ECDO - Resumes & Cover Letters

Resumes & Cover Letters

Resumes and cover letters are an important part of your job search because they are often how you make a first impression to a potential employer. An employer will often base the decision on whether to invite you for an interview because of the information you provide on your resume and in your cover letter. Hopefully you’ve been networking so the employer already knows how great you will be for the job. But, whether you have been networking or not, your resume and cover letter should be two documents that concisely tell an employer your story and why you are the best candidate for the job!

A curriculum vitae (CV) is different from a resume and submitted for academic, research and similar positions. You can find more information here and here.

Resume Tips

There should be no false information.
Check your resume for correct spelling and grammar.
ALWAYS have someone review your resume before submitting.
One page – As a college student you should be able to include all relevant information on one page.
Tailor your resume to the position – Include relevant information about skills, experiences and education that the employer is seeking.
Use action verbs –Don’t use the phrases “Responsible for” or “Duties include.” They are a waste of words and take away from highlighting the skills you were using. Each phrase should start with an action verb.
Well-organized – Your resume should be easy to read. Select one font and keep the formatting simple. No need to bold, italicize and underline everything. See the resume samples for ideas of how to format your resume.
Add quantitative information – If you raised funds, how much? Did you tutor students? If so, how many and how often? Did you increase sales? If so, by how much?
Show accomplishments – Employers want to see that you made an impact. Did you improve a process? Save money? What was the result of your time there?
Be careful with acronyms – Don’t assume everyone will know what they mean. Spell them out the first time.
Have industry professionals critique your resume, if possible.
Do not include:

Personal information such as age, gender, marriage status.
Photographs
References – they should be on a separate page

High school information – Your resume should focus on your college accomplishments. We suggest you only include high school information if you are a freshman, if your high school has a strong alumni network, or if your high school accomplishments are unique.
Find more resume tips here.

Resume Examples

Reference List Example

Cover Letters

Your cover letter is another opportunity for you to tell the employer how you are the perfect fit for the position. A cover letter should always be included with a resume.

The cover letter consists of 3-4 paragraphs that are tailored to that specific position and describes how your skills, experiences and education have prepared you for that specific position.

Cover Letter Tips

Do what you can to find a name and title to include in the salutation. Verify the spelling and gender of this person.
Use the same font and heading as your resume for consistency.
Do not send the same cover letter for every position.
Do not repeat the same information that is on your resume. The cover letter should complement your resume.
See more cover letter tips and samples here.