worth, TX – Retail Associate May 2019-August 2020
Recommended products to customers, generating an average of $1,200 in sales
Recognized by management for creating attractive displays that draw attention to new products
Trained 5 new employees on eective sales techniques and mastering product knowledge during fast-paced summer
and holiday hours
LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE
Princeton University Orchestra – Clarinet September 2020-Present
Rehearse 10 hours per week and perform at 3 recitals each year
Collaborate with music historian to suggest pieces for future concerts
Local Community Newspaper – Contributor August 2018-June 2020
Interviewed 100+ students to capture balanced and fair stories across 5 public schools
Submitted monthly articles highlighting local students’ academic, athletic, and artistic achievements
Girl Scouts of the USA – Gold Award October 2019
Hosted a “College & Career Night” for 200 students from 3 area underserved communities
Recruited 20 professionals and marketed event to hundreds of middle and high school students
SKILLS
Language: French (4 years) and Spanish (6 years)
Oce Applications: Word (Advanced), Excel (Procient), PowerPoint (Intermediate)
Graphic Design: Dreamweaver (Advanced), Photoshop (Novice)
GPA: 3.45
9
Mid-College Resume
Teo Tiger
(210)
September 2019-May 2023
September 2018-May 2019
EDUCATION
Princeton University | Princeton, NJ
A.B. in Politics; Intended Certi
cates in Spanish & Latin (GPA 3.75)
Relevant Coursework: Campaigns & Elections, American Politics, Microeconomics
Local Community College | Upstate, NY
Introductory Coursework in Statistics, Literature, and Computer Science (GPA 3.92)
SKILLS
Crisis Management Political Analysis Speechwriting Campaign Relations
Publicity Opinion Polling Fundraising Teambuilding
EXPERIENCE
RESEARCH INTERN, OFFICE OF POLITICAL STRATEGY & OUTREACH
The White House | Washington, D.C. Summer 2019
Curated hundreds of news clippings from major media outlets to compile global view of U.S. politics.
Reviewed and summarized analysis of foreign government policies and practices for OPSO Director.
Conducted 5 White House tours daily, averaging 25 American and international visitors per tour.
2017-2018CAMPAIGN MANAGER
LCC Undergraduate Student Government | Princeton, NJ
Directed winning campaign for student body president who received 73% of the votes.
Managed all aspects of campaign including volunteer recruitment, budgeting, and expense monitoring.
Raised $5,000 in campaign funds (86% more than competition), by planning events, contacting donors and taking
donations.
Coordinated voter outreach program, including email, social media and traditional mailers. Increased participation
by 13% from the previous years election.
ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS
ROWER
Men’s Lightweight Varsity Crew Team | Princeton University 2019-Present
Commit 20+ hours weekly to practices and competition year-round.
2nd Place, 2V Boat, Ivy League Champions 2018.
CAPTAIN (2016-2017)
Local High School Varsity Crew Team | Mytown, NY
2013-2017
Honored as 3-time state rowing champion, Varsity 8 boat, 2013-2015.
MILITARY SERVICE
CADET
U.S. Army ROTC | Princeton University 2019-Present
Join 100+ cadets weekly in intensive physical and tactical training.
Prepare to qualify for 2019 Cadet Troop Leader Training.
10
Industry-Focused Resume
Tammy Tiger
Phone: 609-609-6096 www.linkedin.com/in/tammytiger [email protected]
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 06/2021
BSE, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Certicate in Engineering and Management Systems
Cumulative GPA: 3.30 Departmental GPA: 3.65
• Self-nanced 100% of college education
Technology: Procient in Java, Python, MATLAB, Mathematica, SolidWorks, and AutoCAD
Languages: Swedish (Native); German (Fluent); Hebrew (Conversational)
AutoCAD 2020 Essentials 05/2020 - 08/2020
Self-Study, LinkedIn Learning
• Enrolled in 10-session virtual course to learn new design techniques.
• Completed weekly assignments and drafted prototype ergonomic ofce chair.
World Geography Card Game 09/2018 – 01/2019
Team Member
• Collaborated with 3 classmates in creating tool to engage middle-schoolers.
• Pilot-tested game with 100 local students and presented nal product at campus-wide expo.
Process Improvement Intern 06/2019 - 08/2019
Manufacturing Corp., Miami, FL
• Designed mechanical products and systems by developing and testing specications and methods.
• Evaluated product ideas, models, and requirements and provided suggestions for improvement.
• Collaborated in cross-functional project team of mechanical, electrical, and system engineers.
• Developed an understanding of the life cycle of product design.
Team Leader 06/2017 - 09/2017
Engineers Without Borders, Chimbote, Peru
• Led 5 students in developing an infrastructure plan to improve water quality in a coastal village.
• Researched technologies and local resources and design infrastructure for water lines.
• Conducted fundraising efforts and successfully covered team’s expenses.
Research Assistant 09/16 - 01/2017
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department, Princeton University
• Performed computational uid dynamics to assist Ph.D. candidate with dissertation.
• Conducted design validation testing of prototypes and presented ndings at regional conference.
Vice President, Princeton Autonomous Vehicle Engineering Team (PAVE)
Trip Leader, Princeton Outdoor Action Wilderness Trek Leader
Choreographer, Princeton Bhangra
Staff Writer, Daily Princetonian
EDUCATION
SKILLS
ACADEMIC
PROJECTS
ENGINEERING
EXPERIENCE
CAMPUS
ACTIVITIES
11
Research-Oriented Resume
Tyler Tiger www.myportfolio.com/tyler
ty[email protected], 896-118-1746
EDUCATION
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ June 2021
A.B. in Molecular Biology, Certicate in Neuroscience
GPA: 3.89
Select Coursework: Genetics, Biochemistry, Biological Dynamics, Biostatistics, Microbiology, Genome
Integrity and Human Disease
RESEARCH AND LAB EXPERIENCE
“Revising Phylogenetic Reassignment of O. trifallax” Summer 2019
Engaged in independent research to revise the phylogeny of O. trifallax using several conserved gene
sequences
Compiled study procedures and ndings in an extensive written paper with intent to submit for journal
publication
Supported doctoral candidate by compiling sources for their literature review
Research Assistant, Sussex Lab, Windsor University, England Spring 2018
Reported directly to Principal Investigator and lab manager
Performed purication of protein using gel electrophoresis
Conducted analytic experiment on gene expression to determine factor levels
Lab Technician, Biology Department, West Coast University, CA Fall 2017
Analyzed and recorded test data using charts, graphs and narratives
Collaborated with 3 other lab techs to detect abnormalities in cell lines
Set up, adjusted, maintained and cleaned laboratory equipment daily
PRESENTATIONS
Virtual Workshop, Community Engagement Program Spring 2020
Science Experiments Using Common Household Products
Crafted and presented sessions on Zoom for children in grades K-2 whose studies were impacted by
COVID-19
Princeton Research Day, Princeton University Spring 2019
Poster, “Revising the Phylogenetic Reassignment of Oxytricha trifallax”
Shared ndings during poster session attended by 200+ students and faculty
Earned Silver Medal for effectively communicating research to a non-specialist audience
12
Tyler Tiger Page 2
PRESENTATIONS, cont.
Statewide Secondary Education Science Symposium Summer 2016
Presenter, “Healing Garden: Medicinal Plants Native to North Jersey”
Selected from eld of 100 applicants to represent school at statewide event
Created PowerPoint and written report to share ndings with other students
HONORS
BioTech Aspiring Scientist Award Fall 2019
Awarded to juniors from populations underrepresented in science
Biology Society Scholarship Spring 2019
For high academic achievement in the biological sciences
S. Gerald Cowan Economics of Science Award Fall 2018
Wrote paper, The Cost of Care: Medical systems around the globe
QuestBridge Scholar Spring 2017
Mentorship program for talented, determined, and self-motivated youth from low-income backgrounds
Technology and Science Charter School High Honors 2014-2017
Scored in Top 5% of AP Biology test takers
SKILLS
Laboratory: cell proliferation assays, tissue cultures, lymphocyte isolation
Data Analytics: C, Java, R, LaTeX, Excel
Bilingual: English and Spanish
INTERESTS
Historical Fiction, World Travel, Independent Films, South American Cuisine
13
If you are in the early stages of resume writing, stick with standard headers like Education, Experience, and
Activities. As your skillset grows and experience deepens, consider broadening and reframing the headers to
draw the reader’s attention to key sections of your resume.
EDUCATION
Academic Background
Educational Background
Education and Training
Related Coursework
Select Coursework
Senior Thesis
Study Abroad
EXPERIENCE
Academic Projects
Corporate Experience
Course Projects
Global Experience
Independent Research
Industry Experience
Internship Experience
Military Background
Professional Experience
Related Experience
Related Projects
Work Experience
ACTIVITIES
Afliations
Associations
Athletic Achievements
Civic Activities
Community Involvement
Extracurricular Activities
Leadership Experience
Professional Activities
Professional Associations
Professional Development
Professional Memberships
Volunteer Work/Volunteerism
HONORS
Academic Honors
Accolades
Achievements
Awards
Commendations
Distinctions
Fellowships
Scholarships
SPECIAL SKILLS/TRAINING
Certications
Language Competencies
Licenses
Professional Certications
Software/Hardware
Special Training
Technical Skills
PUBLICATIONS
Conference Presentations
Current Research Interests
Exhibits
Papers
Presentations
Professional Presentations
Research Projects
Senior Thesis
ADDITIONAL SECTIONS
Interests
Portfolio
Relocation
HELPFUL HEADERS