Writing Chronological Résumés

A chronological résumé is preferable for a recent graduate (or a current student).

• If you have been out of college for three years or less, put your educational information first.

List relevant coursework only if it really is relevant.

• Otherwise, consider summarizing ("Completed an eight-course business core sequence.")

Follow with relevant work / volunteer / intern experience.

• The key word here is relevant : you don't need to list every job you've ever held ~ limit yourself to those that have some bearing on the job you're applying for.
  
• That said, even a job in a radically different field can provide excellent skills and experience ~ your task is to demonstrate how these skills are transferable in as few words as possible.

Be specific.

• Describe your duties in detail, especially those that are relevant to the position you are applying for.

Use action words, like these.

Choose vocabulary that demonstrates TRANSFERABILITY of skills, especially for jobs that might not immediately seem relevant to a prospective employer.

• For example, if you were a server in a restaurant who is now looking for a position as a middle school teacher, you can focus your description of your restaurant job on the people skills you developed, skills which will be directly relevant to working with difficult parents.
  
• If you held a number of similar positions, or a number of jobs that are irrelevant to the position you are now striving for, summarize multiple non-relevant jobs in a single blurb.

Don't overdo it.

• Recent college graduates should stay within one page if possible.

Don't include hobbies or personal interests unless they are directly relevant.

• For instance, if you are applying for a teaching position and you also enjoy coaching, this information might tip the hiring balance in your favor.

DO list computer or language proficiency (if any).

• Relevant computer experience can be broken down by category if necessary (word processing/spreadsheet/database/programming/web development/etc)

PROOFREAD CAREFULLY!

• It's a good idea to ask someone you trust to scan over your résumé and cover letter as well.
  
• Nothing will get you circular-filed faster than a hard-to-read, hard-to-interpret résumé, except one filled with careless errors. Employers interpret sloppy, error-filled résumés as an indication that you are not detail-oriented or thorough.