RÉSUMÉ WRITING�

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Center for Career and Professional Development

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For text only version, click here!

PURPOSE����������

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• Summary of experience and accomplishments

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• Marketing tool – gives an employer insight into who you are, what you have accomplished, your ability to perform the job

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• Gets you the interview

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• Used by employers as an interview tool

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How long will it take an employer to review your résumé?

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10 seconds

is all the time an employer will take to decide to keep your résumé or pass on it!

FORMAT GUIDELINES����������

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• Length: Limit your resume to 1 - page
• Margins: Above 0/5” All Around
• Font : 10-12 point / , Arial, Calibri, Garamond
• Avoid Résumé Templates – Type as regular document using Microsoft Word or Word Perfect.
• Information Must be Organized, Easy to Read, and visually pleasing to the eye
• (Document should look balanced – avoid too much white space at bottom)
• Make sure bullets are aligned
• Use present tense for current experience, past tense for previous experience
• Avoid errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Use spell check but DON’T depend on it for the final edit. Have someone who has expert grammar and spelling skills review your résumé

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• NAME & CONTACT INFORMATION
• EDUCATION
• HONORS & AWARDS
• RELEVANT COURSEWORK
• RELEVANT PROJECTS
• SERVICE LEARNING / INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
• W0RK EXPERIENCE
• ACTIVITIES (Leadership, Extracurricular, Volunteer)
• SKILLS & CERTIFICATIONS

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Résumé Sections (What to Include)��

RESUME DON’TS:�

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• Personal information such as age and marital status
• Photo
• Nicknames
• Do not use the first person “I”
• Abbreviations
• Do not use extensive narratives
• Do not include reference lists

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• Name (Capitalized & Bolded, Larger Font)
• Address (Home) (Home & School if living on campus)
• Phone (Professional Sounding Voicemail!)
• Email (Professional Email Address!)

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- Example -

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Sandra Student

212 University Place, Staten Island, New York 10314

312 444-5555

firstname.last@cix.csi.cuny.edu

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Name and Contact Information

EDUCATION����������

• University name fist followed by name of college
• If you are in a school list (School of Business / Health Sciences)
• Spell out the names of degrees (i.e. Bachelor of Science, not BS)
• List the month and year you expect to graduate
• Include GPA if it is 3.5 or above
• Include honors and awards if you have fewer that three
• If you have completed a study abroad experience, include it in the education section

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EXAMPLE:

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EDUCATION

The City University of New York, College of Staten Island

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications/Corporate, expected May 2017
• Minor in Business
• GPA: 3.7
• Dean’s List, 2012-2014

The City University of New York, Kingsborough Community College

• Associate of Science Degree in Computer Science, May 2015

Study Abroad Program, Shanghai University, China, Summer 2015

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School of Education

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School of Business, College of Staten Island

The City University of New York

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Science, Letters and Society: Childhood (1-6), expected 06/2017

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School of Health Sciences

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The City University of New York, College of Staten Island

School of Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, expected 01/2018

�HONORS & AWARDS SECTION����������

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(List scholarships, dean’s list, honors, honor societies)

(List the year you received the honor or award)

( Include with your education if you have fewer than three items to list

- EXAMPLE–

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HONORS & AWARDS

• Barnes & Noble Scholarship, 2014
• Presidential Scholarship, 2013
• Phi Beta Delta International Honors Society, 2012-Present
• Dean’s List, 2012-2013

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RELEVANT COURSEWORK SECTION����������

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(List courses you have completed)

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(List them by course title, not number)

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- Example -

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RELEVANT COURSEWORK

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• Advertising • Consumer Research • Market Research

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• Psychology of Advertising • Basic Design and Media Graphics

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NOT

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RELEVANT COURSEWORK

• Mkt 211 • Mkt 310 • Mkt 410 • Psy 214 • Com 250

RELEVANT CLASS /RESEARCH PROJECTS����������

• (List class or research projects relevant to the position you are applying for)
• (Include the project title, semester it was completed, your position in the project and a brief description)

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- Example -

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CLASS PROJECT

Consumer Behavior, Spring 2013

Team Member

• Created marketing campaign for local clothing store; worked in team of six
• Analyzed purchasing behavior of consumers to determine marketing strategies; wrote 25 page analysis report
• Discussed findings with company using a PowerPoint presentation

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EXPERIENCE / ACTIVITIES SECTION(S)����������

Experience and activities section emphasizes your past and present employment and/or your participation in relevant activities. Sometimes this section goes under names such as the following:

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• Service Learning / Internship Experience

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• Work Experience

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• Volunteer Activities

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• Leadership Activities

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• Extracurricular Activities

INTERNSHIP / WORK EXPERIENCE

• Include organization name, city and state location, position title, and date range of employment

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• List responsibilities/tasks using bullet points

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• Use action verbs to begin each description and highlight any accomplishments and results

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• Use present tense for current jobs, past tense for past jobs

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���EXPERIENCE� ����������

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EXAMPLE -

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INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

Katz Media Group, New York, NY

Research Intern (01/16 – present)

● Research station positioning and maintain up-to-date audience and station rating database

● Compile demographic research into qualitative profiles for sales staff use

● Analyze competitor marketing strategies and compile ad samples

● Write summary reports and prepare findings to account team

WORK EXPERIENCE

Macy’s, Staten Island, NY

Sales Associate (12/14 – present)

● Assist customers with store purchases, handle inquiries and requests�● Set-up store displays

● Process cash/credit transactions

Corner Café, Staten Island, NY

Waitperson (06/13 – 11/14)

● Provided prompt and courteous customer service to lunch and dinner clientele

● Trained and supervised new employees

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LEADERSHIP / VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

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CSI Marketing Association, President 02/14 – present

• Organize and conduct monthly meetings

• Plan and manage special programs and events such as fashion

shows, seminars

• Increased membership by 40% through advertising and

publicity

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Jewish Community Center (JCC), Youth Board Member, 05/12 – present

• Help organize fundraising events for various charities

• Coordinate charity concerts featuring local bands

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Relay for Life/American Cancer Society, Event Planning Committee Member, 01/14 – 04/14

• Planned and coordinated fund-raising activities for Relay for Life event held at College of

Staten Island.

• Assisted with set-up on day of event

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�SKILLS & CERTIFICATIONS����������

• Computer Skills (list software programs you know & level of proficiency)

(Note: Computer Science Majors need a technical resume which includes: “Hardware,” “Software,”

Languages,” and “Operating Systems.”)

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• Language Skills (list any language other than English which you speak and indicate level of proficiency)

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• List Certifications you hold. Include dates.

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• Do not list “soft” skills such as team player, excellent communication skills, hard worker.

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- Example -

SKILLS

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel

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• Basic knowledge of Photoshop

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• Fluent in Russian, basic knowledge of Spanish

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• CPR Certified, October 2015-Present

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�� REFERENCES����������

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• Do not list on résumé! List on separate sheet of paper.

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• Put your name and contact information on top, followed by the name and contact information of three references

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• Must be professional/academic references, e.g. employers or professors.

Note! Ask their permission.

If you secure the position, let them know!

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SAMPLE REFERENCES�����������������

REFERENCES

Dr. Anita Johnson, Marketing Professor

The City University of New York, College of Staten Island

2800 Victory Boulevard, Building 2-A

Staten Island, NY 10314

ajohnson@mail.csi.cuny.edu

Mr. John Stetson, Faculty Advisor

CSI Marketing Association

The City University of New York, College of Staten Island

2800 Victory Boulevard, Student Center

Staten Island, NY 10314

(718) 982-0000 jstetson@mail.csi.cuny.edu

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COVER LETTERS

PURPOSE:����������

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• Expands on the experiences listed in your résumé

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• Makes the connection between your skills and the organization’s needs

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• Convinces the reader to look at your résumé

GUIDELINES����������

• Cover letter should be no longer than one page

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• Language should be polite, business-like and to the point

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• Use same font you used for your résumé

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• Address it to a specific person whenever possible

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• It should be tailored to the position you are applying for

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USUALY THREE PARAGRAPHS����������

First Paragraph

• Tell why you are writing, what position you are applying for, and where you heard about the position
• Explain why you are interested in this organization (research organization’s structure, size, services, mission)

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Middle Paragraph

• Used to sell your experience and qualifications for the position. Talk about relevant work experience, education and specific qualities that will make you successful in the position

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Closing Paragraph

• Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include a statement focusing on a follow-up activity such as a phone call or interview.

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COVER LETTER OUTLINE�����������

NAME

Address ● City, State, Zip Code ● Phone Number

Email Address

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Date

Employer Contact Information (If you have it)

Name

Title

Company

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Salutation

Dear Mr. Ms. Last Name (If you do not have a contact, write Dear Recruiter)

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• First Paragraph
• The first paragraph of your letter should let the employer know the position you are applying for and specifically how you learned about the position or organization. If you were referred by an individual, include that person’s name.

• Middle Paragraph
• This section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Convince the reader to look at your resume. Mention how your skills/qualifications match the position you are applying for. Call attention to elements of your background – education, work/internship, volunteer experience, leadership abilities, skills – that are relevant to a position you are seeking. Be as specific as possible, using examples.

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• Final Paragraph
• Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include a closing statement focusing on follow-up activity such as a phone call or interview.

• Sincerely,

• Handwritten Signature
• Typed signature

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FOR MORE INFORMATION AND/OR ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING A PROFESSIONAL RÉSUMÉ AND COVER LETTER,�PLEASE VISIT�WWW.CSI.CUNY.EDU/CAREERS

CLICK HERE FOR QUIZ!