Contents
What Is a Résumé?
How to Create a Résumé
A Sample Chronological Résumé
A Sample Functional Résumé
A Sample Combination Résumé
A Sample Plain-Text Résumé
What Is a Cover Letter?
How to Create a Cover Letter
A Bad Cover Letter
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- Advice on effective organization and language for résumés and cover letters
- Tips on what to include—and what not to include—in a résumé
- Full samples of several common types of résumés and cover letters
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What Is a Résumé?
A résumé—from the French word for “summary”—is a one-page (or occasionally two-page) summary of your job experience, education, and career goals, usually in response to a job listing for a company that you’d like to work for. A résumé should convey, concisely and
effectively, a list of qualifications that show your suitability for a job.
Components of a Résumé
A résumé should contain the following standard components, some of which are required and some of which are optional depending on your specific situation and credentials.
1. Contact Information
At the top of the résumé, list your name, address, telephone number, and email address.
2. Objective (optional)
Write a very short statement that describes the job title you want, the activities you want to engage in, and/or the goals you want to meet. An objective should:
- Be 100 words at most (one sentence is ideal)
- Be the first item to follow the contact information
- Be labeled “Objective” or “Purpose”
- Not include salary expectations
3. Summary (optional)
Write a short paragraph that summarizes your experience and qualifications.
- If your résumé is accompanied by a cover letter, the résumé should not include a summary section.
4. Education
List your academic degrees and experience. If you’re a recent graduate, place the education section at the beginning of your résumé; if you already have substantial work experience, place it near the end.
- Include your high school information only if you have not completed college.
- Use reverse chronological order, with your most recent degree first.
- Each entry should include the name and location of the college, the degree earned or anticipated, the major or minor field(s) of study, and the date or expected date of graduation.
- If you graduated recently, include your grade point average if it is high (above 3.5).
- You may list specific coursework if it is relevant to the job for which you are applying.
5. Work Experience
The list of your work experience is the most important component of your résumé. Think about how aspects of your previous jobs relate to the position for which you’re applying, and highlight those aspects.
- In addition to the title and description of each position, provide a concrete description of the specific activities in which you participated.
- Use strong, concrete action verbs whenever possible. For a list, see “Résumé Action Verbs” in How to Create a Résumé.
- Tailor your description of your work experience to the position and field for which you are applying. For example, say you’ve worked as a legal assistant at a law firm. If you’re applying for a new job as a receptionist, focus on your interactions with lawyers; if applying for a research assistant position, focus on your legal research activities.
6. Awards, Honors, and Activities (optional)
Emphasize any outstanding successes or present a more well-rounded view of yourself.
- Include this section only if you are a student or a very recent graduate.
- Always include the date and selection criteria for the award or honor so that the person reading your résumé understands the significance of the award or honor.
Types of Résumés
You can organize your résumé in a number of different ways, depending on your work experience, the job you’re applying for, and the way in which you have to submit your résumé.
- Chronological résumé: This format lists your work experience and education in chronological order, with your most recent experience first. A chronological résumé is best when you’re an entry-level job applicant or already have an employment history in the same field as the job you’re seeking. (See A Sample Chronological Résumé.)
- Functional résumé: This format divides your skills into two or three basic areas of expertise. A functional résumé is best if your previous work experience is in a field different from the job you’re seeking. (See A Sample Functional Résumé.)
- Combination résumé: This format mixes elements of the chronological résumé with elements of the functional résumé. A combination résumé is best if your work experience has been in more than one field and you have little experience in the field of the job that you’re seeking. (See A Sample Combination Résumé.)
- Plain-text résumé: This stripped-down format is advisable when you have to submit your résumé via a plain-text email or through a form on a website, rather than as a hard copy or PDF file. (See A Sample Plain-Text Résumé.)
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