Building that Perfect Résumé

Your resume is the key that gets you through the door. Often, the first image of yourself that employers have is through the resume that you prepare. 

What is a résumé?

A résumé is a marketing tool that summarizes one's employment qualifications for a targeted audience.

    • The product being marketed is you.
    • It should be a factual, accurate, honest and result-oriented presentation of yourself to your potential employer.
    • It is a documentation of your past and it is geared towards your future and what you can bring to the organization.
    • It should contain an emphasis on skills and accomplishments rather than on attitude and personality traits.
    • The goal is to enable you to get into face-to-face interaction with the person who has authority to hire you.


Elements of a résumé

 Most résumé include seven (7) parts:

  1. Your name, address, and phone number

  2. A job or employment objective

  3. Your skills

  4. Your work experience

  5. Your education

  6. Your special interests

  7. Your references

Common résumé mistakes to avoid

  1. The word “résumé” at the top of the resume

  2. Fluffy rambling “objective” statements

  3. Salary information

  4. Full addresses of former employers

  5. Reasons for leaving jobs

  6. A “Personal” section, or personal statistics (except in special cases)

  7. Names of supervisors

  8. Contact information for references


Checklist to ensure that your resume is complete and fit for use

  • One to two pages only, unless you have significant previous experience.
  • Word processor generated, with full spell check and proofing.
  • Times Roman or other Serif fonts, 10-point to 12-point size.
  • No more than two fonts and two sizes.
  • Margins no less than .75" and no more than 1.5".
  • Quality bond paper, 8 X 11 inches.
  • Contact information clearly stated; campus and permanent addresses both listed if appropriate, e-mail addresses, fax number and telephone number.
  • Clear, focused objective.
  • Summary of your top three or four skills listed as bullet points.
  • Degree listed first, college second.
  • Graduation date listed, even if you have not yet graduated.
  • Experience section listing most notable accomplishments.
  • Descriptive or actual job titles.
  • Industry buzzwords and key words included.
  • Activities section listing your most notable extra-curricular activities.

Need help with your resume or assistance with a job?

If you are a student/graduate sending a resume, please direct same via email to placement@utech.edu.jm under an applicable subject heading:

Full Time - Year - First Name, Last Name  - Faculty/School/College - Major

Graduate - Year - First Name, Last Name  - Faculty/School/College - Major


For more assistance, tune in to this Presentation on our YouTube Channel on How to Effectively Write a Resume