Tips for Resume Writing

*This guide is intended to provide suggestions and tips for submitting resumes. It is not intended as a requirement for submitting resumes for open positions with Idaho National Laboratory.

• Understand the position description (PD) and use key words in your resume.
• Each resume you submit should be tailored to the position description.
• Use precision and be concise
• Be sure to carefully proofread your resume

There are many ways to write a resume

• Typically, a resume is no shorter than one full page but no longer than two full pages (corporate executives, Ph.D. & post doctorates are exceptions).
• 10-12 point, readable font.
• Use bullet points, not paragraphs.
• Place your most impressive, pertinent information at the top. (Example: If you have more related work experience than education, put work experience on the top).
• Do not include a photo: It is illegal in the United States for an employer to consider certain factors in hiring decisions, such as age, race, gender, national origin or disabilities; a photo may provide insight to this information and leave the employer vulnerable to a discrimination claim.

What should be included in your resume? Contact Information

• Make sure information is accurate and current.
• Name, Address, Telephone Number, E-mail Address (you can include websites if applicable).

Summary of Qualifications

• Include: three to five concise sentences.
• Each qualification should be a short summary of your most pertinent experience and qualifications customized for the position.

Education Section

• Include: Schools you have attended, city, state and date of graduation (date is optional, and if included, should be actual or anticipated), degree(s) earned, and grade-point average (GPA) if over 3.0.

Work/Experience

• General Rule: Use the last 10 years of experience or only directly relevant experience if older than 10 years.
• Use action verbs to start each bullet point: managed, processed, recovered, delegated, etc.
• Include: company or organization, position title you held, location, dates of employment, and responsibilities in three to five bullet points.
• Quantify your accomplishments.

Optional Sections

• Include: Organizational involvement, certificates, trainings, continuing education programs, volunteer/community work, academic honors – dean’s list, scholarships, and professional skills.

Work/Experience

• Save your resume as a PDF before submitting. This will ensure the format stays the same once it’s uploaded. If you need help, see LINK
• Click on “Apply Now” and click the bullet for “upload new resume” and continue
• Click on “browse.”
• Find your resume in PDF form and click “upload” and continue