Resumes & Cover Letters
So, how do you get yourself noticed by employers? It all starts with a persuasive cover letter and a targeted resume that highlights your relevant skills and qualifications and tells the story you want recruiters to walk away with. Let the University Career Center & The President’s Promise help you create a resume and cover letter that will effectively communicate you are the best applicant for the position
What is a Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)?
- Intends to be a brief & targeted highlight of professional accomplishments.
- Emphasizes transferable skills and related experiences (i.e., relevant coursework/projects, volunteering experiences, internships, and student club/organization involvement).
- Used in all, if not most, job applications.
- Traditionally, 1 page for entry-level & early career professionals - limit to 2 pages.
- It intends to be a fully comprehensive record (i.e., usually not restricted to 1-2 pages) of your education & career history.
- Emphasizes academic and research-related accomplishments, such as publications, presentations, fellowships, and grants.
- Used primarily for positions in academic, medical, and scientific jobs.
- Multiple pages in length (dependent on experience).
- For the majority of applications within the U.S., you will be asked to submit a resume. Outside of the U.S., the terms ‘resume’ and ‘CV’ are sometimes used interchangeably.
- Present differently from industry resumes. In brief, federal resumes are typically 3 to 5 pages in length and will highlight each of your skills, abilities, and accomplishments in your role. For more information about developing a federal resume, see the Writing Your Federal Resume article within Go Government Career Guides.
Resume Samples and Best Practices
Whether you are just starting a resume or looking to enhance your current draft, the following sample resumes and best practices can help you imagine what a competitive resume looks like for a student in your major/industry.
Resume Basics Online Module
Looking for a little more help? Take a look at our 20-minute Resume Basics module. Click on the logo below to walk through the basics of building a great resume.
Cover Letter Resources
What’s the best way to get your cover letter noticed and customized? Learn more about writing cover letters, including formatting and what to include in the various paragraphs by visiting our Cover Letter Resources page here.