- What a resume actually is (and what it isn't)
- Step 1: Watch the official tutorials first
- Step 2: Pick the right template for your situation
- Step 3: Structure your resume the right way
- Step 4: Write bullet points that actually land
- Step 5: Get a free professional review before you send it
- Resume vs. CV — know the difference
- Use the tools you already have
- Keep first things first
Your resume has one job: get you the interview. It's not a life story — it's a concise, error-free, one-page advertisement of what you offer an employer. This guide walks through exactly how to build one that works, using free tools and templates already available to BYU-Pathway students.
What a resume actually is (and what it isn't)
Think of your resume as your most relevant qualifications, not a complete history. Employers scan resumes in seconds before deciding whether to read further, so every line needs to earn its place. A resume is a curated, strategic document — not a data dump of everything you've ever done.
The goal is clarity: give the right reader, for the right role, an immediate reason to call you. That means less is almost always more, and relevance beats volume every time.
Step 1: Watch the official tutorials first
Before writing a single line, spend 15 minutes with BYU-Idaho's official resume video tutorials. They cover formatting, strong action verbs, and how to organize your experience so the most relevant information is seen first — a better 15 minutes than starting from scratch on a blank page.
BYU-Idaho Career Center resume video tutorials — covers formatting, structure, and action verbs:
byui.edu/career/students/job-market-readiness#activity4
Step 2: Pick the right template for your situation
Not every resume should look the same — the right layout depends on your experience level and the industry you're targeting. BYU-Idaho's Career Center offers five free, editable templates for different situations. Don't start from a blank page when a professionally designed starting point is already there for you.
Safe, professional fit for most industries. The go-to if you're unsure which to choose.
Larger font and spacing — ideal if you're still building experience and need the page to feel full.
Contemporary layout with a summary statement and a subtle accent color — stands out in competitive fields.
Leads with skills and a strong work history. Best when you have multiple roles or significant experience.
Great for showcasing class projects, internships, or personal builds when formal experience is limited.
Browse and download all five templates directly from the Career Center:
byui.edu/career/students/resumes
You can also download the official BYU-Pathway Resume Template (.docx):
Download Official BYU-Pathway Resume Template (.docx) ↗
Step 3: Structure your resume the right way
Use this order unless your template or industry calls for something different:
- Header — name, phone, professional email, LinkedIn (if you have one).
- Summary (optional but recommended) — 1–2 lines on who you are professionally and what you bring.
- Experience — most recent first, with outcome-focused bullet points (see Step 4).
- Education — degree/certificate in progress, expected date, relevant coursework if you're early in your program.
- Skills — specific, relevant, and matched to the job posting where possible.
Different roles and industries expect different things — an accounting resume reads differently to a
tech resume. The BYU-Idaho Know Your Audience Guide is worth a read before you decide on
your final structure and emphasis:
byui.edu/career/students/know-your-audience
Step 4: Write bullet points that actually land
Weak bullet points describe duties. Strong ones describe outcomes. This is the single most impactful change most students can make to their resume — and it's faster than you think once you know the pattern.
"Responsible for customer service."
"Resolved 30+ customer inquiries daily, maintaining a 95% satisfaction rating."
The formula: Action verb + what you did + measurable result. Start each bullet with a strong action verb (managed, built, reduced, improved, led, designed) and where possible include a number, percentage, or tangible result. Even approximations ("served 20+ customers daily") are better than no specificity at all.
The official Writing a Resume Guide from BYU-Idaho's Career Center goes deeper on this — it includes a verb list and more before/after examples:
Writing a Resume Guide (BYU-Idaho Career Center PDF) ↗
Download Official BYU-Pathway Resume Template (.docx) ↗
Recruiters will check your LinkedIn after reading your resume. Make sure titles, dates, and skills
are consistent. BYU-Idaho's Digital Profiles resource page includes a LinkedIn profile
checklist and guided setup videos — free, takes 20 minutes to work through:
byui.edu/career-center/students/digital-profiles
Step 5: Get a free professional review before you send it
Don't guess whether your resume is working — get real feedback before it goes anywhere. VMock is a free AI-powered resume review tool available to BYU-Idaho and BYU-Pathway students that analyzes your resume for impact, presentation, and how clearly it communicates your competencies. You upload it, and within seconds you get section-by-section feedback.
It's not a substitute for human feedback, but it catches the things that are easy to miss: weak verbs, missing quantification, formatting issues, and keyword gaps. Use it before you send your resume anywhere — it costs nothing and takes five minutes.
Launch your free review at:
vmock.com/byui
Log in with your BYU-Idaho church credentials.
BYU-Idaho students and BYU-Pathway students can access Handshake, the official
career platform used by hundreds of universities. It's where you book appointments with the Career
Center, find internships and entry-level jobs posted directly for BYU students, and track your
applications in one place. Sign up at:
byui.joinhandshake.com
Resume vs. CV — know the difference
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they're not the same thing. Using the wrong one for the wrong application is a common and avoidable mistake.
Concise, usually one page. Tailored to a specific job. The standard document for most job applications.
Longer, more detailed. Used for research roles, academic positions, scholarships, and graduate school applications.
If you're applying for a typical job, you almost always want a resume, not a CV. If you do need a CV, BYU-Idaho's full CV guidelines are here: Creating a CV (BYU-Idaho Career Center PDF) ↗
Use the tools you already have
Everything listed below is free for BYU-Pathway and BYU-Idaho students. Use them in order — templates first, then write, then review, then apply.
Official BYU-Pathway Word template — ready-to-fill document formatted for students.
BYU-Idaho Career Center — download all 5 free templates plus the CV guide.
Official BYU-Idaho video guides on formatting, structure, and action verbs.
AI-powered instant feedback on impact, formatting, and keyword strength.
Chronological resume checklist — go line by line before you send anything.
BYU-Idaho Digital Profiles page — LinkedIn setup guide, checklist, and videos.
Book Career Center appointments, find student jobs and internships, track applications.
Official BYU-Pathway career support — resume reviews and job search guidance.
Our curated career page with job openings and student-specific guidance.
- Your resume's only job is to get you the interview — keep it concise and relevant.
- Use the free official templates rather than starting from a blank page.
- Write bullet points around outcomes and numbers, not just duties.
- Get a free VMock review before submitting your resume anywhere.
- Know the difference between a resume and a CV, and use the right one for the job.
Keep first things first
A great resume isn't about sounding impressive — it's about being clear, honest, and easy for an employer to say yes to. Use the free tools already built for you, get a real review, and send it with confidence.
Once your resume is solid, the next step is putting it to work. Our Career Prep 101 guide covers the full process from there — LinkedIn, interview prep, and applying with a system rather than randomly.