PREPARE Resumes Purpose
The purpose of the resume is to get you the interview NOT the job. It should be clear and concise, not a lengthy, detailed document of your life. Your resume functions as an advertisement of yourself, a sales brochure for you! Think of it as a 30-second commercial spot where you are the product. Your resume must grab attention and spark interest, making the reader want to meet you. It must clearly differentiate you from your competition as the best candidate.
Resume Headings & Content The headings you use depend on what is most important to the reader. Always use a header with your name (larger, bold font), address, email, and telephone number. Use an appropriate, professional email address. Profile (Summary, Executive Summary) Your profile needs to be a snapshot of your relevant job experiences, skills, and accomplishments. Keep this section concise, targeting specific qualifications and skills listed in the job description or applicant profile of each job you are applying for. The goal of the profile is to make the reader want to learn more about you. Education List all degrees earned including each university name, city, state, and graduation date. For transfer students, list your University of Alabama at Birmingham education first and your previous institution below. Include the names of your degrees, certifications, licenses, major, minor, and classes or training you received relevant to the job or graduate school program. Do not include your high school education. Relevant Coursework If your experience does not indicate that you have knowledge in your field of study, you may want to include a few targeted courses to illustrate your knowledge of the job for which you are applying.
Experience Broaden your definition of experience to include a wide range of nontraditional examples such as paid or unpaid positions, full or part-time work, volunteer, student organizations, internships, and cooperative education. It is important to list what you accomplished, not just your duties. What did you do that set your performance above others? Sample student accomplishments to include on your resume can be found on page 23. Extracurricular Activities List any activities in which you were involved. List memberships in clubs, campus organizations, and affiliations in academic or professional associations and include any leadership experiences that you gained through your involvement in these activities. Honors & Awards Don’t forget to list all honors, awards, academic achievements, scholarships, and any other leadership or academic recognitions. Community Service Voluntary, community, religious-affiliated, and civic organizations provide a valuable source of experience, especially for graduate and professional schools that require community involvement. Other Each industry is different and there may be resume headings that are more appropriate for your situation. Below is a list of some common alternate resume headings: Publications Presentations Industry Specific Experience (Teaching Experience, Research Experience, Engineering Experience, Technical Experience)
Explore * Experience * Prepare * Succeed
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