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GRADUATE STUDENTS

Resume FAQ's

These questions are regularly posed to job search advisors. For more detailed discussion, please visit the Center for Career Services.

Q: Does a resume always need to be only one page?
A: Not always, though corporate recruiters frequently believe that an undergraduate should be able to describe his/her qualifications in one page. Recruiters in education, human services and non-profits are generally more length-tolerant. Anyone with advanced degrees and/or more substantial work experience should feel less hesitant to use more pages. Resumes sent electronically as one file may also be longer. Resume scanners and software convert resumes to one file for scanning so two pages is okay.

Q: Is an objective always necessary?
A: No, although a properly worded objective can help a reader to envision where the writer will fit into the organization. Since employers favor those who demonstrate a sense of career direction, and since word processing allows a writer to change objectives easily, resume writers should think carefully about omitting an objective or trying to make one objective work in different situations. Keyword summaries at the top of resumes have taken the place of objectives in technical fields, and help job seekers get noticed by automated resume tracking systems.

Q: Should the EDUCATION section always appear at the top?
A: For students whose degree work is in progress, or recently completed, and is the major part of their qualifications, the answer is yes, especially when course or project profiles and honors can help paint a success picture. However, students and alumni who are changing career focus may not benefit from an education section near the top. Also, some industries, notably communcations, value related experience above degree work and, therefore, expect to see academic information further down the page.

Q: Should high school information be shown? A: Usually not for graduating students and alumni. First year students and sophomores, however, might utilize high school academic, extra-curricular and work experience to impress a reader.

Q: Does GPA need to be included?
A: If a student is proud of his/her accomplishments in the classroom, GPA should be included. Not surprisingly, high GPAs trigger more positive reactions from employers, but GPA is only one factor used to evaluate potential. GPA information may be offered selectively in some cases, such as GPA in a major or GPA in recent semesters for those whose starts have been poorer than their work lately.

Q: What if I don't have any experience?
A: Lack of experience is usually the lament of internship seekers or students whose need for earnings has inhibited their ability to pursue unpaid internships. Any experience has value, whether paid, unpaid, or volunteer, as long as the resume writer focuses on transferable skills and work habits rather than more narrowly on only that which is identical with the fields they seek to enter. Wording experience entries to focus on skills utilized rather than just tasks discharged will help a reader see the foundations for success.

Q: Do interests, hobbies and other personal background need to be shown?
A: Not neccessarily, although such information frequently rounds out a picture of success, energy level, commitment, worldly experience and more which an employer may use to evaluate "fit" to a position and with an organization. Unique experiences may also demonstrate traits employers value. Age, marital status, height, weight, and other data unrelated to qualifications should not be included to avoid biases or discriminatory practices.

Q: Must references be included?
A: No. Most employers will assume that active job seekers have references to offer at the appropriate time in a selection process. Even space devoted to "References Available Upon Request" is better used elsewhere to further present qualifications.