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Resumes, References, and Cover
Letters
A Helpful Guide for Entering the Job Market
Resume Writing Tips and Instructions
Step 1
Brainstorm
Employment trends indicate workers will change careers not just jobs, but careers, several
times in a lifetime. For this reason, resume writing is a skill you will use throughout your life.
Before beginning your resume, put together a list of experiences and accomplishments from
work, volunteer projects, school, extracurricular activities, and international work or study.
Keep this information on file and add to it throughout your career for future resume writing.
Write everything down and do not limit yourself!
Action verbs from the list on page 12 may help you remember things you have done and give
you ideas for new ways to describe those activities. Friends or family familiar with your work
and work style can be good sources of assistance as well.
Gather documents related to your experiences, such as performance reviews, letters of
appreciation, job descriptions, documents, or presentations you wrote or prepared. This can
be helpful now with your brainstorming, and later to review, check, and confirm details.
Categories to generate ideas and organize your information include:
• Education (universities attended, classes related to your career goal, certifications,
special training)
• Experience (paid/unpaid, part/full-time, internships, military)
• Volunteer experience (church, civic groups, tutoring)
• Activities and honors (student organizations, professional associations, scholarships,
academic achievements, sororities or fraternities)
• Important career-related skills (computer proficiency, foreign languages, problem
solving, critical thinking, communication abilities)
• Personal achievements (financing your education, overcoming obstacles)
• Hobbies and interests (planning trips, managing personal investments)
Keep your accomplishments history file and add to it over time because this will not be the
last time you write a resume. Once you compile and organize information in your
accomplishments history, it will be invaluable for all resumes you write throughout your
career.
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Possible Section Headings
• Education
• Relevant Experience
• Internships
• Employment History
• Professional Experience
• Research Experience
• Volunteer Experience
• Study Abroad Experience
• International Experience
• Computer Skills
• Technical Skills
• Computer Software
• Certification
• Licensure
• Professional Memberships
• Specialized Training
• Languages
• Awards and Recognition
• Honors and Awards
• Activities
• Leadership
• Additional Experience
• Additional Information
• Work Authorization
• Objective
• Summary of Qualifications
• Profile
Step 2
Organize Initial Draft
Name & Contact Information (Required)
• Include your name, phone number, address (optional), and email. You may consider
including your local address if it serves a purpose, such as applying for positions in that
town. If posting online, you may choose to omit the address altogether or include only
a city and state for personal safety reasons.
• If you use your cell phone as your contact phone number, be prepared to handle a
professional conversation wherever you may answer your calls. Only use a work phone
if it is appropriate for you to receive calls at work.
• Your phone number should be listed using one of these formats: 785-987-6543, (316)
123-4567, 785.555.5555.
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• Your email address should be professional (DO NOT USE [email protected]
). If you are a
graduating senior, use a non-KU email address.
• Your name is generally bold and a few points larger in font size than the rest of the
resume.
• Be consistent with the name you use across all of your materials, including resume,
cover letter, references and online application.
What’s in a Name?
Students who go by a name different than their legal name or those who’ve changed their
name (example: due to change in marital status) may be confused when it comes to deciding
on what to use when applying for a job. It’s best to be consistent across all job-related
materials. Remember that employers will need to match up your resume, cover letter, online
application materials, calls to references, and background checks.
Below are some tips for addressing this issue in your professional documents:
• Including your middle name is optional.
• If you go by your middle name, include your legal first name as well, (example: James
(Dave) Phillips).
• If you go by a nickname or are an international student who has chosen an alternative
name that you wish to be referred by, include your legal name along with your
preferred name. For example: Wenfei (Cathy) Zhouor or John “Jack” Smith, Jr.
• If you have hyphenated or multiple last names, you may want to use your middle
initial, instead of your middle name, to signal to the employer where your last name
begins (example: Mary J. Kelly Gregory).
• If your last name has changed, you may include your former last name such as Sarah
(Williams) Hanson. It’s also important to let your references know that your name has
changed before an employer calls them for a reference check. They may not realize
that Sarah Hanson is the same Sarah Williams they knew at one time.
• It’s a good idea to send a copy of your resume (including both names) to all of your
references prior to the reference check — it will give them a better idea of your
professional activities and serve as a reminder that your name has changed.
Example of Contact Information:
John “Jack” Anderson IV
1415 Louisiana Street
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-123-4567
Jack.ander[email protected]
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Objective (Optional)
In general, objectives are no longer commonly used. An objective may be useful if you need
to clarify the position for which you are applying. For example, if a job posting lists several
positions, an objective allows you to identify your preferred area.
Examples of objectives:
• To obtain an entry-level sales position in the consumer products industry.
• Seeking a summer internship in investment banking with XYZ Company.
Summary of Qualifications/Profile (Optional)
Typically used by job seekers with more professional experience or varied experience, this
summary should focus on the big picture and help the employer understand how your
experiences fit together. Summary information briefly communicates your experience,
training, and personal abilities as they relate to the specific job you seek. Information of this
type may be included in a cover letter, eliminating the need to include it in the resume.
Details of your experiences belong in other sections of the resume.
Examples:
• Two years of experience in a medical environment; familiar with confidentiality issues
and medical terminology.
• Strong analytical skills developed through lab experience in chemistry and biology.
• Proven communication skills as demonstrated through club leadership, debate
competition at state level, and writing for the university student newspaper.
Education (Required)
This section can include your higher education degrees and certificates as well as noncredit
learning. Your information should include:
• Degree (i.e., Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts)
• Major(s)
• Minors, concentrations, or areas of emphases
• University name, city, and state
• Month and year of graduation
• GPA(s) (typically if above 3.0)—If you list anything other than your overall GPA, be
sure to specify which GPA you are using.
Example of Education:
The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
Bachelor of General Studies in Geography, May 2022
• Minor in Geology
• Leadership Engagement Certificate
• GPA 3.65
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Independently financed 75% of college education through scholarships and employment.
List your most recent degree first (Ph.D., Master, Bachelor). You don’t need to list every
college or university at which you have taken classes. Once you are in college, high school is
not typically included on a resume unless you are a freshman or you have a good reason why
you want an employer to know where you went to high school.
Including academic awards or scholarships can show academic breadth and intellectual
accomplishment. Sometimes it may be beneficial to include courses relevant to the position
for which you are applying.
If applicable, it can be a good idea to include a statement about your contribution toward
financing your education.
Experience (Required)
The experience section should communicate what you accomplished in past paid or unpaid
work experiences.
• Include the position title, employer/organization name, location (city, state), and
dates with months and years.
• Typically your experience is listed in reverse chronological order with your most
recent experience first.
• Highlight transferable skills and abilities rather than describing work duties and
responsibilities. Think about the types of things that you did in your job or activities
that relate to the types of things you will be doing in your future professional
positions.
• Do not use full sentences to describe your experience; use short phrases beginning
with an action verb. Vary your verbs, limiting words like “worked” and “responsible
for.”
o For example, “Interviewed, hired, and trained new team members” or “Led
closing of store by assigning roles at the appropriate time, balancing the cash
registers, securing all cash, and setting the alarm.”
• Describe your experience in a result-oriented fashion because employers know the
best predictor of future performance is past performance.
• Whenever possible, use concrete information to qualify and/or quantify your
experience. For example, “Increased sales by 25% over a three-month period” or
“Taught a class of 300 students.”
• Consider the type of position for which you are applying. You may want to try to use
the words listed in the position description when describing your experience. Highlight
the skills that are most relevant to the position for which you are applying.
• Generally new college graduates will not include experiences from high school or
earlier. However, if you have relevant experience (i.e., you owned your own business)
or if you are earlier in your college career (i.e., a freshman or sophomore), it may be
appropriate to include experiences from high school.
• Include around 2 to 5 bullets to describe each experience.
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• Use present tense when describing current positions. Use past tense when describing
your past experiences.
Descriptions of Experience
Example 1
• Not Good: Responsible for publicity.
• Better: Interacted successfully with public affairs representatives and local media.
• Best: Increased community awareness of agency through interaction with public affairs
representatives and local media.
Example 2
• Not Good: Duties included handling customer complaints.
• Better: Resolved service and billing problems.
• Best: Recognized for promptness and professionalism for resolving service and billing
problems.
Example 3
• Not Good: Responsibilities included adhering to safety policies and ensuring other
lifeguards knew policies.
• Better: Carried out safety precautions and instructed staff in the proper use of
equipment.
• Best: Carried out safety precautions and instructed staff in the proper use of
equipment, resulting in a 50% reduction of injury accidents over the summer.
Example 4
• Not Good: Dealt with delinquent youth.
• Better: Explained team strategies and instructed youth on how to execute strategies.
• Best: Explained team strategies and instructed youth on how to execute them.
Development of enthusiasm and skills led to winning the city competition.
Activities & Organizations (Optional)
This section can include membership in campus or community activities, professional
organizations, volunteer activities, or relevant interests. You may choose to format this
section as a list, or you may choose to set it up with the same format as your jobs with
descriptions of the leadership roles you performed in these organizations.
Activities might:
• Demonstrate a well-rounded person with more dimensions than just work.
• Point out skills that have been demonstrated in your nonprofessional life.
• Account for gaps in employment.
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• Start conversations (possibly the employer shares or is intrigued by our interest).
Activities Examples
• University of Kansas Student Ambassador
• Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs
• Alphi Chi Omega Sorority
• Scholarship Coordinator
• Chairperson of Recruitment Committee
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters Volunteer
When you choose to include activities and interests, be aware of “hot buttons.” A hot button
is an activity or interest to which some employers may have a strong positive or negative
reaction, such as religious or political affiliations. When you have an activity or interest that
is a “hot button,” you have three options. Make an informed and reflective choice.
Options include:
• Include this information on your resume—Many applicants feel the employer should
know who they are, inside and outside of the workplace, and they may not want to
work for an employer who cannot accept them as a whole individual.
• Omit this information—You may want the opportunity to present yourself as a
candidate rather than be prematurely discounted due to the employer’s bias.
• Generalize these activities/interests—Present them in a generic form at (“Director of a
choir” without specifying religion or denomination).
Interests are unstructured individual pursuits and can be included if relevant. Examples would
be golf, marathon running, personal investment management. When considering if you want
to include an interest, think about how the employer would view the activity as well as the
space available on your resume.
Honors & Awards (Optional)
This section can include scholarships, honor roll, dean’s list, competitive awards, juried
shows, and so on.
• You may want to provide some information on the context of the award if it is not
evident. For instance, “One of ten students selected from across the nation for the
Fullbright Scholarship.”
• Do not include dollar amounts for scholarships.
• Your honors and awards may be listed as a separate section or may be included within
your Education section if there are only a few items in your list.
Honors and Awards Examples:
• Golden Key National Honor Society
• Dean’s List, six semesters
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• Leadership Scholarship.
Skills (Optional)
This section is included to highlight particular abilities. Technical skills, laboratory skills, and
proficiency or fluency in a foreign language are found in this section. Skills should relate to
the positions for which you are applying. The placement of this section on your resume may
vary depending on the relevancy to the employer. Soft skills such as “great communicator”,
“team player”, and “strong leader” should be reflected in your bullet points and your cover
letter, not in your skills section.
Work Authorization (Optional)
You can include this section if it is important for you to share your work authorization status.
International students would not generally include their work status on their resume unless
specifically requested by an employer.
Work Authorization Example:
• Work Authorization: United States Permanent Resident – fully authorized to work in
the U.S.
References (Required but separate from the resume)
The statement “References Available Upon Request” is not needed as this is a given in the job
search process. Reference names and information are generally listed on a separate page (see
References section in this handout). Usually references are provided to an employer once
they are requested or at an interview.
Remember…
• Resumes do not get jobs; they get interviews.
• Resumes should convey your unique skills and abilities as they relate to the position
for which you are applying.
• Some items may be appropriate under various headings. For example, scholarships
could be listed under Education, Honors and Awards, or Study Abroad sections. Use
your best judgement to determine which section makes the most sense for your
resume.
• Resumes should not include every detail about you. They should highlight the specifics
that make you a qualified candidate for the position you seek.
• Resumes should not be so short or so vague that an employer has no idea what your
skills are or what you did in your last job.
• Human resources professionals know that the best predictor of future performance is
past performance. In your resume, highlight the results of your experiences.
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Step 3
Format It
Resumes will vary by profession and will change based on your experience level. It is your
resume, so be sure to create a resume that reflects who you are while also targeting the
employer’s needs.
Pass the 15-second glance test. Employers see hundreds of resumes, and they skim first. If
this first test is passed, they may look at your resume more thoroughly.
• When ordering information and sections in your resume, prioritize according to the
needs of the employer. Put the most important information toward the tip and to the
left.
• Choose a format and headings that effectively communicate the combination of skills
and abilities that highlight your qualifications for the position and provide insight into
you as a unique person. Refer to Possible Section Headings box for ideas (See Page 2).
• Length of resume varies according to field of interest and level of experience.
Generally, undergraduates with little or no professional experience will have a one-
page resume. Experienced workers and some graduate students, along with students in
certain disciplines, may have two pages. See your career services office for help in
determining the appropriate length.
Formatting and Writing Tips
• Make the resume easy to skim: bullets, short declarative phrases, easy-to-read font –
10 to 12 points, no abbreviations.
• Use one font style throughout the resume; avoid script fonts. Times New Roman and
Arial are good choices.
• Do not use graphics, shadowing, clip art, or decorative bullets (use plain bullets).
• Use bold or underlining appropriately but sparingly.
• Arrange your headings, sections, and bullet points in order of importance and
relevance to the employer/position.
• Put key information on the left and near the top of the page whenever possible (for
example, job title rather than employment dates listed at the far left).
• Write your material in order of importance and relevance to the employer/position.
• Begin phrases with action verbs (See Page 18).
• Avoid generalities and focus on specifics about experience, projects, and products.
• Quantify experience when possible (Employee of the Month, Received customer
service ratings of 9.8/10, Managed a budget of $2,000).
• Be consistent in the format, layout, and spacing throughout.
Resume Styles
Reverse Chronological Resume
The traditional resume style lists everything in reverse chronological order, starting with the
most recent experience and working backward. Most resumes for new college graduates are
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written in this format, and employers are accustomed to seeing this style of resume. Reverse
Chronological resumes are particularly effective in the following cases:
• You are or will be a new college graduate.
• You have experience in the field of interest.
• You can demonstrate measurable results from work activities (such as: “Marketed
events, resulting in 50% increase in attendance”).
• You have held impressive job titles and/or have worked for big-name employers.
• You can demonstrate promotions and increased responsibilities.
Functional Resume
The functional resume summarizes your professional “functions” or experience and minimizes
employment history. Functional resumes are often useful for:
• Experienced workers and those returning to the workforce because it minimizes dates.
• Career changers because it outlines transferable work skills.
• Emphasizing knowledge and skills that have not been used in recent work.
Elements of both reverse chronological and functional styles can be combined if needed to
show your experience.
Applicant Tracking Systems
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are a type of software application used by most large
companies, as well as many small and mid-sized companies to sort through resumes and
organize applicant information. Typically, a company will use their ATS to determine which
resumes will be reviewed by a recruiter. Companies use different systems, so be sure to read
through the instructions when applying. For example, some systems may require you to post
your resume as .pdf while others may not be able to read a .pdf.
ATS’s will typically search for key words and try to find candidates with the greatest match to
the company’s posting. It is important for you to look closely at the position description and
try to use the same key words as the company whenever possible.
There are several websites that allow a job seeker to input their resume and a position
description to be analyzed for the percentage of match. Use key words in a way that makes
sense because eventually a person will review your resume.
Resume Formatting Tips for Applicant Tracking Systems
• Remove any stylized formatting (i.e. bullets, bolding, italics) for easy passing into
online forms.
• Use a hyphen (-) or asterisk (*) instead of bullets or other special characters.
• Use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS for section headers (warning: spell check won’t catch
mistakes!).
• Indent lines using the space bar.
• Save your document as a text file (.txt).
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Resume Templates and Resume Wizards
Your resume is a reflection of you and your accomplishments. Utilizing a word processing
resume template or wizard that produces a document similar to others may reflect that you
did not give significant thought and consideration to your application. It is important that you
learn how to write and produce an effective resume that best represents the value you can
bring to an employer. Difficulty in formatting and inappropriate headings are just two of the
issues that often arise with resume templates and wizards. KU Career Services staff members
are available to assist you in getting started and finding the most appropriate resume writing
solution for you.
In addition, ATS’s often see templates and wizards as viruses and will not read them. It’s also
important to keep section headings simple, use consistent formatting for text and dates, and
avoid tables or text boxes, and use a .docx or a .pdf file format (depending on the posting’s
instructions). Some of the older systems may not be able to discriminate verb tense (e.g.
“manage” vs. “managed”) so you may want to match the key words exactly. You may be able
to search which ATS the company you are applying to is using, which can give you an idea of
what that system can read. Some systems can’t read serif type fonts, such as Times New
Roman, so you may want to stick to a sans serif font such as Calibri for Arial.
Step 4
Proofread and Edit
Many human resource directors see the resume as a reflection of the applicant. Spelling
errors, poor grammar, misalignment, poor organization, smudges, wordiness or vagueness will
produce negative impressions.
• Contact the University Career Center and make an appointment to have a professional
career advisor look over your resume.
• Ask your references, a family member, friend, or roommate to review your resume.
They are often great at catching errors.
Checklist for for Proofreading Your Resume
• Spell check your resume but be aware that it will not pick up on all errors.
• Does it fit comfortably within the page? Is there an appropriate amount of white
space?
• Is the resume on cotton bond paper?
• Is the print clear, unsmudged, and large enough to read – does it pass the photocopy
test?
• Did you use too much bold, italic, or underlining? Does content support the objective?
• Could you be more concise?
• Is it too short? Does it look as though you struggled to fill a page?
• Has extraneous material been eliminated?
• Does the format present your qualifications in the most effective manner?
• Is all important information included and easy to find? Is the format uniform
throughout?
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• Does the resume market your abilities and paint a picture that makes an employer
want to know more about you?
Step 5
Prepare Different Versions
Paper Versions are highly designed with bullets, underlining, and other highlights. For the
finished paper resume, use good quality paper (at least 20% cotton bond): white, ivory, or a
very pale gray. Avoid patterns that would give a “dirty” appearance when copied. Typically
you would bring paper copies of your resume to a career fair or an interview.
Electronic Versions look the same as your paper version when emailed or pasted into a
company resume database. Send it as a PDF file to preserve formatting. Saving your resume
as a Google document may affect the format negatively.
Plain Text Version: you would remove any stylized formatting (i.e., bullets, bolding, italics)
and then it can be pasted into an email message or cut and pasted into online forms.
• Save as text files.
• Enter no more than 65 characters (including spaces) across the screen, then hit the
“return” or “enter” key to force the line to wrap. In some instances 65 characters per
line may be too many.
• Indent lines by using the space bar.
• Use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS for section headers.
• Surround formerly bolded subheadings within major sections with asterisks (*).
• Rebuild lists using a hyphen (-), asterisk (*), or plus sign (+) at the beginning of each
line instead of bullets or other special characters.
• If horizontal lines are desired, create them by using a series of dashes.
Email your resume to yourself and a friend to see how it looks. Identify and correct any
formatting problems before sending it to potential employers.
Online Resumes
Before posting your resume on the Internet, consider whether you want your resume to be
public. There are security issues inherent in posting personal contact information online.
Check the confidentiality of the database or service where you are posting your resume.
Never use your Social Security Number, date of birth, or other information that might make
you vulnerable to identity theft.
There are ways to control the information you make available online:
• Consider creating a free email account at Yahoo! Or Gmail to use only for job-search
purposes with the possibilities that you will stop using the email account once
employment has been secured.
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• Consider renting a post office box or a private mail box from a mail receiving agency
to use during your job search. This will eliminate the need to use a street address as
your mailing address in the information posted on the web.
• Determine whether your posted resume can be updated at no cost and whether it will
be deleted from the databank if you do not update it within a specified time.
Business Resume Examples
[Inserted illustration of a resume paper. Black text on white background. Main heading left
justified in bold as student’s name. For example, Joe Business. There is a black bar running
horizontally separating the name from the body of the resume. Underneath the bar is the
students address, city, state, zip code, phone number, and email. The resume is structured as
the following:
• Heading title left justified
• Business/organization left justified, location right justified on the same line.
• Position left justified, date right justified on the same line.
• Positon details in list format.
The example given in the resume example is as follows;
• Education (Heading title)
• The University of Kansas (Organization left justified) Lawrence, KS (Location right
justified)
• Bachelor of Science, Marketing (Position left justified) May 2013 (Date right justified)
• International Business and Chinese Concentration
• Overall GPA: 3.85; Marking GPA: 3.92 (Details in list format)
This format is repeated down the page.]
[Inserted illustration of a resume paper. This paper is formatted in the same way as the
previous resume with different examples. Some format changes include the student name is
bolded and centered at the top of the page with the students details and contact information
also centered underneath, and underneath the Education section is a line for Accounting
Majors intending to do the MAcc which says: Intend to complete Master of Accounting.]
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Computer Engineering Resume Examples
[Inserted illustration of a resume paper. Black text on white background. Main heading left
justified in bold is student’s name. Underneath students name is current address and
Permanent address (left justified) and email and phone number (right justified).
The structure of the resume is as follows;
EDUCATION:
Organization
Position and date
Details in list format
One example of this structure within the resume is as follows;
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE:
Koch Industries, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota
Project Manager Intern, Summer 2013
Provided engineering support for the Build-it and Construction group including design,
permits, and certification for planned projects.
Organized and led all client meetings and oversaw all project communication.
Managed five projects, estimated at $1.5 million.
This format is repeated down the page.]
[Inserted illustration of a resume paper. This resume has the same structure as the previous
resume with different examples. Some format changes includes no use of italics, and there is
a line underneath an Education section which instructs “Only include your high school if you
are a freshman or there is a specific reason why the employer needs to be aware of this
information.” This section has the example as follows:
Free State High School, Lawrence, KS.
High School Diploma, Awarded June 2013
GPA 3.9/4.0]
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Journalism/Creative Resume Examples
[Inserted illustration of a resume paper. Black text on white background. Main heading is right
justified at the top of the page as follows:
Student’s name
Address
City, State Zip Code
Phone number
Email
The structure of the main resume is as follows:
The body is split into two columns, with headings on the left and descriptions on the right.]
[Inserted illustration of a resume paper. Black text on white background. The students name
is in large font and bold while centered at the top of the page. Underneath the name is the
students work title “Multimedia Visual Journalist”. The body of the resume is split into two
column by a vertical bar. The left column is structured from the top down as follows;
Website
Phone number
Email address
Social media link
Education
Details
Skills
Details
Activities
Details and dates
Awards
Details
The right column is structured from the top down as follows:
Work
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Position
Details in list format
Position
Details in list format
This structure is repeated for the rest of the page.]
Liberal Arts and Sciences Resume Examples
[Inserted illustration of a resume. Black text on white background. Student name is in large
font and bold print while centered at the top of the page. Underneath the name, also
centered, is address and contact information. The structure of the resume is as follows;
Heading title (for example Education)
Position (for example Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies) left justified. Date and
location right justified.
Details in lift format.
This structure is repeated down the page.]
[Inserted illustration of a resume. Black text on white background. Student name is in large
font and bold print left justified at the top of the page. Email is right justified. Address is
underneath student name. Phone number and website underneath email address. The
structure of the resume is the same as the previous resume with one exception. Before the
first heading is a summary section titled “Summary of Qualifications” followed by details in
list format.]
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Action Verb List
Accomplishme
nts
achieved
awarded
benchmarked
completed
expanded
exceeded
improved
pioneered
reduced
(losses)
resolved
(issues)
restored
reversed
spearheaded
succeeded
surpassed
transformed
won
Analytical &
Research
analyzed
assessed
calibrated
clarified
collected
compared
conducted
critiqued
detected
determined
diagnosed
evaluated
examined
experimented
explored
extracted
formulated
gathered
identified
inspected
interpreted
interviewed
invented
investigated
located
measured
observed
organized
proved
researched
reviewed
searched
screened
solved
specified
summarized
surveyed
tested
validated
Communicatio
n &
Persuasion
addressed
advertised
arbitrated
arranged
articulated
authored
clarified
collaborated
communicate
d
composed
condensed
consulted
conveyed
convinced
corresponded
debated
defined
demonstrated
described
developed
directed
discussed
dissuaded
documented
drafted
edited
educated
elicited
enlisted
established
explained
expressed
formulated
furnished
illustrated
incorporated
influenced
informed
interacted
interpreted
interviewed
involved
joined
judged
lectured
marketed
mediated
moderated
negotiated
observed
outlined
participated
persuaded
presented
promoted
proposed
publicized
published
reconciled
recruited
referred
reinforced
reported
resolved
responded
solicited
specified
spoke
suggested
summarized
synthesized
translated
wrote
Creative
acted
adapted
began
combined
composed
conceptualize
d
condensed
created
customized
designed
devised
developed
directed
displayed
drew
entertained
established
fashioned
formulated
founded
illustrated
initiated
instituted
integrated
introduced
invented
modeled
modified
originated
performed
photographed
planned
revised
revitalized
shaped
solved
Financial &
Data
administered
adjusted
allocated
analyzed
appraised
assessed
audited
balanced
budgeted
calculated
computed
conserved
controlled
corrected
cut
decreased
determined
developed
estimated
managed
marketed
measured
planned
prepared
programmed
projected
purchased
reconciled
reduced
researched
retrieved
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tabulated
trimmed
tracked
quantified
Helping
adapted
advocated
aided
answered
arranged
assessed
assisted
cared for
clarified
coached
contributed
cooperated
counseled
demonstrated
diagnosed
educated
encouraged
ensured
expedited
facilitated
guided
helped
intervened
motivated
prevented
provided
referred
rehabilitated
represented
resolved
simplified
supplied
supported
volunteered
Interpersonal
& Teamwork
advised
collaborated
enabled
focused
initiated
interacted
involved
listened
mediated
mentored
moderated
negotiated
partnered
teamed
Leadership &
Management
accomplished
acted
administered
advanced
advised
analyzed
appointed
approved
assigned
attainted
authorized
chaired
completed
considered
consolidated
contracted
controlled
converted
coordinated
counseled
decided
decreased
delegated
determined
developed
directed
dispatched
disseminated
diversified
eliminated
emphasized
enforced
enhanced
enlisted
ensured
established
examined
executed
explained
founded
generated
governed
guided
headed
hired
hosted
improved
incorporated
increased
influenced
initiated
inspected
inspired
instigated
instituted
instructed
integrated
introduced
launched
led
lowered
managed
merged
modified
motivated
organized
originated
overhauled
oversaw
pioneered
planned
presided
prioritized
produced
proposed
recommended
recruited
reorganized
replaced
represented
restored
reviewed
saved
scheduled
secured
selected
shaped
solidified
stimulated
streamlined
strengthened
supervised
terminated
trimmed
verified
Organization
& Detail
approved
arranged
catalogued
categorized
charted
classified
coded
collected
compiled
contained
coordinated
corrected
corresponded
distributed
executed
expedited
filed
generated
implemented
incorporated
inspected
logged
maintained
monitored
obtained
operated
ordered
organized
planned
prepared
processed
provided
purchased
recorded
registered
reserved
responded
restructured
reviewed
routed
scheduled
screened
set up
standardized
submitted
supplied
updated
used
validated
verified
Teaching &
Training
adapted
advised
appraised
clarified
coached
communicate
Page 19
d
conducted
coordinated
critiqued
demonstrated
developed
educated
enabled
encouraged
evaluated
explained
facilitated
focused
guided
influenced
informed
instilled
instructed
motivated
persuaded
set
stimulated
taught
tested
trained
transmitted
tutored
Technical
adapted
advised
analyzed
applied
assembled
automated
built
calculated
coded
computed
computerized
conserved
constructed
controlled
converted
debugged
designed
determined
developed
diagnosed
drafted
engineered
fabricated
fortified
identified
implemented
inspected
installed
located
maintained
monitored
networked
operated
overhauled
prevented
printed
programmed
proposed
recorded
rectified
regulated
remodeled
repaired
replaced
restored
retrieved
solved
specialized
specified
standardized
studied
supported
trained
troubleshot
upgraded
Page 20
References
Resumes and cover letters win interviews; excellent references can win job offers.
If you are being considered for a job, it is likely that the potential employer will speak with
your references following the final interview.
You must be certain that your references will provide a good recommendation. A less-than-
enthusiastic reference decreases your chance of being hired, so select your references
carefully.
Who
To identify as many potential references as possible, consider current and former bosses,
professors, advisors, volunteer coordinators, co-workers, and subordinates who have first-
hand knowledge of your work and abilities.
Be sure to find references who know you well enough to speak on your behalf and represent
different facets of your experience. Your references may change based on the position for
which you are applying, or are your career progresses. Roommates, friends, and family
members do not make good professional references.
What
Next, call or meet with the people on your list who are likely to deliver a very positive report
and have seen you perform well. Begin by explaining that you are in a job search, and then
ask whether they would be willing to act as a reference for you. You might say something
like: “Dr. Thomas, I will be graduating in May and will be seeking a full-time position. Because
you were my instructor for several courses and can speak to my work ethic, I was wondering if
you would be comfortable serving as a reference?”
The answer will usually be positive. Be prepared to provide a brief idea of what you have
been doing recently and the type of position you seek. With past co-workers or supervisors,
you may want to state why you left that job because they are likely to be asked by the
potential employer. Deliver a current copy of your resume to your references so they will be
familiar with your experiences and what you have highlighted for employers. You may also
want to provide a copy of the job description.
How Many
You will generally be asked to provide at least three references. It is a good idea to have a
“backup” on the list in case one or more of your references is unavailable.
Where
Do not include references on your resume. Names and contact information for references take
up a lot of space and usually have little meaning to a potential employer at the “resume
stage.” Make a separate reference page. Be sure to include your name and contact
information at the top. Use the same fonts and formatting as your resume and cover letter.
When delivered with your resume and cover letter, the three documents should be
Page 21
complementary and professional. It is a good idea to print all three on the same high-quality
bond paper.
Include each reference’s name, current title, agency or organization with which they are
currently affiliated, city and state, preferred phone number(s), and email address. In some
cases, you may also want to note your relationship to the individual, such as a former
supervisor at KU Library, particularly if your reference has moved to a new organization. Be
certain everything is correct!
When
Provide your reference list to a potential employer only when requested. Be sure to thank
your references at the completion of your job search.
Helpful Tips
Alert your references that potential employers may be calling and provide them with your
most recent resume.
Notify your references if your name has changed since they knew you.
[Inserted image of a reference page. The structure of the reference page is as follows;
Name is bolded and left justified at the top of the page.
Address and contact information.
Heading is bolded and left justified (Professional References).
Reference name (relationship to the reference in italics and within parentheses).
Details including the reference’s current job title and where they work along with current
contact information (work phone and work email address).
There are some reference tips in red text pointing out some areas of the reference list. These
tips are; Ask your reference how they would like to be contacted and include only those
phone numbers or emails. If your reference has changed jobs since you worked with him/her,
note that on your reference page.]
Cover Letters
The Purpose of Cover Letters
The purpose of the cover letter and resume package is to motivate the employer to take
action and invite you for an interview. When delivered together, the two documents should
be complementary and work together to accomplish your purpose. The appearance of your
resume/cover letter package will be enhanced if both documents are printed on the same
high-quality bond paper.
Employers report that an impressive cover letter is often more important than the resume
when making a decision whether to interview a candidate, so it can be a mistake to focus too
Page 22
much attention on the resume and ignore the potential value of a well-written letter. Like
the resume, the cover letter is not intended to get you the job—it is intended to get you an
interview.
When to Use a Cover Letter
Many employers will require a cover letter as part of your application. Include a cover letter
with your resume when you cannot present it in person, for example if sent through U.S.
Postal Service or email. Remember, whatever you write in your email IS your cover letter. A
cover letter is not necessary when you deliver your resume to a potential employer at a
career fair.
A cover letter should:
• Catch the reader’s attention (opening paragraph)
• Communicate skills and experience (middle paragraph)
• Support your statements with specifics (middle paragraph)
• Compel the reader to act (final paragraph)
What to Include in your Cover Letter
The most important aspect of a cover letter is employer focus. Present the employer with
indications of your personality and style along with your skills and abilities. Highlight your
qualifications for the specific position you seek, clearly stating your interests and
qualifications relative to the employer’s needs. Use the job description as an outline for
writing your cover letter.
A cover letter can also help explain special circumstances, such as a gap in schooling or
employment, qualifications for a position outside your exact major (i.e. a chemical engineer
seeking employment with an environmental engineering firm) or a drop in GPA.
Always customize your cover letter! Include the position title and the organization’s name.
Sending out a general cover letter and resume to hundreds of employers is rarely successful.
It can create a perception on the employer’s part that you are not a serious and thoughtful
person, that you are desperate for a job, or that you don’t really care enough about their
organization to learn about them.
Your letter should be just a few paragraphs and only one page in length. While there is no
“perfect formula” regarding length and what to include, keep it relevant and relatively brief.
Things to Avoid in Cover Letters
• Starting every sentence with “I” or “my”.
• Extraneous words and wordy phrases, such as “in order to” and “for the purpose of”.
• Confusing and complex language and sentence structure (HINT: Read your letter aloud
to identify awkwardness, then correct it).
• Long sentences and paragraphs.
• Weak or overused words.
• Font sizes smaller than 10 point and larger than 12 point.
Page 23
• Nondescript phrases such as “I was a computer lab assistant.” Instead, say: “I provided
technical assistance”. “I conducted research activities using observation and data
analysis skills while…” instead of “I worked as a research assistant.”
Sample Cover Letter
[Inserted illustration of a cover letter. The structure of the cover letter is as follows:
Your Address
Date
First and Last Name of contact person or “Human Resources Manager” if name is unknown
Title of Contact Person
Employer Contact Information
If employer name is not available, address letter to Human Resources Manager, Director or
Hiring Manager
First Paragraph should include:
• Why you are writing
• What position you are applying for
• How you learned about the position
• Who referred you (if applicable)
Body paragraphs should include:
• Why you are interested in the position
• What you can contribute
• How your qualifications would benefit the organization
• How your skills and experience match their needs
Closing paragraph should:
• Refer to documents enclosed or available such as list of references
• Give the phone number and time that you can be reached or when you will contact
them
• Thank them for their time and consideration of your application
• Sign off with “Sincerely” or “Respectfully” and then type your first and last name
Leave four spaces so you can sign your name in ink after it is printed. Leave only one blank
line and type your name for emailed letters.]
Page 24
Professional Communication
Whether you are submitting an application for a position or developing a networking contact
online, all of your communication needs to be done with professionalism. Employers are
evaluating your communication skills with every piece of correspondence, so be sure they will
get a good impression.
Many of your connections with professionals will be done through electronic media. In online
correspondence it is important to follow the same basic guidelines as you would in any other
formal style of communication. Below are some examples.
Networking Through Email
[Inserted diagram of an email. Subject: Request to Connect from a KU Student
Dear Ms. Ellsworth:
Dr. Studia, professor of sociology at the University of Kansas, suggested that I contact you. As
a fellow Jayhawk, she felt you might be willing to visit with me about my career path.
I am a junior at KU, majoring in sociology, and am currently exploring career options. Your
background in human rights work and your leadership in non-profit organizations are both
very interesting to me. I would like to learn more about what it’s like to work for a
nonprofit, and was hoping you might be willing to give me advice on how to prepare myself
for this career path.
Would you be willing to visit with me briefly about your experiences? I’m available between
December 5 and January 10 and would be happy to connect through email, on the phone, or
in person.
Sincerely,
Jay Hawk
555-555-5555]
Informational Interview Request Through Email
[Inserted diagram of an email. Subject: Informational Interview Request from Jay Hawk.
Dear Mr. Budig:
I am currently a junior finance student at the University of Kansas and am interested in
learning more about careers in the finance industry. After a class discussion and personal
research, one particular career that has sparked my interest is financial advising.
Would you be willing to take 20 to 30 minutes out of your day to provide me with advice and
expertise based on your experiences in this field? I am available on Monday and Friday
Page 25
afternoons through the next four weeks. If this is a possibility, please email me back or
contact me at 555-555-5555. Thank you for your time!
Sincerely,
Jay Hawk
555-555-5555]
Job Prospecting Through Email
[Inserted diagram of an email. Subject: Positions in Software Development.
Dear Mr. Haworth:
After reading a description of your company on LinkedIn, I would like to know about possible
job opportunities in your software development department. I am a senior in Computer
Science, and will earn my bachelor’s degree in May.
Last summer, I had the opportunity to do an internship for the XYZ Solutions Firm where I
worked closely with a team to develop business technology programs. My training also
included testing existing systems. This experience confirmed my interest in a career in
software development, and I believe your company would be an excellent match for my skills.
My resume is attached for your consideration. I realize that you have many demands on your
time, but I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss employment possibilities with your
company. Would you be available the week of January 10 to meet briefly? If you would prefer
to contact me by phone, my number is 555-555-5555.
Thank you very much for considering my request. I look forward to hearing from you.
Respectfully,
Jay Hawk
555-555-5555]
Networking Introduction Through Social Media Messaging
[Inserted diagram of a message.
Dear Ms. Fraser:
I am currently a psychology major at the University of Kansas exploring career options. While
researching people who work in higher education and live in Chicago, I found your profile. I
will be in Chicago during the week of March 18-22. Would you be willing to take 20-30
Page 26
minutes of your time to talk to me about your experiences in this field? If you would rather
connect by email, I can be reached at jhawk@ku.edu. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jay Hawk
555-555-5555]
KU Mentoring/LinkedIn Invitation to Connect Message (Someone you’ve never met)
[Inserted diagram of an email.
Dear Mr. Sabatini:
I am a photo media major at the University of Kansas exploring career options. I joined the
Photo Marketing group, and enjoy reading the discussions there. Would you be willing to
connect with me so that I can learn more about your work?
Sincerely,
Jay Hawk
]
LinkedIn Invitation to Connect (Someone you already know)
[Inserted diagram of an email.
Dear Ms. Higuchi:
I enjoyed the time I spent working for you at ABC Company. The help you offered me during
my internship was invaluable. I hope you will connect with me so we can stay in touch in the
future! Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Jay Hawk
555-555-5555]
Tips for Online Professional Communication
DO:
• Spell check ALL written communication.
• Proofread electronic messages just as thoroughly as you would printed documents.
• Use a subject line in ALL emails such as “Application for Marketing Internship”.
Page 27
• Be respectful of the person you are contacting; don’t ask for something they can’t
provide.
• Use formal greetings and closings when possible.
• Create an email “signature” that includes all of your contact information.
• Use a formal greeting such as Mr./Ms. unless they have given you permission to call
them by their first name or you know them well.
DON’T:
• Use informal text shortcuts such as “ur” for “you are”.
• Use emoticons in any of your communication.
• Use an informal tone in your writing.
• Attach a resume in a request to connect, or in a request for an informational
interview.
Career Services Offices
Business Career Services Center
• Capitol Federal Hall, Room 1130
• Phone: 785-864-5591
• Fax: 785-864-5078
• Email: kubuscar[email protected]
• https://business.ku.edu/business-career-services
Engineering Career Center
• Eaton Hall, LEEP2, Room 1410
• Phone: 785-864-3891
• Fax: 785-864-5643
• Email: ecc@ku.edu
• www.ecc.ku.edu
Music Career Center
• Murphy Hall, Room 460
• Phone: 785-864-4466
• Fax: 785-864-5387
• www.music.ku.edu
Journalism Career Center
• Stauffer-Flint Hall, Room 120
• Phone: 785-864-7630
• Fax: 785-864-5318
• Email: steve_rottinghaus@ku.edu
• www.journalism.ku.edu
