Resume Contents

Have you found a job opening that fits your career goals and qualifications? Now make sure your resume contains everything the employer needs to be convinced that you are a good match for the position.

A complete resume includes each of the following

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1. Contact information

   Contact information should be placed on top of your resume and it should be scannable.

   Name and address

   Email address. Avoid using unprofessional email address such as: banana_buns or hottie4u

   Phone numbers. Remember to check your outgoing voice-mail message for loud background music, slang, or improper workplace language.

   If appropriate, include your website or your eFolio Minnesota addresses.

    

   Sample contact information

   Elizabeth (Lisa) Smith
   1443 Minnesota Lane
   City, Minnesota
   55555
   
   651.123.4567 (home) * 612.123.4567 (cell)
   esmith@email.com
   http::⁄⁄www.esmith.com




2. Objective statement

   An objective statement clearly states the purpose of your resume. It is an optional section that you can use to let an employer know your specific job or career goal. Make sure you tailor your objective to the type of job you're applying for. If you decide not to include an objective in your resume, be sure to state an objective in your cover letter. See examples at bottom of page.




3. Employment History

   You can present your work experience in a variety of ways. The most traditional and straightforward method is the chronological format. Start by listing your current or most recent job, and work backwards in time. Include your job title, your employer's name, the city and state in which it is located, and the starting and ending dates of your employment (month and year). Follow these entries with a summary of your responsibilities and accomplishments in this position.

   
   

   Administrative Assistant (January 2002-Present)
   ABC Financial Services, Minneapolis, MN

   •Supported three department managers with word processing, scheduling, and filing.
   •Generated reports to summarize monthly activities.

   See Resume Formats for more details on chronological, functional, and combination resumes.




4. Education

   List your educational accomplishments, starting with your most recent or highest degree. Include the name and location of the institution attended, your degree, and field of study/major.




5. Other Information

   Include relevant information that relates to the job you are applying for. This may include memberships to organizations, volunteer work, military experiences, awards, and hobbies. Avoid mentioning religious, political and controversial affiliations you have, unless they directly relate to the job you want.

   Employers assume that you can provide them with references. Don't include references on your resume. See guidelines for selecting References.




6. Sample objective statement

   "To obtain a challenging position as an administrative assistant in the financial services industry."

Summary Statement

The summary statement is meant to grab the employer's attention by highlighting your qualifications. It may be used in place of or along with an objective. Even if an employer doesn't have the chance to read your entire resume, this summary will give them a snapshot of your work experiences, achievements, and skills. To be effective, the summary should be very brief (4-5 lines of text). It should also be written especially for the position you are applying for. Consult Resume Verbs when creating your summary statement.

1. Sample summary statement

   "Resourceful Planner/Coordinator with extensive knowledge of inventory control and on-line inventory systems. Recognized by management for innovation and initiative in implementing JIT techniques, as well as interdepartmental communications and supervisory skills."

Source: Creative Job Search, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.