Quick Guide to Writing your Resume
CEHS Career Services
FORMATTING AND APPEARANCE
Margins: 0.6” to 1” consistent on all four sides
Font Type: Times New Roman, Cambria, Garamond or other “serif” fonts
Font Size: Name: bolded and slightly larger (up to size 14 font); Body:11 to 12 point font
Length: 1 page for most undergraduate students, 2 pages depending on experience
Reverse Chronological Order: List your most recent experience first under Education and Experiences headings
COMMON CATEGORIES
IDENTIFICATION
Name, Address, Phone Number, Email
OBJECTIVE Optional
Adds focus to your resume
Name job title, skills used, setting or combination of these three
EDUCATION
Include institutions you have received a degree from
List Majors and Minors
Type of Degree (Bachelor of Science), Month and Year of Graduation or Expected Graduation
GPA: list if 3.0 or above, Dean’s List (if applicable)
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Include jobs, internships, volunteer and field experiences relevant to your field of interest
Exercise Science and Physical Education: include experiences such as, athletic training, gym coach, sports
team coach, health/fitness centers
Family and Child Studies: include experiences such as, assisted living communities, hospitals, nursing homes,
senior citizen centers, community recreation programs; School Settings also include experiences you have with
children such as camp counselor, childcare provider, day care and nursery
Health and Nutrition Sciences: include experiences such as community clinic, hospital; Food Systems also
include restaurants and catering
WORK EXPERIENCE or OTHER EXPERIENCE
Include part-time or full-time jobs
Incorporate specific accomplishments and skills transferable to your field of interest such as communication,
time management, problem solving, administrative, etc.
SKILLS
This section can include skills that set you apart from other candidates
Computer and/or Social Media skills: Microsoft or Mac OS software, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
Language skills: specify the language and whether or not you can speak, read and/or write it
Certifications: CPR, AED, First Aid, ServSafe, etc., (all certifications listed should be current)
OPTIONAL HEADINGS
Volunteer: campus clubs, walkathons, fundraisers, organized food or clothing drive, etc.
Professional Organizations: include organizations you belong to
Activities: campus clubs, community or campus sports and/or coaching
Honors and Awards: academic, community or athletic awards or honors
Leadership: leadership role in a club or organization; sports team captain or coach
Related Coursework: undergraduate (300 or 400 level) or graduate courses related to your field of interest
IDENTIFICATION SAMPLES
Linda Flynn
1 Home Avenue
Cedar Grove, NJ 07044
973-655-7866
flynnl@mail.montclair.edu
Linda Flynn
1 Home Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07044 973-655-7866 flynnl@mail.montclair.edu
EDUCATION SAMPLES
Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Major: Nutrition and Food Science concentration Dietetics
Bachelor of Science expected May 2015
GPA: 3.8, Dean’s List
Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
BS Nutrition and Food Science concentration Dietetics, expected May 2015, GPA 3.8, Dean’s List
Sussex County College, Newton, NJ
AS Biology, May 2012, GPA 3.0
WORK EXPERIENCE SAMPLES
Organization, City, State
Your Job Title Month Year – Month Year
Bullet 1
Bullet 2
Bullet 3
Volunteer, Organization, City, State Month Year – Month Year
Bullet 1
Bullet 2
Bullet 3
ACTION WORDS
Administered
Advised
Analyzed
Collaborated
Coordinated
Created
Delivered
Demonstrated
Developed
Directed
Established
Evaluated
Facilitated
Followed
Generated
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Initiated
Instituted
Led
Maintained
Managed
Monitored
Motivated
Organized
Participated
Performed
Planned
Prepared
Presented
Processed
Proposed
Provided
Recommended
Reorganized
Represented
Researched
Resolved
Reviewed
Scheduled
Selected
Sold
Supervised
Taught
Trained
Utilized
Worked
RESUME DO’S
RESUME DON’TS
Provide accurate contact information
Do not use or insert templates, tables or text boxes
Check spelling and grammar
Do not abbreviate
Be consistent in format and content
Do not list references on your resume
Use “action” words to begin your bullets
Do not use personal pronouns “I” or “Me”
List headings in order of importance
Do not use slang or colloquialisms
Tailor resume to the specific position you are applying to
Do not use periods “.”
