Sample resume for students enrolled in Batten’s Bachelor of Arts program, non-federal government format. (A government format can be generated on USAJOBS and includes more details about dates, salary history, citizenship, etc.) Remember, your resume is your first—and best—sales pitch! Most readers will spend only 30 seconds reading a resume, so it must be clear and brief—no more than one page, unless you have extensive non-educational experience. The sample typestyle below is “Garamond,” an easily readable alternative to Times Roman. Arial, one of the most narrow fonts, is another good choice. Font size should be in the 10-12 point range.

I. Shelby Hired

1234 Rugby Road ● Charlottesville, VA 22903 ● 434.409.9555 ●

If you don’t go by your first name, use an initial, and make this clear. This is the most space efficient heading for a resume!

You do not need “permanent” contact info unless you’re looking to create a geographic connection that is not otherwise apparent.

NO need for an “OBJECTIVE” heading here; your objective is to get the job for which you are applying and should be clear from your cover letter or additional application materials.

EDUCATION

University of Virginia May 2016

Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, Charlottesville, VA This is the proper way to write our school’s name.

Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Leadership

GPA: 3.55 Round to the hundredths.

·  Selected through competitive admission for degree program emphasizing quantitative, research, and communication skills in the context of policy and leadership studies. This is one way you can describe your new program!

·  Dean’s List, every semester

Generally, you should NOT list your high school unless you are seeking to establish a geographic connection or your school has a well- established alumni association.

EXPERIENCE

Include both paid and unpaid positions – these are all relevant to your overall experiences! You should generally list these in reverse chronological order, unless they “sell” you better in a different, more thematic arrangement.

UNICEF, Washington, DC June – August 2012

UVa Parents’ Grant recipient If you can find a better title than “Intern” (and it’s true!) use it!

·  Served on student focus group, acting as there principle adviser. . . Watch for typos (as in this description)! All descriptions should include action words and should be in the past tense – unless you’re currently engaged in the activity.

Save the Children, Stockholm, Sweden May 2011 – August 2013

Office Manager, May 2011 – May 2012

·  Description

Office clerk, June 2012 – August 2013

·  Description

University Catering, Charlottesville, VA Academic year 2012 - present

Server

·  Work approximately 20 hours weekly to help finance education. Seemingly irrelevant information should be included if it demonstrates “something extra” (e.g., work ethic, geographic connection to an employer), or if it’s a good conversation piece.

LEADERSHIP or something similar – e.g., “Public Service” or “Community Service” or “Service”

Madison House June 2008 – June 2009

·  Without more, these activities are meaningless on a resume. Include descriptions and the “results” of your actions.

Honor Committee June 2008 – June 2009

·  Be particularly mindful to explain UVa-specific honors that might not resonant with non-Hoos (e.g., Honor, Lawn Resident, Raven Society; be sure to provide context for (or eliminate) activities that could otherwise be perceived as those of a “party animal.”

AWARDS AND HONORS

Beth Brogan Scholarship-awarded to top 10% of class for leadership and academic achievement

Blue Key, Mortar Board, John Spencer Fellowship, Chris and Lynne McLaughlin Award, Golden Key, Phi Eta Sigma Shelby should have focused on just a few awards and, if possible, provided enough context or details to catch the reader’s interest. This section also could be included as a sub-heading under her Education section.

LANGUAGES or, if you have a lot of international experience that led to your language abilities, “International” or “International Experience”

Spanish, proficient. French, fluent. Do not include unless prepared to speak at least one of the languages in the interview!

PERSONAL or “Skills”

Enjoy traveling through Europe; have visited London, Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam. Enjoy gourmet cooking. Be mindful of the impression you create with this section, which only should be used if you have something particularly interesting to add. The reader of Shelby’s “Personal” section would likely say, “Yes, that’s something we all enjoy!” More appropriate examples could be your rank of “Eagle Scout” or certification in the martial arts or ASL. Computer skills are NOT necessary to include, unless yours are truly exceptional (e.g., something beyond Word and Excel). On the other hand, if the job requires computer skills, include them!

REFERENCES

Available upon request. This is NOT needed; employers know you will provide references if asked!