Résumés & Cover Letters
Think of your résumé and cover letter as your personal marketing materials. They highlight how your strengths and skills fit the job and needs of the organization. The resources below can help you build skills to write effective résumés and cover letters.
- Brainstorm your skills and experiences.
- Build your college résumé.
- Then, customize your résumé to the positions you are seeking.
- Next, write your cover letter for these positions.
Skills and Experiences
Résumés tell your professional story in a way that demonstrates to employers how you are a good fit for the position and company. Begin by brainstorming the skills and experiences you develop while in college. Career advisors provide these resources to help you get started.
- Résumé Brainstorming Guide (presentation)
- Résumé Brainstorm Template (handout)
The College Résumé
The résumé for college students and recent graduates highlights your experiences on and off campus. It includes what you have done in the classroom and how you explored your academic and career interests. You can describe these experiences by writing about your accomplishments. Career advisors provide these resources to help you write your résumé.
- Résumé Writing Guide (presentation)
- Accomplishment Statement Template (handout)
- Résumé Rubric (handout) - Use this to evaluate how you can improve your résumé.
Customize Your Résumé
Now that you have written a general résumé, use these resources to customize it to each position you seek.
- Customize your Résumé Guide (presentation)
The Cover Letter
Now that you have reviewed the position you seek and have customized your résumé, you are ready to write the cover letter. Career advisors provide these resources to help you start your draft.
- Cover Letter Guide (handout)
- Cover Letter Samples (handout)
Additional Support
Online Résumé Builder
The Career Center provides an online résumé-building software called SkillsFirst. You can find a variety of résumé templates and samples for various job titles and experience levels. For help getting started watch this video on How to Use the SkillsFirst Résumé Builder.
Career Advising
Career advisors and coordinators can help with self and career exploration, career planning, internships, career networking, résumé and interview skills, and employment searches. We offer group and individual appointments.
Career Workshops
We offer workshops each semester to help you build your skills in professional résumé and cover letter writing. Look for them and sign up on Handshake.
Employers
Employers host events where you can learn more about what's possible and how to successfully apply. Look for these events on Handshake.