Your resume isn't just a list of experiences — it's a strategic document designed to quickly show employers why you're a strong candidate. In a competitive job market, your resume format is can be just as important as what it says. A clean, intentional layout helps recruiters quickly find what they're looking for and increases your chances of moving forward in the hiring process.

1. Match Your Experience

The most common (and recommended) format is the reverse chronological resume, which lists your most recent experiences first. This format is easy to scan and works well for most students and new graduates. If you're changing fields or highlighting specific skills, a functional format may be appropriate, but just know that most recruiters aren't as familiar with this layout.

2. Prioritize Readability

Recruiters typically spend 5-7 seconds on an initial resume scan. Use consistent fonts, clear section headings, and a good balance between text white space. Avoid overcrowding the page — margins, spacing, and alignment all matter when it comes to readability. Research by ResumeGo has shown that recruiters would rather see a two-page resume with room to breathe vs. an overcrowded one-pager. Should you go with two pages, make sure it is a full two pages that go to the bottom of both sides.  

3. Use Sections Strategically

Organize your resume so the most relevant information appears near the top. Common sections include Education, Experience, and Skills. Depending on the role, you might highlight technical skills or relevant coursework before unrelated experience. Break up your experiences into Relevant Experience and Other or Additional Experience to bring your most aligned experiences to the top of the document.

4. Bullet with Purpose

Strong bullet statements are concise, action-oriented, and results-focused. Start each bullet with a strong action verb and emphasize accomplishments over responsibilities whenever possible. Feel free to check out the sample GenAI prompts in the Career Guide if you need help drafting or editing your statements. Anyone can read your job description, so focus on describing how you've created impact in your role. Bring up relevant skills and metrics whenever possible, remembering the formula ACTION VERB + DESCRIPTION + IMPACT.

5. Keep It ATS-Friendly

Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Stick to standard section titles (such as including "Experience" to sections about relevant work and course projects), avoid graphics or text boxes, and submit your resume as a PDF unless otherwise instructed. Incorporate relevant skill-based keywords from job descriptions as much as possible. Simple formatting ensures your resume is readable by both software and humans.

Get Expert Feedback at Resume Rescue

Formatting your resume strategically can make all the difference — and we can help! Join us at Resume Rescue on February 10 from 12 PM to 4 PM where Career Center staff will review your resume, offer personalized feedback, and help you fine-tune your format for success.

A strong resume starts with smart formatting, so make sure yours is working for you, not against you. You got this. 

Welcome back, Retrievers!

The spring semester is underway and we would like to remind you to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The 2026-2027 academic year includes Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, and Spring 2027. Submitting your FAFSA application by March 1st will ensure priority consideration for Federal, State, and Institutional aid. You can fill out your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/

When completing your application, please remember to include UMBC's school code: 002105. If you have any questions or need assistance, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is here to help.You may contact us directly for support.

STRiVE 2026 in January was the 18th year and 20th iteration of the leadership for public purpose program, hosted by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life with support from SGA. Forty three UMBC undergraduate students spent five days exploring their stories, values, talents, and identities; developing strong relationships with other members of the UMBC community; learning how to enact meaningful and sustainable social change; and leaning into their power to intentionally create empowering, connective environments in which everyone can thrive.

STRiVE 2026 was facilitated by a team of 12 UMBC undergraduate student and staff coaches trained by the Center for Democracy and Civic Life. The student coaches — all of whom had participated in STRiVE in 2024 or 2025 — were Ben Bazarsuren, Carly Shearer, Francheska Burrola, Keven Guruswamy, Maryada Bhattarai, Nate Cullen, and Vannessa Morant. (Maryada and Vannessa took on special responsibilities by serving as our "site coordinators," managing materials and logistics throughout the week.) 

The staff coaches were Dr. Ciara Christian (Center for Social Justice Dialogue), Dr. David Hoffman (Center for Democracy and Civic Life), Dr. James DeVita (Division of Student Affairs), Dr. Jasmine Lee (Division of Institutional Equity/Center for Social Justice Dialogue), and Tess McRae (Center for Democracy and Civic Life).

During the week, other staff members from UMBC visited the program to support  the participants' learning. Angelina Jenkins (The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity), Matt Hoffman (Center for Religion, Spirituality, and Pluralism), Michael Canale (Office of Student Disability Services), Dr. Ricky Blissett (Center for Democracy and Civic Life), Tiffani McGronan (Office of Health Promotion), Tori Ciorra (Student Engagement), Trentqual Rhone (Center for Democracy and Civic Life), and Wendy Low (Center for Social Justice Dialogue) served as "stakeholders" by meeting with small groups of students exploring topics of interest and concern at UMBC (Accessibility, Civic and Political Engagement, Equity and Justice, Finding Community, and Well-Being) and connecting with students as thought partners and co-creators. Blissett also co-facilitated select STRiVE sessions, and Dr. Renique Kersh, vice president for student affairs, visited to connect with and inspire STRiVE participants.

"STRiVE gave me a community unlike any I've experienced before, and I am incredibly grateful to be a part of it. Learning in STRiVE was incredibly empowering with what I've learned about myself, my place in my community, and what I can do as a leader," said Lexi Malenfant '29, computer science, one of the STRiVE 2026 participants.

The Center for Democracy and Civic Life's evaluation data from STRiVE 2026 indicates that the program was a phenomenal success. Out of 38 students who completed the program evaluation:

• 100% indicated that they strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement "Because of STRiVE, I feel a greater sense that I belong at UMBC." (73% answered "strongly agree" and 27% answered "somewhat agree.")

• 97.3% indicated that they strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement "Because of STRiVE, I feel more confident in my ability to engage in groups and communities." (76.3% answered "strongly agree" and 21.1% answered "somewhat agree.")

• 97.3% indicated that they strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement "Because of STRiVE, I feel more empowered to work alongside others to create positive change." (94.7% answered "strongly agree" and 2.6% answered "somewhat agree.")

• 100% indicated that they strongly or somewhat agree with the statement "Because of STRiVE, I feel like I have changed for the better as a person." (78.9% answered "strongly agree" and 21.1% answered "somewhat agree.")

• 100% indicated that they would recommend the program to another UMBC student. 

Read more about STRiVE 2026.

Students are invited to attend Black & Gold Rush 2026 info sessions to learn how they can support UMBC's annual giving campaign. Stop by Flat Tuesdays in The Commons on Wednesdays, February 11, 18, and 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

At these sessions, students can learn how to become a Black & Gold Rush advocate, help write thank-you cards for donors, and earn free UMBC swag. The Black & Gold Rush campaign will take place March 4–5, 2026.

Critical Social Justice (CSJ) Week is a campus-wide initiative dedicated to deepening our collective understanding of equity, inclusion, and community care. Through panels, workshops, and creative programming, CSJ Week invites students, staff, and faculty to engage in meaningful conversations about justice and belonging within and beyond the university.

Critical social justice has a history in the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center, and we are excited to bring back this work now within the Community & Culture unit in the Division of Institutional Equity.

All events are open for participation from students (grad and undergrad), staff, and faculty!

The events apart of Critical Social Justice Week are as follows: 

Cup-Filling Activism: Supporting Student Organizers Through Community, Care, and Capacity Building

McNair x Critical Social Justice Week

Saturday, February 7, 2026 · 1 - 2:30 PM

Sondheim Hall: 101

Racial Healing Discussion Panel

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 · 3 - 5 PM

Library and Gallery, Albin O. Kuhn

On Caring for Community

The Pursuit of Equity and Justice at UMBC with University Leadership

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 · 4:30-6 PM

SKYLIGHT in the Commons

Chat and Chew: All About Love

Read with us and engage in discussion

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 · 12 - 1 PM

Library and Gallery, Albin O. Kuhn

More details about each event can be found on the WGEC or CSJD myUMBC Page. 

These event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.