Resume and Cover Letter Guide: Apply Differently
Resume and Cover Letter Guide: Apply Differently
Resume and Cover Letter Guide: Apply Differently
LETTER GUIDE
APPLY DIFFERENTLY
RESUME FORMAT
There is not one correct way to design a resume. The format is based on your
professional and educational experiences and should be unique to you.
CHRONOLOGICAL
Resumes typically list education, job experiences, and accomplishments in
reverse chronological order. Start with your current or most recent experience
and end with your earliest position. Typically, chronological resumes are one to
two pages long.
LENGTH
Resumes are typically one page for undergraduates and two pages for graduate
students and alumni; however, this varies by field. Avoid only filling half a page.
MARGINS
All margins should be consistent; ½ inch to 1 inch from each side is appropriate.
DIGITAL FORMAT
Learn some tips to make your resume computer friendly. For example, convert
the document into a PDF to ensure that formatting does not change once it
reaches the employer.
CONSISTENCY
The resume should not be too text heavy, nor should it have too much white
space. Strive for a balance that is appealing to the eye.
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REQUIRED COMPONENTS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Include your most current contact information at the top of the resume. It is
important to provide accurate information so employers can easily reach you.
Write your full name (font size should be a bit larger so that it stands out)
List a professional email address and telephone number with area code (make
sure to have an appropriate voicemail message)
EDUCATION
Academic credentials are important, particularly if you are relatively new to the
job market or pursuing a job that requires specific training.
Only list your current institution or those from which you have received a degree
Avoid listing high school education after your first year
List study abroad experience
Write out the institution’s name, city and state (UM is in Coral Gables, FL), full
degree title (Bachelor of Science), and graduation date
OPTIONAL: including GPA is recommended if it is 3.5 or above
List cognate courses (i.e., Completed cluster of three thematic courses
addressing issues related to ecology conservation)
SAMPLES
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, Coral Gables, FL
Bachelor of Science in Communication, May 2016
Majors in Broadcast Journalism and English
Bachelor of Business Administration, December 2018
University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Major in International Finance and Marketing
3.67 GPA
Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
Study Abroad, Summer 2017
EXPERIENCE
This is the most important section of your resume because it highlights experiences
and skills you have acquired. This section can include, but is not limited to paid or
unpaid internships, leadership experiences, and part-time and full-time jobs.
ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEMENTS
It is important to create accomplishment statements:
Emphasize transferable skills you have developed
Shine light on positive outcomes
Provide specific details
Tell a brief, descriptive story
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This is the section where you should articulate soft skills you possess (e.g.,
communication, teamwork/collaboration, adaptability, problem solving, critical
observation, conflict resolution).
SAMPLES
Strengthened relationships with customers utilizing outstanding
communication skills, exceeding sales objectives by 5%
Planned and implemented a day long campus-wide community service
project with over 100 student volunteers
SKILLS
List specific technical and language skills that are quantifiable. Soft skills should
not be listed in this section.
List all relevant software and languages. Indicate your proficiency level with each.
SAMPLES
Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Knowledge of social media including LinkedIn, Sprout Social, and Twitter
Working knowledge of Microsoft Access and Excel
Fluent in Spanish
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For resume templates and samples, visit HireACane.com and
click on guides and handouts.
OPTIONAL COMPONENTS
HONORS/AWARDS
List any academic honors bestowed on you by the University or an
outside organization
Include scholarships/ honor societies (do not include dollar amounts
for scholarships)
Do not list dates
Do not abbreviate
ACTIVITIES/LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
List activities you are involved in at the University or through outside
organizations (volunteer, community service, or professional affiliation)
Indicate positions held (e.g., board member, treasurer, or president)
Do not list dates
RELEVANT/SIGNIFICANT COURSES
This section can be extremely helpful to those who are pursuing careers in fields
that do not directly align with their major or experience. List any relevant course
work that highlights exposure to the desired field/industry. Remember this
section is meant to set you apart, not to restate your transcript.
Only list upper level courses in a specialized area
Do not list course numbers; simply include the course title
Consider adding relevant class projects (include accomplishment statements)
LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION
If you currently hold a license relevant to your field, include this information. For
example, Accountants, Financial Planners and Teachers require licensing.
WEBSITES/SOCIAL MEDIA
Include a link to any relevant social media platforms you utilize such as LinkedIn.
You can include Twitter if it’s professional. Instagram or Flickr are appropriate if
you’re applying to social media or creative positions. Never include Facebook, no
matter how clean you keep it.
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ACTION VERBS
MANAGEMENT
Acted • Anticipated • Appraised • Charged • Consolidated • Decided
Coordinated • Oversaw • Motivated • Managed • Led • Launched • Instituted
Influenced • Implemented • Headed • Executed • Established • Enforced
Enabled • Directed • Determined • Delegated • Specialized • Prioritized
Recruited • Strengthened • Supervised • Trained
COMMUNICATION
Addressed • Advertised • Authored • Answered • Briefed • Collaborated
Clarified • Communicated • Composed • Corresponded • Consulted • Debated
Edited • Explained • Expressed • Informed • Interpreted • Marketed •
Interviewed • Narrated • Participated • Persuaded • Promoted • Publicized
Read • Referred • Reported • Summarized • Translated • Verified • Wrote
RESEARCH
Applied • Collected • Compared • Conducted • Compiled • Critiqued
Correlated • Defined • Diagnosed • Discovered • Estimated • Evaluated
Experimented •Explored • Extracted • Formulated • Gathered • Investigated
Indexed • Measured • Manipulated • Observed • Predicted • Proved
Questioned • Recorded •Researched • Studied • Substantiated • Surveyed
Theorized • Validated
TECHNICAL
Assembled • Built • Constructed • Engineered • Formed • Inspected
Maintained • Monitored • Operated • Navigated • Programmed • Repaired
Restored • Solved • Supplied • Upgraded
CREATIVE
Conceived • Conceptualized • Created • Customized • Designed • Developed
Devised • Drafted • Fashioned • Illustrated • Imagined • Integrated • Invented
Performed • Practiced • Produced • Proposed • Published • Revamped
Visualized
ADMINISTRATIVE
Approved • Arranged • Checked • Classified • Copied • Distributed
Documented • Inventoried • Logged • Ordered • Organized • Planned
Prepared • Purchased • Processed • Received • Responded • Reviewed
Scanned • Scheduled • Screened • Streamlined • Tabulated • Utilized
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ANALYTICAL/FINANCIAL
Fulfilled • Gained • Generated • Guaranteed • Increased • Improved • Initiated
Learned • Mastered • Maximized • Minimized • Modified • Negotiated
Obtained • Raised • Reduced • Succeeded • Sustained • Transformed
TEACHING/HELPING
Adapted • Advised • Advocated • Aided • Assisted • Cared • Coached
Comforted • Cooperated • Counseled • Displayed • Educated • Empathized
Encouraged • Facilitated • Fostered • Guided • Helped • Instructed • Lectured
Listened • Mediated • Mentored • Presented • Provided • Stimulated
Supported • Taught • Tutored
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COVER LETTERS
The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself and to elaborate on your
most significant and relevant experiences. Your cover letter should demonstrate a
fit between the skills and strengths you possess and those required to fulfill the
position you are seeking. Avoid simply repeating items from your resume. Instead,
use the cover letter as an opportunity to provide specific examples and expand
upon experiences not listed on your resume.
PREPARATION
Always tailor your cover letter to a specific position or organization. For this
reason, it is important to conduct company research before drafting
your letter.
Scan your resume for experiences that can be elaborated on to best
demonstrate these skills
Review the job description and company website to identify relevant skills and
strengths you should highlight in your cover letter
Attend employer information sessions at the Toppel Career Center to
acquire contact names and learn more about available positions
Schedule an informational interview with someone working in that
organization to gain an insider’s perspective
IDENTIFYING A CONTACT
Most job and internship listings do not provide a contact name. However, it is
important to address your letter to a specific individual within the organization.
Taking this extra step to personalize your letter can make a difference in setting
yourself apart as a candidate. Below are some tips for acquiring a contact name.
Search the company website for a listing of employee names
Reach out to individuals in your personal and professional network who could
assist you in locating a contact
Call the company and politely ask for the name of the hiring manager in charge
of the position you are seeking
As a last resort, address your letter to “hiring manager” or “human resources
representative”
FOLLOW UP
Follow up your letters with a phone call to ensure the position is still open and
your documents were received. If you sent your letter to a specific individual, call
the following week. If you submitted your letter via an online application, call
after the application deadline has passed.
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DO’S & DON’TS OF COVER LETTERS
DO:
1. Get to the Point.
State the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph. Small talk is generally
a waste of space.
2. Tailor Your Letter To The Reader.
Focus on the needs of the specific organization, not on your own requirements
as a job seeker. Visit your potential employer’s website or read the company’s
annual report to learn more about it, then use your cover letter to demonstrate
how your skills and experience can benefit the organization.
3. Highlight Your Biggest Successes.
Highlight the achievements in your career that most relate to the position for
which you are applying.
5. Use Strong Words.
Use strong action words to share your experiences and showcase your
qualifications. Be sure to tailor the cover letter to the job description. Use the
cover letter to sell yourself.
DON’T:
1. Provide salary information when it is not requested.
2. Address a letter’s recipient by anything other than their name (and
avoid “Dear Sirs” at all costs).
3. Write a generic letter that looks like it was copied from a book.
4. Make spelling errors and typos.
5. Include irrelevant personal information or job experience.
Tip: All of these types of letters can be sent through email. Remember that
emails to a potential employer should follow the same guidelines outlined in this
guide and maintain a high level of professionalism.
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TACKLING THE COVER LETTER
With all the emphasis on resume writing, the cover letter is often overlooked.
Many employers, however, request a cover letter along with a resume. A cover
letter reflects your ability to communicate, provides an opportunity to establish a
unique connection with an employer, and convinces an employer to take the next
step - an interview. This worksheet will help organize the content of a cover letter.
Note that this is a general format. Actual content and layout will vary.
Your Address
Dear
PARAGRAPH ONE
1. Why are you writing this letter? What’s your objective in contacting this person?
2. Articulate how a position within this organization would greatly enhance your
career path.
*Optional: Mention any source(s) you received information from regarding this organization or opportunity.
PARAGRAPH TWO
1. Describe how your past work experience has allowed you to develop certain
marketable skills; explain them.
2. Cite any practical experience you may have obtained outside the classroom.
3. Summarize your personal attributes and illustrate how they would allow you to
contribute to this organization and/or optimally perform in the workplace.
PARAGRAPH THREE
1. Mention the enclosed resume provided.
2. Provide a phone number and an email address in case the employer has
additional questions.
3. Thank the employer for their time.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
Your Name
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COVER LETTER EXAMPLE
1234 Lakeside Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146
November 4, 2018
Sincerely,
Tom McRae
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WALK-IN ADVISING
For assistance with resumes and cover letters, come to the Toppel Career
Center during Walk-In Advising. Visit HireACane.com and click on guides
and handouts for resume templates and samples.
Walk-In Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm
No Appointment Needed