STYLE OF A RÉSUMÉ
The format should attract attention and create interest.
Résumés follow several formats, but certain elements of
the résumé have become standard.
• Use capitalization, italics, bold, indentations, white
space, and underlining to emphasize important
information.
• Two basic formats are reverse chronological
(general), which lists and dates the details of
each experience separately, and functional, which
consists of selections from your total experience.
• Use a word processing program to create. Stay away
from templates, as search engines and applicant
tracking software have difficulty reading templates.
• Choose a conservative font and résumé style.
• Use a reverse chronological or combination format.
• For current positions, use present tense; for past
experience, use past tense.
• Don’t use “I,” “my,” or other personal pronouns.
• The résumé is a summary, so use bulleted text as
opposed to paragraphs.
• Make sure to research formats for your field!
The tone and content of your résumé should be
customized according to your career field and
prospective employer.
• The length of your résumé depends on the purpose
for which you are using it. The traditional résumé
length is one page.
• Multi-page résumés may be appropriate when
applying to graduate school programs, scholarships,
or more academically oriented programs.
RÉSUMÉ WRITING
A résumé documents your qualifications and
demonstrates your educational and experiential
skills. It is a marketing tool that summarizes your
qualifications and presents a positive image of you
to the reviewer. Each résumé is unique to each job or
position.
RÉSUMÉ CATEGORIES OF
INFORMATION
Choose appropriate categories for your information and
list them in order of relevance.
1. Identification
Your name, address, phone number, and email address.
2. Career Objectives/Professional Summaries
(optional)
An objective section is not required and it is more
common to relay this information in the cover letter. If
you choose to include one, state clearly whether you
are looking for an internship, part-time job, or full-time
position.
• Be clear and concise.
• Keep your professional summary to no more than
three lines.
• Focus the objective or summary on the job you
want by focusing on specific knowledge, skills, and
abilities listed in the job description.
3. Education
• Most recent degree first (high school optional).
• Full name of degree.
• List degrees in reverse chronological order .
• Include the date of degree completion, not the span
of time in school.
• Include area of specialization, thesis, or dissertation
if you have a graduate degree.
• City/state of educational institution.
• Graduation month/year.
• GPA (if higher than 3.0 or a graduate degree).
FSU Panama City & Distance Students
The Career Center oers many online
resources available to assist FSU Panama
City and distance learning students with
career exploration and planning, including
résumé critiques. View services and more at
career.fsu.edu/pc-distance.
CONSTRUCTING EFFECTIVE EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTIONS
Every position requires skills which are transferable to work after college. Effective bullet point descriptions
contain references to these skills or describe examples of projects you completed that produced tangible,
positive results and accomplishments for an employer. Below is a diagram of two effective bullet-writing
strategies. Each bullet point may contain three important elements: an action verb, skill, and tasks that evidence
the skill OR an action verb, project, and result produced from the project (accomplishment).
Seminole FSU Eatery, Tallahassee, FL August 2017 - November 2018
Server
y Provided quality customer service while managing dining experience for up to 30 customers at once.
(Action Verb) (Skill) (Tasks that Evidence Skill)
y Created new order-taking system decreasing guest wait-times by an average of 2 minutes.
(Action Verb) (Project) (Result)
In the space below, try writing your own bullet-point in each of the two formats:
y -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Verb Skill Tasks
y -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Verb Project Result
4. Experience
Your contact with specific employers such as
internships, co-ops, part-time jobs, volunteer work,
summer jobs, special projects, leadership, or military
experience.
• Emphasize skills relevant to the position/field for
which you are applying and list them first.
• Use examples of skills found in the job description of
the position for which you are seeking.
• List position titles, names of organizations, locations
(city and state), start and end dates, duties, and
accomplishments.
• Focus on accomplishments and results versus duties
in your position descriptions (e.g., reduced costs,
increased performance, led team, etc.); include
promotions and recognitions.
• Use numbers to describe your accomplishments
(e.g., value of transactions, number of people
impacted, etc.).
• Use industry keywords and phrases from the
job description that describe your strengths and
competencies.
• Highlight technical skills, foreign languages, and
other skills that are relevant to the job for which you
are applying.
Employers are interested in the degree of responsibility
you held and the skills you demonstrated. Outline your
duties in a way that emphasizes your job experience and
at the same time relates it to your professional objective.
For example:
Crew Supervisor, Seminole Cafe
Tallahassee, FL, January 2018 - Present
• Manage operations and lead a team of 10 service
employees in providing efficient services to guests
• Compile and track inventory data to effectively
maintain an effective stock of products
• Interview, hire, and train new employees
Always start with positive action words to identify and
document your skills and accomplishments from your
past experiences. Use the list on the next page to help
you select positive action words for your résumé.
5. Review
• Proofread your résumé for spelling and grammar
errors.
• Have a Career Advisor or Career Liaison critique
your résumé. You can visit The Career Center for
drop-in career advising Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. -
4:30 p.m. or identify and locate your Career Liaison’s
office and advising hours at career.fsu.edu/hours.
POSITIVE ACTION WORD LIST
accomplish
account
achieve
act
administer
advertise
advise
aid
analyze
appraise
appeal
arrange
assemble
assign
attend
audit
authorize
budget
build
calculate
catalogue
chart
clarify
collect
communicate
compete
complete
compile
compose
conduct
contribute
control
coordinate
correct
counsel
create
dance
delegate
demonstrate
decrease
decide
design
determine
develop
devise
diagnose
direct
discover
document
draft
draw
edit
engineer
entertain
establish
estimate
evaluate
exercise
exhibit
experiment
explain
facilitate
formulate
furnish
guide
handle
hire
implement
improve
increase
influence
initiate
inspect
install
instruct
interpret
interview
invent
investigate
judge
landscape
lead
learn
listen
make
manage
manufacture
market
measure
meet
mobilize
model
motivate
negotiate
operate
order
originate
organize
paint
perform
persuade
photograph
plan
play
predict
prepare
present
preside
produce
program
promote
propose
provide
publish
purchase
qualify
raise
read
recommend
recruit
repair
report
research
review
schedule
select
sell
serve
solve
speak
staff
start
structure
submit
supervise
supply
synthesize
talk
teach
test
train
translate
travel
tutor
type
understand
verify
write
FIRST YEAR EXAMPLE
Fiona Spear
School Address: fspear@my.fsu.edu Permanent Address:
123 Learning Way 555-555-5555 321 Center St.
Tallahassee, FL 32306 Portland, OR 97217
EDUCATION
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL May 2022
Bachelor of Science; Intended Major: Nursing
• Relevant Coursework: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics
Central High School, Portland, OR June 2018
Advanced Studies Diploma
• Activities/Leadership: Relay for Life volunteer, Swim Team, Photography Club
CERTIFICATIONS
EMT-Basic, Portland Community College January 2018 - Present
Basic Life Support, American Heart Association October 2017 - Present
EXPERIENCE
City of Portland Community Hospital, Portland, OR June 2017 - May 2018
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) (June 2016 - May 2018)
• Completed 100 hours of direct patient contact performing assessments, rst aid, and basic life support
in response to emergency and non-emergency calls at the scene and en route to the hospital
• Provided patient care according to clinical protocols, standing orders, and safety requirements
• Educated the public on the role of emergency medical services through monthly demonstrations and
supported the coordination of special safety promotions events for the community
Gift Shop Volunteer (June 2016 - May 2017)
• Demonstrated empathy and compassionate communication while delivering treats, owers, and gifts to
more than 50 patients in a day; served two hospital oors with up to 100 patients each
• Maintained inventory of designated gift-shop items to support ecient ordering of stock items
ACTIVITIES/AWARDS
Emergency Medicine Interest Group, Florida State University August 2018 - Present
National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Florida State University June 2018
National Honor Society, President, Central High School July 2016 - May 2018
Emergency Management & Fire Club, Member, Central High School August 2015 - May 2017
SKILLS
Language: Intermediate Spanish (spoken and written)
Technical: Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Oce (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
GENERAL UNDERGRADUATE EXAMPLE
STEVEN SEMINOLE
1234 Park Ave. Apt. 15, Tallahassee, FL 32303
Home: (850) 555-7000 · Cell: (407) 555-6000
[email protected]
OBJECTIVE
Toobtainasummerinternshipfocusedonresearchandconservationeortstoutilizemy
knowledge of marine life, animal rehabilitation, and environmental studies
EDUCATION
FloridaStateUniversity,Tallahassee,FLExpected:May2020
Bachelor of Science, Biological Science
Concentration: Marine Biology Minor: Environmental Studies
StudyAbroadExperience
FSU International Program, London Summer 2018
FSU International Program, Valencia Summer 2017
EXPERIENCE
Tallahassee Aquarium, Tallahassee, FL August 2018 - Present
Aquarist Intern
• Presentdailyeducationalprogramsaboutmarinelifetogroupsof10to200patrons
• Maintainwaterchemistryandlifesupportsystemsforsaltandfreshwaterexhibits
• Preparefoodforavarietyofsaltwateranimalsandpresentfeedingdemonstrationstoguests
Atlanta Aquarium, Atlanta, GAMay2017-July2018
Animal Husbandry Intern
• Sustainedandnurturedmarineaquariumsystemsand15tankswithateamofaquarists
• Conductedeldresearchontherescueandrehabilitationofloggerheadseaturtles
Center for Marine Life,Tallahassee,FL August2015-May2017
Administrative Assistant
• Tested,analyzed,anddiagnosedwatersamplestoensurethecareofsaltwateranimals
• Managedtheappearanceof25saltwarecoraltankswithintheaquaticsspecialtystore
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
• Tallahassee Animal Service Center: Instructed new volunteers on animal handling
• International Marine-Eco Center: Marineenvironmentoutreachandeducationventure
• Panama City Beach Clean Up: Beachprojecttoprotectmarinelifeandbeautifythearea
INVOLVEMENT
GarnetandGoldScholarSociety,FloridaStateUniversity ExpectedInductionAugust2020
FloridaStateAlternativeBreaks,CoralReefEcosystemsMarch2018
ServScriptProgram,FloridaStateUniversity(200hours)August2017
SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY (IT) EXAMPLE
Renata Renegade
850-555-2000123ParkAvenueNorth,Tallahassee,FL32301[email protected]
Education
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science 04/18
Florida State University (FSU), Tallahassee, FL
MajorGPA:3.5,withHonors,Dean’sList
Technical Skills
Languages: C,C++,Java,HTML,XML,MySQL,PHP,JavaScript,.NET,Perl
Databases: Oracle10g,MSAccess,RelationalDatabase
Platforms: WindowsXP/Vista,Unix,Linux,MacOS
Projects
Web Design & Development, Florida State University 01/17-Present
• UtilizeHTMLtocreateadummysiteforahypotheticaltechconsultingcompany.
• Developwebsitemaps,imagetemplates,andpagetemplatestomeetuserneeds.
• Translate “client” needs description into a functioning mock-up complete with landing page, on-
line registration form, and embedded video content; presented to classmates.
Application Development, Florida State University 08/16-12/16
• Collaborated in a team environment to design and develop a series of applications using PHP and
MySQLtoincreaseinformationmanagementandbusinessfunctions.
ProfessionalExperience
Computer Consultant 01/15-Present
FSU Computer Science Department, Tallahassee, FL
• Resolveissuesregardingwirelessnetworkandemailperformanceforastaof30.
• Deliverbasictroubleshootingservicesviaemail,telephone,andface-to-facemeetings.
• Assesssystematicproblemsandproviderecommendedsolutionstomanagement.
Front Desk Clerk 06/14-12/14
State Attorney’s Oce, Tallahassee, FL
• Exercisedstrongcustomerservicesskillsbyrespondingpromptlyandaccuratelytoover50
customerswhilecollectingandprocessingfees,receipts,andelectronicles.
• Appliedanalyticalskillstoanticipateandsolveproblems;proposednewtechnologysolutionsthat
improvedbusinessoperationsandcustomerresponsetimesby40%.
Activities
Member,WISE(WomeninIT)StudentOrganization,FloridaStateUniversity
Member,AssociationforComputingMachinery,Tallahassee,FL
Volunteer, Laptop & Computer Solutions (100 service hours), Tallahassee, FL
GENERAL GRADUATE RÉSUMÉ EXAMPLE
Tina Tallahassee
123 Ocala Rd
Tallahassee, FL 32304
(850) 555-4000; tah14@my.fsu.edu
www.linkedin.com/in/ttallahassee
Professional Summary
Experienced nancial services professional with special interest in public operations. Competencies include
taxation, asset management, and prot & loss assessment. Proven ability to produce positive results with a
record of academic and professional success.
Education
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL May 2020
Master of Accounting in Taxation
Overall GPA: 3.92
e University of Georgia, Athens, GA April 2018
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Overall GPA: 4.00, Summa Cum Laude
Professional Experience
FSU College of Business, Tallahassee, FL, Teaching Assistant (ACG 2021) August 2018 - Present
• Present course content that align with student learning objectives
• Review course assignments and provide written feedback to approximately 50 students
• Administer and grade course exams; utilize Canvas to monitor student progress
Leon Co. Commission, District 5, Tallahassee, FL, Campaign Treasurer January 2018 - July 2018
• Supported fundraising eorts, achieving $87,000 in campaign contributions
• Managed the campaign account utilizing BackOce and VoterManager software
• Produced nancial reports in accordance with Florida election law
State of Georgia DEP, Tallahassee, FL, Accountant I August 2016 - April 2017
• Reconciled work order accounts, processed checks, and prepared nancial statements
• Assembled vouchers to pay project invoices while remaining within budget constraints
Leadership Experience
Accounting Society, Florida State University, Vice President August 2017 - Present
• Coordinate monthly member meetings in collaboration with other society ocers
• Plan social events allowing members to network with local and national professionals
Honors/Activities
Member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars 2016 - Present
FSU College of Business Achievement Scholarship 2018
e University of Georgia Accounting Department – Outstanding Senior 2017
850-644-6431 • career.fsu.edu • @fsucareercenter • #NolesWithGoals