resume

BUILDING YOUR RESUME

HOW TOBUILDYOURRESUME

STEP1 F i l l i n che blanks of the resume b u i l d i n g worksheet, and omit or make additional headings, depending on the purposeo f y o u r resume.

STEP2

Transfer the i n f o r m a t i o n from this worksheet to a computer. We do not recommend using templates.

S T E P3

Create a resume layout using these basic guidelines:

© Create a hierarchy and structure w i t h your layout. Use bold or larger typefaces to distinguish headings and put those sections of the resume that are most critical for the employer to read at the top. Potential employers w i l l likely spend an average o f 10 seconds on

your resume, so make sure any retevant skills or experience are easy to spot!

* Consider your audience when formatting ycur content and layout. For example, i f you are applying for a skills based position, put your skills section near che top of the resunre,

* Choose a style and format for listing employers, titles, dates and locations and stay consistent throughout the document. This helps

the employer locate information quickly and simply. Use font size, capitals, bold, italics and bullets to categorize, but don?t overdo it!

* Use action verbs to describe your experiences, and avoid using che same verb twice. See the helpful list o f action verbs later in this document as a good place to start.

* Organize your responsibilities under cach position in order o f importance, and use past tense for jobs which you are no longer working.

* Avoid w r i t i n g your resume as 2 narrative, and do not use the pronoun ?I? when listing your responsibilities.

* Be specific w i t h your information and include numbers and dates whenever possible. However, you do not need to include months w i t h years unless a position was held during one year for less than six months.

* Proofread and edit your materials several times to eliminate all errors.

* O n c e your resume is perfected, save a copy as an Adobe PDF file to capture all fonts and retain formatting. When submitting a

resume electronically or posting it on your website, always use the PDF version unless instructed otherwise. Always follow the

employer's application instructions.

* W h e n p r i n t i n g your resume, coordinate the paper to match the envelope used and be sure to use a high quality laser printer.

* Avoid using color in your resume, and make a photocopy to ensure it is readable after copying. It is safe to assume your resume will

likely always be viewed as a photocopy b y an employer.

STEP.

« A L W A Y S have someone proofread your resurie before you send it out!

* Bring your resume into Career Development for revision. The Career Center staff can give you advice and tips to improve your materials.

REFERENCES

Do nor include names and contact information of your references on your resume. You only need to include references if requested by the employer, and you do N O T need to use the phrase, ?references available upon request,? it is a given. I f references are requested, they should accompany your resume as a separate document with your letterhead at the top. Choose references wisely, and always ask your references prior to listing them if they would mind serving as a reference. Always let them know what you are applying to, and when possible send them a copy of the job description.

R E M E M B E R : T H E R E S U M E D O E S N ? T G E T Y O U A J O B ? I T GETS Y O U A N I N T E R V I E W .

BUILDING YOUR RESUME

RELEVANT ACT I V I T I E S / E X PERIENCE

Laat € erating, Performance. Scudemt Actienes?Clubs including your role in them, projects, etc.

Name of Proect (Organization. Cary, Seme Date

T eDexunpuon of Project

Nagne o f Projex / O r g a n u z a t i o n , Cary, State D a t e

e e e D e s n p e n n o f Projext

S K I L L S

Can also be listed after education

Computer: List software, platforms, all chat you are familiar with or proficient in

Fine Art or ?Studio?: Be specific. T h e reader knows you have a BFA from or are enrolled at M I C A , so avoid general terms like ?painting.?

AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS

Include Scholarships, Grants, Awards, Prizes, etc. Do not include dollar amounts.

Name o f Award or Scholarship Date Received (usually year only)

Name o f Award/Achievement Date Received

E X H I B I T I O N S

Optional, o n l y use i f applicable. Exhibitions may be separated by type or listed together.

Solo

?Title of Show,? Name o f Gallery/Space, City, State, Year (only)

Group

?Title of Show,? Name o f Gallery/Space, City, State, Year (only)

PUBLICATIONS

Optional, use only i f applicable.

Name of Publication, City, State, Item Published, Dare & Year ( I f magazine or newspaper, just year i f otherpublications)

COLLECTIONS

Optional, use only i f applicable.

Name o f Organization/Company, City, State

I f numerous individuals have purchased o r commissioned your work, you may refer to them collectively as ?Private Collections in...? and state the place(s) for example,?... Maryland, and New York.?