1. Discover Develop Achieve
Resume Writing for
Jobs and Internships
Stefano Verdesoto
Graduate Assistant
UB Career Services
University at Buffalo
259 Capen Hall
ub-careers.buffalo.edu
(716) 645-4499

2. Discover Develop Achieve
Before We Get Started…
• What’s your name?
• What’s your major/field of study?
• Have you ever written a resume?
– If so, what was it for?

3. Discover Develop Achieve
What is a Resume?
• A concise, complete document that outlines
your unique work-related education, skills,
accomplishments, and experience
• Helps secure you an interview
• Usually 1-2 pages
– Especially for someone just starting out!

4. Discover Develop Achieve
Resume Layout
• Layout
– to (most important to least)
– Reverse chronological order (present to past)
– Avoid overusing bold and italicized text!

5. Discover Develop Achieve
Resume Format
• What do you think is the most common mistake?
– Inconsistency! In formatting and spacing
• Margins should be the same
• Format all sections exactly the same
• No spelling errors

6. Discover Develop Achieve
Consistent Resume Format

7. Discover Develop Achieve
Contact Information
• Really important!
• Should be visually appealing – brand yourself!
• Make it easy to contact you
• It’s okay to have 2 addresses
• Have a professional voicemail and email
– No “Sexy and I Know It” ring-backs
– No sxcbbyx3@hotmail.com

8. Discover Develop Achieve
Objective
• Optional!
• If you do have one, make sure it’s SPECIFIC
– Target a specific company and position
– List 2-3 specific skills you will bring
• Avoid “dedicated,” “motivated,” “hard-working”
• You can find the specific skills they’re looking for on
the job postings!
– Example: To obtain the Marketing Internship at
Shea's Performing Arts Center to utilize my
public relations experience and promotional
writing skills.

9. Discover Develop Achieve
Contact Information and Objective

10. Discover Develop Achieve
Education
• Start with most recent – UB!
• Write out the full name of school and degree
• List your GPA if it’s over a 3.0
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Expected May 2017
GPA 3.8/4.0
• List other colleges if you received a degree
• After your sophomore year, ditch HS stuff

11. Discover Develop Achieve
Experience
• Include employment, internships, leadership
experience, volunteer work, etc.
– Write bullet points describing skills developed
and achievements
– Start your bullet points with “action words” (pg13)
– Use “buzz words” the company is looking for
– Consider breaking up experience section
• Related Experience
• Leadership Experience
• Work Experience
• Marketing Experience… etc.

12. Discover Develop Achieve
Writing Action Statements
• Focus on what you learned or accomplished
rather than just stating your duties
• Avoid using passive words such as “assisted”
• Quantify your accomplishments when possible

13. Discover Develop Achieve
Strong vs. Weak Action Statements
• Weak: Took orders for customers.
• Strong: Provided excellent customer service to
a high volume of customers by taking orders,
promoting new specials, and preparing food.
• Weak: Assisted people with their diets.
• Strong: Prescribed individual exercise programs
and offered nutritional advice to 10 clients.

14. Discover Develop Achieve
Other Common Sections
• Skills: languages, computers, etc.
• Professional Affiliations/Certifications
• Projects: especially important for more
technical majors
• Relevant Coursework: 300/400 level
• Publications: published research with professors
• Honors and awards: academic and community
• Campus Involvement: member or officer of
clubs

15. Discover Develop Achieve
Key Points to Remember
• Tailor your resume to each employer
• Show what YOU can do for THEM
• 10-15 seconds on average
• Be specific and quantify when possible
• Make it look professional – no errors!

16. Discover Develop Achieve
LinkedIn
• Once your resume looks professional, create a
LinkedIn profile!
• What is LinkedIn?
– Professional networking website
Showcase your experiences/skills on your profile
(like a virtual resume)
Network with and learn from other students,
alumni, and professionals
Look through job postings – see what it takes!
Join professional and field-specific groups

17. Discover Develop Achieve
Mini LinkedIn Tutorial

18. Discover Develop Achieve
Any questions?

19. Discover Develop Achieve
Get Started!
• Write a resume
• Bring it to UB Career Services
– Express Career Consults
• Same-day, 20-minute appts.
• Monday through Friday
• 12pm to 4pm

20. Discover Develop Achieve
Thank You!
• Quick and easy survey time!
• Please be sure to sign in
• Any questions or want to schedule an appt.?
• Come to our office or give us a call
259 Capen Hall
(716) 645-2231