Description
Your resume is the most important document in your job search. This first draft focuses entirely on content, not design. You will build the raw material you will refine and polish throughout the semester.
Learning Objectives
By completing this assignment you will be able to:
- Organize your education, skills, and experience in a standard resume format
- Write accurate, professional descriptions of your work and projects using action verbs
- Identify gaps in your resume you can address this semester
Steps
- Review the Resume and Cover Letter Packet attached to this module and watch the Career Services Overview video from Discussion 1.
- Open a word processor (Microsoft Word or Google Docs). Do not worry about design yet.
- At the top: your name, city and state, phone number, personal email (not student email, it shuts off after graduation), and portfolio URL.
- Build out sections for: Education, Skills, Experience or Projects, and any relevant activities or awards. Use the functional or traditional example in the packet as a guide.
- Use action verbs for every bullet: Designed, Animated, Produced, Collaborated, Developed, Illustrated...
- Do not include a photo, your full street address, or any fictional content.
- Aim for one page. Reduce margins to 0.75” or 0.5” if needed.
- Save as PDF and submit here.
Resources in This Module
- Traditional Resume Example
- Skills/Functional Resume Example
- Resume and Cover Letter Packet (PDF)
Example
Two resume format examples are attached to this module, a traditional chronological resume and a skills-based functional resume. Use one as a starting point for your layout.
LinkedIn guide for college students, useful for understanding what employers look for.
How to Submit
Upload a PDF of your first draft here. Your instructor will provide written feedback within one to two weeks.