EFFECTIVE RESUMES
FOR FISHERIES & WILDLIFE STUDENTS
Key Concepts
Do not limit your resume to 1 page; FW resumes are long because the seasonality of biological work means more
jobs per person & more duties per job
Do not use resume templates; they make it difficult to reorganize information as needed
Use bulleted, concise phrases which are quicker to read/scan than sentences or paragraphs
Use standard-sized font (12-point) which is easier to read than 10-point or smaller font
Use reverse chronology listing most recent jobs or education first
Be consistent with grammar, word tense and style
Any work, volunteer or service experience can show valuable skills
Attention to detail is critical; typos and misspellings are not acceptable
Group your fish and wildlife work experience together, separate from other work or volunteer experience
Include key words an employer will sort resumes by. One way to identify key words is to underline all skills listed
in the job announcement (e.g. if it uses “census” instead of “survey”, then do the same) or in several job
descriptions for the types of jobs you want
Use numbers to quantify achievements
List the supervisor and employer with each job description, even if you have them listed as a reference
Print your name as a header or footer on each page
Specify your citizenship
Acknowledge any physical limitations
Be sure your answering machine message and your email address sound professional
List email, school and permanent address (you may be contacted in the future)
Every word should provide information about you
Omit personal pronouns
Points to include in your resume
Highlight Universal Job Skills
Communication skills (written and verbal) - presentations, trainings, committees, reports, brochures
Multidisciplinary team experience
Interpersonal-listens, respectful, tactful, inclusive
Management- time, budget, people, vision, ability to multi-task, ability to adapt to change
Leadership/Showing Initiative
Analytical/Problem Solving Skills/Strategic thinking
Education
List only the most recent or most significant; list high school only if its in area where job is located; include
community college only if you got a degree
Identify degree, department and institution (B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Science, Oregon State University)
Include your area of specialization or minor
Consider including graduation date if Senior or class status if Freshman, Sophomore or Junior
Show GPA only if it’s a selling point (3.5 or better)
Experience – this is the most important and longest part of your resume
Put your job title in bold type so its easy to see quickly
Create a descriptive job title (Stream Surveyor) instead of generic title (Biological Aide)
Identify employer (Siuslaw National Forest), site (Hebo Ranger District) and supervisor (Fred Fisherman)
Use rounded work dates (‘May-Oct. 2010’ or ‘Spring 2010’ instead of ‘May 1-Oct. 15, 20010’)
Use active, past tense to describe duties (conducted stream surveys, mist-netted passerines) and be consistent and
accurate in tense
Use achievement verbs (initiated, created, developed, supervised, managed, maintained) (see attached lists)
Prioritize - put most relevant, important or significant duties or accomplishments at beginning
Quantify as much as possible (‘radio-tracked 20 mule deer weekly over 3 months’ instead of ‘located deer’)
(‘surveyed 12 miles of stream habitat using AREMPS protocol’ instead of ‘conducted stream surveys)
Specify as much as possible (‘identified fish species and gender, measured snout-vent length and assessed
reproductive condition’ instead of ‘collected data on fish’)
Show accomplishments as well as duties (surveyed more miles of stream than teams in the previous 5 years,
developed new time-saving system to mount cameras, acknowledged by supervisor for accurate data records)
Demonstrate achievements, knowledge, skills, highlights, and responsibilities related to the position
Include internships, volunteer positions and group problem solving class as experience if you developed skills
Indicate physical and outdoor skills if in good shape and experienced (backpacked into montane sites, lived under
primitive conditions for extended periods, carried 40-pound equipment packs in rugged terrain)
List experience other than fisheries and wildlife to show transferable skills (mechanic = capable of maintaining
field equipment, salesperson=able to interact with a diverse clientele)
Don’t repeat duties or skills that are common to more than one position
Other
List leadership positions, honors, scholarships, awards, activities
Identify skills/certifications not included in work experience (CPR trained, experienced mechanic)
Indicate personal strengths, especially those that transfer from one situation to another (quick learner, take
instruction well, work well independently and in groups, strong communication skills, enthusiastic)
References
Always include references (it saves employers the extra step of asking you for them)
Include at least 3 professional, not personal references, with at least 1 faculty; include more if you have them
Provide name, position, organization, mail and email address, and phone number for each reference
Ask permission to use someone as a reference and provide each reference with a copy of your resume
can
give
over-
view
for
each
job
Barbara Biologist - page 1 of 2
Barbara Biologist
bbiologis[email protected]
541/999-9999
Campus Permanent
9999 9
th
Street 111 Sweet Street
Corvallis OR 97330 Anywhere, OR
EDUCATION
Oregon State University: Fisheries and Wildlife Science
Specialization: Fisheries Conservation
Year: Junior
Expected graduation: December 2011
GPA: 3.5
University of New Zealand: International student (1 year)
EXPERIENCE
Endangered Species Research Technician June – Oct 2010
U.S. Geological Survey Biological Research Division, Klamath Falls Field Station
Collected data on habitat selection by juvenile Upper Klamath Lake suckers
Navigated large rivers using a 21-foot motorized boat
Trailered and loaded 21-foot boat
Operated backpack and boat-mounted electro-fishing equipment
Placed and retrieved transect nets by boat
Used driftnets to collect larvae entrained in seasonal floodplains
PIT-tagged endangered species using federal protocol
Responsible for weekly boat maintenance including lower unit oil change and electro-fish generator oil
change
Deployed, retrieved and maintained data sondes using ProComm Plus computer data collection software
Supervisor: Rhonda Researcher (503) 999-9999
Biological Technician (Fisheries) June – Oct 2009
U.S. Forest Service, Siuslaw National Forest
Conducted physical and biological assessments of watershed health using national Aquatic Riparian
Effectiveness Monitoring Program protocol.
Sampled abundance and size classes of aquatic amphibians and fish using backpack electro-fishers
Collected aquatic macroinvertebrate and benthic periphyton samples
Operated YSI to collect water chemistry data (temperature, pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen)
Sampled terrestrial amphibians using time-constrained surveys
Mapped cross-sectional and longitudinal profiles of stream channel using electrical survey equipment
Measured and recorded channel velocity, substrate dimensions, and wood occurrences
Navigated to remote predetermined sites using maps, compass and GPS
Backpacked and lived under primitive conditions for extended periods
Carried 40-pound equipment packs in rugged terrain
Supervisor: Steve Supervisor (541) 999-9999
Biological Technician (Habitat) June – Oct 2008
U.S. Forest Service, Siuslaw National Forest, Mapleton
Restored streams to create fish habitat and improve ecological function
Removed riparian hardwoods using chainsaw
Constructed fence to eliminate cattle grazing
Worked with crew to place and secure large logs in creeks
Collected and identified fish in smolt trap
Attended training to conduct snorkel surveys
Supervisor: Henrietta Habitat (000) 000-0000
months and year or
seasons and year
show physical fitness at least
one place on resume
use
achieve-
ment
words
show diversity status
i
f
y
ou have it
identify transferable skills
include volunteer work
Barbara Biologist - page 2 of 2
Student Worker, Arnold Dining Hall, Oregon State University October 2007 -June 2008
Assisted with all operations of large student dining facility
Trained new student employees
Responsible for opening and closing a small store including balancing till
Prepared food using industry standards for food safety
Promoted to a lead position after 4 months
Urban Fishing Program Intern March – July 2007
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Salem Headquarters
Volunteered 10 hours weekly to assist director of Warm Water Fishery Program
Organized, maintained and purchased equipment, supplies and information for 9 Urban Fishing Clubs
Presented 15 aquatic education programs to public groups of up to 75 people
Collected monthly water quality data (dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH) on urban ponds, lakes, streams
and reservoirs
Worked as part of a team with other volunteers
Landscaper, Newburg Nursery Summers, 2004-2006
Assisted family-owned business during summers from 9
th
through 12
th
grades of high school
Provided customer service
Propagated plants
Maintained grounds using hand and power tools, including chainsaws, mowers and tractors
Represented business at state horticulture shows
Responsible for developing plant displays
ACKNOWEDGEMENTS
Recognized by supervisors at Oregon Fish and Wildlife and US Geological Survey for superior
initiative and work ethic
Designed a system using a bilge pump to bring freshwater to collected endangered fish held for
measurement thereby reducing stress and mortality
AFFILIATIONS
American Fisheries Society, Oregon Chapter
Minorities in Natural Resources Society, Oregon State University Chapter
INTERESTS
Hiking, fishing, photography, travel
REFERENCES
Paul Pedant, Assistant Professor, OSU
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Science
Corvallis OR 97331
(541) 737-1939
Rhonda Researcher, Fisheries Program Leader
USGS-BRD Klamath Field Station
9999 Fishery Way
Klamath Falls OR 97603
(541) 111-1111
Steve Supervisor, Fisheries Biologist
USDA Forest Service, Siuslaw National Forest
Supervisors Road
Henrietta Habitat, Restoration Biologist
USFS, Siuslaw National Forest, Mapleton District
55 Forest Service Road
District, Oregon 99999
(000) 000-0000
Tish Talker, Head Advisor
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Science
104 Nash Hall, OSU
Corvallis OR 97331
(541) 737-1941
Nancy.Allen@oregonstate.edu
Local Town, Oregon 00000
show skills that may be valuable to employer (hiking and
fishing show outdoor experience, travel shows comfort in new
situations, photography may help on project)
show communication skills
show basic equipment skills
can be
grouped
or
under
each job
show accomplishments
show
group
skills
Harry Hunter 888 8
th
EXPERIENCE Wildlife Technician 1 Summer 2010
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Summer Lake Wildlife Area (full time)
Responsible for waterfowl banding program and assisted in all aspects of Wildlife Area Management.
Set and monitored 6-8 waterfowl traps nightly for 10 weeks
Banded and released over 400 ducks of 9 species
Surveyed 1000-acres of wetlands by foot and boat to map waterbird nest sites
Trapped more ducks than in previous years of data collection even though populations were down
Supervisor: Marty Manager 222/ 222-2222 [email protected]
Waterfowl Surveyor, Volunteer Winter 2010
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Finley Wildlife Refuge (part time)
Assisted with annual mid-winter census of waterfowl in Willamette Valley
Conducted 65 hours of surveys over 4 weeks
Independently conducted counts of all waterfowl at 2 reservoirs
Censused waterfowl at Fern Ridge Reservoir with team of biologists using vehicle transects
Acknowledged by supervisors for waterfowl identification skills
Supervisor: David Duck 555/555-5555 [email protected]
Wildlife Research Assistant, Intern Summer 2009
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Roseburg (full time)
Assisted with wildlife research projects and other daily District duties
Radio-tracked 18 white-tailed deer (Federal Endangered Species) to determine fawn survival
Compiled and entered data from bear, cougar and white-tailed deer research projects into Access
Assisted with trapping and ear-tagging 20 black-tailed deer
Developed and delivered Power Point presentation to local hunters on white-tailed deer research
Responded to public requests for information
Assisted with wildlife damage assessments
Supervisor: Donna Deer 888/888-8888 donna_deer@gov.us
Wildlife Rehabilitator, Volunteer Fall, Winter, Spring 2009
Cascades Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Salem (part time)
Worked with staff, volunteers and interns to rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife
Provided medical treatment (emergency and routine) to wild birds, mammals and reptiles
Cleaned, fed and exercised recovering wildlife
Assisted veterinarian with surgeries on injured wildlife
Supervised and trained ~30 new volunteers
Conducted weekly tours of facility
Communicated daily with public citizens
Volunteered 10 hours weekly
Supervisor: Rhonda Rehabber (111) 111-1111 rrehab@rehabber.net
EDUCATION Oregon State University B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Science-Spring 20011
Specialization Avian Ecology
Group Senior Project Waterfowl Use of Wetlands in Eastern Oregon
Accomplishment Earned 75% of educational cost
Harry Hunter - 1
quantify and specify
include
important
accomplishment
PUBLICATION Jones, J., C. Cook, H. Hunter and B. Brown. June, 2009. Waterfowl Use of Wetlands in Eastern Oregon.
Report to Oregon Fish and Wildlife and The Cattleman’s Association. 34pp.
TALKS “White-tailed deer survival in Southwestern Oregon”, August 2008. Oregon Hunters Asso., Roseburg OR.
LEADERSHIP The Wildlife Society, Oregon Chapter, Member 2007-present
Secretary, Fish and Wildlife Club,
Wanda Wildlife Academic Scholarship, 2008
Dean’s List – 6 quarters
Best Undergraduate Poster (2009), Dept. Fisheries and Wildlife
PERSONAL Highly motivated
STRENGTHS Able to work independently with little supervision
Strong team player
Physically fit
Exceptional stamina
Detail-oriented
SPECIAL First Aid and CPR certificate, June 2009
SKILLS Whitewater rafting training
Heavy equipment operator
Experienced mechanic
Skilled carpenter
CITIZENSHIP United States
REFERENCES Dr. Wally Waterfowl
Avian Ecologist, Fisheries and Wildlife Science, OSU
541/737-4531 wally.waterfo[email protected]
Marty Manager
Manager, Summer Lake Wildlife Area
222/ 222-2222 marty.manager@state.or.us
David Duck
US Fish and Wildlife Service, Finley Wildlife Refuge
555/555-5555 [email protected]
Donna Deer
Biologist, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
999/999-9999 [email protected]
Harry Hunter – 2
identify strengths to help
offset limited experience
mechanical, equipment and construction
skills are valuable in biological fieldwork
show ability to work independently
Sam Sophomore
222 2nd Street, Corvallis OR 97330 (541) 22-2222
CITIZENSHIP
United States
EDUCATION
Fisheries and Wildlife Science: major
Forestry: minor
Oregon State University
Sophomore
EXPERIENCE
Volunteer, ODFW, Salem Oregon, Summer 2010
Stocked fish into high lakes in Cascades
Hiked 5-10 miles daily
Confirmed my dedication to succeed as a fisheries biologist
Event Security, Event Staff Inc. Seattle, Washington, December 2009
Assisted with orderly crowd entry to events
Searched attendees bags
Answered questions and provided directions
Learned to work effectively with diverse clientele
Warehouseman, Domingo Products, Salem Oregon, Summer 2009
Operated forklift to unload trucks and stack freight in numbered areas for easy access
Responsible for assuring freight inventory matched shipping slips
Learned to maintain accurate inventory records
Laborer, Oregon Timber Company, Summers 2007-2008
Assisted in road and culvert construction
Drove and operated water truck, roller, front-end loader and off-road dump truck
Removed brush from sides of newly-cut roads using chainsaw and polesaw
Worked independently without direct supervision
Learned to operate, maintain and repair a variety of power equipment and tools
Sales Associate, MacDonald’s Restaurant, Portland Oregon, part time 2007 - 2008
Provided consistent customer service
Operated computerized cash register
Worked as part of a team in small area
Learned to work efficiently under intense time pressure
STRENGTHS
Work well as a team member
Detail-oriented
Physically fit
Like working with a variety of people
REFERENCES
Polly Professor, Professor-Fisheries and Wildlife OSU, [email protected]
Frank Fisher, Biologist-ODFW Salem, 541/222-2222, [email protected]
Don Domingo, Owner-Domingo Products, 505/555-5555, domi[email protected]
emphasize equipment skills
show communication skills
highlight transferable skills
highlight ability to work on team
show professional motivation
be creative in identifying strengths
ACTION/ACHIEVEMENT VERBS FOR YOUR RESUME – adopted from OSU Career Services
ANALYZED
abstracted
appraised
assessed
briefed
clarified
classified
compared
computed
correlated
critiqued
debated
defined
detected
determined
diagnosed
discriminated
dissected
evaluated
examined
identified
inspected
integrated
interpreted
interviewed
investigated
j
udged
maintained
mapped
monitored
observed
p
erceived
ranked
read
reasoned
related
researched
reviewed
screened
scanned
solved
studied
summarized
surveyed
symbolized
synthesized
verified
visualized
ASSISTED
advised
bolstered
collaborated
contributed
consulted
cooperated
enlisted
facilitated
fostered
helped
located
p
articipated
referred
served
strengthened
supported
sustained
COMMUNICATED
addressed
advertised
answered
briefed
corresponded
debated
explained
expressed
facilitated
interpreted
interviewed
lectured
listened
narrated
p
repared
p
resented
p
ublicized
recorded
reported
responded
spoke
talked
CREATED
DEVELOPED
acted
adapted
authored
bolstered
built
charged
clarified
composed
conceived
corrected
designed
devised
discovered
drafted
eliminated
established
expanded
expedited
experimented
facilitated
fashioned
fixed
formulated
generated
improved
increased
influenced
initiated
innovated
instituted
integrated
introduced
invented
launched
modified
originated
p
erceived
p
erformed
p
lanned
p
rioritized
p
roduced
p
romoted
p
roposed
recommended
reduced
restored
refined
revamped
set
shaped
simplified
solved
styled
streamlined
substituted
visualized
IMPROVED
INCREASED
(achievement
words)
achieved
acquired
advanced
allowed
assured
bolstered
eliminated
encouraged
expanded
facilitated
fostered
guaranteed
inspired
mastered
maximized
minimized
motivated
obtained
overcame
p
romoted
p
rovided
reduced
restored
stimulated
strengthened
upgraded
COUNSELED
INSTRUCTED
LEARNED
adapted
advised
advocated
aided
applied
assessed
assisted
bolstered
briefed
cared
charged
clarified
coached
comforted
communicated
conducted
consulted
coordinated
demonstrated
educated
empathized
enabled
encouraged
enlightened
established
exercised
explained
facilitated
fostered
guided
helped
implemented
improved
influenced
informed
inspired
interpreted
investigated
lectured
led
listened
maintained
manipulated
modified
motivated
observed
p
erceived
p
ersuaded
p
romoted
read
reduced
reflected
reinforced
related
restored
saved
shared
solved
spoke
stimulated
strengthened
substituted
supported
sustained
taught
trained
validated
OPERATED
REPAIRED
MAINTAINED
adjusted
adapted
bolstered
clarified
corrected
eliminated
executed
expedited
facilitated
fixed
implemented
installed
modified
ordered
p
repared
p
rioritized
p
roduced
p
rogrammed
p
romoted
ran
reduced
serviced
set
sustained
transported
upheld
utilized
N
EGOTIATED
advised
advocated
arbitrated
bargained
expedited
facilitated
lobbied
mediated
merged
motivated
negotiated
p
ersuaded
p
romoted
reconciled
solved
ORGANIZED
accumulated
arranged
assembled
balanced
budgeted
built
cataloged
clarified
classified
collated
collected
compiled
composed
coordinated
copied
correlated
detailed
facilitated
filed
gathered
graphed
identified
inspected
located
maintained (books)
mapped
met (deadlines)
methodized
obtained
organized
p
lanned
p
repared
p
rioritized
p
rocessed
p
rogrammed
ranked
recorded
reorganized
reproduced
retrieved
revamped
reviewed
revised
routinized
scheduled
set
simplified
solved
streamlined
structured
synthesized
systemized
tabulated
updated
SERVED
assisted
attended
cared
catered
delivered
entertained
facilitated
furnished
listened
maintained
p
repared
p
rocured
p
rovided
satisfied
served
supplied
SOLD
aided
advertised
auctioned
bartered
bolstered
enlisted
facilitated
generated
helped
improved
led
maintained
motivated
negotiated
p
ersuaded
p
romoted
p
urchased
raised
recommended
recruited
stimulated
SUPERVISED
MANAGED
administered
allocated
approved
arranged
assigned
authorized
bolstered
coached
conducted
consulted
contracted
controlled
coordinated
decided
delegated
directed
dispatched
distributed
educated
encouraged
enforced
evaluated
executed
exercised
expedited
facilitated
fired
followed (through)
fostered
hired
implemented
instructed
led
maintained
managed
met (deadlines)
monitored
motivated
organized
oversaw
p
lanned
p
repared
p
rioritized
p
romoted
p
urchased
regulated
reinforced
responded
retained
reviewed
scheduled
selected
set
solved
strengthened
supervised
taught
trained
MORE ACTION/POWER VERBS
A-B accelerated acclimated accompanied accomplished achieved acquired acted activated actuated adapted added
addressed adhered adjusted administered admitted adopted advanced advertised advised advocated aided aired affected
allocated altered amended amplified analyzed answered anticipated appointed appraised approached approved arbitrated
arranged ascertained asked assembled assigned assumed assessed assisted attained attracted audited augmented authored
authorized automated awarded avail balanced bargained borrowed bought broadened budgeted built
C calculated canvassed capitalized captured carried out cast cataloged centralized challenged chaired changed channeled
charted checked chose circulated clarified classified cleared closed co-authored collaborated collected combined
commissioned committed communicated compared compiled complied completed composed computed conceived
conceptualized concluded condensed conducted conferred consolidated constructed consulted contracted contrasted
contributed contrived controlled converted convinced coordinated corrected corresponded counseled counted created
critiqued cultivated cut
D debugged decided decentralized decreased deferred defined delegated delivered demonstrated depreciated described
designated designed determined developed devised devoted diagrammed directed disclosed discounted discovered
dispatched displayed dissembled distinguished distributed diversified divested documented doubled drafted
E earned eased edited effected elected eliminated employed enabled encouraged endorsed enforced engaged engineered
enhanced enlarged enriched entered entertained established estimated evaluated examined exceeded exchanged executed
exempted exercised expanded expedited explained exposed extended extracted extrapolated
F-H facilitated familiarized fashioned fielded figured financed fit focused forecasted formalized formed formulated
fortified found founded framed fulfilled functioned furnished gained gathered gauged gave generated governed graded
granted greeted grouped guided handled headed hired hosted
I identified illustrated illuminated implemented improved improvised inaugurated indoctrinated increased incurred
induced influenced informed initiated innovated inquired inspected inspired installed instigated instilled instituted
instructed insured interfaced interpreted interviewed introduced invented inventoried invested investigated invited
involved isolated issued
J-M joined judged launched lectured led lightened liquidated litigated lobbied localized located maintained managed
mapped marketed maximized measured mediated merchandised merged met minimized modeled moderated modernized
modified monitored motivated moved multiplied
N-O named narrated negotiated noticed nurtured observed obtained offered offset opened operated operationalized
orchestrated ordered organized oriented originated overhauled oversaw
P paid participated passed patterned penalized perceived performed permitted persuaded phased out pinpointed pioneered
placed planned polled prepared presented preserved presided prevented priced printed prioritized probed processed
procured produced profiled programmed projected promoted promoted prompted proposed proved provided publicized
published purchased pursued
Q-R quantified quoted raised ranked rated reacted read received recommended reconciled recorded recovered recruited
rectified redesigned reduced referred refined regained regulated rehabilitated reinforced reinstated rejected related
remedied remodeled renegotiated reorganized replaced repaired reported represented requested researched resolved
responded restored restructured resulted retained retrieved revamped revealed reversed reviewed revised revitalized
rewarded routed
S safeguarded salvaged saved scheduled screened secured segmented selected sent separated served serviced settled
shaped shortened showed shrank signed simplified sold solved spearheaded specified speculated spoke spread stabilized
staffed staged standardized steered stimulated strategized streamlined strengthened stressed structured studied submitted
substantiated substituted suggested summarized superseded supervised supplied supported surpassed surveyed
synchronized synthesized systematized
T-W tabulated tailored targeted taught terminated tested testified tightened took traced traded trained transacted
transferred transformed translated transported traveled treated tripled uncovered undertook unified united updated
upgraded used utilized validated valued verified viewed visited weighed welcomed widened witnessed won worked wrote
