writing resumes. first steps record important dates for education, employment, honors, and...

Writing Resumes

First Steps Record important dates for education,

employment, honors, and activities.Consider audience and purpose. What will

your reader expect? What kind of job do you want? Vary your resume to fit the position you desire.

How should I format my resume?

Use 1-inch margins.Use consistent, readable font type and size (such

as 10-point Arial and 11 or 12-point Times New Roman) with headings in bold and in a contrasting font (such as Arial if the body text is in Times New Roman or Arial Black if the body text is in Arial).

Use white space to separate headings from body text.

Fill 1 page if you are a student or recent graduate, 2 pages if you are between entry-level and executive, and 3 or more pages if you are an executive.

What should I include on my resume?

contact informationeducationexperiencereferences (if requested)

Contact Informationnamehome and/or work mailing address(es) and

phone number(s)a professional e-mail address (such as

Ethos.Tigris@gmail.com instead of 2Hot4UTigrr@hotmail.com) and/or web page

Example: Contact Information

Ethos P. Tigris3500 John A. Merritt Blvd.

Nashville, TN 37209615-963-5102

Ethos.Tigris@gmail.com

ObjectiveAn objective, or career goal you hope to

achieve, is optional.If you include an objective, make it specific

to the position.

Example: Objective

ObjectiveTo obtain a job as a Graduate Student Tutor in the Tennessee State University Writing Center.

Educationname and location (city and state) of

institutionlevel of education/degree along with

major/minordates of attendance at institutionoptional headings: GPA (3.0 or above),

Relevant Coursework, Certification, etc.

Education

Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, Aug. 2009-Present Working towards M.A. in English Thesis: “The Tutor-Teacher Identity in the Writing Center:

Styles and Responses”

Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, Aug. 2005-May 2009 B.A. in English Minor in Communications

Example: Education

Experiencename and location of companydates of employmentposition and list of responsibilities

Use a bulleted list consisting of parallel phrases (If you say “Provided customer service” for one responsibility, you wouldn’t say “Conducting staff meetings” for another responsibility. Instead, you would say “Conducted staff meetings.”)

Use active-voice verbs—see the list at the Purdue OWL.

Experience

Writing Center Data Assistant

Tennessee State University Writing Center, Nashville, TN, Aug. 2009-Present Collect Writing Center surveysCompile data from surveysCreate PowerPoint presentations using data

Peer Tutor

Tennessee State University ICAN Center, Nashville, TN, Jan. 2006-May 2009 Tutored students in English coursesCompiled tutorial materials for use in the Writing CenterServed as a guest workshop leader for the Writing Center

Example: Experience

Referencesnamepositionaddressphone number

References

  Rhonda Kavan, Tutor, Tennessee State University Writing Center

3500 John A. Merritt Blvd.

Nashville, TN 37209

615-963-5102

Leah Soule, Tutor, Tennessee State University Writing Center

3500 John A. Merritt Blvd.

Nashville, TN 37209

615-963-5102

Lisa Williams, Tutor, Tennessee State University Writing Center

3500 John A. Merritt Blvd.

Nashville, TN 37209

615-963-5102

Example: References

Optional Categories & Headings

GPA (3.0 or above)Relevant CourseworkCertificationVolunteer WorkProfessional OrganizationsHonorsActivitiesSpecial SkillsLanguages

Final StepsBe honest.Test your resume by giving someone 20

seconds to read it; see if he or she recalls everything you want a prospective employer to remember about you.

Proofread.

Resume-Example

Don’t forget: print the handout that goes with this presentation!

Please complete a survey on this tutorial.

For more information about how to write resumes or for help with other writing concerns, come to TSU’s Writing Center.

Visit room 300 in the Learning Resources Center or call 615.963.5102 to make an appointment.