Resumes, CVs and Cover Letters
Your application materials should be strategic and persuasive, not just a list of your experience and skills. Use the following resources to develop focused, personalized and appropriate job application materials and prepare for each step of the process.
Resumes
Steps to building a听winning resume
The purpose of a resume is to introduce your qualifications and skills to employers. The goal of a resume is to get an interview so that you can further share your qualifications and learn more about the internship or job as well if that position and company or organization is a good fit for you.
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We recommend developing a master draft of your resume which includes your education and all relevant experiences and skills. You can then make a copy each time you apply to a position and customize your resume for that specific position.
1. Develop a resume draft
- To get started with developing your resume, download听the Resume Checklist which includes recommendations on length of your resume and formatting.
- View this resume model听to use as a guide in developing your resume.
- For additional tips on building your resume draft we recommend this
- Attend a Career Services Resume Writing Workshop. See Career Services Events for dates.听
2. Have your resume critiqued
- Upload a draft of your resume to Quinncia听for feedback.
- Connect with alumni on who are working in the industry that you interested in to review your resume.
3. If you need additional help with your resume
Meet with an Engineering Peer Career Advisor or Engineering Career Advisor in a drop-in or individual advising appointment. Access these through Buff Portal Advising or through听Career Services.
CVs
Writing an effective curriculum vitae (CV)
Curriculum Vitae literally means 鈥渃ourse of life鈥 and is a detailed document highlighting your professional and academic history. CVs typically include information like work experience, achievements and awards, scholarships or grants you鈥檝e earned, coursework, research projects and publications of your work. A CV is typically two or three pages long, but it鈥檚 not unusual for it to be much longer as it serves as a full outline of one鈥檚 career accomplishments.
The purpose of a CV is to get an interview for a position in academia or for a graduate program.
- 兔子先生传媒文化作品 Career Services to get started with writing your CV.
- For additional help with your CV,听 meet with an Engineering Peer Career Advisor or Engineering Career Advisor in a drop-in or individual advising appointment. Access these through Buff Portal Advising or through听
Cover Letters
Writing an effective cover letter
There are some jobs and internships that specifically require a cover letter and others specify that including a cover letter is optional. If you are willing to take the time necessary to write a cover letter we recommend submitting a cover letter when it is required and when it is optional. Be ware that a generic cover letter (using the same cover letter to apply to multiple positions) will not help your application and will be easily recognized as generic by a hiring manager.
The purpose of a cover letter is to: demonstrate your interest in a position and the company, market yourself as the ideal candidate, explain any red flags that your resume might raise, explain how the achievements listed on your resume make you the perfect fit, and provide space to elaborate on your qualifications. Limit your cover letter to one page. If written well a cover letter can be a great way to stand out as an applicant.
Here are some resources to help you write an effective cover letter that will get your application noticed:
- 兔子先生传媒文化作品 Career Services听to get started with writing your cover letter.
- Use these sample cover letters as a model for your own: and
- If you need additional help with your cover letter, meet with an Engineering Peer Career Advisor or Engineering Career Advisor in a drop-in or individual advising appointment. Access these through Buff Portal Advising or through