Optimal Resume

Career Services now works with Optimal Resume to offer you a helpful resume writing tool.  If you are starting from scratch, doing a major revision of your resume, or wish to try an entirely new format for your resume, Optimal Resume may be the resource you need!  It will take you step by step through the resume writing process, and also allow you to create both hard copy (word and pdf) and web versions of your resume.  To use Optimal Resume, click here.  Once on the Optimal Resume website, register as a "new user" by using the access code: madrid

Resumes are your marketing brochure

They are designed to grab the interest of the employer, distinguish you from other candidates, and generate an interview. Just as an advertisement can't say all things to all audiences, a resume can't be so general that it is appropriate for all jobs. Its should be focused—a one minute commercial—targeted to a specific audience, your prospective employer.

General guidelines to remember

  • Have a focused objective.
  • Keep it accomplishment and results oriented.
  • Utilize action verbs in your text.
  • Keep it to one page if possible.
  • Error free- no grammar, spelling or formatting mistakes!

Content of Resumes

  • Contact information: name, address, phone number and email
  • Objective: a concise statement of the field or functional area you desire
  • Education: Reverse chronological order: most recent/advanced degrees first, followed in descending order by other degrees. This can include certificate programs, coursework, other training, etc.
  • Experience: Highlights experiences, work activities, and accomplishments related to the objective
  • Special Skills: such as computer software/language skills and foreign language skills
  • Professional Affiliations: especially organizations related to your objective
  • Interests: optional, but may provide evidence of community involvement, well- roundedness, and travel experience
  • References: not necessary to include on the resume document

    Make it visually appealing

    • Make it look professional: clean, succinct, easy to read, well-formatted.
    • Highlight key assets and strengths.
    • Use boldface and upper case appropriately.
    • Use high quality print (laser) and resume paper.

    Sample Resumes

    Resume #1 (PDF)  Resume #2 (PDF) 

    To check out additional sample resumes, visit The Damn Good Resume, Jobweb and Jobstar