Resume Writing

Guide to Writing a Resume | Optimal Resume | Resume/CV Formats | Action Verb Statements |
Resumes by Major | Cover Letters | Thank You Letters | Common Questions | References

Top Ten Resume Mistakes [PDF]

Guide to Writing a Resume

Download a concise resume introduction, Guide to Writing a Resume, for your personal use.

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Optimal Resume - an online Resume Tutorial

Click on the Optimal Resume, then click on the How It Works link to get started. If you have any questions about the program you can meet with a Career Counselor daily during Drop-In Hours 11:00am - 1:00pm, SSB 206, or email your questions to alegator@sfsu.edu.

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Resume/CV Formats

You can use a variety of resume formats for your resume depending on the kind of job are applying for. Make sure to select the resume format that shows how your skills fit the job best.

This format organizes your work history with the most recent experience listed first. However, if you experience does not closely match the requirments of the job you may want to consider using one of the formats listed below.

This format organizes your specific skills, abilities, and accomplishments in skill clusters (administration, teaching, or design, for example) to focus the employers attention on skills valuable to the job, not your unrelated job titles. This section is typically followed by an employment history section, written in chronological (most recent to earliest employment) format. This format is good for students who have skills valuable to the position, but have not used them in a related job environment.

Relevant Coursework Resume [PDF]

Many students gain work-related knowledge and skills not only on the job, but in their college courses, as well. Students can use a related coursework section alone, or in combination with other resume sections, to show the employer how a student's school experience addresses the job requirements.

This is the best resume format to use when emailing potential employers because it does not use desktop formatting. By adding a keyword section, and utilizing a san-serif font (like Arial and Helvetica), this format is also suitable for organizations that use resume scanning software.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
What is a Curriculum Vitae? [PDF]
CV for a Student with a Bacherlors Degree [PDF]

Some positions, especially those in higher education or research, may ask for a CV or Curriculum Vitae. A CV is structured to highlight one's academic and research achievements, although related work experience can be mentioned, too, if related to the position.

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Action Verb Statements

An action verb statement describes accomplishments you have had in a variety of areas, including work, volunteer experience and related coursework. Your action verb statement doesn’t have to be a huge accomplishment, but it should show something that you are proud of while demonstrating that you can take action when the situation arises. Employers like action-oriented people.

To write an effective action verb statement, follow these three steps:

Problem, Action, Result (PAR)

Problem or Situation: Identify the problem or situation that needs to be improved.

Action: Describe the action you took and what skills you used.

Result: Describe the result. Whenever possible, quantify your result with a number.

The following is an example:

• Coordinated a walk for breast cancer which raised more than $2,000

The action verb statement is effective because it identifies the situation (Breast Cancer Walk), it describes action (coordinated) and it describes a quantifiable result (raised over $2,000).

Examples of other action verb statements:

• Designed homepage and electronic mail distribution list for local club and increased member participation at club events by 20%
• Coordinated and facilitated weekly meetings while managing a team of five researchers
• Promoted from sales associate to assistant manger within five months of initial hiring

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Resumes by Major

• Click on the Resumes by JobWeb link explore other articles about resume writing.
  
  
• Click on the Resumes by Major for resumes specific to various majors.

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Cover Letters

Click on Cover Letters [PDF] to download a cover letter example.

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Thank You Letters

Click on Thank You Letter [PDF] to download a thank you letter example.

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Common Questions

How do I write a resume if I've never had any work experience?

Don't under estimate the value of your educational experience! Create an effective resume by highlighting your academic experiences and achievements. Your degree and related coursework are important qualifications that can meet the requirements for many entry-level professional positions. Activities might include related coursework, projects, presentations, volunteer experience.

I haven't worked because I've been so busy with my on campus activities!

These activities count as experience, too. In fact, most of our On-Campus Interview program recruiters tell us they look for extra-curricular experiences in a candidate. Your resume will focus on your accomplishments and responsibilities in your club or organization.

On-campus activities might include: student government, athletics, resident advisor, student newspaper, academic or cultural clubs, sorority or fraternity.

I went to SF State and I have four years of volunteer experience but no REAL experience!

A paycheck is not proof of related experience. Your demonstrated skills and experience as a volunteer count just as much as any paid professional job.

Help the reader to understand your responsibilities, as well as the impact, results and the contributions you made in the volunteer positions(s) you held. In turn, both unpaid internships and volunteer experiences, on or off campus, should be included on your resume.

Examples of such experiences are: Habitat for Humanity, Big Brother/ Big Sister, American Red Cross, Associated Students, International Business Club, etc.

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References

A reference list is a list of three to five people that will give a potential employer excellent reviews of your past performance. This list is always put on a separate page and only given out when asked by the employer. When an employer asks for it, it may mean that they are seriously considering you for the position.

A reference can come from a favorite professor that you have had and received a good grade from in his/her course, from a university staff member that has mentored you, a current or previous work supervisor, or a coworker that has experienced what it is like to work with you in a school or volunteer project.

Include the following on your reference sheet:

1. Mr./ Ms. Name of reference, Title
2. Company/Organization
3. Street Address
4. City, State, Zip Code
5. Phone number
6. Email

Add a brief description of your relationship with the reference and in what capacity he/she would be able to speak to your relevant past performance.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Example

Mr. Jack Brewer, Director of Customer Support
Brewer Corporation
1000 Van Ness Blvd, SF, CA 94122
(415) 555-1212
Jack@brewer.com


Mr. Brewer was my direct supervisor at Brewer Corporation and can comment on my administrative skills, learning ability, and knowledge of customer service.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Be sure to touch base with your references regularly throughout the job search process. Let them know what type of position you're aiming for, as well as the organizations you have in mind. Help them think through what they should highlight about your skills, and accomplishments, so that it's clear that you fit the bill for the job you're interested in.

Don’t forget to let your references know of your successful outcome, and be sure to thank them! References play a critical role in a successful job search.

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