Resume Tips

After reading at least 25 resumes, here are the recaps.

Rule 1: You get one page, no exceptions. I want your final resume to be on your portfolio site as a pdf that I will download and review.

Rule 2: You also need an online resume on your site, which should be adapted to the style of your site

Rule 3: Education section (do not list any high school, you do not need to list previous colleges if you did not earn a degree or participate in any activities that will go on your resume)

Washburn University, Bachelor of Arts, Mass Media,
Contemporary Journalism Emphasis
Minor, Political Science
Graduation: May 2015 (do not say anticipated or expected)
GPA: do not include if you entire GPA is lower than a 3.0. Optional to include

Rule 4: Employers (watch your formatting here. Be consistent. Below is one model. Should be listed from most current to oldest. If you have media-specific experience, consider having two categories. One can be called Work Experience while the other can be called Media Experience)

Washburn University, Topeka, KS (only need city and state on resume)     Aug. 2003-present
Faculty/Director of Student Media
• Teach 7-hour load in various mass media courses
• Advise students
• (List your job duties as bulleted points, lead with verbs, don't use complete sentences. Resumes need to be able to skimmed quickly)


Washburn University, Topeka, KS                                                            July 2000-July 2003
Publications Specialist, Washburn Alumni Association
• Served as editor for quarterly annual magazine
• Wrote, edited and designed all magazine pages
(try to have at least two bullets. you do not have to list everything. A lot of college jobs have pretty standard job duties)

Rule 5: Skills (create a bulleted list. Don't use hard-working, reliable, or other subjective terms that everyone is putting on resumes. Instead focus on the things you know -- consider columns to save space if you need it)

Media Skills
Proficient in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office, Audacity
Skilled in editing with Associated Press Style
Ability to create news videos, podcasts and online slideshows
Experienced blogger using Word Press, Blogger
Proficient using Social Media sites including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Flickr
Basic knowledge of Spanish

Rule 6: Unless it's really, really IMPRESSIVE, do not list anything from high school on your resume.
You can list memberships in campus organizations (employers love these), note if you have held positions in the organizations, you can list scholarships to college, volunteer service, any international travel
Activities & Honors (list from most impressive to least, so you can cut from bottom as you add things)
President's Honor Role, spring 2011, fall 2012, spring 2012, etc.
Washburn Student Government Association, senator, 2009-12
Mass Media Awesome Applesauce Scholarship, fall 2012
Meals on Wheels, deliver weekly meals to Topeka residents, 2009-present
International Media Conference Attendee, Paris, France, spring 2011