Graduate Resume Writing Guide
2201 G Street, NW
Duquès Hall – Suite 560
Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-6704 sbcareer@gwu.edu
I. OVERVIEW
THE REAL PURPOSE OF A RESUME
 It presents your background and qualifications in the best possible way so that potential
employers get a solid grasp of your past and current accomplishments, the results you’ve
produced and your potential fit for a specific job.
 Keep in mind: Your resume does not get you the job…it gets you the interview!
RESUME TYPES
 Chronological: This is the most common resume type. It identifies your experiences in reverse
chronological order. (See Basic and Multiple Titles resume templates and examples on FDFCC
Resources webpage.
 Combination or Hybrid (chronological and functional): Highlights transferable skills and
accomplishments while still giving a chronological summary of work experience. This format can
be especially useful for “career changers” persons changing job function and/or industry. Check
with your career consultant to determine if this format might work for you. (See the Keyword
Bullet and Theme Header templates and examples on FDFCC Resources webpage.
SCAN-ABLE RESUMES
 Scanner technology is increasingly used to search resumes for keywords that relate to skills and
experience the employer seeks. Simplicity is important for scan able resumes
 Make liberal use of keywords that define your experience and are listed in the job description
 Avoid complex formatting like italics, tables, tabs and “decorative” lines.
 Refer to the VAULT Career Library article, “Resume Advice: Writing a Scan able Resume”.
10 QUICK RESUME TIPS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
1 Effective resume – A resume is most effective when it is tailored to the job description. You can
do this by including functional keywords and skills throughout your resume that are required by
the position (refer to Keyword resume). It is critical to demonstrate how you know you can add
value to the organization and are qualified for the position.
2 Seven seconds – Resume readers take an average of 7 seconds to review a resume.
Reviewers will often read a resume by focusing only on a few words on the left side of the
resume, or by using a scanner to search for keywords.
3 Strong action verbs – Due to time constraints to review resumes, most readers pick up only the
words on the left side of the page. So, using strong action verbs at the start of each bullet point is
essential.
4 Keywords – Incorporating industry and function key words is a must. Review the job postings
carefully for position description and requirements and incorporate as many keywords as
legitimately possible.
5 Strong first bullet point – The first bullet points beneath each employer should be your most
relevant and strongest (to include your scope of work). Since this is the first point employers will
see, they will often stop there.
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S-A-R Statements – Stand for “Situation-Action-Results,” also known as “Accomplishment
Statements.” The bullet points are most effective when written in SAR statements and should
include the key results of your actions. Provide clear results by giving specific quantifiers and
qualifiers. For example:
Before: Worked with colleagues to find ways to increase profits and reduce costs.
After: Collaborated with 5 colleagues as part of a task force to identify ways to lower
expenses and generate higher company revenue. Recommendations were implemented
by senior management, leading to a 10% decrease in operating costs and 8% increase in
profits over a 6-month period.
7 Quantifiers & Qualifiers – Include in as many bullet points as possible; this will clearly
demonstrate how the scope of your work and what you accomplished. Quantifiers include
(#,$,%). Qualifiers include verbal descriptors.
8 Additional Information –Include a few merits that will help distinguish you and support your
career choice, as well as a few that give the reader an understanding of the kind of person you
are due to your roles, activities and involvement. See suggested list below.
9 Avoid using the following:
a “Responsible for”: Instead, use specific verbs that clearly describe what you did. For
example: “managed”, “executed”, “created”, “revised”.
b Small font: Avoid using less than 10-point font size, which can be hard to read and could
cause employers to skip over your resume.
c “Etc.”: Instead, include a finite list of the key items you wish to highlight.
d Abbreviations: Spell out all words, for example, “Sales Representative”, not “Sales Rep”
e Personal Pronouns: such as “I”, “my”, “me”, “mine”, “our”
10 Integrity: Don’t exaggerate or inflate the scope of your work experience or the results produced.
Make sure the accomplishments you describe on your resume are a direct result of the work you
did.
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ELEMENTS OF A RESUME
HEADING
 Include name, mailing address, cellphone number email address and Linkedin address or link
SUMMARY - This is an optional section in a resume which is best used by working professionals
and/or persons with significant work experience.
 The purpose of a summary statement is to encapsulate the experience, areas of expertise, and
technical and/or professional skills detailed in your resume that highlight your qualifications for a
specific job in your target market. Use key words; consider bulleting statements
EDUCATION (Option for working professionals to place EDUCATION after EXPERIENCE)
 List all institutions and degrees; include dates of completion in reverse chronological order.
 Non-US Universities: Introduce employers by providing a frame of reference. Example: “One of
the top 5 universities in China” or “Ranked as the top engineering university in India.”
 Include awards and details relevant to the job you are seeking: Merit scholarships, case
competitions, clubs, leadership positions etc. Listing relevant courses can be included if you are
changing careers.
 Study Abroad experiences should be included with dates and location
RELEVANT PROJECTS - This is an optional section that works well for career starters and
changers (See Relevant projects template and example on FDFCC Resources webpage.
 Include projects, (i.e. International Residency Projects), related to your career goal: Employers
are looking for experience, not just education, especially for Masters level candidates. By
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seeking out and highlighting coursework and outside consulting projects you demonstrate
exposure and commitment to your chosen field
EXPERIENCE
 Order: All work experiences should be listed in reverse chronological order. Include the job title,
employer name, city and state, and dates of employment.
 Resume Transformers: See following page to help you identify
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 It is important to highlight relevant interests, skills, affiliations, certifications and other
criteria that will make you more attractive to employers. List of possible options:
 Leadership: List community roles; offices held; board positions; sports roles
 Global View: List languages (include level of ability); list where you traveled, lived, studied,
and/or worked; list offshore teamwork or management; list countries to which you have traveled
for work
 Community: List volunteer activities; community involvement; pro-bono work; associations
 Accomplishment: List awards; patents; publications; sports; certifications; entrepreneurships;
presentations
 Involvement: State activities/interests and hobbies (include descriptors to make this compelling)
 Certifications: List professional certifications earned, or in process of earning
 Technical: List technical skills related to your desired industry/job
 Interests: State specific activities/interests and hobbies. i.e. ran 3 half-marathons vs. running.
Include descriptors to make this bullet compelling if possible
 Publications: List a few key publications (additional publications can be on a separate page, if
needed)
 Sports: List sport activities, roles, achievements
II. BUILDING ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEMENTS
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Use the following questions to help you recall your accomplishments in each of the positions you have
had in the past – including relevant internships and volunteer positions.
PROBLEM SOLVING
 Did you identify any problems or challenges?
 Did you resolve or minimize any problems?
 Did you discover and take advantage of any opportunities?
COST REDUCTION & EFFICIENCY
 Did you reduce costs, waste, time, or effort? Did you make any recommendations that saved
money, made money, increased efficiency or productivity?
 Did you make any recommendations that saved money, made money, increased efficiency or
productivity?
 Did you produce reports whose recommendations were well received by senior management,
and whose suggestions were incorporated into their strategic planning?
 Did you uncover accounting errors, and correct them, thus saving them money?
 Did you reduce the liability for the company by suggesting safety improvement, improved
security, etc.?
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
 Did you target a need for a product, service, plan, program, system, method, procedure,
technique?
 Did you develop or design a new program, plan, service, product, process, project, system
method, strategy, etc.?
 Did you improve (redesign, streamline or reorganize), administer or implement any projects,
plans, programs, processes, services, products, etc.?
 Did you develop new markets, territories, clients, accounts, etc.?
 Did you increase or participate in increasing sales, profits, market share, volume, distribution,
production, revenues, cash flow, etc.?
 Did you improve quality or standards for hiring, products, services?
 Did you improve customer satisfaction or service?
PLANNING
 Did you formulate or participate in formulating any management decisions, policies, goals,
organizational changes, acquisitions, recruitment?
COMMUNICATION
 Did you facilitate or improve communication among employees, with clients, or with the
community?
 Did you train, present or impart knowledge to a senior management, staff, or clients?
OTHER
 Did you improve employee relations or boost morale?
 Did you open or establish a new office, department, branch, facility?
 Did you make a technical contribution?
 Did you create any original works: reports, brochures, newsletters, guides, manuals, proposals,
contracts, etc.?
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III. ACTION VERBS
Analyzed
Abstracted
Anticipated
Applied
Assessed
Ascertained
Audited
Briefed
Calculated
Clarified
Compared
Computed
Concluded
Conceptualized
Correlated
Critiqued
Debated
Defined
Detected
Determined
Diagnosed
Discriminated
Dissected
Estimated
Evaluated
Examined
Figured
Forecast
Graded
Identified
Indexed
Inspected
Integrated
Interpreted
Interviewed
Inventoried
Investigated
Judged
Juxtaposed
Maintained
Mapped
Monitored
Observed
Perceived
Pinpointed
Predicted
Projected
Qualified
Ranked
Read
Reasoned
Related
Researched
Reviewed
Screened
Scanned
Solved
Studied
Summarized
Surveyed
Symbolized
Synthesized
Tabulated
Verified
Visualized
Assisted
Advised
Bolstered
Brought
Chartered
Collaborated
Contributed
Consolidated
Consulted
Cooperated
Dealt
Enlisted
Ensured
Facilitated
Fostered
Handled
Helped
Located
Participated
Preserved
Protected
Referred
Represented
Served
Strengthened
Summarized
Supported
Sustained
Communicated
Addressed
Advertised
Answered
Briefed
Corresponded
Debated
Explained
Expressed
Facilitated
Interpreted
Interviewed
Lectured
Listened
Marketed
Prepared
Presented
Printed
Programmed
Publicized
Quoted
Recorded
Reported
Responded
Rewrote
Spoke
Taught
Wrote
Created /
Developed
Acted
Activated
Adapted
Assembled
Authored
Bolstered
Built
Charged
Clarified
Composed
Conceived
Constructed
Corrected
Designed
Devised
Discovered
Drafted
Eliminated
Established
Expanded
Expedited
Experimented
Fabricated
Facilitated
Fashioned
Financed
Fixed
Formulated
Founded
Generated
Improved
Increased
Influenced
Initiated
Innovated
Instituted
Integrated
Introduced
Invented
Launch
Marketed
Modeled
Modified
Navigated
Originated
Perceived
Performed
Pioneered
Planned
Prioritized
Produced
Promoted
Proposed
Recommended
Reduced
Restored
Refined
Revamped
Set
Shaped
Simplified
Solved
Styled
Streamlined
Substituted
Visualized
Improved /
Increased
Achieved
Accomplished
Acquired
Advanced
Allowed
Amplified
Assured
Attained
Augmented
Bolstered
Completed
Conserved
Continued
Eliminated
Encouraged
Enlarged
Expanded
Extended
Facilitated
Fostered
Guaranteed
Inspired
Mastered
Maximized
Minimized
Motivated
Obtained
Overcame
Perfected
Promoted
Provided
Reduced
Restored
Reinforced
Stimulated
Strengthened
Upgraded
Counseled /
Instructed /
Learned
Adapted
Advised
Advocated
Aided
Applied
Assessed
Bolstered
Briefed
Cared
Chaired
Charged
Charted
Clarified
Coached
Comforted
Communicated
Conducted
Consulted
Coordinated
Demonstrated
Educated
Emphasized
Enabled
Encouraged
Enlightened
Established
Exercised
Explained
Facilitated
Familiarized
Fostered
Guided
Helped
Implemented
Improved
Influenced
Informed
Inspired
Interpreted
Investigated
Lectured
Led
Listened
Maintained
Manipulated
Monitored
Modified
Motivated
Observed
5
Perceived
Persuaded
Prescribed
Programmed
Promoted
Read
Reduced
Reflected
Related
Restored
Saved
Shared
Spoke
Stimulated
Strengthened
Substituted
Suggested
Supported
Sustained
Taught
Trained
Tutored
Validated
Operated /
Maintained
Activated
Adjusted
Adapted
Bolstered
Changed
Clarified
Corrected
Continued
Edited
Eliminated
Executed
Expedited
Facilitated
Fixed
Implemented
Installed
Modified
Molded
Navigated
Ordered
Overhauled
Performed
Prepared
Piloted
Preserved
Prioritized
Produced
Programmed
Promoted
Protected
Ran
Reduced
Regulated
Replaced
Screened
Serviced
Set
Sustained
Transported
Upheld
Utilized
Negotiated
Advised
Advocated
Arbitted
Bargained
Closed
Concluded
Consolidated
Dealt
Expedited
Facilitated
Handled
Interfaced
Lobbied
Mediated
Merged
Motivated
Negotiated
Persuaded
Promoted
Reconciled
Resolved
Solved
Widened
Organized
Accumulated
Arranged
Assembled
Balanced
Budgeted
Built
Catalogued
Clarified
Classified
Collated
Collected
Completed
Compiled
Composed
Coordinated
Copied
Correlated
Detailed
Developed
Diagrammed
Displayed
Edited
Facilitated
Filed
Gathered
Graphed
Identified
Indexed
Inspected
Inventoried
Kept
Located
Maintained
Mapped
Met
Deadlines
Methodized
Obtained
Organized
Planned
Prepared
Prioritized
Processed
Programmed
Ranked
Recorded
Reorganized
Reproduced
Reshaped
Retrieved
Revamped
Reviewed
Revised
Routinized
Scheduled
Set
Simplified
Solved
Streamlined
Structured
Synthesized
Systemized
Tabulated
Unified
Served
Assisted
Attended
Cared
Catered
Delivered
Dispensed
Entertained
Facilitated
Furnished
Listened
Maintained
Performed
Prepared
Procured
Provided
Represented
Satisfied
Served
Supplied
Sold
Aided
Advertised
Auctioned
Bartered
Bolstered
Bought
Enlisted
Facilitated
Generated
Helped
Improved
Led
Maintained
Marketed
Motivated
Negotiated
Persuaded
Promoted
Purchased
Raised
Recommended
Recruited
Stimulated
Responded
Supervised
Administered
Allocated
Approved
Arranged
Assigned
Authorized
Bolstered
Chaired
Clarified
Coached
Conducted
Confronted
Consulted
Contracted
Controlled
Coordinated
Decided
Delegated
Directed
Dispatched
Distributed
Educated
Effected
Encouraged
Enforced
Evaluated
Executed
Exercised
Expedited
Explained
Facilitated
Fired
Followed
(through)
Fostered
Governed
Guided
Handled
Harmonized
Headed
Hired
Implemented
Instituted
Instructed
Led
Maintained
Managed
Met
Guidelines
Mentored
Monitored
Motivated
Navigated
Ordered
Organized
Oversaw
Planned
Prepared
Presided
Prioritized
Promoted
Purchased
Regulated
Reinforced
Reinstated
Resolved
Retained
Reviewed
Scheduled
Selected
Set
Solved
Strengthened
Supervised
Taught
Teamed
Trained
Updated
Volunteered