Writing A Good Resume 
Presented by:

David A. White, Ph.D.
Department of Pharmacology,
Emory University School of Medicine
1510 Clifton Rd. NE
Atlanta, GA 30322

Email: dwhite4@emory.edu; 
Phone: (404) 727-0356 

PAGE INDEX A NOTE FROM DR. WHITE RESUME LAYOUT The Overall Appearance Organization and Layout The Language/Writing Style Highlighting and Emphasis RESUME CONTENT General Content Contact Information Objective Education Experience Extracurricular Activities PRINTING AND REPRODUCTION TIPS FOR WRITING RESUMES Resume Do’s Resume Don’ts RESUME EXAMPLE Back to Top

A note from Dr. White:           While reading through this section, bear in mind that there is no all-encompassing format for resumes.  In fact, there are many different types of resumes (e.g., targeted, chronological, etc…).  Examples of these can be found at the web sites and resources listed at the end of this section.  I have merely tried to present some general points to consider when writing any good resume.            The information below is partially based on a workshop that I helped organize and chaired on writing good resumes and curriculum vitas (CVs).  It was part of a student-sponsored career convocation to help get students ready for careers in academia, industry and government.  The some of the resume information was initially presented by Dr. Monika Renard from West Virginia University.            Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Dave White. Back to Top

RESUME LAYOUT The Overall Appearance: A good overall appearance should be clearly organized and easy to read.  DO NOT use a small font (i.e., font size 10 or less). Use a good quality stock of paper for both the resume and cover letter. This will not only look professional.  It will also make a good initial impression upon the reader. Organization and Layou t: Remember to highlight your strongest qualities and credentials. Use headings to break down the presentation of your data. The entire document should be as concise as possible yet still able to convey the essentials. A good rule of thumb is to limit your resume to 1 page, especially if you have less than 5-10 years of experience (unless otherwise requested). It should be crisp and clean (with no caffeine!). Separate the sections with enough blank space to make the materials easy to read. Center the text with adequate margins. The Language/Writing Style: Write in a succinct manner. Write in active tense by using action verbs to begin phrases (as opposed to using passive voice). Use short action-oriented phrases instead of complete sentences. Use the vocabulary from the job or line of work (i.e., use the lingo from the job). The resume must be free of grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors.  This is very important!  Making these types of errors will speak poorly of your professionalism and the care you take in your work. Tip: Have someone else (with good English skills) proof read your resume to catch possible mistakes. Highlighting and Emphasis: Use bold type, underlining, different font types and sizes can be used to emphasize key words and set off sections. Make sure the highlighting and emphasis is well balanced.  Do not over use it. Back to Top

RESUME CONTENT   General Content: The content should demonstrate your ability to do the job for which you are applying and speak to the employer’s needs. If you’re using objectives, the content should support and substantiate the objective in question.    You should stress the professional skills, accomplishments, and results you’ve attained that would be useful in all fields/professions (e.g., the ability to perform a particular assay).   The content should only contain personal data relevant to the job (e.g., language skills, computer skills).   Never put racial, religious, or political affiliations unless they are bona fide qualifications for the job.   Contact Information: Clearly present your contact information at the top of the resume .  This should include both a permanent address (e.g., your parents) and temporary address (e.g., the dormitory) (if applicable) in addition to phone numbers where you can be reached during normal business hours.   Objective: This is optional and is mainly used when you’re writing a specific resume.   Include the type and level of position sought in addition to the type and size of organization sought.   Remember to emphasize your strongest qualifications and skills specific to the job desired. Education Section: Include your most recent degree or program in which you are enrolled; date of graduation or anticipated graduation date.   List other degrees of relevant higher education, training certificate programs, licenses, etc.... Also include the names and locations of the institutions. Include your major, minor, and/or areas of concentration. You also have the option to include relevant coursework, skills, or knowledge acquired through research or projects. Note: You can include such information as a separate section as with the example I’ve  included. (Example).   Experience Section:   You should list all experiences relevant to the position or objective you’re interested in obtaining.  This should include any paid, extracurricular, intern, or co-op experiences. Include the title you held, the organization name, the address, and the date of position held. The descriptions of the positions should stress transferable skills, accomplishments, and effectiveness. Do not just summarize your duties.  Use examples that quantify success or responsibility. (e.g., increased sales by $50,000, reduced turnover by 25%, managed a staff of eight people, etc….). Extracurricular Activities:   This section is optional.   List the most impressive offices held, including your title and organization (e.g., CPR Instructor for the American Red Cross). Include leadership roles and the skills gained. You can also list professional memberships (e.g., ASPET student member). Back to Top

PRINTING AND REPRODUCTION  For printing, use a high quality paper with a high rag content (i.e., cotton fiber content) and heavy weight.  Investing the money to make a good presentation will reflect well in the eyes of a potential employer.   You can also list professional memberships (e.g., ASPET student member).Be conservative in the color of paper you use.  Stick with conventional colors like off-white, ivory, light tan, or light gray.  Remember resumes printed on paper that is too flamboyant usually ends up in the “0” file.   Get copies of your resume professionally made (e.g., by Kinkos) or print them directly from a laser or InkJet quality printer.  This will ensure they look clear, clean, and professional.   Back to Top

TIPS FOR WRITING RESUMES Resume Do’s: Keep sentences and paragraphs short (paragraphs less than 10 lines). Eliminate repetition.  Only explain your most recent position in detail. Eliminate extraneous information: height, weight, sex, marital status, health, children’s names, religious affiliations, social clubs, fraternities (unless you were an officer with duties relevant to the job).   Use indented and “bulleted” statements as opposed to complete sentences. Be simple and concise with your language.  Don’t be overly verbose.   Use quantities, amounts, dollar values to bolster descriptions of held positions.   Start with your strongest statements or points in describing jobs/responsibilities. Have someone with good English skills proof read your resume to catch mistakes. Use concrete statements of results.  For example, “completed three major projects” sounds much stronger than “I am an intelligent and diligent researcher.”  Save a statement like this for a cover letter, which incorporates a more general description of your abilities.   Remember to include your phone number(s) where you can be contacted during the day and address.   Leave off company addresses.  Using the city and state are acceptable.   List only your most recent positions.  For older positions, try to summarize (e.g., “1990-95, a variety of laboratory positions.”) Resume Don’ts:   List only your most recent positions.  For older positions, try to summarize (e.g., “1990-95, a variety of laboratory positions”). Don’t go overboard with esoteric jargon.   Don’t use “I.” It’s implied.   Don’t include hobbies or social interests unless they clearly contribute to your work ability.   Don’t include pictures.   Don’t list references or relatives.   Don’t put your resume in fancy binders or folders.   Don’t list sex, weight, health, race, creed or other personal information. Don’t highlight problems (divorce, hospitalization, handicaps).   Don’t include salary information.   Back to Top