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The Basic RESUME Format

Ask a few people to critique and make suggestions about your resume.
Note how many different and, oftentimes, conflicting resume suggestions you receive! 

 What should be on my resume?

Heading Who you are and how you can be reached.  If you can not be reached by email do not include the address.
Objective The type of work you are seeking now... not 10 years from now and not so general it could describe any opening.
  • Omit the Objective if you know you want to work in a different field but have no idea what kind of job you are seeking.
  • Include an Objective if it is specific to the job for which you are applying.
  • Omit the Objective if you are seeking any position within a given company.
  • Include an Objective if it requested that you not send a cover letter.
  • Omit the Objective if it is general in nature. 
  • Include an Objective if it is concise (no more than one or two sentences). 
Practicum, Clinical, etc. The on-site training, experiences and skills/competencies you have acquired including experience gained from participating in co-op programs and internships.
Work Experience Chronological list of your significant work experience including the company name, city and state.  Also, remember to provide your job title, dates employed, and a brief description of your duties and accomplishments.  

This does not have to be an exhaustive list of every job you have ever held.  
Related Skills  List of skills and abilities related to your stated job objective.  Those would include CPR, software packages, computer applications, foreign languages, use of different equipment or machinery, etc.
Military Experience  Your branch of service, rank, dates of service, type of discharge, locations and duties.  Focus on those transferable skills.
Honors and Awards   Any honors or awards related to the career field that wish to enter. Do not include high school awards unless you graduated from high school less than one year ago.
References Available upon request.

Remember, there is no such thing as the perfect resume or 
the perfect format for your resume!  

Last Update: October 17, 2008
Maintained by: mrodriguez@ncstatecollege.edu 
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