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Checklist for a Winning résumé

Your résumé should have a visual appeal that is easily read. Use a clean font (such as Arial) with 11 - 12 point type. Be consistent with formatting - always place information in the same place within each entry. The average amount of time spent viewing a resume is 8 seconds.
Organize information to have maximum impact on the reader - use reverse chronological order because your most important and applicable experiences (education, etc.) are likely to be most recent.
When describing your experience use actions words (see list below) to create more powerful sentences.
Results sell - include quantifiable measurements and stress actions that resulted in accomplishments . Avoid filling up the résumé with a laundry list of functions and responsibilities. Instead, grab the employers attention with specific projects, skills that you used, and initiatives that you took.
Speak the employer's language. Include industry specific jargon, computer experience, trends,required skills that you have experience with. You can obtain this information from the job posting in the job description or qualifications section.
Include a targeted cover letter addressing the specific requirements in the job description.
Avoid "I" statements
Proofread your résumé to ensure there are no spelling, typographical, or grammatical errors.
Choose a good quality 100% bond paper in a conservative color such as white or off-white.

Current Students and Alumni may send a copy of your resume for review to career_services@nwacc.edu

Elements of a résumé

Categories that MUST be included:

Name, one address, phone number and e-mail. (only one of each, otherwise it can be confusing)
Education (includes degree, institution, location of institution, G.P.A. (if > 3.0), and date of graduation)
Experience (arranged in reverse chronological order with the most recent dates first)

Categories that should NOT be included:

Demographic data (such as height, weight, age, marital status, sex, race, picture of yourself)
Social security number
Salary
Reasons for leaving previous job
Some demographic data are required for Federal or International resumes

Categories that COULD be included:

Objective (concisely describes what kind of job you are seeking)
Leadership/Activities (include student government, Greek life, sports, bands, clubs, and organizations)
Honors, Awards, Foreign Languages, Research Projects, Publications
Computer Skills (include any software and/or applications that you are familiar working with)
Military Experience

Sample Categories and Headings: Academic Background Achievements Activities Additional Skills Affiliations Certifications Community Service and Activities Computer Languages Computer Skills Credentials Education Exhibits and Shows Experience Honors and Awards Interests			Internship Experience Languages Leadership Military Service Presentations Publications References Related Courses Research Experience Scholarships Special Skill(s) Study Abroad Travel Abroad Volunteer Activities Workshops Attended
Sample Duties, Responsibilities, Accomplishments using action verbs:
Provided customer service through resolution of problems, explanation of bank services and policies, and knowledge of financial planning, resulting in greater customer satisfaction. Selected as Customer Service Employee of the Month for June, August, and October.
Implemented strategic staff monitoring and incentive programs which resulted in: enhanced staff morale; optimized productivity levels by 77%; and reduced staff turnover by 20%.
Successfully designed and implemented systems to streamline office procedures, increasing productivity.
Developed a creative marketing strategy that increased customer base by 18%.

Sample Action Verbs: accelerated accomplished achieved acted administered adapted advised analyzed answered anticipated applied appraised arranged assembled assessed assisted attained audited authored briefed budgeted calculated cared for categorized clarified classified coached coded communicated compiled completed composed computed concluded conducted conserved contracted contributed coordinated counseled created cultivated decided decreased defined delegated delivered demonstrated designed determined developed devised diagnosed	directed dispensed displayed dissected distributed diverted edited eliminated enabled encouraged enhanced enforced engaged engineered enlarged entertained established evaluated examined expanded expedited experimented explained financed formulated formed gathered generated governed guided harmonized headed heightened helped hurried hypothesized identified illustrated improved improvised increased influenced informed initiated inspected inspired installed interacted interpreted interviewed introduced invented lectured	led located logged maintained managed mastered maximized measured mediated mentored minimized moderated monitored navigated negotiated operated organized outlined oversaw packed participated performed persuaded photographed piloted planned predicted presented presided printed processed procured produced programmed projected promoted proposed protected proved provided publicized published purchased raised realized received recommended recruited reduced referred refined regulated rehabilitated		rendered renewed reorganized repaired replaced reported represented researched responded restored restructured revamped reviewed revised revitalized scheduled screened separated served serviced set-up shaped shipped showed simplified sketched sold streamlined strengthened studied structured succeeded summarized supervised supplied supported surveyed symbolized synthesized talked teamed with trained transcribed translated treated tutored united updated upgraded utilized verified volunteer wrote

Click Here for Sample Résumés

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