Resume

A statement on a resume allows the applicant to introduce themselves to their target audience. The statement sentence(s) can be expressed through a purpose or an ‘about me’ statement based on the application’s purpose.

• Purpose Statement. A sentence that describes the resume’s purpose to the application type (scholarship, work, etc.).
• About Me Statement. A short introduction message that describes who you are and resume goals.

List employment experiences within the past 10 to 15 years. Some careers will require a comprehensive work history, such as academia or government.

• Position. Provide your job title; if it is a vague title, give the area of focus
  —For example: Internship, Member Services.
• Organization. Provide the full name of the organization or company of your employment.
• Length of Employment. Please list how long the organization employed you. Suppose the position is seasonal and repeated; list accordingly.
  —For example: Summer(s) ’19, ’20, and ’22.
• Description. A short description of job-related tasks. Please emphasize the tasks related to the resume’s purpose.

• • Scholarships. Any work experience related to your major should be highlighted through assigned tasks on the job.
  • Employment. Highlight work related tasks connected to the job description.
    —For example, if applying for a leadership position, leadership-related tasks in your work experiences should be enhanced.

Your education shows the work you have put into your credentials and skill refinement. Please list all degrees and certifications achieved and in progress.

• Institution. List your organization’s full name with the city and state.
  —For example: Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK.
• Degree or Certification. List the full name of the specific degree or certification and the year (or expected year) of completion.
  —For example: Business Administration, 2023 expected

List your skills and capabilities, emphasizing areas related to your resume’s purpose. Try and reduce vague skills without certification or education support.
—Do Example: Your degree is in Accounting, list budgeting as a skill.
—Reduce Example: If you know Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, combine them into Microsoft Office.

Resumes are an open canvas of information that should represent the resume’s owner. While the areas above are traditional, resume content should best emphasize the capabilities and personality of the individual in line with the purpose of the resume. Here are a few examples you can enhance your resume as needed.

• References
  • You can list resumes with a minimum of contact information up to a quote and relationship.
  • You can state that “references can be provided on request.”
• Volunteer and Community Support
  • Volunteer opportunities. Include the cause, location, your role, and year(s).
    —For Example: Memorial Run, Durant, OK, Directing Traffic, Summer ’18 & ’19.
  • Clubs and Activities within 5 to 10 years. Include the cause, location, your role, and year(s).
    —For Example: Future Christian Athletes, Durant, OK, Vice-President, 2019.
• Personal Content
  Personal Content will be unique to the resume’s author. Please list relevant information to the resume’s purpose, including the author’s personality, works, or value-based actions.
  • Impactful Moments. Resume authors can include impactful moments, including mission trips, events, or unique activities representing the author’s heart and values. If desired, list only the moment, location, and year allowing for open discussion during the interview.
    —For Example: Medical Mission Trip, Peru, 2019.
• Publications

Purpose is important to the design and content of a resume. Elaborate-looking resumes can be fun and make a statement; however, depending on the job or resume type, elaborate resumes can reduce the impact of the content. Having content allows a resume creator to be intentional with the information given to the opportunity reviewers and its presentation. Here are a couple of tips for designing your resume.

• Purpose. Allow your resume statement and the opportunity description to guide your content prevention. For example, a resume for a scholarship applicant, a graphic designer career, and a leadership position should look different. Create a resume that reflects the goals of the one it represents.
• Content. Place the most important content in standout areas. Your contact information should be easy to recognize and read.
• Efficiency. Formatting content to be sorted under clear headers and titles helps the reviewer. Most reviewers have to read many resumes and applications. Guiding the reviewer through your resume can create a pleasant experience and leave an impact on your reviewer.

List employment experiences within the past 10 to 15 years. Some careers will require a comprehensive work history, such as academia or government.

• Keep It Simple. Resumes can present a lot of information; however, most resumes should only be a page long. Review your content and ensure it empowers your resume’s purpose. Be brief with job descriptions and utilize bullet points as needed. Design should also be simple. Accent colors can leave an impression but should not be overbearing. Symbols can also reduce the number of words on your page while providing information.
  — For example: ✉ info@chahtafoundation.com
• Spacing (White Space) Matters. Do not crowd your words. Spring between, above, and below words and letters can increase the reader’s experience. Using space to emphasize words can bring focus to specific areas of the page.
  —For example, placing your name at the top of the page without crowding it with content allows the reviewer to recognize your name easily.
• Fonts Matter. Fonts change how a word, sentence, and paragraph reads and feels. Try multiple fonts and avoid mixing serif and san-serif fonts while balancing or strategically using text decorations such as bold, italics, and underlining.
  —For example (Work Experience): Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma –  Internship, Member Services
• Font Services. The following webpages offer additional fonts that can be used for free or paid for use. *Disclaimer: The contents, views and opinions expressed in these pages are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Chahta Foundation.
  — DaFont.com
  — Fonts.com

The following web pages can give further guidance on design or offer a design template.

• Resume Genius – Designer Guide
• Resume.io – Free Templates
• Resume Genuis – Resume Builder
• Zety – Resume Builder
• *Disclaimer: The contents, views and opinions expressed in these pages are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Chahta Foundation.

In most application systems, including scholarship and employment applications, applicants will upload their resumes into a database. While convenient for the applicant and the reviewer, online systems can impact the look and content of the resume. Two actions can significantly preserve the intended quality of the submitter’s resume.

• File Format. Unless required, resumes should not be submitted in the formats of Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or Apple Pages. The design of a resume can be directly impacted by impacted fonts and layouts.
  — .PDF. If possible, use the .pdf file format. In most programs, users can export by going to file and save as OR export as .pdf.
  — .JPG. Users can submit an image only as a backup option if the system allows it.
• File Name. What a file is named is important for multiple reasons.
  — Database recognition. Databases are structured through different platforms that require certain naming systems. Using special symbols in a naming format may be acceptable on your computer but rejected by the database. This action can also corrupt the file causing issues for your reviewer.
  — Reviewer recognition. Naming a file with the owner’s name and ‘resume’ description provides a file that is easily recognized and does not require a person to open the file to know what the item is.
  — Examples of a file name: Doe, John – Resume OR John Doe Resume.

A resume has the ability to give a first and lasting impression. An applicant who gives an enhanced resume presentation can impact their selection possibilities, even if minimally.

• Have Physical Copies. Even if you submitted a digital copy, have physical copies of your resume at your interview.
• Paper. In-person resumes are literally a piece of paper; however, you have a choice in what type of paper is used. Resume or parchment paper can impact the reviewer’s experience by offering textures and quality in addition to your resume design. Choose a paper that aligns with your resume’s purpose.

• Chahta Foundation Scholarship Application. Apply January 15 – March 31st.

• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.