Resume Writing

Your resume is a one-page advertisement of why an employer should hire you. The goal is not to simply summarize all of your activities and experiences, but to sell a product – you!

Get Started

Start with our worksheet to organize your thoughts.

Resume Checklist

Go through our checklist to improve content and formatting.

B101 Resources

Developing your first Gies resume?  Check out this example.

Strengthen Your Resume

Utilize the SORR resume technique to create a powerful resume.

Highlight your Gies Professional Pathway skills using this action verbs list. These are some of the top skills and keywords employers look for.

Get your Resume Reviewed

Schedule a career advising appointment or drop in for a resume review

Resume Template

Utilize this template to get you started.

Sample Resumes can be found here.

SEO for your Resume (YES!, your resume)

Are you sending out one job application after another, but not hearing back? Your resume may be the issue. As you've probably already heard, you've got about six seconds to catch someone's eye (or be passed over), so having a resume that quickly tells a great story is important.

SEO stands for search engine optimization, and it involves techniques to make a website appealing to search engine algorithms. Top websites use keywords (the words you might use for a web search) to get noticed by the big search engines—and standing out in a database of resumes (otherwise known as an applicant tracking system) is the only way to get noticed by a live human recruiter and to be considered for an opportunity.

Follow these 2 simple steps to maximize your resume for keywords (for more details on writing an effective resume, review the SORR technique).

1.

Use Relevant Keywords

  • If your prospective employers are using an applicant tracking system (ATS) (many large employers are), keywords can get you past the machine and in front of human eyes.
  • Today's sophisticated ATS engines search for keywords, and also scan for appropriate and relevant context.
  • Even if your prospective employer isn't using an ATS, including clear, relevant keywords helps a recruiter find valuable insights about your profile.
  • If you are not sure which keywords to include, start here.

2.

Streamline Content

  • Drop generic phrases like "excellent communicator,"  "results-oriented," and "self-starter" - it's not an effective use of space.
  • Use active words like "directed" instead of transition phrases like "was responsible for."
  • Remove the objective section, unless you are applying for a job that doesn't align with your background.
  • Finally, use numbers. Hard data (think: dollars and percentages) are easier to digest than text. So, instead of "top-seller," opt for "sold 5,000 worth of goods/services" or "increased website views by 20%."

General Tips and Guidelines

Keep the resume to one page

Use a logical and consistent format with wide margins (0.5-1"), clean type and clear headings

Selectively apply bold and italic typeface that help guide the reader's eye

No objective or summary for undergraduate resumes

Resumes for US-based positions never include the applicant's photograph, date of birth, birthplace, marital status, or information about other family members

Be strategic about what experiences to include - do not list everything you have ever done, just what is relevant to the job

Remove all high school experiences from resume after completing freshman year

References should not be included on resume

Click here for sample resumes

Next step: write a cover letter

Is your resume ready to go? Find tips for writing your cover letter here!