A resume is a marketing document that argues for your suitability for a particular job or line of work by providing an overview of your directly related education, experience, skills, and other relevant information. In the US, CVs are used only in academic and research environments, whereas in other parts of the world, “CV” is synonymous with “resume.” Unlike an American CV, a resume is not a comprehensive list of your academic qualifications, and you should take care to tailor your resume for each job opportunity you pursue. For graduate students interested in careers beyond academe, this usually means cutting information from your CV and rethinking your skills from an employer’s point of view. Your resume should be a self-promotional tool whose purpose is to pique an employer’s interest so that you will be invited for an interview. It is an advertisement for you as a potential contributor.
You will find that creating a resume will help you focus your job search and prepare for entering the job market. There is no set resume format, but general guidelines apply. Styles vary, and you should put careful thought into choosing a style and a format that best highlight what you have to offer. Overall, in creating your resume you should pay close attention to 1) relevance, 2) self-promotion, 3) language, and 4) presentation/visual appeal.