Develop A Career Toolkit

With a Career Toolkit you will be ready to interview for jobs and internships. You will need:

A resume
A cover letter
A LinkedIn profile

Have an approved cover letter and resume in Career Express.

Resume

A resume is an organized document highlighting your education, experiences and achievements. It is your own personal marketing tool designed to give an employer a picture of who you are, what you have accomplished, and your ability to successfully perform meaningful work. It is also a living document that will grow and change to reflect your own development.

Resume Formats

There are a variety of resume formats:

- General Resume Sample and Blank Resume Template (PDF)
- Resume Checklist (MS Word document)
- Resume Formatting Tips (PDF)
- List of Action Verbs (PDF)

Cover Letters

Cover letters are a customized marketing tool; they highlight information from your resume that specifically relate to the company and job to which you are applying.

Even if an employer does not require a cover letter, it is recommended that you always include one. This is a chance for you to stand out from the crowd and market yourself to the specific employer. Though writing a cover letter adds an additional step to your job search process, it’s worth it!

An effective cover letter is:

Professional: Organized as a business letter with your complete address in the upper right-hand or left-hand side or stationery heading, a date and a heading with recruiter/hiring manager’s information, and closing greeting and signature
Concise: Uses concise paragraphs and/or bullet points to highlight pertinent information
Addressed appropriately to a person. Dear Ms. Last Name (Dear Ms. Smith) or Dear Hiring Manager if you are unable to find the correct hiring personnel.
Clear:
- Demonstrates your interest in the specific company and job – why you want to work there and in that capacity (job or internship) – and that you researched the company
- Highlights specific skills you possess that mirror the job description
- Provides brief examples of your skills/accomplishments that relate to the job
  - Convinces the employer that you are a top candidate
  - Thanks the employer for considering you as a candidate

Build Your Experience

You can build your experience through on-campus jobs, internships, clubs, and activities.

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides part-time employment to help students earn money to pay for their educational expenses. Students who are awarded FWS through financial aid are able to work on or off campus to gain essential skills that are needed in the workplace.

If you have been awarded FWS, find out more about Federal Work-Study employment opportunities.

Learn more about the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program and how to apply.