Writing a Résumé

A How-to Guide

Goals for Résumé Writing

Goal One: Understanding your Abilities

A résumé is the final outcome of a process that begins with you taking stock of the abilities you possess
The more abilities that you are aware of possessing, the greater value you have to offer to an employer or graduate school
Knowing your abilities and understanding from where you acquired them will make you more confident as an applicant

Goal Two: Articulating your Abilities

Knowing your abilities helps you; articulating them effectively shows you can help the reader/employer
Never assume the reader knows what you mean; you must always be clear, concise, and use examples
Employers will only give your résumé a 5-10 second review before making an initial decision, so excellent writing is imperative
If the writing on your résumé is not good enough for Transy faculty, it is not good enough to send out

Drafting the General Résumé

First Step: Don’t worry about page length!

Yes, you will ultimately be limited to a one page application resume to apply for a job or internship or 2 pages if you are applying to graduate or professional school, but you are not creating that résumé yet!
The General Résumé can be as long as you need it to capture all of your good experiences and document the skills from them.

Second Step: List and Categorize all of your experiences!

Do Not Use a Template to create your résumé! Use a blank Word or Google Doc
Choose a style you like to format your résumé. It does not have to be complicated, however it does need to be consistent across every experience you include.
“All of your experiences” include jobs, internships, shadowing, volunteer/community service, club and organization involvement, athletics, study abroad, and classes. Yes, classes can go on résumés!
First years and sophomores may include relevant experiences from high school; juniors and seniors should include only college experiences unless a high school experience directly relates to the position you are seeking.
Examples of categories include Education, Campus Involvement, Volunteer Work, Work History, Internships, Professional Experience.

Third Step: Define the Skills you acquired and the Accomplishments you achieved

Use “Action Words” found on the next page to define the skills you acquired
Do Not focus on the day to day job duties such as “copying, answering phones, etc.”
Keep the statements concise, but provide sufficient information to give context
Whenever possible, describe the positive impact you contributed to the position
Use numbers or amounts whenever possible
Use the appropriate tense of the verb—past or present, but don’t use “ing”
Avoid statements such as, “responsibilities or duties include,” as these are passive
Do Not use personal pronouns (i.e. I, We, Us)
Use more statements if the experience provided many skills; use fewer if it did not
Remember, we are not worrying about page length right now, so include all the statements you can come up with.

Action Words

accomplished
accounted for
achieved
acquired
adapted
addressed
adjusted
administered
advised
aided
allocated
analyzed
applied
appointed
appraised
approved
arranged
assembled
assessed
assured
attained
attended
audited
authored
authorized
awarded
balanced
briefed
brought
budgeted
built
calculated
cataloged
chaired
changed
checked
chose
clarified
classified
closed
coached
collected
combined
communicate
compared
completed
composed
computed
conceived
conceptualized
conducted
consolidated
constructed
consulted
continued
contracted
controlled
convinced
coordinated
corrected
counseled
counted
created
critiqued
debated
decided
defined
delegated
delivered
demonstrated
designed
determined
developed
devised
diagnosed
directed
discovered
documented
drafted
drew
earned
edited
elected
eliminated
empathized
employed
encouraged
enforced
engaged
enlisted
ensured
entered
established
estimated
evaluated
examined
executed
exercised
expanded
expedited
experimented
explained
explored
expressed
extracted
facilitated
fashioned
figured
filed
financed
fixed
followed
forecast
foresaw
formulated
forwarded
fostered
found
founded
gained
generated
governed
graded
greeted
guided
handled
helped
identified
illustrated
implemented
improved
improvised
incorporated
increased
influenced
informed
initiated
innovated
inspected
instructed
insured
interpreted
interviewed
introduced
invented
investigated
joined
judged
launched
learned
lectured
led
licensed
logged
made
maintained
managed
manipulated
marketed
maximized
mediated
mentored
met
modeled
modified
monitored
motivated
negotiated
observed
obtained
offered
operated
ordered
organized
overcame
oversaw
paid
painted
participated
perceived
performed
persevered
persuaded
photographed
piloted
planned
prepared
presented
prevailed
processed
produced
profited
programmed
projected
promoted
proofed
proved
provided
publicized
purchased
qualified
ran
rated
read
realized
reasoned
received
recognized
recommended
reconciled
recorded
recruited
redesigned
reduced
referred
related
renovated
repaired
reported
represented
rescued
researched
resolved
resulted in
restored
returned
revealed
reviewed
revised
saved
scheduled
screened
secured
selected
sent
separated
served
serviced
shipped
showed
simplified
sold
solved
sought
specified
spoke
started
stopped
streamlined
studied
submitted
suggested
summarized
supervised
supplied
supported
surveyed
targeted
taught
tested
took over
totaled
toured
tracked
trained
transferred
transformed
translated
traveled
treated
troubleshot
tutored
typed
uncovered
unified
updated
upgraded
used
utilized
weighed
welcomed
won
worked
wrote

Adapting a General Résumé for an Application

Focus on the needs of the position

Start a new document and copy and paste the most valuable experiences from your general résumé that relate to the position into it.
You create a “new” résumé each time you apply to a new experience
If you do not believe a skill statement is useful for the employer to see, remove it
If you do not believe a position is valuable for an employer to see, remove it
Use the following rubric to assess the quality of your résumé; the more 5’s, the stronger your résumé

Points	1 (poor)	2	3	4	5 (excellent)
Audience and purpose	–No audience intended –Lack of purpose –(This does not apply to the general résumé)	–Little attention to audience –Purpose not clear	–Audience is inferred, but not focused –Statements to not connect to purpose	–Résumé has intended audience –A few statements do not fit	–Résumé is clearly tailored to reader –Entries are purposeful –Statements are purposeful
Content	–Simple listing of past positions without any statements provided –No insight demonstrated	–Focused on non-skill past duties –Paragraph writing –Use of personal pronouns –Little insight shown	–Some action words throughout –Some context provided –A few statements are unclear –Better insights	–Mostly uses action words –Offers good con-text and insight –Clear statements and wording –Evidence of learning apparent	–Action words utilized –Incorporates professional terms –Context provides visualization –Statements are clear and concise –Strong demonstration of ability
Format	–No consistency in format –Poor use of space/wide margins –Unattractive presentation –Hard to read	–Some consistency, but not throughout –Difficult to read –Bullets not lined up	–Mostly consistent –Some spacing or margin issues –Most bullets line up –Readable	–A couple of inconsistent entries –Minor spacing issues –Easy to read	–Consistent format throughout –Easily readable –Effective use of space –Attractive, professional appearance
Presentation	–Lack of headings –No order to entries –No relevancy	–Confusing headings –Some order to entries –Little relevancy	–Generic headings –Reverse chronological order –Some relevancy	–Good headings –Reverse chronological order –Relevant positions	–Professional headings used –Most relevant positions first –Entries in reverse chronological order
Grammar and mechanics	–4 or 5 spelling/grammar errors –Verb tenses are wrong	–3-4 spelling/ –grammar errors –Verb tenses are wrong	–2-3 spelling/grammar –Verb tenses have errors	–1-2 spelling /grammar errors –Verb tenses are correct	–Résumé is free of errors –Verb tenses are all correct

Examples of well written Transy résumés

Entrepreneurial Focus

859-555-0123 exfocus25@transy.edu

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE), Expected May 2025

Transylvania University, Lexington, KY

GPA – 3.1/4.0

Involvement

Social chair, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity,

January 2023 – Present

Meet weekly with the executive board of the fraternity to discuss the general state of the organization.
Manage¹ a $9,000 budget to plan and execute multiple social events throughout the year
Oversee social committee members on task completion, including working with sergeant-at-arms on risk management.
Contact venue managers for event times and activities and negotiate terms of agreement
Organize extensive events that allow members of the fraternity to travel and increase brotherly bonds

President, Transylvania Investment Club,

January 2023 – Present

Organize and manage a semesterly virtual investment club in which members are invited to invest $10,000 in a way of their choosing to achieve the highest returns.
Directed inexperience members in potential investing philosophies and the advantages of beginning to invest at a young age.

Work Experience

Basketball Official, Great Rivers Athletic Conference,

December 2021 – Present

Communicate effectively with coaches and players as to maintain a controlled, yet competitive atmosphere.
Collaborate with partners to ensure consistency in play-calling.
Maintain a focused, calm demeanor in emotionally intense situations.

Founding Partner, GAIN Fund,

November 2023 – Present

Gained a greater understanding of the legality of investing, including tax and SEC regulations.
Made 100% capital gains in my initial investment with Bitcoin.
Display entrepreneurship in starting an endeavor which has demanded risk taking abilities.
Develop relationships with other fund members in order to establish a consistent investment philosophy.
Arrange fund bylaws in order to make meetings more efficient and our investment philosophy more precise.

Intern, Ohio’s 2nd Congressional Representative, Brad Wenstrop,

May 2022 – August 2022

Traveled to local cities and discussed the needs of a given town with mayers, city councils, chairpeople, etc.
Aided constituents iwht hte obtainment of deserved benefits such as government welfare, veterans’ benefits, adoption forms, etc.
Discussed the implementation of public services with project leaders such as the Cincinnati Streetcar and housing projects through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Founder, Central Sound Disc Jockeys,

April 2016 – September 2022

Created monthly operating budget for the management of the company.
Scheduled events with various organizations and individuals.
Negotiated contracts with customers concerning pricing, length of event, etc.
Generated $6,000 annual profit

Research Résumé

859-555-1234 rxresume25@transy.edu

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry, Expected May 2025

Transylvania University, Lexington, KY

GPA – 4.0; William T. Young Scholarship: Full tuition and highest academic scholarship at Transylvania.²
Phi Delta Epsilon: Pre-Medical Fraternity, Planned and executed the first successful PhiDE Etiquette Banquet.
Alpha Lambda Delta: Academic Honor Society.

Research and Medical Experiences

Chemistry research, Dr. Edward Merino, University of Cincinnati

June 2023 – Aug 2023

Executed Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) studies of a selective, reactive oxygen species (ROS) activated agent to determine the effect of the chirality at the alpha carbon, and the effect of the size and orientation of the cyclohexyl group on the selectivity and toxicity of the ROS activated agent on Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) cell lines.³
Presented a poster on research of 10 weeks and received the award for best poster presentation.⁴

Neuroscience research, Dr. Bethany Jurs, Transylvania University

Sept 2022 – April 2023

Completed experiment design and data collection phase in an implicit association task (IAT experiment that examines fluctuations in the electrodermal responses to a categorization task between positive and negative connotation words with black and white race faces.
Currently participating in the data analysis phase by organizing both the IAT and physiological data in Excel.

Shadowing, University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, Lexington, KY

Oct 2023 – Present

Shadowing various physicians, ranging in specialty from obstetrics gynecology and emergency medicine, for a total of 8 hours currently

Shadowing, Baptist Health, Corbin, KY

Jan 2023 – Present

Shadowed Dr. Abigail Byrnes, a hematologist oncologist, every three months for a total of 20 hours.
Observed issues that can arise with various types of patients and cancers

Research shadowing, Oregon Science & Health University, Portland, OR

Jul 28 – Aug 8, 2022

Shadowed Dr. Anuradha Kumari in her lab at OHSU for two weeks and increased exposure to the daily workings of a scientific research lab using a cell culture system.
Observed techniques such as western blotting and microscopy while working with breast cancer cell lines.
Directly aided with pipetting of certain chemicals, taking microscopic pictures of cells, assisted with the western blot assay.

Summer Medical Dental Education Program, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

Jun – Jul 2022

Competitive admission into a premedical and pre-dental academic preparation program⁵, which occurs through a 3-hour credit course at the University of Louisville. Course covers organic chemistry, biochemistry and physiology during a six-week period.
Explored topics such as calcium homeostasis, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease.
Cemented the concepts through three team-based learning days during which a group of ten dissect a medical or dental patient case and present it to the faculty and fellow students.
Shadowed transplant and pediatric surgeons at the local hospital.

Chemistry tutor, Transylvania University

Sept 2023 – Present

Utilize the knowledge obtained from general and organic chemistry, as well as experience as a writing center consultant, to help all students understand and be able to manipulate the unique structure of chemistry.

First Year Résumé

859-555-0125 fyresume25@transy.edu⁶

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration⁷, Expected May 2028

Transylvania University, Lexington, KY

Minor in Spanish
President’s Scholar

Relevant Experiences

Assistant to marketing chair, Chi Omega Sorority, Lexington, KY

Sept 2024 – present⁸

Assist in the management of Transylvania University Chi Omega’s Instagram account.
Present information to followers in a way that draws their attention using high quality photos and intriguing copy that display a positive and desirable image of the organization and appeal to potential new members.
Edit photos so they are cohesive and aesthetically pleasing, not only as individual photos, but as an entire account as well.

Athlete and marketing chair, Transylvania University Cheerleading Team, Lexington, KY

Sept 2024 – present

Represent Transylvania University in a positive way by demonstrating good leadership and sportsmanship.
Demonstrate diligence in obtaining new skills by showing willingness to practice hard to learn new tumbling and stunting exercises.
Assess problems and recommend solutions, from stunt formations to team unity.
Assist in the management of the Transylvania University Cheerleading Instagram account.
Present the Transylvania cheerleading team in a positive way with appealing photos and copy that engage followers and potential recruits.

Marketing chair,⁹ Lafeyette High School Junior Class Executive Board, Lexington, KY

Aug 2020 – May 2023

Promoted the High School prom by creating an Instagram account that encouraged students to attend the event.
Received the highest number of ticket sales for prom in school history.

Yearbook Editor, Lafeyette High School, Lexington, KY

Aug 2023 – May 2024

Designed page layouts, photographed athletics, clubs and events and aided in forming a yearbook that was appealing and effective.
Delegated tasks to other yearbook staff members to complete to increase efficiency.
Reviewed all content prior to publishing to ensure there were no errors.

Work Experience¹⁰

Brand representative, Hollister Co, Lexington, KY

Nov 2024 – present

Represent, promote and market a product by appealing to the target audience in ways such as wearing the brand.
Underwent training to learn particular language and body language that Hollister uses to market to target buyers.

Floral assistant, Thomas Ripley Flowers, Lexington, KY

June 2023 – present

Assemble floral arrangements, corsages, boutonnieres and bouquets, demonstrating attention to detail and the importance of tasks completely and correctly.
Assess situations and determine the type and style of arrangement that will best please the customer.
Display creativity by constructing many new floral designs.

Admissions intern, Transylvania University, Lexington, KY

Sept 2024 – present

Aided in the presentation of Transylvania University’s campus to prospective students by attending tours of the campus and answering questions from parents and prospective students.
Assist admissions counselors with administrative tasks such as updating documents and answering phones

Campus Leader Résumé

859-555-0124 cxleader25@transy.edu

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Expected May 2025

Transylvania University, Lexington, KY

3.557 GPA, Dean’s List – 3 semesters

Academic experience

First Engagements Scholar, Transylvania University, Lexington, KY

2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years

Collaborated with a faculty member outside of my field of discipline in preparing a month-long course and orientation activities for first-year students.
Represented students on a discussion panel to paint an accurate picture of the college transition
Work alongside fellow scholars and faculty members to generate an impactful, resonating curriculum for incoming students by pulling out major themes from the texts and creating discussion questions from those.
Co-taught First Engagements course that challenged and stimulated students academically and socially, allowing them to create classroom guidelines, go beyond surface level reading and have stimulating dialogues with a variety of their peers.
Modified an introductory genetics activity to provide students with a hands-on activity and spark an interest in science by making it accessible and relevant to previous discussions.¹¹
Mentored students in their first scheduling endeavor, familiarizing them with self-service, course catalogs, major patterns and time management skills.
Acted as a link between student life and academic life, giving students an approachable mentor for questions and issues concerning their first year in college and Lexington

Campus Involvement

Phi Mu Sorority,¹² Transylvania University, Lexington, KY

2021 – present

President, Discipline Chairman

Jan 2023 – present

Oversee a chapter of 80+ women, including 11 executive council officers and a budget of $30,000.¹³
Administer weekly meetings by creating and enforcing agendas and parliamentary procedure.
Innovated and organized chapter meeting forms and guiding documents.
Delegate tasks to officer team and general members.
Act as unbiased representative on the discipline committee, holding peers accountable for their actions.
Communicate regularly and clearly to members, executive council, area officers and national officers about concerns, progress and state of the chapter.

Academic Excellence Chairman ¹⁴

2015

Advertised academic opportunities to members such as tutoring hours, scholarship applications, professional programs and faculty presentations.
Monitored the GPA of each member and met with those who did not meet the 2.5 requirement to establish an academic plan for the following semester.
Partnered new members with upperclassmen members in shared academic fields to foster mentoring relationships and help to young students.
Encouraged members to perform well in the classroom with supportive notes and incentives
Created a productive study space for members during finals wee, providing comfortable, quiet areas and essential supplies (blue books, pencils, etc.)

Alumna Résumé

859-555-0134 axleader25@transy.edu

Academic experience

Owner and Photographer, Alumna Résumé Photography, Lexington, KY

2005 – present

Run a profitable business using marketing, communication and organizational skills and accounting.
Use Adobe Photoshop¹⁵ editing software to mask, brighten and crop images to present to client.
Communicate with client about expectations, needs and values to determine what kind of photoshoot is expected.
photograph on location depending on what venue client seeks and specialize in newborn, children, portrait, wedding, special events and sporting events.
Observe and study clients to model subjects in a pleasing pose.¹⁶
Capture images of special moments that will be family heirlooms for years to come.
Troubleshoot when a client is not cooperative and adapt behavior to capture images.
Expedite and present digital I’mages to clients for review.

Sales/ inventory specialist/ pawnbroker, The Castle Jewelry & Pawn, Lexington, KY

2012 – present

Assist customers in selecting merchandise for loved ones by listening to their wants and needs.
Educate customer about merchandise so an informed decision can be made about purchase.
Adapt personality to match customer to maximize sales and performance.
Problem solve and ask questions to achieve what each customer seeks.
Evaluate jewelry and determine worth of collateral for loans by measuring diamonds, colored gemstones and weighing gold platinum and/or silver.
Appraise and arrange loans for customers in need of financial help.
Counsel loan customer on benefits and drawbacks of the loan so an informed decision can be made.
Advise and offer suggestions of options.
Reconcile accounts using accuracy, quality control and risk management in handling cash.
Meet and exceed sales quotas by earning top sales awards each year.
Examine and complete minor jewelry repairs.
Awards: Top Sales Associate, Top Pawn/Buy Associate

Retail store manager, The Diamond Gallery, Lexington, KY

2010 – 2012

Began Pandora jewelry line to create a lower price point, incremental and profitable product to carry.
Communicated with customers and aided in selecting gifts for love ones.
Opened and closed store by being a key holder, operated the vault, let employees in and out, balanced credit card machine, accuracy in daily accounting procedures.
Merchandised store by setting up/taking down jewelry displays, hung promotional posters and ordered jewelry and office supplies to restock inventory.
Created appraisals for cusstomer purchases
Met with regional account representatives from Pandora Jewelry and Citizen Watch Company to place orders and gain knowledge on updates within their respective jewelry lines.
Examined and completed minor jewelry repairs.

Independent Sales Distributor, Premier Design Jewelry, Lexington, KY

2005 – 2006

direct solid affordable, profitable, high quality fashion jewelry
Demonstrated fashion forward ways to wear jewelry to customers
Made lasting friendships while working for a jewelry company that rewarded sales goals.
Built my own team of jewelry demonstrators.

Education¹⁷

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, May 1992

Transylvania University, Lexington, KY

Minors in Education and Studio Art