Writing a Resumé
Resumés and Cover Letters
A resumé is a marketing tool designed to provide an employer with a brief, written advertisement of your skills, experiences and accomplishments.
Employers will initially spend as little as 15 – 30 seconds “scanning” a resumé, sometimes referred to as the “30 Second Test.” For this reason, it is critical that your information be concise and focused. One page is usually sufficient.
Employers judge resumés on several criteria. The way you present information is important. Just like in academic writing, ideas and themes must be clear to the reader. The format is also very important.
Students often have questions about how to start a resumé, what content to include, what headers to use, how to write a good cover letter, and how to best express their experiences. The staff in the Career Development Center reviews resumés daily and knows many of the best practices, tips and tricks for writing fantastic resumés and cover letters.
The Career Development Center offers resumé workshops throughout the academic year. Students are encouraged to meet with our staff to critique a current resumé or start work on a new one. To schedule an appointment, call 336-316-2187.
