ENGINEERING CAREER SERVICES
 

Resume Writing
   

Completing a resume is one of the first steps in an effective career action plan.  You are advised to begin your resume development in the first semester in the College of Engineering. Your beginning resume demonstrates potential for employment by developing an effective format. Effective formatting includes:

  
• Balancing the text and white space,
• Using a mixture of normal text, bold and italics to guide the reader to
information and
• Maintaining a consistent format; for example, if the names of states are
abbreviated remain consistent throughout the resume.
Each semester, you improve and update your resume. You develop proof of your competencies by showing initiative and teamwork in classes, activities and employment.   The language used in the resume becomes more professional and precise with the use of keywords and action verbs.                                                              

The purpose of a resume is to inform employers about your objective and qualifications for employment and to obtain an interview. Employers post job listings and interviews in ISU CMS. ISU CMS depends upon your action to submit your resume for listings and interviews. You will use your resume at career fairs and to upload into ISU CMS. In ISU CMS you can connect with employers through:
• Information Sessions,
• Job listings and
• Interviews.

Learn how to use ISU CMS effectively.

You are not familiar with resume writing. Where do you begin?
• Complete the worksheet
• Look at the sample resumes  (Resume #1, Resume #2, Resume #3) for
ideas; use as a guideline rather than copying
• Create a word doc following the Suggestions for Content beginning with 
Name and ending with References
 
You want to improve your resume. Where can you find 10 excellent tips for improvement?
http://www.graduatingengineer.com/articles/feature/1-29-00a.html
 
Suggestions for Content
• Name
  P use a larger font size than the text of the resume; for example, 14-18 
  P use upper case if a short name; may mix upper and lower case if a long
        name
  P follow your personal preference
   
  • Contact information (Maintain accurate information)
  P use both a local and permanent address with phone numbers
  P provide e-mail address
  P use of captions, Local Address & Permanent Address, is optional;
        needed if both addresses in Ames 
  P may abbreviate the state; if you abbreviate, use the same style in other
        sections of resume
  P recommend smaller font size for contact information than the remainder 
        of resume
  • Objective
  P Use 10-12 Font Size; choice based on contents for one page resume
  P indicate position desired, for example, co-op, internship or summer
        employment and include the month or semester desired and year
  P maintain flexibility if possible among co-op, intern or summer positions
  P use phrases rather than complete sentences
  P do not use the pronouns, I or me
  P do not use general statements, for example, "a challenging position,"
        "progressive company;" each word chosen should add value
  P may use name of company and location
   
  • Education (Update each semester)
  P use reverse chronological order; begin with Iowa State University
  P include the degree sought, the major and minor(s), year of graduation.
  P may list major as Undeclared Engineering
  P GPA is usually cumulative; if no GPA indicate first semester at ISU
   
  •   Work experience
  Think like an employer. Remember employers think of competencies. Is work experience always the next section? Usually it is next unless your skills or activities are more important than your work experience. Organize the remaining sections in order of the importance of your skills or competencies and remember your STARs.
  P use reverse chronological order and begin with the most recent
        employment
  P include the name of the company or organization, city and state
  P list dates of employment on the right side of the page or on the line with
        job title or type of work
  P list part-time and/or summer jobs
  P choose the most relevant; do not need to include all jobs
  P use phrases
  P choose keywords and action verbs to describe your duties
  P if no work experience, call the section Experience or Volunteer Experience
   
  • Relevant Skills
  P may use different captions, for example Computer Skills or Professional
        Skills
  P emphasis on Computer Skills may require sub-sections for example,
        applications, software, languages, operating systems, etc.
  P list competencies only if you have STARS to support the resume entries
  P may include foreign language abilities
  P list Microsoft Office in case employers are using keyword searches
 
  •   Activities
  P combine Honors and Activities if the list is short
P may include high school activities; list ISU activities first
  P include extra-curricular activities, volunteer experience, athletics and/or
        social organizations
  P recommend emphasizing Activities before Honors if you have two entries
   because Activities demonstrate your initiative
         
  • Honors
  P include in Education or may combine Activities and Honors
  P may include high school honors; list ISU honors first
  P may include any recognition or scholarships
   
  • References
  P may omit statement "References available upon request" on resume
  P list references on separate page and include your name on the page
  P ask references for permission to list their names and provide them with a
        copy of your resume; usually have three references
  P use correct abbreviation such as Mr., Ms., or Dr. before the name
  P allow your references to decide if they want their e-mail address listed
   
  • Final Checklist
  P present your qualifications and competencies honestly
  P use an original format rather than a template
  P check for spelling and grammatical errors
  P keep length to one page
  P do not use the title "resume" or use a date
  P use good quality, light colored paper and a laser printer if presenting the
        resume to a person
  P use standard fonts such as Arial, Bookman or Times New Roman
  P do not fold or staple; use a large envelope
  P maintain accurate contact information on your resume if using postal mail
      P do not include a photograph on your resume
   
  • Professional Impact
  P voice mail for cell/residence phones
  recommend brief response without music
  alert roommates to your job search for more professional response
Reference books available at ECS (308 Marston)
Adams, Robert L. Senior Editor. Adams Resume Almanac, Adams Media Corporation.
  Provides a section on engineering resumes.
Yate, Martin. Resumes that Knock ‘em Dead, Adams Media Corporation.
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