Resumes and Cover Letters

Resume

Resume Basics

A resume is a very important tool for the job search. This information will help you understand different types of resumes, and help you decide what to include in your resume. There are also sample resume headings, and key action verbs for your use.

Resume Basics - Want to know the rules of resume writing? This material tells you what information to include and what's important to convey in your resume.
Resume Critique - Need assistance? Click on the link for information about resume assistance from Career Services.
Resume Headings - Look at sample heading that create an individual touch to your resume.

Sample Resumes

The sample resumes below are intended to help you think about the ways in which you can communicate your skills and experiences to potential employers. Whether you need to show a double major, two degrees, or showcase your internship experience, you will find examples among these pages.

Ways to Document College Education - Wondering how to show a double major on your resume? What about two degrees? Transfer student? This information covers most circumstances.
Agriculture Major - Field experiences and internships can add an impact to any resume including that of an agriculture major. Family farm background? Financially contributing to your college expenses? Spanish language skills? Take a look at how these things can be added to a resume.
Broadcast Major - This candidate makes the most of her internship and on campus experience related to her career goals. Note also the listing of technical skills and equipment and foreign language skills.
Business Economics Major -Clara Career's resume shows the use of Relevant Coursework that relates the student's understanding of her subject area to an internship employer.
Computer Science Major - William P. Gatesmith's resume includes information about an undergraduate research project. Computer Science majors and others may have an expanded computer skills area showing such things as hardware, software, languages, operating systems, and/or peripherals.
Double Major - Marketing and Business Management – Take a look at this sample resume to make the most of a double major on your resume! Residential Life jobs, SOAR leader, and other on campus leadership roles will add value to your resume. Take a look at this resume for a few Northwest related examples.
Electronic Resume - Sending your resume to an employer by email or Internet? This requires a different format in order to ensure that your resume arrives intact. Check out this example for Bobbette Bearcat. More information on this topic is available in the Resume Basics section.
Elementary Education Resume - Student teaching and practical experience can be powerful additions to a resume. Take a look at Ima Teacher's example.
Federal Resume - A resume for a career with the U.S. government is quite different than other resumes. This handout explains how to create a federal resume, and what information the government considers relevant.
Geography/GIS Major - Check out the Atlas Mapo resume. It shows computer skills, related experience and how this student has financially contributed to his education costs -- something that employers like to see.
Interactive Digital Media Major -- This sample illustrates several important points:

1. A Summary of Skills area at the top of the resume can be helpful to pull together a snapshot of one's experience,

2. When your degree name is unfamiliar to the employer/reader, it may be helpful to provide a brief description of the program (i.e., "IDM or Interactive Digital Media") as shown,

3. Two distinct degrees are listed. For an example of how to show a double major, see: Liberal Arts resume.

Liberal Arts Resume - This resume for an English major includes several related undergraduate experiences and a Summary of Qualifications section that brings together his business knowledge with his liberal arts education. Check out this resume if you have a double major or need to show a Study Abroad experience.
MBA and Industrial Psychology Resume - Susan Schumacher's resume provides an example of how to show two degrees from the same university as well as a Related Experience and a Work Experience section. Check out internship, campus job descriptions and varsity sports descriptions.
Psychology Resume - The resume for Sy K. Major provides an example of the use of Relevant Courses and a "bullet" style for relating descriptions of jobs and internship information.
Secondary Education Major - Running out of space on your page? Ima Student's resume shows how a wrap-around approach to job descriptions can help. This resume also shows an example of a Bachelor degree and Associate degree.
Two Degrees - Check out this sample for illustrations of ways to show a Masters and Bachelors degree from one university as well as a double major at the bachelor’s level. Sports and sports leadership experience? Peer advisor, and other similar on campus leadership roles are important too! Employers know the value of these experiences so be sure to include them on your resume.

Cover Letter

Written correspondence throughout your job search demonstrates your communication abilities to potential employers as well as your attitude and professionalism. It is important to prepare all correspondence carefully including cover letters and thank you letters. This following PDF will provide detailed information.

Cover Letter & Job Search Correspondence

References

It is important to include a reference page with your resume. This should be on a separate page, and should include your name and address.

Sample Reference Page - It is important to create a heading on your reference page showing your name and contact information. Three to five names are adequate and it is helpful to have some variation in their relationship to you, i.e. a professor, a past employer, etc.

Job Skills

Transferable Skills - Take a look at this list of Transferable Skills. This list will help you assess you current skills and may help you develop resume descriptions as well.

Northwest Missouri State University