The resume is a document consisting of a job seeker's paid or volunteer work history, job qualifications, education, coursework, extra-curricular activities and awards. This document is used to provide a potential employer with succinct infomation about your professional qualifications for the position you are applying for. If your resume is written well and your work history and qualifications match what the job posting is requesting, your resume can help you obtain a job interview with that employer. Getting a job interview is the goal of a submitted resume and job application.
Writing a resume takes time, and we have broken down the resume into its most common parts followed by a downloadable template to provide some ideas on what to write in each section:
The header consists of your name and relevant contact information. Please note, this space should not be used to include a picture or provide your full home address. Your home address can go into the actual application when the employer requests you complete one. It is also a good idea to make your name much bigger to help it stand out. Here is an example:
John Davis
Sterling Heights, MI 48038
(586) 767-9312
john.davis@yourprofessionalemail.com
The summary is a more modern replacement for the resume “objective”, which is rarely used in today’s job market. The summary consists of a few statements at the beginning of the resume that highlights your professional skills and experience. It gives hiring managers a glimpse into your background and expertise before diving into your resume. Here is an example:
Enthusiastic, highly-motivated Economics student with proven leadership capabilities, who likes to take initiative and seek out new challenges.
This section is optional, but may prove helpful in clearly showcasing your qualifications for a job opportunity or program.
A skill is the ability to do something that requires training, experience, or practice. Skills can be taught and developed over time, a few may include:
- Organization
- Verbal & Written Communication
- Customer Service
- Microsoft Office
This section is designed to simply communicate your level of education recently completed or that you are currently pursuing.
Elements to include :
- School name, address, anticipated graduation year
- GPA (only do this if it’s above 3.0)
- Concentration (if pertinent to the specific position you are applying for).
Here is an example:
Class of 2021, 3.5/4.0 GPA
International Studies & Commerce
Andover High School
Roseville, MI
Or
Class of 2021
Andover High School
Roseville, MI
The work experience section is a compilation of your accomplishments in a given position. Work experience can be paid or voluntary. It is important to stay away from just listing your job duties. Try to think about the value you brought instead.
Here are two examples:
- Organized a successful schoolwide canned food drive that collected 400+ cans in one month.
- Increased student participation in tutoring club by 30%, by running promotional activities during school sports games and social events.
This section allows you to list any sports, academic or social clubs you belong to, along with any volunteer work. Listing any awards, special recognition and leadership roles you are in whether in school or the community can demonstrate that you are a well-rounded student, finding time to get involved with other opportunities in addition to classes.
Here are a few examples:
- Student Council – Vice President
- National Honor Society - Member
- Andover Huskies Football Team – Safety
- Children’s Hospital – Volunteer Literacy Coach
- John Ward Award of Valor – Recipient
Talent Portfolios
A portfolio is a lifelong collection of work samples and accomplishments that display progress towards career goals. Accomplishments including academic, work, and extra-curricular activities should illustrate the quality of your work, skill set and abilities. Portfolios can be given to prospective employers, for internships or employment and scholarship committees. Items in the portfolio items should be accurate, clean, neat, in sequence, assembled, labeled, and could be provided online or presented in a three-ring binder (or in some other organizer).
Portfolios should include the following:
- Personal Résumé
- Letters of Recommendation
- Evidence of work, e.g. pictures, materials collected, newspaper articles, research papers, etc.
- Any certificates of completion or honors
- Learning style assessment summaries
- Other records of learning experiences