Resume, CV, Cover Letter & LinkedIn

Format and consistency will be the first hurdle to overcome, and, if done incorrectly, can be an easy way to get your resume rejected.  Review margin settings, fonts, date formats and punctuation.  Also ensure consistent spacing between headers (i.e. Education, Professional Experience, etc.)

STAR bullets:
To show the most behind the work you’ve done, try writing out your experiences in the S.T.A.R. format :

• S.T. (Situation or Task – what you did)

• A. (Actions – how you handled specifics of the situation or performed the task)

• R. (Results – what happened as a result, try to provide numbers behind this if possible)

Example:
Good: Created printed brochures and posters.

Better: Created printed brochures and posters (ST) using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign (A) which resulted in the launch of 2,000 new advertising packets.

Below are some general tips and tricks to keep in mind when creating your resume: 

• Utilize university resume templates for formatting.  Avoid templates from other sources (i.e. Canva, Google or from internet sites).   Applicant tracking systems have difficulty reading these

• Choose an appropriate email name: first/last name or some variation that helps your future employer know who you are

• Include a functioning phone number and make sure your voicemail greeting is professional

• Use Key Words throughout your resume: Matching keywords and qualifications from the job description will keep your resume from being blocked by the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and recruiting systems.  These are automated systems that organizations use to screen thousands of resume submissions, weed out those that are missing key words, and pass along more qualified candidates to hiring managers. Make sure you’re not blocked by adding Key Words!

• Always save your current, ready to submit resume as a PDF to avoid formatting changes

• Refer to examples from your field

What VMOCK Resume Smart Editor does:

This online tool scans and reviews your resume and provides 24/7 instant personalized feedback based on criteria gathered from employers and global best practices. This tool:

• Works with resumes from many different fields across multiple industries
• Allows you to create resumes from scratch
• Provides feedback on existing resumes

Whether you’re on your first or twelfth draft, it can be challenging to take your resume to the next level. Feel free to schedule a one-on-one appointment via Handshake with a career advisor or counselor for additional help.

 Appointments are available from Monday – Friday | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

CV is short for curriculum vitae which means “course of life” in Latin. In the United States, a CV is used when applying for graduate school, PhD programs, and academic positions. It showcases your professional history, teaching experience, presentation and conference participation, educational history, dissertations, skills, honors and awards, etc. Unlike a resume, there is no limit to the number of pages. Of note, outside of the U.S. people refer to their resume as a CV.

The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself and demonstrate interest in the position for which you are applying. Your letter is an opportunity to sell yourself, expand on your abilities and provide examples of why you are the best candidate for the position.   ​

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Think of the resume and cover letter as documents that are working together in conjunction. The cover letter is an elaboration on the experiences that show up in your resume. A well-written cover letter can put you miles ahead of the competition. 

When creating a cover letter, keep it to one page.  The body of the letter should consist of three main paragraphs as shown below (also see the attached Cover Letter handout for an example).

[Body Paragraph 1 – I LOVE YOU] 2-3 sentences - Why you LOVE them - let them know you’ve done your homework on the company and the job and why you are excited about working there. 

[Body Paragraph 2 – YOU LOVE ME] What you can do for them. Pick 3 or 4 top responsibilities mentioned in the job description. Tell them what you will do for them, and why you believe you can do it based on your knowledge and/or experience. Keep it brief.

[Closing – LET’S CONNECT] Thank them for considering your application and invite them to reach out to you.  Provide your contact information.

Yes and No!  ​

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Yes! Even if the employer doesn’t ask for one, it’s always a good idea to include a cover letter. This is an opportunity to show the employer a bit of your personality and passion. This will also help you stand out from the competition as many people don’t take time for this important step. ​

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No! There are some industries/companies that tell you not to include a cover letter.  Follow their instructions when applying!

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