Resumes and Job Interviews

Resume Tips

• Avoid templates as online application systems often interpret them as spam and toss the resume.  
• Avoid text boxes as online application systems cannot “see” them — content within a text box disappears. 
• Create a letterhead including your name (largest font on the page), city/state/zip, phone number and professional email. Street address has become optional, often replaced by an email.
• Phone number is keyed with dashes (406-123-4567) or periods (406.123.4567) not with parentheses (406) 123-4567.  
• Resumes are best tailored to a specific job posting or industry. A resume is a marketing tool and is more successful when designed to meet the employer’s needs by responding to the required job qualifications with error-free writing. 
• Abbreviations are used sparingly unless industry-standard (CPA) or noted in job requirements (“Experience with GIS”).  
• Objective statements have been replaced with a 3-5-line career summary which outline how the your education, skills and experience match and could support the specific position. 
• Quantifiable data is powerfully persuasive (“Raised revenue 75% ...) and illustrates how stated accomplishments made specific, measurable impact (“... slashing overhead 36%.) 
• Bullets are accomplishment statements and share what and how you did something and the result. Bullets begin in parallel style with an action verb. 
• Graduation month and year (May 2024) are included, not attendance dates (2020-2024; 2020-present).  
• Education includes school name, degree, major, minor and certification. If course titles would elevate your candidacy, include them. 
• Employment dates are displayed May 2020-August 2020. For lengthy employment, use years (2010-2020) avoiding backslashes (1/2010-4/2020).  
• Grade point average can be helpful if above 3.0 GPA. Be honest – an employer may ask for an official transcript. 
• Work (internship) experience will contain job title, company name, city, state and employment dates. 
• Relevant jobs, memberships and volunteer roles may be helpful if related to job requirements or company mission. These show leadership, professionalism, passion and dedication to the field. 
• Personal data such as age, gender, race, marital status or religious and political affiliation are omitted as they are illegal to be vetted by an employer. Only include religious or political affiliation if the information could boost your candidacy.  
• Create a separate “Reference Page” with matching letterhead at top. Ask for permission to include someone as your reference and keep them updated on your job search. Include on a Reference Page your reference’s name, title, company, address, city/state/zip, phone number and email.