Preparing a Resume
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What should I include in my resume?

When applying for a position or to graduate school, your resume should be easy to follow, concise, and very professional looking. There are some basic elements to include:

	Your name & current address
	An e-mail address
	A permanent address (e.g., your parents')
	Education completed - years, institution, degrees, major & minors
	Honors received - dean's or president's lists, certificates of achievement, academically competitive grants or scholarships, etc.
	Pertinent employment history - years, job titles, employers, and brief summary of major responsibilities & accomplishments.
	Professional memberships
	Publications & Presentations - undergraduate conferences or journals are included!
	Computer skills and other special skills

Typically, you should not include your date-of-birth, race, disabilities, social security number, marital status, and other personal information. Most employers are not legally permitted to offer or deny someone a position based on such information.

What skills do psychology majors usually include in their resumes?

	Knowledge of a professional writing style (APA style).
	Knowledge of ethical standards for working with human research participants and animal subjects.
	Familiarity with the basics of a statistical package (SPSS for windows) from data entry and checking to descriptive and inferential statistics (t-test, ANOVA, correlations).
	Skill in the use of a word processing and other computer program packages (e.g., Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
	Experience in the oral and poster presentations of research results.

Some students may be able to add specific experiences/skills gained from serving as TAs, interns, or from completing directed or independent studies. Skills may also have been developed through part-time and summer employment positions. Again, Career Services has developed resources on spelling out your skills and improving your marketability.

Are these "skills" really marketable?

According to the 1997 National Association of Colleges and Employees survey of employers, the number one quality in a job candidate is communication ability, especially the ability to present ideas orally. Other skills of importance are interpersonal skills, analytic skills, teamwork, flexibility, computer skills, proficiency in field of study, written communication skills, leadership skills, and work or internship experiences. The employers advise that students do the following before graduation:

	Gain experience through internships or work-related to their field of study
	Become involved in campus organizations/extracurricular activities that require team work and leadership skills
	Before applying, research the organizations of interest
	Identify your skills, abilities, achievements, and experiences pertinent to the positions of interest
	Start the job search process early
	Use campus career services

For more information, stop by Career Services in the College Center.

As you begin to think about writing a resume drop-in or make an appointment with someone at Career Services. Plan to spend your first visit learning about their offerings, examining their library of resources, and getting a few initial suggestions. Schedule additional appointments once you have prepared a draft of your resume and as you begin to develop a job search plan. Career Services has an extensive library of texts and handouts on preparing resumes. They also have a collection of samples to use as models. By appointment, the staff is also available for resume reviews and to help students develop portfolios of their work. The Career Services office is located in CC507. Walk-ins and scheduled appointments are welcome. Once you have prepared your resume, take it over to the writing tutors in CASA, for a final check. Here too, walk-in or scheduled appointments are accepted.

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