uiuc graduate college cover letter

Completing Your Graduate Application

Personal information .

You will be required to provide the following personal information: 

• Full Legal Name 
• Permanent and Mailing Addresses 
• Email Address 
• Birth Date 
• Gender 
• Native Language 
• Country of Citizenship 
• U.S. Permanent Resident Status  

Based on citizenship status, some applicants will also be given the opportunity to provide additional personal background information such as their social security number, race and ethnicity information, veteran information, and parental level of education information. This information is voluntary and not required. 

Residency Information - Domestic Applicants 

• Birth Place 
• Legal State of Residence Information 
• Lawful Permanent Residents will be expected to upload a copy of their green card 

Asylee, Paroled in Public Interest, and Refugee applicants will be asked to indicate a visa eligibility document that you need; please select None and find your appropriate status option. If you have been granted one of these statuses, you will need to upload documentation of this status. You will then be classified as a domestic student and be prompted to answer questions regarding your legal state of residence. 

Residency Information - International Applicants 

The Residency Information application section allows you to request visa eligibility documents and provide information regarding your citizenship and visa status. In addition, you will be required to provide your birth city and birth country, and country of legal permanent residence.  

Requesting an I-20 or DS-2019 

You will need to indicate if you need an initial, change of level, transfer, or change of status visa eligibility document. 

Initial documents are appropriate for students arriving in the US from outside the country for purposes of attending Illinois. 

Change of Level documents are appropriate for current Illinois students changing from an undergraduate program to a graduate program. 

Transfer documents are for students currently attending or are on practical training at another institution in the US and will not have had longer than a 5 month break between enrollment/training. You will be prompted to provide your current SEVIS number and the name of the institution that issued your current I-20 or DS-2019. 

Change of Status documents are appropriate for students currently in the US on a non-student visa wishing to change status to an F-1 student visa. You will be prompted to provide your current visa type and asked whether or not you will be leaving the country before your program begins and enter with an initial I-20, or if you plan to stay in the US and file your change of status within the US. 

You will be asked if you need any dependent I-20s/DS-2019s. 

• If yes, you will be prompted to upload a copy of each dependent's passport. Please note this can be provided at a later time if it is not available at the time of application. 
• For each dependent, you will need to provide their full legal name, gender, relationship to you (spouse or child), birth city and country, as well as country of citizenship and country of legal permanent residence. 

You will be asked to upload a copy of your passport and proof of funding documentation. 

• Passports and proof of funding documentation are required for all students requesting an I-20 or DS-2019. Please review our  Evidence of Financial Resources  page for more detailed instructions on proof of funding requirements.  
• If you do not have a passport or proof of funding documentation available, you may provide this at a later time. However, these documents will be required before we can issue an I-20 or DS-2019.  

Online Program Applicants 

If you are applying to an online program and will not enter the US, you can indicate this and we need no further visa status information. However, if you will be in the US for your program, you will need to show proof of non-student visa status. Please see the information for current visa holders below. 

Remaining on a Non-Student Visa 

If you are currently in the US on a non-student visa (such as an H-1 work visa) and are planning to remain on this visa for the duration of your studies at Illinois, you will need to indicate your current visa type. 

In addition, you will need to upload a copy of your current visa. 

Sponsored J-1 Students 

If another organization, such as IIE Fulbright or LASPAU, will be issuing your DS-2019, you will need to provide us with the name of this organization and upload a copy of your award letter. 

Asylee, Paroled in Public Interest, Refugee Status 

If you have been granted one of these statuses, you will need to upload documentation of this status. You will then be classified as a domestic student and be prompted to answer questions regarding your legal state of residence in the US in the Residency Information section of this page. 

Program Information 

The Proposed Program Information application section allows you to pick the program and term you are applying for, as well as answer program-specific questions. 

Previous University of Illinois Affiliation 

If you have previously been an applicant, student, or employee of the University of Illinois, please be prepared to provide your previously issued University ID Number (UIN). 

Proposed Program of Study 

You will be asked to pick your Proposed Program (department), Degree, Field of Specialization (if applicable), and Desired Term of Enrollment. 

Once an application deadline has passed for a specific term, that term will no longer display. Check with your  proposed program of study office  for application deadlines.  

You may be asked to indicate any faculty members you are interested in working with during your studies at Illinois. Some programs will have additional program-specific questions on this page. Please note that some departments may consider your application for multiple programs if your application is not selected for admission by your original proposed program.  

Academic History 

The Academic History application section requires you to provide detailed information about all post-secondary institutions you have attended. For each institution, you will need to provide the following information: 

• Institution Name and Address Information 
• Degree Received or Expected 
• Attendance and Degree Dates 
• Academic Major 
• Grade Point Average 

If you received multiple degrees from an institution, you will need to list this institution multiple times. For example, if you received a bachelor's and master's degree from an institution, you will need to list this institution twice in order to provide information about both earned degrees. 

Please note that you will be required to upload your transcripts for each institution you have attended. English translations should also be uploaded if the credentials are not in English. If your degree has been awarded and your degree information is not listed on your transcript, you will also need to upload a copy of your diploma or certificate of degree. Please review our Uploading Credentials information below for more detailed instructions on academic credential upload requirements. 

 Important: All credentials uploaded to the online application are considered unofficial. You will be asked to submit official credentials (transcripts, academic records, diplomas, certificates of degrees, etc.) only if you are admitted. These must be submitted during your first term of enrollment at the University of Illinois. 

Uploading Credentials 

Below are some tips for uploading any material in your online application: 

• Resolution: Please obtain an electronic version or scan a copy of the credentials at the lowest resolution that results in a legible document (we recommend using under 200 dpi whenever possible). Scanning in "gray scale" or black and white may produce the best results. 
• File Type: Please be certain that your document is saved as a PDF file or Word document.   
• Legibility: To ensure that your name and other identifying marks are not missed during the scanning process, make sure your scanned copy is clearly legible and can print on letter size paper - 8.5 by 11 in (21.5 by 30 cm). 
• Multiple upload buttons will be available if needed. Once you upload one document, you will be prompted to upload another document if applicable. 
• Viewing Uploaded Documents: Once you have uploaded the document into the online application, you will be able to click the "view document" button to verify whether the uploaded document is legible. If it is not legible, then try again. (NOTE: The system automatically converts your uploaded document into a standard PDF file.) 
• All Required Documents Must Be Uploaded: Even if you have previously mailed in paper documents, you must still upload an electronic version. 
• Identifying Information: The uploaded document must include your name and the institution name. 
• Transcript Legends: Include a copy of the transcript legend or university key (back page in most cases) for each institution. 
• United States Institutions: Transcripts are required to be uploaded. 
• International Institutions (you have been awarded a degree): English and native language transcripts and certificates of degree are required to be uploaded. 
• International Institutions (you have not yet been awarded a degree): English and native language transcripts are required to be uploaded. 
• Official Academic Credentials: All credentials uploaded to the online application are considered unofficial. You will only be asked to submit official or attested credentials (transcripts, academic records, diplomas, certificates of degrees, etc) in a sealed envelope, with a certification stamp across the seal if you are admitted. These must be submitted during your first term of enrollment at the University of Illinois. 

The University of Illinois reserves the right to require official credentials at any time during the admissions process, and rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between unofficial and official credentials are found. 

Test Scores

The Test Scores application section is where you should list the scores of any relevant test(s) you have taken, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). 

These tests are not required for admission to the Graduate College, but they may be required for admission to your proposed program of study; therefore, it is important to contact your  proposed program of study office  for specific requirements. 

Important: The scores reported in this section are considered unofficial; you must request the official score to be sent to the University from the organization administering the test – our institution code number is 1836. You may also be asked to select a department code; please select the code that best matches your proposed program of study, but please note that it does not matter which department code you choose, as scores sent to the University will be accessible by all programs. 

Resume and Application Statements 

Most graduate programs require a resume or curriculum vitae, as well as an academic statement and/or a personal statement.  

Some programs require additional materials such as a writing sample, research statement, or specific program essay. These requirements will be outlined in the online application, but you should visit your proposed program of study's web site to help you prepare these documents. 

Recommendation Letters 

Most graduate programs require three letters of reference. Check with your  proposed program of study office  regarding the number required. Your recommenders will be required to submit letters of reference using the online recommendation system. 

• The application will require this information prior to allowing you to submit your online application. However, you do not need to wait for your recommenders to submit their letters before you submit your online application. You can and should submit your online application prior to your recommenders submitting their letters. 
• If you have submitted an application to another program or term previously, you are able to import these recommendations to this application. If you are asking these references to provide a new letter, do not import these reference records as they will not receive a new request to submit a new letter. 

Recommendation Selection 

• Recommendations should be provided from employers, supervisors, professors, or others who are able to comment on your professional and educational goals and potential (no friends or relatives please). 
• Recommendation letters should specifically address your ability to succeed in your proposed academic program and discuss any experience that may have prepared you to succeed in the program. 

Adding a Recommender After you Submit your Application 

• Log back into your application . 
• Click the blue “Add Recommender” hyperlink and follow the steps to add a new one. 

Excluding a Recommender After you Submit your Application

• Click on the name of the recommender that needs to be excluded. 
• When the individual recommender window opens, click the grey “Exclude” button at the bottom of the window. 
• When the warning message pops up, click “Ok.” 
• This will remove the reference from consideration.  
• If you later want to reinstate a previously excluded reference, you will need to access the References page again, then click the excluded recommender’s name. At the bottom of the window, they’ll be able to click the grey “Reinstate” button at the bottom to reinstate the reference to show on the administrative side. The reinstate button only appears after a particular reference has been excluded. 
• If you chose to NOT waive your rights to view your letter of recommendation and later want to change this decision, the only way to do so is to exclude the original recommender record and then add a new recommender record with all the same information for the recommender, but change your waiver section response. 

Application Fee 

Once you have submitted your application, you will be required to pay your application fee by credit card. The fee must be paid prior to your program's deadline or your application will be unsubmitted. The fee is non-refundable and your application cannot be reviewed until the application fee has been processed. 

The application fee amount is determined by your citizenship and/or visa status.  

• Domestic applicants are required to submit a $70.00 application fee. 
• International applicants are required to submit a $90.00 application fee. 

Application Fee Waivers 

The below listed domestic applicants are eligible for an application fee waiver or exemption and can indicate so on the online application. International applicants are not eligible for an application fee waiver unless coming under a valid exchange agreement that has an approved application fee waiver.  

• University of Illinois Employees: This includes Civil Service Staff, Academic Professionals, and Faculty only. Academic Hourly and Student Employee positions do not qualify for an application fee waiver. 
• Illinois Promise (I-Promise) Scholars: I-Promise Scholars are eligible for application fee waivers when applying to a graduate program.  
• Big Ten Academic Alliance FreeApp Applicants: FreeApp is a program designed to increase access to graduate education for students who possess qualities and experiences that enhance the diversity of the intellectual, cultural, and social environments at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities.     As long as you have submitted your FreeApp application and indicated interest in Illinois prior to submitting your online application to Illinois, we will approve your fee waiver. The Big Ten Academic Alliance sends us a list of all applicants who complete the FreeApp application and indicate interest in Illinois, so no additional documentation is needed.     For more information on this program and the eligibility requirements, and to submit your FreeApp application, please visit this page .  
• SROP Participants: If you have participated in an SROP (Summer Research Opportunities Program) at the University of Illinois or another institution in the United States, you may qualify for an application fee waiver. You will be prompted to upload documentation of your SROP participation on this page. This documentation is required prior to submitting your application. 
• McNair Scholars: If you are a current McNair Scholar, please ask your current institution to provide you with a letter of proof of your McNair status that you can upload to your online application. This documentation will be required before you can submit your application. For more information about the McNair Scholar program, please visit the Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) website .  
• United States Military Service: If you have previously or are currently serving in the United States Military, you are eligible for an application fee waiver. You will be prompted to upload documentation of your service on this page. This documentation is required prior to submitting your application. 
• Allied Agencies Applicants: If you are affiliated with one of our  allied agencies , you may indicate your allied agency in this section. You will be prompted to upload documentation of your affiliation with this allied agency on this page. This documentation is required prior to submitting your application. Your fee waiver request will be reviewed for approval after submission of your application.  

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Cover letters

A cover letter connects the experience on your resume to the specific needs of the employer. It conveys what a resume leaves out: your enthusiasm for a job, your fit for the organization, and your ability to write. Think of your experience as a giant pile of Lego. Your resume sorts those plastic pieces into smaller piles by size, color, functionality. Your cover letter draws from those piles to build a recognizable object: the person that the company wants to hire.

Here are some tips for getting started:

Download this recommended format to get familiar with the standard features of a formal cover letter, along with more detailed advice about the letter itself. Many elements of a cover letter derive from a pre-digital world where letters got physically mailed, but some employers still value adherence to these conventions.

A cover letter often serves as an informal writing sample, so proofread scrupulously.

Let the job ad tell you which aspects of your experience to emphasize in the cover letter. Your work or leadership experience will be of more interest to some employers than your major, GPA, and academic strengths. The list of “requirements” (sometimes headed “qualifications” or “successful applicants will have…” or similar language) in the job or internship posting will state the employer’s priorities, so make sure that your cover letter foregrounds them.

Writing cover letters can be challenging, even if you are well-qualified and enthusiastic about the positions. If you find yourself procrastinating or seeking out openings that don’t require cover letters, here are some tricks for getting started:

• Draft the letter in the third person (“Pat is…”), from the standpoint of someone who knows you and likes you and is writing about why you are a good fit for this position. Just be sure to revise it into the first person (“I am…”) before you send it!
• Write the cynical, snarky, self-deprecating version of the letter. Get it all out of your system. THEN write the real letter, the one that could actually get you an interview (because you do, after all, want that job).
• Think about the judgmental reader you’re imagining, who casts doubts on every sentence you write. Picture them in your mind, then add scales, talons, fangs, slime, horns…turn them into a monster. Then push that monster out an imaginary window. Replace the monster with someone kind and professional, who wants to see you succeed. Then write to THAT person.
• Forget about the letter format for a moment. Grab a blank sheet of paper, and try the Telling My Story: “Top Ten Reasons” or “Mind Mapping” brainstorming activities shared by the Peer Mentor team in the Lisnek LAS Hub. These get you thinking in big picture, creative ways, but also lead you to great content for the tricky core section of a cover letter.
• Describe your experience using the employer’s language. Use the job/internship posting to make a word-bank of terms that get repeated in the ad, phrases that convey the organization’s mission and priorities, and industry-specific language that is central to the role. Draw on that word-bank to describe your strengths and experience.
• Consider your audience. Employers for a research role will appreciate a factual, straightforward approach. Organizations hiring creatives or salespeople will respond well to a “pitch.” If you’re applying to a mission-driven nonprofit, it’s important for your commitment to that mission to come through. It’s okay to sound like yourself: excessive jargon and inflated language appeals to no one.
• Edit out “I feel,” “I believe,” “I think,” and similar formulations. They clutter up your sentences and convey a lack of confidence. The letter format already makes it clear that you are communicating your feelings, beliefs, and thoughts.
• Avoid slang, contractions, and abbreviations including the ones we use here every day like UIUC, LAS, ENGL, PSYC, and RSO.

Related topics

• Applications and essays
• Job offers and negotiations
• Graduate and professional school applications
• Privacy Notice
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• Contact ECS
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Resources You'll Need

Resume Samples

Take your first step towards your dream job! Download ECS Resume Samples and customize them to showcase your unique skills and experiences. 

Download Resume Samples

Action Verbs

Make your resume stand out! Download our action verb list and apply these powerful verbs in your bullet points to highlight your accomplishments and impress potential employers.

Download Action Verb List

Individualized Review

Get a 15-minute review after creating your draft by visiting ECS during Drop-In Advising, or Resume Labs!

Check out Schedules

Before You Create a Resume

(1) review the job description.

• Identify the required and desired skills and qualifications by analyzing the job description. 
• Make a list of the top ten keywords based on the position's responsibilities.

(2) Incorporate the Keywords

• Include as many of the keywords you've identified from the job posting.
• For instance, if you're applying to work as a software engineer, you may choose to include "Java" in one of your bullet points for a previous role.

(3) Identify your relevant skills and accomplishments

• Emphasize skills that you've gained that can be used in the position that you are applying for.
• Describe how you apply skills in your bullet points.

(4) Write descriptive action phrases

• Start with an action verb in your bullet points and diversity action verbs.
• Arrange the descriptive phrases in order of relevance to the position you are seeking.
• Avoid using "I" statements and articles ("the" or "a").

Formatting Recommendations

General Formatting

• Margins: 1'' recommended
• Length: 1 page
• Easy-to-read, such as Calibri, Arial, Tahoma, or Century Gothic
• Do not exceed 10-12 font size

Content Organization

• Bold section headings
• Italicize position titles to make important points stick out to readers
• Consistently using bold or italics adds visual organization

Descriptions

• Past experiences should be described in past tense
• Current positions can be described in present tense
• Avoid using any full sentences

Section-by-Section

Contact Information

On the top of your résumé include the following: your name , Illinois email address , phone number ,  LinkedIn URL (optional), and if applicable, any website that showcases work you've done (e.g., GitHub, online portfolio, personal website, etc.). Make sure it is listed on one line.

In this section list the degree(s) you are working towards (i.e., Bachelor of Science in ______________ ), associate degrees from community colleges, and any study abroad programs you have participated in. Do not include high school information unless you are a first year student.

This section is designed to quickly capture attention. Organize your skills in categories (e.g., Programming Languages, Software Applications, CAD, etc.). Remember to provide examples of these skills in your bullet points.

For each experience, include: Position title , Employer Name , City , State , Start Date-End Date (Month and Year) . List paid and unpaid positions (past jobs, internships, volunteer positions, leadership experience that are both directly or indirectly related to the job you're applying for.

• Select from these title options:
• Professional Experience, Related Experience, Leadership Experience, Work Experience, Projects, Selected Projects, Volunteer Experience, Research Experience or Relevant Projects

Project Highlights

Project highlights is a great section to focus on technical skills . Be sure to incorporate keywords from the “Skills” section in the bullet points. Include academic, personal and RSO projects .

Extracurricular Activities & Leadership

Optional: Relevant Coursework

This section is optional. If you include it, only select courses that you feel to be relevant to the position you are applying for, do not include 100-level math or science courses, unless relevant. (Tip: List them in 2-3 columns to save space!)

Having Questions about Any of the Steps?

Make an Appointment with ECS to Discuss Your Steps

Cover Letters

Cover letters serve as an introduction to accompany your resume. A well-written cover letter is often the first opportunity you have to communicate with a potential employer and is sometimes used as a screening device. Take time to carefully prepare and proofread your cover letter and customize it for the job you are applying to.

Even if a cover letter isn't specifically required in the job application process, it's typically a good idea to write one when you're applying for jobs. Why? Many recruiters use the cover letter as a screening tool (i.e., they are looking for reasons why they should consider your application!) and you may even be eliminated from consideration if you haven't submitted a cover letter.

Sample Cover Letter

Format and Content

How to address a cover letter.

Sometimes a job posting lists the name of the hiring manager, and in that case, you should address your letter to him or her.   If you are unsure whether the hiring manage is a male or female and/or do not know their preferred gender pronouns,  you can address it to their first name and last name (Dear Jordan Smith).  In cases where a name isn't listed, you should make an effort to find out the right person to whom to address your letter.  If you can't find his or her name by reviewing the company's corporate website,  you may use the address of the company and an alternative salutation, such as "Dear Hiring Manager."

First Paragraph

In the first paragraph of your cover letter, express your interest in both the job and the employer, mentioning the company by name. Cite the source where you discovered the job announcement. If you have a connection at the company who you know would support your candidacy, include their name as well.  (For example, "Barb White, Accounting Manager in your Chicago Office, speaks highly of your organization and has encouraged me to apply for this position.").   While you should definitely mention the name of your college and your major (especially if this is directly related to the job), your first paragraph shouldn't be a biography of your academic history.

Second and Third Paragraphs

Use one or two short paragraphs in the body of your cover letter to "sell" your candidacy to the employer. Try to persuasively demonstrate how your college studies, internships, temporary / seasonal work experiences, and / or extracurricular experiences have given you the primary qualifications listed on the employer's job posting.

• Use keywords. Take a careful look at the job description, noting any skills or experiences that the description indicates. Try to include some of those keywords in your cover letter. This will show the employer a connection between your experiences and the job.
• Focus on activities and responsibilities. In the body of your cover letter, emphasize the skills and experiences that make you a good candidate. Avoid focusing on your GPA or grades, or other metrics related to college. Instead, focus on activities you did, and the responsibilities you held. Maybe you had an internship or were a leader in a school organization. These examples go beyond showing that you were a good student. They show you have what it takes to be a good employee.
• Sell yourself. Avoid talking about how much you want the job; instead, focus on how you will help out the company. Emphasize ways that you can add value at the company, and why you are a good fit for them.
• Show your knowledge of the company. Research the company before writing the cover letter. If possible, explain what you know about the company (or the department the job is in). Perhaps you've read an article about the company's recent successes, or you've read and believed in the company's mission statement.

Final Paragraph

In the closing paragraph, refer the reader to the enclosed resume or application form, which summarizes your qualification, training, and experiences. Further, indicate your desire for a personal interview. Finally, close your letter with a statement that will encourage a response.

How to Send an Email Cover Letter

If the employer does not accept attachments—or they do not specify how to send your cover letter—it's best to simply copy and paste your cover letter into the body of the email. This way, the hiring manager will see your cover letter as soon as they open your email, instead of having to download an attachment to view it.

Once you've pasted your cover letter into the email body, remove the date and contact information from the top left-hand corner. Double check that your email displays properly since sometimes copying and pasting content from a Word or PDF document can skew email formatting. Use the default font and styling of your email program.

Don't forget to add the proper email signature to close your email and make it easy for the hiring manager to get in touch with you. Your email signature might look something like this:

First Name Last Name

Email address

Phone number

Make sure your cover letter is tailored to the position you are applying for.

Be Positive

Tell the employer about the experiences you have had that match the requirements of the position, don't highlight the qualifications you don't have.

Limit the cover letter to one page.

Don't embellish the accomplishments, skills or qualifications you have.

Many employers consider the cover letter to be a writing sample. Make sure you review your cover letter for spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors.

If emailing your application, the cover letter should be the body of the message while the résumé is attached in pdf format.

Student Affairs

The Career Center

Career pathways ⌄, professional development advice ⌄, jobs and internships ⌄, pre-health at illinois ⌄, resources for international students ⌄, how to write a resume, purpose of your resume.

Your resume is a document that outlines your experiences—professional, academic, extracurricular —and the skills you have acquired as a result.

Think of your resume as an advertisement for yourself. A strong resume should demonstrate your excellent written communication skills and make the reader want to interview you.  

What if I don't have a lot of experience yet?

A resume is always a work in progress, and students who start early benefit from improving and refining the document over time. It is good to keep your resume updated regularly to reflect new experiences, ensuring that an up-to-date resume is available whenever necessary.

You never know when and where your resume will be needed.

Not necessarily.

There is no right and wrong when it comes to resume content and format. Each resume is as unique as the individual it represents. It is up to you to select the appropriate content that best highlights your skills for the employment you hope to acquire, and then effectively communicate your qualifications in a format that is clear and easy to read.

Tips for Writing Your Resume

• Proofread carefully to ensure correct spelling and grammar.
• Keep verb tenses consistent throughout. Use present tense for current activities and employment. 
• Use past tense for activities and employment not presently held.
• Avoid the use of first and third person pronouns, such as “I,” “he,” or “she.” 
• Phrases, rather than complete sentences, are generally most effective. 
• Use a variety of action verbs to bring your skills and experiences to life. 
• Avoid using each verb or adjective more than once. 
• Spell out all acronyms the first time they are used, followed by the acronym in parentheses. Thereafter, in the same document you may use the acronym alone.
• Industry-specific jargon should be used sparingly or in a context that the average person could understand. The person reading your resume may not be an expert in your field (they might be an HR manager, for example).
• Use professional language and tone
• If bringing copies of your resume to a career fair, networking event, or interview, be sure they are of high quality.
• While it is not necessary to purchase special paper, if you choose to do so, use neutral colors such as white or cream.
• If you are including a cover letter, it should be printed on the same type of paper as your resume.
• Have your resume reviewed multiple times. This gives you varied insights and multiple perspectives. The Career Center provides opportunities to have your resume reviewed.  
• Faculty, academic advisors, family, and friends can also provide good insight.

Formatting Your Resume

• Take advantage of white space. Use it as a mechanism to appropriately convey emphasis and organization to your information and skills. 
• Be consistent with alignment and appropriately use left, center, and right alignment.
• Make use of bold, underline, and italics to emphasize different aspects of your resume, such as headings and titles. 
• Special fonts, layouts, and images or graphics are often problematic for other people's computers. They may not render properly, might be rejected by Applicant Tracking System scanners, and may not be read correctly by accessibility software like screen readers. You don't know what's on the receiving end, so keep it simple!
• Don't include a headshot photo unless specifically requested in the job ad or expected by the industry.
• Pre-made templates are often the culprit for introducing unusual colors, fonts, graphics, and layouts. We usually recommend avoiding the templates that come with word processing or design software for this reason.
• The length of your resume depends on your degree level, academic major, and number of relevant experiences you have conducted.   
• Rather than being creative in the design and format of your resume, demonstrate your creativity in the content you choose and the way you describe it.

Not sure if you need a resume or a CV? Check out our Resume vs. CV guide .

Customizing Your Resume: Consider Your Audience and Reader

• Investigate industry standards and each potential employer. Consider preferences for length, format, and content of your resume. 
• Be sure to follow special instructions for supplemental application materials. Provide all documents requested, and determine if appropriate to send additional, e.g. reference list.
• If possible, save all of your documents in one PDF and attach them to your application.
• A potential employer typically spends around 30 seconds initially reviewing a resume. Therefore, it is important to carefully select experiences that emphasize the skills most relevant to your desired position. As you make your choices, remember to stress quality over quantity.
• Review the job description and consider the responsibilities for each position you apply to. Consider the perspective of the potential employer, and what the organization would desire in the ideal candidate for the position. Make changes to your resume accordingly.
• Reflect upon your specific experiences that demonstrate the skills and credentials listed in the position announcement.
• Think about using words from the job posting, highlighting different relevant coursework, or using example projects or outcomes that more closely match that specific position's requirements or job duties. The changes you make may be small, but the impact could be huge!

Title Related Resources

• Resume/Cover Letter/LinkedIn Review Services
• Action Words (pdf)
• Sample Resumes (pdf)
• Resume vs. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Sample Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

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Career Services

Resumes, cvs, and cover letters.

What are Resumes, CVs, and Cover Letters?

A  resume  is a summary of your education, work history, and other accomplishments and skills. Resumes are the most common document requested of applicants in job applications.

A CV or curriculum vitae is a summary of your education, work history, and other accomplishment and skills and typically used when applying for international, academic, education, scientific, medical, or research positions or when applying for fellowships or grants.  CVs include more information than resumes with an emphasis on one’s academic background (e.g., teaching experience, degrees, research, awards, publications, presentations).

A cover letter  is a letter of introduction attached to, or accompanying another document such as a resume or CV (Source:  Wikipedia).

Learn more about developing these materials in the sections below.

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Resume resources.

A resume is a document highlighting an individual’s strengths related to a field/job and is an essential component of virtually any job search.  Employers generally spend less than a minute scanning a resume to decide whether to give it a more thorough read so it is important to create an organized and easy to read document.

• Resume Writing Tips
• Resume Power or Action Verbs

Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), computer systems that manage the many resumes/cover letters they receive. An ATS will read a resume and then rank and score an individual’s qualifications versus a job description. Only applicants with high scores will be invited to participate in an interview.

• Ensure Your Resume is Read (ATS)

resumesamples

The following are resume samples based on industry/degree focus.

• Sample Resume-Business
• Sample Resume-Business Marketing
• Sample Resume-Biochemistry Research
• Sample Resume-Engineering
• Sample Resume-Hard Sciences
• Sample Resume-Science Education
• Sample Resume-Social Science
• Sample Resume-LAS Study Abroad
• Sample Resume-LAS Study Abroad 2
• Sample Resume-First-year Student
• Sample Resume-Masters Occupational Therapy
• Sample Resume-Applied Psychology
• Sample Resume-Kinesiology

A Curriculum Vitae, also known as a CV, is a detailed summary of an individual’s education and academic background. CVs are most commonly used for individuals seeking academic, scientific, and/or research positions.  A CV is lengthier than a resume and showcases thorough documentation of an individual’s professional history including publications and teaching and research experience.

• Writing CVs

coverletter

The following are different formats and/or approaches in cover letter writing.

• Sample Bulleted Cover Letter
• Sample Cover Letter for Unadvertised Internship
• Sample Cover Letter with Table Format
• Sample E-mail Cover Letter

Annual guide outlining/summarizing tips on career development activities, sample materials, upcoming career events, and general advice for students seeking employment and/or internships.

• UIC Career Planning Guide

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