The Rights and Wrongs of
Resumes
Career & Professional
Development Center
What is a Resume?
• A resume is a written document that lists your
work experience, skills, and educational
background. It is used as a marketing tool for job
seekers.
• It allows employers to know about your past,
present, and future capabilities as a person.
Why Write a Resume?
• To persuade employers you are the best person
for the job.
• To construct a professional image of yourself an
establish your credibility.
• To provide a sample of your written
communication skills and work experience.
• To convince prospective employers you deserve
an interview.
Resume Styles
• Chronological: lists your work experience in a
chronological sequence starting with your most
recent job experience.
• Functional: is organized by your skills,
experiences, and accomplishments.
• Combination or Chrono-functional
resume: combines features of both
chronological and functional resumes by
showcasing your skills and accomplishments but
provides a glimpse of your work history.
Advantages and Disadvantages of
Chronological Resumes
Advantages
Disadvantages
• Most widely used and
recognized by employers.
• Easy to follow snapshot of
your work experience.
• Especially use if you have a
solid and consistent work
experience or volunteer
experience that matches the
position you are applying for .
• If you have little or no
experience (work, internship,
or volunteer).
• If you have large gaps (that are
not accounted by being in
school) between work
experiences.
• You have switched to several
jobs over the past several
years.
Advantages and Disadvantages of
Functional Resumes
Advantages
• You are an entry-level job
seeker that has no or little
work related experience.
• You are re-entering the job
field after lengthy absence.
• You have work experience but
showcasing your skills would
be more beneficial than using
a chronological resume.
Disadvantages
• Many employers view them
with suspicion (VERY
IMPORTANT!)
• They are not widely used.
Advantages and Disadvantages of
Combination Resumes
Advantages
• Like a functional resume, it
allows you to showcase your
skills and attributes to a
potential employer.
• In addition, you diffuse
suspicions by including your
work history.
• It is becoming more popular.
Disadvantages
• Most employers still prefer
chronological resumes and are
still suspicious that you are
trying to conceal aspects of
your work background.
RESUMES: THE BREAKDOWN
Sections of a Resume and How to
Organize Them
Contact Information
• Simply list contact information at the top of the
page. You do this to provide the employer with
essential information so you may be contacted for an
interview.
1. Your full name
2. Permanent address (and/or current address)
3. Phone number
4. E-mail address
*Make sure whatever information you list is current
and phone numbers and e-mail address given are
something you check regularly.
Contact Information Sample #1
Will Smith
555 Rich Road
Beverly Hills, California 90210
(903) 555-5555
willsmith2010@yahoo.com
Contact Information Sample #2
Monica Flyer
mwflyer0@frostburg.edu
301-576-0089
Current Address
Permanent Address
50 Oz Lane
3245 Brick Road Dr.
Frostburg, MD 21532
Orlando, FL 32801
OBJECTIVE
• Objective Statement: career goal or summary
related to major or job.
• 1-3 lines summarizing the position you are
applying for and your main qualifications.
• Use an objective statement when you have little
relevant work experience, are changing careers,
and/ or looking for an entry-level job.
SKILLS SUMMARY
• Skills Summary: includes information that
reflects general or acquired skills (i.e. from
relevant classes or work experience, computer or
technical skills).
• 1-3 lines summarizing the skills you possess and
your main qualifications.
• Or you can use 1-5 bullet points with simple
short sentences.
Objective and Skills Summary
Example
Objective
To obtain a full time position in the social work field;
special emphasis on helping children and families in
troubled situations by utilizing my protection
services background.
Skills Summary
Sociology and Psychology skills, experience in
Microsoft office, customer service, marketing and
communication. Ability to perform office tasks and
interact effectively using excellent written and oral
communication skills.
EDUCATION
• Education: Typically use the college you are
attending, the dates you attended or are
attending, your major/ minor, and city and state.
• Extra: You could also include your GPA;
however, only include if it is 3.0 and above.
• Not necessary to include high school
information.
• You could also include relevant course work or
classes.
Education Sample
Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD
Bachelor of Science in Management
GPA: 3.5/4.0
Aug 2011-Present
Education Sample
Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD
Bachelor of Science
Major: Psychology
Minor: Sociology
Relevant Course Work
Child Development
Marriage & Family Relationships
Aug 2013-Present
Lifespan Development
Introduction to Counseling
Experience and Additional Info
• Work Experience: Includes listing most
current work history first and so on.
• If using, functional resume break down specific
skills (i.e. computer skills, human resources,
etc.)
• Honors: Includes any awards you received in
college or graduate program.
• Leadership and Volunteer Activities:
Includes club affiliations, volunteer work, and
leadership positions held.
Work Experience Sample
Summer Camp Counselor
Camp Anytown
May-August 2014
Hagerstown, MD
• Prepared and taught lesson plans for 9th-12th
graders.
• Enforced directions, rules, and safety
procedures.
• Introduced creative opportunities for students
through activities and in class discussions.
Alternative Headings
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Continuing Education
Achievements
Computer Skills
Internships
Technical Training
Military Experience
Licenses and Certifications
Relevant Course work
Awards and Activities Example
•
•
•
•
Dean’s List, Frostburg State University
Spring 2014, Fall 2014
Vice President of Student Government Association Aug 2013-May 2014
Secretary of Sociology Club
Aug 2014-May 2015
Day Camp Counselor, Boswell PA
June-Aug 2015
The Rights of Resumes
• Do appeal to your companies
values.
• Use key words mentioned in
the job description in your
resume by including similar/
relevant work history or any
other experience. summary.
• Use bold titles and bullets to
let your resume stand out and
be easy to read.
• Be short and snappy.
• Keep resume to one page
UNLESS you do have relevant
work experience or essential
information.
• DO NOT USE A MICROSOFT
WORD TEMPLATE!
• If creating your own resume,
make sure it is well organized.
• Use plain English and make
sure to use appropriate action
words.
The Wrongs of Resumes
• Don’t have a sloppy or
unprofessional looking resume
(i.e. stay away from colored
paper and colored inks; don’t
cram information).
• Don’t be careless by having
incorrect grammar, missing
punctuation, and/ or
misspelled words.
• Don’t try to sound “more
professional or smart” by
using big, unnecessary words
and avoid vagueness.
• Don’t lie.
• Don’t underwhelm your
experience (i.e. retail jobs
usually involve fast-paced
environments, dealing with
disgruntled customers,
working in a team as well as
independently).
• Avoid long-windedness by
having long sentences or
paragraphs.
• Don’t use personal pronouns
(i.e. using “I” or “we”).
Examples of the Rights and Wrongs of
Resumes
1.
Personal pronoun: “I
demonstrated
professionalism, tact, and
diplomacy while I worked
with our customers in highpressure situations.”
2. Long-windedness: “Spent
three years working on
major accounts, as both a
lead generator and a closer,
demonstrating proven skill
in organizing and managing
a territory with efficiency as
well as in developing
customer databases.”
1.
“Demonstrated
professionalism, tact, and
diplomacy while working
with customers in highpressure situations.”
2. “Spent three years working
on major accounts.
Generated leads and closed
sales. Demonstrated proven
skill in organizing and
managing a territory and in
developing customer
databases.”
Examples Continued
3. Wordy and vague: “My intensity and focus are
at inordinately high levels, and my ability to
complete projects on time is unspeakable.”
4. Misspelled words: “Proven ability to track down
and correct erors.”
End Notes
• For additional help with proofreading resumes,
cover letters, interviews, finding jobs/
internships, and what to do with your major,
please schedule an appointment with:
Career Services
124 Sand Spring Hall (behind Chesapeake)
301-687-4403
• Look at our website:
http://www.frostburg.edu/clife/career/