Comprehensive Resume

This resource is part of the PhD Resume Book and Master’s Resume Book. You can view example Comprehensive Resumes by downloading the books.

A comprehensive resume is a detailed and extensive document that includes all of your experiences (volunteer, paid, department responsibilities, community work, etc.), education, skills, accomplishments, and certifications.

Its purpose is to provide a container to store your details from which you can pick and choose when you apply to a given job, part of a process we call tailoring.

By creating one and using it as a starting point to tailor specific resumes for each job application, you can present a more targeted and compelling case for your candidacy to potential employers. A comprehensive resume also makes the application process more efficient, so you never have to start from scratch.

While the resumes you submit should ideally be limited to 1 page, a comprehensive resume can be many pages long to include an all-encompassing list of what you’ve done.

Creating a comprehensive resume is a valuable exercise, as it allows you to have a complete overview of your qualifications and experiences in one place. Here are the steps to create one:

  1. Start with a blank page. Don’t use a template. Unless you are applying for a job as a graphic designer, employers are not judging you on your graphic design skills, and fancy design can also make it difficult for computer programs known as Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) to read your resume.
  2. Start by compiling all your work experiences, educational background, training programs, certifications, awards, skills, projects, publications, and any other pertinent information related to your professional journey. Don’t worry if you forget something initially, you can always add it later!
  3. Structure the resume in a clear and organized manner. Use basic section headers like “Experience,” “Education,” “Skills,” “Certifications,” “Awards and Honors,” “Projects,” and “Publications.”
  4. Include dates and align them to the right margin. If you’re still in the position, you can have your end date be the word “present”.
  5. Write concise bullet points describing each role and experience, emphasizing your accomplishments, contributions, and outcomes. Each bullet point should focus on one element of your experience. Use quantitative data and metrics whenever possible to showcase the impact of your work.
  6. While a comprehensive resume can be lengthy, it should still be professional, as well as easy to read and navigate. Use concise bullet points and appropriate formatting to ensure clarity and readability. Maintain a professional and consistent tone throughout the resume. Avoid jargon. Begin each bullet point with an action verb to showcase your contributions.
  7. Keep your comprehensive resume up to date with new accomplishments, skills, and experiences as they occur. Set a reminder to review and update it each quarter to ensure you don’t forget anything.

When submitting your resume with job applications, you can use this comprehensive resume as a starting point. Although a comprehensive resume contains all your information, it is still essential to tailor it for specific job applications.

For each job application, extract the most relevant experiences and skills from the comprehensive resume and create a tailored resume that aligns with the requirements of the position. A tailored resume should be 1-2 pages. Ideally, limit yourself to 1 page: hiring managers take an average of 7 seconds to read a resume, and we want them to see the most relevant information possible.