Office of Career Services

Resume Guides and Examples

Your resume is generally your first introduction to an employer. It should be written with great care and consideration. All resumes should be written with your career goals in mind. Your resume is your marketing brochure, showcasing those skills, achievements, and qualifications that relate to the type of position(s) you are pursuing. It should include specific descriptions that give the reader a solid picture of your accomplishments and capabilities. Remember, your resume is not a summary of your entire history; it is a promotional piece that is targeted toward its reader.

Resumes can be written in one of three ways: Chronological, Functional, or Combination. Please see below for the specific use for each. Use chronological or combination unless it absolutely works against you.

Chronological
Achievements from employment history are listed in reverse chronological order.

Functional
Achievements drawn from education, work experience and volunteer positions are listed according to groupings of skills

Combination
Emphasis is on skill groupings, but achievements are listed under each position in reverse chronological order.

Resume Writing Guides & Useful Tip Sheets

Functional Resume Samples

Curriculum Vitae (CV) Guides and Examples

What is a CV?

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) concentrates on academic pursuits and de-emphasizes materials not directly related to educational background and achievement.

Who should use a CV?

A CV is appropriate for EdD's, PhD's, MPhil's, MFA's, and MA's seeking university teaching, research positions, applying to doctoral programs, currently enrolled in a doctoral program, and/or submission to present at a national conference. Colleges, Universities and Research Institutions generally require a CV whereas others, including public and private schools, prefer a resume.

CV Writing Guides & Useful Tip Sheets

Cover letters are letters of application that supplement and accentuate information on the resume.  They should be written with the reader’s interest in mind.  Direct particular attention toward specific skills and use concrete examples.   

Types of Cover Letters:

1. Letter of Application
   This letter is written in response to a specific job within an organization, which has been advertised or identified through networking. 
2. Letter of Inquiry
   A letter of inquiry is sent to explore employment possibilities when you are interested in working for a particular organization but do not know if an opening exists.  Target an employer’s needs by researching the organization to obtain information about jobs for which you are qualified.  Refer to the specific aspects of the organization’s work that interest you (mission, culture, clients/students, etc).  Include this information in a separate paragraph.