Resume Writing Steps 1-5
Resume Writing Steps 1-5
Embedded Files
Use these modules to create or enhance your resume
Use these modules to create or enhance your resume
This page will guide you through the step-by-step process of creating a strong resume draft.
Start by watching each short video in the order presented, then use the resume template at the bottom of the page to build your draft.
Once you've completed the videos and created your resume, you can request a review with a Writing & Career Readiness Support staff member here. They will provide feedback and help you strengthen your resume before you begin applying for opportunities.
Resume Building
Resume Building:
Resume Building:
Gather all of your internal research, job titles, places of employment, company mission, and job descriptions, etc.
Explore O*Net Online to learn more about job skills, activities, and knowledge
Review the job posting for required skills and keywords.
Resume Sections
Components of a Resume:
Components of a Resume:
Name and contact information - Use your professional email and no street address
Education - Spell out the entire name of your degree and when you expect to graduate
Experience - Any jobs you have had or relevant volunteering regardless of paid status
Activities/awards - Include scholarships
Skills - Computer, languages, certifications
Organize Your Resume
Organize your Experience Bullet Points
Organize your Experience Bullet Points
Structure your bullet points with parallel phrasing
Personalize your bullet points to your experience
Provide information about who, what, and where
Add quantification or qualification wherever possible
Match the language of the job posting and include key skills and experiences
Format Your Resume
Formatting your resume:
Formatting your resume:
Every element should have a visual connection with the other elements on the page
Review literature related to your topic
Big blocks of text can be hard to read - break your resume up into sections
Avoid elements on the page that are merely similar
Repeat visual elements of the design (Bold, Italics, etc.) throughout the piece
Proofread Your Resume
Proofread Your Resume :
Proofread Your Resume :
Capitalize all the words in headings & Degree name
Fields of study are not capitalized unless they're a proper noun
Numbers nine and below are written out; 10 and above use symbols
Symbols OK Instead Of Words On Your Resume
Know when to use hyphens vs dashes - BE CONSISTANT
Resume Templates
Resume Templates
Cover Letter FAQs
Cover Letter FAQs
Why do I need a cover letter?
Why do I need a cover letter?
A cover letter helps tell your story. While your resume highlights your education, experience, and skills, your cover letter explains how those experiences make you a strong candidate for a specific position. It also shows employers your interest in their organization and why you're excited about the opportunity.
Can I write a cover letter without a job description?
Can I write a cover letter without a job description?
Not usually. A strong cover letter is tailored to a specific position. Before you begin writing, review the job description so you can connect your experiences and skills to what the employer is looking for.
What if I don't understand parts of the job description?
What if I don't understand parts of the job description?
Take time to learn more before you write.
Search online for unfamiliar terms or responsibilities.
Ask a professor, advisor, tutor, or Career Peer Mentor.
Research the industry or organization.
The better you understand the role, the stronger your application will be.
What if I don't have related work experience?
What if I don't have related work experience?
That's okay! Employers value transferable skills—abilities you have developed in many different settings.
You can draw examples from:
Coursework and class projects
Internships or volunteer work
Student organizations
Athletics
Leadership roles
Part-time jobs
Community service
Focus on the skills you've developed and how they apply to the position.
How long should my cover letter be?
How long should my cover letter be?
Keep your cover letter to one page. Most letters are about 3–4 short paragraphs. Make every sentence meaningful and relevant to the position.
What if I don't know much about the organization?
What if I don't know much about the organization?
Research the employer before you apply. Visit their website and read the About, Mission, Values, or Careers pages. Look for information about their goals, culture, and impact. Mention something that genuinely connects with your own interests or values to show you've done your research.
Can I include class projects, clubs, or athletics?
Can I include class projects, clubs, or athletics?
Yes! Employers value experiences beyond paid employment.
You can highlight examples from:
Academic projects
Student organizations
Athletics
Leadership experiences
Research
Volunteer service
Campus employment
Choose examples that demonstrate the skills the employer is seeking, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, organization, or project management.
What if I don't have related work experience?
What if I don't have related work experience?
That's okay! Employers value transferable skills—abilities you have developed in many different settings.
You can draw examples from:
Coursework and class projects
Internships or volunteer work
Student organizations
Athletics
Leadership roles
Part-time jobs
Community service
Focus on the skills you've developed and how they apply to the position.
How long should my cover letter be?
How long should my cover letter be?
Keep your cover letter to one page. Most letters are about 3–4 short paragraphs. Make every sentence meaningful and relevant to the position.
What if I don't know much about the organization?
What if I don't know much about the organization?
Research the employer before you apply. Visit their website and read the About, Mission, Values, or Careers pages. Look for information about their goals, culture, and impact. Mention something that genuinely connects with your own interests or values to show you've done your research.
Can I include class projects, clubs, or athletics?
Can I include class projects, clubs, or athletics?
Yes! Employers value experiences beyond paid employment.
You can highlight examples from:
Academic projects
Student organizations
Athletics
Leadership experiences
Research
Volunteer service
Campus employment
Choose examples that demonstrate the skills the employer is seeking, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, organization, or project management.
What if I don't know much about the organization?
What if I don't know much about the organization?
Research the employer before you apply. Visit their website and read the About, Mission, Values, or Careers pages. Look for information about their goals, culture, and impact. Mention something that genuinely connects with your own interests or values to show you've done your research.
Can I include class projects, clubs, or athletics?
Can I include class projects, clubs, or athletics?
Yes! Employers value experiences beyond paid employment.
You can highlight examples from:
Academic projects
Student organizations
Athletics
Leadership experiences
Research
Volunteer service
Campus employment
Choose examples that demonstrate the skills the employer is seeking, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, organization, or project management.
Cover Letter Sample
Cover Letter Sample
June 12, 2026
Mr. Dominic Guzman
Director of Human Resources
ABC Company
123 Chilly Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
Dear Mr. Guzman,
Introductory Paragraph to include:
Job title you are applying to
Where you heard about the position (which website, name of who referred you (if you know an employee there), etc.)
Why you are interested in the position
Why you are interested in the company
Body Paragraph to include:
Why you are a good fit for the position
How your past experiences (work, school, sports, etc.) relate to what the employer is looking for (look at the job description!). You can do this in a variety of ways:
Explain a large project you worked on that includes many different skills (that relate to what the employer is looking for)
Use bullet points if you have a handful of skills you want to highlight
If you have two main experiences/skills that you want to highlight, you can break this up into two shorter paragraphs
Concluding Paragraph to include:
Summary of why you think you would be a good fit
Your excitement and your confidence in being a valuable addition to the team
Thank you in advance for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Francis Smith
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