Resume Essentials
Key Components & Considerations
The following are elements of a good resume:
 Name and contact information including phone, e-mail, and commonly a street address.
 An introduction, usually a summary or profile, but sometimes an objective statement.
 Work or professional experience, including internships, with employers, job titles,
accomplishments and dates. List job accomplishments in a bulleted list.
 Post-secondary education, but previous colleges need not be included. Include the institution’s
city and state. Graduation dates are optional, but if you’re a current student, be sure to include
your anticipated graduation date. Relevant coursework may be included, especially for students
or recent graduates. It’s also optional to include your GPA if it’s above a 3.0.
 Volunteer experience, especially if it relates to your intended career field.
 Technical skills, including software, hardware, and other job skills.
 Associations, student organizations and other memberships, activities and awards.
Pay careful attention to:
 Any errors in spelling and grammar, or typos.
 Inconsistent formatting, font, text size or other distractions.
 Hierarchy: headings are consistent throughout the document.
 Ease of navigation: can readers scan for dates, employers and other items easily?
Other options…One style doesn’t fit all:
 Two-page resumes are common, so don’t try to fit everything onto one page. On the top of Page
2, create a simple header with your name and Page 2.
 Some people may consider another style of resume, either a combined (one that focuses on class
projects and skills while including job accomplishment details) or functional (one that focuses on
class projects and skills while simply listing jobs and dates of employment).
 Education can go either before or after work experience, depending on which one carries more
importance for your situation.
Additional resources (www.metrostate.edu/career or call 651-793-1528):
 Resume drop-in workshops Wednesdays in the library from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 Individual appointments with a career counselor.
 The new Resume Resources page of documents and links is on the Career Services web page.
Templates, samples and instructional materials on resumes, cover letters, references and other
helpful job search materials are available.
 Resume builder through LinkedIn (http://resume.linkedinlabs.com/)
 The Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) has resume assistance, interview coaching
and other job search resources free of charge. Help is available at a Twin Cities area library or
online. (http://melsa.org/melsa/index.cfm/programs/jobnow/)
Metropolitan State University Career Services
651.793.1528
www.metrostate.edu/career
BRETT JONES
10700 Juniper St. N.W.
Rosemount, MN 55068
763-862-2164
BJones3@yahoo.com
SUMMARY
Experienced retail supervisor completing a business administration degree and seeking a
management trainee position. Proven organizational abilities, experience in business marketing,
and proficient in related software systems. Able to apply management principles on the job.
EDUCATION
Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN
Anticipated August 2012
Bachelor of Science: Business Administration
Courses: Strategic Management, Operations Management, Management Information
Systems, Organizational Behavior, Advanced Statistics
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TARGET, Apple Valley, MN
January 2012-Present
Management Intern
 Collaborate with managers and sales team members to resolve customer complaints
 Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts
 Establish and review departmental policies, goals and procedures, conferring with
supervisors and staff members are needed
 Assist with interviewing, hiring and training new employees
GANDER MOUNTAIN, Roseville, MN
2009–Present
Shift Supervisor
 Train, supervise and schedule employees in daily operations and customer service
 Ensure efficient service by monitoring inventory, monitoring trends and ordering supplies
 Managed cash transactions, including daily reconciliations and deposits
TARGET, St. Paul, MN
2005–2009
Customer Service Specialist/Cashier
 Ensured prompt and courteous customer service and resolution of concerns
 Assisted in training new employees in all aspects of cashiering and merchandise returns
 Recognized with four Employee of the Month awards
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
International Association of Business Administration Professionals
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Microsoft: Visio, Project, Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher; PeachTree Accounting
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Tax Preparation Assistant, La Familia Neighborhood Services, St. Paul, MN
Metropolitan State University Career Services
651.793.1528
www.metrostate.edu/career