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Resume

Attendees at the 2018 Field of Dreams conference.

A resume is a brief document that summarizes your education, employment history, and experiences that are relevant to your qualifications for a particular job for which you are applying. Because a resume is brief it should be as concise as possible—no shorter than one full page and no more than three pages.

Resumes differ from letters and papers, and they are written in a concise style using bullet lists rather than long sentences and paragraphs. A resume is designed to be skimmed quickly. You should look at as many resume examples as possible before writing your own. Below are some links for examples of effective resumes.

Most resumes are divided into four sections: Objective, Education, Work Experience, and Contact Information. Volunteer and community services can also be included if space allows and the experience is relevant to the position.

Objective

The objective should be short and concise, and are tailored to the specific organization and position. Objectives state the organization's name and the specific position title, and they briefly outline how the applicant will help the organization achieve its goals.

Education

In the education section, state the highest degree you have earned and provide the following details.

Work Experience

The section on work experience is usually broken down by company or position. For each, provide the following.

Contact Information

The contact information section is where you detail how potential employers can get in touch with you. Make sure all information is accurate and current. You should, at minimum, include your name, address, and phone number. Many people also include cell phone numbers, email addresses, and Web pages.

Sample resume (PDF)