Crafting a Resume

Place contact information at the top of the resume so employers can easily contact you. 

Include:

• Your Professional Name: List the name that you want to be known as professionally. It should be consistent with the name on your LinkedIn profile and any other physical or digital documents that are promoting your professional identity. If you do not use your legal name professionally, don’t use your legal name here.  
  • Example: A student’s legal name is Lawrence Edward Teasdale but he prefers to be known as “Ed” or Ed Teasdale. The name on his resume, LinkedIn, and digital portfolio is therefore Ed Teasdale 

• Address: Include only the city and state for your current address. This is likely your school but may be your home or permanent address if that is more applicable to the job you are applying for. Most employers tend to hire applicants that are in the area rather than applicants that are applying from another state or country. If the job is remote then location isn’t as relevant  
  • Example: If your home is out of state and you are applying for a job in your hometown for the summer, it would be wiser to put your hometown address on your resume and application materials. 

• Phone number: Include one number where employers can reliably reach you.  

• Email address: If you expect to graduate within the next year, consider using a personal email address rather than a Calvin email address. Your email should be professional and ideally connected to your professional name.
  Avoid informal or humorous email addresses such as crazydoug@gmail.com or jedi_potter@gmail.com.
  
  A simple format such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com is typically best.

Optional: Links to your:

• LinkedIn profile
• GitHub profile
• Digital portfolio
• Professional website
• Other professional online profiles

If you include any of these, be sure that they are up-to-date and well maintained. 

Employers want to understand your educational background and how it relates to the position you’re pursuing. Start with your current or most recent college or university. If you have attended multiple institutions, list them in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent.

In most cases, high school information should not be included. An exception may be made for Education majors or other situations where it is particularly relevant.

Include: 

• Name and location (city and state only) of the institution attended/currently attending. 

• Degree: Write out the full name of the degree rather than an abbreviation.
  • Example: Bachelor of Arts in Music or Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering  

• Additional Majors or Minors 

• Date of Degree Completion: Month/Year or “Expected” Month/Year if you’re currently a student. 

• GPA: Your GPA can be an asset, depending on your academic performance.
  • 3.5 or above: Strongly consider including it.
  • 3.0-3.49: Including it is optional.
  • Below 3.0: In most cases, it is best not to include it.

• Optional – Relevant Courses taken: If you have limited work or internship experience, relevant coursework can help demonstrate your knowledge and interest in a field. When listing coursework:
  • Focus on courses related to your target industry or position.
  • Do not include course catalog numbers.
  • Limit the list to no more than six courses
  • Note: Relevant Coursework may also be presented as its own section.

• Optional – Awards and Honors: Include scholarships, Dean’s List, official recognitions, or any other honors you have achieved, especially those that relate to the work you are applying for. 
  • Note: Awards and Honors may also be presented as a separate section. 

Jobs and internships are the meat of any resume and are what a prospective employer is traditionally most interested in seeing. They ideally let a recruiter know that you’ve been given responsibility and have demonstrated skills within a workplace that relate to the work you are applying for. Entries this section should appear in reverse chronological order (most recent first).  

Include: 

• Job title/role: If your job didn’t give you a formal title give your work a descriptive name. 

• Organization name and location: (city, state or city, country) 

• Duration of work: Start and End dates using the month/year format. If you are still in the position, write “- Present”
  • Example: January 2024 – Present 

• Bullet points: Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities, accomplishments, and contributions. Aim for three to five bullet points for each experience, with a minimum of two.
  
  Each individual bullet point should attempt to follow the WHO Method (What? How? Outcome?) for its structure.
  
  WHO Method:
  • What did you do? Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb. Use past-tense verbs for completed or past experiences. (“organized”), and present-tense verbs for current experiences (“organize”).
    
    Vary your action verbs to keep your resume engaging and avoid repetition. Refer to the Resume Actions Word Handout for verb choices
    
  • How did you do it? Describe the skills, tools, methods, or approaches you used to accomplish your work.
    
    Rather than simply listing skills, display them within the context of your experience.
    
  • Outcome?Describe the results of what you achieved because of the actions that you performed. Employers are often most interested in the impact of your work, so quantifiable results are especially valuable.
    • Examples:
      • “…which increased website traffic by 10%.”
      • “…which generated five new client meetings each month.”
      • “…which improved efficiency and reduced processing time.”

• Volunteer Experience: This is work that you have done without payment and may be counted as experience but should be listed in its own section. Many employers like to see volunteer work on a resume because it indicates a student who is engaged in their community. 
  
  If you include volunteer experience, create a separate section and use the same format and structure as your Experience section.

• Class Projects: These are projects that you have done for a class that demonstrate skills relevant to the work you are applying for. They may be counted as experience but should be listed in their own section. 
  Include:
  • the name of the project
  • the duration of the project using the month/year format
  • bullet points describing the actions you performed that contributed to the project. Use the same action-oriented approach that you would use for a traditional work experience entry.

The following sections are not required but can be used to build your resume and to better articulate your professional identity to a prospective employer.

Profile/Summary/Objective: If you are planning to include a profile or summary section, place it at the top of your resume underneath your contact information and above the Education section. Unfortunately, there is no standard either for the name of this section or whether to include it or not. Some recruiters like them. Some don’t read them.  

If you choose to include it, use a few well-chosen words to state the type of position that you seek and the unique knowledge, experience or skills that you bring to the position. Focus on how you will meet an employer’s needs, not how you will benefit from the experience.  

• Sample profile: “A results-driven and team-oriented business graduate with long academic and internship performance, ready to contribute to a dynamic marketing team.”  

Activities: Have you been involved in student organizations? Leadership roles? Service-learning? Study abroad or off-campus programs? Many employers are impressed by these activities because they indicate enthusiasm and initiative. 

Note: Participation in off-campus programs can be listed in the Education section if you choose 

Skills: A Skills section can provide a quick snapshot of your technical and professional competencies. It allows employers or recruiters to quickly identify qualifications that may be relevant to a position.

Focus this section on hard skills rather than soft skills. Soft skills can be shown within your bullet points but for the skills section, it is recommended to use your hard skills only.

You may organize your skills in a single list or divide them into categories such as:

• Technical Skills
• Software and Tools
• Programming Languages
• Certifications
• Foreign Languages

Whenever possible, the hard skills listed in this section should also appear within the bullet points of your Experience section. Employers want to see not only what skills you possess, but also how you have applied them in real-world situations.

More information about hard and soft skills is provided later in this guide. For now, here is a quick overview:

• Hard Skills: Hard skills are specific, measurable, and teachable abilities that are typically gained through education, training, certifications, or experience.

Examples include:

Programs and Software: AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Excel, Squarespace

Tools and Equipment: Forklift, Voltage tester, Centrifuge

Methods and Processes: A/B Testing, Six Sigma, SWOT Analysis

Languages: Spanish, Mandarin, American Sign Language (ASL)

Soft Skills: Soft skills are personal and interpersonal qualities that influence how you work with others and approach your responsibilities.

Rather than listing soft skills in a Skills section, demonstrate them through examples in your Experience section.

Skills you may want to mention are:

Communication, Problem-solving, Adaptability, Leadership, Teamwork, Time management

• Education: For most students, Education should remain near the top of the resume, as it is often one of your most relevant qualifications.
  
  Consider including:
  • Degree and major
  • Expected graduation date
  • GPA (if it is 3.0 or higher)
  • Academic honors, awards, or scholarships
    
    As you gain experience through internships, leadership roles, and employment, the placement of your Education section may change. However, for most current students, it remains an important section for employers to see early in the resume.

• Experience: Employers want to understand not only what you did, but also the impact of your work. Start each bullet point with a strong action verb and, whenever possible, include measurable results.
  
  Example: “Managed a social media campaign that increased engagement by 25% over three months.”
  
  Don’t have exact numbers to support your results? That’s okay. Employers understand that not every role provides access to detailed metrics. When appropriate, use reasonable estimates or ranges to help demonstrate the scope of your contributions.
  
  Example: “Managed a social media campaign that helped attract approximately 10 new clients per month, supporting business growth and company goals.”
  
  The goal is to provide evidence of your impact while accurately representing your experience.
  

• Skills: A Skills section can help employers quickly identify relevant qualifications.
  
  Consider organizing your skills into categories, such as Technical Skills and Soft Skills, to make the information easier to scan.
  
  Example: Technical Skills: Excel, Python, Table
            Soft Skills: Team Collaboration, Public Speaking
  
  Remember that while both hard and soft skills are important, employers are most interested in seeing how you have applied those skills in real situations. Whenever possible, reinforce your skills through examples in your Experience section.

Recruiters increasingly look for candidates who can use technical skills (hard skills) to achieve meaningful outcomes and work effectively with others (soft skills). Both are important, and employers often look for evidence of each throughout the hiring process.

Hard Skills: Your Technical Foundation

Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities that are typically gained through education, training, certifications, or experience. These skills help demonstrate that you can perform the core responsibilities of a role and may play an important role in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) used by employers.

Examples of In-Demand Hard Skills

• AI Literacy: Using generative AI tools effectively, understanding their limitations, and applying AI to support workflows and productivity.
• Data Fluency: Working with data, creating visualizations using tools such as Tableau or Power BI, and communicating insights effectively.
• Digital Platforms: Experience with cloud-based platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, as well as customer relationship management (CRM) tools like Salesforce or HubSpot.
• Business and Technical Tools: Advanced Excel skills, SQL for data analysis and querying, and project management tools or methodologies.

Soft Skills: Your Human Edge

Soft skills are the personal and interpersonal qualities that influence how you work, communicate, and collaborate with others. While technical skills may help you qualify for a position, soft skills often influence how effectively you perform and grow within an organization.

While hard skills are typically the skills listed in your Skills section, soft skills help bring your resume to life. Rather than listing soft skills on their own, demonstrate them through the descriptions and accomplishments included in your experience bullet points. This is especially important in fields where technical skills may play a smaller role, as employers often look for evidence of communication, teamwork, leadership, and other interpersonal skills through your experiences.

Examples of In-Demand Soft Skills

• Adaptability and Resilience: Remaining effective during organizational, workplace, or technological change.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Understanding and managing your own emotions while building trust, navigating conflict, and working effectively with others.
• Critical Thinking: Evaluating information, questioning assumptions, and solving new or complex problems.
• Digital Collaboration: Communicating and collaborating effectively using platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, and other workplace technologies.
  

An advanced resume typically:

• Extends beyond one page when your experience and accomplishments warrant the additional space.
• Emphasizes relevant professional experience and the expertise you have developed throughout your career.
• Highlights quantifiable achievements, measurable results, and the impact of your work.
• Showcases leadership experience, specialized knowledge, and advanced professional skills.
• Focuses on demonstrated workplace contributions rather than academic potential.
• Reflects career progression, increasing levels of responsibility, and significant accomplishments.
• Prioritizes the most recent 10–15 years of experience, or the experiences that are most relevant to your current career goals.
• Highlights experiences and accomplishments that align with the position you are pursuing.

As your career grows, your resume should evolve from a document that demonstrates potential to one that demonstrates proven results. Employers are often less interested in a comprehensive history of every position you’ve held and more interested in understanding the value you have delivered, the challenges you have solved, and the expertise you bring to a new opportunity.

Even as an experienced professional, the three foundational sections of a resume remain the same: Contact Information, Experience, and Education. However, the order of these sections may change based on what is most relevant to your career stage and the position you are pursuing.

Employers are typically most interested in your recent professional experience. If you have been out of school for several years and have built a solid work history, your Experience section should usually appear before your Education section. This allows employers to immediately see the skills, accomplishments, and expertise you have developed throughout your career.

Your Education section is still important, but it may no longer be the primary focus of your resume. By leading with your professional experience, you can emphasize the value you have delivered, the responsibilities you have taken on, and the results you have achieved in the workplace.

In most cases, experienced professionals should organize their resume in the following order:

1. Contact Information (essential)  
   • Full name
   • Phone number
   • Professional email address
   • City and province/state
   • LinkedIn profile or professional portfolio, when applicable
   • Professional Profile
     
     
2. Professional Profile: Your Professional Profile serves as a brief introduction to your professional background and helps establish your value within the first few seconds of someone reviewing your resume.
   
   A strong Professional Profile may include:
   • Your professional level and years of experience
   • Areas of expertise
   • Industry or functional experience
   • Leadership capabilities
   • Core strengths
   • The value you bring to an organization
     
     Keep this section concise and focused. Its purpose is to quickly communicate who you are as a professional and what you bring to the role.
     
3. Professional Experience: (essential) For experienced professionals, this is often the most important section of the resume. Rather than simply listing job responsibilities, focus on the results you achieved and the impact you made.
   
   Whenever possible, demonstrate:
   • Share accomplishments, not just responsibilities
   • Measurable results and outcomes
   • Leadership and team management
   • Major projects and initiatives
   • Process improvements
   • Increased efficiency or productivity
   • Revenue growth or cost savings
   • Customer, operational, or organizational improvements
   • Promotions and increased levels of responsibility
   • Specialized expertise relevant to your target position
     
     Example:
     Less effective: “Responsible for improving the customer intake process.”
     More effective: “Redesigned the customer intake process, reducing processing time by 30% and improving overall workflow efficiency.”
     
     The strongest experience sections demonstrate not only what you did, but also the value your work created.
     
4. Education: (essential) Education remains an important part of your resume, but for experienced professionals it generally appears after your Professional Experience section.
   
   Include relevant:
   • Degrees
   • Diplomas
   • Institutions
   • Areas of study
   • Academic distinctions, when relevant
     
     
5. Certifications: (essential if acquired) Include professional certifications, licenses, designations, and specialized credentials that support your qualifications for the position you are pursuing.
   
   Prioritize certifications that are:
   • Current
   • Industry-recognized
   • Relevant to your target position
   • Evidence of advanced knowledge or expertise
     
6. Accomplishments
   This optional section can be used to highlight significant achievements that deserve additional attention.
   
   Examples may include:
   • Professional awards and recognition
   • Major organizational initiatives
   • Outstanding performance achievements
   • Leadership milestones
   • Industry recognition
   • Significant projects
   • Career accomplishments
   • Notable contributions to an organization or community
     
     
7. Skills: Your Skills section should showcase the capabilities that are most relevant to your target position.
   
   Consider including:
   • Technical skills
   • Industry-specific expertise
   • Leadership skills
   • Management capabilities
   • Specialized tools, software, systems, or technologies
   • Professional competencies
     
     Avoid creating an excessively long list of generic skills. Instead, prioritize the skills that demonstrate your ability to perform successfully in the role you are pursuing.
     
8. Other Additional Sections:The goal of an advanced resume is to clearly demonstrate how your experience, accomplishments, and unique strengths align with the position you are seeking. Your resume should tell your professional story and make it easy for employers to see the value you can bring to their organization.
   
   In addition to the core sections above, consider including the following when they strengthen your candidacy:
   • Additional Experience (volunteer, community, consulting, project-based, freelance, or other relevant experience)
   • Research
   • Professional Affiliations
   • Presentations
   • Projects
   • Publications
   • Leadership Experience
   • Board and Advisory Experience
   • Remember, only include sections that add value to your story. The strongest resume is not necessarily the one with the most sections. It is the one that uses the right sections to clearly demonstrate why your experience, skills, and accomplishments make you a strong fit for the role.

Reference:  Resumes for Experienced professionals