ENGINEERING CAREER SERVICES
 

Resume Writing
   
Contents for the Resume
• Name
P use a larger font size than the text of the resume; for example, 16-18 
P upper case if a short name; may mix upper and lower case if a long name
P follow your personal preference
 
Examples

Robert E. Student
KATHY STUDENT
• Contact information (Maintain accurate information)
P use both a local and permanent address with phone numbers may
cell phone
P provide e-mail address; check on a daily basis
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 10-12 font size for contact information and remainder of resume; if need space reduce contact information to 10 font size
 
Example
kstudent@iastate.edu
Cell phone: 302-333-2222
   Local Address                                                           Permanent Address
   0000 Eaton Tilden                                                    67 Jones Lane
   Ames, IA 50012                                                        Any City, IL 60000
   555-111-1111                                                           555-222-2222
• Objective
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
 
Examples
To obtain work experience beginning summer 20XX in Electrical Engineering

or
Summer, intern, or co-op employment in the field of Mechanical Engineering starting in June 20XX

or
Obtain a co-op, intern, or summer Construction Engineering position in 20XX to develop_______________

 
• 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 = 0.00 or first semester at ISU
 
Examples
Iowa State University                                                     Ames, Iowa
Bachelor of Science:  Electrical Engineering
Graduation: May 20XX                                                      GPA: 0.00

A. E. Brown High School                                                  Any Place, IL
Graduation: June 2002                                                     GPA: 3.75/4.00
or
Iowa State University, Ames, IA                                                         
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering   
Expected Graduation:  May 20XX
GPA:  0.00

Anytown North High School, Anytown, WI                                                 
GPA:  4.583/4.00
or
Iowa State University                                                             Ames, IA  
•  Major: Construction Engineering with mechanical emphasis
•  GPA: First semester at ISU
•  Graduation: May 20XX
•   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
 
Experience Examples
Sally Green, Any City, IL
Care giver/household helper                                         5/8/2000-2002

• Organized household collections

• Provided indoor and outdoor maintenance

• Repaired and painted three rooms

or
Newspaper Delivery                     Des Moines, IA           5/2000-7/2002
Laborer Corn Shelling                  Ernie, IA                       6/1999-7/2002
Lawn Mowing Business               Anyplace, IA                4/1998-7/2002
Laborer Excavating                      Ernie, IA                       6/2002-7/2002
Laborer Construction                   Anna, IA                        8/2001
Laborer Family Farm                   Anyplace, IA                 Whole life  
 
Volunteer Experience Example 
Spanish Honor Society
• Tutored Spanish speaking students
Senior Board - Co-Chair of mini-board
• Organized Seniors Day with neighborhood nursing home
•  Raised money for September 11th relief fund
Track Team - Team leader and motivator
• 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 although all students must have this skill because when resumes are uploaded at employer websites this may be part of a keyword
search
 
Examples
Skills
•  C, C++, MS-DOS
•  Windows
• Microsoft Office & Publisher
•  Adept at originating and recording data

or
Computer Skills
       Experienced with the following software:
  •  Microsoft Word: business letters, reports
•  Internet Explorer: e-mail, searches to find information
      Skilled in following Microsoft Windows operation:
  •   Hardware installation
  •   Software installation
  •   Computer maintenance and troubleshooting
•   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
 
Example
Iowa State University
American Society of Mechanical Engineers-Student Chapter 
Women in Science and Engineering
  • Volunteer to plan math/science learning day for elementary age girls
Carver Academy
  • Volunteer at The Octagon Center for the Arts
  • Volunteer with Hispanic Heritage Month
     
Anytown North High School         Anytown, WI
School and club volleyball - Team leader and motivator
  •  Special Olympics Volleyball Tournament
Orchestra - Principal Viola
  • Elementary Monday Night Orchestra
  •  Brown College Chamber Ensemble
• 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
 
Example
•  Awarded Academic Scholarship from Iowa State University
 •  Top Gun Winner (MVP) Varsity Badminton junior and senior years
 •  High Honor Roll
• 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
 
Example
Mr. Todd Smith
Physics Teacher
Any City High School
0000 Windsor Dr
Any City, IL 60000
(847) 333-4000

Mr. Steve Cord
Pre-Calculus Teacher and Basketball Coach
Any City High School
0000 Windsor Dr
Any City, IL 60000
(847) 555-5555

Ms. Beth Johnson
Geometry Teacher and Basketball Coach
Any City High School
0000 Windsor Dr
Any City, IL 60000
(847) 444-4444
• 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 roomates to your job search for more professional response
Examples of resumes:  Resume #1, Resume #2, Resume #3
Reference books available at ECS (Marston room 308)
Adams, Robert L. Senior Editor. Adams Resume Almanac, Adams Media Corporation.
Provides a section on engineering resumes. Limited reference to electronic scanning of resumes.
Yate, Martin. Resumes that Knock ‘em Dead, Adams Media Corporation.
Most recent published book in the ECMS library; provides information on electronic scanning.
 
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