Resume Formatting Checklist

From Prof. Matthew Morrison.

• Place Name big and bold at top of resume

• Include contact information under name (address, phone, email)

• Place your Profile/Summary of Qualifications under name and contact information

  • Always emphasize the skill level and experiences that directly relate to the position being sought
  • Articulate what you can bring to the position, not what you hope to gain
  • Be clear and concise

• List Employment and Project Experience sections next

  • Place in reverse chronological order (most recent first)
  • Include Position, Company, City/State and Dates Employed
  • List a minimum of 3 bullet points for each position
  • Write accomplishment bullet points
    • Start each bullet point with a power verb in past tense (even for current positions)
    • Answer who, what, when, where, why, and how to write a descriptive bullet point
    • Should describe more than just your duties - turn DUTIES into SKILLS
    • Include what IMPACT or CONTRIBUTION your actions had
    • Use numbers to quantify information (i.e., time frame, money)
  • Other categories can include:
    • Military Experience
    • Volunteer Experience (can provide bullet points or just list)
    • Awards/Recognition/Patents/Certifications (include dates)
    • Computer Skills
    • Language Proficiencies

• List Education after Experience

  • List the Institution, City/State
  • Include degree and major (i.e., B.B.A. Management)
  • Include graduation date only (i.e., May 2011)
  • List emphasis area, minor, and/or certificate if applicable
  • List cumulative and/or major GPA if 3.0 or above and Dean’s List/Honors Program if applicable

• Other Reminders:

  • Tailor information to position seeking and place most relevant information toward top of resume
  • Keep it to one or two pages. Should not be more than two pages regardless of number of years worked and jobs held.
  • Do not use the pronoun “I”. Write in third person, past tense, including current job.
  • Don’t use a template to format
  • Use 10pt. traditional font (Ariel, Times New Roman, etc.) and no less than .5 margins
  • Place dates on the right of the page
  • Stay consistent within format and layout (i.e., using italics, bolding items, etc.)
  • Don’t list “References available upon request” (create separate reference page if needed)
  • CHECK and RECHECK for spelling/grammatical errors
  • Add name and contact information to header or footer of second page