Resume Resources

Tips to get you started on creating a resume, detailed information regarding experience and major, and sample resumes to model yours after!

Check out the General Resume Tips for more detailed information & samples. For a Microsoft Word document version click here.

  • Include your GPA
  • List your experiences in terms of “power”
  • Communicate key skills in every bullet point
  • Start every bullet point with a strong action word (supervised, trained, organized, etc.)
  • List skills, such as computer software, that are relevant to the position you are applying to.
  • Keep your formatting consistent
  • Use the same size font [10-12″] for everything but your name
  • Do NOT use a Microsoft or web-based resume template as they are challenging to edit. Click here to view the downloadable Smeal resume format. Updated Smeal Format 2024:https://pennstateoffice365-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/tmr24_psu_edu/EUHvq1SZG8ZPinUzdR2_910BurAWxOEiS_sb1GdQ5d12Hw?rtime=lLxgFVBd3Eg
  • Check & Recheck spelling and grammar

Ethical Considerations:

  • Don’t exaggerate your GPA. You will be found out, especially when many employers will ask for your transcript as part of the hiring process. Don’t round up! Always give your GPA to the hundreth. 
  • Do list your cumulative GPA, not just your major GPA. Your cumulative GPA tells the whole story while your major GPA does not.  
  • Be honest about the college you are currently enrolled in. If you are in DUS, write Division of Undergraduate Studies. You can change this information once you are accepted into Smeal.  
  • Don’t overestimate or exaggerate your title at an organization and/or work experience. 
  • Don’t try to use “fancy” language in your bullet points to sound more professional if you don’t fully understand the definitions and how it ties into your task – use key industry buzzwords when appropriate and when you are able to explain your role and task.  
  • Don’t exaggerate the duration of your involvement; if you volunteered for Relay for Life on one day, don’t state you volunteered for a month or until “Present” if your involvement is not ongoing. 
  • Don’t try to trick Applicant Tracking Systems with hidden keywords typed in white in the margins of your resume. 
  • Don’t exaggerate your language and/or technical proficiencies. Be honest! It’s very easy to test on these competencies. 
  • Don’t include experiences that you can’t speak to. Any experience on your resume is fair game for employers to discuss during an interview 
  • Keep experiences on your resume even if they are not relevant to your major or career interest. You gain key skills that are transferable into various industries and job functions (ex. customer service, communication, organization, etc.) 

Additional resume resources: