Resume Writing

Handbook

Information provided by:

The Career Development Center

Edison Building, Suite 1120

(215) 503-5805

https://jefferson-csm.symplicity.com

[email protected]
 RESUME vs. CURRICULUM VITAE
Résumé Curriculum Vitae (CV)
French for “summary” Latin for “course of life”
WHO USES: WHO USES:
 Most employers request this common style of  Research-based and academic fields
documenting skills and credentials typically use a CV
LENGTH: LENGTH:
 One page in length (two is acceptable only if you  Typically several pages long
have many years of relevant experience) CONTENT:
CONTENT:  Showcases research, publications,
 Showcases education and experience academic work, awards, teaching and
 Summarizes your skill sets with strong action honors in chronological order
verbs in a concise manner  Static and doesn’t change according to job
 Resumes should be tailored to each job/industry description

DO DON’T
 Use a common font like Arial or Times  Use fonts like Brush Script or Comic Sans
New Roman  Use personal pronouns like I, me, and
 Set margins between 0.5”-1” my
 Display information in reverse  List duties or use the phrase
chronological order “Responsibilities include:”
 Customize your resume to highlight  Repeat bullet points for multiple positions
desired skills and experiences  Include personal information (ex: DOB,
 Rename each resume to match the job height, weight, sex, social security
description (SallyStudent –JEFFResume) number, marital status, photograph)
 Submit as a PDF (convert here:  Include the phrase “references available
http://get.adobe.com/reader/) upon request”

Employers are polled every year to identify the top skills they want to see on an applicant’s resume*. The
list below aligns with the top skills employers report each semester at the Jefferson Career Fairs. Let’s think
of strategies that highlight these desired skills throughout your resume!

1. Leadership 6. Analytical/quantitative skills

2. Ability to work in a team 7. Technical skills
3. Written communication skills 8. Verbal communication skills
4. Problem-solving skills 9. Initiative
5. Strong work ethic 10. Computer skills

How do your experiences line up with the skills that employers are
looking for in their candidates?
*
Source: http://bit.ly/1XZwNFB

TJU Career Development Center 1 Last revised 7/22/2016 by MB

 RESUME BREAKDOWN
SECTION TIPS
 List your name, phone number, address, and email address
 Include a personalized URL for your LinkedIn account
CONTACT  Use a professional and permanent email account (some school accounts
INFORMATION expire)
 Have an appropriate voicemail greeting
 Remove all hyperlinks
 Incorporate relevant skills that apply to the industry and customize for each
SUMMARY position
(OPTIONAL)  Can include specific certifications and number of years of experience
 Limit to 2-4 sentences
 List in reverse chronological order
 Include the formal name of the school, city and state, date of graduation,
formal name of degree and/or minors obtained and your course of study
 List GPA if 3.0 and above (ask a counselor if you have questions about this)
EDUCATION
 You may include bullets for study abroad, scholarships, academic awards,
and/or to highlight the fact that you worked while in school
 If an award or scholarship is not self-explanatory, include a one-line
description
 Different headings enable you to place your most relevant experience by
listing it first in a separate section
 Customize this section based on each job and utilize the job description as a
guide
EXPERIENCE  Headings can include: Clinical Rotations, Healthcare Experience,
Leadership Experience, Additional Experience, Volunteer Experience,
[Your field here] Experience, and more!
 If you have done a lot with an organization that is relevant to your goal, use a
few bullets to describe your accomplishments
 Include the name of each license and certification
CERTIFICATIONS  If you are in the process of receiving one, can include “expected” date it will
& be received
LICENSURE
 Include date range or expiration date the licensure or certification is valid
 For this section, focus on including technical skills rather than “soft skills”
(ex: Leadership, Teamwork, Customer Service)
 Some examples are: Language, Software, and Data Entry/Charting Systems
SKILLS  Depending upon level of importance, some skills can be incorporated into
Experience Section
 Focus on skills listed in the job description or that help you stand out in the
field
 Some examples of additional sections include, Professional Associations,
Publications, Presentations, Related Coursework, and Activities
ADDITIONAL  If an award or scholarship is not self-explanatory, include a one-line
SECTIONS
description.
 Contact us if you have any questions about additional information to include!

TJU Career Development Center 2 Last revised 7/22/2016 by MB

 BULLET POINT BUILDER

TIPS FOR WRITING BULLETS:

 Always start bullets with an action verb (see page 4), and list in order of importance (most
relevant/impressive bullets at the top)
 Do not use periods, pronouns, or informal language
 Job descriptions should include specific duties, skills, and accomplishments
 Quantifying (if applicable) job descriptions creates a strong resume - use numbers, percentages, statistics
 Use SAR as a guide as you describe your responsibilities. Always include the situation and action,
and include results when applicable
 There is no set number of bullet points for each experience; ensure that the bullet points you do have
are strongly worded and display why you are a qualified candidate

Situation – Lab tests were coming back late from the testing facilities
Action – I developed a new system and policy, shared this idea with my supervisor, and we implemented
this with the testing facilities
Result – As a result, the lab work was consistently returned on time
OR

Action Verb Skill Duty/Accomplishment Quantity

Streamlined Teamwork/Communication Developed system and policy 20%

LEADS TO:

 Streamlined communication with testing facilities to ensure lab work was returned
promptly; increased efficiency by 20%

Situation
Action
Result

Action Verb Skill Duty/Accomplishment Quantity

TJU Career Development Center 3 Last revised 7/22/2016 by MB

 ACTION VERBS
Action verbs help you communicate to employers the specific actions and accomplishments you had
throughout your experiences. Below we’ve included a list of action verbs that you can use to start off your
bullet points!

MANAGEMENT SKILLS COMMUNICATION SKILLS LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Analyzed Improved Addressed Informed Achieved Influenced
Assigned Organized Arbitrated Interpreted Adapted Initiated
Administered Oversaw Arranged Lectured Advised Instructed
Chaired Planned Authored Moderated Clarified Led
Contracted Prioritized Communicated Mediated Coached Persuaded
Consolidated Produced Corresponded Negotiated Enabled Set goals
Coordinated Recommended Developed Promoted Encouraged Spearheaded
Delegated Reviewed Drafted Publicized Explained Stimulated
Directed Scheduled Edited Recruited Facilitated Streamlined
Executed Strengthened Enlisted Spoke
Formulated Translated

RESEARCH SKILLS TECHINICAL SKILLS CLERICAL SKILLS

Assessed Inspected Assembled Operated Approved Processed
Clarified Interviewed Built Presented Catalogued Purchased
Classified Investigated Calculated Programmed Charted Recorded
Coded Modified Computed Published Compiled Retrieved
Collected Reported Devised Remodeled Dispatched Screened
Compared Researched Diagnosed Repaired Generated Specified
Critiqued Screened Engineered Solved Increased Systematized
Evaluated Studied Fabricated Trained Monitored Tabulated
Examined Summarized Fortified Upgraded Prepared Validated
Extracted Surveyed Maintained Utilized
Identified Tested Modeled Wrote

FINANCIAL SKILLS CREATIVE SKILLS HELPING SKILLS

Allocated Forecasted Acted Implemented Assisted Guided
Appraised Managed Conceptualized Instituted Counseled Motivated
Audited Marketed Created Integrated Demonstrated Referred
Balanced Maximized Designed Introduced Educated Rehabilitated
Budgeted Projected Enhanced Invented Expedited Represented
Established Originated Familiarized Supported
Fashioned Performed
Founded Revitalized
Illustrated Shaped

TJU Career Development Center 4 Last revised 7/22/2016 by MB

 BEN FRANKLIN
123 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 • (215) 123-4567
[email protected] • linkedin.com/in/benfranklin

SUMMARY
Two years of experience as a Registered Nurse. Provide care for pediatric patients in an acute setting. Experienced in
ventilator care, wound care, and family education. CPR and AED certified.

EDUCATION
Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Science in Nursing May 20__

Liberty Community College Harrisburg, PA

Associate of Science in Nursing May 20__
 Dean’s List, Award for Top Nursing Student

CERTIFICATION
 PA RN license # 364318 (7/17/2012- 9/20/2017)
 CPR, AED and First Aid Certification, Red Cross

HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE
Thomas Jefferson University Clinical Experience Philadelphia Metropolitan Area
May 20__-Present
Sites: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, Roxborough Memorial Hospital
Comprehensive Wound Healing Center, and Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Rotations: Medical-Surgical, Telemetry, Obstetric, Pediatric, Psychiatric, Neurological, Community, and Complex
Care
 Develop and initiate individualized nursing care plans based on biopsychosocial, religious, and cultural factors
 Engage in therapeutic communication with patients and thorough change of shift report with primary nursing staff
 Maintain V.A.C. therapy and perform advanced wound and ostomy care under the supervision of a WOCN
 Collect vital signs; measure I&O; analyze cardiac strips; perform physical assessments, EKG monitoring, patient
teaching, and blood glucose monitoring via Accu-Chek; document on EMRs, including EPIC and JeffChart
 Administer PO, IV, SC, IM, and topical medication and tube feedings under the supervision of a clinical instructor

Community Hospital Harrisburg, PA

Registered Nurse June 20__-August 20__
 Trained and supervised 10 new employees as Lead Nurse
 Educated family members and patients regarding treatment plans
 Streamlined communication with testing facilities to ensure lab work was returned promptly; increasing efficiency
by 20%

Sunshine Healthcare Center Cherry Hill, NJ

Volunteer February 20__- August 20__
 Provided customer service for up to 200 people per day
 Received recognition for “Most Committed Volunteer” voted on by supervisors and other team members

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Jones Family Washington, DC
Caregiver Summers 20__-20__
 Supervised three children ages 2-9; planned daily activities and prepared meals
 Tutored second grader in reading, math and spelling

SKILLS
 Language: Fluent in Spanish
TJU Career Development Center 5 Last revised 7/22/2016 by MB
 REFERENCES

Tips:
Ben Franklin
123 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 • (215) 123-4567
 Provide 3-5 references that can speak to your [email protected] • linkedin.com/in/benfranklin
qualifications and abilities
REFERENCES
 Include the same heading from your resume and to Jack Smith, Ph.D.
keep a consistent format Professor of Neuroscience
Thomas Jefferson University
 Consider asking references from your different 130 S. 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
experiences (ex: clinical supervisors, professors, 123-456-7890
former colleagues, student group advisor, and many [email protected]
more)
Betty Johnson
Clinical Site Supervisor
 Always ask for permission before listing someone Happy Hospital
as a reference 321 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
 If someone agrees to serve as a reference, provide 987-654-3210
[email protected]
them with a copy of your resume and a thank you
note Roberta Robertson
Professor of Health Professions
 If you have a potential reference with previous or Thomas Jefferson University
130 S. 9th Street
current experience at the organization to which Philadelphia, PA 19107
you’re applying, be sure to include them on your 123-456-7891
list! [email protected]

 Inform your references when applying for jobs. William Jackson***

Director
Provide them with a brief overview or the job Sunshine Healthcare
description 123 Main Street, Suite 456
Philadelphia, PA 19107
 Avoid using family or friends, unless a personal 215-123-4567
[email protected]
reference is requested
***Current Supervisor. Presently, my job search is confidential.
 Be sure to follow up and thank your references and Please refrain from contacting this person unless I am considered a
inform them that you have accepted a position finalist for the position.

 Include a short note if you would not like your

current supervisor to be contacted (see ***)

Your references are members of your network. Keeping in touch can help
strengthen your connection and lead to references speaking better to your
value to potential jobs and organizations!

TJU Career Development Center 6 Last revised 7/22/2016 by MB