purdue university resume template

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Sample Résumés

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This section of resources contains samples of skills, chronological, and functional résumés. The Interactive Résumé resource contains a sample résumé on which you can click each section to learn more about the different sections of the résumé and how to write each section of the résumé.

This section offers information on three common résumé styles: skills, chronological, and functional. Each section also contains a sample résumé of the particular style the section discusses.

The Interactive Résumé resource contains a sample résumé on which you can click each section to learn more about the different sections of the résumé and how to write each section of the résumé.

Sample Résumés:

Skills Résumé

Chronological Résumé

Functional Résumé

Interactive Résumé

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A well written resume provides employers with a favorable first impression and the information they need about you to determine whether or not you’re a match for their position and organization.  With a plan developed, you can prepare to communicate your brand through your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile.  Developing these pieces allows you to tailor your communications to the types of industries, organizations, and roles you are targeting.

Resume Tips to follow

• Keep your resume to one page unless you have 10+ years of experience
• Limit contact information under your name to Purdue email, phone number and LinkedIn URL.  Home address and personal email are not necessary
• Spell out your degrees, do not abbreviate
• List professional experiences in reverse chronological order
• Quantify your accomplishments if possible and include the outcome, purpose or method
• Remove non-essential words (e.g., a, an, the, which, that), to conserve space
• Begin bullets with dynamic, action verbs; avoid starting with “assisted with,” or “responsible for” as these phrases are a weak representation of your accomplishments

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Featured articles, fueling your career journey: embracing the latest in resume excellence.

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In the dynamic landscape of job seeking, your resume serves as your gateway to unlocking career opportunities. Visualize it as your passport to your ideal job, stamped with the latest trends and innovations. For executives and senior professionals navigating today’s …

The Pros and Cons of a Video Resume

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A video resume is a high risk / high reward job search tactic.

It is a supplemental approach that is increasingly welcomed by major employers (many of whom use video questions as part …

Teamwork Skills for Your Resume

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Teamwork skills are the soft skills you use to work efficiently and effectively with others. Even if you’ve never had a professional coworker before, chances are you use teamwork skills in the classroom, while volunteering, and during your extracurricular activities …

20+ Business Analyst Skills for Your Resume in 2023

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Business analysts bridge the gap between business and information technology (IT), helping companies make better and more informed data-driven decisions. The most crucial business analyst skills include a mix of technical abilities and interpersonal skills — a successful analyst must …

Career Resources

Cover letter creation guide.

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A cover letter can be a valuable tool to provide additional context to your application beyond what you can provide …

Graduate Student Resume Template

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VMock Resume Review – Graduate Students

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Daniels School of Business Undergraduate Resume Template

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Are you ready to create or update your resume? Our undergraduate resume template is Applicant Tracking System friendly and recruiter …

Get Noticed: Submit Your Resume To a Handshake Resume Book

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Business Career Services maintains resume books for employers to download via Handshake. Uploading your resume to Handshake does not automatically …

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• 15 Tips for Resume Writing

15 Resume Writing Tips: How to Craft a Resume That Gets Noticed

Preparing a solid resume is a critical step on your path to a rewarding job. While you may have years of experience, your resume can still go unnoticed if you don’t optimize it for applicant tracking systems (ATS) and ensure it stands out to human reviewers, too. As you create your new resume or modify your last one, keep the following 15 tips in mind.

1. Tailor Your Resume to Your Desired Position or Industry

As you create your resume, keep in mind the needs of your target employer and tailor your resume to show how you fit the needs of that employer. If you’re applying for a specific position, review the job requirements and description carefully and make sure that your resume reflects how you fit those requirements.

You should also research the employer and then review your resume to see if there is additional, relevant information you can add. For example, if you’re applying for a job in the medical field, make sure your resume includes any medical or health care-related experience you may have.

2. Use a Clean, Visually Appealing Format

While your qualifications are usually the greatest indicator of whether you’re a good candidate for a role, a resume that’s clean, easy to read, and visually appealing could play a part in a hiring manager reading it.

As you create your resume, focus on formatting your resume so that it’s easy to read. For example, your resume should include:

• 1-inch margins
• Section headers
• Bulleted lists
• The same font throughout the document
• Consistent line spacing

3. Use an Appropriate Font

Use a professional, clean, modern font. Times New Roman has been a historical go-to for resumes, and is still acceptable, but you may want to consider a different font, like Arial.

Additionally, ensure that your font is appropriately sized. A 10- to 12-point font is usually best.

4. Use a Professional Email Address

You might be surprised at how many people still include unprofessional email addresses in their resumes. Have a dedicated professional email address, if you don’t already. Your first initial and last name is a common and recommended format for your email address. You may want to avoid using a number in your email address because this could be assumed to be your birth year, which could lead to perceived ageism.

Imagine you were a hiring manager, and you saw the following two email addresses:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

As much as we love sports, we’re willing to bet most hiring managers would rather continue reading the resume of the second candidate.

5. Include a Summary Statement

A summary statement at the beginning of your resume is important. It’s a brief statement that covers your experience and goals as they relate to the position you’re applying for.

Keep it concise at about 3 to 5 lines.

“Think about the words you are using and try to use quantifiable information,” says Jennifer Lasater, vice president, employer and career services at Purdue Global. “Instead of ‘hard worker,’ it's better to state that you ‘increased sales by 25%’.”

 Use this space to summarize your experience, strengths, and goals as they relate to the position you are applying to.

6. Ensure All Information Is Up to Date

Some job-seekers create many resumes for many different positions. When reworking your resume for the job you’re applying for, ensure that all the information is current and relevant to the given position. Check that you haven’t left anything behind from an older version of your resume or one that was written for a different role.

7. Use Reverse Chronological Order

Putting your work history in reverse chronological order (so your most recent role is listed first, under “Experience”) is the standard practice, and it’s what your reviewer will be expecting.

The same is true for your education section. Your most recent schooling is most likely most relevant to the role you’re applying for now, so list education in reverse chronological order as well.

8. Be Concise About Experience and Job Duties

Your experience and previous job duties are some of the most important words on your resume. It’s tempting to want to elaborate on your accomplishments and make sure they’re properly explained, but hiring managers want to get right to the meat of your experience to see how it aligns with their current needs.

Be concise about your previous duties and accomplishments. Use bullet points instead of full sentences or paragraphs. Instead of elaborating on your biggest accomplishments, clearly communicate them in 1 to 2 bulleted lines that begin with action verbs such as “managed” or “developed.”

9. Make It ATS-Friendly

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a type of software that helps employers collect, organize, and rank candidates’ resumes. Three-quarters of recruiters and talent managers use some form of recruiting or applicant tracking software, Capterra reports .

An ATS helps hiring managers find the most relevant candidates by searching for certain keywords in resumes. To optimize your resume for an ATS, review the job description carefully for important keywords and include those that are relevant to your job or educational experience in your resume.

>> Read More: How to Optimize Your Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems

10. Decide: Education or Experience—Which Comes First?

The answer to this question is fairly simple. If you recently graduated from school with little to no relevant work experience, list your education first. This will be more relevant to employers than any unrelated jobs you held while earning your degree. If you had any internships that are relevant to the role you’re applying for, put the internships first, then education.

Moving forward in your career, your experience should be placed above the section about your education. Your professional experience will almost always be more relevant to hiring managers than your education, unless there are strict educational requirements in your field. But even in that case, experience should be listed first.

11. Include Only Relevant Educational Information

You want your resume to be concise, so if you’ve enrolled at a college or university, you can exclude education previous to that, including your high school. You should include any education that you’re currently working on, but don’t include educational programs from the past that you started but didn’t complete.

List any academic honors you’ve received, and only include your GPA if it’s above 3.0.

12. Exclude the Reference Statement

Historically, standard practice when writing resumes was to add a statement along the lines of “References available upon request.” This is unnecessary. Again, you want your resume to be as sleek and streamlined as possible, and excluding this statement saves room. Hiring managers know they’re able to request references from you if they’re interested.

13. Include Additional Section(s) if Relevant

The important thing here is “if relevant.” If you have other past experience that’s not necessarily related to the position itself but speaks to you as a candidate, you can include it. Some examples of additional sections include:

• Internships
• Volunteer experience
• Community service
• Languages spoken
• Professional memberships
• Associations/affiliations

14. Include a Cover Letter

You might think it’s unnecessary or unlikely to actually be read, but a cover letter gives you the opportunity to provide your potential employer with a well-spoken narrative about your qualifications and career objectives. It also serves as a way to get ahead of or explain certain aspects of your resume—for example, a gap in employment—if necessary.

Try to include some aspects that aren’t in your resume—you don’t want your cover letter to repeat your resume in story form. “We recommend that students identify three qualifications from the job description that they have and illustrate in the cover letter how they meet those requirements,” says Jennifer Katz, director of career services at Purdue Global.

Your cover letter should also be highly targeted and unique to each position you apply for.

>> Learn More: Tips on Writing a Stellar Cover Letter

15. Proofread (Then Proofread Again)

This tip can’t be emphasized enough. This is your chance to make a good first impression, and one spelling or grammatical error could compromise the credibility of your entire resume. That might sound harsh, and not all hiring managers are such sticklers on this, but some are.

Read it and reread it. Send it to family and friends who will read it and give you feedback. In addition to helping identify any spelling or grammatical errors, this will also help identify any issues with words that have multiple spellings (e.g., role vs. roll, their vs. there). The more people that can help you review your resume, the better. Other people may be more likely to pick up something you missed, even if you have reviewed it yourself several times.

If You Need Additional Education to Land Your Dream Job

If you’ve already put in the work to become qualified for the position you’re applying for, all you need to do now is clearly and effectively communicate that to your potential employers with a clean, concise resume. Good luck!

But if a college degree could help you reach your career goals, learn more about Purdue Global. We offer more than 175 online programs, from certificates to doctoral degrees. We’ve tailored higher education to meet the needs of working adults. Request more information today .

About the Author

Purdue Global

Earn a degree you're proud of and employers respect at Purdue Global, Purdue's online university for working adults. Accredited and online, Purdue Global gives you the flexibility and support you need to come back and move your career forward. Choose from 175+ programs, all backed by the power of Purdue.

• General Education
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• Online Learning

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Learn more about online programs at Purdue Global and download our program guide.

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

* Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and opportunities for employment.

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Your resume is a marketing tool designed to land you an interview.  Make sure it does its job well by reading below and by watching this two (2)  minute video to learn the basics of resume making.

Resume Reviews are a Necessity

Have your resume reviewed by professionals!  Engineering and Technology students can have their resumes reviewed by the Office of Career Services in multiple ways. 

• The fastest way to have your resume reviewed is to stop by the  Technical Communication Writing Center located in ET 199D to have your resume reviewed on the spot. 

We have drop-in hours on Mondays and Thursdays from 11AM-1PM and Wednesdays 11AM-2:30PM.  Stop by ET101 with a copy of your printed resume and we will give you instant feedback. 

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• Finally, you can email your resume to [email protected]  and we will respond with feedback within two weeks. 

Click here for our favorite resume advice

Resume Samples by Major:

Biomedical Engineering

Computer and Information Technology

Computer Engineering

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Computer Graphics Technology

Construction Management

Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering Technology

Energy Engineering

Healthcare Engineering Technology Management

Interior Design Technology

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Motorsports Engineering

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Organizational Leadership and Supervision

Technical Communication

Cover Letters

Should you submit one? YES!

Cover letters give you a chance to introduce yourself, briefly explain why you want to work for the company and more importantly, why they should hire you.  It also reflects your communication ability and serves as a writing sample.  The cover letter should interest the employer enough to want to continue reading your resume.  You should submit a cover letter with your resume except for in-person events like a career fair.

• Keep it short. No more than one page and 3-4 paragraphs.
• Make it specific. Employers do not want to read a template. Tell them why you are a fit for that job at that company.
• Include a header and a signature. Match the header from your resume and include a signature line with your name and contact information at the end.
• Stay professional. Avoid the temptation to be cute or gimmicky. Professional and polite always wins.
• Market strengths and fit. Use keywords from the job description to show them you are a good fit for the position. Lead with your strengths and highlight them.

State the position you are applying for and where you found the posting.  Express your interest in the opportunity and any specific reasons for your interest. 

If someone within the company told you about the opportunity, this would be the place to mention their name.  Just make sure they are okay with you doing this!

What would the Hiring Manager want to know if you only have five minutes of their time? 

In the body of your letter, you need to tell them why you are a good fit for the job and the company.  Emphasize specific examples of your education and experience that relate to the job description.

This is the time to sell your skills and abilities and tell them what makes you professionally unique from the other candidates. 

Be sure to include details from your background that apply most to the position. 

The Closing

The closer paragraph should be strong and short.  Reiterate that you feel you would be a good fit for the position and that you would love to discuss the opportunity further.

Tips and Advice

• Proofread so that there are ZERO grammar/spelling errors.
• Have Career Services review your cover letter.
• Save the cover letter you use for each position so you can refer back to it if needed.
• Use keywords in your cover letter that will show you have the skills they are looking for.
• Don't regurgitate your resume. Highlight the most important and relevant parts for that particular job or company.

Click here for a cover letter example

During the interview process you may be asked for your references. Click here to see best practices.

Thank You Letters

After you interview, you should plan to send a thank you note. Click here to find out more.

Curriculum Vitae (CV) Assistance

Sometimes you will be asked to submit a CV. Typically these are used for careers in higher education or when you apply to positions in other countries. Click HERE  and scroll to the bottom of the page for details on how to write them. 

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Indiana University Indianapolis

Office of career development.

Resume and Cover Letters

In your first year of college, you’ll begin crafting a resume, refining and updating it as you actively participate in various experiences and acquire new skills. This process of refining not only reflects your academic journey but also underscores the importance of maintaining a professional approach throughout your college career, especially when it comes to the development and presentation of your resume.

Your resume and cover letter work together as essential documents, strategically showcasing your identity and accomplishments. This synergy becomes even more critical in a college setting, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a high level of professionalism, particularly when crafting and presenting resumes. These documents serve as powerful tools to effectively communicate your qualifications and experiences to potential employers.

Your resume is your personal marketing tool, advertising what you can do for a prospective employer. It summarizes the unique skills and experiences that set you apart from your competitors. The goal of a resume is to get the reader interested in you as a candidate. Remember to customize your resume for each job application, emphasizing the most relevant qualifications and experiences for the specific position.

Your cover letter showcases not only your personality, purpose, knowledge, and writing capabilities but also your professionalism. Serving as a complement to your resume, it provides a valuable opportunity to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific needs of a prospective employer.

A few things to remember:

• A resume is a piece of a person on paper. One person could be proud of their resume because it best represents them while another person may not care, both ways are perfectly fine. It is our job to make sure each person feels represented by their resumes.
• There is no perfect resume. Typically, we use chronological resumes, however there are multiple types: chronological, functional, combination, or targeted resume. Each resume is a little different in size, color, formatting, etc. based on the person that creates or edits it. Just ensure the major components are there: Name, contact information, education, and experiences.
• Nearly any experience is a professional experience, we just have to find the words to explain them.

The following are tips for constructing a powerful and professional resume. Use this sheet and the example on the back as a guide while collaborating with your career coach to create a resume that is perfect for you and your job.

PERSONAL BRAND

The top of your document should list your contact information, including your name, address, email, phone number, and LinkedIn domain link.

The formatting you use for this section creates a look you will use throughout your application materials (cover letter, references, etc.). Consider your use of font, font size, color, and spacing to create a professional look. Make sure your name is the most visually prominent piece of the whole document.

In this section, list all relevant education in reverse-chronological order. For each relevant college, university, or certificate program you have completed:

Write the name of the institution, the name of the degree/certificate/diploma, the location, and the date of completion.

Consider including the following if they are relevant to the position for which you are applying or if they have been requested by the employer: GPA (if ≥ 3.5), awards or recognitions, scholarships, student organizations, leadership positions, relevant coursework.

In this section, list all relevant experience in reverse-chronological order. For each a job position, internship, volunteer position, military service, or leadership experience:

Write the name of the organization, the position title, dates of employment/service, and location.

Construct 3-5 concise bullet points which describe the most valuable and relevant skills you gained and demonstrated in this position.

Start each bullet with a strong action verb.

Highlight skills, not responsibilities.

Be quantifiable whenever possible (e.g. generated 15% sales increase).

Use the employers own language to show that you fit what they are looking for.

REVIEWING YOUR RESUME

Employers prefer resumes to be ONE FULL PAGE or never more than TWO FULL PAGES. Arrange the text size and formatting so your text fills the page(s).

Carefully proof-read your document and have a friend or career coach review it for grammar and formatting.

Do not use jargon or informal vocabulary.

Your resume should change depending on what position you are applying for. Be sure your resume is tailored to the relevant position.

Are you fluent, proficient, or conversational in a second language? If so, ask your career coach how you can best highlight this skill in your resume.

Personal statements (a.k.a. objectives or summary statements) are generally obsolete. Include one only if you have a clear career goal that is very relevant to the position for which you are applying.

Many resume templates include a “skills” section. Only include this section if you are otherwise unable to fill one full page or if you have particularly relevant skills that you have not displayed elsewhere.

Project Coordinator

Assess patients for participation in, and coordinate the Pulmonary Rehab program

Monitor and supervise physical conditioning keeping physician informed of patient progress

Provide respiratory-related skills training and coordinate the skill training provided by Pharmacy, Dietetics, and Chaplaincy departments.

Information Specialist

Developed and implemented cross-training for administrative duties to mitigate risk and ensure success

Yielded membership inquiries, comments, and concerns in a high volume, fast-paced call center

Processed data including new membership applications, changes to member information, and dues payments

Advise the new co-presidents on how to structure and organize events, lead an executive board, and discuss ideas on how to strengthen the chapter

Lead and recruit peers by offering challenges and support to event volunteers as they complete tasks

Created new member initiative increasing member success 50% from previous year

Facilitated events held by the School of Liberal Arts. Represented the school’s values by encouraging and teaching new and current IUPUI students the benefits of a liberal arts education

Medical Response Team

Provide first aid in medical emergencies and non-emergencies in and round Indianapolis

Initiated first responder program increasing patient numbers 35% as compared to previous year

Increase organization’s recognition with outreach and communication

Translate the organization’s services for the Spanish community

The following are tips for writing a powerful and professional cover letter. Use this sheet and the example letter on the back as a guide while collaborating with your career coach on how to create a cover letter that is perfect for the position you are pursuing.

As with a resume, your cover letter will be headed by your personal brand which contains your basic contact information, including your name, address, email, phone number, and LinkedIn URL. Mirror or copy the personal brand from your resume to create a clean and unified professional look.

Directly under your header include the date.

Address your letter to the person who will be reviewing your application. If this information is not accessible, consider calling the company to find it. If possible, include their name, job title, organization/company name, and company address.

PARAGRAPH 1: INTRODUCTION

The focus of this paragraph is introducing yourself and demonstrating your knowledge of the company/organization.

Briefly introduce yourself.

Show that you have done your research. Connect with their company goals, mission, or values. Tell them why you are excited about or impressed by their organization or this position.

If you have a connection with the organization, do not be afraid to name-drop.

PARAGRAPH 2: YOUR SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

The focus of this paragraph is the skills that you bring to the position.

Highlight 2-3 skills that you would bring to their team.

Use their language and show that you know what they value. Be sharp and to the point.

Do the work of connecting your skills to their team and their organization. Show them that you fit.

PARAGRAPH 3: CLOSING

Tell them what you would like to happen next (e.g. an interview or opportunity to talk about the position further).

Provide information about how you can best be reached.

Thank them for their time and consideration. Close with a salutation and signature.

REVIEWING YOUR COVER LETTER

Even if the application does not require a cover letter, consider submitting one anyway (unless it specifically says not to). This extra effort shows the employer your sincere interest and could put you a step ahead of your competitors.

Check your grammar and make sure that you’ve tailored your letter to the appropriate position.

Dear Mr. Hiring:

I first heard about Indianapolis Children’s Home as I was preparing for the Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis Annual Career Fair. As I began to research your program, I was immediately interested in your goal of providing service to children in great need here in Indiana. In conversation with Mr. George Recruiter at the Career Fair, I realized even more clearly how you provide practical services while focusing on fostering positive relationships with your youth and their families. This spring I will be graduating from IUPUI with a Bachelor of Science in Education and I am interested in working on your team as an Activities Coordinator after graduation. Throughout college I have been involved in Indiana Urban Outreach and improved the lives of over 950 members of our community here in Indianapolis. This opportunity has granted me experiences building relationships with people from a variety of demographics. Because of this experience coupled with my education, I am confident that I have the ability to identify the needs of and foster positive relationships with your children and their families. In addition, I have two years of experience as a lead teacher for an after-school program at a local grade school, which has offered me the ability to plan and lead educational activities and has effectively prepared me to lead in the role of an Activities Coordinator. I look forward to meeting with you to further discuss what I can bring to your team as an Activities Coordinator for the Indianapolis Children’s Home. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, SIGNATURE Your Name

Resume Reviews

Need more help with your resume or cover letter?

The Office of Career Development is conducting weekly resume reviews every Wednesday from 2 pm to 4 pm in Cavanaugh Hall, Room 243.

Can’t make it in person? No problem! To have your r esume reviewed via email , students can send their resume to libacdo@iupui.edu. Our team will review it and provide feedback within 3-5 business days. Please ensure to monitor your IU email address, as that is where our staff will send the reviewed document(s).

Ask questions or schedule an appointment by visiting our office in Cavanaugh Hall, Room 243, calling 317- 278-1224, or use our online Student Appointment Scheduler (SAS) .

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