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 An employer reviews a resume displayed on a computer monitor.

Producing a good resume is a basic requirement for a successful job search. A resume is critical in helping employers understand your experience and educational background and what you have to offer as a potential employee. Berkeley Career Engagement is here to assist you with this important task. For college students, we recommend a simple, one-page format. Ramped Careers resume builder can help you create or update your resume quickly and easily. 

Creating an Effective Resume

A well-crafted resume can set you apart from other candidates. Strong resumes do more than summarize your educational background and work history; they emphasize the results of your efforts and draw clear parallels between your skills and experience and an employer’s needs. Here are steps to accomplish this:

  • Choose a Simple Format with a 10-12 point font size and between .5-inch to one-inch margins all around. Include bold, italics, and underlining for emphasis and to guide the reader.
  • Resume Sections should include your contact information (name, email address, phone number, and LinkedIn URL), educational background, work and volunteer experience, projects, and skills.
  • Analyze the Position Description to tailor your resume to each job and to understand the required and preferred qualifications, skills, and abilities.
  • Generate a List of Accomplishments to include in each section. Your resume should uniquely reflect you. Be sure to focus on the outcomes of your efforts and quantify your results if possible.
  • Identify Relevant Skill Areas that focus on transferable skills and achievements that are desirable for the position/field/industry. Make sure each accomplishment highlights a skill the employer is seeking, often listed in the position’s responsibilities and qualifications.
  • Write Descriptive Phrases using strong action verbs and concise phrases to describe experiences that demonstrate your relevant skills. The accomplishments on your resume should ultimately be targeted to address an employer’s needs.

More detailed information about developing your resume can be found in the Career Readiness Workbook.

Helpful Links

Here are a few links to resources to help you create your resume:

  • Sample resumes for undergraduates and transfer students, veterans, master’s, and PhDs from a variety of STEM and liberal arts majors.
  • Using a tool like Ramped can help format and organize your resume quickly and easily.
  • Writing a Winning Resume Workshop
  • Check out the Resume section of the Career Readiness Workbook for useful tips to create an effective resume.
  • List of action words to help you craft your bullets for each experience.
  • Need a resume review or have a question? Make an appointment with a career counselor or meet with a peer advisor.
Resume: Frequently Asked Questions