1. Resumes: A Guide to Standing Out
Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships

2. What is a resume?

3. Introduction: What is a resume?
A summary of your professional and personal experiences designed to introduce you.
A first impression!
Resumes should be targeted to the readers
The purpose of the resume is to obtain an interview or interest the reader in getting to know you further.

4. How to Prepare a Resume:
Review your educational and professional history.
Make a list of all jobs held, schools attended, clubs joined, honors received, skills acquired, duties performed, and any other appropriate information.
Will help you form the content of your resume and help you identify your skills and accomplishments.
Think about what skills you want to emphasize to your reader!

5. The Formula for a Solid Resume
Strong ACTIONS=RESULTS content
One page
Professional Layout
Easy to read
Quantify skills and actions
Relevance!

6. Components of a Resume Name, Address, Phone number, Email address
Education
Professional Experience
If they apply to you:
Additional Experience
Honors/Awards
Publications and Presentations
Relevant Coursework
Community Activities
Related Training
Computer Skills
Language Skills

7. Formatting Employer Name, Employer Location (Date-Date) Position
Insert accomplishment statement here beginning with action verb and ending with measurable results

8. Villanova University, Biology Department
Research Project Assistant Jan – Dec. 2014
• Assisted Biology professors with data collection and laboratory research
• Accumulated and documented findings for future publications
• Coordinated efforts of five students completing independent research
• Compared data to previous research projects

9. “The Villanovan” (School newspaper with circulation of 10,000)
Lead Staff Writer, Editorials 2014 – present
• Organized and coordinated editorial section of weekly paper
• Supervised staff of five
• Demonstrated integrity and discretion in interviewing faculty, administration and students

10. 10 Common Resume Errors Spelling mistakes Never say “I”
Exaggerating/stretching the truth
Being general
Not listing your phone number
Not having professional or voic message
Neglecting to Format, Format, Format!

11. Important Tips Have someone proofread your resume regularly
Back it up and save all versions
your resume as a PDF!
Take risks, set high goals, know your value

12. Writing a Professional Cover Letter

13. What is the purpose of a cover letter?
It’s a sales pitch – why you, why this company/organization, why this position?
It’s a writing sample – demonstrates that you can write in a clear and professional manner.
It expounds on your resume – highlights key experiences and frames them in the right way.

14. What makes a successful cover letter?
Well-researched – use words and phrases that show up in company/organization’s external relations materials.
Demonstrates your personality.
Well-written.
Pointed.
Pleasing to the eye.

15. Cover Letters- Rules of Thumb
Your address
Salutation TO A SPECIFIC PERSON (“To Whom it May Concern” pitfall)
Three paragraphs, three themes

16. Cover Letters – Rules of Thumb
One Page with 3 Sections
Why Them
Why You
Closing Statement
Deborah Merrill-Sands - Simmons School of Management 16

17. Cover Letters – Rules of Thumb
Section 1:
Introduction
Include the position title- “Finance Match Research opportunity studying XYZ topic”
WHY are you interested?
Section 2:
Match your experience to the needs of position
1 Paragraph
Section 3:
Closing Statement
Reiterate interest, welcome interviewing, etc
Thank them for consideration
Deborah Merrill-Sands - Simmons School of Management 17

18. WHY THEM

19. I am a Bachelor of Arts candidate at Villanova University concentrating in History and Humanities. I am very excited to learn about the Eurasia Program Intern position at Freedom House. This is a wonderful opportunity to actively support and contribute to the ongoing development and progress of post-Soviet Eastern Europe. Freedom House and its publications motivate me to stay engaged and push myself in my knowledge of world events as they relate to democracy and influence freedom. I seek the chance to build my communication skills, interact with an international audience, and learn from Freedom House.

20. WHY YOU

21. For my International Affairs class, I researched corruption in Russian elections and gave a presentation on the topic. I have also engaged in undergraduate research through the Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellows Program, in which I designed and implemented a project that involved literature reviews, blogging, networking, and tracking newspaper articles in the region. I intend to study abroad in Russia during the spring of my Junior year to enhance my understanding of the region and have studied Russian through formal coursework for three semesters. I have further pursued my passion for Eastern Europe by writing for my local newspaper and blogs and by attending a national conference. I believe that my ability to manage complicated projects, conduct research, cooperate as part of a team, and communicate effectively would be an asset to Freedom House as an Intern.

22. FINISHING UP

23. The goals of Freedom House align well with my experiences, interests, and background, and the prospect of collaborating in program implementation, research, and outreach efforts as a Eurasia Program Intern is very exciting. I offer my experiences, writing skills, interest in promoting democratic ideals, language skills, and passion for supporting positive change to Freedom House. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (610)  or me Thank you for your time and consideration.

24. How can a cover letter fall flat?
Typos, misspellings, grammatical errors
Contains irrelevant information
Re-states information from resume in a list format.

25. 6 Tips from Forbes Don’t repeat your resume Keep it short
Never use a generic salutation
Send as a PDF
Never introduce yourself in the body of the letter. They know your name.
Close strong.