Test Your Resume Knowledge


This instrument was designed to test your knowledge of the basic information and practices one should have prior to developing a resume.

The developer realizes that some very specific types of employment might require you to include information that is not normally acceptable on a traditional resume. This instrument was not designed to take into consideration all of those variables. For information on different types, styles and other resume do’s and don’ts, visit your local college or university career center. The MU Career Center is located in the Student Success Center.

For this test, you are to assume that you are a college student or recent graduate and select answers using that as your frame of reference. Please choose the best answer or answers for all questions.




1) Which of the following does not belong on a Resume?
    a) Work Experience
    b) References
    c) Education
    d) Honors and Activities
    e) Hobbies

2) Which is not normally appropriate to use on a Resume?

    a) Abbreviations
    b) Personal pronouns (i.e. "I")
    c) Action verbs
    d) Pictures
    e) Personal information (date of birth, religion, sex, national origin, hobbies, etc.)

3) What type of information should the Objective include?

    a) Type of position
    b) Desired geographic location
    c) Salary requirements
    d) Duration (part-time, internship, full-time, etc.)
    e) Information about what you have to offer

4) What length should a traditional Resume be for a recent graduate?

    a) 1 page
    b) 2 pages
    c) 2 to 5 pages
    d) 5 to 10 pages
    e) As long as needed to include everything

5) Work Experiences should be described how?

    a) Narrative description
    b) Bulleted phrases that begin with action verbs
    c) Bulleted phrase beginning with action adjectives
    d) Bulleted sentences
    e) Any of the above

6) How much time might the average employer spend on a Resume?

    a) 5 to 10 minutes
    b) 3 to 5 minutes
    c) 2 to 3 minutes
    d) 1 to 2 minutes
    e) 15 to 45 seconds

7) What should be included in the Personal Data section?

    a) Address
    b) Phone Number
    c) Homepage
    d) Date and Place of Birth
    e) Email Address

8) What color of paper should the Resume be printed on?

    a) Depends on your major
    b) Blue, Green or Red
    c) Depends on who is receiving the Resume
    d) White, Light Gray or Off-White
    e) Any color

9) What other information sections are appropriate for a Resume?

    a) Skills
    b) Honors
    c) Hobbies
    d) Professional Affiliations
    e) Publications

10) What is the purpose of a Resume?

    a) To get a job
    b) To get an interview
    c) To represent yourself in writing
    d) To deceive the employer
    e) All of the above

11) What are the different types of Resumes?

    a) Functional
    b) Chronological
    c) Electronic
    d) Alphabetical
    e) Vitae

12) Which are important aspects for a Resume?

    a) Overall appearance
    b) Paper color
    c) Length
    d) Organized and easy to follow
    e) Absence of typos, spelling and grammatical errors

13) Objective statements are most useful when?

    a) The resume is being submitted for a specific position
    b) The candidate is changing career paths
    c) The candidate is a recent graduate with little hands-on experience
    d) The career history alone does not present an easily identifiable "fit" for the position being targeted
    e) All of the above

14) Who should review your Resume?

    a) Just you
    b) As many people as possible
    c) People who know you and your skills
    d) Professionals in the field
    e) None of the above

15) What other documents should accompany your resume?

    a) Application
    b) Portfolio
    c) Picture
    d) Reference List
    e) Cover Letter