How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course) from Coursera

What you’ll achieve:

In this project-centered course*, you will craft an essential cornerstone of the modern-day job or internship search: the resume. You’ll review resume best practices and explore current trends with guidance from a professional career counselor and recruiter, and you’ll exchange structured feedback with your peers as you work to polish your own resume. When you complete the course, you’ll have an eye-catching resume that lets your professional strengths shine.

What you’ll need to get started:

This course is designed primarily for young professionals or college students who are writing their first resume or looking to give an old resume a fresh and polished professional look. All job seekers will benefit from the course material and project, however, regardless of their career stage or professional background. All you will need is word processing software that allows you to create a resume on a computer- there are free tools available.

*About Project-Centered Courses: Project-centered courses are designed to help you complete a personally meaningful real-world project, with your instructor and a community of like-minded supportive learners with similar goals providing guidance and suggestions along the way. By actively applying new concepts as you learn, you’ll master the course content more efficiently; you’ll also get a head start on using the skills you gain to make positive changes in your life and career. When you complete the course, you’ll have a finished project that you’ll be proud to use and share.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to the Course & Resumes

Define course goals. Introduction about purpose of a resume, and when it might be used, and criteria for the peer-review rubric.

The Foundation of your Resume: A Self-Inventory

A top-to-bottom look at the typical sections of a resume. Different sections you might have on a resume, definition of transferable skills and how to pull those out of past experiences.

Writing Content for your Resume

How to write an action-statement, what makes a strong verb, how to maximize use of numbers and other characters, and common pitfalls of writing the content.

Piecing it all Together: Organization, Structure, Format

How to organize the sections on the document, foundations of strong structure and clear formatting.

Know your Industry

Different types of jobs are going to look for different headings, or different orders of sections for the optimal response from an employer. Define “Buzz Words” and show how to identify them in a job posting, and then implement them on the resume.

Best-Practices for your Resume from an Employer

Interview with an employer about how they approach a stack of resumes, what stands out in a good way, and what can leave a negative impression.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about resumes job-seekers might have, that may not have fit into our modules.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills and knowledge highly relevant for personal growth and development

Builds a strong foundation for beginners in resume writing

Taught by professionals in career counseling and recruiting

Offers peer-reviewed feedback as part of the learning process

Requires word-processing software to create a resume, which may not be accessible to all learners

Focuses on writing resumes for young professionals or college students, but may not be suitable for more experienced job seekers

Reviews summary

Resume prowess

Learners say writing an impressive resume is a skill anyone can develop and that this course can help. Creating resumes that stand out from the crowd is possible by learning the fundamentals and tailoring them to specific jobs. The course breaks down the parts of a resume, such as the education and experience sections, and guides learners in highlighting skills and quantifying achievements. This course emphasizes the importance of industry knowledge and using strong action verbs to make the resume more impactful.

Learners appreciate the practical exercises and quizzes that reinforce the concepts taught in the course. These activities help learners test their understanding and apply what they've learned.

"The provided exercises are few and need better structure."

"This course help you lot if you are beginner, and for them who has a little knowledge, it will shape your knowledge."

"I love the quizzes and interactive exercises that accompany the lessons."

The course emphasizes the importance of understanding the industry you're applying to and tailoring your resume accordingly. This practical advice can help learners create resumes that are more likely to be successful.

"Excellent course by SUNY! Gained great insights on resume writing! Many thanks to the course instructor, Mr. Zach Slaybaugh! "

"Overall, this is a great course for helping students and professionals with their carriers. The details mentioned are right on point, with good examples."

"Learners are certain to benefit from the course instructor's expertise in resume writing and his ability to clearly explain complex concepts."

The course provides concise, actionable tips for creating an effective resume. Learners appreciate the specific advice and guidance on how to improve their resumes.

"The course was pretty neat. Learnt a lot of things. Gave me a really good insight. Instructor was good I would like to thank him."

"The experience was really very nice. Got to earn several things which were not taught by anyone till now. I thank the platform and the course instructor from the bottom of my heart ."

"I was surprised this course provides a rubric to score a resume which made me understand this course just in a short period of time. Thank you."

With just 854 reviews, the course is relatively short for an online resume-writing course. As a result, it may not cover all aspects of resume writing or provide as many examples as longer courses.

"By doing this course now I can differentiate between resume and cv although they have a little bit difference.If you are a jobseeker you have to inform your particular information on your resume.I hope this course will help anyone to make a well established resume.Here the videos and quiz are well enough understandable with great instructors."

"I thought it was an overall helpful course. However, I do think It Is geared more towards first-time resume writers rather than people who have graduated college and have had a resume for some time. I don't feel like as much of the class content was focused on cleaning up the resume as It was on how to write/format one."

Although peer feedback can be helpful, some reviewers provided only brief comments or used a single letter to grade. Consider requesting more detailed feedback from peers.

"I had more expectations from peer grade review ssignment, but all i got was -Good, Google ypur question, and too many bullet points. I was ho[ing for more detailed review."

"There are small details that the Professor just not only tells but also explains as to why he says so that can make one's resume stand out. However, one must be thorough with the statements that he makes but those are really important to draft a professional resume :)"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course) with these activities:

Brush Up on Industry-Specific Knowledge

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Research industry trends, company profiles, and job descriptions to gain a deeper understanding of the specific requirements and expectations of the industry you are targeting.

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Identify the industry or industries you are interested in pursuing.
Read industry publications, attend webinars, and connect with professionals in your field to stay up-to-date on the latest developments.
Analyze job descriptions for roles you are interested in to understand the required skills and experience.

Understand Resume Best Practices and Trends

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Review resume best practices and explore current trends to refresh your knowledge and prepare for creating a strong resume for your job search.

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Research resume best practices and tips from reputable sources.
Analyze sample resumes in your industry to identify common elements and effective formatting.
Identify industry-specific keywords and phrases that highlight your skills and qualifications.
Review job descriptions for the roles you are interested in to understand the required skills and experience.

Exchange Structured Feedback on Resumes

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Engage in peer-review sessions to exchange constructive feedback on each other's resumes, improving the quality and effectiveness of your resumes.

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Share your resume with peers or a study group for review.
Provide specific and actionable feedback on the content, structure, and formatting of the resume.
Incorporate the feedback received to refine and enhance your resume.

Two other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all five activities

Create a Professional Resume using a Word Processor

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Utilize a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs to create a visually appealing and professional resume that showcases your skills and experience.

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Choose a template or design your own resume using a word processor.
Incorporate the content you have developed, ensuring it is formatted and presented in a clear and concise manner.
Proofread your resume carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, or formatting.
Seek feedback from peers or a professional resume reviewer to refine and enhance your resume.

Organize and Review Course Materials

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Compile and review notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams from the course to reinforce your understanding and identify areas for improvement.

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Gather and organize all materials from the course, including lecture notes, readings, assignments, and practice questions.
Review the materials regularly to reinforce your understanding of the concepts covered in the course.
Identify areas where you need additional practice or clarification and seek help from peers or the instructor.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Resume Writer

As a **Resume Writer**, you will be responsible for helping clients create resumes that are tailored to their specific goals and career aspirations. This course will teach you how to create a resume that meets the needs of different industries and job functions. It will also teach you how to write resumes that are clear, concise, and persuasive, which will help your clients get noticed by potential employers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Resume Writer

Human Resources Assistant

In the role of **Human Resources Assistant**, your job duties may include preparing and updating employee records, providing support to HR staff, and assisting with the recruitment and hiring process. This course will teach you how to translate your skills into resume language, which will be helpful when preparing to apply for positions like this one. A well-structured resume that contains the information employers are looking for will help your application stand out from the others.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Assistant

Career Counselor

As a **Career Counselor**, you will be guiding and assisting individuals in making career decisions and developing their career plans. The information in this course can help you when working with clients to identify their strengths, values, and goals, which will be essential in the resume writing process. A course like this can also teach you project-centered career planning, which may be helpful when working with clients as they navigate their career paths.

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Curriculum Developer

In the role of **Curriculum Developer**, you will be responsible for developing and implementing educational programs. This course will teach you how to create a resume that showcases your experience in curriculum design and development. It will also teach you how to highlight your ability to research and evaluate educational materials, which will be essential for success in this role.

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Academic Advisor

As an **Academic Advisor**, you will be responsible for providing guidance and support to students on academic matters. This course will teach you how to create a resume that showcases your experience in academic advising. It will also teach you how to highlight your ability to help students develop academic plans and achieve their educational goals, which will be essential for success in this role.

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Training Specialist

In the **Training Specialist** role, you will be responsible for developing and delivering training programs. This course will teach you how to create a resume that showcases your experience in training and development. It will also teach you how to highlight your ability to design and deliver engaging training sessions, which will be essential for success in this role.

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Youth Counselor

In the role of **Youth Counselor**, you will be responsible for providing guidance and support to youth on personal and social issues. This course will teach you how to create a resume that showcases your experience in youth counseling. It will also teach you how to highlight your ability to help youth develop coping mechanisms and achieve their personal and social goals, which will be essential for success in this role.

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Social Worker

As a **Social Worker**, you will be responsible for providing support and guidance to individuals, families, and communities. This course will teach you how to create a resume that showcases your experience in social work. It will also teach you how to highlight your ability to provide counseling and support to clients, which will be essential for success in this role.

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Education Consultant

As an **Education Consultant**, you will be responsible for providing guidance and support to educational institutions and organizations. This course will teach you how to create a resume that showcases your experience in education consulting. It will also teach you how to highlight your ability to research and analyze educational trends and develop effective solutions, which will be essential for success in this role.

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Instructional Designer

As an **Instructional Designer**, you will be responsible for creating and developing educational materials. This course will teach you how to create a resume that showcases your experience in instructional design and development. It will also teach you how to highlight your ability to create engaging and effective learning experiences, which will be essential for success in this role.

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School Counselor

As a **School Counselor**, you will be responsible for providing guidance and support to students on personal and social issues. This course will teach you how to create a resume that showcases your experience in school counseling. It will also teach you how to highlight your ability to help students develop coping mechanisms and achieve their personal and social goals, which will be essential for success in this role.

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College Admissions Counselor

As a **College Admissions Counselor**, you will be responsible for helping students navigate the college admissions process. This course will teach you how to create a resume that highlights your experience in working with students and your knowledge of the college admissions process. It will also teach you how to write resumes that are persuasive and engaging, which will help you attract the attention of potential clients.

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Recruiter

In the **Recruiter** role, you will be responsible for sourcing and screening potential candidates for open positions. This course will teach you how to create a resume that is tailored to the specific roles and industries you are recruiting for. It will also teach you how to effectively present your skills and qualifications on a resume, which will help you attract high-quality candidates.

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Teacher

As a **Teacher**, you will be responsible for educating students in a variety of subjects. This course will teach you how to create a resume that showcases your teaching skills and experience. It will also teach you how to highlight your ability to create lesson plans and manage a classroom, which will be essential for success in this role.

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Office Manager

As an **Office Manager**, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of an office, including managing staff, budgets, and supplies. This course will teach you how to create a resume that showcases your organizational and administrative skills. It will also teach you how to highlight your experience in managing multiple projects and deadlines, which will be essential for success in this role.

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