Purpose
Your resume and cover letter are some of the best marketing tools you can use in finding a career, and often one of the first things asked of you in the job or internship search process. Your resume should concisely convey your communication abilities, fit, skills, and strengths for the position you are targeting.
Types
Depending on what you are trying to convey to the employer, there are a few ways to format a resume. We recommend using a reverse chronological format; however, we provide descriptions of the other two formats for you to review and learn about.
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REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL |
FUNCTIONAL | HYBRID |
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Formatting Guidelines
Font and Formatting: Appropriate fonts include: Times New Roman, Calibri, Palatino or Arial. Use bold font to highlight your name and sections of your resume that are important. Bullets should be used for an organized appearance. Font size should be between 11 and 12. Margins should be no smaller than ½ inch.
Length: Try to be as concise as possible and keep your resume to one page. Keep a master resume with all information in order to pick and choose what experiences best match the position in which you’re applying.
Paper: Most employers expect resumes to be emailed to them. If you need to have a hard copy, invest in the good quality paper that is subtle in color (white, ivory, light gray). Never fold resume paper, and be consistent in using the same paper for cover letters and references too.
Emailing: Make sure to save your resume (cover letter and references, too) as a PDF file so it maintains consistent formatting. Save it under a unique name instead of just a generic title, for example “conniescience_resume.”
Keep it Current: Save each of your resumes under specific names or job titles so you can easily access them. Update your resume as you gain experience while it is fresh in your mind.
Proofread: There is never anything worse than typos on your resume. Be sure to have several others proofread it to avoid this common mistake. The Career Design Center can help! You can always get a walk-in resume review from a Career Peer Mentor or make an appointment with a Career Coach.
Key Words & Content: Use keywords that someone might use to search you and your career interests. This helps you tailor your resume to prospective employers. Utilize wording and language from the job posting. Be concise, specific and give the reader examples of your skill set. Quantify where you can, for example, “Developed curriculum assignments for 3 courses; approved and utilized by the department chair.”
Additional Sections for Students: Courses, Honors / Awards, Languages, Student Organizations, Projects, Publications, Skills, Test Scores, Volunteer Experience / Community Involvement.
Experience: Expand on any experiences you have had and use bullets to organize these.
Education: Include school name, major/minor, expected graduation date and GPA.
1st Year Students: Rule of thumb for including high school experience is to remove it after your first semester here at The University of Texas at Austin. Employers want to see the experience you’ve had in college. There are exceptions to every rule! Speak with a Career Coach at Career Services if you have questions.
GPA: If there is a minimum GPA requirement for the position, be sure to include your UT GPA after your first semester here at UT. If there is no requirement, we recommend including GPA if it is above 3.0.
Examples and Template
This detailed resume example gives in-depth tips on how to write bullet points, what sections to include on a resume, and what to avoid:
Check out these additonal resources to help you write strong bullet points for each of your resume experiences:
We created a simple template that is recommended for all CNS students as well as several example resumes to help you get started:
Below you will find industry specific resume examples:
| Actuarial | Biotechnology/Laboratory Sciences | Business |
| Community/Social Sciences | Consulting | Creative/Design |
| Education | First Year | Healthcare |
| Research | Technical |
Cover Letter
Purpose
- A cover letter gives the employer a clear understanding of your skills, abilities and why you are a good fit for their position
- Demonstrates your writing and communication skills
- Conveys your knowledge of the position, interest in the company, and provides context that your resume alone cannot
Development
- Become familiar with the job description and how your experience relates
- Research the organization to get an idea of how your skills and experiences meet their requirements
- Keep it concise and direct; ask for what you want and keep the letter to one page
- Include the title of the position and how you learned about the job
- Specifically, address how your skills and abilities will add value to the organization and role (tailor the letter specifically to the job description by mirroring keywords in your letter)
Email vs. Hard Copy
- For a hard copy letter, use the same heading as you have in your resume
- In an email, the subject line should include your name, the job title, and/or the posting number
- When emailing your materials, write your cover letter in the body of the email - omit the header, date, and address section; only keep whom the letter is addressed to and the body of the letter
- Make sure to include your email address in the body of email when emailing a letter, in case it is forwarded
What to Avoid
- Using a generic letter for every position you apply for; be original! Take the time to tailor each cover letter to the particular company and position that you are applying for; be sure to follow the instructions in the job posting, and include any information specifically requested
- Typos misspelled words and false information – always have someone else proofread before sending
- Using “To Whom it May Concern”! Research the name of the hiring manager; in a pinch, you can use one of the following salutations: Dear Hiring Manager, Dear Human Resource Manager, Dear Sir or Madam, Dear Hiring Authority, Dear Decision Maker
- Not following through – tell them when you will be following up, and do it in that timeframe
Examples
Below you will find cover letter examples paired with respective job descriptions:
| Job Description [Full Time] |
Cover Letter Example [Full Time] |
| Job Description [Research Position] | Cover Letter Example [Research Position] |
| Job Description [Internship Position] | Cover Letter Example [Internship Position] |
Curriculum Vitae
Purpose
Curriculum Vitae (usually abbreviated as CV) is a Latin term that loosely translates to [the] course of [my] life. A CV is a written overview of a person's experiences and qualifications, particularly within academics. In the United States, a CV is almost exclusively used when one is pursuing an academic position.
Resume |
CV |
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Length |
Usually one page |
Many more pages (3-5 or more) |
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Position Types |
Industry, non-profit, government |
Academic, research, fellowships |
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Content |
Concise |
Full, detailed |
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Identification Type |
Professional Identity |
Scholarly identity: represents abilities of teacher, researcher, publishing scholar |
CV Examples
Example and template adapted from James W. Vick Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling
- CV Example [General]
- CV Example [Science-based]
- CV Template
Professional Correspondence
References
When asked to provide references for a job or professional school, you may need to submit a references page or enter this information into an online application. If you need to create a references page, here are some easy steps to get started:
Do's
FINDING REFERENCES
Make a list of professional contacts you feel could provide a strong recommendation:
- Professors
- Supervisors
- Advisors
- Professional Contacts
FIND A GOOD FIT
- If you didn’t have a lot of personal interaction with someone, they probably wouldn’t be the best reference because they won’t know how to talk about you and your skills or knowledge
- Choose references who know you well and whom you have known for a longer period of time
MAKING CONTACT
- Contact potential references and ask permission to use them as one of your references
- Send them your resume and/or a description of the job or program you are applying for so they can be prepared
WHAT TO INCLUDE
- For each reference, include the person’s name, your relationship to this person, their current job title, the company they work for and contact information. Be sure to include both a phone number and an email address
FOLLOW UP
- Give references an update on the outcome of their reference for the job or school program you applied to
Dont's
- Use someone as a reference until they have given you permission
- Use a friend or family member as this is not considered a “professional” reference
- Only have 1 reference; have 3-5 references prepared
- Put someone down that does not know you well since they won’t be able to speak to your abilities
- Use outdated phone numbers or email address—confirm with your reference to ensure you have up-to-date information
Thank You Notes
This is an opportunity to stand out from another candidate that may neglect this generous act of courtesy. A thank you letter is appropriate for everyone that has taken the time to meet with you, not just the interviewers.
Thank You Note Tips:
- Address this to the person that you met with
- Express appreciation for the opportunity and mention something unique about the meeting to personalize it
- Add any information that was left out in the interview, or that was requested
- Thank you letters sent via email are acceptable if they maintain the same professionalism as a hard copy would
- Send 24-48 hours after you have met for the interview or meeting
- Keep it brief and, if you indicate you will follow up with them again, do so in the timeframe you’ve specified
Thank You Note Example:
Dear Mr. Jones:
Thank you for meeting with me yesterday to discuss the Research Assistant position in the Chemistry Department at The University of Texas. I enjoyed learning about the challenging work opportunities and professional development that the Research Assistant role entails. I especially appreciated your story about your first time working in a lab.
As we discussed yesterday, my past experience working in chemistry labs and academic research as an undergraduate distinguishes me as a candidate for this position. After learning more about the Research Assistant position, I am confident that my leadership experience, paired with my commitment to becoming a valuable asset to your team, would make me an excellent fit.
I am interested in continuing through the interview process and will follow up with you next week via email to talk about the next step in the process. Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Robert Science
Computer Science, 2012
The University of Texas at Austin
512-555-5555
Networking Emails
Networking emails can be used to reach out to professionals in your desired field to make a connection from a mutual contact, request an informational interview, or inquire about a learning opportunity. We recommend not attaching a resume, as the purpose is not to inquire about job prospects.
Email Tips:
- Introduce yourself and indicate if you have a mutual connection to that person
- Propose the topic of the requested meeting
- Give the person some background information about your education and experience
Email Example:
Dear Mr. Jones:
Kelly Brooks suggested that I reach out to you. I am a third year student at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Biology. I am interested in pursuing a career in XYZ. Kelly has spoken very highly of you and suggested that you may be able to offer me some additional insight into the XYZ industry.
I am currently trying to learn more about the professional careers in the field of Biology and your specific career is of interest to me. Some of my past experience includes XYZ, but I would like to learn more about a field that may be a career path for me after graduation.
I would like to meet with you to discuss your career path so that I can identify experiential learning opportunities for my last year at UT. As I know you are busy and have limited availability, I am hoping for no more than 30 minutes of your time. I am available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a phone conversation, coffee, or lunch. Please let me know which option would be most convenient for you, and I look forward to meeting you.
Thank you,
Susan Science
Biology, 2012
The University of Texas at Austin
512-555-5555
Email Etiquette
We are now communicating with the written word more and more each day. Without immediate feedback from the reader, the message can be misunderstood. Without double and triple checking your email before hitting send, you are at risk for potentially representing yourself in a negative light.
When you send an email to a prospective employer, network contact or any faculty or staff, there are several things you need to double and triple check. Follow these easy tips to come across well versed and articulate!
Elements of Email Etiquette:
- Include a salutation – Address the recipient in a formal manner such as Mr. Science, Ms. Summers, or Dr. Jones. If you are unsure of how to address the person, do some research to find out their correct name and title.
- Provide a clear context and clear purpose – Think twice about the message you are trying to communicate. Keep the email brief and within a one-page viewable pane.
- Tone – Write in a positive tone. Avoid using negative words, such as those that begin with “un, non, or ex” or end with “less.” Do not use symbols or emoticons. Use contractions to add a friendly tone.
- Font – Use a general font, not a decorative or an overly stylized one that is hard to read. DO NOT USE ALL CAPITALS, as it communicates you are shouting. Use coloring and bolding judiciously.
- Spelling / Punctuation / Grammar / Typos – With the advent of Facebook and texting, abbreviations have taken over. It is easy to forget that an email can influence the reader, and can misrepresent what we are trying to communicate. The email should be written using complete sentences, correct spelling and a clear and organized structure. Double and triple check it before hitting send.
- Email response time – Respond to an email within 24 hours as it shows respect and responsiveness.
- Use the subject line to communicate your point – Don’t leave this blank. Make sure it is clear and meaningful to the recipient. A blank subject line is unacceptable.
- Close with your full name and contact information – Make sure the recipient has a secondary way of contacting you and be sure to include your phone number. Creating an email signature that includes your name, email address and phone number is an easy way to ensure that contact information is included on every email.
Remember To...
Ask yourself if your content is appropriate for email correspondence? Answer this question and edit, edit, edit your email before you hit send. Once you hit send, your email can potentially be viewable by anyone, so make sure you are proud of the content and how it represents you.
Email Etiquette Resource: Educational Advocates, College Consulting Corp. 2010
