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Résumé Writing
Once a good cover letter is composed, writing a good résumé is the next step in being successful and landing an interview for a job. There are different types of résumés but I know most undergraduates are concerned with résumés that are created for job searching so that is what I will be focusing on today. A résumé allows for a company to know how skilled you are before interviewing you.
At the top of your résumé you should include your full name in a bigger font than the rest of the paper. Directly below you should always leave the phone number that is easiest to reach you, your current address, and an e-mail address. This allows for a potential employer to easily find a way to contact you to discuss an interview.
Next comes the most important part of your résumé— your purpose. The purpose for writing a résumé should be one sentence that is written tightly, but provides enough detail so a potential employer knows what you want to gain out of getting the job you are applying for. Most purposes will involve some incorporation of what you are currently majoring in at the University of Rhode Island. As a public relations major, I always create a purpose for my résumé that highlights what a public relations practitioner’s key skills are such as communication skills, crisis management, and event planning.
The rest of your résumé highlights you as an experienced worker. Always include your educational background including your high school diploma and college education that mentions your majors and minors. If you have not already graduated yet, include the year you are expected to receive your diploma. The next section of your résumé should include any work experience you have in the field you are studying. Internships and job experiences should be used here with dates that you worked for a company. After every position and job held give a brief description on what you did at each employer. Find a way to make every job relate back to what you are focusing your purpose towards. Another key aspect to include in this part of your resume is any leadership roles you may have held at college whether it is being president or secretary of a student organization.
The last section of a résumé should list specific skills and assets you can offer a company. Most public relations majors are excellent in communicating with others so highlight team and group work you have had successes completing. Another key trait many young graduates have to offer is computer and technology skills. Being a proficient user in Microsoft word and understanding how to properly use social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter are great skills to mention in a résumé.
Always remember a résumé is a constant work in progress. You should always be updating and revising your résumé as new experiences cross your path.
—Phyllis
