Résumés
Purdue OWL staff
Brought to you in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab
Agenda
 Résumé Description
 General Guidelines
 Preliminary Research
 Sections
 Extra Tips
 Cover Letter Workshop
What is a Résumé?
A résumé is a personal summary of your professional
history and qualifications
A résumé (also spelled “resume”) includes anything a
person wants to express about:

Career goals

Education

Experience

Activities

Honors
General Guidelines
Length: Limit résumé to one typed page
Font: Arial or Times New Roman
 Between 10-12 point font
Paper: Use 8 1/2” x 11” 20 lb paper
 White, light cream, or gray
Preliminary Research
Find out:
 General job information
 Desired qualifications and skills
 Key values and words
Look on:
 Company website
 Job advertisement
 Any publications about the company (magazine
articles, etc.)
Sections
Contact Information
Objective
Education
Experience
Honors and Activities
Contact Information
Include:
 Name
 Permanent and/or campus addresses
 Permanent and/or campus phone numbers
 Email address
Contact Information
Objective Statements
There are two approaches to objective statements:
Brief and to the point
Detailed description of desired position and qualifications
You must decide which approach is best for you
An example of a “brief and to the point” approach”:
First Approach: Brief
Examples:
To obtain a summer internship in sales/marketing at
Owens Corning
A full-time position as a system analyst
A summer internship as a project engineer
Second Approach:
Descriptive
Examples:
A summer internship in a sales/marketing position at
Owens Corning where I can employ my team building
skills and versatility to create new ideas.
A full-time position as a systems analyst which will allow
me to use my programming, technical writing, and
supervisory skills to lead a group of dynamic employees.
A summer internship as a project engineer with a
construction company that will utilize my experience in
field engineering, cost controlling, and estimating
Education
Begin with the highest level of educational achievement,
include:
 University attended
 Major/Minors
 GPA (if 3.0 or above)
 Date of program completion information
Education
Work Experience
Include positions you have held which are related, in some
way, to the job you are seeking
NOTE: Can be both paid and volunteer positions
Be creative with this section of your résumé by describing
and emphasizing your experiences in the most relevant
way possible.
Work Experience
Experience
Action Verb List
Action phrases will help you avoid being too brief and
understating your qualifications.
Example:
 Planned activities
 Planned arts and crafts activities for preschool
aged children
Handout:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/543/02/
Activities, Honors,
Volunteer Experience
Include relevant activities, honors, and volunteer
experiences
Extra Tips
1. Ultimate goal is to get an interview;
2. Use white space effectively;
3. Employer will only take 15 seconds to glance at a
résumé.
Where to Go
for More Help
Purdue University Writing Lab, Heavilon 226
Check our web site: http://owl.english.purdue.edu
Email brief questions to OWL Mail:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/contact/owlmailtutors
The End
RÉSUMÉS
Purdue OWL staff
Brought to you in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab