Resume Realness
This one-page document summarizes your work history, skills, and accomplishments.
What is a resume?
Replace the weak verb “helped” with this stronger action verb often used in customer service.
What is “assisted”?
This type of program lets students study in another country for a semester or summer.
What is study abroad?
This phrase describes the feeling of disorientation when entering a new culture.
What is culture shock?
Studying abroad can demonstrate this skill, shown when you adapt to new environments.
What is adaptability?
This section should appear at the top and include your email and phone number.
What is the contact information section?
A powerful verb for leading projects or teams.
What is “coordinated,” “supervised,” or “led”?
This document is required for international travel.
What is a passport?
A simple way to show respect abroad: learning a few phrases in this.
What is the local language?
Employers value students who navigate unfamiliar cities or transportation systems, which demonstrates this skill.
What is problem-solving?
This résumé format is preferred by most employers and lists experience in reverse order.
What is the chronological format?
This verb describes improving a process, system, or task.
What is “enhanced” or “streamlined”?
This meeting with your advisor helps confirm which courses taken abroad will count toward your degree.
What is an academic advising appointment?
This term describes understanding and adapting to different cultural communication styles.
What is cultural competence?
A strong résumé bullet about study abroad should include this element to show results.
What are measurable outcomes (numbers)?
These short, descriptive lines start with strong action verbs and highlight your achievements.
What are bullet points?
This verb means you created something new, like curriculum, content, or programs.
What is “developed” or “designed”?
The office on campus that helps students plan international academic experiences.
What is the Study Abroad / Education Abroad Office?
This stage of culture shock includes excitement and curiosity during the first few days or weeks abroad.
What is the honeymoon phase?
This type of experience—whether internships, service, or research—can be added to a résumé even if completed abroad.
What is international experience?
This term describes tailoring your résumé to include keywords that match the job posting.
What is résumé optimization (or tailoring to the ATS)?
This high-level action verb emphasizes measurable impact, often paired with numbers.
What is “achieved,” “increased,” or “generated”?
This term describes earning academic credit abroad that transfers back to your home institution.
What is credit articulation (or transfer credit)?
This term describes returning home and feeling disoriented by your own culture.
What is reverse culture shock?
This is the term for explaining how your study abroad experience improved your professional ability in a specific skill area.
What is articulating transferable skills?