Resume FAQs

• Does my resume have to be just one page?
• I've been told I need a functional resume?
• I don’t have any real work experience. Why would an employer be interested in me?
• Should I include high school information?
• How will I know when it's right?
• Should I include my GPA?
• I spent my first two years at a community college, then transferred to State U. Should I list both?
• How do I indicate my graduation date if I haven’t finished my degree yet?
• Should I list my courses?

Does my resume have to be just one page?

Whereas most new college graduates can fit their most compelling and relevant information onto one page, some just cannot. The recommendation is to strive for one page, edit and condense your first draft, but don’t sacrifice information that is truly important.

I've been told I need a functional resume?

A functional resume groups and emphasizes related skills instead of presenting every fact within a chronological category on the resume. An example would be, for instance, creating a "Leadership Skills" section that includes examples from your college activities, part-time work experience, and volunteer activities. For experienced employees, a chronological resume is usually best because employers can see their career progression and the specific responsibilities and achievements of each position. Don't worry about your resume being strictly functional or chronological—just be sure to create a strong summary and organize your other information into sections to make it easy for the reader to pick up relevant information.

I don’t have any real work experience. Why would an employer be interested in me?

Prior work experience is only one thing employers look for. They realize that most new grads will not have work history that is really relevant to their professional careers. Volunteer activities, unpaid work experience, leadership of student organizations, extensive personal travel, even undocumented work experience, such as babysitting, can all be used to provide evidence of valuable, provable skills. Use your diverse experiences to "prove" you have the attributes of a good employee. But don’t worry too much about what you don’t have. Instead, put your best foot forward with what you do have to offer and feel confident about your abilities.

Should I include high school information?

Include high school information that's truly relevant, adds to your qualifications, or will give you a competitive advantage. Don't overload your resume with high school activities and be sure that they are balanced by more recent examples of your success.

How will I know when it's right?

You'll know when your resume is right for you when it helps you define and organize your skills and attracts interviews for jobs you’re interested in.

Should I include my GPA?

If it’s good (a 3.0 or above, generally speaking), include it. Sometimes an effective strategy is to list your "GPA in major" if it is higher than your overall GPA. If your GPA is unimpressive, omit it; including it on your resume can only harm you.

I spent my first two years at a community college, then transferred to State U. Should I list both?

It is not necessary to list any school except the one granting your degree.

How do I indicate my graduation date if I haven’t finished my degree yet?

If you're starting your job search within a few months of graduation, it's not necessary to qualify the date; a resume with "Bachelor of Fine Arts, June 2003" that is circulated in March does not need to be explained. But if you're using your resume while still in college (say for an internship, co-op job, or part-time employment), use the word "projected" or "anticipated" along with the graduation date: "BSBA anticipated 2004."

Should I list my courses?

Consider adding "Relevant Coursework" or "Highlights of Courses" if you took unusual or advanced classes or if your degree or major course of study is not well known. Course listings can also be helpful for students applying for internships or co-op jobs where employers will not know which of the undergraduate courses in your major you've already completed.