Resume FAQ
Should I list coursework? It is generally a good idea to list “Relevant Coursework”. Limit this to about 3-6 courses (do not include course number). For technical positions, make sure to list out lab courses, perhaps describing the knowledge and skills gained from them. If you are a freshman, you can say instead “Coursework Includes: __” and list a few courses.
Should I list my GPA? For undergraduates, we generally recommend including your cumulative GPA in the EDUCATION section if it is above a 3.0. A GPA is not required, however, and there may be reasons for omitting it or for including a break-out GPA (i.e. your major GPA or your GPA excluding pre-med courses if you were once pre-med but no longer, etc.). If you are a freshman, you do not need to list your GPA. GPAs for graduate students are not as important, though you may want to include it if it is above 3.5. Speak with a career counselor if you’re not sure.
Should I list references? It is now standard to offer a separate list of references when the employer requests them, which often happens at some point in the interview process.
Should I list things from high school? You can include high school academic information if you are an underclassman, but keep in mind that employers are usually more interested in what you have done recently. Generally freshmen and sophomores will list their high school under EDUCATION and a couple noteworthy honors, activities, or work/volunteer experiences. By senior year you will want to fill your resume with what you have done during your time at Princeton.
Should I list my foreign language skills? It is important to list your foreign language skills if they are particularly strong or if they are relevant to the position you are applying for. You must always indicate your level of competency for each language using descriptors such as “basic knowledge”, “conversational”, “proficient”, “highly proficient”, “fluent”, or “native”. When in doubt, be modest about your skills. You should be able to interview in any language you list as being fluent in. International students should not list English as it is assumed that you are fluent enough to study at Princeton. An exception would be if your resume indicates you are from abroad and you are also a native speaker of English.
How should I order things on my resume? Students most often begin with the EDUCATION section because that is what they are most currently doing. Once you graduate, your EDUCATION section will come after your WORK EXPERIENCE section (unless you are currently in graduate school). Resumes are most commonly organized in reverse chronological order, which means the most recent items within a section come first. When listing individual entries, you may begin with either your position or the name of the organization. Decide which one is more important or relevant for your application.
What if I don’t have a lot of relevant work experience? Think about any non-career-related job (“typical” summer jobs in a restaurant, retail or summer camp) in terms of the skills that you learned while on the job, including:
communication skills
interpersonal skills
client/customer service focus
ability to work as part of team
dependability
self-motivation/initiative
flexibility/adaptability
capacity for leadership
problem-solving skills
ability to handle stressful situations
Below are some examples of bullet points that focus on skills used in these types of positions:
- Often called upon to diffuse stressful situations with customers. (restaurant)
- Chosen for maturity and decision-making abilities to open and close store. (retail)
- Prepared windows and sales displays which required innovation, ingenuity, and flexibility. (retail)
- Elected head counselor in charge of staff of nine after demonstrating outstanding dependability and the capacity for leadership. (summer camp)
- Maintained order and safety of pool utilizing an authoritative yet friendly demeanor. (lifeguard)
NOTE: DO NOT use these phrases verbatim on your resume; use them to jumpstart your brainstorming.
This also applies for leadership experience or major involvement in any activity or club.
What if I am using my resume for a graduate school application or an academic fellowship? In these cases you may want to prepare an “expanded resume”, which can be up to 2 pages long. These allow for additional space to flesh out academic and research achievements, as well as leadership and work experiences. You don’t need to list coursework if they ask for a transcript. You may want to include additional headings such as RESEARCH EXPERIENCE, PRESENTATIONS, CONFERENCES, PUBLICATIONS, and PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS. Some schools or fellowships may ask for a CV (or Curriculum Vitae). CVs are the standard in academia. These can be several pages long and include a more detailed account of your academic history (including publications, conferences, research interests, and so on). As an undergraduate or a recent graduate, it is fine to submit an expanded resume rather than a CV.
What are some things that are normally left off a resume?
For U.S. resumes, do not include the following: your age, gender, religion, political affiliation, martial status or social security number; salary expectations or salary history; number of hours worked per week (unless asked).
What if I am applying to positions outside of the U.S.? Resumes used in other countries may have a different format from resumes used in the United States. Some countries will ask for your date of birth, citizenship, or attached photos (none of these are appropriate for a U.S. resume). Use resources like Going Global to find out what’s appropriate.