Writing Studio

Use this checklist to review and revise your resume before using it for job or internship applications.

1. Overall Impact

   • My resume is tailored to a specific job
   • The most relevant section appears near the top of my resume
   • The most relevant experiences are easy to see
   • The document is easy to skim
   • It fits on one page (unless I have significant, relevant experience)

2. Formatting & Design

   • Font is professional and consistent
   • Margins and spacing are even and balanced
   • Section headings are clear and consistent
   • Bullet points are aligned and formatted the same way
   • No dense paragraphs 
   • My resume uses plain text (no graphs, charts, or graphics that Application Tracking Systems may not detect)
     

3. Contact Information

   • Full name is clear and prominent
   • Professional email address
   • Phone number is correct
   • LinkedIn or portfolio link (if relevant) 

4. Education Section

   • Institution name, degree, and graduation date are included
   • Major/minor clearly listed
   • GPA included (if strong and relevant)
   • Relevant coursework listed only if it strengthens my application

5. Experience Section

   For each position:

   • Organization name, title, location, and dates are included
   • Bullet points begin with strong action verbs
   • I describe what I accomplished, not just what I was responsible for (show – do not tell)
   • Results are quantified when possible (numbers, percentages, outcomes)
   • Each bullet demonstrates a skill relevant to the job
   • If my experiences are diverse, I organize them under clear and specific headings (e.g., Teaching Experience, Research Experience, Web Design Experience)

   Share your experience, not a job description. Ask yourself:
   → What changed because I was there?
   → What value did I add?

6. Skills Section

   • Skills are specific (not vague like “hardworking” or “team player”)
   • Skills match keywords from the job description
   • I did not overstate my proficiency
   • Skills are organized into clear categories when appropriate (e.g., Technical Skills, Languages, Software).

7. Relevance & Alignment

   • I reviewed the job description and matched key qualifications
   • Important keywords appear naturally in my resume
   • The strongest and most relevant information appears first

8. Language & Clarity

   • No spelling or grammar errors
   • Verb tense is consistent (past for past jobs, present for current role)
   • Bullet points are concise (ideally 1–2 lines)
     
   • No unnecessary filler phrases (e.g.,I believe that, I feel that, I would like to )

9. Final Professional Check

   • File name is professional (FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf)
   • Another person (or more) has reviewed it

Before You Submit:
If an employer reads my resume only for 10 seconds, what will they remember about me?