You typically have one page to impress prospective employers with what you have learned and accomplished while at UNC. An effective resume should do two things: describe where you’ve been, and foretell where you’re going. Rather than an exhaustive lis t of every job you’ve ever held or award you’ve ever won, your resume should be a carefully crafted document that helps employers clearly see the value you will bring to their organization. While it is impossible to sum up all of your talents and abilities on a one page document, it should clearly illuminate the specific, tangible, and transferable skills and attributes that you have to offer.
5 Keys to Creating a Targeted Resume:
1. Analyze the job description
Review job descriptions for the skills, abilities, and qualifications employers are looking for. It is recommended that you have a specific job in mind when creating a targeted resume.
2. Organize your thoughts
Make a list of the categories you wish to include on your resume. This list can include education/training, volunteer opportunities, jobs, academic research, travel, and extracurricular activities. If possible, quantify results and use commonly understood terms. Learn and use terminology on your resume that is common to the field you are pursuing. List strengths and skills used to achieve your accomplishments. Always write out or explain technical terms and abbreviations on your resume.
3. Create descriptive phrases
Create short phrases to describe your job duties. Avoid using diluted phrases such as "responsible for" or "in charge of." Arrange the descriptive phrases in order of importance to the position.
4. Ensure resume is letter perfect
Misspelled words, grammatical, or punctuation errors will generally disqualify you from any position for which you apply.
5. Have your resume critiqued by a University Career Services counselor
You may have a UCS counselor critique your resume during Walk-In hours:
Monday-Friday 10:30 am-3:30 pm or you may schedule an appointment with the counselor for your area of study.
 UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES 
The Wendy P. and Dean E. Painter Jr. Career Center
Division of Student Affairs  UNC-Chapel Hill  (919) 962-6507  http://careers.unc.edu  ucs@unc.edu
COPYRIGHT©2008 UNC-CHAPEL HILL

Resume Content:
SECTION
CONTACT
INFORMATION
JOB OBJECTIVE
EDUCATION
HONORS
EXPERIENCE
SKILLS
ACTIVITIES
COMMUNITY
SERVICE/
VOLUNTEER
ACTIVITIES
REFERENCES
BASICS

Name, address, phone number, and email address should be at the top of the page.

Always include area and zip codes.

For current students, list both a college and home address and phone numbers.

Include an objective to demonstrate to an employer that you are directed in your internship/job search. An objective that is too general will almost certainly not help you and could in fact work against you.

Begin with your most recent educational experience. Include the degree you expect to earn or have earned, your major/minor, university, expected date of graduation, and GPA.

Add course highlights as an option.

List any study abroad or other colleges attended for a significant period of time.

Include academic honors such as the
Dean's List, scholarships, and honor societies.

Include any employment, internships, significant campus leadership offices, volunteer work, and relevant class/research projects.

Include title, name of organization, location, and dates for each position.

Emphasize duties, responsibilities, skills,

 etc. not mentioned elsewhere.

List organizations and the skills and abilities utilized.
 abilities, and accomplishments appropriate to the position for which you are applying.
Foreign languages, computer skills, and other relevant skills should be included.
List college-related activities including student government, fraternities / sororities, student clubs, sports activities,
This is an optional section. This should be the last entry on your resume. You may state references “Available upon request” or may list references on a separate page.
SUGGESTIONS

Be sure your answering machine message and email address are business-appropriate.

If you have roommates or if someone else could be answering your calls, make sure they use proper etiquette and relay the message to you.

The job objective category should follow your name, address, and telephone number at the top of your resume for your primary resume on file with UCS.

The emphasis on your GPA will vary by employer. If your GPA is a 3.0 or higher, we recommend that you include it on your resume. If your GPA is lower than a 3.0, then you may want to consider omitting it from the resume.
Some students will list only their major
GPA if it’s higher, rather than their overall. Contact a UCS counselor if you have specific questions about your
GPA.

Do not average your UNC-CH GPA with grades from other institutions.

Honors may be listed under a separate heading or as a subsection under
Education.

Use phrases beginning with action verbs rather than sentences.

Do not use pronouns in your job descriptions.

You do not need to restrict this category to paid experience.

You may wish to separate this section into “Related Experience” and “Other
Experience.”

List level of fluency/proficiency with languages/computer skills. (Do not overstate your competence.)

Be sure to note offices held and committee involvement.

If the setting is religious or political, you may want to use generic descriptions.
(For example, Member of Campus
Political Organization.)

Create a separate page with the word
“References for Your Name” at the top.

List names, titles, names of employers, addresses, and telephone numbers.
Always ask permission before using anyone’s name as a reference.

Former employers, internship or volunteer supervisors, and faculty members are good choices.

Submitting a Resume
With e-mail being one of the most common methods of contact, many organizations request that resumes be sent as attachments. UCS recommends that students title the resume file with something that makes sense to the organization and you (i.e. Jane-Doe-resume). The body of your email can serve as your cover letter.
If submitting a hard copy of your resume to an employer, print it out on resume quality paper. This is a heavier quality bond paper that can be purchased at any office supply store. Use a conservative, professional color, such as off-white or crème.
Resume Do's & Don'ts


use good quality paper (at least 20 lb. bond) in white or off-white

use a readable font and print on a laser printer

be specific in your objective, if possible

quantify duties when possible

use short phrases that convey a positive, concise description of your accomplishments

limit your resume to one page if you have limited work experience

check the spelling of every word; make sure grammar and punctuation are correct

have your resume proofread by a UCS counselor before sending it to potential employers


include personal information such as weight, height, marital status, social security number, age, race, religion, or political affiliation

use graphics (unless you are applying for a graphic arts/design position)

list detailed descriptions of unrelated job duties

use words such as I, me, or my on your resume

exaggerate your experience

start phrases in experience section with "Responsible for"

state salary

use abbreviations without spelling out what they stand for
Resume Checklist

Is your resume easy to read?

Did you use bullets and bold to highlight key strengths?

Is information listed in order of importance to the position you are applying for?

Is your name, address, city, state, zip code, telephone number, and email address at the top of the resume?

Does your objective show that you have career direction?

Did you check the spelling of every word?

Kelly Smith smithkel@email.unc.edu
Current Address
3201 Stadium Avenue
Chapel Hill, NC 27513
919-932-4445
OBJECTIVE An entry-level position in Public Relations
EDUCATION University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.A., Journalism and Mass Communication, Public Relations sequence, May 20XX
Second Major: Political Science Overall GPA: 2.8
Permanent Address
467 Shallow Way
Charlotte, NC 27042
704-339-5665
RELATED ROCKETT, BURKHEAD & WINSLOW, Raleigh NC
EXPERIENCE Public Relations Intern April 2007 – September 2008

Worked on accounts including healthcare, pharmaceutical, sports and hi-tech clients

Engaged in all aspects of media relations including planning and holding press conferences

Researched and secured speaking and editorial opportunities for clients

Conducted market research for various existing clients and new business

Composed news releases, media advisories, media kits, monthly reports and media lists
STUDENT COALITION FOR ACTION IN LITERARY EDUCATION, Chapel Hill, NC
Media Specialist January 2006 – May 2006

Developed PR program for a national literacy program in elementary schools


Created informational material about SCALE and its various literacy programs
Composed and edited news releases, media advisories, fact sheets and media lists
Reverse chronological order
Use of bullets makes resume employers
ANIMALHOUSE.COM, Universal Studios Collegiate Website, Chapel Hill, NC
Marketing Representative August 2005 – February 2006

Coordinated all marketing strategies for UNC-Chapel Hill campus


Updated website on a weekly basis with editorials about college life
Promoted website and accumulated student memberships easier to scan for
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA at CHAPEL HILL
Class Projects, SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM and MASS COMMUNICATION 20XX-20XX

Developed a marketing plan for First Union Bank to attract high profile customers

Created long-term fundraising program for the N.C. Special Olympics

Conducted a publication audit for all Carolina Athletic Association publications

Created a PR campaign aimed at decreasing binge drinking on the UNC campus
OTHER Account Manager: KENAN TRANSPORT COMPANY, Chapel Hill, NC (January 2007 – Present)
EXPERIENCE Waiter: THE OCEANIC RESTAURANT, Wilmington, NC (May 2007 – August 2007)
Event Promotions: ESPN X-GAMES, Raleigh NC (May 2006)
ACTIVITIES Sigma Chi Fraternity

Derby Days Philanthropy Program (October 2006 – Present) – Raised over $70,000 for UNC
Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network

Social Chairman (December 2006 – March 2007) – Managed a $34,000 budget
Public Relations Student Society of America, UNC-Chapel Hill
Adopt-a-Highway Program, UNC-Chapel Hill
Swim Team Coach, Pilot Knob Country Club, Pilot Mountain, NC
Habitat for Humanity Program, Pilot Mountain, NC
COMPUTER Proficient in all Microsoft Office Applications, Web Authoring, and Adobe Photoshop
REFERENCES Available upon request

sjenkins@email.unc.edu
COLLEGE ADDRESS (UNTIL MAY 200X)
18 Estes Drive
Carrboro, NC 27510
(919) 555-2700
Objective Human Services Internship; special interest in health
Education
PERMANENT ADDRESS
S. Stonybrook Road
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(501) 555-1212
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.A., Psychology, May 20XX
Minor, Biology
GPA 3.24
Dean’s List - 2 semesters
Related Coursework:
Counseling Theory
Behavior Modification
Exercise Physiology
Applications of Learning Theory
Abnormal Psychology
Corporate Health
Study Abroad, Seville, Spain, Summer 200x
Experience
Leadership
*Financed 100% of education through scholarships and part-time work.
Peer Counselor, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA -CHAPEL HILL , Aug. 200x-May 200x

Coordinate weekly interaction with 5 students to ensure successful academic
social, and emotional development within the campus community

Advise students in regards to academic policies and registration

Act as a liaison between students and professional counselors
Counselor, CAMP WILLOW, Lake Placid, NY, May-Aug. 200x

Served as a mentor and advisor for 21 girls ages 9-16

Developed classes on fitness and health including dance, aerobics, and nutrition

Initiated a support group for overweight girls
Use reverse chronological order
Other positions include receptionist, lifeguard, pet groomer, and tour guide
President, ZETA TAU ALPHA SORORITY, UNC-CH , 200x-200x

Organize a blood drive for 5000 students

Delegate responsibility and assignments to 50 members

Voted Top 1% of all Greeks which is based on academic and service excellence
Senator, STUDENT GOVERNMENT, UNC-CH, 200x-200x

Represented the interests of my constituents

Participated in the formation of policies
Computer
Skills
Proficient: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FileMaker Pro
Knowledgeable: Macintosh and IBM Systems
References Available Upon Request