Resumés, LinkedIn, & Cover Letters

Resumé Guide

Your resume is more than just a list of jobs—it’s a marketing tool that highlights your skills, experiences, and value to potential employers. A well-crafted resume can help you land interviews and set you apart from other candidates.

1. Resumé Basics

What to include:

A strong resume should contain the following sections:

• Contact Information: Name, phone number, professional email, LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
• Professional Summary (Optional): A short 2–3 sentence statement summarizing your skills and career goals.
• Education: Degree, university name, graduation date, and any relevant coursework or honors.
• Experience: Work history, internships, volunteer roles, and leadership positions.
• Skills: Technical and soft skills relevant to the job.
• Certifications & Awards (If Applicable): Any relevant achievements that add credibility.

Formatting Guidelines

• Keep it one page for students/recent grads, two pages max for experienced professionals.
• Use a clean, professional layout (reverse chronological order for experience).
• Bullet points for readability—avoid long paragraphs.
• Use a standard font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) at 10-12pt size.
• Maintain consistent formatting for headings, dates, and job titles.

2. Building Your Master Resumé

A master resumé is a document where you list all experiences, skills, and achievements. Use this to create tailored resumés for specific job applications.

How to Build a Master Resumé:

1. List all past jobs, internships, projects, and volunteer roles.
2. Write out responsibilities and key achievements.
3. Include quantifiable results (e.g., “Increased sales by 30%” or “Led a team of 5”).
4. Keep it updated so you can easily adapt it when applying for jobs.

3. Tailoring Your Resumé for the Job

Employers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan for keywords from job descriptions. Here’s how to tailor your resumé:

• Use keywords from the job posting.
• Highlight relevant skills and experience.
• Customize your Professional Summary (if included) for each job.
• Adjust bullet points to match employer priorities.
• Research industry expectations and align formatting accordingly.

4. Experience Section: What Employers Look For

How to Write Strong Bullet Points

Each bullet point should follow this structure: Action Verb + What You Did + Result/Impact

Examples:

• Weak: “Helped manage social media.”
• Strong: “Developed a social media strategy that increased engagement by 35%.”

Think Beyond Paid Work

• Employers value on-campus involvement (student orgs, leadership roles, projects, volunteering).
• Include relevant class projects or internships if you lack work experience.
• Highlight transferable skills like teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.

5. Common Resumé Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a generic resumé for all jobs (customization is key!).
• Listing only duties instead of achievements.
• Overloading with too much text—keep it concise.
• Using an unprofessional email (e.g., coolguy99@email.com).
• Including unnecessary personal details (like a photo, unless required).

6. Final Steps: Proofreading & Updating

• Proofread—typos and errors can hurt your chances. Ask a mentor, career advisor, or friend to review it.
• Update regularly—add new skills and experiences at least once a year.
• Save as PDF before submitting unless the job posting specifies otherwise.

7. Resumé Templates & Examples

Need Help?

• Schedule an appointment with a career advisor
• Attend a Resume Workshop
• ON DEMAND: Build a Resume & Cover letter that Win Interviews
• ON DEMAND: Accelerate Your Job Search with ChatGPT (Tier II/CP I: Business-Focused Training 200 Level)
• ASCC Create a Resume/Cover Letter
• ASCC Resume Guide Workbook
• ASCC Mastering the Curriculum Vitae: Curriculum Vitae, is a repository of all academic credentials, experiences, publications, and achievements. It is used primarily in academia, research, or medical roles. Graduates or Ph.D. students typically also need a CV to prepare for or attend a graduate-level program. Compared to a resume, there are no set page limits for CVs, and CVs should be as comprehensive and detailed as possible.

LinkedIn Profile Guide

Cover Letter Guide

Why Cover Letters Matter

A cover letter is more than just an introduction—it’s your opportunity to connect with an employer, showcase your personality, and explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role. A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other candidates and increase your chances of landing an interview.

1. Cover Letter Essentials

Formatting Basics

• Keep it one page (3–4 paragraphs).
• Use a professional font (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, size 10–12 pt).
• Match your cover letter’s style to your resume (same font and formatting).
• Use single spacing with a space between paragraphs.

Key Sections

1. Header – Your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile.
2. Date & Employer Details – Include the hiring manager’s name, company, and address.
3. Salutation – Address it to a specific person when possible (e.g., “Dear Hiring Manager”).
4. Opening Paragraph – State the position you’re applying for and express enthusiasm.
5. Middle Paragraph(s) – Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments and your connection to the role or company.
6. Closing Paragraph – Summarize your fit for the role and include a call to action.
7. Signature – End with a professional closing (e.g., “Sincerely, [Your Name]”).

2. Customizing Your Cover Letter

Tailor it to the Job

• Research the company and reference its mission or values.
• Use keywords from the job description to align your qualifications.
• Mention specific skills and experiences that make you a great fit.
• Keep it unique – don’t just repeat your resume; expand on key points.

3. Writing an Impactful Cover Letter

Opening Paragraph: Make an Impression

• Clearly state the job title and how you found the position.
• Show enthusiasm for the company and role.
• Mention a connection if applicable (e.g., referral, networking event).

Example:
“Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. With a passion for [industry/skill], I am eager to contribute to your team. After learning about [Company’s initiative/project], I am particularly drawn to this opportunity.”

Middle Paragraph(s): Showcase Your Value

• Highlight 2–3 key skills or experiences relevant to the job.
• Provide specific examples and achievements to demonstrate your impact.
• Use metrics when possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 30%,” “Managed a team of 5”).

Example:
“At [Previous Company], I led a [project] that resulted in [measurable impact]. My ability to [skill] allowed me to [specific contribution], which I am eager to bring to [Company Name].”

Closing Paragraph: End Strong

• Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and company.
• Express your interest in an interview or next steps.
• Thank the reader for their time and consideration.

Example:
“I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills align with [Company Name]’s needs. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team.”

4. Common Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a generic template—always personalize your cover letter.
• Repeating your resume verbatim—expand on key experiences instead.
• Writing too much—keep it concise and to the point.
• Being too formal or too casual—maintain a professional yet engaging tone.
• Forgetting to proofread—typos can cost you an interview.

Need Help?

• Schedule an appointment with a career advisor
• Attend a LinkedIn Workshop
• ON DEMAND: Build a Resume & Cover letter that Win Interviews: