Jefferson - Center City Campus
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Edison Building, Suite 1800
215-503-5805
[email protected]
Jefferson - East Falls Campus
Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
313 Kanbar Campus Center
215-951-2930
[email protected]
Resume Writing Guide
Create or update your resume using the following guidelines. Need more help? Schedule an appointment or upload your resume to Handshake.
Guide
The Basics
Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae
Resume (French for "summary")
- Most employers request this common style of documenting skills and credentials.
- One page in length (two is acceptable only if you have many years of relevant experience).
- Showcases education and experience.
- Summarizes your skill sets with strong action verbs in a concise manner.
- Resumes should be tailored to each job/industry.
Curriculum Vitae (Latin for "course of life")
- Research-based and academic fields typically use a CV.
- Typically several pages long.
- Showcases research, publications, academic work, awards, teaching, and honors in chronological order.
- Static and doesn’t change according to job description.
Federal Resume Writing Guidelines (PPT) – From the US Office of Personnel Management
A Typical Resume
- One page only; common font like Times New Roman or Arial.
- Listed in reverse chronological order (most recent information first).
- Concise, well organized, easy to read, with no spelling errors.
- Describes your background as it relates to your career goals.
- Submitted as a PDF (convert here).
- Renamed to match each job you apply for (SallyStudent-CHOPResume).
Resume Sections
Contact Information
Your Name: Keep it bold and bigger than other information.
Address: Full address, including zip code.
Phone: Use a private number with area code (be sure your voicemail message is professional).
Email: Use a personal, professional email (college emails can expire) and remove blue hyperlink.
Example:
Ben Franklin
123 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 • 215-123-4567 •[email protected]
Summary or Introduction Sections
There are many types of introductory sections for a resume. While this is an optional section, it can help direct the reader's attention to key elements. We recommend using a summary.
Summary: Best for a) highlighting your relevant skills as they apply to a specific industry; b) people who already have experience.
Example: Two years of experience as a Registered Nurse. Provided care for pediatric patients in an acute setting. Experienced in ventilator care, wound care, and family education. CPR and AED certified.
Education
TIPS:
- List in reverse chronological order.
- Include the formal name of the college, city, and state (do not include the street address or zip code), date you graduated (or will graduate), formal name of degree and/or minors obtained, and your course of study.
- List GPA if 3.0 and above (ask a counselor if you have questions about this).
- You may include bullets for study abroad, activities, awards, and/or to highlight the fact that you worked while in college.
Examples:
Thomas Jefferson University | Philadelphia, PA |
Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences | May 2014 |
Concentration: Radiography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging | GPA: 3.67 |
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The Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA |
Bachelor of Science in Biology | May 2010 |
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Experience
TIPS:
- Highlight your most relevant experience by listing it first in a separate section.
- Emphasize only those experiences that best relate to your career (clinical rotations, volunteer roles, full-time work experience in your field).
- Condense or remove sections that are not relevant.
- Do not include supervisor names or contact information.
- Headings can include: Clinical Rotations, Healthcare Experience, Work Experience, Additional Experience, Relevant Experience, [Your field here] Experience, and more!
Example A (Listing clinical rotations):
HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE | |
Thomas Jefferson University, Clinical Rotations: | |
Children’s Hospital, Philadelphia, PA | Feb-Mar 2013 |
Happy Hands Rehab, Philadelphia, PA | Jan 2013 |
Nursing Home, Philadelphia, PA | Sep-Oct 2012 |
Example B (Including bullets for clinical rotations):
CLINICAL ROTATIONS | |
Community Center, Philadelphia, PA | Feb-Mar 2013 |
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Happy Hospital, Philadelphia, PA | Jan 2013 |
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Example C (One-line format):
Caregiver, Private family, Washington, DC | Summers 2010-2013 |
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Sales Associate, Old Navy, Philadelphia, PA | Mar-Dec 2009 |
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Example D (Two-line format):
Sunshine Healthcare Center | Cherry Hill, NJ |
Volunteer | May-Aug 2011 |
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Activities, Skills, Honors
Each of these may be listed as a new section (space permitting), or incorporated as a bullet in another section.
ACTIVITIES/LEADERSHIP
List only those that best relate to your career objective. If you have done a lot with an organization that is very relevant to your goal, use a few bullets to describe your accomplishments and format as you would for work experience.
SKILLS
Common skills you may wish to list include technical skills, laboratory skills, language skills (if fluent), teamwork skills, and organizational skills. Basic computer skills such as Word, Excel, Email, Internet and PowerPoint are not necessary to include.
HONORS/AWARDS
If an award or scholarship is not self-explanatory, include a one-line description.
Example: “CHOP Star Award – Recognized for the most volunteer hours in 2010”
Additional Sections
- Certifications
- Licenses
- Professional Memberships
- Leadership Experience
- Community Involvement
- Research Experience
- Volunteer Experience
- Professional Development
- Publications
- Travel
- Language Skills
…and more!
Extras
Writing Effective Bullets
TIPS:
- Always start bullets with an action verb and list in order of importance (most relevant/impressive bullets at the top).
- Do not use periods, pronouns, or informal language.
- Job descriptions should include specific duties and accomplishments.
- Quantifying job descriptions creates a strong resume – use numbers, percentages, statistics.
- Use SAR as a guide as you describe your responsibilities. Always include the situation and action, and include results when applicable.
Situation – Lab tests were coming back late from the testing facilities.
Action – I developed a new system and policy, shared this idea with my supervisor, and we implemented this with the testing facilities.
Result – As a result, the lab work was consistently returned on time.
Example in bullet form:
- Streamlined communication with testing facilities to ensure lab work was returned promptly; increased efficiency by 20%.
Action Verbs
MEDICAL SKILLS |
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Administered Analyzed Assessed Cared Charted Communicated Conducted Consulted Counseled
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Dispensed Diagnosed Educated Evaluated Examined Facilitated Intervened Liaised Managed
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Monitored Operated Prescribed Provided Recorded Researched Screened Treated Triaged
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MANAGEMENT SKILLS |
COMMUNICATION SKILLS |
LEADERSHIP SKILLS |
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Analyzed |
Improved |
Addressed |
Informed |
Achieved |
Influenced |
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Assigned |
Organized |
Arbitrated |
Interpreted |
Adapted |
Initiated |
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Administered |
Oversaw |
Arranged |
Lectured |
Advised |
Instructed |
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Chaired |
Planned |
Authored |
Moderated |
Clarified |
Led |
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Contracted |
Prioritized |
Communicated |
Mediated |
Coached |
Persuaded |
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Consolidated |
Produced |
Corresponded |
Negotiated |
Enabled |
Set goals |
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Coordinated |
Recommended |
Developed |
Promoted |
Encouraged |
Spearheaded |
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Delegated |
Reviewed |
Drafted |
Publicized |
Explained |
Stimulated |
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Directed |
Scheduled |
Edited |
Recruited |
Facilitated |
Streamlined |
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Executed |
Strengthened |
Enlisted |
Spoke |
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Formulated |
Translated |
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RESEARCH SKILLS |
TECHINICAL SKILLS |
CLERICAL SKILLS |
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Assessed |
Inspected |
Assembled |
Operated |
Approved |
Processed |
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Clarified |
Interviewed |
Built |
Presented |
Catalogued |
Purchased |
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Classified |
Investigated |
Calculated |
Programmed |
Charted |
Recorded |
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Coded |
Modified |
Computed |
Published |
Compiled |
Retrieved |
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Collected |
Reported |
Devised |
Remodeled |
Dispatched |
Screened |
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Compared |
Researched |
Diagnosed |
Repaired |
Generated |
Specified |
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Critiqued |
Screened |
Engineered |
Solved |
Increased |
Systematized |
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Evaluated |
Studied |
Fabricated |
Trained |
Monitored |
Tabulated |
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Examined |
Summarized |
Fortified |
Upgraded |
Prepared |
Validated |
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Extracted |
Surveyed |
Maintained |
Utilized |
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Identified |
Tested |
Modeled |
Wrote |
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FINANCIAL SKILLS |
CREATIVE SKILLS |
HELPING SKILLS |
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Allocated |
Forecasted |
Acted |
Implemented |
Assisted |
Guided |
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Appraised |
Managed |
Conceptualized |
Instituted |
Counseled |
Motivated |
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Audited |
Marketed |
Created |
Integrated |
Demonstrated |
Referred |
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Balanced |
Maximized |
Designed |
Introduced |
Educated |
Rehabilitated |
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Budgeted |
Projected |
Enhanced |
Invented |
Expedited |
Represented |
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Established |
Originated |
Familiarized |
Supported |
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Fashioned |
Performed |
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Founded |
Revitalized |
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Illustrated |
Shaped |
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Listing References
TIPS:
- List 3-5 references on a separate document, and only provide when asked by the employer.
- Appropriate references include: former bosses/managers, clinical site supervisors, professors, and advisors for extracurricular activities such as clubs, organizations, sororities, and fraternities.
- Include the same heading from your resume and keep formatting consistent.
- Always ask for permission before listing someone as a reference. Ask, “Do you feel you’ve observed my work well enough to serve as a positive reference?” If they agree, provide them with a copy of your resume, and write a thank-you note.
- Never use family or friends, unless a personal reference is requested.
- Include a short note if you would not like your current supervisor to be contacted (see *).
Example:
Ben Franklin
123 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 • 215-123-4567 •[email protected]
Jack Smith, PhD
Professor of Neuroscience
Thomas Jefferson University
130 S. 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
123-456-7890
[email protected]
Betty Johnson
Clinical Site Supervisor, Happy Hospital
321 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
987-654-3210
[email protected]
Roberta Robertson
Professor of Health Professions
Thomas Jefferson University
130 S. 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
123-456-7891
[email protected]
William Jackson*
Director, Sunshine Healthcare
123 Main Street, Suite 456
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-123-4567
[email protected]
* Current Supervisor. Presently, my job search is confidential. Please refrain from contacting this person unless I am considered a finalist for the position.
Sample Resumes and Templates
These sample resumes and templates may be helpful in providing ideas for developing your own resume. For example, you might like the layout of one resume, or the wording of a job from another. The examples are not perfect, but may serve as a guide for you. Remember, it is not ethical to copy or use the same wording from these samples on your own document. Once you have created a draft of your unique resume, the Center for Career Success staff is happy to review it with you.
Biotech | Biotech- Foresnsic Focus |
Children and Family Therapy | Child and Family Therapy - Research |
Nursing 1 | Nursing 2 |
OT Masters | OT PDH |
Pharm 1 | Pharm 2 |
PopHealth 1 | PopHealth 2 |
Physical Therapy 1 | Physical Therapy 2 |
RadSci 1 | RadSci 2 |
Physician Assistant 1 | Phsyician Assistant 2 |