Resume: Top tips

Your resume is the foundation when searching for opportunities, whether paid or unpaid. It summarizes your academic, experiential, and employment accomplishments, showcasing the skills you have developed.

October 16, 2025

What makes an effective resume?

As your first point of contact with a future employer, your resume must make a positive impression, demonstrating your value to the team to increase your chances of being called for an interview. Remember, this is YOUR resume – you have the power to decide what to include and how to present your experience in a way that aligns with your goals

Top tips 

  • Tailor your resume with keywords, backed up by evidence of accomplishments, to demonstrate your area of focus for each application
  • Keep it to two pages max, prioritizing quality and relevance over quantity
  • Know your industry and use relevant terminology 
  • Write strong accomplishment statements using action verbs to highlight your skills and impact instead of your tasks or duties
  • Include your LinkedIn URL to provide access to more information about you
  • Every experience counts – whether it’s a one day job shadow, a weekend volunteering opportunity, or a part-time job, all have transferable skills
  • Orgranize your resume sections to reflect what’s most important to the employer
  • You can leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to assist with resume updates, ensuring you personalize AI suggestions to fit your style and the specific job requirements. Visit The Pros and Cons of Using AI to Write Your Cover Letter and Resumé to learn more about using AI for your resume and cover letter.

Common mistakes 

  • Not tailoring your resume to your audience, or using keywords without supporting evidence
  • Making your resume overly brief, which can be perceived as a lack of effort
  • Including spelling and grammar errors
  • Not using your education section to present skills and knowledge
  • Only taking advice from one person or those working in unrelated fields
  • Over-relying on AI tools such as ChatGPT without personalizing the content

Access more support on your resume 

  • Check our Resume Sample to get started
  • Attend one of SSC’s resume presentations
  • Drop in to an in-person career drop-in to ask questions on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:30-4 PM, Gilmour Hall 110
  • Schedule an appointment on OSCARplus if you have additional question