Claremont Graduate University
Writing a Great Resume
Career
Development
FYI
Employers spend less than 30 seconds reviewing your resume.
Tailor your resume to the job--it will make you stand out!
Preparing to Write the Resume
Before You Hit Submit
Do:
Edit for spelling and grammar errors
Use past tense for past jobs, present tense for
current jobs
Arrange your resume sections and bullets
according to the most important aspects for
the employer
Begin each entry with a strong action verb
Emphasize specific actions and
measurable/quantifiable results
Be accurate and truthful about your
accomplishment statements
Make sure any statements in your
qualifications or summary statement are
reinforced in the body of your resume
Use a readable font style and size
Make sure the most important information is
on the first page (if your resume is more than
one page)
Don't:
Use personal pronouns
Include personal information like marital
status, age, social security number
Include unrelated duties
Use abbreviations
Include references or "references available on
request"
1. Read the job description and highlight the
relevant skills and experiences required.
2. Mine your background to identify the
transferable skills you have that match the
position.
3. Create your list of accomplishments.
What are the results and impact of your
work? Quantify your accomplishments as
much as possible. What qualities/skills
allowed you to achieve these
accomplishments?
4. Research the company so you can tailor
your resume to their needs.
5. Write descriptive phrases, starting with a
strong action verb, to describe what you
did that illustrates your skills.
6. Include all employment information,
company, title, location and all dates of
employment.
7. Choose your format: a) reverse
chronological if staying in the same
industry; b) functional if changing
industries, careers, or if you have an
employment gap
8. Resume can be more than one page based
on job type, degree level, and employer
preference. If unsure, ask contacts in the
field.
Final Advice
Stop by the Student Success Center to see us!!
131 E. 10th St. Claremont, CA 91711 (909)621-8177
http://www.cgu.edu/careerdevelopment
Becky Miller
1024 Maple Placenta, CA 99999 (555)555-5555 bmiller@yahoo.com
Qualifications
5 years experience designing/participating in usability studies
Implemented and managed all phases of 3 complex research projects including focus groups,
structured interviews, participant observation
Designed/delivered presentations adapted to expert and non-expert audiences
Education
Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA
Ph.D. Psychology and Social Behavior, emphasis in health and social psychology
M.A., Psychology
University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
B.A. in Psychology; minor: Philosophy; graduated Magna Cum Laude
April 20XX
June 20XX
September 20XX
Research Experience
20XX-present
Research Assistant, Dr. Beal Lab Claremont Graduate University
Winter 20XX
Usability study of a mobile intervention device
Tested device prototype to decrease error rate by 60%
Provided feedback to product team about user experience and functionality
Supervised and trained research team members
Collected and analyzed human behavioral data from 200 participants
Trained study participants on the use of portable cardiovascular monitors and
electronic data capture (i.e., PDA-administered questionnaires)
Spring 20XX-Summer 20XX
Project Manager, Interpersonal Interaction and Cardio Activity
Designed and implemented research protocols, both collaboratively and
independently, involving:
Regulation of behavior, emotion, cognition, and attention, physiological and
emotional responses to stress, risk perception and decision making
Performed complex statistical analysis using SPSS (e.g., univariate and
repeated-measures ANOVA), and SAS (e.g., linear mixed models
Research Assistant, Cascadia Field Station, University of Washington
Spring 20XX-Fall 20XX
Investigated psychological impact of military over-flights on wilderness area visitors
Administrated surveys, performed detailed data coding, data entry and data
management
Created charts and displays of research Microsoft Excel
Fall 20XX-Fall 20XX
Research Assistant, Department of Psychology, University of Washington
Conducted social-cognition psychology experiments (via computer)
Studied implicit attitudes toward stereotyped groups with Dr. Anthony Greenwald
Designed and implemented a research study investigating implicit and explicit attitudes of
stereotyped groups
Trained other research assistants in research protocols and procedures