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To log-in, use your e-mail address & mailbox number. For assistance, call: 781 736-3618.

Resumes

  • There are many “right” ways to construct a resume.  Certain aspects are usually done in a particular manner, others are up to you!
  •  Most important is that your resume – a brief account of your qualifications and experiences – meets the following three objectives:
  1. presents your experience clearly
  2. describes your duties and accomplishments
  3. is individualized for the industry, organization, and job to which you’re applying

OptimalResume is a user-friendly software program that can help you create a clear, professional resume.Use the directions and suggestions in OptimalResume to build and customize your document.

Action Steps and Resources 

Resume Examples

  • Check out how your peers formatted their resumes in this Resume samples section. 
  • Look through the samples for examples of both formatting AND content. 

Tips

  • Make every effort to keep your resume to one page in length if you have fewer than five years of work experience. Use a readable font size (11 or 12 point).
  • Use action verbs, concrete nouns, and positive modifiers for emphasis and clarity.  Write short, concise phrases rather than complete sentences.  Avoid using personal pronouns (“I” and “we”).
  •  Describe your experiences in terms of quality, quantity, and accomplishment – not just tasks – whenever possible.  Example: “Trained student workers at the drop-in center” v. “Trained a team of three students to manage the drop-in center’s evening services."
  • Create different versions of your resume targeting each industry or job.
  • Pay attention to detail.  Use the spell check on your computer and in OptimalResume but do not rely solely on it.  Some employers use typographical and grammatical errors to eliminate candidates from the pool!  Review your resume carefully; it helps to ask others to proofread it, too.
  • Accuracy is essential.  Be sure of information such as dates, employers, degrees, GPA, and language and computer skills.
  • Be consistent in your punctuation and formatting style.
  • If you are handing your resume to someone, or sending it through the mail, use white or off-white high quality 8½” x 10” bond paper and include a cover letter on the same paper.
  • If you are emailing your resume, send it as a PDF. 

Scanable resumes

  • Some organizations scan resumes into their computers in an initial sorting or screening phase.  Try to incorporate key words from the job description into your resume – these will more likely be picked up by the scanning process.
  • Avoid using lines, shadings, bullets, and fancy graphics on resumes that are to be scanned.  If you are scanning a resume or sending an unformatted resume, you should follow up by mailing a professional looking hard copy.
  • You may include your resume in the body of an email or as an attachment.  Because employers may prefer one or the other, call or email and ask them which they would like.

What comes next - have your resume reviewed!

1.  Up-loading your resume to JAMIN does not mean that it has been reviewed - you need to be proactive!  Hiatt welcomes you to use all of our resources to receive comments on your resume before using it in your job search or to get advice on resume-writing:

  • Log on to Optimal Resume, a user-friendly software to help you build or refine your document.
  • Check this site for sample resumes and tips. 
  • Come to Hiatt drop-in hours for same-day resume review (M-Th, 2-4:30, during the academic year).
  • Make an appointment with a Hiatt counselor to discuss your resume.
  • Check JAMIN and the Hiatt website for up-coming resume workshops

2.  To upload your resume to JAMIN on the Hiatt website: 

  • Log into JAMIN, click on the “Resume & Documents” link at the top of the page, and upload your Word or PDF document into your account.