Resume Writing 101 Barnabas Success Center

Getting Started Make a list  Education  Clinical Rotations  Jobs  Volunteer Experiences  Organizations/Activities/Leadership Roles  Accomplishments/Awards  Special training/Skills Not all categories have to be included.

Format  Start with a blank document.  Single space  Use font size 11 pt or12 pt. Use one, easy-to- read font such as Times New Roman, Garamond or Calibri.  Avoid graphics, color blocks, multiple fonts.  Include name, address, phone, and professional address at the top of the page.  Ensure section headings are clearly identifiable.

Format  Name & Contact Info  Use professional , professional greeting  Use local address if looking in Dallas  Objective  Focus on what you will contribute  Do not focus on what you are looking for  1-2 sentences  Education  School name, location, degree, grad date  List most recent degree first  No not include HS (unless relevant to job)  List GPA if over 3.0

Format  Clinical Experience  Name of rotation, location, hours/time  Skills learned, technology used, etc.  Job Experience  Chronological order (most recent first)  Title, company name, location, dates  3-5 bulleted action statements  Begin with verbs, use past tense for the past  No full sentences (no “I” or “me”)

What else? (at your discretion)  Awards/Academic Honors  Extracurricular activities/volunteer work  Leadership positions during college  “References available upon request”

Beginner’s Tips  Be consistent In your use of punctuation, abbreviations, job titles, spacing, etc. For example, abbreviate all state names the same way (MN, CA or Minn., Calif.),  Exercise restraint Fonts, bullet points, and other design elements  Limit the length One page (two at the most) “The goal isn't to hit them over the head with everything you've ever done. The goal is to get a job interview." (Donlin, K. (2012). Three Little Resume Things.

Things not to include:  Misspellings/extra words/informal language  Scholarships  Hobbies and personal information (age)  Insignificant short-term experience  Nominations/invitations to join

Final Reminders  Remember your audience!  Spell check  Print on high quality paper (no color)  as a PDF with your name as title

Cover Letter Writing 101 Barnabas Success Center

Tips  CUSTOMIZE to position  Similar format to resume  Proof read extensively  Don’t start all sentences with “I”  Focus on their mission, values, strengths  Use similar language to job describtion  Avoid sharing personal information

Content  3-4 paragraphs in length  Greeting: use name if known  1 st paragraph: refer to specific position & how you knew about it  2- 3rd paragraph: your experience/skills = what they are looking for  Use concrete examples where possible  Conclusion: Next step & thank you!