Create a Resume

What is a resume?

A resume is a summary of your education, skills, and relevant experience. In the U.S., resumes are most often used to apply for internships and jobs, but they may also be required as part of scholarship and graduate program applications.

A resume is often accompanied by a cover letter. Try our cover letter templates to help you create one.

Five steps to creating your resume

1. Make a list

Make a list of your qualifications and experiences, such as:

Academic Jobs
  • Degrees and certificates 
  • Group projects and presentations
  • Capstones and competitions 
  • Research and fieldwork
  • Study abroad 
  • Thesis 
  • Internships 
  • On-campus/part-time jobs 
  • Seasonal jobs 
  • Off-campus jobs 
  • Graduate assistantships 
  • Entrepreneurship/start-ups
Community Engagement Other Credentials
  • Student organizations 
  • Professional associations 
  • Volunteering/community service 
  • Personal projects (websites, apps, games, etc.) 
  • Portfolios
  • Trainings and certifications 
2. Match your qualifications

Review the position description to find the specific requirements for the role. Use the T-Chart exercise (PDF) to help you match their requirements to your list of accomplishments.

3. Format your document

Choose a template from the options below. Consider your goal, industry, and/or level of experience in your selection. 

Resume Format Sample When to use Customizable template
Limited Experience Freshman (pdf)  If you do not have a lot of experience Limited Experience Resume Template (docx) 
Related Project Chronological (pdf) If you have recent, directly relevant experience  Chronological Resume Template (docx)

Preferred formats vary by industry, so visit the Career Specific Resource pages for more resume samples.

4. Polish your resume

The “bullets,” or accomplishment statements, are critical to highlighting your achievements. Use this exercise (PDF) to help you decide what to include.

  • Quantify your accomplishments and outcomes wherever possible (include numbers, percentages, dollars).
  • Use keywords from the position description.
  • Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
  • Use a clean, single-column resume with standard headings, common fonts, and simple bullets; avoid tables, images, text boxes, and decorative design elements.
  • Save as Word or PDF only (avoid Pages, Plain Text, etc.).

For more tips on creating ATS-friendly application materials, see Make Your Applications Tech-Friendly (PDF).

5. Get it reviewed
  • Get your resume reviewed during drop-in hours, no appointment necessary.
  • Consider using resume optimization tools, such as Jobscan or generative AI platforms, to identify keywords, compare your resume to a job description, and refine formatting. Use the sample resume review prompts (PDF) to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my legal name on my resume?

No. You do not have to use your legal name on your resume because a resume is not a legal document.

You may use your chosen name or the name you use professionally.

If you have jobs, education, or credentials completed under a different name, you can still include them on your resume. If needed, you can clarify name differences during the application or hiring process.

Employers may later need your legal name for background checks, payroll, tax forms, or other employment records, and application systems may also require it at some stage of the process.

How do international and U.S. resumes differ?

In the U.S., the document used to apply for most jobs outside of academia is called a resume. In other countries, it is called a CV.  

U.S. Resumes vs International Resumes or CV (pdf)

Should I include my citizenship or work authorization when applying for jobs in the U.S.?

If you are a U.S. Citizen, you may choose to include the phrase U.S. Citizen under your name if:

  • U.S. Citizenship is required for the position
  • You think you may be discriminated against based on your name or international experience

*Do not include your social security number

If you are not a U.S. citizen, and your Visa status permits off-campus work, you may include the phrase "Authorized to work in the United States" under your name.

Should I use the same resume to apply for different positions? 

Tailor your resume for each position as a strategy to highlight your most relevant qualifications and strengthen your candidacy. Use the T-Chart (PDF) to create a customized resume for a specific role.

How can I structure my resume to prevent age discrimination?

Focus on presenting your most relevant and current professional experience clearly and confidently. Consider the following approaches:

  • Include a brief, targeted professional summary that highlights your current expertise and value.
  • Emphasize your most recent and relevant experience, typically the last 10–15 years, aligned to the role you are targeting.
  • Highlight current, in-demand skills and tools that match the job description.
  • Use a reverse chronological resume format (DOCX) with a strong, clearly organized skills section [link to new, revised ChronologicalResume2ReplaceFunctional4ExperiencedProfessional.docx]
  • Include recent certifications, training, and professional development to demonstrate current engagement in your field.
  • Use clear language that reflects current industry terminology.
  • Ensure your resume highlights measurable impact and outcomes, not just responsibilities.

How do I address employment gaps in my resume?

Employment gaps are common and increasingly understood in today’s hiring process. The most effective approach is not to hide gaps, but to clearly demonstrate how your skills, experience, and professional development remain current and relevant.

Consider the following strategies:

  • Highlight all relevant experience, including part-time work, freelance projects, volunteer roles, internships, caregiving, or independent projects.
  • Emphasize skills and accomplishments that directly align with your target role Present a clear, chronological resume (DOCX) format with a strong skills section that reflects your current capabilities Include recent certifications, training, education, or structured skill-building activities to demonstrate continued professional development.
  • Use current industry language and technology tools to show up-to-date expertise.

Be prepared to address employment gaps briefly and neutrally in interviews, focusing on what you were doing during that time and how it supports your readiness for the role.

How do I include experience on my resume if I can’t or don’t want to disclose the name of an organization to which I belong(ed)?

  • Use an acronym for the organization name (e.g. FESF instead of Fund to End Sunday Funday) 

  • Describe type of organization without a name (e.g. Political Think Tank instead of Foundation Against Fuzzy Bunnies) 

  • Replace the organization name with a phrase like Private Employer or Confidential Employer  

If you choose to include this experience on your resume be prepared to talk about it during an interview 

If you have questions you don’t see addressed or would like to talk more about one of these topics, make an appointment.