Résumé Writing

A resume is almost always a part of the job application. A resume is usually also a part of the networking process, especially when interacting with potential employers at job fairs.  

NPC Career Services provides resources and tools to help you create an effective resume. NPC Career Services will review your resume to provide feedback. In addition to the resources and tools available online, NPC Career Services also schedules in-person and online presentations and workshops on resumes.

To create an effective resume, the following is recommended:

1. Read the information about resumes on this webpage.
2. Dive deeper by reviewing the extensive list of resources and tools available at the NPC LibGuide page.
3. Attend a workshop/presentation on resumes. You can find any scheduled events at the NPC Events calendar filtered for Career Services.
4. Once you have a decent resume drafted, you can submit your resume for a review at the resume drop box. Please follow the instructions. 

What is a Résumé?

"An effective résumé highlights the qualifications an employer is looking for and makes it easy for the employer to find these qualifications. A résumé should sell your skills, experience and accomplishments to the reader with little effort.” – Labor and Workforce Development

Résumé Types:

1. Chronological Résumé (most common) – “A chronological résumé starts by listing your work history, with the most recent position listed first. The education and work experience sections of your résumé are listed in revers chronological order with your current or most recent school or job listed first. Employers typically prefer this type of résumé because it's easy to see what jobs you have held and when you have worked at them.” – TheBalance

• According to Monster.com, education should only be listed before work experience if you are a college student or recent graduate. If you have five years or more of working experience, work should always be listed before education.

2. Functional Résumé – “A functional résumé focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history. A functional résumé is typically used by job seekers who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history.” – TheBalance

3. Combination Résumé – "A combination resume lists your skills and experience first. Your employment history is listed next in chronological order.  When you use a combination résumé you can highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for and also provide the chronological work history that employers prefer." – TheBalance

Sections of a Chronological Résumé:

• Typical sections of this type of résumé include contact information, summary of qualifications (optional), skills, education, certifications, and work experience. Other optional sections of a résumé include community involvement, professional involvement, accomplishments and awards.
• Include the following in "contact information" section: Name / Local Address / Phone Number / Email Address / LinkedIn URL / webpage
• In the "summary of qualifications" section, summarize your skills in three to five bullet points as reflected in your work experience. This is the first section listed on a chronological résumé. You can also highlight attributes such as punctuality and honesty that normally are not listed in work experience. 
• The "skills" section of your résumé includes both hard (job-specific skills) and soft skills that are related to the jobs you are applying for. Employers looking for soft skills (communication skills, listening skills, empathy) because hard skills can be taught on the job. You can do an occupation search in O*NET OnLine to help you identifying the best skills to list on your résumé for your particular job.
• If you have an extensive work history, you will want to include the last 10 - 15 years of employers in the experience section of your résumé. List the companies you have worked for, dates of employment, the positions you held, and a bulleted list of responsibilities and achievements. Internships, summer jobs, and temporary jobs, in addition to permanent positions, can all be included in this part of your résumé.
• The "education" section of your résumé lists the schools you attended, the degrees/certificates you attained and any special awards and honors you earned. You can also list courses that are related to the job you are applying for.
• Download a Chronological resume sample.

Certifications/Licensures

Create a separate section highlighting your certifications and licensures. If you are a recent graduate with little or no related work experience, your certifications/licensures section should be listed after your education section. Your certifications/licensures may help compensate for inexperience. List any certifications/licensures that are relevant to the positions are you applying for.  Listing certifications that are not relevant may also be beneficial if you have little or no employment history and you want to show that you are well rounded achiever. 

Action Verbs

No job-seeker should ever be without action verbs for describing accomplishments on your résumé and cover letters. Use action words (verbs) to describe your strengths, your abilities and accomplishments in a resume. Effective action words zero in on abilities and achievements.

Include your community involvement on your résumé, both on and off campus. List student organizations, professional organizations, community groups as well as any offices you’ve held. You may want include school related groups in the education section. Use caution when listing religious or political organizations. Some readers may be alienated.

Listing accomplishments and awards on your resume will make you stand out. This is usually the last section on your resume.  You can list awards from school, work, and volunteer related awards.

Questions   Please contact Benjamin Sandoval at (928) 289-6568  |  email  |  Help Form

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