Resume Writing 

 
Your objective in writing a resume is to secure an interview by representing yourself as a 
candidate whose skills meet the job qualifications.  Because your resume is the first impression 
you will make on prospective employers, take care that your resume  
 
 is targeted to the position you are applying for,  
 uses active, concise language, and 
 is neat, well‐organized, and easy to read. 
 
 
CONTENT

Each person’s resume will have different types of content depending on his or her skills, 
experiences, and even the job for which he or she is applying.  The following three sections 
discuss information that must be included in your resume, suggest other types of information 
that will enhance your resume, and identify information that could be harmful if included.   
 
 
What Should be Included
Contact Information. Your name should be prominently displayed on the page.  Include a 
mailing address, at least one telephone number, and a professional sounding email address. 
 
Education.  Include your major field of study, a minor if you have one, and your graduation date 
or expected month and year of graduation.  If your GPA is above a 3.0, you can feel confident in 
including it.  List your highest or most recent degree first. 
 
Experience. This section may take different names and include a variety of information.  For 
example, you could entitle it “Work History” and list the jobs you have had in reverse 
chronological order (most recent job first).  Or, if you do not have any relevant work experience, 
you could call this section simply “Relevant Experience” and list volunteer work, internships, or 
co‐ops that have given you experience that is relevant to the job. 
 
 
What May Be Included
 
Objective.  The objective tells the type of job and the level of position you are seeking. The job 
objective may be included if you’re applying for a specific job in a large corporation or if you’re 
sending your resume to a company that has not advertised a need for applicants. In many cases, 
however, the job objective is not necessary. 
 
Skills.  Job seekers who do not have a great deal of experience may choose to highlight skills 
such as leadership skills, computer skills, and/or communication skills.  The skills you choose 
should be targeted towards the job you want.  Also, give an example of one or two situations 
where you used or developed that skill, for example: 
 
Management – Supervised ten research assistants in sociological data collection.
Leadership – Co-founded and served as president for TAMUQ IEEE student chapter.
Extracurricular Activities. This section is a chance to show that you are well‐rounded and 
participate in more than just school and work.  You can list organizations that you belonged to, 
college activities that you had a leadership role in, or any volunteer work that you have done.   
 
 Highlight leadership roles. Simply belonging to an organization usually isn’t reason 
enough to include it on your resume, unless it is a professional organization like the 
Society for Petroleum Engineers.   
 Emphasize activities that give you a professional image. Social groups like 
fraternities and recreational activities like hobbyist groups and sports teams may help 
you appear well‐rounded, but listing too many of these types of groups and not enough 
academic or professional activities will give your prospective employers the impression 
that you play more than you work. 
 
Awards and Scholarships.  Include any significant awards you have received, for example 
Employee of the Month or making the Dean’s List.  You can also list any competitive 
scholarships that you were awarded. 
 
Languages.  Mention the level of fluency that you have attained in reading, writing, and 
speaking each language.   
 
Licenses, Accreditation, and Certifications. 
 
Achievements.  You can include notable projects, publications, or presentations that are 
relevant to the position you are seeking. 
 
 
What to Exclude
 
In the US, employers are prohibited by law from hiring or discriminating against employees 
based on family connections, ethnicity, gender, religious or political affiliations, or personal 
looks.  Therefore, job applicants in the US are highly discouraged from including the following 
types of personal information on their resumes:  
 
 Personal photographs.  
 
 Salary information (past, current, or expected).  Your resume is not the place to either 
negotiate a salary or reveal past salaries.   
 
 Family members’ names. 
 
 Personal information such as your birthday, marital status, or physical description. 
 
 Names or addresses of former employers.  It is good to have a list of references on a 
separate page just in case you are asked to provide them, but it is not necessary to 
include this information on your resume itself.  
 
These US standards may not apply to your situation, so be sensitive to expectations you feel 
your prospective employers may have.   
 
 
 

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STYLE

The style in which your resume is written also follows certain conventions designed to keep 
resumes concise and action‐oriented.  
 
 Begin statements with a verb.  The noun phrase “Wait staff manager at Bennigan’s” is 
less effective than the verb phrase “Supervised and directed 15 employees as wait staff 
manager.”  The first phrase only tells us your title, but the second tells us about your 
responsibilities and therefore your abilities. 
 
 Keep verb tenses consistent.  If you change tenses from “Supervised and directed...” to 
“Creating charts for...” in the next line, not only might your readers be confused at the 
shift but you might appear careless.   
 
 Avoid vague or hollow adjectives.   Demonstrate that you have desirable qualities by 
listing accomplishments.  For example, making the vague claim that you have “excellent 
communication skills” is not really believable unless you back it up with an 
accomplishment such as “Co‐edited and authored articles for monthly newsletter of 
Texas A&M Habitat for Humanity Student Chapter.”   
 
 Eliminate personal pronouns.  By eliminating personal pronouns such as I, me, my, we, 
ours, and us, you will resist the temptation to make all of your concise phrases into long 
sentences.  Since the resume is all about you anyway, we can generally assume who you 
mean without needing a pronoun.   
 
 
 
FORMAT

Create your own resume rather than using a template so that your resume will look original and 
meet your individual needs.  In creating your resume, keep the following principles in mind: 
 
 Limit resume to one page.  The word resume literally means “summary,” so it must be 
short.  Recent graduates who are applying for entry‐level positions should especially 
avoid exceeding one page. 
 
 Include white space. White space makes your resume inviting.  Cramming too much 
text on a page will make your resume seem intimidating to a reader.  Create white space 
by maintaining one‐inch margins and skipping lines between resume sections. 
 
 Strive for professionalism by adhering to document standards appropriate for your 
field.  Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or one that is very similar.  
Embellishments such as clip‐art only waste space and give your resume a childish look. 
   
 Be consistent with spacing between sections, font treatment of headings, and all other 
formatting choices you make. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Technical Communications Center • Texas A&M University at Qatar

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 Sample Resumes 
 

Brenda L. Tyman
78 Oak Brook Drive
Chicago, IL 60666
(312) 638-8934
The objective should
BrenTy@aol.com
state the type of
OBJECTIVE position that the
Entry-level accounting position in a firm that will utilize my educational applicant is seeking, in
background and allow development of my abilities to fullest potential. this case, an entry-
level accounting
EDUCATION position.
2005-present Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA
Accounting Major, Dean’s List 2nd, 3rd and 4th semesters, present grade point
average 3.60/4.0, will graduate May 2009.
2001-2005 Central High School, graduated in the top 10% of the class from the Excel
Program that included advanced classes in science, math, and English

EXPERIENCE
Aug. 2007 Accounting Clerk, Fleer Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
to July 2008 Responsibilities included: handled multiple company payroll, processed
accounts payable, assisted the Controller in monthly closing activities,
This job-seeker has
updated selected general ledger accounts, handled cash receipts, filed, work experience
answered phones, prepared bank reconciliations and analysis reports. relevant to her field, so
her past jobs are
March 2006 Office Clerk, Geriatric Medical Services, Malvern, PA emphasized above
to Aug. 2007 Responsibilities included: prepared Medicare Reviews, processed orders for educational
medical supplies and equipment, prepared invoices for insurance companies
and customers, prepared billing and inventory books on a monthly basis,
achievements.
coordinated letters to insurance companies and customers, filed, answered
phones.
Sept. 2005 Assistant to Bookkeeper/Cashier, Rite Aid Pharmacy, Philadelphia, PA
to Mar. 2006 Responsibilities included: prepared charges for pick up, handled register,
verified incoming inventory, stocked shelves, filed, answered phones.
Aug. 2004 Cashier, Kelly Sports, West Chester, PA
to Dec. 2004 Responsibilities included: handled register, assisted manager in all aspects of
store opening and closing, verified inventory, made bank deposits, assisted in
floor moves, answered phones.

ACHIEVEMENTS
Awarded General Wayne Scholarship
Member of Golden Key National Honor Society

Technical Communications Center • Texas A&M University at Qatar

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SUSAN B. WATERS
3329 West 52nd Avenue
Denton, TX 77402
(713) 555-2975

OBJECTIVE
Electrical engineering position involving design, manufacture, and testing of digital-
control systems.

Notice how she

EDUCATION distinguishes the GPA
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (May 2007), West Texas State University, she earned in her
Canyonville, Texas major from her
Electrical Engineering GPA 4.0; Cumulative GPA 3.56; Dean’s List
cumulative GPA.

RELATED EXPERIENCE
Laboratory Technician/Research Assistant, Dept. of Electrical Engineering. 2004-2006
Worked with experimental microelectronics in conjunction with research efforts of
department faculty. Assisted lower-division students in electronics laboratory with
development and testing of microprocessors, chips, and probes. Prepared analyses
of micron chips fabricated in the lab for inclusion in published report.

Electronics Repair, Self-employed. 2003-2006.

Operated small business in electronics repair servicing of computers, video
recorders, and small electronic appliances.
As a recent graduate,
RELEVANT COURSEWORK she is emphasizing
Ultrasonic and Frequency Control her related jobs,
Telemetry and Guidance education, and college
Industrial Electronics Applications
activities over work
Systems, Manufacturing, and Cybernetics
experiences that are
unrelated to the
COLLEGE HONORS/ACTIVITIES
President, Tau Beta Phi Honor Society
position she seeks
President, IEEE West Texas State University Student Chapter
Lab Technician of the Year award, Department of Electrical Engineering
Founding member, On Board, computer programmers club at WTSU

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Counter Clerk, Denton Video Rental. 2002-2004.
Cook, Bob’s Big Boy Burgers. 2000-2002.

Technical Communications Center • Texas A&M University at Qatar

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 William W. Walsh
Local Address Email Address Permanent Address
240 East Parker Road MFlaxt@hotmail.com 5056 Fair Meadow Farm
Bryan, TX 75430 Lake Charles, LA 78438
(713) 952-1834 (572) 532-6753
The experience
section should begin
Education with the most recent
job to the oldest job,
Texas A&M University, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, GPA: 3.3, Degree date: May 11, 2008
as this resume shows.

Experience

Camp Counselor, Killington Athletic Camp, Killington, TX Summer 2008

Cabin Counselor
 Supervised and counseled 13 and 16 year olds
 Instructed tennis, volleyball, wind surfing and soccer

Liaison Engineer, GTE Government Systems, Waltham, TX Fall 2007

Co-op Engineer
 Resolved manufacturing and engineering problems
 Coordinated between production and design engineers
 Completed required design, drafting and document changes

Assistant Design Engineer, GTE Government Systems, Waltham, TX Spring 2007

Co-op Engineer
 Worked on advanced test project involving mechanical design, CAD/CAM, composites
technology, and aircraft structures
 Coordinated between project groups

Engineering Assistant, GTE Government Systems, Waltham, TX Summer 2006

Co-op Engineer
 Delivered electronic hardware and documentation throughout plant
Descriptions of duties
 Performed mechanical design on CAD/CAM for manufacturing problems
and accomplishments
Engineering Assistant Northeast Research Institute, Boston, MA Summer 2005 begin with action
Summer Intern Emissions Control Department verbs.
 Assisted in experimental and literature research
 Prepared figures and data for technical papers
 Computed engineering calculations

Honors and Activities

Distinguished Student Award ’06, ’07 M.E. Department Scholarship ’06, ’07
Tau Beta Pi, Engineering Honor Society Pi Tau Sigma (Mech. Eng. Honor Society)
MBA Association Memorial Student Center Council –
Operations Committee ’06

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 KAREN P. HARPER
812 Baxter Street ● San Antonio, TX 77801 ● (610) 358-7843 ● KarHar@aol.com
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Education
New York University, Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Human
Resource Management Candidate, May 2008.
Degrees are in reverse
Duke University, Bachelor of Science, Major: Psychology, May 2004. chronological order,
Duke University Studies Abroad Program, Cortona, Italy. Marble sculpting and meaning the degree
drawing, June-August 2003. most recently earned
is listed first.
Experience
Graduate Assistant, Department of Management, New York University (September 2006
to present) – assist two professors, including the Department Head of Management, in
research.
Intern, Gartner Group, Inc., New York, NY, HR management consulting firm (Spring
2005-Summer 2005) – organized job satisfaction surveys and results, compiled self-help
packets for feedback, conducted marketing research (Christmas 2005) – co-wrote report on
HR strategies for Workforce 2000.
Assistant in Operations, Hemisphere Graphics, Durham, NC (Spring 2004, Fall 2004) –
created graphic designs, developed training documentation, tested software, designed
electronic forms (Christmas 2004, Fall 2004) – receptionist.
Tutor, Duke University (Fall 2003, Spring 2004) – tutored students in software use,
computer hardware installation, troubleshooting.

Honors and Activities

Graduate Women’s Business Network, Treasurer
MBA/MS Association Member
Dean’s Honor List, Honor List
Allison Meyers Scholarship, 4 years
USSR Friendship Force Exchange
Catalyst Committee Chair This applicant has
Intramural Association board member wisely included
Artwork selected for 25th Annual Mostra, Cortona, Italy software programs
with which she is
Computer Skills
familiar.
PC DOS: Lotus 123, dBase, WordPerfect, MSWord, Wordstar
MACINTOSH: PageMaker, Microsoft Word, MacWrite, MacDraw

Technical Communications Center • Texas A&M University at Qatar

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 Sara J. Smith
342 Wellborn Road                 sara@tamu.edu                 (home) 979‐564‐3801 
College Station, TX 77844                       (mobile) 979‐676‐2210    
 
 

EDUCATION 
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX                                    May 2008 
Bachelor of Science in Psychology 
Major GPR: 3.3, Overall GPR: 3.0 
 

Blinn Community College, Bryan, TX                     September 2006‐August 2007 
Overall GPR 3.5 
ACHIEVEMENT: Worked full time while in college to fund 100% of expenses.  This recent graduate is
 

EXPERIENCE  highlighting skills,

Leadership  such as leadership
Served as Cheerleading Instructor for the Universal Cheerleading Association.  and customer service,
Taught 300 camp participants the vocal techniques to motivate sports audiences.  instead of work
Received “All American Award” for outstanding performance.  experience or
Elected to several positions of leadership for Alpha Chi Omega Sorority: Historian, Vice‐ technical knowledge.
chairperson of Social Activities, Fundraising Chairperson. 
 

Artistic Expression 
Studied theater, acting, film and cinema in three university classes. 
Performed in several plays and skits before large audiences. 
Acquired skills in script memorization, voice dictation, set and prop design. 
 

Service to Others 
Coordinated activities for children living in the Brazos Domestic Violence Shelter. 
Participated in Adopt‐A‐Highway program with sorority. 
Volunteered with church organization as committee chairperson for holiday food drive. 
 

Initiative and Motivation 
Developed new fundraising activity for sorority that doubled revenue over previous semesters. 
Founded “Parents’ Night Out” childcare program for university staff and faculty members. 
 

Sales and Customer Service 
Contributed creative ideas to generate additional sales by introducing various contests and 
incentives to restaurant wait staff. 
Consistently increased “per ticket” sales over a three‐year‐ period. 
 
WORK HISTORY 
Fox and Hound – Waitress     College Station, TX                2007‐present 
Chicken Oil Company – Hostess    College Station, TX                2006‐present 
Bennigan’s – In‐store Trainer    Sarasota, FL                       2005‐2006 
Signworks – Graphic Artist     Cookeville, TN                       2003‐2005 
 
SKILLS  Notice that she
Conversational Spanish skills  mentions the level of
Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Publisher  fluency she has in a
foreign language.

Technical Communications Center • Texas A&M University at Qatar

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Samuel Aggie
456 S. College Ave.
College Station, TX 77844
979.676.2407
samaggie@tamu.edu

OBJECTIVE: Summer 2009 internship using background in Computer Information Systems

QUALIFICATIONS:
HARDWARE/NETWORKING
Developed and maintained a small business’s network of PC’s
Troubleshoot and fix multiple hardware and software problems
DATABASE KNOWLEDGE
Developed and implemented database for Stock Brokerage Firm
Database design application in Access
Processed transactions and receipts and entered data into database
This writer
HTML KNOWLEDGE demonstrates mastery
Designed and published a corporate web site using HTML script and FrontPage of relevant skills by
Internet Manager and maintained www.earthlink.net/business.com listing achievements
 
Knowledgeable with HTML, JavaScript, VBScript, ASP, and CSS
  and projects that he
DESKTOP PUBLISHING has completed.
 
Graphic artist, Lithographer, Desktop Publisher for a printing firm
 
Familiar with Adobe Illustrator, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Photoshop
 
LEADERSHIP
  EXPERIENCE
Active
  member of AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals)
Secretary
  of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America, SHS Chapter 2008)
Leader
  in SQL Database Project that developed a corporate database
 
COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE:
  Basic .Net, HTML, ASP, SQL, Java, C, VBScript, JavaScript, Knowledge of Microsoft
Visual
 
Windows, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe PageMaker, AdobePhotoshop
 
EMPLOYMENT
  HISTORY:
Graphic
  Artist/Printer, Tops Printing, College Station, TX 1/08 – Present
Internet
  Manager, Dallas Art Galleries, Inc., Dallas, TX 3/07 – 12/07
Database
  Processing, One Health Clinic, Fort Worth, TX 6/06 – 8/06
Because this applicant
 
EDUCATION: has so much relevant
BBA  Information and Operation Management Major GPR: 3.3 experience and
  A&M University, College Station, TX
Texas Overall GPR: 3.0 knowledge, the
 
Expected Graduation Date: May 2010 education information
  is deemphasized.
 
AWARDS RECEIVED:
2007  1st place in National Gutenberg Award in color screen design
2006  1st place in silk screen process at Sam Houston State University
 
 
 
 
 
Sources 
175 High Impact Resumes 3rd Edition by Richard H. Beatty 
The Complete Book of Resumes by Karen Schaffer 
Elements of Resume Style by Scott Bennett 
The Resume Handbook  4th Edition by Arthur D. Rosenberg and David Hizer 
Resumes for Engineering Careers 3rd Edition, McGraw‐Hill 

Technical Communications Center • Texas A&M University at Qatar

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