Build a Winning
Resume
Neal Robinson
Assistant Director, Employer Relations
Career Services, University of Central Florida
Advice & Questions
ADVICE
QUESTIONS
Consider the Benefits
It’s not ALL about the money!
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Health, Dental, Life, & Disability Insurance
Paid Vacation, Holidays, Sick Time
Bonuses
Child Care Services
Continuing Education & Training Services
Flexible Work Schedule
Stock Options
Relocation Expenses
Retirement Plans
What will you get to add to your professional toolbox?
Formatting & Appearance
• Length – Generally one page
• Margins – 0.5 to 1 inch on all
sides
• Fonts – Standard fonts (ex.
Times New Roman or Arial)
• Type Size – 10 - 12 Point
• Paper – White, beige, or light
gray resume paper
Contact Information
First M Last
Permanent Address:
1234 Long Hill Road
Mansfield, CT 06268
name@knights.ucf.edu
Current Address:
501 Russell Hall
Storrs, CT 06269
555-555-5555
Full Name
Mailing Addresses
E-mail Address
Phone Number
VICTOR A. TRINGER
345 Alcorn Lane • Ocean City, MD 20607 • (555) 555-5555 • Victor.A.Tringer@knights.ucf.edu
_____________________________________________________________________________
Objective Statement
• Purpose:
– What position are you applying
to?
– What skills/experiences would
you contribute?
• Creating an Objective:
– Highlight the industry, field, or
company of interest
– Emphasize 2-3 of your strong
and/or related skills
VICTOR A. TRINGER
345 Alcorn Lane • Ocean City, MD 20607 • (555) 555-5555 • Victor.A.Tringer@knights.ucf.edu
_____________________________________________________________________________
OBJECTIVE:
To obtain a legal assistant position at xyz law firm utilizing strong research, organizational, and
written communication skills.
Objective Statement
Objective:
Seeking a ________ utilizing ________,
__________, and ________ skills
Type of Position
Your Skills, Relevant to the Position
Education Section
• Educational institutions or
specialized training programs you
have attended
• GPA (optional)
• Certifications and/or licensure
related to employment goal
• Relevant coursework and/or
thesis topic
Education Section
Education:
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Bachelor of ________ in __________, Month, Year
Minor: ________
GPA: #.## / 4.00, Dean’s List
Graduation Date
Institution
Minor
Degree
GPA and Academic
Awards
VICTOR A. TRINGER
345 Alcorn Lane • Ocean City, MD 20607 • (555) 555-5555 • Victor.A.Tringer@knights.ucf.edu
_____________________________________________________________________________
OBJECTIVE:
To obtain a legal assistant position at xyz law firm utilizing strong research, organizational, and
written communication skills.
EDUCATION:
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL Storrs, CT
Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, May 2015
Minor: Psychology; GPA: 3.87/4.00; Dean’s List
RELAVANT COURSEWORK:
Legal Writing
Legal Research
The Law of Contracts
Honors Moot Court
Skills/Certifications Summary
• Avoid ‘soft skills’
• Focus on ‘hard skills’
• Use keywords listed in
the position description
• Revisit syllabi
Skills/Certifications Section
Skills:
Computer: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Language: Fluent in _____, Conversational in _______
Certifications: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Date
Categories
Skills
VICTOR A. TRINGER
345 Alcorn Lane • Ocean City, MD 20607 • (555) 555-5555 • Victor.A.Tringer@knights.ucf.edu
_____________________________________________________________________________
OBJECTIVE:
To obtain a legal assistant position at xyz law firm utilizing strong research, organizational, and
written communication skills.
EDUCATION:
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL Storrs, CT
Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, May 2015
Minor: Psychology; GPA: 3.87/4.00; Dean’s List
RELAVANT COURSEWORK:
Legal Writing
Legal Research
The Law of Contracts
Honors Moot Court
Skills:
Research: LexisNexis, American LegalNet
Computer: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
Language: Conversational Spanish
Experience Section
• Relevant Experience
• Employment (full-time or part-time)
• Internships or Co-op (paid or unpaid)
• Job Shadowing Experiences
• Volunteer Experience
• Academic Projects
• Study Abroad Experience
• Major Academic Experience
Highlighting Your Experiences
Relevant Experience:
Company Name, Location
Position Title, Date – Date / Present
Relevant Experience:
Position Title, Date – Date / Present
Company Name, Location
Organization is More
Prestigious
Title is More Prestigious
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
Swartz & Swartz, Orlando, FL
Legal Intern, June-August 20XX
• Outlined depositions and maintained files
• Conducted medical research to assist with malpractice suits
• Observed witness depositions
Office of Senator Kennedy, Washington D.C.
Press Intern, June-August 20XX
• Wrote press releases and media advisories
• Researched current issues for staff members and compiled findings into memos to brief the
Senator
Mock Trial Team, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Vice President, September-May 20XX
• Coordinated debate schedule and travel arrangements for six competitions
• Planed monthly meetings and recruited new members
JOB SHADDOWING EXPERIENCE:
Baker & Hostetler LLP, Orlando, FL, September 2014
Akerman Senterfitt, Orlando, FL, July 2014
Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed PA, Orlando, FL, July 2012
ACTIVITIES/HONORS:
Active Minds, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Vice President, August 2013-Present; Member, September 2011-Present
• Conduct presentations regarding mental health issues and ways to reach out to students on
campus
Legal Society, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Member, January 2011-Present
• Participate in professional development site visits to local law firms
• Tutor five undergraduate students in legal studies courses at the University’s academic
center
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE:
CVS, Cashier, Orlando, FL, September 2012-Present
Grand Enchiladas Restaurant, Host, Orlando, FL, May 2010-August 2012 (Summers)
Bullet Points
• Skills focused
• So what?
• Action Verb + What/How/Why
• STAR (Quantify Results)
Example: Collaborated with legal
assistants to research case law related
malpractice suits in order to brief a
team of three lawyers.
Bullet Points
Before
• Skills focused
• So what?
• Action Verb +
What/How/Why
• STAR (Quantify
Results)
After
Electronic Resumes
• PDF is the preferred format
for saving and submitting
resumes
– Always include your name
when saving your resume
(i.e. Victor Tringer
resume.pdf)
Do Not Include
• Your Picture
• References Available
• Personal Information
(marital status, age,
weight, height, etc.)
• Unrelated Hobbies
• Personal Pronouns
• Grammatical Mistakes
References
• Separate from your resume
• Lists academic and
professional contacts who
have direct knowledge of
your skills and qualifications
• Obtain permission from
references in advance and
provide resume and position
description
VICTOR A. TRINGER
345 Alcorn Lane • Ocean City, MD 20607 • (555) 555-5555 • Victor.A.Tringer@knights.ucf.edu
_____________________________________________________________________________
REFERENCES:
Dr. Robert Jones (Current Professor)
Chair, Biology Department
University of Central Florida
4000 Central Florida Blvd
Orlando, FL 32816
(407) 555-0000
robert.smith@ucf.edu
Ms. Louise Parker (Former Supervisor)
Research Coordinator
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
101 Peachtree Center
Atlanta, GA 30001
(404) 555-1111
louparker@cdcp.gov
Dr. Jonathan Hopkins (Professional Mentor)
National President
American Society for Microbiology
1000 Dupont Circle
Washington, DC 58221
(202) 555-2222
DrJohn@asm.org
Resume Critiques
Monday-Friday
10 am – 3 pm