Résumés are documents that outline your skills and experiences. The layout and content of your résumé should be clear and precise. For the Discovery Externship, alumni sponsors will be prompted by the CCD to view résumés as a way to get a feel for the applicant's potential in the given externship, versus selecting an extern based solely on the number of related experiences. However, you will still want to create a high quality document to represent who you are. Decide the messages you want to convey, and ask questions like: "What are the four or five key attributes I want this document to show?" and "What do my experiences say about me?" Brainstorming and self-analysis are key components in preparing your résumé. The following bulleted points can serve as a guide in your résumé writing process, although just like when you write introduction letters, no true "template" exists for writing your résumé.

• Aim for your résumé to reflect YOUR style and character in a personal, yet professional manner.
• Highlight related experiences and interests that will exemplify your potential for the externship.
• Outline your strengths, skills, abilities and talents you have to offer during the externship.
• Include pertinent classes that you've had that may be valuable in the externship.
• Avoid using software that helps you create a template résumé. Templates are invitations to mediocrity. You should look unique, not the same as everyone else.

The Center for Career Development has a staff of Career Advisors who can assist you in critiquing and building upon the first draft your résumé. Additionally, informational packets are also available in the Center for Career Development.