1. Format
Easy to scan (not read)
Concise (one page-preferably)
Half-inch to one-inch margins all the
way around page
8.5x11 resume/bond paper
No colors or flashy font styles (font size can
be 10–12 point)
Looks professional and aesthetically pleasing
2. Heading
Name centered and largest text on the page
(2–3 points larger than resume text)
Current address on left, permanent address on
right (centered if you only use one)
Phone number and professional/school
email address
LinkedIn personalized URL (if you have a
complete profile)
3. Objective (Optional)
Type of job/industry, when, and geographic
location
No pronouns; no period at end
4. Education
Only schools from which you received
a degree or are currently attending
Graduate school listed first (if applicable)
Degree(s) spelled out (not abbreviated)
All majors, collaterals, concentrations, and
minors
Graduation month and year (or list
dates attended if freshman through junior)
Overall and major GPAs if over 2.8
5. Relevant Coursework (Optional)
All courses relevant to the job (not just those
in your major)
Bullet format
No course number; name and subject of
the course spelled out
6. Experience
Internships included (No. 1 on resume to
employers)
Jobs/internships listed in reverse chronological
order (most recent first)
Month and year started and ended (“present”
if you’re still working)
City and state
Job or internship title
RESUME CHECKLIST
Major achievements and skills developed,
displayed in bullet point format
Action verb at the beginning of each state-
ment, with each verb varied if possible. Bullet
point formula: Action verb + task + outcome or
purpose.
Numbers and metrics where appropriate (Ex:
“which resulted in a cost savings of $1,500”)
Additional sections—list in order of relevance/importance
7. Honors and Awards
Name of each honor and award with little
or no description
Scholarships
Dean’s list (3.7/4.0), number of semesters
8. Computer Skills
Software and languages listed if relevant,
beginning with those that not every other
applicant will have
9. Activities
Name of organization and any leadership
positions held
Leadership roles in bullet points
Limited description if just a regular member
10. Volunteer Experience
Name of organization and limited description
11. Foreign Languages
Listed with descriptions “Fluent in...” “Working
knowledge of...” or “Familiar with…”
12. Study Abroad Experience
Location, school, and dates
Courses listed or described in bullet
point format
Relevant projects described in bullet
point format
Other Section Headers to Consider
Licenses, Certifications, Relevant Projects, Job
Shadowing, Achievements, Professional Associa-
tions, Presentations, etc.
References
Listed on a separate page or document
from the resume
“References available upon request” not
included on resume