1
RESUME WORKSHOPS
& RESUME REVIEW
To complete a resume, please follow these steps:
Attend a one-hour workshop or view the online resume workshop offered by the Career Center. The online
workshop and schedule are posted at www.miracosta.edu/careers and in Building 4700 on the Oceanside
campus (OC4700).
You may receive resume help from student Career Peers in the Career Studio during the hours listed on the
workshop schedule at www.miracosta.edu/careers or you may use the computers in the Career Center lab in
OC4700.
After attending or completing the resume workshop, please include ALL required information requested on
the recommended template. To complete this step, you will have to do some research to be sure your
information is current, dates are correct, and everything is spelled correctly.
Type all information using our recommended template. Templates are located on the Job and Internship
Network (JAIN) and on the Career Center website www.miracosta.edu/careers.
Use the Resume Checklist on pages 9 and 10 of this packet. The Checklist will ensure that you have
completed each section according to the standards set by employers and employment recruiters.
If you are interested in having your resume reviewed, please drop in the Career Center in OC4700 during
College Hour, visit the Career Studio during its open hours (see the workshop schedule), or schedule a
resume review appointment by calling 760.795.6772
Note: Career services, including resume reviews, are available at the San Elijo campus in the
Administration Building from 9 AM to 2 PM. Call 760.795.6772 to schedule an appointment.
MiraCosta College Career Center
Building 4700, Oceanside Campus
760.795.6772
http://www.miracosta.edu/careers
2
RESUME TEMPLATE
Your Name
City, State (optional) Phone Email LinkedIn
Summary of Qualifications
Type over this language. Write 5 qualities or attributes that make you a good candidate for the specific job or
specific internship for which you are applying in a bulleted list format. Job descriptions usually list duties and
desired qualifications. Some employers use applicant tracking software which searches for keywords. Review
the competencies on page 6 for examples. List technology, software and office equipment that are applicable to
the position, including specific programs used in the field. Be prepared to back up each qualification with
accomplishment statements in your work experience section and in your interview.
Example:
Write this line under Summary of Qualifications
Experienced in customer relations and troubleshooting customer concerns (quantify when possible)
Then back up your qualification with an accomplishment statement under Experience and company name:
Provided outstanding customer service by decreasing wait times and increasing overall satisfaction
Here are a couple more examples of qualifications:
Effective time manager with ability to multi-task and prioritize responsibilities
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and Contribute
Bilingual in English and Japanese, fluent in written and oral communication
Education/Certifications
MiraCosta College, Oceanside CA Expected May 20XX (graduation month and year)
Type over this language with your major or certificate/degree and the date you plan to complete it.
Example: Associate in Arts Degree, Business Administration, expected May 20XX. Goal is to attend California
State University San Marcos to pursue Bachelor of Science in Global Business Management
Include educational achievements, such as a GPA of 3.5 or higher, Medal of Honor, President’s List, etc., in
bullet format
Relevant Coursework
Decide if there are 1 or 2 classes that are relevant to the job you seek; if so, include them.
List Class Name: Describe what you learned as a result of taking this class. Keep it very brief. (MiraCosta
catalog has good descriptions of classes, but keep your description to only one line).
List Class Name: Repeat above.
Type in a previously attended college or high school, the certificate, degree or diploma you earned, and the
month and year you earned it. Include any achievements such as high GPA, athletics participation, etc. If you
attended high school more than 3 years ago, omit this information.
Leadership/Accomplishments
Include Associations and Club Memberships, Student Government, Community Service, etc.
Note: This information may also be included under your Education section.
Experience
Company Name Job, Internship, or Volunteer Title Dates Employed
Add positions in reverse chronological order (start with your current experience and work backwards). Begin
each bulleted line with an action word (see pages 4-5); describe 2-3 accomplishments for each job
Example:
Supervised ten team members, including scheduling, training and evaluating performance
3
RESUME TEMPLATE (continued)
Your Name
City, State (optional) Phone Email LinkedIn
If you use a 2
nd
page, always copy the contact information from your first page. A half page of content is better
than a full page, unless you have extensive education or experience in the field. If you can’t fill at least half the
page on a two page resume, cut your material to one page.
A few final tips
Before you check your resume against the checklist in this packet, watch this video and make notes on a
print copy of your resume to take it from bland to WOW!
Some employers use applicant tracking software which searches for keywords, refer to the job description
and include applicable keywords in your resume
Check your resume against the checklist in this packet (page 9-10)
Scrutinize your social media sites: make your settings private and remove inappropriate content
Select a font that is easy to read like Arial or Garamond, 11 or 12 point font size is best
Use a font size larger than 11-12, but smaller than your header for sections, such as Education, Experience,
etc. You may choose to bold, italicize, or capitalize, but not all three
Select a larger font (16-18 points) for your Name in the Header; make it bold
Incorporate bullets, but do not over use them and do not use periods at the end of bulleted statements
Be consistent in tenses, punctuation, and formatting
Avoid “I” statements and personal pronouns
List only month and year when providing dates
Do not use text boxes on your resume
If job requires technical skills, consider creating a Technology section including software and office
equipment that are applicable to the position
Consider the relevance of experience more than 10 years old
Be prepared to back up all statements and provide concrete examples during the interview; practice your
examples
4
ACTION WORDS FOR RESUMES
The word list is categorized into various skill areas
Action verbs give your resume power and direction
They present a clear/concise message about your skills to the employer
Use present tense for current jobs and past tense for previous jobs; be consistent
Financial Skills
Administered
Allocated
Analyzed
Appraised
Audited
Balanced
Budgeted
Calculated
Computed
Dept. Records
Detailed
Developed
Forecasted
Managed
Marketed
Planned
Projected
Researched
Solved
Technical Skills
Assembled
Built
Calculated
Computed
Designed
Engineered
Fabricated
Maintained
Operated
Overhauled
Programmed
Remodeled
Repaired
Solved
Upgraded
Manual Skills
Assembled
Bent
Bound
Controlled
Cut
Drilled
Fed
Ground
Handled
Lifted
Moved
Operated
Pulled
Set-up
Shipped
Tended
Helping Skills
Adjusted
Assessed
Assisted
Attended
Clarified
Coached
Counseled
Demonstrated
Diagnosed
Expedited
Facilitated
Familiarized
Guided
Led
Motivated
Referred
Related
Represented
Serviced
Review and use the higher
order skills if applicable.
For more information about
Bloom’s Taxonomy, see the
article by Patricia
Armstrong, former
Assistant Director of the
Center for Teaching at
Vanderbilt University.
5
The underlined words are especially good for pointing out accomplishments.
Management Skills
Administered
Analyzed
Assigned
Chaired
Consolidated
Contracted
Controlled
Coordinated
Delegated
Developed
Directed
Evaluated
Executed
Hired
Improved
Increased
Organized
Oversaw
Prioritized
Produced
Reviewed
Scheduled
Strengthened
Supervised
Research Skills
Clarified
Collected
Critiqued
Decided
Diagnosed
Evaluated
Examined
Extracted
Extrapolated
Gathered
Identified
Inspected
Interpreted
Interviewed
Investigated
Organized
Reviewed
Summarized
Surveyed
Synthesized
Systematized
Wrote
Communication
Skills
Addressed
Arbitrated
Arranged
Authored
Collaborated
Convinced
Corresponded
Created
Developed
Directed
Drafted
Edited
Enlisted
Formulated
Helped
Influenced
Interpreted
Lectured
Led
Mediated
Moderated
Motivated
Negotiated
Obtained
Persuaded
Promoted
Publicized
Read
Reasoned
Reconciled
Recruited
Sold
Spoke
Creative Skills
Acted
Conceptualized
Customized
Designed
Developed
Established
Fashioned
Founded
Generated
Illustrated
Imagined
Initiated
Instituted
Integrated
Invented
Originated
Perceived
Performed
Planned
Played
Revitalized
Shaped
Visualized
Teaching Skills
Adapted
Advised
Briefed
Clarified
Coached
Communicated
Coordinated
Decided
Developed
Enabled
Encouraged
Enlightened
Evaluated
Explained
Facilitated
Guided
Influenced
Informed
Initiated
Instructed
Invented
Persuaded
Stimulated
Clerical/Detail Skills
Approved
Arranged
Catalogued
Classified
Collected
Compared
Compiled
Copied
Dispatched
Enforced
Executed
Generated
Implemented
Inspected
Judged
Met deadlines
Monitored
Operated
Organized
Prepared
Processed
Purchased
Recorded
Responded
Retained
Retrieved
Screened
Specified
Systematized
Tabulated
Validated
More Verbs for
Accomplishments
Achieved
Expanded
Improved
Pioneered
Reduced (losses)
Resolved (problems)
Restored
Spearheaded
Transformed
6
WORKPLACE COMPETENCIES
According to the 2016 Business Leaders
Survey conducted by the Office of Research,
Planning and Institutional Effectiveness at
MiraCosta College, the ability to
communicate was ranked the most important
skill employers demand. The top three skills
of communication, critical thinking, and
professional/ethical work habits required by
employers are the same top three skills
employers report as lacking among today’s
job applicants.
Identify your competencies and include them in your resume. These are good competencies to include in
your Summary of Qualifications and in your accomplishment statements in your Experience section.
Professionalism/Work Ethic:
Demonstrates personal accountability, effective work habits, e.g.,
punctuality, working productively with others, and time and workload management.
Teamwork/Collaboration:
Builds collaborative relationships with colleagues and customers; is able to work with diverse
teams, negotiate and manage conflicts.
Oral/Written Communication:
Articulates thoughts, ideas clearly and effectively; has public speaking skills. Writes clearly and
effectively.
Critical Thinking/Problem Solving:
Exercises sound reasoning and analytical thinking; uses knowledge, facts, and data to solve
workplace problems; applies math and science concepts to problem solving.
Leadership:
Leverages the strengths of others to achieve common goals; uses interpersonal skills to coach
and develop others.
Information Technology Application:
Selects and uses appropriate technology to accomplish a given task, applies computing skills to
problem-solving.
Diversity:
Learns from and works collaboratively with individuals representing
diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, lifestyles, and viewpoints.
Self-Direction/Lifelong Learning:
Is able to continuously acquire new knowledge and skills; monitors own learning needs; is able
to learn from mistakes.
Creativity/Innovation:
Demonstrates originality and inventiveness in work; communicates new ideas to others;
integrates knowledge across different disciplines.
Ethics/Social Responsibility:
Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior; acts responsibly with the interests of the larger
community in mind.
7
COVER LETTER TEMPLATE
Your Name
Address (optional) ▪ City, State Zip ▪ Phone ▪ Email
Note: Use this template as a guide to writing your cover and thank you letters. The cover letter shows
employers that you are able to write a comprehensive letter and have strong written communication skills. It
also should enhance your resume, emphasizing the specific skills you possess that the employer is seeking and
how your education and experience make you the most qualified candidate for the job.
Date
Contact Person's Name
Contact Person's Position or Title
Company's Name
Company's Street Address
Company's City, State, and ZIP Code
Dear Mr./Ms. Contact Person's Last Name:
1
st
paragraph: How you heard about the job; what position you are applying for. Introduce yourself and your
educational history.
Example: In response to your ad on ABCJobs.com, I would like to apply for the Customer Service
Representative position. I am currently attending MiraCosta College and plan to get my Associate of Arts
Degree in Business spring 2017. The qualities you need are a close match for the ones that I have developed in
my education and career.
2
nd
paragraph: Highlight the special skills, abilities, and experience you have that pertain to the specific job or
internship you are applying for. Review the job description, especially the desired qualifications, and discuss
how your skills and experience closely match those the employer is seeking. This is your opportunity to really
sell yourself and let the reader know why you are the best candidate.
Example: Business 290 has taught me the communication skills needed to develop positive relationships in the
workforce. In addition to my education, my 3 years of restaurant experience has taught me the importance of
displaying top notch customer service skills, and I always deal with the public in a professional manner. I am
proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and am familiar with QuickBooks. Past supervisors have often asked me to
train other employees due to my exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills.
3
rd
paragraph: Close with a thank you statement and reference the interview.
Example: I am confident that my customer service and leadership skills will be of value to your company. I
would like to request a few minutes of your time to discuss my qualifications. I will contact you next week to
arrange a meeting. If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to call.
Sincerely,
*sign here*
Your Name (typed here)
8
THANK YOU LETTER TEMPLATE
Your Name
Address (optional) ▪ City, State Zip ▪ Phone ▪ Email
Date
Contact Person's Name
Contact Person's Position or Title
Company's Name
Company's Street Address
Company's City, State, and ZIP Code
Dear Mr./Ms. Contact Person's Last Name:
1
st
paragraph: Create a thank you statement and remind him/her of the job you are applying for.
Example: Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy day to talk with me about the Customer
Service Representative position. I enjoyed meeting you and the members of your department, and I am excited
about the chance to work with such a great team.
2
nd
paragraph: Add a statement about the interview. Mention something that impressed you or that you wish to
clarify.
Example: Judging by our discussion earlier today, I believe that my ability to consistently go above and beyond
for customers is an excellent fit for your team, especially since you mentioned your company just received a
prestigious award for “Outstanding Customer Service Skills.” I am confident that I can be a significant
contributor to the success of [company or department name]. I sincerely hope you agree.
3
rd
paragraph: Final thank you.
Example: Thank you again for interviewing me. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact
me. I look forward to hearing from you again.
Sincerely,
*sign here*
Your Name (typed here)
9
Resume Checklist
760.795.6772 | miracosta.edu/careers
Student name: _____________________________________________________ Is this for a class? Yes or No
If yes, course name: _____________________________________________________________________________
If yes, professor name: ___________________________________________________________________________
This checklist will help you be sure you have included the fundamental elements of a resume. Directions:
1.
Watch this video about writing a resume that is beyond basic.
2.
Proofread your resume for spelling and accuracy.
3.
Complete this Resume Checklist.
4.
Bring the completed Resume Checklist and your résumé to the Career Center for review.
Self-
Review
Career
Center
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name and current mailing address (optional), phone number, and professional email address
Personal information such as gender identity, birth date, age, race, or marital status is NOT
included
EDUCATION
Name of college and location (city, state), including any other post-secondary schools listed
separately in reverse chronological order, including degree(s), dates and GPA (if above 3.5)
EXPERIENCE
Experience includes organization name, position title, city, state and dates all listed in reverse
chronological order (most recent on top)
Bullet points start with action verbs and are NOT repetitive
Bullet points include specific examples to emphasize transferrable skills and knowledge, as well
as describe relevant key accomplishments and contributions, not a listing of duties
Appropriate use of keywords/skills found in the job posting and targeted for the position
Personal pronouns, such as “I,” “me,” or “my” are NOT used
SPELLING
All words are spelled correctly—do NOT rely on spell check, it will not check words in all CAPS
PUNCTUATION
Use of punctuation is consistent— periods are NOT needed at the end of bullet point statements,
but if you use periods, then use them at the end of all the phrases; exclamation points are NOT
used
GRAMMAR
All verbs are in first person and in the appropriate tense—i.e. ongoing activities should be in the
present tense and completed activities should be in the past tense
Numbers between one and nine are spelled out (ages of children can be in numerals for child
development instructors or educators); numerals are used for numbers 10 and above
Dates are consistent and words, if used, are capitalized—e.g. 11/2013, November 2013 or Fall
2013; “Current” or “Present” follows start dates for any ongoing activities or experiences
FORMAT
Text and white space looked balanced-not overcrowded; margins are appropriate (.5- 1 inch)
The font is the same throughout the resume and between 11pt and 12pt, with the exception of
your name
Bold, capitalization and/or italics have been uniformly used to make important items stand out.
A mix of bold, CAPS, and italics is NOT recommended.
Bullets, dashes, and hyphens are uniformly used and consistently spaced on the page. A mix of
bullets, hyphens, dashes is NOT recommended.
Resume is on one page (front only), unless extensive prior experience (over 10 years of work
history)
10
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR RESUME FOR
THE REVIEWER?
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS (FROM REVIEWER):
Career Services Signature: Date:
Rubric adapted from University of Richmond, Career Services
Self-
Review
Career
Center
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL SECTIONS
Career Objective:
Is clear and includes a specific position, job function or organizational type
Awards/Honors:
Includes official name for each honor or award, official name of organization or group, and
month/year received (may be its own section or may be part of the Education section)
Activities/Community Service:
Includes official name of each office or leadership role, the name of the organization, and dates of
involvement. Do NOT use acronyms unless you explain them in parenthesis after the first time you
list the organization/service name within the résumé: Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)
Skills/Unique Qualifications:
If applicable: includes languages, certifications, publications, research projects, computer
skills (software), and/or military service (if not otherwise described in another section)