How to Write a Successful CV, Resume, and Letter of Interest

Dr. Leslie Mills

Director Career Services, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi

Resume vs. CV

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) is Latin for “course of life.” In contrast, resume is French for “summary.”

• Both CVs & Resumes:

• Are tailored for the specific job/company you are applying to

• Should represent you as the best qualified candidate

• Are used to get you an interview

• Do not usually include personal interests

Purpose of a Curriculum Vita (CV)•Emphasizes academic accomplishments

•used when applying for positions in academia, fellowships and grants

•Length depends upon experience and includes a complete list of publications, posters, and presentations

Elements of a CV• Education

• Honors and Awards

• Association Memberships

• Professional Experience

• Research Interest

• Current Research

• Teaching Experience

• Professional Presentations

• Publications and Papers

• References

Can be in paragraph format

• Research Interests (usually for graduate applicants and prospective professors)• Briefly summarize your research interests with 4-6 key descriptors ranging from the

very general to the very specific.

• For example, "I have broad interests in social and political psychology, particularly the resolution of international conflict. Specifically, I am interested in the role that decision heuristics and biases play in Arab-Israeli relations.“

• Current Research (usually for graduate students and prospective professors)• Describe your current research in one or two paragraphs. This will often be an overview

of your thesis work. If you are working in more than one area, summarize each project in a separate paragraph.

• Conclude with a brief statement describing your future program of research for the next five years or so

Purpose of a Resume

•Marketing/branding tool

•Highlights skills and accomplishments

•Present academic and other achievements

•Demonstrate your value to employers

Resume Format

• Contact Information

• Education

• Relevant Coursework

• Experience• May include internships, volunteer and paid

work experience

• Skills• Languages

• Technology/Computer

• Format: State information in reverse chronological order, most recent first.

• Optional• Objective

• Skills/Technical Skills• Languages• Research

• Relevant Coursework/Projects• Leadership

• Volunteer• Community Services• Awards

Resume Standards

• ONE PAGE!

• Margins: 0.5 – 1.0 inches

• Font size: 10-12point (headers may be larger)

• Font type: Times Roman, Calibri, other traditional

• NO: Tables, charts, graphs, templates

• NO: Photos, social security #’s, personal information (age, gender, marital status, race/ethnicity), hobbies

Best Resumes…• State objective facts • Degrees, coursework, skills , experiences

• State experiences clearly. Note results of work quantitatively.

• Information accurately represents the work completed without inflating the truth

• Identify accomplishments • What did you accomplish?

• What improved as a result of you?

• Overall• Organized, consistent with a unified focus

• Information is related to professional and academic activities, and avoids the personal

• Easy-to-read, well written

• Tailor resume to each employer or position• Research employer and identify position/position description

• Analyze description for required skills/education/experience

• Describe how your skills/education/experience match the needs of the position/employer

Describe Your Experience

• Be Concise: Don’t say too much at once

• Instead of: “Led groups of prospective students on tours of campus while answering questions and encouraging them to apply, resulting more informed, excited applicants.”

• Say: “Led three campus tours weekly for more then 50 prospective students and parents.

• Be Specific: Add descriptive words and numbers• Instead of: “Showed leadership skills with group project”

• Say: “Led group of five students in team project by creating schedules and delegating tasks to supported team productivity and the completion of 25-page research paper.

Your Experience Cont.

• Vary Action Verbs• Instead of: “Was responsible for answering the phones and did scheduling for

students’ appointments”

• Say: “Answered phones and scheduled student appointments

• Full sentence not necessary • Instead of: “My work included managing two other student workers”

• Say: “Managed two student workers”

• Drop all personal pronouns (I, He, Me, They) • Instead of: “Created complex spreadsheets based on my research”

• Say: “Created complex spreadsheets based on personal research”

What is a Letter of Interest / Cover Letter?

• Introduces resume or CV to reader

• Draws attention to you

• Individualized to each position

• Reflects your knowledge of the employer

• Improves chance of interview

• Demonstrates interest in company or vacancy

Writing a Letter of Interest / Cover Letter

• 1. Research/Analyze

• a. Identify job description

• b. Note keywords

• c. Research company/organization

• 2. Draft/edit/proofread

• 3. Save for future cover letters

1. Research/Analyze

2. Outline

3. Draft/Edit

4. Proofread

5. Create template

Standard Format of a Letter of Interest/ Cover Letter

• 1 page/3-4 paragraphs

• Margins ~ .5 to 1 inch

• Font: 10-12 pt.

• Arial/Times Roman

• Single space in paragraph

• Double space between paragraphs/closing

• Left justify paragraphs

Your Street Address City, State, Zip Code

Today’s Date

Mr./Ms. Name of Person, Title Name of Company/Organization Street Address of Company/Organization City, State, Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. ___________: (last name)

FIRSTPARAGRAPH/INTRODUCTION:

SECOND/THIRDPARAGRAPHS/BODY:

FINALPARAGRAPH/CLOSING:

Sincerely, 2-4 lines spaces Your Name

Three Paragraphs of a Letter of Interest / Cover Letter

• #1 Introduction Paragraph• Identify position and state your interest in applying for the position

• State who referred you or how you learned of the position

• #2 Body of Paragraph• Describe your interest in the position

• State your skills or experiences that match the position requirements

• Use action verbs and quantifiers to demonstrate your “story”

• Highlight your skills and accomplishments in relation to employer needs

• #3 Closing Paragraph• State your desire for an interview

• Identify when you will follow up

• Include: “Thank you for your time and consideration”

Personal Statements

• Know the requirements of the program. Each program might be different.

• Your professional goals. Why did you choose your specific field of study.

• Be specific and sincere.

• Tell them what motivates you and why you will be successful.

• Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

QUESTIONS?