Resume Building Workshop

UF Pre-Physician Assistant Association

Resume for a Specific Opportunity…

1. Who will read it?

A clinic, volunteer coordinator, or admissions team.

1. What are they looking for?

Use the specific opportunity’s description, values, or

mission statement as a guide.

1. Which experiences prove it?

Use most relevant and up to date experiences first.

1. What criteria/instructions apply?

Keep in mind requested length, file name (Last_First), and file size.

Overall Resume

1. Contact info
2. Education
3. Clinical experience
4. PA shadowing
5. Leadership/service
6. Certifications & skills

Contact Info & Education

What to keep in mind?

1. Professional contact details
2. Degree
3. Expected Graduation Date
4. Useful extra details:

(GPA, honors, relevant coursework, LinkedIn Profile, etc.)

Readable Formatting

1. One page is a useful starting point for undergraduate resumes
2. Single columns keep reading order clear
3. 10-12 pt body text and 0.5-1 inch margins
4. Keep headings, dates, spacing, and indentation consistent!!

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Structure of a Strong Experience

1. Action verb + specific task + result/purpose

Strong Ex:

Recorded vital signs and patient histories for approximately 18 pediatric patients per shift in electronic medical record.

Action = recorded

Task = vital signs and patient histories

Context = patient volume and documentation method

(only use numbers if you can support!!)

Weak Ex:

Helped patients and worked with doctors. = Way too vague !!

Detailed Clinical Entry

What should each line contribute?

1. Role, employer, dates, and location to establish the setting
2. Specific tasks show what you personally did.
3. Different bullets show clinical work, teamwork, and communication

Shadowing Experience

What to include?

1. Useful details: clinician, specialty, setting, dates, and verified hours

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• Accurate verbs: observed, discussed, learned, etc.

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• Descriptions should match level of participation.

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Leadership + Volunteer Experience

What to include?

1. Your responsibilities
2. People/projects involved
3. Experience you can verify

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Weak Ex:

“member of a club”

Common Mistakes

1. Vague bullet points that don't explain a task
2. Claims, credentials, or numbers that can’t be supported
3. Repeated action words or duties that waste space
4. Inconsistent dates, tenses, spacing, or capitalization
5. Spelling errors or incorrect contact details
6. Crowded pages and tiny texts (only choose the most important!!)

Examples of Corrections

Weak Ex:

I am a hard worker and helped with a lot of club events.

Issue: WAY too vague, no information on what you did.

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Strong Ex:

Maintained event sign-up lists and sent reminders to registered volunteers before each service event.

Highlight: includes specifics + action words.

Final Review Checklist

1. Resume follows what opportunity is looking for/instructions
2. Most relevant experiences are easy to find (at the top)
3. Each entry shows role, organization, and dates
4. Bullets are specific and truthful of responsibilities
5. Formatting and tense is consistent

Q&A ??