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Resume Resources

Table of contents, resume overview, sections to include + quick formatting tips, write higher quality bullet points, instant resume feedback + other resources, resume templates, resume examples, resume action verbs.

A resume presents your story by highlighting your skills (the things you do well). Employers initially scan a resume for 30 to 60 seconds, so it needs to be descriptive and concise at the same time. It also needs to be tailored to the organization to which you are applying. We asked a few recruiters to tell us what they notice on a resume in 30 seconds. Check out what they look for in the video below.

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To keep your resume easy to read, divide it into these common sections. Check out the samples in the resources section for examples of what to include.

• Name and Contact Information
• Summary (Optional- more common with experienced professionals, but an option for any student)
• Experience- This is often broken up into two or three sections based on the themes in your experiences. Common headings include: Work/Professional Experience, Clubs/Student Organizations, Leadership Experience, and Service/Community Involvement.
• Skills (Optional)

Most employers take 30-60 seconds per resume during their first glance. Don’t get stuck in the “no” pile because of formatting issues.

• Keep your document to one page (for most undergraduates)
• Put your experiences in reverse chronological order in each section
• Keep your formatting consistent and easy to skim quickly (i.e. put job titles, organization names, dates, and locations in the same location each time)
• Use bullets, not paragraphs
• Quantify when possible and use the Bullet Plus Formula to show skills, not just tasks (keep scrolling for more on the Bullet Plus formula!)
• Tailor your resume to the experience for which you are applying

Show the reader your skills (instead of just listing the tasks you did) by using the bullet plus model:

Action Verb + What + How/Why/Impact 

For example:

• Basic bullet: Developed interpersonal skills 
• Bullet plus: Developed interpersonal skills by facilitating cross-cultural conversations with Malawian teens and community members   (how)                  
• Basic bullet: Created real interest monitoring tool
• Bullet plus: Created real interest monitoring tool to study the effect of rate changes on foreign exchange levels  (why)                   
• Basic bullet: Directed actors in productions
• Bullet plus: Directed 5-10 student actors and managed technical team in both short and full-length productions attracting audiences of 100+ (impact)

• VMOCK - 24/7 access to instant resume feedback for all U-M undergraduate students
• Targeted Resume - Automatic feedback on if your resume is tailored for a specific position for anyone with a umich.edu email

To get started, choose a template from below > make a copy of the template > edit it with your information

Choose a thumbnail to access the full view

Undergrad Examples

Masters Examples

If you are a doctoral student, please visit our PhD Non-Academic Job Search page for resume resources.

Action Verbs for Resumes and Professional Profiles

In this section

• Exploring Majors and Careers

Resumes and Cover Letters

• Interviewing
• Veteran Career Resources
• Resources for Students with Disabilities
• Contractual Agencies
• Tips for Student Employees
• Alumni Career Resources
• Data, Trends and Transitions
• Career Services for Employers
• Career Support for Your Students
• Talent Gateway

Your resume is a marketing tool, and often your first introduction to a potential employer, so you want to make the best impression possible. Resumes should be tailored to the job you are seeking, and should be a brief overview of your qualifications and experience to highlight particular accomplishments for a prospective employer.

Common elements include: Contact info, Education, Experience, Honors, Activities, & Affiliations, Academic Projects, and Skills.   

Quick resources to assist with resume writing:

• Recorded Resume Workshop
• Resume Workshop Slides  (including links to resources & resume examples)
• How to write strong bullet points
• Power Verbs
• Health Professions (HP) Resume Tips

Resume reviews and feedback are provided by our professionally trained career peers as well as our career coaches. Our goal is to return your individual review within 7 business days.

Writing your Resume

The sections below offer tips for specific sections of your resume. To get you started, we've created a few documents that you can download and edit - remember, you may have different section headings, more or less sections, etc.  Don't forget to use power verbs throughout!

Resume Formats, Common Structure, and Layout

There are common formats for writing a resume: the Chronological Resume, Combination Resume, and the Functional Resume. Remember, even with a common format, layout, and/or structure, your resume will still be unique!

Which Resume Format Should I Use?

Other Recommended Formatting, Structure, and Layout Tips:

• One-page to two-page resume is most common (two pages for years of relevant experience)
• Use consistent formatting throughout the resume: bolding, italics, font size, font style, date format (mm/yyyy or month year), etc. 
• One column format 
• Font size: 10-12 point (note: your name will be larger) and using a common font style (Times New Roman, Arial, Garamond)
• Use 0.5-1.0-inch margins
• Avoid using tables, grids, lines, and graphics
• Use templates only if it fits your needs
• Be concise with wording and make sure to proofread– don’t just rely on spell check! ( Microsoft Word does not catch ALL CAPITAL misspelled words)

Check the below section to find resume samples.

Heading (Contact Information)

Headings include how the employer can contact you.

• If you go by your middle name/preferred name, consider using an initial (E. Thomas Jones for Eugene Thomas Jones)
• Professional EMAIL - recommend use your UMICH.EDU email
• Phone Number - make sure your voicemail is set up professionally and not full 
• LinkedIn Customized URL (be sure to keep profile your up to date; more about using LinkedIn on our  Networking page)
• Full Address or City and State
• Other Websites or Professional Portfolios (specific to your field)

Your academic credentials are important to an employer, particularly if you are relatively new to the working world or if you are pursuing a job that requires specific training.

• Express your educational background clearly
• Avoid abbreviations (except for states).  Only abbreviate your degree if it is necessary to fit the space
• The school name, city, and state
• Type of degree (Ex: Bachelor of Science)
• Major(s), any minor(s)/concentration(s)
• Month and year granted or Expected Graduation month and year
• Optional: Overall GPA or Major GPA if 2.8 and above
• Optional: Relevant Coursework (Other common titles: Relevant Courses, Computer Courses, etc.) is commonly found within the Education section. Usually any courses level 200 or higher that are specific to the position/career field or departmental concentrations are included.
• Optional: Certifications, teaching endorsements , or honors

An objective is a brief sentence that clarifies any skills, abilities, or experience that align with the position you are applying for. Use your objective to answer the question "what can I do for the employer?"  Consider having an objective statement when you do not have a cover letter or you are attending a recruiting event/career fair.  

A powerful objective can be broken down into three parts :

• The title or function desired
• The skills that the job seeker brings to the position
• The results that the employer can expect

Objective Examples

Experiences can be highlighted in one section or broken up in a variety of ways. These sections indicate your value to the employer by highlighting accomplishments and skills you have developed through previous experiences. 

• Common section headings include: Experience, Work History, Work Experience, Relevant Experience, Professional Experience, Experience in [specific field]
• Other experiences to include (that may be their own section): Volunteer Experience, Practica, Field Experience, Internships, Military Experiences (check out the Other Resources  section at the bottom of this page or meet with a career coach for tips on translating your military skills to civilian terms)
• List experiences in reverse chronological order
• Include each job title and employer name (no supervisors or addresses needed)
• List city, state (or country), and accurate dates for each position
• Use bullet points with descriptive statements displaying skills, abilities, and professional accomplishments ( begin with a power verb )
• If present work, use present tense, if past use past tense (stay away from active tense)
• Try to include quantifiable results (number of people on a team, cost reductions, etc.) 

Additional Sections

Adding additional sections is strongly recommended if you have experience that has not been reflected through the rest of your resume. Some of these items might work well in previously mentioned sections and there may be other sections you include based on your personal experiences.

• Include any presentation, group projects, papers, etc. that highlight your skills related to a specific field (helpful for those with limited to no formal work experiences in their field)
• List in most relevant order (dates are not important here)
• Structure these similar to the "Experience" section or with a Project Title and a few descriptive statements 
• Include organizations, clubs, professional memberships, associations, leadership roles, etc.
• Organization's name and/or positions held (could be a similar design to an "experience" section)
• Highlight a descriptive statement of accomplishments (using power verbs) rather than stating "member"
• Employers are more concerned with what  rather than when  here (dates are not as important)
• Provide explanations for the names of organizations, if they are not self-evident
• Include awards, recognitions, scholarships, etc. 
• Consider honors and awards from employment, volunteer experiences, co-curricular activities, and academics 
• Include any specialized knowledge - relevant/industry-related skills (equipment or programming specific to the field/job)
• Foreign Languages 
• Computer Programs/Software
• Certifications (these could be listed within another section or in their own section)
• For specific software or industries (such as SAS, or CPA)
• State of Michigan (Elementary or Secondary) Provisional teaching
• Teaching endorsements (find your Michigan endorsement code ) : Math (EX), Early Childhood (ZA)

Applications by Email and Digital Copies

Applications by Email:

• Always include a brief note in the body of the email stating what you’re applying for, what materials you have attached, and how to contact you.
• This can also be a good opportunity to reiterate your excitement for the position.

Application File Names and Saving Documents:

• Example: JonathanWolverineResume.pdf or JonathanWolverineCoverLetter.docx
• When sending by e-mail or posting on your LinkedIn, saving as a PDF prevents your formatting from getting jumbled; some online application systems cannot process PDFs, so always follow specific system instructions.

Other Tips:

Additional tips provided by Career Services, Talent Gateway, ICMC, CASL Internships, and CECS Co-op Staff

• This is not easy, this can be overwhelming, and you are not alone in this process! 
• Use a template only if it fits your needs (Ex: BA 300)
• There's no such thing as a “perfect” or “finished” resume
• Consider all experiences: classes, projects, student orgs, volunteer, leadership, awards, publications, presentations, certifications, special skills, etc. 
• All resumes are different (even if formatting looks similar) 
• POWER VERBS  - use them! ( see Resume Power Verbs and Transferable Skills )

Resume Tips for Specific Fields

Education degrees.

While similar to the resumes described above, if you're seeking a job in education there are a few additional tips to consider.

Elements to Consider when Describing Teaching Experience When describing your teaching experience, include any teaching experience such as substitute teaching, student teaching and practical/observations as well as your classroom experience. Specify if you have special skills such as

• Multi-level subjects taught – ex: reading groups, math groups
• Integrated curriculum/cross-disciplinary teaching/team teaching
• Special methodologies – ex.: Math Their Way, Hunter Units
• Special testing, ex:  the Iowa Basic
• Teaching endorsements

Also include related experiences such as:

• Camp counseling
• Coaching or other extracurricular activities (plays, fairs, etc.)
• Aide experience
• Extra duties (e.g.,) playground, lunch room, study hall, bus duty
• Internships and assistantship
• Volunteering
• Social service work involving youth
• Supervising field trips

... or other experiences demonstrating transferable skills or work history.

Include elements that make your teaching experience unique, such as the populations you've worked with:

• Students with physical disabilities
• Students with visual impairments
• Students with hearing impairments
• ESL/Bilingual
• Mainstreamed students
• Inclusion students
• Exchange students
• Gifted students
• Students with learning disabilities

Business Degrees

For students in the College of Business, the Internship and Career Management Center (ICMC)  is here to support you. They help students explore careers, assist with resume and internship prep, host networking events and much more!

They also provide templates for cover letters and resumes that you can customize to make your own.

Resume Samples and Templates

Here are a few samples so you can see the different types of resumes. The two listed as "templates" are Word documents that you can edit and make your own.

• Chronological Resume
• Combination Resume Template
• Functional Resume Template
• Pre-Health Resume
• Student Veteran Resume
• Education Resume

Cover Letter Tips and Suggestions

Writing a cover letter.

A cover letter is an introduction to your resume and your qualifications. An employer uses cover letters to determine your interests in the position and to assess your written communication skills. It is important to remember that a cover letter is not just a copy of your resume; it should intrigue the employer enough to read your attached resume.

A cover letter should answer the following questions:

• What is the position?
• Why are you applying for it?
• What do you hope to gain from the position?
• Why are you qualified?
• What unique skills or experiences do you have?

Cover Letter Sample

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A resume is a one page document that highlights your most relevant experiences, skills and strengths to an employer.  It is an effective and efficient way to tell your story and highlight your unique qualifications for that position and employer. For detailed information about how to write a resume, check out our Resume Writing Handout  (PDF).

Common Content Categories

• Experience (projects, professional experience, research, leadership, volunteer, etc.)
• Involvement or Activities (if not incorporated into experience sections)
• Technical or Field-specific Skills  

If your most relevant experience is in the classroom, include that in your resume. For example:

DESIGN PROJECTS Toy Product Design 

• Analyzed over 30 products from different companies to build one multi-function toy 
• Performed a materials-cost breakdown on 10 different products to find the optimal selling price

RELEVANT COURSEWORK Human Resources Finance Health Care Delivery Systems Humanistic Health Care & Communication

Administration and Management Addiction Studies Medical Terminology Accounting

Related Resources

• Cover Letters

AI Resume Analysis

Employers use software to evaluate your resume preventing up to 95% of job applications from ever crossing the hiring manager's desk. Get instant feedback and polish your resume for free with Quinncia! Exclusively for current CCAPS, CDes and CFANS students.

Resume Templates

If you need a starting point from which you will customize to reflect your brand and industry norms, download one of our templates.

Download Template 1

Download Template 2

Applicant Tracking System Resumes

If you are applying online, most companies use computer programs or Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to pre-screen applicants before they get reviewed by a human. Create an ATS Resume based on keywords and qualifications from the job description and avoid most formatting. 

Check out our Sample ATS Resume and ATS Resume Quick Tips .

Get Individualized Resume Help

Take advantage of our drop-in reviews or make an appointment with your career consultant.

Additional Tips

• Resume Tips for Designers (PDF)
• Resume Tips for Veterans (PDF)
• Resume Tips for CCAPS Education Section (PDF)
• Resume Tips for Federal and State Applications
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Resume and Cover Letter Help

Your resume is a snapshot of your professional persona, so it’s important that this document speaks to the skills and talents you possess. There is no “perfect” or “correct” format - it all depends on the position you are looking for and your past experiences. Think of your resume as a living document; update it frequently!

• Resume and Cover Letter Guide : This guide provides you with recommendations for required and optional components of your resume.
• ChatGPT Prompt Guide : Use our ChatGPT Prompt Guide to help you build and tailor your resume for each opportunity.
• Coaching : We also offer virtual drop-in assistance with no appointment necessary, Monday-Friday from 10:00 am-4:00 pm.
• Resume Templates:  We have created several basic templates that you can download to create your own resume.
• Jobscan ATS Resume Scanner :  Optimize your resume for your next job application by using this resume scanning tool , which offers you tips for increasing your match rate for a job opportunity by scanning the content on your resume and a job description. 
• Resume Samples : Below, we offer samples of multiple types of resumes to be used as a guide. Additionally, Live Career provides a variety of industry-specific resume samples to review.

Not sure which key skills to market on your resume? Use the Job Market Data tool to search for an occupation and access a list of hard skills and core competencies associated with a given career. Tips for adding skills to your resume: List hard skills (technical and language skills) under a skills section and plug in essential skills/core competencies throughout your accomplishment statements.

Uploading your resume to Handshake:

You’ll need to upload your resume to Handshake in order to apply for jobs and internships that are posted in the system.

To upload your resume, log in to Handshake using your CaneID and Password. Once in the system:

• Click on “View Your Profile” in the column on the left-hand side
• Click on “Documents” and then “New Document” in the top right corner

If this is your first time uploading a resume to Handshake, it will be critiqued by a Toppel staff member within 3-5 business days. Staff will provide you with individualized comments and the document will be approved. We strongly suggest that you make the recommended changes and re-upload your resume as soon as possible. Otherwise, recruiters will not see the best possible version of your resume!

Cover Letters

Cover letters accompany your resume and introduce you to potential employers. A good cover letter makes a hiring manager want to learn more about you, continue onto your resume, and possibly invite you for an interview.

You always want to tailor your cover letter toward a specific position or organization. We suggest that you always draft a new letter for each experience to avoid making mistakes or referencing the wrong position or organization.

Cover letters can also be uploaded to Handshake (as can other documents, such as transcripts and work samples) using the same method you used to upload your resume. Documents other than resumes will not be critiqued in the system and will simply be approved for use.

Make sure you utilize Toppel career coaching to ensure you are providing employers with the best possible cover letter. You can also get help with your writing by utilizing the Writing Center.

Toppel offers additional resources that are always accessible to you:

• Resume and Cover Letter Guide: This guide provides you with recommendations for your cover letter as well as a sample.
• ChatGPT Prompt Guide: Use our ChatGPT Prompt Guide to help you create a cover letter that highlights your most relevant qualifications .
• Live Career  also provides a variety of industry-specific cover letter samples to review.
• Samples: Utilize this sample or this other sample to begin writing your own cover letter. 

Curriculum Vitae

A  curriculum vitae (CV) is a detailed document used to showcase your professional and academic history. This document helps highlight your scholarly identity within fields like academia and medicine.  CV s often include information like professional work experience, achievements and awards, presentations, research, publications, and fellowships you've received. This document serves as an overview of one's entire career.  

• CV Template: Utilize this sample to begin drafting your own personalized document. 
• Architecture Sample CV
• Music Sample CV
• Public Health Sample CV

A portfolio is a representation of who you are as a professional. It is a collection of items that showcases your accomplishments and presents who you are as a candidate. Portfolios provide evidence for your skills and qualifications. They can include resumes, professional licenses, certifications and awards, letters of recommendation, evidence of skills, work samples, links to relevant articles, and more. Each field will vary on what is recommended to include in one’s portfolio.

When should you use a portfolio?

Anytime that you want to visualize your qualifications and abilities. Portfolios may be used to market yourself during a job interview, apply for scholarships, document professional development, secure a promotion, and many other purposes.

Depending on your field of interest, either a physical or online portfolio may be best. Here are a few options for free online portfolios:

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Resume Resources

Resume & Cover Letters

Most employers will require job seekers to complete an application when applying for job opportunities using an online applicant tracking system (ATS). In the process of completing the online application, most employers will require you to submit a cover letter and resume. 

The Cover Letter 

A cover letter is a one-page document written in business letter format used to highlight your education, experience, and skills related to the position. This document should capture the reader’s attention, while expressing your interest in the company/job, and emphasize the top three or four characteristics meeting the job qualifications. The cover letter also serves as an introduction to the resume. 

Cover Letter Guide 1 Cover Letter Guide 2

TIPS: 

• Start with a strong opening: Use a catchy introduction to grab the attention of the hiring manager.
• Customize your letter: Customize the letter to the job you’re applying for. This helps you to show your enthusiasm for the role.
• Highlight your relevant skills: Focus on the qualifications that are most relevant to the position and explain how your experience and skills make you a good fit for the role.
• Use keywords: Use keywords from the job listing in your cover letter to help the hiring manager quickly identify that you’re the best candidate for the job.
• Keep it concise: A cover letter should be no longer than one page. Use bullet points to make it easy to read.
• End on a strong note: End with a statement about your enthusiasm for the opportunity and how you look forward to hearing back from them.

The Resume 

A resume is a document that summarizes a person’s work experience, education, skills, and achievements. It’s typically used to apply for job opportunities and helps employers quickly assess a candidate’s qualifications for a role. Resumes typically include a professional summary, a work experience section, an education section, and a skills section. The format and content of a resume can vary depending on the industry and job position being applied for. A well-written and tailored resume can greatly increase a candidate’s chances of getting hired for a job.

Resume and Professional Writing Guide Resume and Cover Letter Resource Packet Federal Resume Writing Additional Tips Video  

For additional Resume tips click here

Resume Guide

Get started writing your resume with our template and checklist!

Step 1: Download and use the resume worksheet to get started!

Step 2:  Use the CLA Career Services resume template and checklist to guide you through creating and editing your resume

Resume writing can seem intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before. But it’s actually easier than most students think. 

In fact, it can even be fun. 

It’s gratifying to see your accomplishments, skills, and Core Career Competencies come to life on paper. You begin to realize just how much you’ve done and learned as a liberal arts student—and thus how much you have to offer to prospective employers (or graduate/professional school programs, as the case may be). You see with your own eyes how you are becoming career-ready.

There is work involved in resume development: thinking, planning, organizing, writing, editing, proofreading … and proofreading some more. But it’s all worth it in the end when you produce a document that clearly stands out and compels the reader to think: “I’ve got to give this person a call.”

Take a look at how to create a standout resume, broken down by the main questions you likely have:

• Resume Content
• Resume Format
• Examples of Solid Resumes

Resume Reviews: Available to All CLA Students

Do you want help getting started on your resume or looking for feedback on your resume draft? Visit drop-ins for guidance  or submit your document for asynchronous feedback.

What Is the Purpose of a Resume?

As you get started working on your resume, you may (quite naturally) be wondering: “Why do I have to write a resume in the first place? What’s its purpose?”

One very practical answer is that employers expect you to have one; you can’t really, not have one! Résumés (and cover letters) are an ingrained, commonplace aspect of the world of work.

But the real purpose behind your resume is to help you quickly explain your skills and competencies, qualifications, and fit for a position being filled by a prospective employer. It serves as your formal introduction, and as a marketing tool for landing an interview.

(Note: Your resume can also help you reflect on your experiences and plan for future skill and competency development.)

Your resume is one of the primary tools you can use to showcase your career readiness in a tangible, compelling way. Remember: In CLA, we define career readiness as developing—and then being able to convincingly demonstrate and articulate—the following Core Career Competencies:

So keep these competencies at the forefront of your thinking as you create your resume. 

Ultimately, you need to be able to demonstrate your career readiness, on your résumé and elsewhere (particularly on your LinkedIn profile, which is its own critical marketing tool in your job/internship search). You can’t just say you’re career ready; you have to show it. 

With that challenge always top of mind: Which experiences—academic, engagement, and career—can you highlight on your resume to show prospective employers that you have, in fact, developed the Core Career Competencies (and other key skills) that signify career readiness? How can you effectively present what you have to offer to an organization?

That’s the true purpose of your resume.

Resume Types

There are some cases, like applying to graduate school or the federal government, which require a different resume. Use the resources below to learn more. 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
• Federal Employment Search Tips  

Sample Resumes

Whether you are just starting a resume or you are looking to enhance your current draft, the following sample resumes can help. Keep in mind your resume should reflect your unique experiences!

Resume Samples

If you are still using a resume from high school, you will likely need to make some significant edits.  

Undergraduate Students Just Getting Started

Haven’t yet participated in an internship or other experience related to your career field of interest? Consider going into greater detail about related courses, academic, volunteer experiences and/or leadership opportunities. The following example showcases the student’s project experience from a campus program as well as on-campus leadership experience.

Advanced/Later Stage Undergraduate or Master’s Students

Once you have accrued internship or other related experience, you will want to be thoughtful as to how you best fill the limited space on your resume. This example effectively highlights 3 internships as well as leadership experience.

Graduate Student Resume

If you are in a graduate program, you likely have more experience to share on your resume. You may have either a curriculum vitae (CV) or shorter resume depending on your career goals. CVs are used when applying for research related and faculty positions in academia while resumes are typically used when applying for jobs in private industry and nonprofit organizations.If you plan to construct a CV, you will want to reach out to faculty in your program for a strong sample of a CV in your specific field. The following example demonstrates how a graduate student can create a shorter, 2-page resume.

Veteran or Adult Learner Student Resume

If you are a career changer and/or have served in the military, you will need to think about how to market transferable skills from your previous career along with the new skills you are picking up through your studies at the university level. For veterans, it's important to avoid military acronyms and jargon as much as possible and pull out examples of transferable skills applicable to your new career field of interest. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible and consider listing some related coursework from your current degree program, if applicable.

Sample Industry-Specific Resumes

It is important to research the field you hope to enter as some industries may have differences in terms of what is common on resumes and other application documents.  A few examples are included below:

Arts, Communication & Design

In many of these career fields, it is becoming increasingly acceptable and even advisable to add design elements to your resume.  Consider adding a pop of color, logo or other unique components to your resume. Having such a resume can further showcase your stated skills in using design software. Graphic design/art students may want to create a heavily designed resume, while students in public relations/media/advertising may opt for a lightly designed resume.   Despite the design elements, the same basic components of the resume are still very important: Use strong action verbs, quantify your results and focus on relevant experience first. The following 2 examples show how an art major and a communication/public relations major have effectively shared their unique skill sets by adding design elements to their resumes.

Performing Arts

Theatre, dance and music students interested in applying for performance-based roles may want to use a performance resume, which showcases previous acting, dance or music performance experience. For dance positions, height/weight are not necessary unless a specific height range is sought, in which case a dancer could just list their height. If you are majoring in the performing arts but interested in other industries (including arts management roles), you may want to check out the Beginning/Early College or Advanced/Later College resume samples instead. 

Federal Government

If applying to the Federal government, you will use a different format that is more extensive. The following example demonstrates some of these important differences. In many cases, you will build your resume into the resume builder on USAJobs.gov. 

Health & Sciences  

When applying for science-related positions, it can be important to clearly demonstrate specific technical skills in a section closer to the top of your resume. Depending on your background, you may want to highlight specific lab skills, computer programming languages or software skills you possess. This resume provides an example of how to leverage these skills on your resume.

For health students, you will want to highlight your related experience, which may include clinical experience and/or volunteer experience in the local community. You should also connect with the Reed-Yorke Health Professions Advising Office on campus to better understand the application process to premed and allied health graduate programs. The following example may give you some ideas for how to share this experience on your resume.

Technology & Data

For some fields, highlighting technical/programming/computer skills will be important. If you haven't had an internship yet, you want to make sure you still show your technical skills through relevant projects, whether they were independent or class projects.

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Career Kickoff

Cover Letter Guide - UM Career Center

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The U-M University Career Center offers an outline for you to follow when thinking about cover letters. In this guide, learn more about what to include, the online cover letter builder, quick tips, quick formatting tips, see samples, and more!</span></p>

• Full-time MBA
• Working Professional MBA
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• Undergraduate Students
• Accountancy & Taxation
• Human Resources
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• Exploration & Self Assessments
• Company Research
• Resume & Cover Letter
• Job & Internship Search
• Interview Preparation
• Offer Negotiation
• Resources & Tools
• International
• Meet the CBCC team
• DEI in CBCC
• Share This: Share Resumes on Facebook Share Resumes on LinkedIn Share Resumes on X

Your resume is one of the most important tools you will use to market yourself to potential employers. It is important to have a strong, effective resume since your resume may be the first (and only) impression an employer gets of you. The following resources will help you get started creating a resume that will increase your chances of grabbing an employer’s attention.   

Resume Development  

A Chapter from Carlson CBCC’s Career Guide on resume development, including:

• Guidelines for Formatting and Content
• Communicating your Skills
• Crafting High-Impact, Results-Oriented Bullets
• Key Words and Phrases to Include
• Sample Resumes

Link:  Resume Development  (starting on page 41) 

Resume Webinar 

Mediasite  (requires a login/password) – We strongly recommend that all students view this webinar before working on your resume.  You will need to complete this  worksheet  as part of this process, and use one of the Carlson-approved resume templates (see below).

Carlson Resume Templates

We recommend that all Carlson students put their resume into the Carlson format, which is a one-page “reverse chronological” resume format that is considered the standard across graduate business programs. 

NOTE:  If you have more than 10 years of work experience, please speak with a Career Coach to determine if this is the appropriate format for you.

There are different resume templates for students in Carlson’s various programs. 

These templates work best in Microsoft Word.  Please be sure that you are using the correct template before you begin working on your resume.

Resumes for Executive MBAs and Experienced Professionals (8+ years of experience)

For more seasoned business professionals, you might consider a 2-page executive resume format.  The following resources are intended for CEMBA students, as well as MS SCM and Part-Time Students with 10+ years of work experience.  

Executive Resume Best Practices  – a video on preparing a standard 2-page resume for executive resume for more seasoned business professionals.

Mastering the Executive Resume  – Workshop on preparing a standard 2-page executive resume for more seasoned business professionals.  

Executive Resume Template  

VMock – YOUR Resume Feedback Tool

VMock  is a tool the CBCC provides for current students and alumni to have their resume reviewed virtually.  It provides customized feedback on formatting, grammar, and impact.  We encourage students to use this before meeting with a coach for a resume review appointment.   

Resumes for Careers Outside of the U.S. 

Use  Going Global  Country Guides for advice and strategies for finding employment opportunities outside of the US. The country guides include a section on writing resumes and cover letters for each particular country.

• MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

• Resumes and cover letters

Your resume is an important tool used to market your experiences to prospective employers and demonstrate how you are qualified for positions. It is a professional written document that communicates your education, experiences, and skills related to the type of position you are seeking.

To Get Started:

• Make a list of experiences you’ve had—education and training, jobs, internships, research, projects, volunteer work, leadership, student organizations, etc. 
• Think about what you contributed, what skills you used and developed, and your significant achievements from these experiences.  
• Begin to craft your resume by organizing these experiences into sections. Avoid using a generic resume template. You may use one of the CSE templates listed below.

Keep in mind that the resume you use to apply for a particular position should address the skills and qualifications outlined in the job description; therefore, your resume is a fluid document that should continually change as you apply for different opportunities and acquire new skills and experiences. 

Resume templates

You may use a customizable CSE resume template if you need help getting started.

• Template 3  (graduate-level)  

Cover Letters 

A cover letter is sent with a resume to introduce yourself to an employer. The purpose of the cover letter is to supplement your resume and demonstrate that you have the skills and experiences required in the job description. It is essential that a cover letter is well-written as it also serves as a representation of your written communications skills. When applying for a specific position, you should reference that position description while composing your cover letter to best tailor your skills and qualifications to the position.

Related links

• CSE Career Services
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• Maroon and Gold Network

Schedule an appointment with a career counselor to talk more about this topic.

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Templates & Examples

Our templates will make sure that your resume is polished, professional and Applicant Tracking System (ATS)-friendly.

General Resume Template

Use this template   for jobs, internships, research, grad school, med school and more:

• Word:  access the template here .
• Google Docs : access the template here . Create a copy to create an editable document.

Technical Resume Template

Use this template   for computer science-related or data science-related internships and jobs:

Examples by Major and Industry

Below you’ll find industry-specific or major-specific resume examples. Use these as inspiration for what your resume could look like, how you can organize it, and what strong, descriptive bullets look like.

• Physics & Astronomy
• Public Health
• Data Science
• Computer Science
• Biotechnology
• Business of Healthcare
• Communications

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A CNS CAREER COACH

• People Directory
• Safety at UD

Agriculture & Environment

Arts, Media & Communications

Education & Helping Professions

Engineering & Technology

• Public Service, Policy & Social Impact
• Health & Science
• Exploring & Deciding
• Get Career Ready Through Canvas
• Prepare for Jobs & Internships
• Resumes & Cover Letters
• Job & Internship Search
• Network & Informational Interviews
• Connect with Employers & Alumni
• Interview & Negotiate a Job Offer
• Graduate & Professional School
• Graduate Students & Postdocs
• Identity-Based Resources
• Faculty & Staff
• Career Fairs & Meetups
• Career Integration Request Form

Resumes, Cover Letters and Writing Samples

A resume is a marketing tool and an extension of your professional brand. An effective resume showcases your experience, achievements and strengths, relating them to a specific position by using key words and highlighting relevant experiences. Remember, there is not one “correct” resume for you to use—the best resume is the one that clearly and effectively communicates your skills, abilities and future potential.

Build Your Resume

For more detailed information and guidance on creating a resume, visit the "Communicating Your Experience" section of the Career Center Canvas site .

Lerner Business Majors - Resume Guide

Click Here to view a list of resume action verbs

Click here to view the resume Mad Libs

Resume Samples

Policy & Social Impact

Additional Samples:

Lerner Business Majors

Resume Templates

• TEMPLATE II
• TEMPLATE III
• Lerner College Resume Template
• CV TEMPLATE (Word Document Download)

Alternative Formats for Showcasing Work

CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

A CV is a longer more detailed version of the résumé commonly used in academic, scientific or research environments. Commonly 2-10 pages in length, the CV details your academic and professional career. Before starting, always check with professors in your department for sample CV’s as different disciplines have different requirements.

LINKEDIN PROFILE

Your LinkedIn profile can increase your visibility online and help you build your professional brand that showcases your background to prospective employers. Your profile should include much of the information included on a resume.

ONLINE PORTFOLIO

For "creative" positions (copywriter and graphic designer): A resume is truly secondary to the work that you present in your portfolio.

For writing-intensive positions: You will benefit from an online portfolio (created using a website like WordPress, Pressfolios, or clippings.me) that includes samples of your writing, such as blog posts, published articles, and/or press releases (depending on the nature of the positions you are targeting). You should provide a link to this website on your resume.

Check out digital portfolio platforms like Behance and Coroflot

VIDEO "REEL"

For videographer and production positions: Videographers and producers need to have a “reel” of work that they conceptualized, filmed and produced. The videos should be posted to a website for easy viewing. Resumes are more of a formality after evaluating the person's reel.

Resume Feedback and Handshake Approval Process

Resume feedback.

Once you have used the above resume advice, templates and samples on this page to build or update your resume, the following steps are recommended by the Career Center to ensure that your resume will stand out to employers.

• Interactive resume scoring and editing. Receive bronze, silver and gold medals based on industry standards for sections and aspects of your uploaded resume.
• Resume Builder. Use a bank of bullet points and resume sections to describe your experience in ways most meaningful to employers.    
• Attend Drop-in Hours (which vary by day). Please visit bit.ly/udel-dropins for more information on this week's schedule!
• Lerner Business students can check the drop-in hours at the Lerner Career Center .

Handshake Resume Approval

Students using  Handshake  to apply for any jobs, internships or other positions in the recruiting system must first have their resumes approved by the Career Center staff. The approval process is in place to help ensure you are effectively presenting your skills and background to employers. Once your first resume is approved all future resumes and documents will be automatically approved for use in the system.

Upload your resume to Handshake by clicking the image or icon at the top right of the page, selecting "My Documents" and then "Select from Computer". 

Your resume will be reviewed for approval; approved resumes may need some edits so be sure to scroll down and look for comments.

• Make changes based on the feedback and by using resume samples and templates.

We make every effort to be timely in the approval process, but it may take up to two business days to review and provide feedback on/approve your resume. Be aware of job and internship application deadlines, and begin the resume approval process well before an application is due.

Cover Letters

Cover letters show your interest in a position and showcase your writing abilities. They link your resume and background to the position, showcasing your knowledge of the employer and highlighting relevant skills. Cover letters should be personalized for each position. Hiring managers may read hundreds of cover letters in a year and can easily spot a generic or poorly prepared letter.

Cover Letter Outline

FIRST PARAGRAPH

Why are you interested in this position and employer? What in the position description got your excited about the opportunity?

■ The main purpose of the first paragraph is to explain why you are interested in this position and employer, and to grab the reader’s attention.

■ If someone has referred you to the organization (a current employee, friend, family member), you should include his or her name in the first sentence.

MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(s)

What 2-3 experiences connect your skills to those listed in the position description? What makes you a good fit?

■ Tell your story: describe your qualifications for the position using specific examples from academic, work, volunteer, leadership, athletics, and student organization experiences.

■ Connect your accomplishments, skills and knowledge directly to the position and employer

■ Focus on key areas of your background and do not simply repeat statements from your resume

FINAL PARAGRAPH

Can you summarize your interest/qualifications in one statement?

■ Give a final statement of your interest and qualifications

■ Thank the employer for their time and consideration.

Cover Letter Samples

• Cover Letter Sample
• Cover Letter Sample II
• Cover Letter Sample III

Cover Letter Best Practices

RESEARCH EMPLOYER/POSITION

■ Use LinkedIn , social media and the organization’s website to gather information for your cover letter.

■ Try to find the name of the person who will read the letter, which could be listed in the position description. If you can't find a name use a title (eg: Internship Coordinator, Human Resources Director, Hiring Manager)

■ Underline the verbs in the job posting to identify key skills needed for the position.

TYPOS, GRAMMAR AND STYLE

■ Cover letters also showcase your writing abilities, so make sure they are error-free and grammatically correct.

■ Avoid beginning every sentence with an “I” statement.

■ Use positive and confident language, but not too imposing.

■ Try to be concise with supporting detail

■ Write in the active verb voice.

FONT & LAYOUT

■ 10 to 12 point, in the same font as your resume.

■ One inch margins

■ Left justified, beginning no more than two inches from the top of the page

COVER LETTER AS AN EMAIL

■ Use body of email as cover letter starting with salutation. Do not include addresses and dates.

Upcoming events:

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Writing Samples

Writing samples are required for entrance into many graduate programs, as well as for jobs and internships where writing is an integral part of the position. Often these positions are in research, media, advertising or public relations.

Do not skip the writing sample!

Written communication is one of the top skills valued by both graduate schools and employers. If they request a writing sample, it is required! They are committed to hiring students who can write well, and are looking for proof of this skill.

Pay close attention to writing sample instructions.

If there is a length, word count or subject matter requirement, abide by it. If no instructions are given, and you cannot tell from the position description what type of sample would be most relevant, consider contacting the program or employer to ask about their preferences.

Selecting a Writing Sample

Select your writing sample based on quality and relevance.

Above all else, select a piece that you, and others who you trust, think is well-written. Have multiple audiences proofread your writing sample so that it is completely free of spelling and grammatical errors.

If no specific instructions are given, make the sample as relevant to the position or program–and the writing you will do in that position or program–as possible. If you are applying for a job writing brief news stories for an online newspaper, send in clips from your time for The Review, not your ten-page analysis of a Russian novel. Similarly, if you are applying for a summer research position, you will want to submit a research-focused writing sample; if you are applying for a business analyst position, you could submit a case study that you wrote in an economics course.

There may be times when you will not be able to use a sample that you have already written. If you are applying for a position in PR, for example, but have never written press releases, you may have to create one from scratch.

If you have to submit a writing sample for a discipline-specific graduate program, then use a strong paper that you wrote in a course related to that discipline. Faculty often can assist you in selecting a sample for these applications.

Explore Majors & Career Communities

Job Search & Negotiate Your Job Offer

ONLINE CAREER RESOURCES:

CareerShift

Big Interview

Resume Worded

LinkedIn Job Search Engine

Access More Resources via Handshake

Find On-Campus Jobs through the Student Jobs Page

IDENTITY-BASED RESOURCES:

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The UD Career Center is part of the  Division of Student Life , which advances equity and inclusion, deepens student learning and drives holistic development through education, experiences and communities.

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Sample Resumes

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Here are more than a dozen great examples of resumes and CVs geared towards different interests and industries.

Be sure to check out more than one, different resume formats:.

• 1 Resume 2 Ways — Functional & Chronological
• Sample Undergraduate Student CV
• Sample Graduate Student Resume
• Sample Graduate Student CV

Industry-Specific Resumes:

• Sample Arts/Media/Marketing Resume
• Sample Consulting/Business Resume
• Sample Health Resume
• Sample Law/Government/Policy Resume
• Sample Non-profit/Social Justice/Education Resume 1
• Sample Non-profit/Social Justice/Education Resume 2
• Sample Physical/Life Science Resume
• Sample Sustainability/Conservation/Energy Resume
• Sample Tech/Data/Gaming Resume

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• Resume Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Resume Examples Nurse Student Internship Teacher Accountant View all
• Resume Builder
• Cover Letter Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Cover Letter Examples Nursing Administrative Assistant Internship Graduate Teacher View all
• Cover Letter Builder

Job-winning modern resume templates

Boost your image with our sleek, modern resume templates: showcasing your innovation and originality in a stylish, contemporary design.

Reviewed by the community. Trusted by professionals

Modern resume templates.

A current and stylish feel for forward-thinking candidates in innovative fields

If you’re a sleek candidate looking to prove that you’re with the times, our modern resume templates were built for you. These styles exude a sense of cool, calm and collected with interesting color palettes and strong fonts. They work great for hip companies with a focus on the here and now.

Write your professional resume in reverse chronological order, the most commonly used resume format. 

Include unnecessary activities or unrelated hobbies.

To get the most out of your professional resume template , make sure you keep your writing style fresh, using specific action verbs to connote your skills and achievements. You may choose a bold color that fits in with the style of the company, or you may opt for a template that keeps things simple while still showing off your eye for good design.

When to pick a modern resume template

Professionals in tech, IT , marketing , design and media can all benefit from a modern resume template. A modern resume can also work great for startups or in various other industries where companies promote themselves as youthful and on-trend. A modern resume template helps you match the company’s personal style and present yourself as fresh and innovative. If you need a more formal or professional look and feel check out our professional resume templates . 

A modern resume can also help you stand out in the application pool. A pop of color and a bold design can keep your name swirling in a hiring manager’s mind. Just remember to keep your writing fresh and on-point to show what a well-rounded candidate you are.

We tend to think of the profile summary as the first thing a hiring manager sees, but a striking layout is truly the best way to make a great first impression. If your field or industry calls for a bold approach, don’t hold back! Choose a modern resume template to prove you’re the cream of the crop when it comes to industry-leading professionals.

Top 5 why choose a modern layout

• You want to show that you’re an up-to-date and innovative candidate
• You’re applying to a forward-thinking and youthful company
• You want to work in a field like tech or for a start-up
• You’re looking for a bold layout to make your application stand out
• You think a modern template will best capture your personality

What makes a modern resume template

A modern resume template is defined by exciting colors and a strong emphasis on the top of the resume. These templates offer ample space for a personalized profile summary and clever resume formatting to include all your most relevant skills. Strong lines lead the reader down and across the template so that no section is missed. These best  templates also contain enough white space to keep the resume from feeling cluttered.

Top 10 parts of a modern resume template

• Exciting colors are used at the top of the resume and throughout
• Interesting fonts to highlight the most important details
• Strong emphasis on name and job title
• Lines that separate sections for a clean feel
• Breathable design thanks to adequate white space
• Room for a photo or logo
• Strong emphasis on section headings
• Focus on contact details and website
• Creative a resume layout for the skills section
• Fresh feel without being too flashy

Free to download and use in Microsoft Word, as a PDF, or in Google Docs

As a modern professional, you don’t want to waste hours of precious time fighting with word processors and graphic design programs. Resume.io is the modern way to get the job done. Choose your perfect template, then try out our easy-to-use builder tool to add your work experience, hard skills, soft skills and achievements. Our builder tool has already been tested by thousands of satisfied customers who have found their dream jobs hassle-free.

Finish your application strong by choosing the right file format to keep your professional resume consistent no matter how you send it. Within our builder tool , you can download your resume as a MS Word or Google Doc version completely free. You can also download your resume as a PDF or DOCX file. 

Say hello to resume writing success! In addition to offering helpful tips to guide you through your job search, we also offer 300+ resume examples to help you get that dream job.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to find your perfect template , add your personal touches and land your dream position in a few easy clicks! Impressing recruiters is easy with our selection of the best resume templates. You can even add a matching cover letter to your resume!

Try our professional Resume builder now!

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• It's like magic, we promise
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Free Resume Templates to Customize, Download, & Print

Customize your resume like you’d customize your favorite coffee order. Step into the limelight with a professional and simple resume template designed to capture and keep the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

• Create free custom resume template
• Resume templates by experience level
• Resume templates by role
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Create a Custom Resume Template for Free

Create free resume template

Management Resume Templates

A management resume is a great choice if you are more experienced in your career. Whether you have plenty of experience in people management or you’re trying to get your first managerial role, these professional resume templates will help you stand out.

Senior-Level Resume Templates

When you start getting more experience under your belt, you need to have a resume that allows for you to showcase your career highlights. These senior level resume templates are designed to help you do exactly that.

Mid-Career Resume Templates

A mid-career resume should demonstrate an increase in the level of responsibility you’ve taken on throughout your career. These resume templates will help you draw focus to these responsibilities.

Entry-Level Resume Templates

As a new grad you need to convince the hiring manager you’re capable of performing the role you’re applying to without having past experience to draw on. These new grad resume templates will help you accomplish that.

Resume Templates by Role

Different career types have different resume requirements. A nurse applying to a large, old-school hospital is going to need a different resume template than a programmer applying to a tech company. These resume templates are meant to make that selection process easier for you.

A job resume is a short, sweet, and to-the-point document that spotlights your professional experience. It’s basically a summary.

Whether you’ve been in the workforce for 15+ years, have no job experience, or are somewhere in between, resumes have been sparking fear and dread in job seekers since approximately 1482 when Leonardo De Vinci drafted what became known as the first resume .

Resumes are what just about any place of employment requests when you apply for a job. Companies—big and small—wanna know:

◉ What skills do you bring to the job? ◉ Do you have relevant work experience for the role? ◉ Do you want to work for them?

A good resume answers those questions—and isn’t so unlike De Vinci’s resume that honed in on how he could meet the specific needs and challenges of the Duke of Milan.

Happy dance! Yes, our BeamJobs templates are absolutely free.

You can download our eight resume templates at no cost in Word and Google Docs formats. Edit BeamJobs-created resume templates for free in our builder. Only pay for premium features if you like what you see (hey, we gotta make a living, too!).

We also update our site from time to time with fresh Google Docs resume templates and Word resume templates , which will always remain free for you.

The best resume template is the one that complements your personality and allows the space you need to highlight your finest work, top achievements, and job skills.

Every resume template you see on this page has been thoroughly vetted by hiring experts to ensure they include everything you need to help you land your next job. Whether you’re applying to a funky tech startup or looking to join the ranks of a reputable law firm, you’ll find a professional resume template that speaks to you.

Hunting for a new job is incredibly stressful as there’s a lot of uncertainty in the process. And while these resume templates won’t alleviate all stress, they’ll ensure your resume has everything you need to sail through an applicant tracking system (ATS) and impress hiring managers.

Try saying “applicant tracking system” 10 times fast, and you’ll know why it got shortened to ATS.

At its core, an applicant tracking system puts the gas on hiring. Typically, when folks think about ATS software, they think about it weeding out resumes that don’t include the right skills or qualifications.

That’s certainly true enough, but the ATS also helps HR and recruiters organize and sort job candidates, keeps track of communication with job seekers, sets up interviews, and does a host of other not-so-fascinating things.

Basically, when you choose an ATS-friendly resume template from BeamJobs, you can rest easy knowing that the document itself will make it through the software

When it comes to your resume, it will house these staple sections:

◉ Contact info (Triple-check the spelling of your name; see the question about “how to make a resume” for a cringe-worthy BeamJobs blunder.) ◉ Work experience ◉ Skills ◉ Education

Depending on your occupation and years of experience, you could add these optional resume sections:

◉ Resume summary or resume objective ◉ Hobbies and interests ◉ Projects (an umbrella term for things like volunteer experience, academic or personal projects, etc.)

The more relevant job experience you have, the longer the “work experience” section of your resume should be since that’s what employers care about most. On the other hand, when you’ve recently graduated and don’t have much (or any) experience, things like education and projects can take up more real estate on your resume.

Whatever your professional background, our resume maker lets you re-arrange, remove, and add sections as needed to your resume template.

Not to blast our own horns, but we’ve reviewed tens of thousands of resumes in the last few years. Would you believe we’ve actually seen resumes without a name ?! Besides discovering disheartening news like that, we’ve figured out  how to make a good resume .

There are plenty of resume tips we could give you, but here are three that, when followed, will most increase your chances of snagging an interview:

Use numbers to showcase your impact in past roles. Your work experience should focus on your measurable accomplishments, not on job responsibilities.

Tailor your resume for each job you apply to, which means reading each job description carefully. As you read, see if any prior work projects come to mind. Include those projects on your resume.

Avoid grammar and spelling errors. We know, you’ve heard it before. But you’d be aghast (fun word) at the number of folks rejected for a job because of this. (C ough cough We won’t say his real name, but one of our team members whose title rhymes with re-bounder once sent out 20 resumes with his name spelled ‘Stepen.’)

One page—plain and simple.

While you might get away with a two-page resume if you’ve got 10-plus years of experience under your hat, keep in mind that recruiters and hiring managers aren’t giving your resume the time of day it deserves anyway.

The most painful part of building a resume is editing yourself. How can your entire career fit into four or five bullet points for each job you’ve had? Here’s some good news: if you’re a senior engineer, it’s totally cool to drop from your resume the server job you had in college.

Even if you whittled the jobs you’d include down to three or four, try starting with a basic  resume outline . Fill it to your heart’s content; then, review every job experience bullet point individually and ask, “Does this point show my expertise and say something new?” If the answer’s no, exclude it. Before you know it, you’ll have a polished one-page resume.

• Appointments

• Resume Reviews

• Undergraduates
• PhDs & Postdocs
• Faculty & Staff
• Prospective Students
• Online Students
• Career Champions
• I’m Exploring
• Architecture & Design
• Education & Academia
• Engineering
• Fashion, Retail & Consumer Products
• Fellowships & Gap Year
• Fine Arts, Performing Arts, & Music
• Government, Law & Public Policy
• Healthcare & Public Health
• International Relations & NGOs
• Life & Physical Sciences
• Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations
• Media, Journalism & Entertainment
• Non-Profits
• Pre-Health, Pre-Law and Pre-Grad
• Real Estate, Accounting, & Insurance
• Social Work & Human Services
• Sports & Hospitality
• Startups, Entrepreneurship & Freelancing
• Sustainability, Energy & Conservation
• Technology, Data & Analytics
• DACA and Undocumented Students
• First Generation and Low Income Students
• International Students
• LGBTQ+ Students
• Transfer Students
• Students of Color
• Students with Disabilities
• Explore Careers & Industries
• Make Connections & Network
• Search for a Job or Internship
• Write a Resume/CV
• Write a Cover Letter
• Engage with Employers
• Research Salaries & Negotiate Offers
• Find Funding
• Develop Professional and Leadership Skills
• Apply to Graduate School
• Apply to Health Professions School
• Apply to Law School
• Self-Assessment
• Experiences
• Post-Graduate
• Jobs & Internships
• Career Fairs
• For Employers
• Meet the Team
• Peer Career Advisors
• Social Media
• Career Services Policies
• Walk-Ins & Pop-Ins
• Strategic Plan 2022-2025

Master’s Student Resume Samples

Your resume is individual to you, your experiences, skills, and education. These sample resumes are not intended to be used as a template. The job/internship description defines the content of the resume; therefore, you will have more than one resume as you apply for various opportunities. Using action verbs , providing context/details, describing transferable skills, and including results/impacts in the bullet points of the experience section are key elements to an effective resume. In addition, it is important to think strategically about who will be reviewing your resume.  

The sample resumes below show both strengths and areas for improvement, which are listed to the right of the document. For more information and assistance with writing an effective resume, we recommend that you view the formatting checklist and resume resources below. We also have online resume books connected with career fairs , so be sure to upload yours in advance of the relevant fair. Finally, we encourage you to schedule an advising appointment on our Handshake platform to have your resume reviewed by Career Services.

Here are some general formatting guidelines to get you started with the formatting. Remember to always be consistent throughout the document:

• Your margins are at least 0.65” on all sides and your font size is at least 10pt.
• Your section headers are all spelled correctly (spellcheck does not automatically check words in ALL CAPS).
• You have provided your official degree (e.g. “Candidate for Master of _____”).
• You have included cities and states for each experience and formatted them consistently. (Make sure locations are listed in the same place for each experience and use two-letter state abbreviations).
• All your experiences have dates, including months or seasons, and are formatted consistently. (Be especially mindful of alignment, spacing, how you abbreviate months, and dashes: – versus – ).
• How to Write a Resume (Beyond Graduate School platform)
• How to Modify Your Resume for Each Job (Beyond Graduate School platform)
• 5 Resume Tips to Get You Started
• 10 Ways to Improve Your Resume Today
• How to Write Effective Resume Bullet Points
• Making the Most of Targeted Resume to Robot-Proof Your Resume
• Resume Tool Lesson on Big Interview

Also be sure to check out our Career Services YouTube Channel for more videos on resumes!

Resume Sample Type

Master of environmental studies (mes).

Key Features:

• One page with good, consistent formatting
• Clear descriptions within the bullets and uses good action verbs to describe the skill/responsibility/project
• Includes result/impact/outcome when possible
• Dates placed on the right-hand side to keep the reader’s focus on the position title and experience – not when it was done

Advice we might give for this resume:

• Include quantifiable elements that help to make the experiences more tangible and specific for the reader to understand
• Include relevant coursework under the master’s program if the courses are related to the job position/field
• Add a “graduate student” entry to the professional experience section to highlight key coursework or student projects, and the specific skills used to do them

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Key Features for MPH resume:

• 2 pages due to extensive experience and background
• Clear descriptions within the bullets and uses good action verbs to describe the skill/responsibility/project.
• Includes Presentations section given the nature of the field and if applicable for a research based role

Advice we might give for this MPH resume:

• Move the dates from the degrees in the Education section to the right side (so that it is consistent alignment with the dates in the other sections)
• Include relevant coursework under the Master’s Program in the Education section
• Include a Summary Profile at top of resume to help give overview and highlights of experience

Master of Behavioral & Decision Sciences (MBDS)

• Put the Education section above the experience section since student is still enrolled in the master’s program
• Add volunteer, leadership, or extracurricular experience if relevant to the position

School of Engineering & Applied Science

Master of Architecture

Click here for the design resume guide.

• One page in length
• Clear descriptions within the bullets and uses action verbs to describe the skill/responsibility/project
• Organizes the skills section by category
• Includes Activities (Extracurriculars) section
• Highlights honors/awards
• Include result/impact/outcome when possible
• Use different action verbs in the experience section (the same verbs were used a few times)

Master of Landscape Architecture

Key Features

• Includes Leadership Experience section
• Highlights competitions/awards
• Make sure font style is consistent throughout the resume (there are currently two different font styles being used)

Master of City Planning

Advice we might give for this resume

• Add volunteer, leadership, or extracurricular experience as a separate section if relevant to the position 

Master in Law

• Include quantifiable elements that help to make the experiences more tangible and specific for the reader
• Includes Leadership Section
• Dates placed on the right-hand side to keep the reader’s focus on the position title and experience– not when it was done
• Include relevant coursework under the master’s program if the courses are related to the job
• position/field
• Include result/impact/outcome for each position (when possible)
• Instead of just having descriptions of what was done under the experience section bullet points, describe the transferable skills in action

For more info on how to write a resume, click her e

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