Jobs and Careers

A typical resume will include the following information:

• Name and Contact Information: It's most common to include an email address or phone number for contact information. Most people don't include residential addresses on a resume anymore.
• Education: a listing of your degrees or certifications and educational institutions or programs. Also include awards or organizations if relevant.
• Work Experience: names of the companies or organizations that you have worked for, the location of each company, the dates worked, your job title, and duties performed.

Use common sense when formatting
There are no universal guidelines for how to format or organize a resume. However, some commonsense guidelines may apply. If you are concerned that your resume might appear too busy or misaligned, click on Print Preview in your word processing program and evaluate the consistency of your use of space in the document.

Fonts and font sizes: go with the flow
It is a good idea to stick to commonly used fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial when creating a resume. With the exception of your name, the use of a uniform font size throughout the document will also keep the reader focused on your accomplishments.

Seek and evaluate examples
Many professionals have posted their resumes to online web pages, bulletin boards, and employee profile pages on corporate websites. These documents, often posted as PDF files, are useful templates for designing your own resume. It is best to search for a resume of an individual who shares your field, discipline, or interests, as it will provide you with a model that most closely approximates what your final document might look like.

This material has been remixed from The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

What is a cover letter?
A cover letter describes your experiences and interest as a candidate for a specific position. It introduces you to the hiring committee and demonstrates how your background fits with the description of the position.

What do cover letters typically contain?
At their most basic level, cover letters accomplish three things: one, they express your interest in the job; two, they provide a brief synopsis of your abilities; and three, they summarize your past experiences and achievements to illustrate your competence for the job. For early-career employee, cover letters are typically no more than two pages (up to four pages for senior employees). Digital versions of cover letters often contain hyperlinks to your resume or portfolio page. For some fields, cover letters may also include examples of your work. Above all, a strong cover letter presents your accomplishments and your familiarity with the institution and with the position.

How should I prepare to write my cover letter?
Like all writing, composing a cover letter is a process. The process may be as short as a few hours or as long as several weeks, but at the end the letter should present you as a strong candidate for the job. 

Writing a draft
Remember that the job letter is an opportunity to introduce yourself and your accomplishments and to communicate why you would be a good fit for the position. Typically, search committees will want to know whether you are a capable job candidate, familiar with the company, and a great future addition to the staff. As such, be aware of how the letter’s structure and content show your preparedness for the position.

Form
The structure of your cover letter should reflect the typical standards for letter writing. This usually includes a salutation, body, and closing, as well as proper contact information.

• Use a simple, readable font in a standard size, such as 10-12pt. Some examples of fonts that may be conventional in your field include Ariel, Garamond, Times New Roman, and Verdana, among other similar fonts.
• Do not indent paragraphs.
• Separate all paragraphs by a line and justify them to the left.
• Make sure that any included hyperlinks work.
• Include your signature in the closing.

Content
The second most important aspect of your letter is its content. Since the letter is the first chance to provide an in-depth introduction, it should expand on who you are as a scholar and possible faculty member. Below are some elements to consider including when composing your letter.

• Identify the position you are applying to and introduce yourself.
• Describe your research experience and interests.
• Present your plans for the future.
• Describe your experience and highlight successes.
• Talk about your service work.
• Present yourself as a future staff member.
• Compose a strong closing.

This material has been remixed from The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

There are many resources available for resume and cover letter templates. Google Docs and Microsoft Word has templates. The library also provides templates through Cypress Resume.