Sample Resume Items
Computer & Technical Skills
Software Engineering & Development
 Team Project: developed interactive data entry system for ABC Company including specifications,
database, interface and presentation to client: developed using C++, Javascript, HTML and SQL
 Experience with Waterfall and Agile Models of development and object oriented methodology
 Developed a variety of other applications including
o Online Poker Game with GUI : Perl
o Restaurant Order system: C#
o Binary Search Tree Applications: C++
Architecture and Hardware
 Experienced in BLAH assembly language and VHDL
o Developed controller for a dishwasher
 Studied xxx chip and yyy chip
Computer Theory and Mathematical Foundations of Computing
 Knowledgeable in formal languages
o Regular and Context free
o Finite state machines, pushdown automata, Turing machines
o Language Grammars and BNF format
 Compiler design
o Parsing of languages using XXX
o Syntax checking with YYY
o Assembly language development via ZZZ
NOTE: To develop your “Skills” section, on a separate sheet of paper list ALL courses you have taken, all languages you have
programmed in, all software tools you have used and all projects you have developed in the past 3-4 years. Categorize them and give
actual examples on your resume. You do not have to include everything, but this will help you to select the most important.
Additional Notes on Resumes & Cover Letters
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In the “Experience” or “Skills” include other skills such as business courses, foreign languages, or another
minor. For those with a minor in mathematics, I recommend the following:
Mathematics skills: Calculus (3 semesters), Linear Algebra, etc.
Include “Communication Skills” or “Conferences” and list all your formal presentations: NTASC, software
engineering project, Eureca-UGROW-MS2U-other research presentations. Poster presentations at the
MSU colloquiums or other conferences.
Remove weak statements &verbs such as “familiar with” or “acquainted with.” Use strong verbs such as
experience, knowledgeable, proficient. (See Mustangs Survival Guide for list of strong verbs.
NEVER say “I believe” or “I feel” as in “I feel I meet all your qualifications” or “I believe I will be a
valuable employee.” Simply state “I meet your qualifications” or “I will be a valuable employee.”
Remove unnecessary words. For example, about 99% of the time, the word “that” can be removed from a
sentence without changing the meaning. E.G. “I have the skills that are in your job ad.” Another phrase
that can usually be removed is “will be.” E.G. “I will be completing my degree in May.” Instead write “I
will complete my degree in May.” Read each sentence or phrase in your letter and resume aloud,
systematically omitting small words and remove those which add no real meaning. Make your sentences
more concise.
Check punctuation. It is seldom necessary to put a comma before the word “and” and it is never allowed in
a list of 2 items.