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RESUME WRITING – GENERAL TIPS
PURPOSE
The purpose of the resume is to describe who you are, where you have been and where you are heading. The skills and
qualities presented should illustrate that you are appropriate for the position for which you are applying. If the resume
helps to get you the interview, it has been successful.
The style, format and content of a resume are your decisions. Suggested guidelines are not rules. The resume is your
personal calling card, and should reflect who you are. Since it is the employer’s first impression of you, it should be
written with a great deal of thought and care.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Think about the skills you have and reflect on your career goals. Those interests should dictate what you emphasize in
your resume. Then, make an outline of all your educational and work experiences. At this point, you can decide what
to include and you can begin to focus your resume. Employers do not read resumes; they skim them. So be sure to
organize your resume so it is easy for the employer to assess your strengths.
CONTENT
The following sections should be included in your resume, in the order listed below.
Name, Address, Phone, Email- So the employer can easily reach you.
Education- Graduate school first, then undergraduate school. Include the name and location of the school, degree
received ( e.g. Master of International Affairs), concentration, relevant courses, scholarships, study abroad and
activities.
Experience-This can include paid and non-paid positions. Include those experiences which are relevant to the positions
for which you are applying. The positions should be listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent
experiences listed first. For each entry, include the following: name of the organization, department or division, dates
of employment, location, position and job description. Job descriptions should be about one paragraph long, using 3-5
phrases to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. Present jobs should be in the present tense and previous
jobs in the past tense. Avoid phrases like “responsibilities included.” Use action-oriented verbs and numbers to make
each description as specific and concise as possible.
Languages- List languages and degree of fluency ( i.e. fluent or proficient in, working knowledge of, familiar with).
Be prepared to be interviewed in a language in which you claim fluency.
Computer Skills- Include word processing and spreadsheet software knowledge.
The following sections are optional, and should be used only if they enhance your resume:
Interests/Activities- List unusual activities, or interests relevant to your career, or that show leadership ability.
Publications- List articles that you have written, especially if applying for research-oriented or academic jobs.
Updated 09/09
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Memberships- Include to demonstrate commitment to your chosen profession.
Citizenship- Include if it would not otherwise be apparent to an employer that you are authorized to work in that country.
Honors/Awards- These may be included in a separate category or in your Education section.
FORMAT/PRESENTATION
It is very important that your resume be easy to read and look professional. The following factors should be considered.
Margins- Can vary, but should be a minimum of .5" on all sides so the resume does not look crowded.
Font- Times Roman, 12 pitch is easy to read.
Dates of employment- Can be in the body of the resume or in the margins.
Name, Address- Can be right justified, left justified or center on the top of the page.
Length- Preferably one page, but can be 2 pages if you have 7 or more years of experience. If two pages, put your name
on top of the second page in case the two pages become separated.
Proofread- The resume carefully for spelling, grammar, typographical errors, and consistent formatting. Use spellcheck,
but also have your resume reviewed by at least two other people.
Paper- Use heavy white or off-white bond paper for a professional appearance.
Highlight- Make the important points stand out by highlighting. Once you have decided what you want to highlight,
maintain consistency throughout the resume (e.g. highlight all names of employers).
Spacing- Double space between categories, single space within categories so the resume will not look crowded.
Abbreviations- Should not be used. Write everything out in full so it is easy to read.
Enclosed: Sample resume and active verb list
JANICE GONZALES
Updated 09/09
2
222 Riverside Drive, #4B
New York, NY 10025
212-555-3579
jag66@columbia.edu
EDUCATION
Columbia University, New York, NY
School of International and Public Affairs- Master of Public Administration expected May 2003
Concentration: Management and Institutional Analysis
Courses include: Business Finance, Money and Financial Markets, Evaluation of Industrial Operations,
Investment Strategies for Developing Countries, Statistics, Financial Management, Accounting, Public
Management, Human Resources Management, Managers and Corporate Constituencies, Legislative
Drafting.
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Bachelor of Arts received May 1999
Major: International Relations
Minor: Latin American Studies Program Certificate
EXPERIENCE
American Anti-Slavery Group (AASG), New York, NY (September 2002-March 2003)
Consultant
Served on a team of graduate student consultants to produce a publication on modern day slavery for the AASG.
Collected and analyzed data on slavery in Latin America, wrote a regional report, interviewed abolitionist and
former slave, edited initial country reports, designed and formatted publication for client.
The Ford Foundation, New York, NY
Consultant (September 2002), Intern (June-August 2002)
Assisted Program Officer responsible for Community Development Corporations in the Urban Poverty
Program of the Foundation. Reviewed the training activities of local city-wide development intermediaries
operating in selected cities. Produced a report to help guide the Foundation's efforts in strengthening these
organizations.
Office of Government Relations and Community Affairs, Columbia University, New York, NY
Graduate Research Assistant (October 2001-May 2002)
Assisted Director of State Relations in proposing and promoting state legislation and policies that benefit the
Columbia University community and higher education throughout the state. Monitored and analyzed
policies, proposals, and regulations instituted by the legislature or state agencies that affect the University.
Assisted the Vice President for Government Relations and Community Affairs on special projects.
Governor's Committee on Children's Services Planning, State of New Jersey, Trenton, NJ
Youth and Family Policy Specialist (September 1999-June 2001)
Gathered data to identify gaps and duplication of public and private services for children and families in
New Jersey. Analyzed government policies, procedures, and legislation impacting the quality of services
provided to children, youth and families. Staffed the Education Subcommittee. Organized a statewide Forum
on Educational Issues in New Jersey (April 1999). Prepared the Committee's 1999 policy paper to the
Governor on education issues. Represented the Committee at various meetings and functions.
SPECIAL SKILLS
Fluent in Spanish and English. Working knowledge of Portuguese and Russian.
Experienced with Lotus 1-2-3, Excel and SPSS.
ACTIVITIES
Member - Students Looking Eastward, Columbia University
Member - Princeton University Alumni Council Executive Committee, Founder - Latino Alumni
Association of Princeton
Updated 09/09
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ACTIVE VERBS
accelerated consulted framed oversaw solved
accompanied contrasted fulfilled participated spearheaded
accomplished contributed gained passed specified
achieved controlled gathered performed stabilized
acquired coordinated gauged persuaded staffed
adapted corresponded gave pioneered staged
added counseled generated planned standardized
adjusted created governed polled steered
administered cultivated granted prepared stimulated
adopted decided guided presented streamlined
advised decreased handled prevented strengthened
advocated defined headed printed stressed
aired demonstrated identified probed structured
affected described implemented produced studied
allocated designated improved profiled submitted
amended designed increased programmed substantiated
analyzed determined influenced projected suggested
answered developed informed promoted summarized
appraised devised initiated prompted superceded
approved devoted inspected proposed supervised
arbitrated directed inspired proved supplied
arranged discounted instituted provided supported
assembled distributed instructed publicized surpassed
assessed documented interpreted published surveyed
assisted doubled interviewed quantified synthesized
audited drafted introduced raised systematized
augmented earned invented rated tabulated
authorized eased invested recommended tailored
balanced edited investigated recovered targeted
bargained eliminated involved recruited taught
broadened employed issued redesigned tightened
budgeted enabled joined reduced traced
built encouraged judged refined trained
calculated endorsed launched regulated translated
catalogued enforced led reinforced traveled
centralized engineered lobbied renegotiated undertook
challenged enhanced located reported unified
changed enlarged maintained represented updated
channeled enriched managed researched used
chose established mapped resolved utilized
circulated estimated marketed responded validated
clarified evaluated maximized restored verified
classified examined measured restructured weighted
collaborated exceeded moderated revamped witnessed
collected executed modified reversed won
combined expanded monitored reviewed worked
commissioned expedited motivated revised wrote
compared explained narrated revitalized
compiled extended negotiated scheduled
completed facilitated nurtured secured
composed fashioned observed selected
conceived financed opened sent
concluded forecasted operated served
condensed formed orchestrated shaped
conducted formulated ordered shortened
consolidated found organized showed
constructed founded overhauled simplified
Updated as of 8/2/06
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