Resume, CV & Cover Letter Guide
Jump to: Resume | Curriculum Vitae (CV) | Cover Letter | Additional Resources
Resume
Your resume is often an employer’s first impression of you. Its purpose is to show, quickly and clearly, how your education, skills, and experience match the position. Recruiters and hiring managers often review resumes quickly, so your resume should make it easy for them to see your qualifications.
The sections below will help you create a strong resume that is:
- Easy to scan
- Tailored to the position
- Focused on accomplishments
- Organized with clear, professional formatting
- Written with the employer’s needs in mind
- Keep to one page; two pages only if you have enough relevant experience.
- Use a standard Sans Serif font such as Arial, Calibri, or Tahoma.
- Make your name stand out with a larger font (approximately 14-point).
- Use a consistent 10–12-point font throughout your resume.
- Use bold to emphasize your name, degree(s), section headings, and position titles.
- Use 0.5–1 inch margins.
- Avoid images, tables, text boxes, and headers/footers.
- Use clear section headings.
- Use consistent spacing and right-align dates.
- Use bullet points instead of paragraphs.
- Place your most relevant section higher on the page.
For additional formatting tips, review the general Resume Format Example.
Visit Resume Samples by Major for sample sections, formatting, and skills tailored to different majors. If your major is not listed, review an example from a related major.
Do not use the same resume for every application. Before applying:
- Read the job description carefully and identify key skills, qualifications, and keywords.
- Identify the experiences you have that best match the role.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your resume, as applicable.
- Move the most relevant experiences higher on the page.
- Include technical and transferable skills, tools, and industry terms from the posting.
Ask yourself:
- What is the employer looking for?
- What experiences or transferable skills can I highlight for this role?
- What skills or keywords should appear in my resume?
- Can the employer quickly understand why I am qualified?
Strong bullet points show what you did and the positive result.
Use this formula for every bullet point: Action Verb + Task + Skill or Method + Result
A strong bullet point usually answers:
- What did you do?
- How did you do it?
- What was the result? Quantify when possible (%, #, $).
Tips:
- Start each bullet with a strong and specific action verb.
- Keep most bullet points to 1–2 lines.
- Focus on accomplishments, not just duties.
- Quantify results whenever possible (e.g., “increased attendance by 25%”).
- Avoid starting bullets with “Responsible for” or “Worked on”
- Show transferable skills through your bullet points instead of only listing them in your Skills section.
Before and After Examples
Notice the difference: Strong resume bullet points are specific, action-oriented, and focused on the value or results of your work rather than listing your responsibilities.
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Responsible for customer service. | Resolved customer concerns in a calm and professional manner while supporting daily front desk operations. |
| Helped plan student event. | Promoted student event through Instagram and email outreach, increasing registration by 20%. |
| Worked on a class project. | Collaborated with a team of 5 students to research, design, and present a curriculum plan for an after-school program. |
See the Action Verbs list for strong verbs organized by skill category.
Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before they’re reviewed by a recruiter or hiring manager. Optimizing your resume for ATS helps ensure your qualifications are easy to identify.
How to Pass ATS Screening
- Create your resume in MS Word or Google Docs. If submitting a PDF, save directly from those programs.
- Do not use Canva, Adobe, or design templates. ATS cannot read them reliably.
- Avoid headers, footers, columns, text boxes, tables, and graphics.
- Include clear section headings (e.g., Education, Experience, Project Experience, Skills).
- Right-align all dates.
- Mirror exact keywords and action verbs from the job description.
- Place keywords at the beginning of your bullet points for maximum impact.
- Include relevant skills in both your Skills section and your experience bullet points.
- Use keywords honestly; make sure every statement accurately reflects your skills and experience.
I can help improve your resume, but your resume should accurately reflect your own experiences and accomplishments.
Use AI to:
- Identify keywords in a job description.
- Compare your resume to a job posting to find missing skills or qualifications you can accurately highlight.
- Suggest stronger action verbs or phrasing.
- Make bullet points more concise.
Use AI carefully:
- Do not include private information such as your full name, phone number, address, student ID, or personal data.
- Check all AI-generated content for accuracy.
- Rewrite suggestions in your own voice and words.
- Do not add skills or experiences you do not have.
- Ask a career counselor, mentor, or trusted reviewer to review your final version.
Sample Prompt to Try:
“Identify the skills and requirements in the job description but missing from my resume. Here’s the job description: [INSERT]. Here’s my resume: [INSERT].” See this prompt in action.
- Check spelling and grammar.
- Make sure formatting is consistent.
- Confirm dates are aligned and accurate.
- Make sure your email and phone number are correct.
- Review the job description one more time.
- Confirm your resume includes relevant keywords.
- Make sure each bullet starts with an action verb.
- Save the file with a clear name. (e.g. FirstName-LastName-Resume.pdf)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A curriculum vitae (CV) is a detailed record of your academic, research, teaching, professional, and related experience. You may be asked to submit a CV when applying to academic positions, research opportunities or grants, graduate school, and some positions abroad.
Unlike a resume, a CV is typically longer and provides a more comprehensive overview of your academic and professional background.
| Resume | CV |
|---|---|
| Typically 1-2 pages | Often several pages |
| Tailored to a specific position | Provides a more comprehensive record of your experience |
| Highlights your most relevant skills and experiences | Emphasizes academic, research, teaching, and scholarly accomplishments |
| Commonly used for jobs and internships | Commonly used for academic research, graduate school, and related opportunities |
Your sections will depend on your background and the opportunity. Common CV sections include:
- Contact Information
- Education
- Research Experience
- Teaching Experience
- Professional or Work Experience
- Leadership Experience
- Publications and Presentations
- Conferences
- Honors and Awards
- Professional Affiliations
- Trainings and Certifications
- Volunteer Experience
- Skills
- Research Interests
Place the sections most relevant to your goals higher on the page and use consistent formatting throughout.
Click here to view the CV Format Example.
Cover Letter
A cover letter introduces you to an employer and explains why you are interested in the opportunity and how your experience aligns with what they need. Your cover letter should complement, not repeat, your resume. Use it to connect your skills and experiences to the position while showing your interest in the organization.
A strong cover letter communicates:
- Who you are
- Why you’re interested in the position and organization
- What you can contribute based on your skills and experiences
Cover letters may also be called application letters or letters of interest. A letter of interest or intent may be used to express interest in an organization even when a specific position is not currently posted.
Keep your cover letter concise, professional, and easy to scan.
- Aim for approximately ½–¾ of a page.
- Use 3–4 short paragraphs.
- Match the professional formatting of your resume.
- Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name when possible. If you do not have a name, use a professional greeting such as Dear Hiring Manager.
- Tailor each letter to the position and organization.
- Save your document with a clear file name, such as FirstName-LastName-Cover-Letter.pdf.
Your cover letter can be submitted as a separate document or included in the body of an email, depending on the employer’s instructions.
1. Introduce Yourself and Your Interest
In your opening paragraph:
- Name the position you’re applying for.
- Briefly introduce your relevant background.
- Explain why you’re interested in the position or organization.
- Mention a referral if someone connected you to the opportunity.
Example:
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am writing to express my interest in the [Position Title] at [Organization Name]. With a background in [relevant field or experience], I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my [relevant skills] to your team.
2. Show Why You’re Qualified
Use the middle 1–2 paragraphs to highlight your strongest qualifications. Choose one or two experiences that directly connect to the job description. Instead of simply saying you have a skill, show how you’ve used it.
Consider:
- What skills is the employer seeking?
- Which of your experiences best demonstrate those skills?
- What did you accomplish?
- How would those experiences help you contribute in this role?
Focus on your most relevant examples rather than trying to summarize everything on your resume.
Example:
In my current role, I helped launch an internal recycling and waste-reduction initiative. Using project management and marketing skills, I recruited a team of 10 volunteers and helped launch two programs that reduced solid waste production by 25%.
3. Close With Interest and Next Steps
Your final paragraph should:
- Reinforce your interest in the opportunity.
- Briefly connect your qualifications to the role.
- Express interest in discussing the position further.
- Thank the employer for their consideration.
Click here to view the Formal Cover Letter example.
Example:
I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my [skills/experience] to [Organization Name] and would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Always follow the employer’s application instructions first. If you’re emailing your application:
- Use a clear subject line. Include your name and the position title. For Example: Sammy Spartan – Marketing Assistant Application
- Keep your email brief if your cover letter is attached as a separate document.
- Mention your attachments so the recipient knows your resume and cover letter are included.
- If the cover letter itself is the email body, use the same core content but omit the traditional mailing-address format.
- Proofread the message, attachments, recipient address, and subject line before sending.
Click here to view the Cover Letter Email example.
Resume and Cover Letter Feedback and Resources
Use the Career Center’s resume tools and resources to review, revise, and strengthen your resume or cover letter.
- Review Resume Samples by Major to help with formatting, wording, and section organization.
- Upload your resume or cover letter to Hiration for instant feedback, then review the suggestions and revise as needed.
- Attend Career Center drop-in hours.
- Schedule an appointment with a career counselor on Spartan Connect.