Create a Resume / Cover Letter

The main heading should include your Full Name, local Phone number, professional email, and current City, State.

(eg: YOUR FULL NAME | Aliso Viejo, CA | (818) 555-1212 | yyodaa.gmailz.com)

College name, location, Degree & Concentration with month/year of graduation (or “expected graduation”). You may also include related coursework, research, class projects, and Learning Clusters (“Team Research Project”) in this section. (Listing your GPA is optional.)

List your most recent and relevant work experience in reverse chronological order (current/most recent at the top). Volunteer work, unpaid position and part-time jobs count! Describe your work using bullet points with skill/action words and metrics/numbers that highlight accomplishments. Past tense for previous work, present tense for current work, third person (no “I” or “my”). Thoughtfully craft description bullet points in this format: Power Verb + How you completed the action = Results & Outcomes. Example: “Created marketing materials and publicized events through social media, resulting in a 25% increase in program attendance.”.

Highlight honors, leadership, school activities, volunteer, service, and relevant hobbies. Include Professional Development, Community Service, Memberships, International Travel, etc. List in reverse chronological order.

Emphasize skills, activities or interests that might appeal to your targeted employers. Include languages, platforms or programs you know (eg – Python, Excel, Slack, Tableau, MacOS, Microsoft, etc.)

COVER LETTERS . . .

• Are important in this world-of-work market!

• Guide the reader toward your “take-away message.”

• Showcase your communication & writing skills.

• Illustrate your professionalism and willingness to “go the extra mile.”

• Get you more time and attention than a resume alone.

• Are NOT optional – they are expected.

THE COVER LETTER “TAKE-AWAY”

There are only a few things the reader will remember about you:

What do you want those things to be?

What distinguishes you from other candidates?

What is most important for your reader to notice when reading your resume?

What is unique about you (compared to other applicants)?

COVER LETTER BASIC ELEMENTS

• Use the same heading as your resume with your contact information.

• Date line (date you submit it to employer)

• Recipient’s name, title and contact information

Greeting and Introduction: Your reason for writing

Body: Include reasons to why you are a great applicant for the position (education, skills, achievements). Think as an employer and ask, “Why are you qualified for the position?” Then write it in the body. Describe how you will relate your previous skills and experiences to the new position. Be sure to look carefully at the qualifications and requirements of the position you are writing about.

Conclusion – Your request for an interview & thanks

Closing & Signature line

A good cover letter demonstrates your writing skills and shows you have researched your field and that employer. The person to whom you address the cover letter should be carefully chosen. If possible, try to get the name of the person best qualified to evaluate your skills and most interested in hiring you – the decision maker. If your only choice is the human resource department, make sure to address the cover letter to a specific individual in that department, or address your cover letter to the hiring committee if you know that you are going to be interviewed by several people. 

Every cover letter you write will be more effective if you specifically tailor it to the position that you are applying for. Use simple, direct language and keep it to one page. The tone of the letter should be positive. There should be no grammatical or spelling errors. Be sure your letter draws a connection between the needs of the current job opening and the skills you can bring to the job.

Employers often request references before making a hiring decision. References may be requested as a part of an online job application, or at the conclusion of an interview. It’s important to have 3-5 individuals ready who are willing to provide a strong, supportive statement about you. References should be people that know you and your work product well: professors, supervisors, managers, or mentors who can attest to your skills and qualifications.

Suggested Format: Prepare a separate document with reference information, using the same header as your resume and cover letter. List at least three references, and include their contact information (name, job title, company, email, phone number).

Before listing someone as a reference, always ask for their permission. Ensure you have their up-to-date contact information, and help them prepare by sharing your current resume, cover letter, and the job description.

Letters of recommendation are formal endorsements written by someone who is familiar with your work, such as a professor, supervisor, or mentor. They provide a detailed evaluation of your skills, achievements, and suitability for a job or academic program. These letters are often required to offer a more comprehensive assessment of your qualifications.

Typically, letters of recommendation are written on letterhead and signed by the recommender. They are either submitted directly to the employer or institution or included in your application package.

To ensure a strong letter, give your recommender plenty of advance notice—ideally 4-6 weeks, but at least 2-3 weeks. When asking, consider phrasing your request as: “Would you be able to write a strong letter of recommendation for me?”. Help your recommenders prepare in advance by sharing your current resume or CV, cover letter, and the position description with them. 

Using standard fonts in a resume ensures that an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) can accurately read and parse the text, reducing the risk of formatting errors that could cause important information to be overlooked or misinterpreted. Some of the best fonts for ATS-friendly resumes are Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Georgia, and Times New Roman. These fonts are widely recognized and compatible with most ATS systems.

The easiest format for an ATS to read is a one column, reverse-chronological style. This format emphasizes your work experience by putting it on top of the page. Then, it sorts your experience from most to least relevant. This format is also the most popular among recruiters.

Including photos or graphics in a resume can confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which are designed to read and parse text. These non-text elements may not be recognized or processed correctly, potentially leading to formatting issues or causing important content to be missed.

Although in some countries, a photo is often included on a Resume/CV, this is NOT best practice for applying to positions in the United States because it can lead to potential bias and is generally discouraged by employers who focus on skills and experience rather than appearance. Additionally, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which may not process images correctly, potentially causing issues with your application. Post a nice headshot on LinkedIn instead!