Writing Your Résumé
The average reading time for a résumé is 30 to 45 seconds by an employer the first time through.  
~ A good résumé is not good enough.  It must be excellent! ~

This handout is a quick guideline to start your résumé.  After completing a rough draft, schedule an appointment with the Office of Career Services (x5242) for a résumé review.

Include:
1.	Name, address and phone number (both current and home, if appropriate), e-mail address
2.	Objective
a.	Specific position or type of job you want
b.	May be dealt with in cover letter if unsure of objective
3.	Education
a.	Degree (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science), name of institution, location (city, state), major(s), minor(s), concentration, date of graduation or anticipated date of graduation
b.	Include GPA if 3.0 or higher (only list your GPA to the tenth, 3.6 not 3.65, and don’t round up)
c.	May include major GPA (if significantly higher than cumulative), honors, academic awards, academic scholarships, study abroad, special educational programs, special projects, thesis, relevant coursework
4.	Experience
a.	Most recent listed first (use reverse chronological order)
b.	Include jobs, volunteer work, or activities that are relevant to the position for which you are applying
c.	Job title, name of organization, city and state, dates of employment
d.	Brief description of duties (see back for questions to help analyze your experience)
e.	Stress accomplishments and skills
f.	Use active voice (see back for action verbs) and appropriate tense
g.	May break into “Relevant Experience” and “Other Experience” sections
5.	Specific Skills related to job (e.g. computer or foreign languages, laboratory equipment) – optional
6.	Activities & Awards
a.	Memberships in college, community and professional organizations
b.	Indicate leadership positions
c.	Honors and awards may be included in this section instead of under education
d.	Only include last four years unless a spectacular achievement in high school

Exclude:
1.	Date you are writing the résumé
2.	Picture, symbols, or icons that are distracting
3.	Salary requirement
4.	Personal data (marital status, hobbies, date of birth, height)
5.	Reasons for leaving previous positions
6.	Any negative information
7.	High school information (unless you are a first-year student)

Phrasing Your Résumé:
1.	Use third person (no I's)
2.	Use short phrases rather than full sentences
3.	Start phrases with descriptive verbs
4.	Quantify if numbers are large enough (number of people supervised, amount of budget)
5.	Avoid abbreviations (state abbreviations are okay)
6.	Use keywords that match the job and industry (review the job description, company website, and industry newsletters for ideas)

Formatting Your Résumé:
1.	Use ample margins, but avoid too much white space
2.	Make it easy to read – use headings in bold, centered, or all caps to guide readers
3.	Be consistent – there’s no “right” format, but use the same format and style throughout your résumé 
4.	Be concise – one page for the typical college graduate (majors such as education, psychology, and social work or people with a lot of related work experience should consider using two pages)
5.	List the most important, most relevant information at the top of your résumé
6.	Use a simple, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri (never small than 10 pt)
7.	Use good quality résumé paper and matching envelopes for your résumé, cover letter, and reference sheet
8.	To post your résumé online, either save it in “pdf” format or cut and paste text into Notepad to remove and simplify formatting
9.	After uploading your résumé, open it from the website to ensure that all formatting transferred

Action Verbs

accelerated
accomplished
achieved
adapted
administered
analyzed
approved
conceived
conducted
completed
controlled
coordinated
created
delegated
demonstrated

developed
designed
directed
effected
eliminated
established
evaluated
expanded
expedited
facilitated
found
generated
implemented
improved

increased
influenced
initiated
instructed
interpreted
launched
led
lectured
maintained
managed
mastered
motivated
operated
originated
organized

participated
performed
pinpointed
planned
proficient in
programmed
proposed
proved
provided
recommended
reduced
reinforced
reorganized
revamped

reviewed
revised
scheduled
set up
simplified
solved
structured
streamlined
supervised
supported
taught
trained
translated
utilized
won

Questions to Help Analyze Experience

•	What transferable skills (skills that relate to the job you want) did you use or develop?
•	How can you demonstrate accomplishments or success on the job?
•	What were your job responsibilities?  How did they change and/or develop over the course of the job?
•	Did you supervise any people?  Did you assume any leadership roles?  
•	Did you help other people?  Did your experience involve working with other co-workers?  Teamwork?
•	Did you gather any information?  Did you organize or analyze information?
•	Were you involved in any planning responsibilities?  Did you organize any events?
•	Did you produce any written document and/or written report?
•	Did you make any decisions?  Recommendations?
•	How well were you able to meet deadlines and handle pressure?
•	Can you quantify the results of your work? (e.g. number of customers served, percentage increase in sales or increase in membership)

Common Employer Criticisms of Résumés

•	
•	Errors (misspellings, bad grammar, poor punctuation and wordiness)
•	Lack of or unrelated experience
•	Unprofessional style or format (poor layout and physical appearance)
•	Lack of important information (critical categories, dates, unexplained time gaps)
•	Lack of or unclear objective
•	Too lengthy (doesn’t convey information concisely)
•	Hard to understand or requires too much interpretation
•	Irrelevant information
•	Does not convey accomplishments

WILL B. HIRED
Wbhired2014@spartans.manchester.edu

CURRENT ADDRESS					HOME ADDRESS
Manchester University, Box 659					128 Bear Paw Drive
North Manchester, IN 46962					Fort Wayne, IN 46815
260- 982-5809						260-749-7499

OBJECTIVE	Seeking a summer internship in conflict resolution and labor relations

EDUCATION	Bachelor of Arts in English, anticipated May 2016
Manchester University, North Manchester, IN
Minor: Peace Studies
Current GPA:  3.7 out of 4.0   

RELEVANT 	Mediation and Conciliation	Interpersonal Communication
COURSEWORK	Introduction to Psychology	Conflict Resolution

RELEVANT 	Peer Counselor, Manchester University Reconciliation Service
EXPERIENCE	Manchester University, Fall 2013-Present		
Contact disputants, discuss conflicts, and develop cases; participate as panel member 
during hearings; use skills in active listening and communication

		Participant, Celebrating Diversity Workshop
		Manchester University, October 2014
Learned about prejudices against African Americans, males, females, foreigners, athletes, etc.; worked on eliminating personal prejudice; listened to victims of prejudice; learned techniques for combating prejudice in community

		Student Intern Pastor, Springfield Church of the Brethren
Akron, OH, Summer 2014
Planned and led workshops on conflict management; worked with children, teenagers, young adults and adults; visited people in homes and hospitals; preached monthly; led worship bi-weekly

OTHER WORK	Administrative Assistant, Petersime Chapel
EXPERIENCE	Manchester University, 2013-Present	
Recruited student participation in activities; designed and produced publicity posters; organized student events in the chapel
		
Student Editor, Peace Studies Bulletin
		Manchester University, Fall 2013
Proofread articles; gathered and requested photos; assisted Director of Publications

SKILLS		Conversational Spanish (4 years of study), writing, teamwork, organization

COLLEGE 	Campus Ministry Board, 2013-2015 (co-chair,1 year)      
ACTIVITIES	English and Foreign Language Association, 2012-2013
Volunteer Corps, 2012-2014
Traveled to Spain, January 2013
Manchester Singers and Choral Society, 2012-2014
Student Senate, 2012-2014

KEYWORDS	Counsel, advise, advisor, mediate, mediation, negotiate, negotiation, resolve, 
		resolution, contract, document, communicate, communication, oral, written, write, 
		liaison, representative, represent, psychology, psych, psych., conflict, labor, workers,		union, unionize, management, agreement, agree, strategy, compromise, arbitrate
Ima A. Student			     iastudent2015@spartans.manchester.edu

Current Address:  Manchester University, Box 611, North Manchester, IN 46962           260-982-5000
Home Address: 228 West 10th Street, Rochester, IN 46975

OBJECTIVE							

To obtain an entry-level staff position with public accounting firm

EDUCATION							

Bachelor of Science in Accounting			Anticipated May 2015
Manchester University			           NorthManchester, Indiana
•	Major GPA: 3.7, Cumulative GPA: 3.5
•	Will complete 150 credit hours by graduation

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE						

Accounting Intern					                 Spring 2014
Crowe Horwath, LLP					          Elkhart, Indiana
•	Prepared partnership, individual, corporate tax returns
•	Completed several client and in-house projects
•	Entered assets using FAS Encore depreciation software
•	Worked with GoSystem and CSI tax software
•	Recommended and developed new orientation procedures for interns

	Banking Intern					             Summer 2013		Bank Financial					         Elkhart, Indiana
•	Prepared monthly profitability reports
•	Reconciled monthly general ledger account balances
•	Constructed weekly customer account information reports
•	Drafted various memos utilized for customer correspondence

Treasurer							2012-2013
Manchester College Accounting & Business Club	                 N. Manchester, Indiana
•	Worked with peers to revise new dues collection and fund raising procedures
•	Managed club budget of approximately $2,000

OTHER EXPERIENCE						
	
Cashier						               2012-present
	McDonald’s				            North Manchester, Indiana
•	Managed cash flows
•	Provided excellent customer services
•	Trained five new staff members

AWARDS & ACTIVITIES							
Dean’s List					                2012-present
Indiana Reading Corps Volunteer				                2012-present
U.S. Achievement Academy All-American Scholar		                2012-present
Dean’s Scholarship recipient				                2012-present
Accounting and Business Club				                2012-present
McGladrey Accounting Excellence Award			                2013
Hispanos Unidos					                2012-2013

Ivana N. Tervu

Intervu2014@spartans.manchester.edu
CURRENT ADDRESS					HOME ADDRESS
Manchester University, Box 456					12 Beverly Drive
North Manchester, IN 46962					Hicksville, OH  43526
(260) 982-5000						(674) 453-9000

OBJECTIVE	Employment as a social studies teacher in a secondary or middle school

EDUCATION	Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, expected May 2015
	Manchester University, North Manchester, IN
	GPA:  3.3

TEACHING RELATED EXPERIENCE

Spring 2015	Student Teacher. Huntington North High School, Huntington, IN, 
	grades 9-12
•	Carried full responsibilities of social studies secondary teacher
•	Developed lessons, tests, quizzes, and activities for Western Civilization and U.S. History classes
•	Involved students in interactive discussions
•	Taught courses following block-4 daily schedule
•	Communicated with parents through weekly newsletter and class website

Spring 2015	Student Teacher.  Riverview Middle School, Huntington, IN, grade 8
•	Performed duties of middle school teacher
•	Learned logistics of team teaching educational approach as member of 4- person team of teachers
•	Created interactive lessons appropriate for middle school level
•	Volunteered as co-advisor for after-school “Quiz Bowl” team

Spring 2014	Reading Coach.  Laketon Elementary School, North Manchester, IN
•	Planned weekly reading sessions for second grade student
•	Administered Individualized Reading Inventory

Fall 2011-2014	Observer/Participant. 
	Riverview Middle School, Huntington, IN
	Huntington North High School, Huntington, IN
	Northfield High School, Wabash, IN
	Manchester High School, North Manchester, IN
•	Completed over eighty hours of observation in secondary schools
•	Participated in daily classroom activities
•	Examined teaching methods used in both secondary and middle schools
•	Discovered effective teaching strategies
•	Assisted students with task-solving strategies
•	Gained knowledge of team teaching concept and block scheduling

Fall/Spring 2013  	Tutor. Partners in Learning, Manchester Junior High School, North 
	Manchester, IN
•	Assisted students with subject related concerns and questions
•	Interacted with students in an informal educational setting

Tervu, page 2

Tervu, page 2

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Fall 2011-present	Student Education Association, Manchester University 

Spring 2014	Guided Reading In-service, Huntington North High School

Spring 2014	Issues in the Workplace, Manchester University

Fall 2013	Psychology of Mediation and Conciliation Course, Manchester University

February 2013	Leadership Workshop, Manchester University

Spring 2012	Celebrating Diversity Workshop, Manchester University	

EMPLOYMENT

Summer 2013	Admissions Recruiter.  Office of Admissions, Manchester University
•	Contacted prospective students via telephone and mail
•	Organized and led campus visit day
•	Conducted campus tours
•	Represented Manchester University at Church of the Brethren camps in the Midwest and at YouthPRIDE

Fall 2012-Fall 2013	Student Assistant.  Office of Career Services, Manchester University
•	Provided assistance to peers regarding résumé and cover letter preparation and job search strategies
•	Prepared and edited newsletter each semester
•	Assisted peers is use of career library resources

Summer 2011, 2012	Stockroom Assistant.  Cooper Power Tools, Hicksville, OH
•	Prepared and organized tool orders for assembly department
•	Demonstrated attention to detail, packaging tools for shipment

HONORS AND ACTIVITIES    

Graduate with honors 				2014
Senior Leadership Award Nominee 		2014
Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship			2013-2014
All American Scholar				2011-2014
Dean’s List				2011-2015
Manchester University Dean’s Scholarship		2011-2015
Manchester Admissions Recruiting Corps		2011-2015
Indiana Reading Corps			2012-2014
National Dean’s List				2011-2014
A. Blair Helman Hall Council 			2011-2013