UWW Resume Writing

Always include phone and email but consider if street address is helpful or harmful. Hint: it’s helpful if you plan to work/intern in a nearby geographic location.  Consider employers may pass you over if you are applying from far away, unsure whether you are serious about moving.

Optional. This section can be useful when you hand your paper resume out at a career or networking event. If you choose to include it, your summary should be aspirational, tailored with some key skills from your past experiences, all with an eye on where you want to go next.  This section is NOT required.  Often, a cover letter will do a better job conveying your why, as well as your key abilities. When you submit electronically, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) may skip the summary section, looking for those key words to be in the body of your document instead.

You may have not focused on including your education section in the past, but as a UWW interdisciplinary student, your education section is a bright bridge between your past and future.  Including not only your Area of Concentration, but also relevant courses will tailor your document so employers can quickly understand you. Note that areas marked "Optional" are not requirements.

Common Layout: 

University of Massachusetts Amherst (May 2021-present)
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
University Without Walls (optional)
Concentration: Human Resources

Other Information You Can Add:

• GPA: (optional)

• Relevant Academic Coursework: no more than 4-5 classes, always give the name of the class rather than the course number.

• Adding LinkedIn Learning to your education section: Upskill your education with LinkedIn Learning.  LinkedIn Learning offers thousands of online courses to compliment your academics.  Explore software , theory and even some certifications.  Become a more competitive candidate by including a few LinkedIn Learning course to your life and resume. 

As a UWW student, your experience is a valuable bridge between where you have been and where you are going now.  Focus on the transferrable skills, even if the job you have now is not the one you want to keep in the future, the skills you learned will be appreciated by the reader/hiring team.  Some competencies to focus on that employers value include: initiative, teamwork, attention to detail, communication skills, and problem solving skills.  These are the skills employers are most interested in, they are often very willing to train you.

There are many types of experiences: volunteer, paid, unpaid, work study. If the experience is relevant and taught you transferrable skills, include it!

• For each experience, include name of organization, your title or role, location, and dates

• Action verbs (samples below) to and help you write those accomplishment statements

• Consider headings such as: research experience, industry, or relevant experience. 

• How many?  How much?  How often?  Quantifying your work can show mastery

• Avoid “responsibilities included and writing in passive tense e.g., “Lead versus leading”

• Accomplishment Statements: prove you have the skills you say by leaning into outcomes and successes

Depending on your targeted field, you may add computer, language, laboratory skills, or performances. For languages – put your level of fluency (e.g., proficient, advanced, fluent, native).

Computer Skills – Include specific software you’ve used (e.g., Word, Excel, communications/media software, video editing, design or data analysis software.