Resumes FAQ

Why do I need a Resume?
The purpose of a resume is to provide a summary of your job history, and a resume is often required when submitting a job application.

For help getting started on your resume, Digital Learn has short videos for what to include, using templates, and tips to improve your resume.

What kind of information goes into a resume?

Resumes are expected to include education (formal education, career training, certifications and job skills), and work history (areas responsibilities, important projects and accomplishments). Resumes can optionally include volunteer activities and career goals. If you are creating a resume for the first time, use our resume worksheet (PDF). This worksheet will help you track most of the necessary information needed in a resume.

Where can I find sample resumes?

Writing a resume can get confusing, so it can be helpful to find examples. The library carries over 100 books about resumes, which include different methods they can be organized. If you'd rather get started at the computer, open Microsoft Word, select New Document and search "resume" in the template search box for examples of resumes.

How do I create a resume? 

Many people use Microsoft Word to create their resume. It includes many sample templates which can be used to make formatting a resume easy. The library also provides Learning Express's Career and Job Accelerator, which has a Resume Builder section to guide you through the process of creating a resume. Follow this instructions sheet (PDF) to get started on making your resume.

What's the best format for saving a resume?

Resumes are most often emailed, submitted in online forms, or printed and handed to an interviewer. Because of the many ways resumes are sent, we recommend saving your resume in three different file formats.

• Emailing or printing a resume (.docx)
  Create and save a resume in the Microsoft Word (.docx) file format when you want to email or print a resume. This file format is the recognized document standard for most businesses and organizations. Resumes created in the online Resume Builder can be downloaded or emailed in the .docx format. This file format will keep any stylistic choices (bold, italics, tabs, etc.) you make consistent between creating, emailing and printing the document.
• Posting a resume to an online job board (.pdf)
  Another popular document format is .pdf, which is similar to .docx, but the document is locked and cannot be changed. If you are posting a resume to a job board where employers can download it, it is much more secure to provide the file in the .pdf format.
• Submitting a resume through an online job application (.txt)
  When you need to copy-and-paste a resume into an online job application, before copying, save a version of your resume in the plain text (.txt) format. This type of document strips away added styles (bold, italics, etc.), which often will not copy correctly the paste field.