RÉSUMÉ WRITING
Career Center
California State University, Los Angeles
www.calstatela.edu/careercenter (323) 343-3237
The résumé is your personal marketing tool designed to get you an interview. It highlights how your
education, skills and experience meet the needs of the prospective job and employer. Employers expect the
résumé to be concise, easy to read and customized to the job for which you are applying. There is no ‘on-size-
fits-all’ résumé: keep your audience in mind when you write and clearly show how you meet their needs.
CATEGORIES OF INFORMATION
Contact Information. Your name, phone
number, e-mail address (and LinkedIn URL)
go at the top of the résumé. See our résumé
samples and note the different ways you can
place this information. Also, know that U.S.
citizenship may be a requirement for certain
positions and should be included if applying
to organizations that require it. Federal
regulations prohibit employers from making
inquiries about the areas of age, sex, marital
status, disability, race and religion. Do not
include this information on your résumé.
Summary. This is your professional brand
statement. It contains two to three clear and
concise statements that summarize the job
role(s) that interest you and the knowledge,
skills and experience you have that qualify
you for the job role(s). Customize your
summary to the position when applying for
individual jobs. When handling out résumés
at a job or career fair, write about two or three
job roles that interest you. This section could
also be titled “Profile” or “Qualifications.”
Education. Your current or most recent
degree program should be listed first. If you
have not graduated, list the month and year
you expect to graduate. Previously earned
degrees are listed next. If you have a
bachelor’s degree, do not list associate
degrees and don’t include high school unless
you are a freshman. Listing your GPA is
optional, but some employers may require it.
List any honors or awards you have received,
as well as the name of the donor.
Major or Relevant Coursework. If you have
little or no experience in your field of interest,
you can list four to six relevant course titles
in this section. This will inform the reader that
you have classroom experience with the
subject matter and skills required by the
position. Include elective coursework
relevant to the position to demonstrate your
areas of specialized interest.
Class or Relevant Projects. If you have little
or no experience in your field of interest, you
can list class or independent projects that
demonstrate the subject matter and skills
required by the position. List the name of the
class project along with a brief description.
Indicate whether it was a personal or team
project.
Research, Publications or Presentations.
If you have conducted research, authored or
professionally presented in your field of
interest, include these on your résumé if the
experience demonstrates subject matter and
skills required by the position.
Work or Relevant Experience. Begin with
your most recent experience and include the
job title, employer, location of the employer,
dates of employment, and your job
accomplishments. Include paid work and
internships. Include unpaid or significant
volunteer experiences if they directly relate
to the position you seek. If you have
extensive work experience, list those that are
relevant to the position you seek.
List three to five bulleted descriptions of your
accomplishments for each position. An
accomplishment is something you achieved,
overcame or contributed to the position. Start
each description with an action verb to
describe the skill you used. (An action verb
list is on page two). Continue with a concise
description of the scope of the situation in
which you performed the skill. Conclude with
the outcome. If possible, qualify the impact.
Remember to list job accomplishments that
relate to the job role(s) you are seeking and
include the required subject matter and skills.
Volunteer Experience. Indicate the name of
the organization, its location and your role
within it. Do not include dates of one-time
events, but you can date experiences that
show committed involvement.
Memberships or Involvement Activities.
List the names of professional, community
and campus organizations to which you
belong, including offices or leadership
positions held.
Skills. Include skills specific to your field and
the job role(s) you seek. Skills can include
research, business, technology, computer
languages and fluency in other languages.
Use specific names of tools that you can use,
especially if they are required in the position.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
There are no fixed rules to the way résumés are
written, but the following guidelines apply in most
cases:
• Write your own résumé and get it reviewed.
No one can tell your story better than you.
Schedule an appointment with a career
advisor to have your résumé reviewed.
• Employers generally prefer résumés that
start with the most recent information.
However, if you have extensive work
experience that is unrelated to the job you
seek, you may consider creating a résumé
that emphasizes skills and areas of expertise
that can be transferred to the new job. (A
“functional” résumé is in the samples.)
• Do not use personal pronouns (I, me, my).
Use correct verb tense and be consistent.
• Do not put text in a table. Résumé scanning
software may not read this information.
VISUAL IMPACT – Employers expect a
professional-looking product with a consistent
format. Use capitalization and/or bold for
emphasis, not italics. Use the same typeface
throughout the résumé. Suggested typefaces:
Times New Roman or Arial. Also, choose to use
10, 11 or 12 pt. font. Proofread to eliminate
spelling, punctuation and typographical errors. If
you are printing out your résumé, choose 24+ lb.
white, gray or neutral-colored paper.
RÉSUMÉ LENGTH – Your résumé should
concisely address the needs of the position. If you
have little to no experience in the job role(s) you
seek, go for one page. If you have some
experience and are advancing in the career, go
for two full pages.
Customize your Résumé
There are many different résumé formats
and no one “right” one. Some different
résumé samples follow. But no matter
which format you choose, you must focus
on customizing the résumé to the needs
of the employer whose job you are
applying for.
How can you do this? Carefully read the job
description for the position. Then write the
résumé to fit the job requirements, using
some of the terminology or “keywords” that
were used in the description. Remember to
put your information in the order of the
employer’s preference: in other words, put
your ‘best stuff’ or most impressive
credentials toward the top. (Employers
may spend only 10 to 20 seconds scanning
your résumé and, in that time, they want to
quickly see how you fit the position.) Find
out how the employer wants to receive your
résumé and follow their instructions
precisely.
Other considerations
Sending Résumés. The formatted résumé
is appropriate for mailing (don’t fold it:
send in a large envelope), faxing, in person
use, uploading or emailing as an
attachment.
Special Note: When emailing your
résumé, don’t forget to include something
specific on the subject line, such as
“Résumé of Victor Vong, Applicant for
Accountant I Position.” If you leave the
subject line blank or have a general
message, it is unlikely your message will
be opened.
What is a CV (curriculum vita)? A CV is
type of résumé required for graduate and
professional school admission, as well as
job opportunities related to science,
research and higher education. It is an
extensive list of your experiences that
contribute to the field. You can adapt your
current résumé into a CV by adding three
sections: research experience;
teaching/tutoring experience and
publications, poster presentations and
conference attendance. Career advisors
are available to critique your CV’s.
Sample Action Words
Verbs
Accelerated
Accompanied
Accounted
Achieved
Acquired
Adapted
Addressed
Adjusted
Administered
Advanced
Advertised
Advised
Advocated
Allocated
Analyzed
Anticipated
Applied
Arranged
Assembled
Assessed
Assigned
Assisted
Audited
Authorized
Balanced
Briefed
Budgeted
Built
Calculated
Catalogued
Centralized
Chaired
Changed
Clarified
Classified
Collaborated
Collected
Communicated
Completed
Composed
Conceived
Condensed
Conducted
Constructed
Consulted
Contracted
Contributed
Controlled
Converted
Cooperated
Coordinated
Correlated
Corresponded
Created
Cultivated
Customized
Decided
Defined
Delivered
Demonstrated
Designed
Determined
Developed
Devised
Directed
Discovered
Displayed
Documented
Drafted
Earned
Edited
Educated
Effected
Eliminated
Enacted
Encouraged
Enforced
Engineered
Enhanced
Employed
Established
Evaluated
Exceeded
Executed
Exhibited
Expanded
Expedited
Explained
Explored
Facilitated
Finalized
Focused
Forecasted
Formalized
Formed
Fostered
Fundraised
Gathered
Generated
Governed
Grouped
Guided
Handled
Headed
Hired
Identified
Illustrated
Implemented
Improved
Improvised
Incorporated
Increased
Influenced
Informed
Initiated
Innovated
Installed
Instructed
Integrated
Interpreted
Interviewed
Invented
Investigated
Justified
Kept
Launched
Learned
Led
Licensed
Located
Logged
Maintained
Managed
Manufactured
Mapped
Marketed
Mastered
Mediated
Mobilized
Modeled
Modified
Monitored
Motivated
Navigated
Negotiated
Observed
Obtained
Officiated
Operated
Orchestrated
Ordered
Organized
Outlined
Oversaw
Participated
Perceived
Performed
Persuaded
Piloted
Planned
Prepared
Prioritized
Processed
Procured
Produced
Programmed
Projected
Promoted
Proposed
Proved
Provided
Publicized
Published
Purchased
Quantified
Realized
Recommended
Reconciled
Recruited
Reinforced
Reorganized
Reported
Researched
Resolved
Responded
Revamped
Reviewed
Revised
Scheduled
Screened
Secured
Selected
Served
Simplified
Solved
Spearheaded
Specialized
Staffed
Streamlined
Strengthened
Structured
Studied
Supervised
Supplied
Supported
Surveyed
Synthesized
Tabulated
Tailored
Targeted
Taught
Tested
Trained
Transferred
Translated
Troubleshot
Tutored
Updated
Upgraded
Used
Utilized
Verified
Volunteered
Adjectives
Active
Capable
Collaborative
Conscientious
Creative
Dedicated
Dependable
Detail-oriented
Determined
Distinctive
Educated
Effective
Efficient
Exceptional
Experienced
Goal-oriented
Honest
Inquisitive
Notable
Practical
Productive
Proficient
Punctual
Reasonable
Reliable
Responsive
Substantial
Useful
Vital
SAMPLE 1
JAMAL S. HARRIS
Los Angeles, CA (323) 333-3333 jamalharris@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Option in Inequalities and Diversity May 2027
California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) GPA 3.5
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Race and Ethnic Relations Environmental Policy, Law & Society
Social Class and Inequality Social Policy, Inequity, & Non-Traditional Families
PROJECTS
Equity Assessment and Community Empowerment Initiative Jan 2024 – present
Conduct an in-depth community analysis, focusing on education, healthcare, housing,
and employment to identify existing inequalities. Gather and analyze data on
demographic disparities and socioeconomic factors. Facilitate a post-project assessment
of the impact, including changes in community perceptions.
Community Diversity Dialogue Oct 2023 – Dec 2023
Fostered connections among community members from various backgrounds, creating
an inclusive environment where people felt comfortable discussing their experiences.
Empowered individuals to work collectively to address inequalities by bridging divides
and building empathy.
EXPERIENCE
Homelessness Support Intern Sep 2023 – present
Nonprofit Organization for Homelessness Assistance | Los Angeles, CA
Collaborate with the outreach team to directly assist homeless individuals, including
distributing food, clothing, and hygiene products. Assist in organizing and supporting
group sessions, where homeless individuals can share their experiences, seek emotional
support, and discuss potential solutions to their challenges.
ORGANIZATIONS
Vice President Jan 2023 – Oct 2023
Sociology Student Association
Led meetings and coordinated events to foster a sense of community among students.
Initiated and organized a panel discussion on “Social Inequities and Community
Empowerment” with notable guest speakers, attracting over 100 attendees and creating
a platform for discussion and networking.
Member Nov 2021 – Dec 2022
Sociology Student Association
Assisted local shelters in collecting resources for homeless individuals.
SKILLS
Research: Ethnography, Narrative Research, Participant Observation, Survey Design
Communication: Active Listening, Conflict Resolution and Prevention
Technology: Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), MATLAB, Qualtrics
SAMPLE 2
ISABELLA ROMERO
(310) 111-1111
isabellaromero95@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/isaromero95
SUMMARY Bilingual accounting graduate student with experience
assisting in payroll, inventory costing, and bookkeeping
within educational administration settings.
EDUCATION M.B.A. Business Administration Jun. 2024
Option: Accounting
California State University, Los Angeles
B.S. Business Administration Jun. 2018
Option: Accounting
California State University, Los Angeles
RELATED State and Local Taxation; Government and Institutional
COURSEWORK Accounting, Accounting Information Systems
PROJECTS “The Profitability of New Technology Platforms
for Inventory Management”
Developed cost/benefit analysis to determine whether
Walgreens should invest in new technology platforms
for inventory management. Team project for the senior
capstone course.
RELEVANT Accounting Assistant Jul. 2018
– present
EXPERIENCE Chem Arrow Corp, Irwindale, CA
• Post entries into journals, which include sales,
purchasing, cash disbursement, insurance, payroll,
parts, and accessories.
• Process all stages of payroll for hourly and salaried
employees and commissions to salespersons.
VOLUNTEER IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
EXPERIENCE (VITA) Program
Prepared and filed tax returns for individuals who make
$53,000 or less.
SKILLS Bilingual: English/Spanish
Microsoft Excel and Access, QuickBooks, EPayroll
SAMPLE 3: FUNCTIONAL RÉSUMÉ
VICTOR VONG
Los Angeles, CA (555) 555-5555 vvong33@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Spring 2022
California State University, Los Angeles GPA 3.25
HIGHLIGHT OF EXPERIENCE
Administrative Support
• Assisted the executive director on all scheduling matters by proactively checking
for schedule conflicts and coordinating changes that were convenient for clients.
• Created a work schedule with deadlines and task delegation to ensure the project
consistently moved forward and was completed on time.
Customer Service and Communications
• Answered 50+ phone calls per day and directed customers to the appropriate
resources and was repeatedly commended for excellent customer service skills and
attention to detail.
• Presented to 40+ scholars on the economic factors of voter suppression and fielded
a Q+A session to facilitate a group discussion on highlighted issues.
Leadership
• Trained 5 employees on procedures and created onboarding materials to smooth
their transition.
• Co-created a wellness program to promote employee health and well-being.
Research
• Researched 15 peer-reviewed articles on voter suppression for program manager.
• Utilized Microsoft Excel to manage data collection and generate visual data
reports to inform the community of voter engagement needs.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Accounting Assistant, The XYZ Company Jan. 2016 – Mar. 2019
Canvasser, Get out the Vote Inc. Apr. 2015 – Dec. 2016
Front Office Assistant, Customer Service Depot of America Feb. 2013 – Feb. 2015
Receptionist, 123 Information Center Jun. 2010 – Jan. 2011
PRESENTATIONS
Political Science in the 21st Century, Conference of American Studies May 2018
SKILLS
Computer: Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, Qualtrics, GnattPro
Languages: Bilingual Spanish/English.
SAMPLE 4: COMBINATION RÉSUMÉ
WEI LI
(310) 111-1111
weili33@yahoo.com www.linkedin.com/in/weili33
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication, Cal State LA Jun. 2023
GRAPHIC DESIGN EXPERIENCE
Graphic Design Intern Jun. 2021 – Aug. 2021
Sony Entertainment, Inc., Culver City, CA
• Assisted in transferring sketches to digital design of marketing posters
for music artist promotional campaigns.
• Photographed Sony outreach events to enhance community relations and
shared stories in social and print media marketing.
• Abided by image licensing procedures to prevent legality issues.
Project Team Member Jan. 2020 – Mar. 2020
Animation 2032, Cal State LA Department of Graphic Design, Los Angeles, CA
• Edited group sketches and transferred them to digital forms while
maintaining digital and visual accessibility compliance.
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Secretary Sep. 2021 – Present
Cal State LA Marketing Club, Los Angeles, CA
• Set club meeting agenda through membership surveys to address the
group's needs.
• Invite guest speakers to discuss leadership experience and promote
professional development.
Volunteer Mar. 2019 – Aug. 2019
Young Adults Health First, Alhambra, CA
• Led a group of 3 outreach specialists in AAPI neighborhoods to decrease
youth stigma about mental health.
• Created original marketing materials to motivate youth to engage.
AWARDS
Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship 2019
Employee of the Month, Pizza Hut Nov. 2018
SKILLS
Computer: Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Lightroom, Microsoft Suite
Languages: Fluent in Spanish and basic knowledge of Mandarin Chinese.
