Résumé Writing Guide - Resume & Cover Letter Writing Guide - How Do I Create a Resume?

Sep 13, 2026

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Résumé & cover letter writing guide from the Center for Experiential Learning and Career Development. Explains how to create an effective, professional resume that helps candidates get hired by proving they are the best fit and capturing employer interest. Covers resume formats and when to use chronological, skill-based, and combination styles, including key characteristics, focus, benefits, and drawbacks. Provides guidance for getting started with general and transferable skills to highlight.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

RESUME & COVER LETTER WRITING GUIDE

How Do I Create a Resume?

Choosing a Format

Two Sample Versions of the Same Resume

Getting Started Writing General Skills

Transferable Skills

The Center for Experiential Learning | | | --- | | Center for Experiential Learning and Career Development | | SHAW UNIVERSITY
[careerdevelopment@shawu.edu](careerdevelopment@shawu.edu) | CELCD and Career Development 125 East South Street Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 278-2672 RESUME & COVER LETTER WRITING GUIDE HOW DO I CREATE A RESUME? Follow the guide in this book and we will show you how. The Center for Experiential Learning and Career Development 125 East South Street Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 278-2672 Résumé Writing Guide When writing your resume, it is important to remember your goal: to get hired! To do that, you must prove that you are the best candidate and capture the interest of the employer. One way todo this is to have an effective, professional resume, which will help you obtain an interview. Choosing a Format There are three types of resumes: chronological, skill-based, and combination. Use the chart below to help you decide which would be the most effective type for you. Keep in mind that a different resume format may be best for each position you are seeking. | | Chronological | Skill-Based | Combination | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Characteristics | Presents all work
experience, starting
with your most recent
position and working
back in time 10-15
years | Summarizes your professional skills and minimizes your work history | Uses aspects of the chronological and skillsbased
styles best suited to the position you’re seeking | | Focus of
Resume | Experience | Skills and strengths important to employer | Both experience and skills | | When to Use | Seeking position in same field
Career path shows steady progress (increasing responsibility)
No gaps in work history | Changing careers
Entering job market for the first time or after long absence
Varied or unrelated work experience | Varied or unrelated work experience
Short work history
Highlight relevant internships or volunteer positions | | Benefits | Creates a concise
picture of you as an employee for employer | Emphasizes relevant skills and strengths for employer | You choose the most effective features of chronological and skillbased resumes | | Drawbacksand Cautions | Applicable transferable skills can be difficult
for employer to see | No detailed work history | Pressure on you to fit the format to your objective and logically organize information | The Center for Experiential Learning and Career Development 125 East South Street Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 278-2672 Résumé Writing Guide: Choosing a Format (cont.) Two Sample Versions of the Same Resume Here are two sample resumes representing the same person. Ivanna is using the chronological resume on the left to apply to a teaching job, and the skills-based resume on the right to apply fora lobbying internship. | Chronological | Skills-based | | --- | --- | | IVANNA SHAW
123 Alpha Street
Raleigh, NC 98225
919.555.5555
EDUCATION Bachelor of Science, Major: Marine Ecology, Shaw University (SU),
Raleigh, NC.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Writing Assistant at SU Career Center—
Sept. 2004-June 2005
Peer tutored SU students individually in writing
Responded to resume drafts submitted to Shaw University’s Career Center Online Writing Lab
Facilitated Blackboard online discussions
Interpretation Intern at Channel Islands National Park—June-Sept. 2004
Interpreted marine ecology through presentations and guided tours to help visitors understand, appreciate, and care for the islands
Researched and wrote interpretive brochuresand park manual
Assisted park rangers with projects
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND HONORS
Huxley College Outstanding New Student in the Environmental Science Department—Fall 2005 Bellingham High School Science Tutor—Fall 2005-Spring 2006
SU Jazz Band—September 2003-June 2004 | IVANNA SHAW
123 Alpha Street
Raleigh, NC 98225
919.555.5555
EDUCATI

FAQs

What is the main goal of a resume according to the guide?

The guide emphasizes getting hired. A resume should prove the candidate is the best option and capture an employer’s interest to help secure an interview.

What resume formats does the guide describe?

It describes three types: chronological, skill-based, and combination resumes. It also explains that different formats may be best for different positions.

When should a chronological resume be used?

Use a chronological resume when seeking positions in the same field and when your career path shows steady progress with increasing responsibility and no gaps in work history.

Sep 13, 2026

Upload by Ezra