Writing Your Resume

On average an employer will spend less than thirty seconds reviewing your resume. In this short time you need to convince the reader you are impressive enough to be invited for an interview. How do you do this? Where do you start? First of all, you need to know what a resume is and what it is designed to do. Make Those Thirty Seconds Count! CDC has three excellent online resources to help you begin developing a top-notch resume:

• Resume Writing Quick Reference Guide (288 kb pdf) provides guidance on writing your document and sample resumes.
• CDC's Virtual Resume Program, a PowerPoint with voiceover in video format, is an in-depth tutorial on the how-to's of resume writing and prompts you to review and make improvements to your own work.
• OptimalResume software provides resume tips and allows you to easily format your resume to look professional, yet is fully customizable. All matriculated students have access to an OptimalResume account. Alumni may access the system for a small fee.

In addition, CDC periodically offers programs to provide information and tips on resume writing. Check the CDC program calendar for a complete list of offerings. CDC also houses many resume writing resources in our Career Resource Library, including resume and CV writing books and sample documents. Visit the CDC in LSG 500 to view samples and/or check out resources.

Once an initial draft has been created, we encourage students to visit the CDC during Counselor-on-Call hours for a review! Hours are posted on our homepage.

Addtional helpful resume resources:

• Three Things Every Recruiter Looks for in a Resume, Network Professional Association
• CareerTV Resume Basics
• Resume Articles from Experience (parent of eRecruiting)
• Resume Building from PwC TV