CREATING A RESUME THAT WORKS
For many professionals, creating the resume can be the most stressful aspect of the
internship/job search process. Most individuals lack the confidence to sell themselves,
their experience or the skills through powerful accomplishment statements.
Remember, the resume is an advertisement of yourself, your education, your experience
and your abilities to get the job done. It is perhaps the most powerful tool available in
creating an impression, obtaining an interview or documenting your work history and
professional credentials.
Simply put, the resume should present (1) the position you are seeking, (2) what you can
do for the agency, (3) your knowledge, skills, and talents, (4) your professional
achievements, (5) previous positions held, (6) training, education and certifications, and
(7) a supplemental list of references.
In this section, you will review the attributes of the resume and related internship
correspondence including:
Resume Best Practices for Internship Application
The Do’s and Don’ts of the Resume
The On-Line Portfolio of Credentials
The Resume Format
The Reference Format
Sample Resumes from Success Seminar Student Interns
How to Write Accomplishment Statements
Powerful Action Verbs for Accomplishment Statements
Bibliography of Resume Books
Cover Letters and Thank You Letters
FAX and E Mail Etiquette
The Internship Employment Process
Did you know? While most employers spend an average of 15 seconds reviewing the
resume only about 2 out of every 100 resumes will result in an actual interview.
SECTION IV:
GET READY FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
CREATING A RESUME THAT WORKS
“WE CAN DO ANYTHING WE WANT TO DO IF WE STICK TO IT LONG ENOUGH”
-HELEN KELLER
THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF THE RESUME
RESUME DO’S:
RESUME DON’TS:
Be sure all information is accurate.
Include enough information to make the
employer wants to interview you.
List only those jobs that demonstrate
responsibility and leadership.
Omit discriminatory information such
sex, age, religion, race, marital status.
Use information that is relevant to the
job you are seeking.
Don’t present yourself inaccurately.
Don’t use wordy statements.
Don’t leave gaps in length of
employment.
Don’t personalize the resume.
Don’t clutter the resume with information
regarding former work history.
Don’t have someone else write your
resume.
RESUME FORMAT DO’S:
RESUME FORMAT DON’TS:
Be sure the resume is attractive
in format and easy to read.
Be consistent in style and format.
Use a format that is professionally
appropriate for the position you are
seeking.
Include references on a separate
reference sheet.
Keep the “bulk” or your resume
content to one page.
Document work history by using
powerful accomplishment statements.
Don’t try to make the resume unusual and
artistic in appearance.
Don’t mix print style or use excessive
bolding and underlining.
Don’t mention salary history or wage
expectations.
Don’t use complete sentences or pronouns.
Don’t write in paragraphs or narrative.
REMEMBER!!
MARGINS: 1” Left, Right, Top and Bottom;
FONT TYPE: Arial or Times New Roman;
FONT SIZE: Preferably 12 and no smaller than 10;
BOLD: Name and all resume headings;
BULLET: All accomplishment statements.
RESUME BEST PRACTICES FOR INTERNSHIP APPLICATION
As a student of Experiential Learning at Radford University, one of the first steps taken
toward a successful internship search is building a resume that is professional in
appearance. The professional resume is “a work in progress” that begins with your first
job or money-making venture as early as middle school or high school. Before the junior
year of college, most students will have a number of jobs and responsibilities that need to
be documented in a resume. While it is not the responsibility of The Center for
Experiential Learning to create resumes for students, every effort is made to assist
students in refining and enhancing an existing resume. Once the student has refined and
created the internship resume during the sophomore or junior year, he or she will possess
a professional document that is acceptable for the ultimate career search during the senior
year. The following guidelines will be helpful in creating “A Resume That Works”
during the internship process.
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When you register with the Center for Experiential Learning, include a resume with
your application;
Make an appointment with a counselor to review your resume and refine its contents
to be applicable to the type of internship experience for which you are applying;
Include your name, address, telephone and email for both college and home
addresses;
Include an email address that is professional in appearance and not socially
suggestive, i.e., Superchick.com is a Resume Don’t;
Document your professional strengths in bullet or narrative form. See sample
resumes for suggestions;
List degrees being pursued, past degrees or endorsements and high school education;
GPA may be listed until graduation from college, then omitted;
Relevant coursework should include those courses and skills that will be needed to
perform your internship;
Documentation of work history should begin with high school positions that
demonstrate leadership positions or strength in performance. Omit part time positions
that may just take up space on the resume;
If you have a strong work history in college, it is acceptable to omit high school work
history;
Statement of work performance should be listed as “Accomplishment Statements”
that reflect what you accomplished and generated for the good of the customer and
company; i.e., See How to Write Accomplishment Statements;
Community Contributions should include memberships in those organizations that
reflect community, collegiate, or artistic involvement;
Include religious affiliation as a Community Contribution however the information
should be deleted upon application for employment following graduation from college;
Be diverse in your list of Community Contributions as it demonstrates flexibility and
diversity of interests in addition to your academic load and work responsibility;
List your references on a separate document with the reference sheet heading in the
same format as the resume;
Do not submit references unless requested by the internship site or employer;
HOW TO WRITE ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEMENTS
In documenting your work history, you will need to write a brief description of your
responsibilities to your employer. Proper wording in documenting these responsibilities
can be accomplished through the use of powerful verbs from the list of Powerful Action
Verbs in this section. While most young professionals getting ready to enter the job
market will document their responsibilities as duty statements, most resume job
descriptions should begin with a statement of responsibility much like an employee’s job
description in a brief one-line statement. Following is an example of how to begin
creating your accomplishment statements:
You are an accounting student intern from the Center for Experiential Learning
performing payroll functions for the local Radford United States Census Command
Center. Create a statement of work responsibility that explains the purpose of the job with
the final documentation for this position appearing as follows:
1. What was your last job?
I worked at The Radford Command Center in Radford, VA. and was responsible for
assisting with processing the weekly payroll.
2. How many people were included in this weekly process?
I processed payroll for at least 100 people including supervisors, team leaders and
enumerators.
3. Did you have any other responsibilities with this assignment?
Yes, I answered the telephones, helped in the office, and I kept the files organized.
4. Beginning with Statement 1, document the place of employment, location, year of
employment and your title.
United States Census, Radford, VA (Spring, 2000), Payroll Assistant
5. Now, using information from statement 1, create your first accomplishment
statement describing the overall function or your job responsibility.
Remember to omit pronouns.
Assisted with weekly payroll operations for Year 2000 United States Census
6. The next statement can include how you performed your assignment and how
many people were included in the task.
Maintained time sheets and records for over 100 supervisors, team leaders and
enumerators
7. Your last statement can be simply a duty statement that will include additional
responsibilities connected with your job.
Assisted with office management, answered telephones and maintained files.
HOW TO WRITE ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEMENTS 2
Now you are ready to document your information in resume format with bold
headings and bulleted accomplishment statements.
1. Place of employment, year of employment and title should be in bold print.
United States Census, Radford, VA (Spring, 2000)
Payroll Assistant
2. From statement 5, list your major accomplishment statements in bulleted format.
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Assisted with weekly payroll operations for Year 2000 United States
Census
3. Now include the next 2 statements in bulleted format.
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Maintained time sheets and records for over 100 supervisors, team leaders
and enumerators
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Assisted with office management, answered telephones and maintained
files
4. Your final statement should appear as follows:
United States Census, Radford, VA (Spring, 2000)
Payroll Assistant
 Assisted with weekly payroll operations for Year 2000 United States Census
 Maintained time sheets and records for over 100 supervisors, team leaders and
enumerators
 Assisted with office management, answered telephones and maintained files
Always remember to include numbers, percentages, dollar amounts, revenue, man-hours
and any statistical information in your accomplishment statements that demonstrate
contributions to the organization or responsibility that you have assumed. In the previous
accomplishment statements, the individual documented “over 100 employees” and used
powerful action verbs including assisted and maintained.
COVER LETTERS
The cover letter serves as an introduction of yourself and your resume when submitted
for an internship or job opportunity. It should always accompany the resume unless,
however, your resume is emailed or faxed in which case you would use an email message
or fax cover sheet in place of a formal cover letter of introduction.
Cover letters should be brief. Remember, its purpose is to introduce the resume not to
repeat what is covered in the resume. The letter should say enough about the applicant to
make the employer want to read the resume and find out more about your skills, talents,
and abilities. It should include the following: your return address, employer’s address,
salutation, 3 short paragraphs including introduction, main topic and closing, your closing
with name and signature, and enclosures.
The cover letter format may be written in standard centered format or left justified. While
students may be submitting multiple applications for internships, it is a good idea to save
a sample cover letter on your computer and plug in the pertinent information with each
individual resume submitted.
A sample of a standard cover letter is enclosed on the following page.
THANK YOU LETTERS
One of the most critical steps to securing an internship or job offer is sending the thank
you letter. Remember, the thank you letter is the culmination of the interview process and
serves many purposes as follows:
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It serves as a reminder of who you are, Employers interview many candidates
throughout the employment process.
It serves as an opportunity to review your strengths and what you may be able to offer
the company.
It offers an opportunity to mention some details about yourself that you may have
forgotten to discuss during the interview.
It allows you to send documentation that may have been requested during your
interview.
It tells the employer when you will contact them regarding their decision.
It extends your gratitude for being considered in the interview process.
The thank you letter will include: your return address, employer’s address, salutation, 2 to
4 short paragraphs including introduction, reinforcement, review and reminder, your
closing with name and signatures and enclosures.
As with the cover letter format, the letter may be written in centered or left justified
format and should be saved on your personal computer to be used in future application
processes.
A sample thank your letter is enclosed on the following page.
COVER LETTER FORMAT
Your Address
City, State, ZIP
Date
Interviewer’s Name
Title
Company Name
Address
City, State, ZIP
Salutation:
Introductory Paragraph l:
Explain why you are writing and include why you
are interested in this particular organization. Name
the position for which you are applying and how
you hear of the opportunity.
Main Body Paragraph 2:
Highlight your qualifications and achievements by
linking the skills demanded by the employer with
your personal attributes. Emphasize how you can be
of value to the organization.
Closing Paragraph 3:
Request an appointment or offer to call the
employer in the near future, preferably within a
week of submitting your resume.
Closing,
Your Name
Enclosures
SAMPLE COVER LETTER
707 G Howe Street
Radford, VA 23261
May 1, 2000
Mr. Tom Davis
Vice President, Marketing
Philip-Morris, Inc.
P. O. Box 26603
Richmond, VA 23261
Dear Mr. Davis:
Enclosed you will find my resume as application for an internship in Marketing with
your organization. I am currently a student of the Center for Experiential Learning at
Radford University and Dr. Kathryn Jordan, Director, has referred your opportunity to
me. I am search of a “For Credit/Paid” opportunity for Summer, 2000.
As my resume indicates, I will receive my B.S. in Marketing in May, 2001. I am in
search of an opportunity that will provide me with an opportunity to explore diverse areas
of the marketing field. With former sales and retail experience, I am recognized for my
leadership ability, strong customer service skills, and a talent for working with diverse
groups of people. Additionally, I am motivated to learn the numerous aspects of sales
and marketing operation in business and industry.
I would like to contact you in a few days regarding receipt of my resume and credentials
and to discuss the next step in applying for an internship with Philip-Morris. I look
forward to your positive response and in the meantime, please feel to forward my resume
to interested parties within your organization.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Enclosure
THANK YOU LETTER FORMAT
Your Address
City, State, ZIP
Date
Interviewer’s Name
Title
Company Name
Address
Salutation:
Introductory Paragraph 1:
Reintroduce yourself, the position for which you
were interviewed and the date of your interview.
Reinforcement Paragraph 2:
Indicate which part of the information was
particularly interesting and helpful to you in regard
to your internship search or how you enjoyed
learning about the company. State why you feel
you are qualified for the position and how your
background, skills, or educational emphasis are a
match for the position.
Review Paragraph 3:
Include any details, training, or issues of transition
that you may be experiencing and when you will be
available to start your new internship, i.e.,
enrollment in classes or job responsibilities. Also
indicate which, if any, documents you are enclosing
with your letter, i.e., transcripts or references.
Reminder Paragraph 4:
Indicate when you will contact the person regarding
an answer on the status of the interview or
internship.
Closing,
Your Name
Enclosure(s) (Include if applicable)
SAMPLE THANK YOU LETTER
100 Main Street
Anywhere U.S.A. 12345
April 6, 2000
Ms. Alice Mann
Employment Director
ABC Management, Inc.
123 45th Street
Anywhere, U.S.A. 12345
Dear Ms. Mann:
Thank you for taking the time to interview me on April 5. I enjoyed the opportunity of
talking with you and learning more about your operation.
As we discussed, my experience as a Sales Associate at Tower Records makes me a good
candidate for the marketing internship position. The position would allow me to integrate
into your operation my talent for being detail oriented along with outstanding experience
in delivery of excellent customer service.
As you recall from out interview, I will be concluding my training on Excel in a few
weeks. I am sure this training will be quite useful during my internship experience. As
you requested, I have also enclosed a copy of my internship objectives as drawn up by
my advisor.
I have a strong interest in this position and will call next Tuesday, April 12, regarding the
status of this position. I look forward to speaking with you again soon.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Enc.
FAX AND EMAIL ETIQUETTE
With the increase in communication through the use of technology, the job search process
has become less formal in the past few years. This has occurred for two main reasons.
Employers receive and review as many as 100 applications a day. Secondly, professionals
are constantly in search of employment opportunities where skills are demanded at
competitively high salary ranges. These 2 factors alone have resulted in multiple job
changes nationwide with considerable movement among employees young and old.
While use of the Cover Letter is still considered the ultimate courtesy in the application
process, use of FAX and email has become increasingly popular. The following protocol
should be followed if choosing one of these forms of technological communication:
FAX Etiquette
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Complete a FAX cover sheet being careful to include all requested contact
information.
Be sure to address the FAX cover sheet to the individual who has requested your
resume.
Enclose a copy of a formal cover letter or word-processed statement of your
reason for application.
Include references with your resume only if requested.
Make sure your FAX communication is followed by a FAX confirmation of
receipt.
Include the FAX confirmation with your record of application to this particular
company.
Follow your FAX transmission with a call to the company to determine receipt
and to inquire when you may expect an interview. This may be done the
following day.
EMAIL ETIQUETTE
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Check with the employer to determine their preferred method for emailing
information.
Make sure email information is included on your resume.
Follow the same business etiquette in emailing credentials that would be used in
mailing a resume.
Type your email message in business writing style using correct grammar and
punctuation.
Include all closing information on your email message including name, address,
telephone, and return email information.
After email has been initiated, follow employer instructions regarding future
contact for a subsequent interview.
THE INTERNSHIP EMPLOYMENT PROCESS
1. REGISTRATION WITH THE CENTER FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
2. IDENTIFY TALENTS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
3. CREATE A RESUME THAT WORKS AND DOCUMENT REFERENCES
4. RESEARCH INTERNSHIP SITES FOR APPLICATION
5. SUBMIT APPLICATION PORTFOLIO OF CREDENTIALS TO POTENTIAL EMPLOYER
6. CALL EMPLOYER TO CHECK ON STATUS OF INTERVIEW
7. SECURE AN INTERVIEW AND MEET WITH EMPLOYER
8. SUBMIT THANK YOU LETTER
9. CALL WITHIN A FEW DAYS TO DETERMINE HIRING DECISION
10. RECEIVE ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION
11. BEGIN INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
(OR)
RE-EVALUATE YOUR SEARCH AND RETURN TO STEP 2.
Did you know? You will continue to refine your internship and career goals throughout
the Internship Employment Process. Remember, consider all options that may be
coming your way.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RESUME BOOKS
100 Best Resumes for Today’s Hottest Jobs. Potter, Ray.
1500+ Keywords for $100,000+ Jobs.
The Adams Resume Almanac. Adams Publishing.
Asher’s Bible of Executive Resumes and How to Write Them. Asher, Donald.
Climbing Your Way to the Bottom: Changing the Way You Approach Your
Job Search. Sullivan, Rob.
The Curriculum Vitae Handbook: Using Your Cv to Present and Promote Your Academic
Career. Anthony, Rebecca & Roe, Gerald.
Does Your Resume Wear Apron Strings? Job Search Strategy for Women.
Good, C. Edward
Electronic Resume Revolution. Kennedy, Joyce Lain & Morrow, Thomas J.
High Impact Resumes and Letters 6th ed. Krannich, Ronold L. and Banis, William J.
How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae. Jackson, Acy L.
Liberal Arts Power! How to Sell It On Your Resume. Petersons.
The Resume Catalog: 200 Damn Good Examples. Parker, Yana.
Resumes. National Business Employment Weekly.
Resumes! Resumes! Resumes! Career Press.
Resumes for the Healthcare Professional. Marino, Kim.
Resumes that Knock Em Dead. Yate, Martin.
Slam Dunk Resumes…that score every time. Provenzano, Steven.
Your lst Resume, 2nd ed. Fry, Ronald W.
THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF THE RESUME
RESUME DO’S:
RESUME DON’TS:








Be sure all information is accurate.
Include enough information to make
the employer want to interview you.
List only those jobs that demonstrate
responsibility and leadership.
Omit discriminatory information
such as sex, age, religion, race,
marital status.
Use information that is relevant to
the job you are seeking.



Don’t present yourself inaccurately.
Don’t use wordy statements.
Don’t leave gaps in length of
employment.
Don’t personalize the resume.
Don’t clutter the resume with
information regarding former work
history.
Don’t have someone else write your
resume.
RESUME FORMAT DO’S:
RESUME FORMAT DON’TS:







Be sure the resume is attractive in
format and easy to read.
Be consistent in style and format.
Use a format that is professionally
appropriate for the position that you
are seeking.
Include references on a separate
reference sheet.
Keep the “bulk” of your resume
content to one page.
Document work history by using
powerful accomplishment
statements.




Don’t try to make the resume
unusual and artistic in appearance.
Don’t mix print style or use
excessive bolding and underlining.
Don’t mention salary history or wage
expectations.
Don’t use complete sentences or
pronouns.
Don’t write in paragraphs or
narrative.
REMEMBER!
MARGINS: 1” Left, Right, Top and Bottom;
FONT TYPE: Arial or Times New Roman;
FONT SIZE: Preferably 12 and no smaller than 10;
BOLD: Name and all resume headings;
BULLET: All accomplishment statements.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RESUME BOOKS
Adams, Robert L., Laura Morin, Richard Staron, Christine Bannen & Marcie
Dipetro (1994). The Adams Resume Almanac. Holbrook, MA: Adams Media
Corporation.
Anthony, Rebecca & Gerald Roe. (1998). 101 Grade A Resumes For Teachers.
Hauppauge, NY: Barron.
Asher, Donald. (1997). Asher’s Bible of Executive Resumes and How to Write
Them. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.
Besson, Taunee. (1994). The Wall Street Journal, National Business Employment
Weekly: Resumes. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Career Press. Resumes! Resumes! Resumes! Hawthorne, NJ: Bookmart Press.
Criscito, Pat. (1997). Resume in Cyberspace: Your Complete Guide to a
Computerized Job Search. Hauppauge, NY: Barron.
Enelow, Wendy S. (1998). 1500+ Keywords for $100,000+ Jobs. Manassas Park,
VA: Impact Publications.
Fry, Ronald W. (1989). Your 1st Resume. Hawthorne, J: The Career Press, Inc.
Good, C. Edward. (1989). Does Your Resume Wear Apron Strings? Job Search
Strategy for Women. Charlottesville, VA: Blue Jeans Press.
Kennedy, Joyce Lain & Thomas J. Morrow. (1995). Electronic Resume
Revolution. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Kennedy, Joyce Lain. (1996). Resumes for Dummies. Foster City, CA: IDG Books
Worldwide, Inc.
Krannich, Ronald L. & William J. Banis. (1982). High Impact Resumes and
Letters. Manassas Park, VA: Impact Publications.
Marino, Kim. (1993). Resumes for the Healthcare Professional. New York, NY:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nadler, Burton Jay. (1985). Liberal Arts Power: How to Sell It On Your Resume.
Princeton, NJ: Peterson’s Guide.
Parker, Yana. (1996). The Resume Catalog: 200 Damn Good Examples. Berkeley,
California: Ten Speed Press.
Potter, Ray. (1998). 100 Best Resumes for Today’s Hottest Jobs. New York, NY:
Macmillan.
Provenzano, Steven. Slam Dunk Resumes…That Score Every Time.
Yate, Martin. Resumes That Knock ‘Em Dead.
POWERFUL ACTION VERBS FOR ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEMENTS
The Resume that Works contains accomplishment statements that explains the job
function and responsibility. An accomplishment statement should begin with a powerful
action verb that implies leadership and responsibility on the part of the writer. For
example, the word “utilized” relays more responsibility than the word “used.” Examples
of other words might include:
Accomplished
Achieved
Administered
Advised
Analyzed
Appraised
Approved
Assessed
Built
Calculated
Clarified
Completed
Composed
Conceived
Conducted
Consolidated
Constructed
Contacted
Contributed
Controlled
Conversed
Converted
Coordinated
Counseled
Created
Delegated
Delivered
Demonstrated
Designed
Determined
Developed
Devised
Directed
Earned
Edited
Eliminated
Established
Estimated
Evaluated
Examined
Expanded
Facilitated
Figured
Formulated
Generated
Guided
Handled
Identified
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Informed
Inquired
Inspected
Installed
Instructed
Interpreted
Introduced
Invented
Launched
Led
Maintained
Managed
Measured
Monitored
Motivated
Negotiated
Observed
Operated
Organized
Participated
Performed
Planned
Prepared
Presented
Processed
Produced
Programmed
Promoted
Proposed
Provided
Publicized
Purchased
Recommended
Reconciled
Recorded
Recruited
Redesigned
Reduced
Reorganized
Researched
Reviewed
Revised
Scheduled
Served
Serviced
Sold
Solved
Staffed
Started
Streamlined
Strengthened
Stressed
Stretched
Structured
Succeeded
Summarized
Supervised
Surveyed
Terminated
Traced
Tracked
Traded
Trained
Transferred
Transformed
Translated
Trimmed
Tripled
Troubleshoot
Uncovered
Unified
Utilized
Verified
Widened
Withdrew
Worked
Wrote