Resumes, Applications, and Cover Letters
Career Development Center
This page includes resources to help you create and refine your resumes, cover letters, thank you notes, and graduate school applications. It also includes information about employer research and preparing for interviews.
For additional information about interviewing, including information sheets, visit the Career Development Center networking page.
Resume resources and handouts
A resume is the first piece of information about you a potential employer will see, so it’s crucial that it is prepared well. Meeting with a career counselor to review your resume is a great way to get specific feedback and tailor the document to the position you want.
In addition to a resume, employers typically ask you to submit a list of references when you apply to a position. The list should be comprised of people who know you well and can speak to your skills and abilities. Be sure to choose them wisely.
General guidelines for creating your resume
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to craft a resume, but the more time spent organizing the information you would like to present, the more likely your resume will ensure an accurate reflection of who you are.
Focus
The more you recognize who you are and what your accomplishments have been, the more you develop your ability to project an accurate reflection of your experiences and unique skills.
Target
A resume is not a generic description. It is about your unique skills and experiences, and it's for the specific employer you are trying to persuade. Use job descriptions to your advantage and think about what skills and experiences may be valuable to what the employer needs.
Define
Your goals will change throughout your life and so will your career objectives. Think about the field you would like to work in and consider why you would like to work in this field. Tailor your career objectives to your interests now.
Eliminate
Employers do not want to know about every activity you have participated in over the years or every class you received a good grade in, so eliminate extraneous details. If you had 20 seconds to tell an employer about yourself, what would you highlight?
See the full resume building worksheet (Google Doc).
Resume templates
Choose one of the resume templates below to make a copy and begin working from in Google Docs. Please tailor the documents to fit your needs. Follow application instructions for electronic submission. PDF or Word format are recommended to keep a consistent look!
General resume templates
General resume template version one (Google Doc)
General resume template version two (Google Doc)
General resume template version three (Google Doc)
Specialty resume templates
Paralegal resume template (Google Doc)
Science resume template (Google Doc)
Teaching resume template (Google Doc)
Cover letters
You should always submit a cover letter when applying to a position. This serves as a way for you to describe the skills and experiences you have that an employer is looking for. A cover letter is your chance to describe the ways in which you are a great fit for the position.
This cover letter worksheet (Google Doc) includes several templates and a guide on how you can create and polish your cover letters.
Grad school application material
Considering applying to grad school? Please see our section on grad school application materials on the Majors, Careers, and Further Education page.