References:

• Some jobs you are applying to will request references.
• It is polite to ask someone before listing them as a reference. You can say: “I was wondering if you would be willing to provide me a GOOD reference.”
• If you have references, you can write on your resume “References available upon request.”
• Make sure your references know what you are applying for.
• Your references should be relevant to what you are applying for. If you are applying for an engineering position, your coach or english professor may not be the best choice.

Length:

• Your resume should only be one page, never more.
• The goal of a resume is to land an interview. You can elaborate further in person.
• Focus on leadership positions. If you were in charge of a group, include the number of people you led.
• The most relevant and important positions should have no more than three bullets.
• Most entries should be one line.
• Focus on setting yourself apart.
• If you are a senior, include a blip about your senior design project.
• Nothing should be older than three years.

Important Sections:

• Separate your experience into “Work Experience” and “Volunteer Experience”.
• You don’t need to include your high school in education.
• Include RELEVANT coursework. You don’t need to include the grade, just include your GPA.
• Include a Skills section. It is wise to use descriptive adjectives. Some examples are: “basic skills in MatLab”, “advanced in conversational Spanish” or “proficient at java”.
• In your skills section, you can include Microsoft Office. Most people assume that if you are graduating at our age you know these, however some people in industry still do not.
• Objective Sections are optional. If you have space, you can add it. An example would be “Seeking an internship in the Aerospace industry.” If you choose to include this, it is essential that it reflect YOU. Never google one or copy if from a friend. If you do not have one, just leave it off.

Tips for a Career Fair