Craft Your Professional Story
Your resume and cover letter are often your first opportunity to make a lasting impression on a potential employer or graduate or professional school. These documents do more than list your experience—they tell your story, highlight your strengths, and demonstrate why you’re the right fit for the role or program. Whether you’re entering the workforce, changing careers, applying for programs, or advancing professionally, crafting a clear, compelling resume and tailored cover letter is a critical step toward achieving your goals.
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Resume Types
Your resume is a summary of your education and experiences. It should be focused on what is relevant to your industry. Make sure to check our Handy Dandy Formula for building an effective resume.
Chronological resumes have educational and employment history organized by date. This resume works well for students who have related experiences within their field.
Functional resumes focus on skill sets gained through a variety of activities, such as educational course work, clubs and organizations, as well as internships and volunteer work. This resume format works best for students lacking relevant work experience or changing careers.
Combination resumes are a combination of the chronological resume and functional resume. It focuses on skill sets, but also lists employment history. These types of resumes are most commonly used for someone who wants to change their career path entirely or have limited experience.
Cover Letters
Cover letters introduce you and your resume to prospective employers. The content of a cover letter can be broken down into three basic parts:
- Introduction: Why are you contacting this person? How did you learn about the opportunity? Who are you? What do you know about their organization (research)?
- Body: How can you benefit them? Tell how you are an ideal match for the position. Expand on relevant education, skills, and experience to offer additional details not found on your resume.
- Conclusion: Focus on the next step: the interview! Thank the reader for their time and consideration. Request an interview to further discuss your qualifications.
