Resume Tips and Guidelines

How to Develop Strong Bullet Points

Use Action Verbs

Any strong bullet point begins with a strong action verb. Additionally, it is important to vary your verbs throughout
your resume. Try to use different action verbs for every bullet under a given work or extracurricular activity.

Quantify
Try to quantify your bullets as best as you can.

● For example, instead of saying “trained new employees on store closing procedures” try quantifying by
saying, “trained 7 new employees on store closing procedures” Seeing the numbers allows employers get a
better idea of your impact on that organization.

Stand Out
Often times, bullet points tend to state the obvious.
● For example, if someone was a server, he or she may have a bullet point that states, “Served 100 customers
per shift”. While it is great to quantify, recruiters know that servers serve customers. Bullet points are more
effective when they are focused on special projects or tasks that set that personal apart from the other
employees.

Examples: Did you train someone? Were you recognized for outstanding service? Did you insist in sales increases?
Were you assigned to a special project?

Quick Resume Tips

Students and Entry-Level Workers

1. Think in terms of accomplishments and not previous job responsibilities.

2. If you include an objective statement, tailor it to this prospective job.
3. Implement a visual design that grabs and holds attention.
4. Incorporate specific details from your experience that highlights your abilities and credentials.
5. Use active, powerful verbs. Avoid passive tense.
6. Target the qualifications designated in the job advertisement.
7. Prioritize content so that the most important information is listed first.
8. Your resume’s goal should be to obtain an interview, not the job.
9. Utilize bulleted sequences. Incorporate symbols like #, $, % for conciseness.
10. Begin with a summary of qualifications or description of experience to grab the reader(s)’s attention.
11. Prioritize education over experience (unless your experience is more relevant or better quality)..
12. Do not exceed one page (excluding reference list).
13. Avoid repetition in descriptions of job experience.
14. Edit out unnecessary words or phrases.
15. PROOFREAD.

Alice Student
 123 Pleasant St, Morgantown WV 26505
(555) 555-5555
alice.student@yahoo.com

Education:
● BA in English, Concentration in Professional Writing and Editing Expected: May 2020
Minor: Advertising
West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia GPA: 3.8 - Overall

Employment Experience:
Eberly College Intern – West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV ` January 2018 - Present
● Write and copy edit marketing material
● Worked in teams of 8 people in 3 different departments

Editing Intern - Center for Literary Computing, Morgantown, WV January 2018 – Present
● Edit Academic books for publication
● Work closely with authors and other editors

Freelance Writer – Various companies, virtual May 2016 – Present

● Ability to work independently
● Work closely with clients’ visions
● Create professional content for various companies

Server, Vincentown Diner, Vincentown, NJ February 2013 – May 2016

● Strong communication skills
● Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously

Classroom Experience:
● Created Amazon Kindle Advertisement
● Edited “Kairos” – Online Academic Journal
● Created Logos in Adobe Photoshop

Qualifications Summary:
● Computers skills include Microsoft Windows Suite and Adobe Suite
● Able to concentrate on highly detailed tasks
● Excellent and clear verbal and communication tasks
● Excellent and clear verbal and nonverbal communication skills
● Proficiency in Chicago Manual of Style, MLA and APA
● Proficient in conversational Spanish and German

Awards and Activities:

● Eberly College Ambassador, Fall 2017 – Present
● Baking Blogger, cookiesnmilk.com, Spring 2016 – Present
● Member of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honorary Society, Fall of 2015 – Present

*References Upon Request