RESUME WRITING HANDBOOK

Berkeley College
Career Services Department

“The roots of true achievement lie in the will to become the best
that you can become.”
--Harold Taylor
 A good resume is…

Professional in content and appearance

Well organized
Communicates your experience clearly and effectively
Achievement oriented
Honest and accurate
Demonstrates what you can do for the employer

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A resume should be written on one or two full pages. A half-page or 1 ½ page

resume looks like you ran out of steam, or didn’t plan well. Recent grads and
persons with five years of experience or less should limit their resume to one page.

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Linen or bond paper in white, off-white, or dove gray works best.

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Make sure you select a font that looks professional such as Times New Roman,
Arial or Tahoma. Use only one font throughout your resume. The range for font
sizes is 10pts to 12pts.

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Take time to prepare your resume by reviewing your achievements, skills,

experiences and strengths. Be sure to highlight skills and achievements that relate
to the positions you are targeting.
 When writing, re-writing, or editing your resume…

• List most recent and relevant experience in chronological order.

• Use sentences beginning with action verbs to describe duties, responsibilities

and accomplishments.

• Write in the present tense for current positions and in the past tense for prior
jobs.

• Use indentation, bolding and capitals for emphasis.

• Do not use personal pronouns such as “I” and “Me”.

• Job descriptions should be achievement, skills and results oriented.

• Avoid abbreviations

• Do not repeat yourself.

• List home address (e-mail address optional). Make sure you have an
effective way to receive phone messages. All voicemails and e-mail
addresses should be professional in content.

• Proof for typos and have someone else proof it as well!

• Do not include personal data such as height, weight, age, marital status, etc.

• Courses: When listing specific courses, be sure that they are courses that
will be of interest to an employer and which can reflect special academic
focus that is not obvious from your degree title.

Frequently asked questions:

How far back should I go in terms of listing past jobs? Usually listing 3 or 4 jobs
should suffice.

Should I differentiate between paid and non-paid employment? Most employers

are not as concerned about what you were paid, as they are about how much
responsibility you held and what you accomplished.

How should I present my accomplishments or work-related responsibilities?

Be sure to convey any information that can give an employer a better understanding
of the depth of your involvement at work. Quantify your experience. How many
people did you supervise? Were you responsible for certain projects? Did you gain
skills that are appropriate to the employer? Were you promoted?
 Action Words!!

Accomplished Achieved Acquired Acted

Administrated Advertised Advised Advocated
Aided Analyzed Anticipated Appointed
Appraised Arbitrated Arranged Assembled
Assessed Assisted Attained Authorized
Bolstered Briefed Built Chaired
Classified Collected Constructed Consulted
Communicated Conducted Coordinated Counseled
Contracted Controlled Defined Delegated
Created Critiqued Determined Developed
Demonstrated Designed Distributed Drafted
Devised Directed Elected Enlisted
Edited Educated Executed Familiarized
Established Evaluated Guided Handled
Financed Fostered Incorporated Influenced
Hired Implemented Inspected Installed
Informed Initiated Interviewed Invented
Instructed Integrated Managed Monitored
Investigated Maintained Observed Operated
Motivated Negotiated Performed Persuaded
Organized Participated Prevailed Processed
Planned Prepared Projected Promoted
Produced Programmed Purchased Qualified
Publicized Published Recorded Recruited
Recommended Reconciled Reported Researched
Rectified Re-evaluated Selected Sold
Reviewed Revised Taught Trained
Summarized Supervised Updated Wrote

Sample Achievements

• Initiated outreach campaign which increased Sierra Club membership by 40%

• Awarded “Employee of the Month”
• President of the Student Government Association
• United Way Coordinator for Pfizer
 Tips for Entry Level Students

Achievements: Include academic, extracurricular or job-related accomplishments.

Any achievement involving leadership or communication skills is important.
Activities: Include any activities in which you have been involved, in or outside of
school (e.g. clubs, organizations, volunteer work, community service, tutoring, sports
teams, etc.)
Travel/Work Experience Abroad: Include any work and travel-related experience
outside of the United States.

Tips for Experienced Students

Accomplishments: When describing work and extracurricular experience, focus on

achievements and quantify wherever possible.
Organizations and Associations: Include your involvement in professional
organizations and associations both on and off campus.
Format: While more employers prefer a chronological resume, consider using a
functional resume if you have worked many years in similar positions or if you are a
career changer.

Tips for International Students

Your Name: If your name is difficult to pronounce, consider using an American

name to make it easier for an employer to pronounce. Put the name in parentheses:
Example: Zhang Li (Tim) Wang
Education: Translate your home country grade point average (if different from U.S.
system) to standing in graduating class (“top 5% of class”).
Experience: List your relevant home country experiences.
Language: Include your bilingual skills in a section titled “Languages.”
 RESUME WRITING SKILLS WORKSHEET

Why do I need a resume?

When a business wants to sell you something, they usually begin by sending you a
flyer or a brochure through the mail. This literature explains all the reasons why you
should buy their product. If you’re interested in what they have to offer, you’ll give
them a call. So…your resume is “sales literature”. You need a “flyer” that you can
send out to employers. If they’re interested in what you have to offer, they’ll give you
a call.

Is a job application the same thing?

No. A job application asks for factual information such as education, work
experience, salary information, and references. You will have skills, abilities, and
accomplishments that will not be displayed on most job applications. In addition,
every company has their own job application form. Remember to always be truthful
and display excellent penmanship. You’ll look more professional if you create your
own resume. Then, you need to pour on the sizzle.

What do you mean by sizzle?

“Sizzle” is the sight and sound of a good steak cooking on the grill. It’s irresistible.
Add sizzle to your qualifications and you’ll become irresistible too. In business,
sizzle means “results”. Show that you can deliver results and your sales message
will have the same impact as any fancy business flyer.

Pour on the sizzle!

Take a skill necessary for the job you want and add details to show how good you
are at it. For example, instead of saying, “Good with computers”, add some details,
“Able to create MS Excel spreadsheets, MS Word documents, and dazzling MS
PowerPoint presentations!”
Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn. If you’re looking for a job, you have to become
your own salesperson. Show employers the value you can add to their business.
Promote your skills. If you don’t, no one will ever know what a great employee you
are!
Every occupation requires certain skills. Accountants need to have an aptitude for
math. Marketing Assistants must be able to integrate ideas into graphic
presentations. Identify what you consider to be the four most important skills
needed to do your job, and then show that you’re qualified to do the work.

List your occupation and the four important skills needed to do the work:

Occupation:__________________________________

Skill #1:_________________________________

Skill #2:__________________________________

Skill #3:_________________________________

Skill #4:_________________________________

Take each of the skills from above and write them in the spaces on the following
page. Then think, where have you used these skills, or what have you done that’s
very similar? Come up with three good examples for each skill.

Example:
Occupation: Retail Sales Person
Skill #1: Math
• B average in math
• Did my own 1040EZ tax return
• Manage a $1,000 stock portfolio

On the following page, fill out the worksheet with your personal information and
achievements!
Occupation: ____________________________________________

Skill #1:_________________________________________________

• Example:__________________________________________
• Example:__________________________________________
• Example:__________________________________________

Skill #2:_________________________________________________

• Example:__________________________________________
• Example:__________________________________________
• Example:__________________________________________

Skill #3:_________________________________________________

• Example:__________________________________________
• Example:__________________________________________
• Example:__________________________________________

Skill #4:_________________________________________________

• Example:__________________________________________
• Example:__________________________________________
• Example:__________________________________________

Memory Jolter
Have you used a skill…in a current or former job… in a part-time, weekend, or
summer job…in volunteer, charitable, or civic work…in casual labor…as part of a
group or team…in a hobby, talent or recreation…in a family project or
responsibility…in a school course, project, or assignment …in something you
created, designed, or built…in something you accomplished…in something you
managed, led or improved?
 SAMPLE RESUME WORKSHEET

Please note that this worksheet is only a sample format. All resumes are unique and
should be structured in a way that best highlights your skills, talents,
accomplishments, strengths and interests.

Name:______________________________________________________________

Local Address:_______________________________________________________

Phone Numbers (work and home):_______________________________________

E-mail:_____________________________________________________________

Education:
Berkeley College, New York, NY

Candidate for:_______________________________________________________

Expected Graduation Date:_____________________________________________

Major:_____________________________________________________________

Overall GPA:________________________________________________________

Transfer and graduate students – List other education using same format:

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Certifications/Licenses (if related to objective):

___________________________________________________________________

Coursework:

List in reverse chronological order, 4 to 8 courses which relate directly or indirectly to

your major and/or objective.

________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________

________________________ ________________________
Honors/Awards:

Include academic achievements, scholarships, Dean’s List, honors, etc.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Computer Skills:

Indicate level of proficiency where appropriate. Experienced students should

categorize by software, hardware, languages and operating systems.

__________ __________ __________ _________

__________ __________ __________ _________

__________ __________ __________ _________

Experience:

List positions in reverse chronological order. Be concise and use action words and
bullets to describe duties/abilities. Highlight special skills and accomplishments
related to your field of interest.

Job #1 (most recent)

Company Name – City, State:___________________________________________

Job Title and Dates of Employment:______________________________________

Job Responsibilities:

• ______________________________________________________________
__

• ______________________________________________________________
__

• ______________________________________________________________
__

• ______________________________________________________________
__

• ______________________________________________________________
__
Job #2

Company Name – City, State:___________________________________________

Job Title and Dates of Employment:______________________________________

Job Responsibilities:

• _____________________________________________________________
___

• ______________________________________________________________
__

• ______________________________________________________________
__

• ______________________________________________________________
__

• ______________________________________________________________
__

Job #3

Company Name – City, State:___________________________________________

Job Title and Dates of Employment:______________________________________

Job Responsibilities:

• ______________________________________________________________
__

• ______________________________________________________________
__

• ______________________________________________________________
__

• ______________________________________________________________
__

• ______________________________________________________________
__

Language:
List any language(s) other than English in which you are conversant or fluent. Note
level of proficiency.

_________________________________________________________________
Activities:
Include all activities in which you have been involved over the past few years, either
in or outside of school (e.g. clubs, organizations, community, etc). List and describe
leadership roles and achievements where appropriate.
__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
 (Entry-level)
ANDREW ORTIZ
35 West 25th Street
Brooklyn, NY 10003
(212) 555-1212
aortiz@hotmail.com

EDUCATION
Berkeley College, New York, NY
Candidate for Associate in Applied Science Degree
Major: Management
Expected Graduation Date: March 2005
G.P.A.- 3.6

Awards and Achievements:

 Dean’s List (Fall and Winter Quarters 2002)
 Awarded Alumni Association Scholarship

Coursework includes:
 Principles of Management
 Business Organization and Management
 Organizational Behavior
 Managerial Accounting

EXPERIENCE
May 2000 to Business Partners Inc., New York, NY
Present Office Assistant
 Organize and maintain daily calendar activities for management
 Provide assistance in preparing presentation materials
 Assist in achieving departmental deadlines and goals
 Perform various administrative duties including organizing files,
distributing mail, copying, filing, and ordering supplies
 Assist a team of eight sales representatives in the production of sales
materials
 Provide excellent customer service on a daily basis

January 1999 to Sneaker Shop, Brooklyn, NY

April 2000 Retail Associate
 Opened and closed store daily
 Assisted customers with sports apparel se lection
 Maintained a high level of customer service
 Responsible for seasonal merchandise displays

LANGUAGES Fluent in English and Spanish; conversant in French

SKILLS MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, Internet Research,

Lotus Notes

References Furnished Upon Request

 (Multi-Degrees)
Maria P. Smith
123 East 33rd Street
Apt. 4C
New York, NY 10017
(917) 555-1212
marias@aol.com
EDUCATION
Berkeley College, New York, NY
Candidate for Bachelor of Business Administration Degree
Major: International Business
Anticipated Graduation Date: June 2003
GPA: 3.29

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Major: Management, 3/01 Graduate
GPA: 3.65

Brooklyn College, New York, NY

Earned 30 credits in Liberal Arts Program

Awards and Achievements:

* Dean’s List for Winter 2001 Quarter
* Awarded Howard L. Newhouse Grant

Coursework included:
* Oral Communication * English Composition
* Principles of Marketing * Group Dynamics
* International Sourcing * Managerial Accounting

SKILLS MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Internet Research, MS Access

VOLUNTEER
December 2001 to Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn, NY
present Volunteer
* Provide office assistance in Juvenile Rights Division
* Assist social workers and paralegals with case management
* Organize and maintain office filing systems
* Type letters and correspondence
* Manage records, answer telephones, and greet clients

INTERNSHIP
Summer 1998 and ABC Company, New York, NY
1999 High School Internship
* Answered ten-line telephone system
* Provided clerical assistance to office employees
* Prepared pamphlets for monthly send-out to clients

REFERENCES FURNISHED UPON REQUEST

 JOHN ORTIZ
150 East 166th Street, Apt. 4G
New York, NY 10027
Cell: 917-555-1212
(use the same heading from your resume)

Professional References

Ms. Ellen Short

Human Resources Manager
Metropolitan Opera House
20 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10017
212-555-1212
esl@metopera.org

Mr. Peter Richmond

Administrative Manager
The Salvation Army
323 West 97th Street
New York, NY 10023
212-555-1212
peter@salavationarmy.com

Mr. Dennis Santiago

Customer Service Manager
Republic National Bank
200 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10018
212-555-1212
dennis@rnbank.org

Personal References

Mr. Chris Christiansen

Professor of Management
Berkeley College
3 East 43rd Street
New York, NY 10017
212-986-3470
cch@berkeleycollege.edu

Mr. Steve Wallace

Dean of Advising
Berkeley College
3 East 43rd Street
New York, NY 10017
212-555-1212
swn@berkeleycollege.edu