Conventional Resumes: A Guide for School of Drama Students
• Conventional Resume Format
• Resume Tips
• Resume Samples
For additional help, call 8-2064 for an appointment.
I. CONVENTIONAL RESUME FORMAT
Contact Information
Name, address (home and campus/local if applicable), telephone number (include area code), email address, home page (if applicable)
Job Objective
Describe briefly and clearly the type of work you are seeking and the skills you are offering.
Education
Complete name of institution:
Carnegie Mellon University , School of Art
Degree awarded or to be awarded (degrees may be written out or abbreviated)
Field of study
Relevant courses
Refer to any special training in addition to formal education
Name and briefly describe thesis topic, if applicable
Year of graduation or expected graduation
Also include Study Abroad
Experience
Name and describe paid and unpaid employment; include internships, summer jobs, field study, and/or project work.
(Project work can also be listed under “Education” or under a separate section such as, “Academic Experience,” “Project Work.”)
Traditional resume formats begin with present/last position and record information in reverse chronological order. However, your most important and relevant experiences should ideally appear first. If you have had nonrelevant work experience after a more relevant experience, try creating more specific categories such as “ Teaching Experience, Animation Experience, Other Experience”, and list experiences accordingly. Usually, listing experiences in these types of categories will naturally result in a reverse chronological order within each category. Include the following:
Employer Name City, State/Location
Job Title/Position Dates of Employment/Experience
Skills
Refer to any distinct skills specific to your field including: welding, woodworking, screenprinting, etc.
List computer skills and foreign language proficiencies.
Honors
Special Awards, Dean's List, Scholarships, Honor Societies
Achievements
Shows, Exhibits, Publications (can also be listed in a separate section), SURG Grants with titles
Activities
Campus/Community Activities, Leadership and Volunteer Positions (can also be listed under “Experience” if relevant to objective), Hobbies/Interests (optional)
References
It is not necessary to state “references are available upon request”, but it is a good idea to mention that items such as portfolio or writing samples will be furnished upon request.
*NOTE : The appropriate way to write Carnegie Mellon is without a hyphen. Also “CMU” is an abbreviation often used within the university, but should not be used when writing resumes, cover letters, and other official documents.
II. RESUME TIPS
Do:
• Keep your resume to one page.
• Use a visual layout that is simple and easy to read. Whoever is reviewing your resume should be able to skim it quickly and find what he or she is looking for – or get interested in you enough to want to know more. Good use of white space and effective bolding are your best tools. If you are trying to show off your design skills, keep it simple and show off your flashier skills in your portfolio. Design should never get in the way of readability.
• Run spell check AND have someone proof it.
• Organize each section in reverse chronological order
• Use a heavy-bond white, or off white paper. Always 8 ½x11.
Do not include:
• Personal information (age, height, weight, marital status, etc.).
Action Words for Resume Development
Accompanied Drafted Installed
Accelerated Eliminated Instructed
Achieved Enacted Integrated
Acquired Engineered Interpreted
Administered Enhanced Launched
Analyzed Established Maintained
Arranged Evaluated Managed
Assembled Exceeded Mastered
Assisted Executed Negotiated
Budgeted Exhibited Organized
Built Expanded Participated
Clarified Experienced Perfected
Commanded Facilitated Performed
Compiled Formed Planned
Completed Finalized Prepared
Composed Founded Presided
Conceived Generated Produced
Conducted Governed Proposed
Constructed Handled Reorganized
Controlled Headed Revamped
Converted Helped Reviewed
Cooperated Hired Scheduled
Coordinated Implemented Solved
Created Improved Streamlined
Delegated Improvised Supervised
Demonstrated Increased Supported
Designed Induced Taught
Developed Influenced Trained
Devised Initiated Utilized
Displayed
Directed
III. A - RESUME SAMPLE
Clayton Boone
Box 1234
Pittsburgh , PA 15217
412-521-5555
yardboy@cmu.edu
Objective
To combine my customer service and organizational skills, working in the tourism industry.
Education
Carnegie Mellon University . Pittsburgh , PA
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Drama – Acting
May 2003
Experience
Desk Attendant , 8/02 – present.
Carnegie Mellon Athletics . Pittsburgh , PA.
Managing athletic equipment sign-out process. Assisting students and faculty with questions about athletic facilities. Monitoring use of university facilities.
Salesperson , 5/01 – 8/01.
Barnes & Noble . Pittsburgh , PA.
Operated cash register. Assisted customers with special orders.
Camp Counselor , 5/00 – 8/00.
Camp Blue Ridge . Somerset , PA.
Supervised cabin of ten 12-year-olds, responsible for campers' safety and well-being. Coached campers on how to resolve conflicts. Helped run various sports and arts activities. Collaborated with other staff to plan campers' evening activities.
Other skills
Computer: PC and Mac. Word, Excel.
Language: Fluent in Spanish
III. B - RESUME SAMPLE
Roberta Shaw
Box 3344
Pittsburgh , PA 15213
412-222-3333
Roberta@aol.com
Objective To provide a safe environment and companionship for a senior citizen
Education Carnegie Mellon University . Pittsburgh , PA
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Drama – Design
May 2003
Related Sunnyledge Nursing Center . South Orange , NJ .
Experience Activities Volunteer, Summer 2000
Planned creative and entertaining activities for floor of 24 residents. Assisted activities director with programming. Visited with residents one-on-one. Developed first-ever Family Sunday parties.
Other Carnegie Mellon Alumni Relations. Pittsburgh , PA
Experience Fundraiser, 9/02 – present
Call alumni and encourage them to pledge money. Record pledges and write follow-up postcards.
Carnegie Mellon University . Pittsburgh , PA
Orientation Counselor, 8/02
Assist group of 20 first-year students with move-in and getting acclimated to the university. Provide discussions and programming on various personal development topics. Lead social activities during orientation week.
South Orange YMCA. South Orange , NJ .
Lifeguard, Summer 1999.
Other Skills CPR
Drivers license
Light cooking
