Writing Resumes:

A Guide for Undergraduate

Students
If you would like more information or have questions about this document, feel free to speak with a Career
Advancement counselor. You can make an appointment by calling 773-702-7040.

What is a Resume?
A resume is a snapshot of the education,
experience, and skills you have that are
valuable to an employer. Its main purpose
is
to convince a potential employer to invite
you for an interview to make them want to
learn more about you. Resumes are used to
screen applicants and determine which
candidates have the background most
closely matching the employers needs. It
answers the questions: have you, can you
and will you do the job.
Before Writing a Resume, You Should

Do your research on the industry, field, company/

organization, and the job itself so you fully
understand what the employer is seeking.

Learn to speak the employers language. While doing

your research, pay attention to the vocabulary that is
particular to the industry.

Learn about trends that are developing within the

industry.

Identify the core skills required in the job, so as to best

highlight and emphasize your relevant prior
experiences and skills.

To Craft a Successful Resume, You Should

Quickly and succinctly capture an employers

attention and interest. Most employers spend only 30
seconds reviewing a resume.

Emphasize and quantify accomplishments rather than

just listing responsibilities. Be specific whenever
possible. For example: Designed and delivered 20 math
tutoring
lessons to a group of seven fifth and sixth graders.

Incorporate transferable skills, i.e. skills you acquired in

one context or situation that are valuable in another.
Examples of transferrable skills include: communication,
teamwork, organizational, etc.

Resume Dos

Be specific and quantify whenever possible

Proofread multiple times for proper grammar,

spelling, etc. (and dont rely just on Spell Check)

Be consistent with formatting

Organize the information in your resume in

reverse chronological order

Pay close attention to verb tenses in your bullets

Keep your resume to one page

Be truthful about your accomplishments without

undervaluing your experiences

Resume Donts

Use resume templates from word processing

programs, such as MSWord

Use phrases like Responsible for and Was in charge of

Say what you were supposed to do; say what you did

Begin bullets with I or use complete sentences

Include personal information such as your social

security number, age, or nation of origin

List unrelated, minor duties such as opened mail or

filed documents

Limit yourself by including only paid experiences

Lie or exaggerate on your resume

Ida Noyes Hall | 1212 E. 59th Street | Chicago, IL 60637 | 773.702.7040 | careeradvancement.uchicago.edu
Resume Headings

HONORS

Students can use a variety of headings to summarize and

Basics

chronicle information for an employer.

Sample headings include:

Include academic honors such as the Deans List,

scholarships, or honors societies.

Education

Leadership Experience

Skills

Relevant Experience or Experience

Suggestions

Related Projects

Activities

Interests

Relevant Coursework

Honors/Awards

Community Service/Volunteer
Experience

Resume Sections

Honors may be listed under a separate heading or as a

subsection under Education.

SKILLS
Basics

Foreign languages, computer skills, and other relevant

skills should be included

CONTACT INFORMATION
Basics

Suggestions

List level of fluency/proficiency with languages and

Name, address, phone number, and email address

computer skills (Dont overstate your competence).

should always be at the top of the page

Be prepared to fully communicate in any language to

Always include area and zip codes.

For current students, list both a college and home

declare to have fluency. Anything on your resume is

address and phone numbers if you are applying for jobs

fair game!

back home. You can use just your college address if

applying for positions in Chicago.

EXPERIENCE

Make sure the address and phone number is somewhere

Basics

you will readily be able to receive notification or calls

from a potential employer.

Include any employment, internships, significant campus

leadership offices, volunteer work, and relevant class/
research projects.

Suggestions

Include title (including multiple titles at one organization

Be sure your answering machine message and email

if applicable), name of organization, location, and dates

address are business-appropriate.

for each position.

If you have roommates or if someone else could

Emphasize duties, responsibilities, skills, abilities, and

be answering your calls, make sure they use

accomplishments appropriate to the position for

proper etiquette and relay the message to you.

which you are applying.

EDUCATION

Suggestions

Basics

Use phrases beginning with action verbs rather

Begin with your most recent educational experience.

than sentences.

Include the degree you expect to earn/have earned, your

Do not use pronouns in your job descriptions.

major/minor, university, expected date of graduation,

You do not need to restrict your resume to

and GPA.

paid experience.

Add course highlights as an option (titled Relevant

Coursework).

You may which to separate this section into

multiple sections such as Leadership Experience,
Work Experience, Related Experience, and Other

Suggestions

Generally list GPA if it is a 3.00 or above, and carry out

to 2 decimal places. You may want to list your GPA in
your major as well, provided you have had more than 12 courses in your major completed.

List any study abroad experiences or other colleges you

have attended for a significant period of time.

Experience.

ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS

These series of University of Chicago programs helps

Basics

undergraduate students learn about and prepare for

List college-related activities including student

careers in the arts, business, communications, education,

government, fraternities/sororities, student clubs,

health professions, journalism, law, non-profit/public service,

and sports activities, etc. not mentioned elsewhere.

Suggestions

Be sure to note the offices you held and committee

involvement you had in each of your activities.

Career Advancement Services

and Resources
See a Career Advancement Counselor
All students are encouraged to see a Career Advancement
counselor at some point in their university career.
Counselors are able to offer assistance with job application
materials, including resumes and cover letters. Staff is also
able to help discuss broader plans like graduate or
professional school. Students are encouraged to make an
appointment and can either call 773-702-7040 or do so
online.
Walk-In Appointments
Throughout the year, Career Advancement counselors
make themselves available for short, walk-in appointments.
The hours vary from quarter to quarter but the website is
always up-to-date with current hours. Students looking for
brief assistance are encouraged to use these appointments
as a way to quickly move forward in their search.
Career Advancement Programs and Resources
Career Advancement offers programs throughout the
year designed to educate students about career options
in a variety of fields, as well as build crucial job search
skills (informational interviewing, networking, etc.). View
the Career Advancement event calendar online to learn
more.
Be sure to browse our Career Resource Library as well as
our website for additional resources.
Chicago Career Connection (CCC)
Accessible via the Career Advancement website, this online
tool specifically for University of Chicago students and
alumni lists full- and part-time jobs and internships, in
Chicago, nationally, and even internationally. Jobs and
internships listed are in business, government and
nonprofits.
UChicago Careers In

COMMUNITY SERVICE

management listhost. Sign up via Chicago Career

Basics

Connection (accessible via the Career Advancement

website) and edit your profile to start receiving these emails.

List organizations and the skills and abilities utilized.

Suggestions

Employer Information Sessions

Come into Career Advancement and speak with a

Employers looking to hire students in consulting come to

counselor if you need help deciding if and/or how to

campus each year to host information sessions. This is a

include potentially controversial information (i.e. religious

great way to learn about particular companies and network.

or political affiliation, etc.).

View the Career Advancement event calendar online to

learn more and see the schedule.
Researching Organizations
Know who the dominant players within the sector are as
well as all the companies that are going to participate in

science and technology, and social work. Some programs

on-campus recruiting. You can obtain first-hand accounts

are selective and others are open to all students. To learn

of the companys culture and philosophy by talking to

more about this great University of Chicago offering, visit

University of Chicago alumni who are working at the firm

the UChicago Careers In section of the Career

(see networking and informational interviewing above).

Advancement website.

A
good understanding of the work environment will go a long

Email Listhosts

way in answering fit questions during the interview process

Join the Consulting Career Advancement email list to

and will help you differentiate the firms to enable you to

get regular updates on career-related programs and

pick those that best fit your personality.

job postings. You might also join the general business

Networking and Informational Interviewing

Career Advancement Super Interview Walk-In Days:

Whether you just want to learn more about a career in

Career Advancement holds Super Interview Walk-In Days

consulting or youre ready to apply for jobs, conducting

for undergraduate and graduate students at the beginning

informational interviews and networking with individuals

of fall and winter quarters. Students interested in

already working in that field is a crucial part of the

participating

process. Career Advancement counselors can show you

in a short, walk-in appointment style interview should

how to

attend. These days will be listed on the Career

use the online alumni directory to identify University of

Advancement calendar online.

Chicago alumni in this field; how to set up and prepare

for an informational interview; and how to network

On-Campus Recruiting (OCR)

effectively. Make an appointment by calling 773-702-

Every year employers come to campus to recruit University

7040.

of Chicago students. In order to participate in OCR, you

must be activated in Chicago Career Connection, which will

Practice Your Interviewing

allow you to view OCR-specific job postings. To become

Practice Interviewers: Career Advancement has practice

activated in CCC and to learn more about OCR, speak with

interviewers on staff to conduct mock behavioral and

a Career Advancement counselor.

case interviews. To schedule a practice interview call 7737027040.

MANAGEMENT
Administered
Coordinated
Increased
Reviewed

Analyzed
Delegated
Organized
Scheduled

Assigned
Developed
Oversaw
Strengthened

Attained
Directed
Planned
Supervised

Chaired
Evaluated
Prioritized

Consolidated
Executed
Produced

Contracted
Improved
Recommended

COMMUNICATION
Addressed
Arbitrated

Arranged

Authored

Collaborated

Convinced

Corresponded

Developed
Interpreted

Drafted
Mediated

Edited
Moderated

Enlisted
Negotiated

Formulated
Persuaded

Influenced
Promoted

Directed
Lectured

Publicized
RESEARCH
Clarified

Reconciled

Recruited

Spoke

Translated

Wrote

Collected
Inspected
Surveyed

Critiqued
Interpreted
Systematized

Diagnosed
Interviewed

Evaluated
Investigated

Examined
Organized

Extracted
Reviewed

Built
Maintained
Upgraded

Calculated
Operated

Computed
Overhauled

Designed
Programmed

Devised
Remodeled

Engineered
Repaired

Advised
Enabled
Instructed

Clarified
Encouraged
Persuaded

Coached
Evaluated
Set Goals

Communicated
Explained
Stimulated

Coordinated
Facilitated
Trained

Demystified
Guided

Allocated
Computed
Researched

Analyzed
Developed

Appraised
Forecasted

Audited
Managed

Balanced
Marketed

Budgeted
Planned

Conceptualized
Fashioned
Invented

Created
Founded
Originated

Customized
Illustrated
Performed

Designed
Initiated
Planned

Developed
Instituted
Revitalized

Directed
Integrated
Shaped

Assisted
Expedited
Represented

Clarified
Facilitated

Coached
Familiarized

Counseled
Guided

Demonstrated
Motivated

Diagnosed
Referred

CLERICAL OR DETAIL ORIENTED

Approved
Arranged

Cataloged

Classifed

Collected

Compiled

Dispatched

Executed
Prepared
Systematized

Implemented
Purchased
Validated

Inspected
Recorded

Monitored
Retrieved

Operated
Screened

Organized
Specified

Identified
Summarized
TECHNICAL
Assembled
Fabricated
Solved
TEACHING
Adapted
Developed
Informed
FINANCIAL
Administered
Calculated
Projected
CREATIVE
Acted
Established
Introduced
HELPING
Assessed
Educated
Rehabilitated

Generated
Processed
Tabulated

Resume Template

YOUR NAME
Street Address City, State
Zip Code Telephone
Number
youremail@uchicago.edu

EDUCATION Institution,
City, State Degree, expected
Month Year GPA: X.XX/4.00
Relevant Courses: [Note: Include list of courses in which youve done substantive work that you might want to describe in
an interview. This is optional. Awards and honors can also be listed here.]
Name of High School, City, State
Diploma, Month Year
[Note: Include GPA, class rank, or any other exceptional academic honor that might inform employers of your scholastic
achievements, but High School will probably drop out of your resume as you gain more experience. Some employers do
NOT want to see it by the time youre a 3rd year student but some name recognition might other times be a plus.]
EXPERIENCE
Organization, City, State
Title, Month Year Month Year [Note: you can bold your title or your organization whichever is more relevant/
important and switch which is on top, but be consistent and keep the location with the organization]
Describe your experience, skills, etc. in bullet form
[Note: Include bulleted description above. Start with action verbs describing your skills and include details that will help
employers understand your accomplishments, skills, knowledge, personal characteristics, and experience level. Include

quantity, frequency, or impact of your work whenever possible. Consider answering the following questions to help you
write more effective bullet points but do not use sub-bullets in the resume; longer descriptions may lend themselves to using
sentence fragment/paragraph style instead of bullets:
What did you do? What were the results of your work?
What were your accomplishments?
How did you help the organization? What impact did your tasks have on your colleagues, your department, or the
organization as a whole?
What did you learn? What skills/knowledge did you enhance?
How does this experience relate to your internship/employment goal?]
ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY SERVICE or LEADERSHIP [Examples of descriptive headings]
Title, Organization, City, State, Dates
[Note: This section can be formatted exactly like your experience section or you can omit a description. If this sections
experience is more relevant to the type of work youre pursuing, consider putting it above experience.]
SKILLS
[Note: List computer, language, and any other technical skills you possess. Other types of skills (e.g., communication skills,
organizational skills) should not be listed, but rather incorporated into your descriptions above.]
Coursework is very important when
David Maroon
trying to demonstrate a familiarity
dmaroon@uchicago.edu
with a particular topic that may not
773-555-1234
come
out in your job experience. If you choose
5454 S. Kimbark Ave., Apt. 5
to include coursework, choose at least
Chicago, IL 60615
three and no more than five. Include
EDUCATION
The default GPA is cumulative. If a GPA
your BA thesis or MA thesis if it is
THE UNIVERSITY OF
CHICAGO Bachelor of Arts in
Political Science Cumulative GPA:
3.62/4.00
Deans List 2004-2007
EXPERIENCE

is not marked, one will assume it is your

cumulative GPA. If you are giving a
major GPA also, mark it as such. Provide
GPA to 2 decimal places.

relevant to the job your are applying to.

Chicago, IL
Expected, June 2008

Experience does not just mean

paid experience, but includes
volunteer experience, RSOs,
community-based work, etc...

Chicago, IL
FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF CHICAGO
Technical Support Intern, Economic Research Department
June 2006-present
Perform risk assessment of research department and its classifications of data
Create searchable Paradox database, update information, and construct linked forms for three departments
Use SAS to create graphs to support seven risk assessment projects
MORNINGSTAR, INC.
Chicago, IL
Intern, Electronic Products Group
June 2005-Oct 2005
Created and administered software databases designed to increase communication and efficiency
between development teams
Researched optimal equity and mutual fund portfolios by weighing risk against return using
information technologies
Collaborated with project manager to test accuracy and usability of Morningstar pre-release software;
advanced its development
JOSEPH REGENSTEIN LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Circulation Assistant
Trained patrons in use of newly-implemented online cataloguing system

Chicago, IL
Sept. 2004-June 2005

Located and charged out material for patrons, discharged and shelved returned books

LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES

Leadership means being an active

participant, ie coordinating an event.

Varsity Basketball, University of Chicago

Received NCAA Division II tournament bids, 2002 and 2003

Sept 2004-present

Student Government, University of Chicago

Sept 2005-June 2006
Organized more than 20 campus activities and functions for student body as a member of the Student Affairs
Committee
Consulted on the renovation of a student union for undergraduates as well as other projects to improve
student life on campus
SKILLS

Mark your knowledge of languages as

conversant, proficient, and fluent.
If it is a dead language, then instead of
conversant write beginner.

Fluent in German and

Polish
MS Word, Word Perfect, Excel, Minitab, Powerpoint, SAS, and
Quicken

Computer skills: Usually use terms like

experienced, proficient, and expert
knowledge.

Sally Smith
smith@uchicago.edu
School Address:
5412 S. University Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 555-7864
EDUCATION
The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Arts, expected June 2014

Permanent Address:
123 Main Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
(715) 456-2222
Once you determine your major, state
BA in
and DROP the High
School listing unless it will help your job
search.

Enrolled in core liberal arts courses with plans to pursue pre-med curriculum. GPA: 3.45/4.00
SPASH High School, Stevens Point, WI
Diploma, June 2007

It is best to include
a GPA if it is a 3.00
or higher.

Honors Included: Presidents Education Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, Special Corporate National Merit
Scholarship sponsored by Pfizer, Inc., and National Council of Teachers of English Nomination for Excellence in Writing
EXPERIENCE
Joseph Regenstein Library, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Serials Assistant, October 2007 present
Guide patrons through the newly-implemented online cataloging system
Locate and check out books, audio-visual equipment, and microfiche for patrons
Volunteer and student activities can
Shelve returned books accurately and efficiently
LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES

be just as impressive to an employer

as work experience.

Assistant Chair, Model United Nations at the University of Chicago, October 2007 present
Research and write 10-page papers on political and economic problems such as vaccine financing and urban health
Collaborate with team to plan two-day conference for more than 1,500 high school students
President, Students against Destructive Decisions, SPASH High School 2006 2007
Led executive board members in coordinating four large campaigns and raising more than $3000
Increased active membership by 30% through innovative membership drive efforts
Served as spokesperson to local community, raising awareness of violence and injury prevention strategies
Vice President, Student Council, SPASH High School, 2005 2006
Planned and facilitated weekly student council meetings
Represented 1500 students in meetings with administrators; lobbied for and implemented spirit week
Captain, Varsity Tennis Team, SPASH High School, 2006 2007
Managed time required for 20-hour/week of tennis plus activities and rigorous academic courses
Placed 3rd in doubles at Wisconsin State Tennis Tournament
Varsity Team member 3 years, Junior Varsity 1 year
Member, Spanish Club, SPASH High School, 2003 2007
SKILLS
Computer: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as HyperStudio and Adobe Photoshop; Basic
knowledge of HTML
Your interests arent qualifications for
Language: Proficient in reading and writing Spanish
a job necessarily, but they provide
Certifications: Adult and Infant CPR
employers with topics about which
INTERESTS
Digital photography, skydiving, and sports medicine

they can inquire at the beginning of

an
interview. This often helps you relax and
leads to a better interview but can
easily be dropped if space is an issue.