Writing Your Resume/CV
Some Helpful Pointers
You have only 60 seconds (the average time taken to read a resume) to get your qualifications across on paper. Since this is the only information that the internship organizations will receive about you, spend some time developing it!
- Compose your resume in Microsoft Word format.
- Use A4 paper size, which is the European norm. (Go to File, Page Set-Up, Paper Size, and then select A4. Do not use letter size paper.)
- Your resume must be one page only. It is a concise summary of your experience and qualifications. Play with margins, typeface styles and type size to get the resume onto one page.
- Proofread your resume. You will loose the interview if you haven’t been concerned enough to check for misspelled words.
- Make sure that your resume includes the following information:
- Your name, address, phone number and E-mail address.
- The name of your university, location of university, degree (B.A., B.S, etc.), major, GPA, and anticipated graduation date.
- Your previous work experience. Include the names of the organizations, locations, employment date, job title and job description. Whenever possible quantify your duties and accomplishments (i.e., “revised an order entry system that decreased waiting time by 15 minutes” vs. “managed an order entry system.”)
- Your skills. Be sure to include any computer and language skills that you possess, as well as any other that are relevant to your internship interests.
- List any awards or honors that you have received and/or any relevant coursework.
- Your extracurricular activities, hobbies and interests. However, only include those activities/accomplishments in which you have been recently actives.
Do NOT include the following information
- All high school-related work and activities.
- References or any reference to references.
- Height, weight, age, etc. Why give them information not applicable to doing the job?
- Membership in organizations that may be sensitive.
For your reference, below is a sample resume. However, since there are so many ways to design a resume, we strongly recommend that you look at other resume guides and visit your career center to give you additional format and style ideas.
This is a sample resume. Since there are so many ways to design a resume, we strongly recommend that you look at other resume guides and visit your career center to give you additional format and style ideas.
Annie Tyme
66 Wearever Drive
Whonose, WI
123-456-7891
EDUCATION
American University, Washington, D.C.
B.A., International Relations expected graduation
May 2007
GPA: 3.75/4.0 Honors: National
Merit Scholarship Award
Coursework: Overview
of the EU; Parties, Policies and Politics; Western Europe Since 1945
Research: “The Origins of the European Union”
WORK EXPERIENCE
Smith, Lee and Jones, New York, NY
Legal Secretary, Summer 2006
- Took dictation and transcribed tapes on legal proceedings
- Reorganized client files for easier access
- Typed contracts and other legal documents
- Answered the phone and screened calls
College Varsity Shop, College Town, Ohio
Sales Clerk, September 2005-May 2006
- Assisted customers with merchandise selection
- Arranged stock and merchandise displays
Treasure Place Gift Shop, Teaneck, NJ
Assistant Manager, Summer 2005
- Supervised two sales clerks
- Helped select merchandise at trade shows
- Handled daily bookkeeping
SKILLS
Computer: Microsoft
Office, HTML, Linux
Language: French,
basic verbal and intermediate reading and writing
Chinese,
beginning
ACTIVITIES/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Chair, Student Government Senate, 2006
Member, Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, 2004-2006
Member, Women's Varsity Tennis Team, 2004-2006