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Resumés:
Format

(more detailed guides for graduates and undergraduates are available in the FCC)

The BU School of Management resumé format was developed in response to recruiter requests and suggestions. It is recommended that all students follow this format.

  • Resumés are limited to one page for campus recruiting and for resumé books.
  • Use professional business resumé paper. Be sure to select paper that is 32-lb. weight, made of cotton, and has a watermark. Acceptable paper colors include white, ivory or ecru. Do not use colors such as gray, pink or blue.
  • PROOFREAD!! Read your resumé at least 3 times. Have other people look it over as well.
  • If you plan to pursue opportunities in different fields, you may wish to have more than one version of your resumé. Each version should emphasize the skill set that you offer a prospective employer in the specific field.
Resume Format

Font

  • Use the same font type and font size throughout your resumé, preferably 11 or 12 point, but never smaller than 10.
  • If space allows, you may wish to draw greater attention to your name and increase the font size. (This applies only to your name.)
  • It is recommended that you use a traditional, easy-to-read font, such as Times New Roman.
  • Resumé section headings should always be in UPPER CASE BOLD TYPE.

Margins

  • Left and right margins should be no less than 0.5 inches. Smaller margins may result in your resumé being cut off when faxed to a prospective employer. At a maximum, margins should be no wider than one inch.
  • Top and bottom margins should be a minimum of 0.5 inches and a maximum of one inch.

Capitalization

  • Capitalize the first letters of the names of foreign countries, nationalities, and specific languages.
  • Do NOT capitalize industries or disciplines such as marketing, finance, biotechnology, etc.

Abbreviations

  • Abbreviate states for employer locations. Use postal abbreviations (i.e., MA for Massachusetts). Do not abbreviate states in the body of a job description (i.e., responsible for sales in Massachusetts).
  • Spell out your degree. Ex. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. However, you can put the abbreviation in parentheses after the full degree name if you wish (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA).
  • For percentages use the percentage sign.
  • Do NOT abbreviate Co. or Corp. Spell them out: company and corporation.
  • Spell out address information: 15 Tenth Street, not 15 Tenth St.

Dates

  • Write out years completely: 1995-1998 or 1995 to 1998, not 1995-98.
  • Spell out months: February not Feb.

Writing Numbers

  • Numbers less than 10 should be spelled out: Two, not 2
  • Use figures for large monetary amounts: $250,000 in sales or $14.5 million (spell out million and use lower case "m").
  • When referring to monetary amounts from overseas, translate the amount into US dollars and write it out as follows: US$14.5 million.

Other Resumé Formats

Multiple-Page Resumé Format

Multiple-page resumés are appropriate when a job candidate has at least seven to 10 years of professional experience. To participate in campus recruiting efforts and for inclusion in Resumé Books, your resumé is limited to one page.

Functional Resumés

Although functional resumés offer flexibility in discussing your experiences and transferable skills, companies and recruiters have indicated that they do not like functional resumés for two reasons:
  1. There is the suggestion that the writer is concealing liabilities.
  2. It is difficult to tell which activities and accomplishments pertain to which employer.

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