Undergraduate Guide

What is a resume?

A resume highlights education, relevant work, volunteer work, and other experience to potential employers or internship sponsors. It includes activities, leadership roles, language, laboratory skills that acquired over time.

Why do I need a resume?

Internships and volunteer positions often require a resume. Although some positions may require only an online application form, others require a resume. If a company/organization does not require a resume at the time you apply, bringing a resume to an interview will make a good impression. Resumes may also be needed for leadership and other positions at MCPHS.

A resume is a way to track your experience while at MCPHS. Updating your resume each semester and after an internship/volunteer experience helps you keep track of key details such as dates of involvement, responsibilities and summarize your accomplishments.

What to include on a resume:

• Relevant coursework or unique projects
• Both paid and unpaid experience, if you can draw connections between your tasks and qualification desired in the job or internship description.
• Examples of customer service and teamwork, which are often relevant or transferable in many roles.
• Activities in clubs, organizations, and community service, especially if you held a leadership role or are/were active.
• Related certifications, licensures, research, and lab skills
• Do not include birth date, social security number, photo, hourly wages, or previous supervisor’s info.

Important tips for a resume:

• Aim for a clean, easy-to-read format. Avoid resume templates/wizards as they can be difficult to edit. Use the outline on the next page in this guide to start your resume.
• For a current student or recent graduate, list the Education section first, with Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, your degree, major, and anticipated graduation date.
• Always spell out Bachelor of Science degree (not B.S.). Include honors or awards; include GPA if it is 3.0 or higher. Written as 3.x/4.0.
• Transferred students: list relevant coursework, or previous completed degree or program from academic institutions in same format as MCPHS, under Education.
• Replace high school experience with more recent endeavors/skills as you progress through MCPHS.
• For the Experience section, use bullets under each entry, start with action verbs, and include skills you acquired which can be used to future employment settings (transferable skills).
• Write accomplishment statements in bullets. Describe what you accomplished in your positions.
• Organize experiences by sections (i.e., Work Experience, Activities) and by reverse chronological order.
• Clinical Experience: list in reverse chronological order, including your title, name and location of organization, dates of work. Describe your work using accomplishment statements.
• References: List on a separate page; include name, title, company/organization, phone number, email address, and relationship (e.g., former supervisor).
• More information on creating resume bullets and cover letters: Career Development Center Blackboard How-to Guides.

View sample Undergraduate student resumes [PDF].