Crafting Your Resume

Keep it one page plus a reference page (unless you have extensive experience)

Use a professional font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri) at 10-12 pt size

Maintain consistent formatting, including margins, bullet points, and headings

Save as a PDF to preserve formatting when submitting online

Full name (bold and slightly larger font size)

Contact information: Phone number, professional email, LinkedIn profile (if applicable)

Optional: Visa status (e.g., "Authorized to work in the U.S. with OPT/CPT")

A brief 2-3 sentence overview highlighting key skills and career goals

Tailor it to the job you're applying for

Name of university, degree, expected graduation date

GPA (if 3.0 or above) and relevant coursework (if applicable)

Academic achievements, scholarships, or honors

List job title, company, location, and dates worked

Use action verbs to describe responsibilities and achievements

Quantify results (e.g., "Increased social media engagement by 30%")

Include internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer work

Technical skills (e.g., programming languages, software proficiency)

Language skills (e.g., "Fluent in English and Mandarin")

Soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork), but prioritize measurable skills

Relevant certifications (e.g., Google Analytics, CPR Certification)

Extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, or personal projects

Customize for each job by using keywords from the job description

Emphasize skills and experiences that align with the role

Remove irrelevant details to keep it concise

Spelling & Grammar Errors: Use tools like Grammarly and have someone review it.

Too Much Personal Information: Avoid details like marital status, age, or nationality unless required.

Unprofessional Email: Use a university or professional email (e.g., firstnamelastname@email.com).

Listing Responsibilities Without Achievements: Focus on impact and results.

If you have limited work experience, highlight academic projects and volunteer work.

Clarify visa status if necessary (e.g., "Eligible for CPT/OPT").

Network with professionals and attend career fairs to enhance job opportunities.