Resumes, Cover Letters & CVs
Resumes
Three Easy Steps to Craft Your Resume
- Look at the job description of the position for which you are applying. Highlight areas in the job description for which you have experience, skills, knowledge and abilities.
- Use the highlighted language to craft your resume using the template below, using the job description section to help you complete the profile section.
- Schedule an appointment to have your resume critiqued by Career Development Center staff.
Helpful Hint 1: Don't repeat job experience if you have held similar positions. Use different wording or split the experience between jobs. It’s okay to repeat keywords if they have been used multiple times in the job description, but don’t overdo it!
Helpful Hint 2: If you are changing careers, use a Relevant Work Experience section and Other Work Experience section. In the Other Work Experience section, focus only on transferable skills as they relate to the position for which you are applying. If necessary, you can also fill space by including course names of relevant coursework.
Helpful Hint 3: If you have very little or no work experience, you may use volunteer experience if it’s consistent. You can also utilize your experience from classroom research or projects. Any extracurricular activities such as leadership, sports, or student club positions can be included. You can also provide a summary of summer jobs, such as mowing lawns or babysitting, at the end of the experience section. If you still can't fill in the blanks and you don't have a full page, you now know the skills, abilities, knowledge and experience you need to develop to reach your goal.
- Resume Guide—describes how to create a resume and provides an example.
- Resume Profile—describes the importance of creating and adding a profile statement to your resume and provides examples.
- Resume Content—learn how to create dynamic descriptions that draw in recruiters.
- Transferable Skills—Learn how to incorporate qualities that transfer from one job to another.
- Resume Framework—a Microsoft Word resume framework to help you get started.
- Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)—defines applicant tracking systems and how to beat them in your job search.
- College Grad Resumes—for those without experience: describes how to create an entry-level resume.
- Grammarly Video—provides a great proofreading resource for your resume and other documents.
- Student Resume Sample & Complete Writing Guide [with 20+ Examples]—provides a complete resume guide.
US Government Resumes
- USAJobs.gov—teaches how to create a US government resume, which is very different from a regular resume.
- US Government Resume Video—explains how to create a US Government resume.
- Best Skills to Put On Your Resume—lists the best skills to put on your resume
Cover Letters
- Cover Letter Guide—describes how to create a cover letter and provides an example.
- Cover Letter Template—a resume template in Microsoft Word to help you get started.
- Vault Cover Letters—provides cover letter advice, sample cover letters, videos and more.
- Job Star Cover Letters—provides sample cover letters and describes why you need one and what makes a good one.
- Full Cover Letter Guide—provides information on how to create a high-quality cover letter.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- CV Guide—describes clarifying usage between a resume and CV, sections to include, and a CV final check.
- CV Samples—provides four different curriculum vitae examples.
- CV Framework—a Microsoft Word CV framework to help you get started (grey items are optional).
- International CV Supplement—offers insights into preparing a curriculum vitae for international career opportunities.
- School Counseling CV Supplement—provides details for preparing a CV specifically for the school counseling field.
Recommendation & Thank You Letters
- Thank You Letter Guide—learn how to write a thank you letter/email (with examples).
- Recommendation Request Guide—provides examples and guidance on requesting recommendation letters.