See Job Applications and Cover Letters page for a description.
A résumé is a one-page summary of your work and school experiences. Employers match your résumé against their job openings to evaluate if you'd be a good fit. As such, it's important to make your résumé a good representation of yourself.
Next, you will want to get more information about how to construct each section of your résumé to look professional and to include details that are important to trends (important elements of resumes change from time to time and you need to keep up). You can choose from the tabs at the top of this page to learn more about the contents of each section on a résumé They include:
To get a full picture of all of the elements that will help you develop a great résumé, we recommend that you review the specific recommendations and details on each tab.
There are three types of résumés: chronological, functional and combination. You might want to consider more than one format of résumé if you're applying for multiple jobs. The 3 commonly used résumé formats are:
| Resume Format | Overview |
| Chronological | This format is best for individuals with a strong and comprehensive work history. It focuses on steady employment history, level of responsibility, and dates of work history. This format is not recommended if you are a recent graduate, new to the workforce or re-entering the workforce after a lengthy absence. |
| Functional | The use of this format focuses on skills and strengths that are most important to the employer. It is most often used by individuals who are changing careers, have gaps in work history or are recent graduates. This format is not recommended if your primary goal is to emphasize growth or development. |
| Combination | This format is a combination of both the Chronological and Functional resume format. The use of this format demonstrates a strong work history and emphasizes transferable skills. This format is best used when individuals are changing careers and highlighting skills developed throughout their work history. This format is not recommended if there is limited work experience. |
Top Resume Formats is a great article by Indeed that not only explains the formats and provides examples of each, but it also provides guidelines for formatting such as margins, font types and more.
Résumé styles and hiring tools have changed a lot in the past few years—especially with the rise of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These are programs that scan résumés for keywords and rank candidates before a human ever sees them. If your résumé isn’t ATS-friendly, it might get filtered out—even if you’re a great fit.
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System—a type of software that many companies use to screen resumes and cover letters before a human ever sees them. It scans your application for specific keywords that match the job description. Learn more in this article: Navigating the Applicant Tracking System (ATS): A Job Guide. If your resume or cover letter doesn’t include the right words, it might get filtered out—even if you're a great fit!
ATS keywords are the specific words and phrases employers use to filter applications. If your resume or cover letter doesn’t include them, it might not even get seen by a human!
Read the job posting carefully
Highlight skills, qualifications, tools, and action verbs mentioned.
Look for repeated terms
If a word like “budgeting” or “customer service” shows up more than once, it’s probably important.
Check similar job listings
Compare a few postings for the same role to spot common keywords.
Use online tools
Sites like Jobscan or ResumeWorded can help you match your resume to a job description.
Accounting & Finance
Healthcare
Marketing & Communications
Technology & IT
Education
Customer Service
Different fields may follow different trends, so always tailor your résumé to your industry. Staying up to date can help your résumé stand out and get noticed.
Want your resume to stand out? Here’s what’s working right now:
What to include:
Example:
Jordan Taylor
Daytona Beach, FL
(555) 123-4567
jordan.taylor@email.com
linkedin.com/in/jordantaylor
Formatting Tips:
General Tips:
✅ Use a professional email (e.g., firstname.lastname@domain.com)
❌ Don’t include your full address or personal details like age or photo
An Objective is a brief statement that outlines your career goals and what you're looking for in a position. It's best for students, recent graduates, or those changing careers because it focuses on what you hope to achieve.
A Professional Summary, on the other hand, gives a quick snapshot of your skills, experience, and the value you bring to an employer. It’s ideal for those with relevant experience or strong skills in the field. Choose the one that best fits your background and tailor it to the job you're applying for.
Objective Example:
“Motivated undergraduate student seeking a summer internship in aerospace engineering to apply classroom knowledge and gain hands-on experience.”
Professional Summary Example:
“Detail-oriented engineering student with experience in CAD design, team collaboration, and project management. Proven ability to solve complex problems and deliver results under pressure.”
Learn more: Professional Résumé Summary Examples
Tips:
✅ Use an objective if you’re early in your career or switching fields
✅ Use a summary if you have relevant experience or skills
❌ Don’t use vague phrases like “hard-working” without examples
What to include:
Example:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Expected May 2026 | GPA: 3.7
Relevant Coursework: Thermodynamics, Flight Mechanics
Tips:
✅ List most recent education first - Include relevant coursework if you lack experience
❌ Don’t include high school if you’re in college or leaving out graduation date
What to include:
Focus on both technical skills (like Excel, coding, or lab techniques) and soft skills (like communication, teamwork, and time management).
Examples:
Formatting Tip:
Use bullet points or group skills by category. Keep it clean and easy to scan.
Common Mistakes:
What to include:
Start with your most recent job and work backward. For each role, include:
Examples:
Sales Associate
Target, Daytona Beach, FL | May 2023 – Aug 2024
- Assisted 50+ customers daily with purchases and returns
- Trained 3 new team members on POS systems
- Increased loyalty program sign-ups by 25%
Formatting Tip:
Use action verbs like led, organized, created, managed, and include numbers to show impact.
Common Mistakes:
What to include:
If you took time off (for parenting, travel, health, etc.), don’t leave a blank space. Instead, explain what you learned or accomplished.This article Returnships Are Helping People Go Back to Work After a Career Gap
Examples:
Career Break – Family Care
Jan 2022 – Dec 2023
- Developed strong multitasking and time management skills
- Managed household budgeting and scheduling
Formatting Tip:
Keep it professional and positive. Use the same format as your work experience.
Common Mistakes:
What to include:
Volunteer experience can show leadership, initiative, and community involvement. If it’s relevant, list it like a job. If not, include it in a separate section. This article provides more recommendations: How to Put Volunteer Work on Your Resume
Examples:
Volunteer Coordinator
Habitat for Humanity, Daytona Beach, FL | Summer 2024
- Organized weekly build schedules for 20+ volunteers
- Led orientation sessions and safety briefings
Formatting Tip:
Use bullet points and action verbs just like paid work experience.
Common Mistakes:
The Skills section is where you show off what you can do—even if you’re just starting out. Whether you learned it in class, through a project, a part-time job, volunteering, or a hobby, your skills matter.
Instead of just listing them, add a short explanation to show how you’ve used or learned each one. This helps employers see your potential.
Format:
Skill Name
1–2 lines explaining how you learned or used it.
Example:
Google Docs & Slides
Used to collaborate on group presentations and create polished reports for class projects.
Creative Writing
Completed multiple short stories and essays in fiction writing courses; published work in campus literary magazine.
Public Speaking
Presented research and led discussions in communication classes; participated in debate club events.
Historical Research
Conducted archival research for a senior history paper using primary sources and academic databases.
Visual Art (Drawing, Painting)
Created original artwork for student exhibitions; familiar with various media including charcoal, acrylic, and digital illustration.
Theater Production
Worked as stage manager for campus play; coordinated rehearsals and managed backstage logistics.
Music Composition
Composed original pieces for student performances; used notation software like MuseScore and GarageBand.
Foreign Language Proficiency
Studied French for four semesters; practiced conversational skills during campus language exchange events.
Editing & Proofreading
Edited peer essays and club newsletters; strong attention to grammar, clarity, and formatting.
Event Planning
Organized campus fundraisers and club meetings; created schedules, booked venues, and coordinated volunteers.
Social Media Management
Managed Instagram and Facebook pages for a student organization; increased engagement through weekly posts and stories.
Fundraising
Helped raise $1,200 for a local nonprofit through bake sales and donation drives; created promotional materials and tracked donations.
Community Outreach
Volunteered at local shelters and food banks; coordinated student participation and built relationships with community partners.
Peer Mentoring
Supported first-year students through a campus mentorship program; helped with time management and academic planning.
Conflict Resolution
Mediated group disagreements during club projects; encouraged collaboration and compromise.
Workshop Facilitation
Led writing and resume workshops for fellow students; created materials and guided discussions.
Digital Collaboration Tools (Slack, Trello, Notion)
Used project management tools to organize club activities and track progress on group initiatives.
If you’ve been recognized for something—academically, professionally, or through extracurriculars—don’t be shy about it! Awards show that others have noticed your hard work, talent, or leadership. Even if you don’t have formal awards, you might have honors or recognitions from school, clubs, or volunteer work that are worth mentioning.
Include:
Example:
Awards & Honors
• Dean’s List – Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Recognized for maintaining a GPA above 3.75
• Student Leadership Award – May 2025
Awarded for outstanding contributions to campus organizations and peer mentoring
• Innovation Challenge Finalist – April 2024
Placed in top 5 out of 50 teams for a sustainability-focused engineering design
If you haven’t received official awards, consider listing:
Example:
• Selected Presenter – Undergraduate Research Symposium
Presented findings from a semester-long history research project
A resume reference list is a separate document that includes contact info for people who can speak positively about your skills, work ethic, and character. It’s most commonly used during job applications, but it’s also super helpful when applying for scholarships, internships, or recommendation letters.
💡 Pro Tip: Choose people who know you well—professors, supervisors, mentors—and keep your reference list styled to match your resume.