Tips for Building a Résumé

Find a résumé design to use.

• Refer to the minimum requirements checklist on the next page.
• To apply for jobs/internships on BGSU’s Handshake system, please upload your résumé first.
• All résumés are subject to review and approval by Career Design Coach. For a résumé to be approved, it must meet the minimum requirements listed on the checklist.
• Once a résumé is approved, a student may start applying for jobs/internships in Handshake.
• A student’s Handshake account is activated no later than the start of the fall semester.

Minimum Requirements

The following minimum requirements must be met for a resume to be approved.

Layout and format

• Name font size is minimum 18 andmaximum 24
• Body text font size is minimum 10 and maximum 12
• Margins are minimum .5 inch and maximum 1 inch
• Font is easy to read
• Headings, fonts, bullets, margins, and subheadings are consistent
• Header with name and page number is on subsequent pages
• Content fills at least half of last page
• Free of spelling and grammatical errors
• No use of personal pronouns or acronyms
• Resume design is consistent with professional practice
• White space is effectively used for visual appeal
• Cover letter and resume layout and format are consistent
• References listed on a separate document

Contact Information

• Contact information is located at top of first page
• First and last name is included in heading
• Full address is listed in heading
• Preferred phone number is included in heading
• Professional email is listed in heading

Education

• Highest or most recent degree is first
• Full name is listed for college or university
• City and state is listed for college or university
• Official name of degree is listed
  
• Licensure, minor, or specialization is listed below degree
• Graduation date includes month and year

Employment Experience

• Experience is listed in reverse chronological order
  
• Full name is listed for each company
  
• City and state is listed for each company
• Full position title is listed for each position
• Starting and ending dates for each position are listed, including month and year
• Current position(s) have an ending date as “Present”
• Action verbs are used at the beginning of each bullet
• Bullet points describe key accomplishments, emphasize transferable skills, and quantify results
• Verb tenses are consistent with time frame of employment