Career Services

Dartmouth College

RESUME WRITING

63 So. Main St., Suite 200

Tel. 646-2215

Summarize & highlight current & past experiences

Market transferable skills/ accomplishments
Motivate employers to interview you

Focus on Content:
A Working Draft
Describe experiences in
as much detail as possible:
tasks - skills - purpose

CONTACT INFORMATION
Name:
Dartmouth Address:
Phone/Cell:

E-Mail:

EDUCATION

Use Action Verbs to

begin your phrases
Write experiences in
reverse chronological order - current to past
Include job titles &
locations

College:
City/State Address:
Degree & Major:
Minor/Modified (if applicable):
Mo./Yr. of Graduation:
Coursework Includes: (courses inside & outside major that relate to the job)
Research Topics: (2-3 titles of papers youve written if they add value) Honors:
Computer: (software, hardware)
Language: (include level of proficiency)
Foreign Study:
High School Name & Graduation Date (optional)
High School Honors/Awards/Activities, etc. (optional - only if adds value)

EXPERIENCE

Index
Starting a Working Draft.P. 1
Contact Info & Education..P. 2
Experience & Optional Sections ...P. 3
Action Verbs/Transferable Skills...P. 4
FormatP. 5
Full Resume Examples..P. 6-9

(paid and unpaid)

Organization & Address:

Title:
Description of Work/Accomplishment:

Dates:

Organization & Address:

Title:
Description of Work/Accomplishment:

Dates:

Organization & Address:

Title:
Description of Work/Accomplishment:

Dates:

OPTIONAL
(Leadership - Service - Activities - Interests)
Organization, Title, Description, Dates

RESUME WRITING

Page 2

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Sharita Vanatko

Name - should be bold

and easy to read.

Tailor

HB 4321, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755

svanatko@dartmouth.edu/603-646-8765

descriptions to the job/career field to which you are applying

EDUCATION:
GPA - only included if the
employer typically requests
this information. If including
Major GPA, it must be accompanied by Overall GPA.
Include (out of) /4.0
Do not round GPA.

Job
Research Assistant - Overseas Private Investment Corporation
OPIC is a federal agency which encourages mutually beneficial American
business investment in the worlds developing nations. Researchers will
assist in evaluating the soundness of business projects and the benefits to the
social and economic development of the host country. Monthly presentations
will be made to the board.

Coursework - highlight
ones that are not obvious and
ones that speak to the
employers interests.

Resume
Study Abroad - reveal
special projects, research,
unique coursework, etc.
High School - itemize
experiences if they reveal
skills that have not been
duplicated equally or greater
in college.
SAT - may be included
under high school if the employer typically requests it or
to emphasize Math or English
proficiency that is not otherwise obvious.

Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

June 2006
B.A. in Geography; Minor in English
Coursework Includes: Population, Culture & the Environment; Statistics,
Political Economy of Development; Microeconomics; Public Speaking
Research Topics: Eco-Political Barriers to Urbanization in Uganda
An Evaluation of Mexicos Ecotourism Policies
Computer: C++, Excel, PowerPoint, Stata
Language: Native in Spanish; Conversant in French
Deerfield Academy, Deerfield MA
Assoc. Editor for school newspaper; Principals Service Award

2002

RESUME WRITING - Content

EXPERIENCE:

Page 3

Job
Trainer - The Gallup Organization
Train interviewers in attitudinal & behavioral research at the
poll center. Coordinate data on workplace research and communication research. Provide daily leadership to operational
and project teams. Evaluate and report on team performance.

Describe what YOU did

Be sure the purpose of an
task/project is obvious.
Emphasize transferable
skills & knowledges.
Use verbs that reveal the
skills used.

Resume

Use adjectives to accurately

describe a topic, category, etc.

Office of Evaluation & Research, Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH
Research Intern
Summer 2005
Interpreted campus-wide surveys and produced reports related to student
social behaviors, recreational options and academic performance for the
Dean of the College. Assisted in moderating 10 student focus groups.
Analyzed data using SPSS statistical software. Created and presented poster
at Women in Science Symposium.

Describe tasks in order of

skills importance to the
reader - ie. most related to the
job.
Using #s attracts attention $ amounts, number supervised, percentages etc.
Use appropriate tense.

Tailor

descriptions to the job/career field to which you are applying

LEADERSHIP - SERVICE - ACTIVITIES- INTERESTS:

*Optional Sections: Select a category title that reflects the content of this section. You can combine 2

Job
Archivist Assistant - Center for the Study of Political Graphics
CSPG collects, preserves, documents and exhibits domestic and
international poster art relating to peace and social justice movements. The Assistant will develop and organize exhibitions, manage the museum database and evaluate outreach programs.

Resume
Chair - Concerned Students Committee
Fall 2004
African-American Society of Dartmouth College
Surveyed and documented issues of concern within the African Diaspora.
Initiated programs and workshops to assist with developing solutions to these
concerns. Organized voter registration, credit management workshop and art exhibit.

RESUME WRITING - Action Verbs

Page 4

Action Verbs/Skills Sample

Administrative Skills:
approved
arranged
catalogued
classified
collected
compiled
dispatched
executed
expedited
generated
implemented

inspected
modeled
operated
organized
prepared
recorded
reduced
retrieved
screened
systematized
verified

Educating Skills:
advised
adapted
corrected
coached
communicated
demonstrated
enabled
encouraged
evaluated

Communication Skills:
addressed
advertised
authored
collaborated
clarified
composed
corresponded
drafted
edited
explained

influenced
interpreted
introduced
lectured
marketed
moderated
negotiated
persuaded
promoted
translated
wrote

Financial Skills:
familiarized
facilitated
guided
informed
instructed
persuaded
taught
trained
tutored

administered
allocated
analyzed
appraised
audited
balanced
budgeted
calculated
computed

Creative Skills:
acted
conceptualized
customized
designed
developed
directed
exhibited
fashioned
founded
illustrated
revised

initiated
instituted
integrated
invented
performed
pioneered
planned
revitalized
shaped
transformed
constructed

Helping Skills:
distributed
estimated
forecasted
projected
purchased
quantified
reconciled
tabulated
tracked

assessed
assisted
fostered
counseled
delivered
educated
facilitated
guided
sponsored

led
mediated
referred
Organization
rehabilitated
represented
transformed
validated
volunteered
mediated

Back Page Story Headline

Management Skills:
administered
assessed
assigned
chaired
consolidated
contracted
coordinated
delegated
developed
directed
expanded
structured

improved
increased
monitored
organized
prioritized
produced
recommended
reviewed
scheduled
strengthened
supervised
planned

Research Skills:
classified
collected
critiqued
diagnosed
evaluated
examined
identified
inspected
interpreted
interviewed
investigated

Technical Skills:
researched
reviewed
standardized
summarized
surveyed
synthesized
tallied
compared
conduct

appraised
assembled
built
engineered
extracted
fabricated
maintained
operated
overhauled
programmed
recorded

remodeled
repaired
restored
solved
troubleshoot
upgraded
installed
launched
streamlined

Avoid words that dont reveal skills: Eg. worked, handled, responsible for..

What Skills Would You Like to Develop?

Make a conscious effort to develop new skills to make your background more flexible.
Consider a part-time campus job, take a role in a student organization, try a unique Leave Term,
work for a professor, perform community service, take a risk.

RESUME WRITING - Communication & Format

Page 5

Everything on your resume should communicate a skill/knowledge/achievement

ie. You should know what each item on your resume is saying about you

If you dont know what you are communicating,

then re-write it

You never get a second chance to make a first impression

Mark Twain

Tips on RESUME FORMAT:

Limit your resume to 1-page
Select a format that suits your information and personal preference*
Be consistent in the style you choose
Dont overdo any highlighting (ie. Indentation, italics, underlining, etc.)
Have enough white space for visual balance
Dont make it hard for the employer to find the most important information

The following formats represent only some styles.

The format you use will depend on your unique experiences & personal preference.

See resources in Career Services for more format examples .

Page 6

Mercedez Rubera
Hinman Box 3410, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03733
mercedez.rubera@dartmouth.edu/(Cell)603-646-1881

Education
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
June 2008

Bachelor of Arts- Undeclared

Coursework includes: Calculus, Molecular and Cell Biology,
Health Economics, Indigenous Peoples and the Nation State
Research Topics: Popular Culture in Japanese Advertising
Language: Conversant in Japanese; Beginning American Sign Language
Computer: SPSS, Excel, PowerPoint

Avalon High School

Avalon Heights, OH
2004

AP Scholar with Distinction

Girl Scout Gold Award - Highest honor for excellence
Student Government Treasurer - Managed $4,000 budget

Experience
Hopkins Center
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
June - Sept. 2005

Building Monitor
Ensure security of performing arts center and update marketing banner.
Direct patrons to appropriate venues and services.

Dartmouth Hitchcock
Medical Center
Hanover, NH
Jan. - June 2005

Women In Science Project (WISP) Intern

Collected current and archival data on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder patients
for practicing psychiatrist.
Graphed findings, produced reports and presented work at poster symposium.

BlueSky Real Estate

Lehigh, OH
July - Sept. 2004

Office Assistant
Catalogued and organized house listings and reference materials for agents.
Updated buyer profiles and documented escrow deposits.

Aim High Corps

Sept. 2003 - May 2004

Tutor
Explained math concepts to middle school students.
Encouraged effective study skills methods.

Leadership & Service

Prison Project
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
March - June 2005

Instructor
Taught local law offenders basic geography in Vermont correctional facility.
Designed a core curriculum including quizzes and videos of American regions.

Debate & Speech Team

Avalon High School
Avalon Heights, OH
2002-2004

Captain
Coached 4-person team in preparation for regional and national competitions.
Extensively research topics such as health care reform, U.S. military policy,
immigration reform, environmental protection and arts promotion.

Style: Bullet Style - Centered Headings - Left Column

Advantages: Crisp, easy to read, focus on descriptions
Limitations: Uses more space; uses prime left space

Page 7

RYAN JACOBS
6208 Hinman, Dartmouth College Hanover, NH 03755 603-646-2266 ryan.jacobs@Dartmouth.edu

EDUCATION_______________________________________________________________________________
Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
June 2006
B.A. in Geography; Minor in Computer Science
Coursework includes: Human Motivation, Statistics, Micro Economics, International Relations
Research topics: Economic Growth in Latin America, Impact of Media on Children's Development
School for International Training, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Winter 2002
Cultural & language immersion program. Included comparative field study on Ecuadorian social
service programs for homeless children in Quito and Guayaquil.

EXPERIENCE_______________________________________________________________________________
Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Culture Shock Coordinator
Organized 18 student-leaders to plan new festival to showcase depth of cultural diversity at
Dartmouth. Met & collaborated with Student Activities Office to successfully recruit
25 campus performance groups & 12 student artists. Submitted proposals to Dartmouth
Bildner Endowment to secure $4,000 budget. Created and implemented advertising
and action plans and delegated tasks to committees.
The Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Reporter
Research potential stories and compile human interest articles for daily campus newspaper.
Undertook special assignment of featuring Winter Trustees meeting, including conducting
informational interviews and archival research.

Spring 2005

Winter 2004-present

Kaiko Insurance, Seattle, WA

Fraud Investigations & Preventions Intern
Collected & transferred 500+ client and health provider records into database to identify
patterns of insurance fraud. Collaborated with 6-person team to define and rank criteria to
create new fraud detection software. Designed & co-presented manual for company-wide
training on new software.

Fall 2003

Vacation Rentals, Inc., Hampton, NH

Administrative Assistant
Processed daily car rentals and provided customer service in a busy 3-person office.
Executed study of 300 customers to evaluate the demand for expanding the business to
include moving trucks.

Summer 2002

OTHER SKILLS & INTERESTS_______________________________________________________________

Fluent in Spanish
Wilderness EMT Certified
Microsoft Office, FileMaker, CAAD
Dartmouth Orchestra-First Chair Trumpet

Style: Paragraph Style - Content left justified

Advantages: More space for content
Limitations: Descriptions may appear too chunky

Page 8

Alex B. Johnson
alex.b.johnson@dartmouth.edu
HB 1110, Dartmouth College,
Hanover, NH 03755

Tel: 603-646-9885
Cell:617-242-7790

Education
B. A. in Environmental Studies Minor: International Affairs
Dartmouth College
Coursework includes: Environmental Economics, Environmental Law,
Economic Geography, International Economics
Research Topics: International Trends in Sustainability Innovation
Free Trade - A Blessing or Curse?
Computer: Factset, Stata, Publisher, Video Editing
Honors: Golden Key Society (top 15% of graduating class)

June 2006
Hanover, NH

Experience
Research Intern
EarthWatch

Conducted industrial and commercial pollutant research.

Met with building and property owners in order to compile opinions of
environmental regulations.
Wrote report detailing findings and suggested methods which environmentalists
could create allies in the business community.

Assistant to Manager
Steelman Building Supply

Managed inventory using industry database and maintained stock levels.

Winter 2005
Monitored customer credit limits for accounts receivable and followed up
Juno, AK
with customers on defaulted accounts.
Provided customer consultation on building projects; responded to product inquiries.

Trainer
Top-Notch Hockey School

Provided on and off ice instruction to 40 children ages 8-12.

Customized lessons for a group of 6 disabled boys.

Summer 2005
Troy, NY

Fall 2004
Lebanon, NH

Leadership & Activities

Trip Leader
Dartmouth Outing Club

Guided 15 first-year students on 3-day wilderness trip for orientation program

designed to foster community-building, confidence, and transition to college.
Instructed students on safety procedures and encouraged them to take risks.

Photographer
The Dartmouth

Photograph cultural and social events, faculty and student portraits, arts outreach 2003-Present
activities and everyday scenery.
Hanover, NH

Programming Chair
Inter-Fraternity Council

Manage $15,000 budget and organize fundraising events for American Diabetes Winter 2004
Association. Plan annual Greek Olympics and monthly academic luncheons.
Hanover, NH

Eagle Scout
Boy Scouts of America

Commendation for leadership, integrity and service. Coordinated a large-scale

beautification project in city park, supervising 26 volunteers.

Style: Left/Right Columns - Center Content - Bullet

Advantages: Easy to focus on content
Limitations: Consumes considerable space

Sept. 2005
Hanover, NH

2001-2002
Juno, AK

Page 9

SUE MEI KANG

HB 6013, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755

Tel: 603-646-2882/Cell: 212-555-7878/E-Mail: sue.mei.goto@dartmouth.edu

EDUCATION
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, B.A. in Latin American, Latino & Caribbean Studies
GPA: 3.3/4.0; Thesis: Micro-Enterprise Development in Brazil
Coursework includes: Population, Culture & the Environment, Statistics, Perception
Language: Proficient in Spanish
Computer: Quicken, STATA, PowerPoint

Hanover, NH
June 2006

UNIVERSIDAD DE BELGRANO
Immersion program in language, culture, and history. Researched lost musical traditions.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

March 2005- June 2005

LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL

SAT 700 Verbal; 725 Math

Belleville, CO
2002

MARKETING EXPERIENCE
KATE SPADE HANDBAGS, International Business Intern
Communicated daily with newly expanded Japanese regional headquarters regarding sales
promotions, product orders and merchandise sales. Composed and updated merchandise sales
reports using Excel.

New York, NY
July 2005 - Sept. 2005

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, Admissions Dept. Tour Guide

Promoted academic, cultural and social dimensions of the college to prospective applicants
and families on a weekly basis. Continuously updated communications by monitoring
campus news, electronic bulletins and ongoing orientations.

Hanover, NH
Oct. 2004 - May 2005

MAGNETIC INNOVATIONS, Internet Marketing Intern

Conducted comparative research of online shopping sites for compatibility to company
products. Researched and analyzed the quality and costs of e-mail brokers and their
corresponding target group e-mail lists. Identified potential online affiliations that would
generate increased revenue.

Tampa, FL
Jan. 2004 - March 2004

OTHER EXPERIENCE
SUMMERBRIDGE NATIONAL, Instructor
Captured students enthusiasm for learning by developing creative methods for teaching
Algebra and Biology. Organized parent-teacher meetings and provided progress reports.

Manchester, NH
June 2003 - Sept. 2003

Lifeguard; Waiter; Farm Hand.

Summers 2000-2003

SERVICE & ACTIVITIES

YOUTH IMAGINE PROJECT, Co-Chair
Oriented and supervised 20 Dartmouth student mentors in a high school retention program
for at-risk teens. Launched fundraising campaign that yielded $8,000 to sustain program.

Bradford, VT
Oct. 2004 - May 2005

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE SAILING TEAM

Practice logistics, strategy, teamwork and compete up to 20 hours a week.

Hanover, NH
2002-2005

Style: Combined Related Experience - CAP/Underline - Paragraph

Advantages: Focus on most relevant information early
Limitations: Need sufficient number of experiences