RESUME GUIDE
WHAT IS A RESUME?
A resume is a document that summarizes your education, relevant job experience, involvement and leadership, and skills for the purpose of
obtaining an interview when seeking employment.
WHY SHOULD I WRITE A RESUME?
Contrary to popular belief, your resume DOES NOT get you the job. Your resume is the key tool to use in order to get you the interview. Keep
in mind that this is your first chance to make a good impression- a strong resume takes you to the next step, so make sure it’s the best it can
be.
WHY SHOULD I FOLLOW THIS FORMAT?
These guides detail all aspects and qualities of a resume that employers find easy to read and relevant to their job search. Recruiters spend
on average 10-15 seconds initially scanning a resume, so it is important to differentiate yourself through bullets and demonstration of skills
with each experience.
HOW DO I START MY RESUME?
There are several options when starting to create your resume. You may utilize this guide and the examples within to create a document
using either a Word do or PDF. Once you have a basic resume on paper you can have it reviewed by personnel in the Career Development
Office. You can also make an appointment with this same office if you would prefer to have their assistance from step one. Bring along an
old version of a resume, and/or a list of educational and work experiences from the last few years.
WHEN WILL I NEED MY RESUME?
Whether you’re applying for an internship, signing up for a networking event, looking for your first full-time position, or sending in an
application to study abroad, chances are you are going to need a resume. As time consuming as it may be to put together your first
resume, it’s worth it! Once you get everything down on paper, updating is easy.
DEVELOPING YOUR BRAND
Creating a resume is your opportunity to highlight your experiences for employers. The variety of experiences you become involved with,
including activities, volunteer, and work and professional experiences, will develop your brand and determine whether employers view you
as a generic or luxury good.
FAQ’s ABOUT YOUR RESUME
Key tips for resume formatting?
• Have your resume reviewed and critiqued by a Pitt Business Career Development Advisor Exactly one page
• DO NOT use a resume template
• Professional: there should be no borders, colors, or graphics
• Use font size 10 to 14, with the name being a bit bolder and larger
• Use non-decorative typefaces, using one typeface for the entire resume
• Margins can be 1”-.5’’all the way around
• Bullets: add bullets to show the skills that you gained from a certain experience
*Discuss your Resume with a Pitt Business Career Development Advisor
Schedule a Pitt Business Career Development Advising appointment by clicking “Career Development Advising – Pitt Business” or
“Resume Review and Development – Pitt Business.”
References on a resume
Employers assume that if they ask for references, the applicant will provide them
• Do not include the phrase “references available upon request”
• Do not include a page with references attached to your resume
GPA
• List only if you have a 3.0 or higher
• If omitted, be prepared with an explanation
• You may list your business or major GPA, especially if that GPA is higher than your cumulative (it is best to include both) However,
if your cumulative GPA is below a 3.0, you can elide your cumulative GPA
Listing experiences on a resume
• Experiences should be listed in chronological order by start date
• If your most relevant positions do not land at the top of your section when listing by date, add a separate section called “Relevant
Experience” to make it stand out
RESUME SECTIONS
Contact Information
Begin your resume with:
1. Your formal name, centered at the top of the page or at the far left/right margin. Your name should be in capital letters or bold
type
2. Address (include your campus or home address)
3. Your personal telephone number
4. Email address (pitt.edu or personal)
JANE M. DOE
413 Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-444-
5656 | jmd34@pitt.edu
Education
Write your present or most recent educational experience first. Include the following:
1. Name and location (city and state) of the school
2. Degree expected to receive (no abbreviations)
3. Major(s), Minor(s), Certificate(s)
4. Date of expected graduation
5. GPA (3.0 and above)
*include Study Abroad experience, indicated name of school, country, dates, and study concentration if it is relevant.
Option 1:
University of Pittsburgh, College of Business Administration Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration April 2024
Majors: Finance and Marketing GPA: 3.4
Option 2:
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA
College of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration April 2024
Major: Marketing GPA: 3.4
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Science Major:
Psychology
Work/Relevant Experience
This can include, full-time, part-time, co-op, internship, summer, work-study, etc.) Chronologically list your experiences with your present
or most recent experience including the following:
1. Name of employer
2. Title of your position
3. City and state where your job/experience was located
4. Beginning and end dates of employment (month & year only)
5. Using bullet points, describe what you do/did; do not just list your responsibilities – include accomplishments
Example:
Yelp, Inc. Pittsburgh, PA
NoWait Operations Intern May 2022 – August 2022
• Created the lead qualification procedure during the transition to Yelp’s current Salesforce database
• Qualified and dispersed inbound leads to the sales team via Salesforce
• Tracked the conversion rate of sales-qualified leads across seven marketing channels
Community and Campus Activity
Describe your participation in campus and community activities, highlighting leadership positions. Include the following: 1.
Name of employer
2. Title of your position
3. Beginning and end dates of involvement (month & year only)
4. Using bullet points, describe what you do/did; do not just list your responsibilities – include accomplishments
Example:
Delta Sigma Pi, Vice President of Operations April 2022 – Present
• Oversee our Chapter Management Program and evaluate progress on a weekly basis
• Report all chapter documentation and communication to the Delta Sigma Pi hub
Key Competencies and Skills
These may include foreign language ability, computer skills, certifications, etc.
Relevant Coursework
The courses listed in this section must support the position/industry you are applying for. Do not list a full semester course load
Academic Projects
If you have specific academic projects that qualify you for a position, include them in this second. Be sure to include:
1. Course name
2. University name
3. Project title
4. Semester of course
5. Using bullet points, describe what you do/did; do not just list your responsibilities – include accomplishment
Example:
Projects in Marketing University of Pittsburgh
Marketing and Research Project (Pepsi) Spring 2022
• Implemented and conducted focus group of 10 consumers to better understand customer perception of company marketing
strategy
• Evaluated marketing metrics to identify effect of marketing activities on financial results
• Employed SWOT inquiry of major competitors to design competitive marketing strategy
International Experience
International Experience is a great way to differentiate yourself from other students. If listing International Experience on your resume
remember:
1. It is most effective to put it directly under your education section at the top
2. If completed an internship while abroad, be sure to capture that experience in your bullets
Example:
Pitt Business Honors Program Prague, CZ; Milan, IT; and Barcelona, ES
International Independent Study May 2021
• Conducted field research on organizational and economic dynamics of marketplaces in three foreign countries
• Connected field study to academic research across various fields to provide insight on marketplace structure
DEVELOPING STRONG BULLET POINTS
Use Action Verbs
1. Bullet points should begin with a strong action verb
2. Vary your verbs throughout the resume (reference the action verb list in this packet)
3. Try to use a different action verb for each bullet point under a given experience
Quantify
1. Quantifying your bullets allows recruiters to determine the degree of the work you have accomplished
Example:
Trained 7 new employees on restaurant closing procedures
Stand Out
1. Bullets are much more effective when they are focused on any special projects or task that truly set the person apart from the other
employees
Example:
“Promoted to lead trainer after training 6 new servers on the Point of Sale system and company customer service standards”
Customizing to the Job Description
Each resume you send out should be customized to the exact job. Although it is very convenient to make mass copies, to be more effective
it should highlight what the employer is looking for. When tailoring your resume remember:
1. Use the language of the employer so when they see your resume, they can actually envision your working for their company
2. Tailor your experience and resume to the individual job, so if your past lifeguarding experience doesn’t fit with the skills the
position requires, leave it off and substitute with another, more relevant section
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
Interpersonal Skills
Relating well with others
Assisting others
Responding to concerns
Resolving conflicts
Motivating people
Being a team player
Organization Skills
Follow-through
Multitasking
Setting and attaining goals
Meeting deadlines
Planning
Time management
Leadership Skills
Decision-making
Evaluating
Managing
Planning
Delegating
Initiating
Motivating others
Problem-solving
Team-building
Communication
Advising
Explaining
Persuading or selling
Public speaking
Translating
Articulating
Instructing
Presenting
Training
Writing and editing
ATTRIBUTES EMPLOYERS SEEK ON A CANDIDATE’S RESUME
ATTRIBUTE
PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS
Ability to work in a team
78.0%
Problem-solving skills
77.3%
Communication skills (written)
75.0%
Strong work ethic
72.0%
Communication skills (verbal)
70.5%
ATTRIBUTE
PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS
Leadership
68.9%
Initiative
65.9%
Analytical/quantitative skills
64.4%
Flexibility/adaptability
63.6%
Detail-oriented
62.1%
Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
58.3%
Technical skills
56.8%
Computer skills
49.2%
Organizational ability
47.7%
Strategic planning skills
37.9%
Friendly/outgoing personality
25.8%
Tactfulness
25.8%
Creativity
21.2%
Entrepreneurial skills/risk-taker
19.7%
Fluency in a foreign language
4.5%
http://www.naceweb.org/talent-acquisition/candidate-selection/the-attributes-employers-seek-on-a-candidates-resume/
Action Verbs based on Common Business Job Types
Accounting
Administration
Consulting
Record
Assess
Audit
Prepare
Maintain
Forecast
Calculate
Estimate
Figure
Appraise
Examine
Measure
Verify
Monitor Track
Assess
Coordinate Organize
Requisition
Access
Receive
Process Serve
Furnish
Troubleshoot
Problem Solve
Assess
Assist
Arrange Guide
Counsel
Survey
Serve
Contribute Initiate
Investigate
Advise
Design
Editing
Fundraising
Organize
Explore
Formulate
Sketch
Draw
Layout
Create
Plan
Style
Pattern
Build
Display
Read
Review
Analyze
Check
Compare
Comment
Correct
Rewrite
Rework
Amend
Improve
Research
Analyze
Strategize
Program
Develop
Contact
Inquire
Inform
Motivate Direct
Persuade
Monitor
Coordinate
Human Resources
Information
Language
Assess
Analyze
Recruit
Survey
Screen
Interview
Select
Train
Mediate
Appraise
Coordinate
Align
Appraise
Analyze
Inventory
Structure
Design
Categorize
Document
Process
Manage
Program
Link
Coordinate
Organize
Translate
Interpret
Lecture
Converse
Negotiate
Compare
Understand
Comprehend
Proficiency
Fluency
Teach
Tutor
Leadership
Management/Supervision
Marketing
Organizing/Logistics
Create
Lead
Encourage
Manage
Organize
Compare
Inspire
Represent
Govern
Direct
Advise
Coordinate
Facilitate Plan
Schedule
Delegate
Mediate
Evaluate
Strategize
Develop Listen
Consult
Monitor
Review
Assess
Survey
Analyze
Quantify
Identify
Develop
Announce
Boost
Improve
Classify
Organize Assist
Maintain
Liaison
Support
Arrange
Systematize
Schedule
Coordinate
Streamline Simplify
Persuading
Program Development
Public Relations
Research &
Development
Present
Articulate
Clarify
Challenge
Negotiate
Inquire
Reason
Influence
Convince
Arbitrate
Mediate
Reconcile
Analyze design
Construct
Develop
Prepare
Strategize
Coordinate
Formulate
Recommend
Persuade
Implement Monitor
Assess
Prepare
Coordinate
Present
Negotiate
Publicize
Strengthen
Promote
Handle
Participate
Facilitate
Troubleshoot
Identify
Evaluate
Review
Assess
Compare Analyze
Determine
Critique
Explain
Prepare
Recommend
Conclude
Selling
Service/Hospitality
Writing
Inform
Educate
Persuade
Provide
Assist
Serve
Trade
Vend
Handle
Present
Sell
Convince
Serve
Assist
Troubleshoot
Present
Maintain
Help
Coordinate
Prepare
Create
Welcome
Enhance
Anticipate
Conceive
Construct
Craft
Integrate
Interpret
Capture
Abstract
Express
Inform
Summarize
Conclude