Writing Resumes

• Contact Information: Name, phone number, email, LinkedIn profile and optionally a personal website.
• Objective or Summary (Optional): A brief section at the top that summarizes your career goals or provides a snapshot of your qualifications.
• Education: Include your degree(s), school name, graduation date, and any relevant coursework or honors.
• Experience: List internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work or leadership roles in student organizations. Use action verbs and quantify results when possible.
• Skills: Highlight relevant technical and soft skills, including proficiency in tools, languages or areas such as teamwork or communication.
• Certifications and Extracurricular Activities: Mention any professional certifications, special training or significant involvement in campus activities.

• Avoid slang, jargon and unclear or overused language that could confuse the reader.
• Spell out titles the first time they appear with the acronym abbreviation in parentheses; use the acronym after that.
• Keep industry terms clear and limited.
• Maintain a professional tone throughout.

• If you bring copies of your resume to a career fair, networking event or interview, make sure they're printed clearly on good-quality paper.
• Print your cover letter on the same type of paper as your resume for consistency.

• Have your resume reviewed several times to gain different perspectives and valuable feedback.
• NIU Career Services offers drop-in resume review services. You also may seek input from faculty, academic advisors, family and friends.

What Employers Expect

• Learn about industry norms and each employer's preferences regarding resume length, format and content.
• Follow instructions carefully for any supplemental materials, making sure to provide everything an employer requests.

Match Your Skills to the Job

• Employers usually spend about 30 seconds reviewing a resume, so it's important to highlight experiences that showcase the skills most relevant to the position. Focus on quality over quantity.
• Carefully read the job description and think about the responsibilities and what the employer is looking for, then tailor your resume to match these needs.
• Identify specific experiences that demonstrate the employer's desired skills and qualifications. Use keywords from the job description, emphasize relevant coursework, and include projects or results that would help with the role.