Graduate Student Resume Collection

Career Center

Duke Career Center • studentaffairs.duke.edu/career • 919-660-1050 • Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 2nd Floor • 114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Box 90950, Durham, NC 27708

Graduate Student Resume Collection

Index

Resume Writing

Resume Tips and Improving Verbs

Transferable Skills

Verbs to Highlight Your Accomplishments

Example Accomplishment Statements

Quick Comparison: CV vs. Resume

Resume Samples

Career CenterSearch Strategically

Resume WritingThe resume serves as an introduction that tells the story of how your past experiences and accomplishments have prepared you for a specific next step.

It is tempting to jump to the resume as the first step when kicking off your search process. This will present you with challenges because the resume is a culminating effort, not a first step. Synthesizing your experiences and accomplishments into short and impactful statements requires complex thinking. If you’re struggling with crafting your resume, reach out to us for help.

A successful resume will pique enough confidence and curiosity about you to secure an interview.The purpose of your resume is to answer two key questions for readers:

•Whatareyoucapableofandwhatdoyouknow?

•Howwellsuitedareyoufortherolethatisbeingfilled?

A carefully constructed, well-edited and focused resume will create a compelling description of your patterns of qualities, skills and accomplishments in response to these underlying questions.

5 Tips for a Successful Resume

1. Think creatively about experience.Your meaningful accomplishments will come from across a variety of endeavors in your life. Consider businesses you’ve run, projects that you complete, longstanding hobbies and pursuits, contributions you have made or other defining experiences in your life. All of these can be aspects of your resume.

2. Format your resume with first things first.The top and left side of your resume are the most valuable spaces when someone is visually scanning the page and forming a first impression. Use the first section heading strategically to ensure that your most compelling experiences are at the top of the page. To start each bullet, thoughtfully choose verbs that are precisely descriptive of your actions. Order the bullets so that the most compelling comes first.

3. Illustrate your

patterns of success.Showcase the skills you have developed through experience; what you have learned in the classroom or other points of exposure; positive qualities you will bring to the work; and a mastery of the language and culture of the realms to which you apply.

4. Articulate the impact of your contributions.Highlight accomplishments and include measures of your success wherever possible. Use individual resume bullets to highlight your outcomes in ways that will resonate with the readers’ point of view. For example, use measurable, quantified results for a bottom-line-driven industry.

5. Write multiple resumes if you have multiple interests.Your varied interests may require equally varied presentations of you at your best. For different industries or roles, change the categories, order and descriptions of different experiences to ensure that unique readers of your resume recognize right away that you excel in areas that are meaningful to them.


FULLNAME BIG&BOLD Address Best Phone Number Best Email Address Education Duke University Durham, NC Your Degree Graduation Month and Year • What have been your meaningful educational accomplishments while at Duke? • Include highlights-‐ you don’t have to be comprehensive. • Consider GPA, honors, study abroad, thesis, projects, research, relevant courses, or other components Other Universities Location Degree or Program Dates of Study • What were the main benefits to you inside and out of the classroom? High School Location Degree, GPA, or other characteristics Dates of Study • What were your primary accomplishments, educationally? Specific Experience Category #1 Interesting Job Location Role Dates • Bullets include an active and specific verb that describes this contribution, learning, skills or outcome, and details and data

that make it tangible. • Prioritize, with the most important and relevant bullets first. • Use concise and clear language and industry-‐specific language only if applying to that industry. Student Organization Location Current Role Dates • Write about being elected (what for!) or ways you contribute more over time. Earlier Role Dates • Include a variety of experiences and contributions; no need to replicate information in similar roles. However, repeating

something and presenting it in a new way can serve as an enhancement. Specific Experience Category #2 Internship Location Role Dates • The number of bullets under each experience does not need to be consistent. However, the space that something takes on

the resume does give a sense of its level of importance. Specific Experience Category #3 Independent Project Location Role Dates • Describe your initiative, managing a huge endeavor, overcoming obstacles, getting support from others, and other

challenges you overcame when managing something new! Skills Language: Computer: Lab: Interests Highlight unique aspects of your background, personality, or attention to professional topics.

No need to add a line about references being available. This has been seen on resumes, historically, but is no longer expected. Save that space for interesting content.

Someone may have to mail you documents or have your address for official correspondence. Keep your address simple. Only include multiple addresses if necessary.

This can include major, minor, certificates, specializations, or other degree components.

You can use this section to feature your study abroad experiences.

A high school section is most used by first and second year undergrads or those who attended schools with a large or passionate network of alumni.

Think creatively about how you design your categories. This is an opportunity to bring attention to patterns in your interests or skills. Look at example resumes for ideas but two general categories could be common type of organization, e.g., Media Experience or function, e.g. Research Experience.

Use a skills section to bring added attention to RELEVANT skills. Be sure these skills are evident throughout your resume as well.

e.g. researcher, founder, volunteer, consultant


The CV: What Do I Need to Know?

Internationally, the terms curriculum vitae, CV and resume may be used interchangeably. However, in the context of academic or research-based work, a CV refers to a document with very specific content and organization detailing the research, teaching and administrative expertise required. While a common application document for those with a Ph.D., undergraduate students most commonly need a resume.

Resume Writing - cont.

Resume Tips and Improving Verbs


Structure• Use the active rather than passive voice.• Begin with a strong, active verb that best represents what you contributed.• Use present tense for current activities and past tense for past activities.• Avoid the phrases “responsible for” or “duties include.”• Prioritize sections based on most relevant information first.• Write section headings based on tailoring them to the position. For example, “Work Experience”

becomes “Research Experience,” while another section could be “Additional Employment Experience.”

• Within your bullets, organize these descriptors so that the most relevant appear first.Formatting

• Maintain sufficient white space to make it easily readable and uncluttered, while still including thorough descriptions of your experiences.

• Be consistent with styling and formatting throughout all sections of the resume as you use bold, CAPS, italics, and underlining.

• Place important information toward the top of the document, because HR managers often scan resumes quickly. These sections include Education, Relevant Experience, and/or Leadership Experience.

• Each section should be organized in reverse chronological order. • Use readable font, such as Cambria, Calibri, Times New Roman, Garamond, or Arial.• Font should be size 10, 11, or 12 point and easy to read.• Your name should be 16+ font size, in bold, and NOT in caps.• Margins should be in the range of .5” to 1” on all four sides.• Use numbers instead of writing them out, for example, use 5 instead of five.• Use black ink. • Don’t include tables to organize the document. • Avoid personal pronouns in the resume.• Don’t use full sentences or paragraphs to describe your experiences.

General Tips• Keep your resume to 1 page in length.• Proofread to avoid spelling or grammatical errors.• Include the GPA if it is a 3.0 or above.• Coursework must be relevant to the position. Irrelevant courses or standard courses expected of a

student with the stated major should not be listed.• Evaluate your language skills honestly, using words such as “beginner,” “intermediate,” “advanced,”

or “native proficiency.” You can separate your experience between written and conversational aptitude.

• Technical skills should include your level of proficiency with language such as “proficient in” and “familiar with.”

• A photo is not recommended on a resume. For LinkedIn profiles, a photo of you in professional attire is common.

• If printing the document, use white or ivory resume paper.• References should be on a separate page, so don’t make them a part of the resume. Do repeat your

contact information at the top of the reference page.


Improving Your Active Verbs

Good Better Best

Worked Contributed ImprovedDid Performed ProducedResponsible for Managed SpearheadedAttended Participated OrchestratedSaw Observed AnalyzedLearned Gained Experience ImplementedTried Tested Developed

For more information on resumes, see the Duke Career Center SlideShare account at http://www.slideshare.net/DukeCareers/tag/resume

Resume Tips and Improving Verbs - cont.

Transferable SkillsAs you begin your job search or consider careers that would be right for you, it is important to know what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. Over the years you have developed many skills from coursework, extracurricular activities, internships, jobs and your total life experiences. If you’ve researched, written, edited and presented papers for classes, you’ve used skills that are not limited to any one academic discipline or knowledge area but are transferable to many occupations.

What Skills and Qualities Are Important to Employers?According to the 2012 National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook Survey, the top 10 qualities/skills employers seek are transferable skills.

1. Verbal communication skills 6. Problem-solving skills2. Strong work ethic 7. Written communication skills3. Teamwork skills (works well with others) 8. Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)4. Analytical skills 9. Computer skills5. Initiative 10. Flexibility/adaptability

Your Ten Most Preferred Skills Brief Example of How You’ve Used Each Skill

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CommunicationExchange, transmission and expression of knowledge and ideas

¨ speaking effectively ¨ writing ¨ listening attentively ¨ expressing ideas ¨ facilitating discussion ¨ providing appropriate feedback ¨ negotiating ¨ perceiving nonverbal messages ¨ persuading ¨ describing feelings ¨ interviewing ¨ editing ¨ summarizing ¨ promoting ¨ working in a team ¨ making presentations ¨ thinking on one’s feet ¨ dealing with public

Organization, ManagementDirect and guide a group in completing tasks and attaining goals

¨ initiating new ideas ¨ making decisions ¨ leading ¨ solving problems ¨ meeting deadlines ¨ supervising ¨ motivating ¨ coordinating tasks ¨ assuming responsibility ¨ setting priorities ¨ teaching ¨ interpreting policy ¨ mediating ¨ recruiting ¨ resolving conflict ¨ organizing ¨ determining policy ¨ giving directions

Research & PlanningThe search for specific knowledge

¨ setting goals ¨ analyzing ideas ¨ analyzing data ¨ defining needs ¨ investigating ¨ extracting important information ¨ gathering information ¨ formulating hypotheses ¨ calculating and comparing ¨ developing theory ¨ observing ¨ identifying resources ¨ outlining ¨ critical thinking ¨ predicting and forecasting ¨ conceptualizing

Human RelationsAttend to the social, physical or mental needs of people

¨ counseling ¨ advocating ¨ coaching ¨ providing care ¨ conveying feelings ¨ empathizing ¨ interpersonal skills ¨ facilitating group process ¨ active listening ¨ motivating ¨ developing rapport ¨ persuading others ¨ being patient

Design & Problem SolvingImagine the future, develop a process for creating it

¨ anticipating problems ¨ creating images ¨ designing programs ¨ displaying ¨ brainstorming new ideas ¨ improvising ¨ composing ¨ thinking visually ¨ anticipating consequences of action ¨ conceptualizing ¨ creating innovative solutions ¨ defining problems ¨ identifying possible causes ¨ multitasking

Take Stock of Your Transferable SkillsReview the lists in the following 5 categories and mark all the skills you have. Then go back and circle the 10 underlined skills you would enjoy using most. Write these top 10 skills in the spaces provided under “Ten Most Preferred Skills” and write a brief example of how you have demonstrated each skill in a job, class, internship, or extracurricular activity. This will help as you consider career options and as you prepare for a job search and interviews.

Transferable Skills - cont.

Example Accomplishment Statements

DukeEngageIntern,AustinFoundation, Seattle, WA Summer 2010• Created and implemented new program to encourage females to focus on positive life behaviors• Developed and implemented curricula for 8-week fitness programs for underprivileged youth• Collaborated with community festivals to improve the Foundation’s visibility and outreach efforts.

EnergyTransfer Summer 2011 Intern: Management (CEO)

• Participated in weekly management meetings discussing company logistics, including distribution issues, reservoir negotiations, and potential mergers and financial opportunities

• Coordinated preliminary research & negotiations for a .9 MW solar plant in southwest Texas• Aided in the initial planning for a 40MW utility scale wind farm in Central America

UnitarianUniversalistYouthConference,StarIsland,NH, Women’s Group Leader Summer 2009 • Organized 100-member youth conference on an island 7 miles off the mainland • Strengthened staff-participant interaction through mentorship and outreach efforts

DukeUniversity,Division1NCAAFootball July 2008-Present• Full Scholarship; 3 year letter winner; 3 year starter• Dedicated 30 hours/week including weight training, practice, conditioning, film study, & meetings• Frequently organize and set up extra player meetings and workouts• Participated in team building exercises

ServiceOpportunitiesinLeadership,HartLeadershipProgram Spring 2011 – Spring 2012 • Participated in 12-month program combining academics, service, and leadership training• Awarded $4,000 grant to conduct research on HIV/AIDS perception in Honduras• Taught HIV/AIDS education to classes of 30-40 children ages 8-20 to increase youth population

knowledge to reduce region’s high infection rate

CouncilforChildren’sRights,DukeEngage, Intern, Charlotte, NC June – August 2012• Researched legislative and policy issues to find solutions to chronic problems facing local youth • Wrote policy briefs and performed research for projects revolving around school readiness, juvenile

jurisdiction, and total amount of money spent on children annually in Mecklenburg County• Tracked legislation moving through the North Carolina General Assembly• Observed court hearings to better understand experiences of children in the criminal justice system

ChiPsiFraternity- Durham, NC, Co-Social Chair 2008-2010 • Organized 2010 Chi-Psi Annual Formal at the Hilton in Durham for 80 guests• Won Scholarship Award in 2009, given to one member of the fraternity who has excelled in and

shown dedication to academics• Captained Chi Psi’s dodge ball, soccer, and softball intramural teams

Teacher,BreakthroughCollaborative – New Orleans, LA Summer 2011 • Taught 40 high-potential middle school students from low-income areas of New Orleans• Designed courses in Science, Engineering, and Dance



Additional Accomplishment Statement Examples

EditorofSchoolNewspaperInstead of “edited school paper,” try:

• Researched, wrote, and collected photographs for 20 stories per semester, including 10 pieces for online edition

• Succeeded in meeting competing deadlines, which required high attention to detail• Located and edited inconsistencies before press release dates

OfficeAssistantInstead of “answer phones, schedule appointments, fax papers,” try:

• Interact with diverse array of clients, colleagues, and external partners to schedule meetings, organize logistics, and make travel arrangements

• Communicate verbally and in writing with numerous stakeholders• Trained 2 additional interns regarding office policies and procedures

Waiter/WaitressInstead of “waited tables at Italian restaurant,” try:

• Prioritized and managed simultaneous responsibilities• Acted as a restaurant sales representative, selling add-ons to achieve one of the highest

per-night sales averages• Built a loyal base of regular customers

ResearchAssistantInstead of “Worked on a project titled, ‘Calcium influx in the innate immune response mediated by Toll-like receptors,’” try:

• Collected data on 5 different biomarkers and evaluated their effectiveness• Managed and updated databases on a weekly basis• Collaborated with 4 team members to achieve project goals

Example Accomplishment Statements - cont.

Quick Comparison: CV vs. ResumeCV Resume

Goal • To obtain an academic position or grant • To obtain a non-academic job

Audience• Fellow academics • Potential non-academic employers

• Networking contacts

Structure• Text-rich, narrative style • Minimal text supported by

achievement-oriented bullets

Content

• Complete history of your academic pursuits, including academic research, teaching, awards, and service

• Tailored to highlight your fit with a specific job/ department/ institution

• OR• Tailored to highlight your ability to

conduct research aligning with funding agency needs

• Snapshot of your most relevant skills and experience• Tailored to highlight your fit with a specific job/ firm/ industry

Length

• Flexible; as long as neccesary to tell your story

• Typically 3-4 pages for doctoral candidates

• Typically 1-3 pages for master’s candidates

• Limited to 2 pages• Typically 2 pages for doctoral

candidates• Typically 1 page for master’s

candidates

Unnecessary Info

• Activities outside of the core academic pursuits of research, teaching, and service

• Anything not relevant to the role/ function/ industry for which you are applying; e.g., unabridged lists of publications, presentations, conferences attended, courses taught

• Career objective• Personal statement• References



Sample: Master’s Resume - Engineering Research Melissa Elizabeth Tator

4283 Peachtree Avenue, Durham, NC 34587 • [email protected] • cell: (713) 536-8923

EDUCATION Master of Science: Biomedical Engineering December 2010 Duke University, Durham, NC GPA: 3.8/4.0 Relevant Coursework Includes: Electrophysiology, Tissue Biomechanics, Bionanotechnology, Physiology, Tissue Engineering,

Molecular Biology, Physiology of Extreme Environments, Systemic Histology, Design of Medical Devices Bachelor of Science: Mathematics and Spanish May 2008 Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX Semester abroad at La Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain January-May 2006 GPA: 3.9/4.0 INTERNSHIPS National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) May 2010-Present Wyle Laboratories: Human Research Program (HRP) Intern; Houston, TX

• Compiled research deliverables and assessed technical readiness levels for the Human Research Program, which • investigates the impact of spaceflight on the human body; presented information to management to aid direction of

research objectives • Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of five to assist in the development of the Human Research Roadmap, a web-

based system which captures the HRP’s biomedical risks, Program Requirements Document, and Integrated Research Plan • Shadowed the Biomedical Engineer Flight Controller in International Space Station Mission Control and supported Russian

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Wyle Laboratories: Human Research Program (HRP) Intern; Houston, TX June-August 2009

• Performed statistical analysis of NASA HRP Education & Outreach program data • Researched impact of space on biological systems and drafted web text for “Hydration” activity

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Cartilage Mechanics and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Duke University Department of Biomedical Engineering Student Researcher; Durham, NC

• Developed PEG-DA microwell system to enable three dimensional culture of small cell populations • Cultured type IX collagen knockout mouse chondrocytes in presence of cytokines to form cartilage tissue pellets • Performed analyses on tissue specimens using ELISA, histology, and MATLAB programming techniques

Continuum Biomechanics Laboratory, Texas A&M University Department of Biomedical Engineering Research Assistant; College Station, TX August-December 2008

• Worked on biomechanical mathematical model of abdominal aortic aneurysm under Dr. Jay Humphrey VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Engineering World Health Volunteer; Durham, NC August 2009-December 2010

• Served with a team of students to design an improved sphygmomanometer for use in the developing world • Served as liaison to 15 hospitals in Honduras and Nicaragua to assess hospitals’ medical needs and arranged delivery of devices and biomedical engineers where necessary. Demonstrated effective Spanish communication skills

Engineers Without Borders Volunteer and Delegate; Fort Worth, TX and Cabezas, Bolivia March 2007-December 2008

• Designed and implemented engineering solutions to a school of 6th-12th graders in Cabezas, Bolivia, while working with a team of four professional engineers

• Engineering solutions included drip bucket irrigation system, flow pressure measurements, water quality assessments, electrical load survey, preliminary wiring and testing of diesel generator

SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS Languages: Proficient in Spanish, enhanced by study in Seville, Spain in spring 2006 Computer: Microsoft Office Suite, SPSS statistical software, and Mathematica and MATLAB programming techniques Honors: Phi Beta Kappa Society, TCU Chancellor’s Scholarship (Full Tuition) Other Activities & Involvements: CoboBrothers Dance Company and Sabrosura latin dance troupe, Fort Worth Sister Cities International, Alpha Chi Omega, Mathematics and biology tutor

Additional DocumentsCover Letter

Curriculum Vitae

Internships

Interviewing

Job Search

Networking

Resume

Additional ResourcesCareer Center Skills Guides

Cover Letter Skills Guide

Curriculum Vitae Skills Guide

Internships Skills Guide

Interviewing Skills Guide

Networking Skills Guide

Resume Skills Guide

Strategic Search Skills Guide


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http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/online-tools-resources/career-center-skills-guides/cover-letter

http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/online-tools-resources/career-center-skills-guides/curriculum-vitae

http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/online-tools-resources/career-center-skills-guides/internships

http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/online-tools-resources/career-center-skills-guides/interviewing

http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/online-tools-resources/career-center-skills-guides/networking

http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/online-tools-resources/career-center-skills-guides/resume

http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/online-tools-resources/strategic-search