Spice Up Your Resume
Served by
Explore
 Take time to reflect on and list your accomplishments
both in and out of the classroom
 Answer these questions
 What have I done in my life, academic or otherwise that
would make me valuable to this company?
 What qualifications do I have that would be of value?
 How am I special?
Speak The Language
 Review the job description
 Research company
 Look at the company web site
 Read recent press releases
 Do an internet search on the company
 Incorporate the “LINGO” used with all of these into
your resume
The Basics
 NO typos, spelling errors or
 Be consistent
use of poor grammar
 Don’t use templates
 Your resume = You
 One page is preferred
 Neat resume = neat
 Organized resume =
organized
 Error-free resume = careful
 Professional resume =
competent
 Keep it relevant to the
position
 Be concise and clear
 Balance the info, equal margins
 No personal pronouns
 Use strong action verbs
 Bullets
 Avoid parentheses
 Print on high-quality white or
off-white bond paper
 Never fold, staple or use paper
clips
Choose a Style
Chronological
Presents your Education and Work experience in a
straightforward, REVERSE chronological order. Effective if your
work is relevant to your objective.
Functional
Concentrates on your qualifications that relate to the skills
necessary to perform the desired job. This style is effective if your
work experience is NOT closely related to your objective.
Combination
Uses Both styles. The skills or qualifications section identifies your
skills in relation to your job or career objective. This format grabs
the reader’s attention early.
Heading
 Name- stand out
 Address- 1 or 2; state
 Telephone Number- 1 or 2; area code
 Email address- appropriate
Be
Creative
with your heading.
Make your resume stand out from others.
Objective
 Sets the course for the resume
 Be specific to the individual position, field or industry
 May include the company, industry, or organization
 Do not add plans for advancement
Objective
Real Estate Agent
Objective
High School Agricultural Teacher
Area of Interest Banking Industry
Summary of Qualifications
 3 to 5 bullets
 List years of experience in area you are applying for
 List personal traits that make you stand out
 List skills relevant to your objective
 Be specific and descriptive
Education
 Include degree
 Major, minor, emphasis
 College or university with location
 Expected date of graduation
 GPA or major GPA if 3.0 or above
 Optional- Part of the Texas A&M University System
Experience
 Job Title
 Name of Employer
 Location
 Dates of Employment
 Description (Under Related only)
Having relevant experience will make you stand out
from other applicants.
Types of Experience
 Work
 Internships- paid or unpaid
 Class assignments
 Group projects
 Volunteer work
 Campus organizations
 Job Shadow
Selling Yourself
 Insert bullets
 Start each bullet with an action verb
 Use the correct tense
 Rank order the information by importance to objective
 Showcase your accomplishments, skills, and abilities
 Keep your descriptions specific and concise
 Emphasize leadership, problem-solving, organization,
communication, ingenuity, teamwork, and promotions
 Use numbers, percentages and details
Other Categories
 Related Courses
 Computer or Specialized Skills
 Foreign Languages
 Honors and Achievements
 Scholarships and Awards
 Volunteer Experience
 Leadership Experience
 Campus or Community Activities
 Certificates, Licenses, and Additional Training
Checklist
 Spell check and proofread
 Formatting—Does it make a good first impression?
 Is it relevant?
 Does it showcase my skills?
 Make appointment with Career Services
 Post resume in the Tarleton Connection Database
Then add the following information…
Cover Letter
Your street address
City, State Zip
Today’s Date
Ms. Elizabeth Ford
Assistant Director
Meadows Corporation
7439 Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60610
Dear Ms. Ford:
The opening paragraph should arouse the interest of the employer. State why you are writing and give information to show your interest in this specific organization. If it is
a letter of application, name the position for which you are applying and how you heard of it.
The middle paragraph(s) should create a desire on the part of the employer to know more about you. Explain why you are interested in working for this employer. Point
out your achievements or qualifications in this field, especially those that meet the job description or requirements.
Refer the reader to the general qualifications on your enclosed resume. Highlight important points, but do not repeat your entire resume. Also highlight points that will be
of particular interest to the organization.
The closing paragraph should pave the way for the interview by asking for an appointment, by offering to call the employer in the near future or by making some similar
suggestion to facilitate an immediate and favorable reply.
Sincerely,
(sign here in black ink)
Jennifer S. Lane
Enclosure (You are noting that you have enclosed your resume or other documents as requested by the employer.)
References
 Separate page
 Use resume paper
 Copy & paste your resume heading
 3-6 references
 Ask each person 1st
 Provide each person with a copy of your resume
 Professional rather than personal if possible
 Include
 Name
 Position
 Place of Employment
 Contact Info
Interview
 Practice interview questions
Mock Interview
 Dress professionally
 Plan driving route & parking
 Make copies of resume & references
 Prepare questions for the interviewer
 Arrive 10-15 minutes early
 Be courteous & professional to everyone there
TSC, 218
968-9078
www.tarleton.edu/~careers