Common Resume Questions
1. How long should my resume be?
Most resumes are one page in length (this does not include your coverletter or references). If you are a business major, most employers will want a one page resume. Education majors have longer resumes (two pages). A resume should not exceed two pages.
2. Do I need an objective statement?
An objective statement is optional. Since you will always send a cover letter with a resume when applying for a job, an objective statement on your resume is redundant. An employer will know your objective from your coverletter. However, if you are attending the Career Fair, for instance, you will want to include an objective. (At the fair it is too difficult to create a general coverletter, so an objective can state your area of interest and whether you are looking for an internship or full-time position).
3. What do I include on a resume?
Common resume categories include: name/contact information; education; experience (sometimes divided into related experience and additional experience); activities, honors, and achievements; and special skills (foreign language proficiency, specialized knowledge, etc.). Other areas people may include on resumes: professional affiliations, volunteer activities, internship experiences, publications, certifications, technical skills, and leadership activities. Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
Do not feel that you must include everything you have ever done on your resume. A resume is not a binding legal document- it is a marketing tool, which allows you to highlight your strengths and abilities.
4. Do I have to list my GPA?
If you have a 3.0 or above, definitely list your GPA. Some career fields, such as accounting, will be very interested in your GPA, whereas other fields will not be as interested in GPA.
5. What about formatting?
There is no single “right” way to format your resume, but there are a few guidelines. When selecting a font, remember that Times New Roman and Arial are two universal fonts that work well when sending a resume electronically. Do not use a “fussy” font- a resume should be readable. Also, do not go below 10 point font. You may use up to two different fonts to format a resume.
Also, consider using bullets, bold, italics, and capital letters to enhance the readability of your resume. But, be consistent! Pay attention to the balance of white space to text. Aim for readability.
6. Can I use a resume template?
We recommend that you do not use a template. Templates can be difficult to work with when you try to change the formatting or delete categories. Also, if you are sending your resume electronically, templates have a tendency to distort resumes. Although tempting, avoid templates and format a document yourself.
7. Should I include high school information?
Do not include high school information, such as the high school you attended or high school activities. Focus on your college experiences.
8. Should I include “references available upon request” at the bottom of my resume?
The phrase “references available upon request” is not necessary. Basically, you are stating the obvious because if an employer requested references you would supply them if you were truly interested in a position. You may choose to include this phrase, but it is not necessary.
q Proofread! Have many people look over your resume to check for spelling and grammatical errors. Talk to Career Services or your advisor about reviewing your resume with you.
q Only list institutions you have received a degree from. If you attended community college, but did not receive a degree, you do not need to include it.
q Do not use personal pronouns, such as I, me, or my.
q List your experiences in reverse chronological order.
q Use a variety of action verbs when describing your experiences. Too often people repeatedly use terms like “worked” or “responsible for.” Be creative!
q When describing positions you have held in the past, use past tense action verbs. When describing positions you are currently in, use present tense verbs.
q Do not include unrelated personal information on a resume, such as age, marital status, or hobbies.
q Always send your resume with a cover letter!
q Avoid resume templates.
q Do not staple a resume.
q On your references page, relist your name and contact information. Ask 3-5 people (supervisors, professors, volunteer supervisors, etc.) if they are willing to be a reference for you. Do not ask family or friends to be references. Be sure to list your references name, position title, and contact information on your reference page.
q Visit Career Services! We have hand-outs, samples, and tons of materials to assist you. Also, visit our website www.uni.edu/acs.