Resume assistance and reviews are always available at the Career Center in Student Services, LTB 1154, during regular office hours, or e-mail your resume to mary@poly.usf.edu for a critique. For questions, please call 863-667-7063.

You can use the Optimal Resume Builder and Tutorial on your home computer. Create or update your resume in five different styles, which the software program formats for you. Tutorial prompts you to create a polished, professional resume. You can even publish it on the Web and link it to our online job board. Go to https://usf-lakeland.optimalresume.com and use your USF email to access.

RESUME REMEDIES SELF CHECKUP

Resumes are always a work in progress, but when was the last time you updated yours?

It's an excellent plan to keep your resume current since you never know when that ideal opportunity may present itself. Then recalling dates, awards and accomplishments won't be an issue.

If it's been a few years since your resume had a checkup, here's a self-directed quiz to bring you up to speed.

OVERALL APPEARANCE

• Is there enough white space so that your information doesn't appear cluttered?
• Is it easy to read so that important information is not buried in the content?
• Do topic headings stand out?
• Is your name in larger print so that it is prominent?

EDUCATION

• Have you included the current degree you are pursuing and anticipated graduation date?
• Have you included your GPA if it adds value to your candidacy?
• Would your resume be strengthened by including selected courses, academic awards, projects or presentations that support your career objective?

EXPERIENCE

• Did you tailor your experience for each individual position you are applying for?
• Have you included keywords based on the skills and requirements of the specific position?
• Have you used action verbs and impact statements, i.e. developed, created, initiated, organized, led, spearheaded?
• Did you use keywords and the jargon of your profession? If you send your resume electronically, keywords are often flagged for attention.
• Did you prominently list your most significant achievements and accomplishments first in each section?
• Does your experience match your objective and the position for which you are applying?
• If you did not use bullets, are your paragraphs short and easily read?
• Have you provided evidence concerning where you developed or used the skills you list?
• If you have minimal work experience, did you include internships or volunteer work?
• Did you use numbers or percentages that stand out, i.e. "managed a department of five with a budget of $500,000" or "increased sales by 25 percent in a 15-state territory?"
• Have you included all experiences that demonstrate skills and accomplishments?

AWARDS AND SPECIAL SECTIONS

• Have you avoided acronyms for little-known organizations?
• Did you include dates of special awards or recognition?

OVERALL PRESENTATION

• Did you have someone who knows you and all of your accomplishments well review your resume?
• Did you include only positive information?