Appearance/Style Things to consider: Does your resume have a professional look? Did you use no more that 1-2 “normal” fonts, no smaller than 10 pt ? Is the use of color, font, size, and style (bolding, italicizing, underlining) consistent throughout? Have you used bulleted phrases to describe your accomplishments, rather than lengthy (and hard-to-read) paragraphs?

Completeness/Length Things to consider: Is your resume complete enough to give a potential employer an adequate “snapshot” of your qualifications? Is your resume limited to one page?

Content/Layout Does your resume contain all the relevant information? Name and Contact Information Objective and/or Summary of Skills/Qualifications Education and Training Experience/Work History Activities/Volunteering/Community Service Honors and Distinctions/Awards (0ptional) Interests/Professional Affiliations (optional)

Content/Layout Is your resume organized in such a way that pertinent things stand out? Consider the way you structure your info and effectively use columns, color, font, size, and style (bolding, italicizing, underlining) to draw attention to your unique qualifications.

Content/Layout VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Jan 2009Event Coordinator Hopes of Hope, Mesa, AZ May Jan 2009Cheer Captain, Freshman Squad Cheer Captain, JV Squad Tracy High School, Tracy, CA May 2007 – presentYouth Worship Team Southwinds Church, Tracy, CA Volunteering I organized a Hopes of Hope event, Mesa, AZ in January ‘09 I was the Cheer Captain, Freshman Squad Cheer Captain, JV Squad at Tracy High School, Tracy, CA Started singing for my Youth Worship Team in May 2007 and I am still on the team at Southwinds Church, Tracy, CA

Professionalism/Integrity Things to consider: Is your resume free from misspellings or typos? Have you made any claims that are untrue? Your resume is a statement of facts, so do not fudge your dates of employment, job titles, certifications, or educational achievements. It's not only wrong, but more and more employers are conducting background checks.

Heading Personal Information Name & Address Phone Number Address

Heading What to look for: Is the address appropriate to be giving to an employer? Example: NOT Is your name predominant?

Focus/Objective An objective is not required but IF they opt to include one be sure to ask these questions: Does it identify specific skills or qualifications? Does it focus on what can you do they do for the organization? NOT what the organization can do for you. Is it specific for the job they want? It should tell potential employers the sort of work you're hoping to do. Example: To obtain an entry-level position within a financial institution requiring strong analytical and organizational skills

Summary of Qualifications Generally this section is best at the top of the resume, particularly for those with limited experience. Bullet anything that might interest a future employer. Be sure to use action verbs (linked online). Example:  Enthusiastic, high-energy leadership  Passionate about serving the community  Outstanding communication skills, both one on one and before groups  Goal-oriented, personable, ethical and creative individual

Education/Training Your most recent educational information is listed first. Add your grade point average (GPA) if it is higher than 3.0. Mention academic honors or relevant courses of interest.

Honors/Distinctions/Awards Have you included any special honors you have received? School? Sports? Work? Extracurricular Activities?

Professional Experience Have you adequately described your experience, be it paid or unpaid? Did you include your work experience in reverse chronological order?—that is, put your last job first and work backward to your first, relevant job. Did you include? Title of position? Name of organization? Location of work (town, state)? Dates of employment? Describe your work responsibilities with emphasis on specific skills and achievements (using action verbs)?

Activities/Community Service You may want to add: Special skills or competencies Leadership experience Service in volunteer organizations Participation in sports or other activities